Guardians of the Galaxy
E3 2021 Games Ranked by Hype
Rather like the announcement of Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, the reveal of Guardians of the Galaxy game came as a major surprise during Square Enix’s press conference. Sure, its partnership with Marvel was always likely to yield more video games moving forward, but the fact that we’ll be taking control of Star-Lord and his band of misfits as soon as later this year is something we just didn’t imagine as a possibility.
Of course, we’re not complaining! Particularly so, because despite our reservations about a new Square Enix Marvel game after the disappointment of Avengers, this latest effort is a story-driven, single-player experience that looks as though it’s going to deliver a genuinely authentic Marvel experience. The witty writing is there, the voice acting sounded great, and the gameplay looks as though it has a lot of potential. Here’s hoping Guardians of the Galaxy plays as well as it looks!
Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp
Now here’s a franchise that’s been out in the wilderness for far too long. The cartoon-y, tactical action of the Advance Wars series hasn’t had any love since 2008’s Advance Wars: Days of Ruin for the Nintendo DS. It’s always felt like a franchise perfectly suited to the Nintendo Switch, and it’s finally making a return with Advance Wars 1+2 Re-Boot Camp.
It’s not an all-new game though. Instead, it’s set to be a remake of the first two top-down strategy titles, complete with 3D maps, battle visuals, and glitzy new commander animations. It’s looking like a great way to re-introduce the franchise to Switch owners, and is hopefully a sign we’ll get an all new Advance Wars game in the future. This one’s available for pre-order now, out in December 2021.
Far Cry 6
The sixth entry in Ubisoft’s open-world adventure franchise, Far Cry 6, is on the way later this year, and we were treated to a brand new trailer at E3 2021. Set in a «tropical paradise frozen in time» called Yara, players will take control of protagonist Dani as they shoot, loot and crash through Far Cry 6’s customary regime-crushing story. Breaking Bad’s Giancarlo Esposito stars as the game’s villain, Anton Castillo, so we’re anticipating some Vaas-level tyranny, but some brand new weapon customization mechanics look to keep Far Cry 6 from being the same old waypoint-chasing adventure.
Far Cry 6 is being released on October 7, 2021 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X.
High: India gets a bigger spotlight
One of the positive side effects of having fewer big announcements this year was that indies got more of a chance to shine as they were part of both big shows like Summer Games Fest Kickoff Live and their own events like Healthy Direct, Guerrilla Collective, and the Future game show. Even if indies are usually not your thing, games like Somerville (the new game from one of the co-creators of Limbo), to replace (one of the most stylish cyberpunk games you’ll ever see – yes, including Which a), Lemni Gate (a unique turn-based strategy/FPS hybrid) and Loot River (a crazy mashup of Diablo and Tetris) are definitely worth checking out. If the big boys let you down a little, don’t forget the little boys.
E3 2021 Future Games Show: More game announcements
(Image credit: GamesRadar)
Here are a few other games that hooked the Tom’s Guide staff during the Future Games Show presentation at E3 2021:
- Backbone is a film noir detective thriller where you play as a raccoon in a world full of shifty animals
- Beacon Pines is a colorful storybook adventure where you can change the narrative by finding and applying new words in a book
- Esports Boxing Club (eSBC) is an immersive boxing sim where you can pit classic boxers against today’s talent
- Lake is a chill adventure game where you play as a woman who returns to her hometown in the ‘80s to become a mail carrier and befriend the local populace
- KeyWe stars two kiwi birds, Jeff and Debra, who run a local post office and deal with all the various hazards that entails
- Harold Halibut is a beautifully animated adventure game that channels the aesthetic of Wes Anderson films
- Olli Olli World lets you pull of skateboard tricks in intense but inviting levels that flow easily from one challenge to the next
- Tails of Iron features beautiful graphics and a fantastical story about a rat kingdom fighting a frog invasion
- Conway: Disappearance at Dahlia View is set in England during the 1950s, and spins a dark detective yarn
There are still more big E3 conferences on the way, so stay tuned to Tom’s Guide, where we’ll have all the latest news as it happens.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
Nintendo заявила, что планирует выпустить игру в 2022 году, но все в этом сомневаются, в том числе и Джейсон Шраер, прогнозирующий перенос. Но оригинальная Breath of the Wild была столь хороша, что пусть продолжение разрабатывают хоть десять лет — лишь бы было на уровне. К тому же в этот раз у компании был не просто тизер, а полноценный геймплейный трейлер и первые подробности ожидаемой игры. Помимо того, что Линк получит новые способности (в ролике, например, он манипулировал временем и жарил врагов огнем), разработчики объявили, что много времени предстоит провести и в небе — это, видимо, станет главной особенность игры.
