E3 2017: PlayStation Press Conference Recap
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PlayStation was all about quantity at this year's E3 2017 press conference. They had so much to reveal that there was a pre-show that had their own set of reveals. It was all about games, not much talk on the main event, so here are the details of what was shown in Sony's corner.
Pre-Show
Gran Turismo Sport - We Have A Release Window
It's crazy really. Gran Turismo Sport, just like previous GT titles, have a long development cycle. We get a new trailer during PlayStation's pre-show and we were given a tour of Polyphonic Digital. But back to the trailer, car porn. What we can get out of Gran Turismo's presence in this year's E3 is that Gran Turismo Sport will be available sometime this fall.
Gran Turismo Sport has a smaller car count compared to previous titles. It will feature 140 cars, and in a report by Road and Track, the reason to this is to give the developers more focus on the game's gameplay experience.
Gran Turismo Sport will have 4K support on the PlayStation 4 Pro, and it will have PS VR support.
Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy - Out Very Soon
We have a new trailer for the Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy and we get to replay this classic trilogy on June 30.
As you can see, this isn't a remaster but was rebuilt from scratch. Vicarious Visions mentioned that the only thing that was taken from the original games is the franchise's known level geometry. Think of it as a modern take of the Crash, and a brand new game for those that have not experience the old trilogy.
In a report by VG247, Crash's sister Coco will be a playable character through the entire game.
Knack 2 - Do You Remember This?
If you don't it's fine because most don't remember that Knack was a launch game for the PlayStation 4. It now has a sequel and it looks and sounds exactly the same. Knack 2 was announced back in December showing that the sequel will have co-op, having multiple Knacks walking around together.
Knack 2 will be available on September 5.
PlayLink Announced - Your Mobile Device Is Another Controller
In the tweet shown above, before E3, they announced PlayLink that will have iOS and Android support. During the pre-show they revealed that they will be releasing a series of titles that will have the PlayLink Support.
With PlayLink, you can use your smartphones to play or interact with specific games. An additional support which works well to the next announcement that you can see below.
Hidden Agenda - Make Tough Choices As A Group
This is probably the best thing during the pre-show. A title by Supermassive Games (Until Dawn) that's about player choice but can be played with a group. It's a narrative-driven crime thriller that allows participating players in the room to collaborate and choose the character's important decisions and actions in the game. Everybody can use their phone to make a choice of what they think the character should do in the current situation, then the game tallies everybody's choice and the outcome plays out in the game.
This is great because Supermassive's last game, Until Dawn was best played as a group. We at TMG did just that and found more enjoyment of passing the controller, giving each participating player control of the character's fate.
We can't wait for it, and it's plan for release sometime this year.
That’s You! Announced
The next title revealed is That's You! A party game using the PlayLink feature. The game lets players compete against each other in a series of mini challenges with their phones as their controller. At the end of each challenge, it seems you can pick who did the better job. It's a fun title that is more of a proof of concept to future support what PlayLink is all about.
That's You! will be released on July 4, 2017 and it seems it will be free for PlayStation Plus members.
Other titles that will use PlayLink are SingStar Celebration, Frantics, and Knowledge is Power.
Matterfall - Platform Shooters Will Be Pleased
Pleased to know that Resogun creator's next title will be available on August 15. If you recall Housemarque's previous games, you know they make great shoot'em'ups. From Alienation to Dead Nation, Matterfall seems to be just as frantic.
Everybody’s Golf - Also Known Hot Shots Golf
Everybody's Golf is Hot Shots Golf. It's better known as Hot Shots Golf in North America and it's a long running series since 1997. It's great to see a classic getting a new entry with a price tag of $40. The big noticeable chance in this game is that it will have an open-world feel to it.
It will be out for PlayStation 4 on August 29 in North America, August 30 in Europe, and August 31 in Japan.
Superhot VR - Too Hot For PSVR
PSVR was released last year and it's only right for Sony to really justify their new tech with new titles to make it appealing to new and current owners of the tech. Superhot VR was released back in October for the Oculus Rift and it's the perfect game to have a VR version. Its concept is simple - the world stops when you do and the world moves when you do. Superhot VR hits PSVR "in a couple of weeks"
Superhot was originally a game jam entry in 2013, it was a seven-day project that turned to what it is now. The game went through Steam's greenlit program in just a weekend and found success on Kickstarter, raising $100,000 in less than 24 hours. In the end, the developers had $250,000 to help fund the game's development.
