E3 2016: Sony

At Games Apps and Reviews HQ. 'Yes, yes I know, I'm a bit late but it's all under control. Yes, I'm hearing you. Three months isn't that long really, is it? Yes, don't worry I'm on the case. The next E3 won't be around by the time I've finished! How dare you! Yes, OK I'll get on with it. Next week. Tomorrow. Today, OK, OK.

God of War:
Fact:
Kratos is back with a beard, a kid, a new personality and a new way to play. Unlike the top-down games of old, this is a 3rd person action adventurey, role-playing, hack and slash game complete with a more grounded camera perspective. And amazing graphics, detailed environments with interactable environments. That too. Kratos has an axe which can turn to ice (the bow can also fire lightning) and beat people up with as well as throw and then Mjolnir style come back. Quick time events are also back and the world is set in Norse mythology. Spartan Rage is a thing and seems to be a finishing move.

Opinion:
Kratos seems to be trying to control his anger? That's new. The game looks really good and I do like the chemistry between Kratos and his son but I can't shake the feeling that, at least at the moment, Kratos is only there to sell the game as the departure from his normal self is quite great. Will have to wait and see.

Favourite Moments:
Kratos appearing
Throwing the axe
'Don't be sorry, be better'
'Your deer is getting away'
The end scene

Day's Gone:
Fact:
They're not zombies. Set in an apocalyptic world, you play a bounty hunter.

Opinion:
The opening monologue was great and really sets the scene for things to come. Including a gameplay trailer as that's not currently here at this part of the video.

The Last Guardian:
Fact:
A decade in the making, The Last Guardian has you play as a boy who along with his GIANT dog friend, help to solve puzzles together. A spiritual successor to Shadow of Colossus and Ico, atmosphere is the name of the game. There's also more giant dogs. Originally set for release on October 25, 2016, but has since been pushed back to December.

Opinion:
This game and its development cycle have become the stuff of legend with it being developed over three different console generations and the sheer size of the giant creature is a sight to behold. I can't wait to see what The Last Guardian has in store for us.

Favourite Moments:
The music
The sheer size of the creature

Horizon: Zero Dawn:
Fact:
The world of the old ones ended ages ago, the masters of the new world are the machines. A young woman seeks to uncover the secrets of the Earth. But to do that, she has to leave her tribe behind. You have a bow (which you can fire while riding), a sling and a spear/hammer to your disposal, all upgradable to have different effects and traps make an appearance as well. Bioware-esque chat options are here and you seem to be fighting something called 'The Corrupted'. Many common gameplay elements are in this game but with technology centred twists - you have to 'override' a mount to be able to ride it. A quick time menu is also available, allowing you to pick weapons quickly. It even slows down time for you (something you can do as well manually so as to hit critical points).

Opinion:
Another open-world game you may say, but what other game has giant robot dinosaurs you can fight? With great combat and a lovely, Autumn colour pallet, this game looks great.

Favourite Moments:
Seeing the world
The variety of weapons
Where you hit makes a difference
Jumping onto the mount while running
The giant machines

Detroit: Become Human:
Fact:
You play as Connor, an Android negotiator in a world which doesn't like Androids. Collect information, face dilemmas, build your own story, live by your decisions and face the consequences, all in a tech-filled world.

Opinion:
This is one of the few games I had no idea about before E3 and by God does that trailer look awesome. If the game is that fast-paced, and truly has that many choices (and more levels), then I can see it becoming quite the game.

Favourite Moments:
All the different consequences
Using X-Rays to find clues
Reactions of humans against Androids
Some of those consequences...

Resident EVII:
Fact:
Made for PlayStation VR and PS4. You have a torch to guide you and atmosphere seems key. Like, really key. And terrifying. Like a Resident Evil should be. Releasing on January 24th, 2017, with a demo available now

Opinion:
I love that, even in the middle of this life or death scenario, the guy still has the time to put the phone down correctly. The atmosphere, even in the trailer was awesome, so imagine what it will feel like in VR. *shudders*.

Favourite Moments:
The light effects
The captured footage
The title's play on words

PlayStation VR:
Fact:
Releasing in the United States, October 13, 2016, for $399 (around £313), with 50 games planned for between launch and the end of 2016 with a mix of big franchise game ports and games specifically made for VR.

Opinion:
I'm really interested in this, due to mainly the price tag compared to the Vive and Oculus Rift. But also it will be interesting to see what VR on consoles will be like. Overall, we'll have to wait and see.

Farpoint:
A VR shooter on an unidentified planet. What was originally wonder and amazement quickly turns to fear as they realise they are not alone. Some drones and a giant spider are seen. Remember, survivors keep moving.

Opinion:
VR will really help with atmosphere and this game already looks like it packs this in abundance. I can't wait to hear more.

Favourite Moments:
The environment
The steady build in tension
That massive spider

Star Wars Battlefront: X-Wing VR Mission:
Fact:
Star Wars in VR. What more could you want? Releasing October 2016, exclusively for PS VR.

Opinion:
Come on guys, it's Star Wars in VR. STAR WARS.

Favourite Moments:
The live orchestra playing the theme tune
Seeing it's set in the ships
Seeing the lasers

Batman Arkham VR:
How do you feel when you put on that mask? Now, is the Joker talking to Batman or you? Maybe both. Coming October 2016, exclusively on PlayStation VR. #WEARtheCOWL

Opinion:
Not much is really known about this game and no gameplay was shown but anything with Mark Hamill's Joker can't be a bad thing, right?