Ну а другой интересный факт касается названия новой «Зельды». Оказалось, что Breath of the Wild 2 — всего лишь рабочий вариант. На выходе игра получит собственный подзаголовок, но пока его не раскрывают, потому что в нем будет намек на сюжет.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=fZvP79tawUA
Sonic Colors Ultimate
(Image credit: GamesRadar)
Sonic Colors Ultimate is admittedly kind of a “gimme” for long time series fans. They liked Sonic Colors when it debuted in 2010; now, they’re eager to replay it on current-gen consoles, with enhanced graphics and performance. We got to see Sonic Colors Ultimate in action at the Future Games Show, as the developers showcased the Tropical Resort stage. In it, Sonic rocketed his way through a balmy maze of platforms and loop-de-loops, surrounded by pine trees and sandstone walkways. There’s an easygoing mix of side-scrolling and 3D navigation, but Sonic never has to slow down, which is more than certain 3D Sonic games can claim.
Eiyuden Chronicle: Rising
Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes is the next epic JRPG experience from the creators of the iconic Suikoden series that we’ve been excited about here at Twinfinite for quite some time. Unfortunately, the bad news is that we’ll have to wait a little longer — it’s been delayed until 2023. The good news, though, is that a spin-off title called Eiyuden Chorincle: Rising has been revealed.
According to the Steam Page, it’s set to feature “town-building mechanics, fast-paced combat, and important back-story for several of the Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes cast of characters.” And while it might not quite be the Hundred Heroes game we’ve been hankering for, any coming together of legendary developers Yoshitaka Murayama and Osamu Komuta is a gaming experience worthy of hype in our books.
Best trailer that didn’t feature gameplay: Starfield
Xbox Series X/S, PC
Putting aside The Outer Worlds 2, which was hilarious but literally revealed nothing about the game, it was almost impossible not to come away impressed with Starfield. I mean, who else out there wanted to (a) know what was in that sandwich and (b) take a bite of it?
The visuals are damn near photo realistic, which really is saying something, because this is a sci-fi RPG set in outer space, so a lot of the stuff in the video doesn’t even exist! The fact that it’s running on Bethesda’s own new engine only added to the trailer’s significance. We didn’t get any gameplay, unfortunately, but with Starfield still over a year away from release, I was OK with that.
Image credit: Nintendo
Elden Ring
Where we saw it: Summer Game FestDeveloper: FromSoftware
After two years of dead air, we finally have an Elden Ring gameplay trailer. And, yeah, it looks a lot like Dark Souls, but it’s been five years since Dark Souls 3 and our collective grimdark fantasy tanks have long since emptied. We need this, OK? Besides, focusing on the familiar is a disservice to everything FromSoftware hasn’t done before on display in the trailer.