Sparc Announced - Out First On PSVR
What is Sparc? Based on the trailer for it, it's pretty much Tron's light disc battles. This VR game is by CCP Games and mentioned that it will be out on the Q3 of 2017. The game can be played solo but it's best played for two-player matches.
Tropico 6 - El Presedente Is Still At It
The next entry to the city building franchise Tropico has been announced and will be out in 2018.
This city builder is up there as one of the best in their genre. It's dark humor makes it stand out and we simply loved how the 5th game turned out. Kalypso Media will still be the one in charge of the 6th entry and is running on Unreal Engine 4.
Here are the key features given by Kalypso:
• Play on large archipelagos for the first time in the series. Manage multiple islands at the same time and adapt to various new challenges.
• Send your agents on raids to foreign lands to steal world wonders and monuments, to add them to your collection.
• Build bridges, construct tunnels and transport your citizens and tourists in taxis, buses and aerial cable cars. Tropico 6 offers completely new transportation and infrastructure possibilities.
• Customize the looks of your palace at will and choose from various extras.
• Tropico 6 features a revised research system focusing on the political aspects of being the world's greatest dictator.
• Election speeches are back! Address the people and make promises that you can’t possibly keep.
• Cooperative and competitive multiplayer for up to four players.
It was revealed at Sony's corner but Tropico 6 will be available on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC.
Undertale on PS4 - Complete With Physical Copies?
If there's one game that you should play in the indie side of things on the PC platform, most would say Undertale. I think Sony knows that as well so they brought this crazy game to the PS4, and they announce it with a series of other goodies if you plan to go all out when you get yourself a copy.
Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom - JRPG Coming Our Way
For those looking forward to the sequel of the JRPG Ni No Kuni, Ni No Kuni 2: Revenant Kingdom will be out on November 10 for PlayStation and PC. This Studio Ghibli-inspired JRPG sequel follows a young king named Evan who gets ejected from his position by his subjects. He joins someone from the real world that was recently transported to his realm and that's when the journey begins.
ACTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy - Never Trust Chloe
Sony finally starts the media briefing and they start things off with Uncharted: The Lost Legacy. New trailer debuts showing more of Chloe and Nadine's adventure of lost treasures and pissing off the wrong people.
Uncharted: The Lost Legacy will be out in August and the price in the Philippines for the standalone Uncharted game was revealed recently.
Horizon Zero Dawn DLC Announced - More Please!
Such a pleasant surprise. If you haven't played Horizon Zero Dawn, we highly suggest you pick this one up.
The Frozen Wilds Expansion for Horizon Zero Dawn brings players beyond the northern mountains. Apparently, there's a new danger and a new mystery that Aloy has to figure out.
It's releasing this year and it will cost $19.99. PlayStation Plus members will save 25% if pre-ordering is your thing. Pre-ordering also earns you a Banuk Aloy avatar.
Here are the details given to us regarding the DLC:
The Frozen Wilds contains additional content for Horizon Zero Dawn, including new storylines, characters and experiences in a beautiful but unforgiving new area.
- Uncover a compelling new story.
- Explore a brand new area
- Face new machines.
- To use this download, you need Horizon Zero Dawn.
- Enhanced for PS4 Pro with dynamic 4K gaming, improved graphics and environments, and High Dynamic Range visuals.
Days Gone - Shaping Up Well
Last time we say Days Gone was at E3 2016 and we are given the impression that there will be a swarm of zombie to deal with, World War Z style. In the latest gameplay demo released at this year's E3, they focused on the characters you will meet, exploration, and stealth.
Towards the end of the gameplay demo, we see protagonist Daecon St. John slowly backing away with his friend in hopes to not entice the giant undead bear that's in front of them.
No release date was given, but it's good to see another size of Days Gone and that zombie swarms aren't the only threats you'll be facing in this game.
Monster Hunter World Announced - Monster Hunter Heads To Modern Consoles and PC
This is probably one of the biggest reveals at Sony's corner. It may not be exclusive, but it definitely made fans of the series excited for Monster Hunter again. During the whole gameplay trailer, we were uncertain if this really was Monster Hunter despite the similar movements and the whole idea of hunting a giant monster is present in our screens. We were doubting it was Monster Hunter simply because the franchise is known to live around the handheld area when it comes to platforms.