Favourite Moments:
The Joker's monologue

Final Fantasy XV:
Fact:
You can ride spaceships and Chocobo's as well as drive a car and of course. warp around the place. Magic is prevalent but has been brought up to date with bigger effects against bigger monsters. Was meant to be released on the 30th of September 2016 but has now been pushed back to November 29th, 2016.

Opinion:
Everything seems big in this iteration of Final Fantasy, I just hope it lives up to it.

Favourite Moments:
Blizzard
Chocobo's
The giant monsters

Final Fantasy XV: VR Experience:
Fact:
You can play in VR, first-person. You can fire guns and warp around the place. I'm not sure if it will just be a demo thing or if you can play the entire game in VR. You can also play as Prompto.

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare
Fact:
The stakes have been raised with the entire Solar System now being battled over. Space battles are now a thing and you can seamlessly jump out of your ship and onto the stop of space stations to battle over, all in zero gravity. A grappling hook can be used to pull enemies towards you and to traverse the place easily. You can equip grenades to people or break their necks when grappling them. Jetpacks are also a thing and can help you traverse in zero gravity. You can create a shield to use, which also highlights enemies in red and can throw grenades which create pockets of anti-gravity. Releasing 4th November, 2016. Can pre-purchase certain editions so as to play the Modern Warfare: Remastered campaign 30 days early for PS4 users. Modern Warfare: Remastered contains the campaign and 10 multiplayer maps.

Opinion:
A mix between Star Wars and Titanfall is what I got from the trailer, with some Avatar thrown in for good measure. Having variety in these shooters can only be a good thing so it's nice to see Call of Duty and Battlefield go their separate ways. Which one will you be picking up? Let us know in the comments.

Favourite Moments:
Seeing the Earth in the distance
The seamless transition between ship and walking
The zero-g grenade
The many ways you can approach the enemy

Opinion:
Is it just me or did the faces not look right? Anyway, Final Fantasy in VR? Wasn't expecting that.

Favourite Moments:
Seeing the PS VR in game

Crash Bandicoot:
Fact:
Crash is back, with Crash 1, Crash 2 and Crash: Warped being fully remastered from the ground up for PlayStation 4.

Opinion:
I loved the shadow effect they managed to get on the floor of the presentation and hearing Crash's return may get me to actually check out one of his games as this is another series I seem to have completely missed.

Skylanders: Imaginators:
Crash Bandicoot is in the game and you can also create your own Skylander using a variety of tools (similar to creating your own Lego mini figure in the Lego games). Releasing in October 2016.

Opinion:
Skylanders is another game which has eluded me but I am thankful for it as it brought the toys-to-life category to life and another game in the series is always welcome (not necessarily for my wallet). However, while I'm sure that creating your own Skylander may be good, it seems to be a bit odd that they're deviating from the physical figures.

Favourite Moments:
Crash appearing
Seeing the creations

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens:
Fact:
The Force Awakens told with the traditional humour expected of the Lego games as well as a few extra episodes which expand on the story. You can download a free demo and the game is also now released.

Opinion:
Lego Star Wars was basically my early childhood (along with Age of Empires and Kingdom Hearts) so to have another game in the series is awesome! I've played the demo as well as was impressed by it all if a little overwhelmed by all the extra stuff they've got in the game now.

Favourite Moments:
The orchestra playing the Star Wars music
The Lego brand humour

Death Stranding:
Fact:
The new game by Hideo Kojima and Kojima Productions. Co-published by Sony. Norman Reedus stars in a game which seems to be about technology, spirits and... to be honest I'm not really sure.

Opinion:
I don't really know where to go with this one. I've not been brought up on Hideo Kojima games so his appearance didn't really strike me as big but the game does intrigue me, if just for the sheer oddness of it all. Really effective as well.

Favourite Moments:
The hand prints
The music
Slowly showing where they were

Spider-Man:
Made by Insomniac Games (Ratchet and Clank) and featuring an original storyline and Spidey-Suit. The story is not an origin story either, as it tells the story of a mature Spider-Man, with all the awesome techniques he's picked up over the years. Only on PS4.

Opinion:
I've played two Spider-Man games so far - Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows, both of which were good in their own rights, especially in terms of movement and web-slinging. So I'm really looking forward to this game especially as it's a completely original story, something which has held the previous Spider-Man games back somewhat. Will this be Spider-Man's equivalent of Arkham? We'll have to wait and see

Favourite Moments:
The new suit
The moves

Days Gone (pt.2):
Fact:
Features motorbike riding and massive zombie (Freaker) hordes. Focuses on the homemade crafting of survival games and parkour of any new game. The Freakers can burst through most environments and even use the bodies of dead Freakers to get to you. The sheer numbers of Freakers in these hordes can break floors etc. leading to interesting ways to defeat them.

Opinion:
So that's the gameplay. It seems pretty intense, to say the least, and I love all the different ways you can defeat the horde (not the only type of enemy in the game by the way). It will be interesting to see how the PS4 will cope with this amount of enemies, though.

Favourite Moments:
Seeing the horde
Destroying the horde

And with the chants of 'Sony Won' ending the conference, so does our (slightly elongated time) with E3 finish.

Thanks for reading, Satamer.

P.S. How cool is it that Sony had an actual orchestra play the music in their conference?! Also, if watching on YouTube, I'd suggest 1.5-2 times speed for something quite different.

P.S.S: What was your favourite announcement of E3? Let us know in the comments.