It’s telling that our recent trailer discussion on the kept returning to the same thing: that massive rock quadruped roaming Elden Ring’s open world. Study it for a minute and you’ll notice the bell hanging beneath it is part of a whole-ass building on top of its back. How the hell do you get up there? Uhhhh…
FromSoftware is notorious for its more prescriptive, classic action RPG challenges. But now, with a tried and tested melee and magic vocabulary, lessons learned in acrobatics and traversal and stealth from Sekiro, with an open world and spectral, double-jumping horse layered in, it looks like FromSoft made its first legit sandbox game. It’s why we can’t quit the massive rock turtle: What’s your plan for getting up there? Let’s hope FromSoft has solutions enough for all of us. —James Davenport
Favorite reveal of E3: Battlefield 2042
PlayStation, Xbox, PC
Not being one to get very excited about trailers that don’t show any gameplay, I was fairly underwhelmed by the new Battlefield reveal in the lead-up to E3. Once we finally got to feast our eyes on the action, though, OMG. I don’t mean to go overboard on three minutes of footage, but … this is potentially shaping up to mark the next great leap forward for the FPS genre.
128 players competing simultaneously. Interactive maps. New multiplayer game modes. Fully customizable loadouts. Amazing graphics. Listen, it doesn’t matter what your poison is — VALORANT, Halo, Overwatch, Call of Duty — if you’re into PvP, this might be one that everybody needs to at least give it a try. Or, as one friend replied after I sent the trailer, «Looks like a Day 1 buy,» when it releases on Oct. 22.
Read more: 7 Xbox exclusives announced at E3 we’re most excited about
Granted, I may be a tad biased, having spent copious hours with several past iterations of the Battlefield franchise. Well, this list is subjective, after all. 2042 is coming this year, almost every gamer can play it, and EA and DICE clearly are aiming to take the genre to the next level with this entry.
Image credit: Bethesda
Rocksmith+
Rocksmith+ is the newest installment in Ubisoft’s line of guitar tutorial software. Unlike previous entries, it aims to follow more of a subscription-based model. It’s also the first in the series to be completely peripheral-free, requiring nothing but your phone for the software to work. Ubisoft is currently allowing folks to .
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, Mobile | Release Date: TBA
E3 2021 News & Announcements
- Nintendo Switch OLED Announced, Coming October 8
- E3 2021: Schedule, Participants, And What To Expect
- Xbox & Bethesda E3 Showcase Announcements: Starfield, Halo Infinite, Diablo 2
- + Show More E3 2021 News & Announcements Links (4)
- Nintendo Direct E3 2021 Announcements: Breath Of The Wild 2, Metroid Dread, Advance Wars
- E3 2021 Games Confirmed So Far
- Ubisoft Forward E3 2021 Announcements: Far Cry 6, Mario + Rabbids 2, Avatar
- Square Enix E3 2021 Stream Announcements: Guardians Of The Galaxy, Final Fantasy Origin, Babylon’s Fall
Best news for retro gamers: Metroid Dread
Switch
Although Nintendo still didn’t have anything to show for the four-plus years it’s invested in Metroid Prime 4, we did get the surprise announcement for the first new 2D Metroid game in nearly two decades — and the first for a home console since Super Metroid in 1994.
Due out Oct. 8, Metroid Dread appears to play like the classics, with all sorts of new weapons and abilities, of course, only with a more colorful, almost Mega Man-ish aesthetic, which I personally loved. The game still has a dark vibe, just not so drab. And some of the moves Samus showed off, such as being able to cloak herself temporarily or climb walls, promise to modernize the experience.
Honestly, I felt E3 brought a lot to the table for retro gaming fans. Though not technically retro, Replaced, a 2.5D pixel art platform coming to Xbox and PC in 2022, looks like a throwback to a simpler time. SNK’s cult shoot ’em up franchise, Metal Slug, is making a comeback on PC with a strategy RPG titled Metal Slug Tactics. And Switch is bringing back all sorts of older titles and franchises with Mario Party Superstars, Advance Wars and Super Monkey Ball. What a time to be alive!
Image credit: Microsoft/Xbox
Biggest non-E3 moment: Elden Ring
PlayStation, Xbox, PC
All the leaks in the run up to the convention certainly contributed, but Summer Games Fest almost managed to steal the show before E3 even got under way. Elden Ring is FromSoftware’s long-awaited new epic, and not only due to the dev’s successful run of titles like Dark Souls, Demon’s Souls and Bloodborne. George R. R. Martin, the author behind the Game of Thrones books, has been helping with the creation of its elaborate world.
The RPG got a release date — January 2022 — plus a trailer complete with story elements and gameplay, and it looks absolutely massive. There were more visually stunning games shown, but few if any that are likely to have the combination of depth and storytelling simply based on the names involved. Compared with Ubisoft’s Avatar project, or Square Enix coming with Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, for example, Elden Ring’s reveal was far more exciting news.
Conway: Disappearance At Dahlia View
Winner of the Nosiest Neighbour Award
Alice0: The studio behind The Occupation return with a new investigation game, starring the very nosiest of characters: a retired copper who suspects his neighbours of something. A young girl’s missing, you see, and our man has a lot of time to sit staring out his window, keep track of everyone’s activities and secrets, and formulate theories. Having personally once suspected a neighbour was a murderer because we snuck into his shed and found a bloodstained freezer, then spending days noting his comings and goings and checking the newspaper for murder reports, I am well up for spying on virtuaneighbours — far less risk of being murdered myself, for one.
Артхаус как всегда на высоте
Любая игровая презентация в наши дни может разочаровать вас в плане блокбастеров, но в плане более авторских проектов всегда будет хоть что-нибудь интересное. Упомянем лишь самые яркие:
Sommerville — платформер, поразительно похожий на игру Inside, от которой у нас в свое время снесло крышу. Студию-разработчика игры Jumpship учредил один из боссов Playdead, Дино Патти. О новой игре Playdead, кстати, на выставке ничего не слышно.
Replaced — еще одна звездочка конференции Xbox, и еще один кинематографичный платформер. Теперь — в зернистом киберпанке и с драками. Выглядит, как игра мечты для «Мегадрайва», и это, конечно, комплимент.
Silt — чрезвычайно графичный подводный платформер про аквалангиста. Ч/б, рыбы с глазами-фонарями, подводные механизмы — похоже на стильный сплав Limbo и Abzu.
FAR: Changing Tides — меланхоличная, но очень красивая игра о поиске нового дома в затопленном мире. Помимо самих поисков предстоит собирать и обслуживать безумные корабли, на которых путешествовать и будем. Changing Tides — это духовной наследник прекрасной FAR: Lone Sails.
Songs of Conquest — это правильные «Герои меча и магии», которых нам сейчас очень не хватает.
Tales of Arise
Tales of Arise is the latest installment in the historic Tales action-RPG franchise. Unlike previous entries in the series, Tales of Arise stands out with more action-focused combat, resembling games like Devil May Cry and Monster Hunter. The game follows Alphen, an iron-masked knight whose home planet of Dahna has been enslaved by the planet of Rena. As Alphen fights to liberate his people, he encounters Shionne, a warrior of Rena, on the run from her countrymen. The two must form an unlikely alliance to survive a world-ending conflict brewing across both their worlds.
Platforms: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC | Release Date: September 10
Replaced
Winner of the Loveliest, Moodiest Pixels Award
Katharine: In a showcase rammed with big, flashy blockbusters, it says a lot that it was Sad Cat Studio’s debut 2.5D pixel platformer Replaced that really caught my attention. This was the big, genuine surprise for me this E3. I will no doubt play the heck out of all the other big games announced during Microsoft’s Xbox and Bethesda Games showcase (if only because I’ve technically already bought them due to the sheer number of them coming day one to Game Pass), but it was Replaced that actually made me sit up and take notice. I just can’t get over how stunning it looks, from the way it moves to the jaw-dropping lighting effects reflecting off the rain-washed streets. It is extremely my jam. Its premise of an AI stuffed unwillingly into a human body in a grim, post-apocalypse has me hooked, too, and I’m intrigued to see how it will tie in to your main other objective of uncovering the secrets of Phoenix City. It’s not out until 2022, but consider me well and truly hyped.
Metroid Dread
E3 2021 Games Ranked by Hype
And that brings us to our number one pick for the most hype-worthy game of E3 2021, Metroid Dread. This was, for many of us, the most surprising and exciting reveal of the entire week — the first original 2D Metroid game in over 15 years. We’re going back to where it all began, not just for Metroid but for an entire genre of games that is among the most popular in the entire industry.
It’s not only a chance to bathe in nostalgia, but a chance to see how Nintendo innovates when it comes to Metroidvania design and possibly exceed its high watermark. This isn’t just a stopgap until Metroid Prime 4, it’s the continuation of a series that many thought we’d never see again, and we’re delighted it’s happening. Roll on October.
Alex Gibson
Alex was a Senior Editor at Twinfinite and worked on the site between January 2017 and March 2023. He covered the ins and outs of Valorant extensively, and frequently provided expert insight into the esports scene and wider video games industry. He was a self-proclaimed history & meteorological expert, and knew about games too. Playing Games Since: 1991, Favorite Genres: RPG, Action
Xbox и Bethesda
Это была одна из крупнейших панелей выставки, но мы расскажем только о самых ожидаемых проектах.
Battlefield 2042
Игра выйдет уже 22 октября и на E3 нам впервые показали геймплейный трейлер многопользовательского шутера. В ролике сразу бросается в глаза, что Electronic Arts держат планку разнообразия техники и красочности разрушений, выжимая максимум возможностей из нового поколения консолей. На поле боя будет одновременно до 128 игроков, можно будет использовать помещения и многоуровневость карт, появятся красочные погодные эффекты, влияющие на ход сражений.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2: Heart of Chernobyl
Долгожданное продолжение Сталкера обзавелось первым геймплейным трейлером. Можно увидеть фрагмент боя, процесс модификации оружия и сбора амуниции, сбор аномалий, охоту на мутантов и даже некоторые культовые места: недостроенные градирни пятого энергоблока, город Припять, радиолокационную станцию Дуга.
Игра выйдет для PC и Xbox 28 апреля 2022 года.
Diablo II: Resurrected
Разработчики показали игровой трейлер ремастера легендарной Diablo II. Уже 23 сентября вы сможете сразиться с демонами в кооперативе до 8 игроков на PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S и Nintendo Switch. Также стало известно про открытый бета-тест для всех желающих в августе.
Age of Empires IV
Это стратегия в реальном времени, разработанная студией Relic Entertainment под издательством Xbox Game Studios. В игре будет 8 цивилизаций в четырёх разных кампаниях c 35 миссиями, поддержка модификаций и мультиплеер для 8 игроков. Подробнее про исторические сражения, нации, походы и геймплей – на Hot Game.
На выставке разработчики представили новый официальный трейлер к продолжению культовой стратегии, демонстрирующий юнитов разных фракций, процесс осады и соответствие игровых персоналий и событий реальной истории.
Microsoft Flight Simulator
Крупнейший симулятор воздушных полётов получил дату выхода на Xbox Series X|S – 27 июля. Игра получит все возможности и нюансы управления, реализованные в версии для компьютеров, с первого дня после релиза, а также будет добавлена в коллекцию Xbox Game Pass.
The Elder Scrolls Online
Популярная MMORPG получит обновление Console Enhance для консолей нового поколения. Будет улучшена графика, появятся новые графические эффекты, улучшится производительность и время загрузки. Патч уже доступен для владельцев игры.
Starfield
Чем раньше выйдет Starfield, тем быстрее Bethesda доделает новую The Elder Scrolls — а это уже весомый повод ждать новую космическую RPG. На Е3 игру представили кинематографическим тизером, который о ней ничего толком не сказал. Зато следом в интервью сам Тодд Говард подтвердил, что это будет «Skyrim в космосе». Ну а кто сомневался?
События Starfield развернутся в XXIV веке, а нам уготована роль исследователя вселенной из организации «Созвездие», которую описывают как смесь NASA, «Лиги выдающихся джентльменов» и «Индианы Джонса». В геймплейном плане Тодд Говард обещает знакомую по серии TES свободу, а в сюжете хочет пофилософствовать о религии, науке и происхождении вещей. Разработчики утверждают, что Starfield будет ближе к жанру «реалистичная научная фантастика», который художник Bethesda Иштван Пели назвал NASA-панком. Достаточно цепко, чтобы не забыть об игре до осени 2022 года, на которую намечен релиз.
A Little To The Left
Winner of the Most Likely To Make Me Ashamed Of My Desk Award
Alice Bee: This really lovely, yet minimal, puzzle game turned up at the Wholesome Direct this year and I was instantly in love. It just gives you a bunch of small domestic messes and asks you to clear them up. Put these coloured pencils back in order. Stack these bits of coloured note paper according to size. Arrange this small shelf of books by ascending height. There is also a cat, whose mischievous paw will sweep things into a mess again. I instantly smashed the Wishlist button, and I can’t wait until October 21st, when it will be released. Everyone I have lived with will tell you that I do not display this inclination for tidiness and order in my own living space…
Somerville
E3 2021 Games Ranked by Hype
Limbo and INSIDE are perhaps two of the best side-scrolling games of the past decade, and so naturally, the latest project from a former Playdead co-founder is hot on our list of most exciting games showcased during E3 2021. But beyond just appealing to us in principle, Somerville genuinely looks fascinating, with its unique, hand-drawn art style, shifting perspectives, moody cinematography, and a mysterious sci-fi premise so typical of the developer’s resume.
It looks set to deliver an emotional rollercoaster and a powerful narrative that we’re certain we’ll be pondering long after we roll credits after the game launches next year. Here’s the trailer if you missed it.
Battlefield 2042
Battlefield 2042 was revealed on June 9, with a gameplay trailer dropping as part of the Xbox and Bethesda games showcase on June 13. The new Battlefield is set to take players into the near future and is being touted as “the most ambitious” entry in the first-person shooter series yet. Built using the latest Frostbite engine, Battlefield 2042 will arrive packing a host of new weapons, vehicles and gadgets, as well as 128-player maps for the latest consoles and PC.
Interestingly, there’ll be no campaign mode for the first time, nor a much-rumored Battle Royale mode, but EA says players can expect three “distinct, standout multiplayer experiences” – which sounds pretty good to us.
Battlefield 2042 is scheduled to release on October 22, 2021 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One and PC.
Battlefield 2042 could give the new Call of Duty some serious competition
Главные события выставки
Гвоздем программы стала конференция Microsoft. Объединившиеся под его крылом Xbox и приобретенная недавно за $7.5 млрд Bethesda представили массу новинок. Полуторачасовой ивент получился по-настоящему масштабным и насыщенным. Были презентованы ожидаемый публикой космик-гейм Starfield, чернобыльский боевик S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2, военный шутер Battlefield 2042 и множество других игр.
По итогам прошедших конференций выставки были определены победители премии E3 2021 Awards Show. Голосование проводилось среди участников жюри — приглашенных критиков и редакторов топовых игровых журналов. В этом году это были представители изданий PC Gamer, GameSpot, Game Bonfire, GamesRadar+, ING и IGN China.
Фаворитами на финальном шоу были признаны:
- самая ожидаемая игра выставки — гоночный симулятор Forza Horizon 5 от Xbox;
- лучшая презентация — дуэт Xbox & Bethesda от Microsoft;
- самая ожидаемая игра от Xbox/Bethesda — шутер Halo Infinite (Halo 6).
Помимо презентаций игр и симуляторов, на выставке также были анонсированы новейшие программные разработки, периферийные устройства, «железо» и игровые ноутбуки.
Forza Horizon 5
Forza Horizon 5, the fifth entry in the popular open-world driving simulator, will take players to an «authentic» recreation of Mexico and boast the series’ largest drivable environments to date. Expect to traverse jungles, deserts, urban sprawls and ancient ruins as you tear through the rubber of the world’s fastest – and prettiest – cars. For the first time, the franchise is introducing a “deep and rewarding campaign”, too, where players will meet new characters and determine the outcome of their missions.
Forza Horizon 5 is scheduled for release on November 9, 2021 for Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S and PC.