Apparently, Capcom had a change of heart. Here's more details on Monster Hunter World by a press release released by Capcom:
"Retaining the series’ skill based progression and robust crafting system, players gear up to venture on quests to seek and slay monsters, progressively improving their skills to become the ultimate hunter. Loot collected from fallen foes can be used to create new equipment and armor upgrades styled after the monsters they’ve slain, allowing hunters to survive the elements and defeat the tougher opponents that await them.
Monster Hunter: World delivers a seamless gameplay experience allowing players to move freely across map areas that comprise the living ecosystems and dynamically transition from day to night. The landscape and its diverse inhabitants play a critical role in each quest as players strategically use the surrounding environment including terrain, vegetation and wildlife to their advantage in battle or become hindered by the hazards they present. Hunters must use their cunning and abilities to track and maneuver their targets throughout the intense, evolving battles.
With flexible online multiplayer options and an accessible quest structure, players can tackle challenges alone or join up to three other hunters online for cooperative play. For the first time in the Monster Hunter™ series, players from Japan and the west can play together online, providing an expanded base of cooperative hunting companions. With the new online drop-in functionality, solo players can hail for assistance from the worldwide group during quests when their opponents are too daunting to take on single-handedly."
Monster Hunter: World will be out on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. The PC version of the game will come at a later date after the release of the PS4 and Xbox One versions. It will be out early 2018.
Marvel vs Capcom Infinite - Story Demo Available Now
The latest trailer for Marvel vs Capcom features a lot of characters coming to the crossover fighting game. It focuses on the story part of the game with the good guys seeking help from Marvel's big baddie Thanos because the combination of Sigma and Ultron seem to much for them.
Then they announce a story demo available for download right now on PSN. Go, download it, we'll wait.
Marvel vs Capcom: Infinite will be out on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on September 19.
God of War - No Child Disappointments Seen Here
This gameplay trailer was quite lengthy, showing much of the game's gameplay and the journey Kratos takes with his bow-wielding child. A shield for Kratos makes its debut and a giant serpent appears before Kratos and child towards the end of the video.
Many think this is Jörmungandr, one of the sons of Loki. God of War is entering Norse mythology territory and it looks like the overall story of the game will probably lead to a known event in norse mythology - Ragnarok. That or Kratos is just going on a journey to kill stuff with his kid tagging along. We are just speculating of course.
No release date was given for God of War.
Call of Duty: World War II - Scripted Multiplayer Reveal
At this point, we are used to seeing Sony giving a slot to Activision's Call of Duty franchise. The latest trailer gives us a look at the game's multiplayer and it does look amazing. If no one told me this is multiplayer footage I would have thought that this is footage from the campaign.
Call of Duty: World War II is out on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC on November 3.
Skyrim VR - Hat Trick
Well, that completes the set for Betheseda. Coming in November, players can use the PS VR for the whole game. What was not clear though is if this will include content found in the Legendary edition which includes the game's DLC content. We are also not sure if The Elder Scrolls V: Skrim is a PSVR exclusive or it will be released in other VR platforms.
Star Child Announced - An Interesting Reveal
Interesting in a sense that it was being shown as a sci-fi side-scrolling game for PSVR. The trailer ends with a boss battle of sorts and we are quite curious on how they implemented the PSVR in this.
What we know is it's being developed by Playful and is published by GameTrust, the publishing arm of video game retailer GameStop.
No release date was given but the PSVR support doesn't stop here.
The Inpatient Announced - Supermassive Games Have Been Busy
Yet another reveal for Until Dawn developers Supermassive Games. This PSVR is a horrible. You play as an inpatient in a mental institution using the PSVR? Not good.
Kidding aside, it looks like it's one game that can fully utilize the VR tech. In a PlayStation Blog post, this game is actually in the same world as Until Dawn just set 60 years before. If you remember Until Dawn, there's a location you get to explore called Blackwood Sanatorium which was in ruins. Inpatient takes place in that very sanatorium. The post also clarifies that this is a standalone experience and you don't need to play Until Dawn to understand the story.
No release date was given for The Inpatient.
FFXV: Monster of the Deep - Why not
Seriously, why not. A fishing game could be a cool thing but I'm not sure if VR enhances the experience of you seeing your fishing rod struggle to keep the line from breaking. But to make a more appealing fishing game, I guess they used the Final Fantasy franchise to give it a good boost.
In last year's E3, they did announce Final Fantasy XV VR but I guess this is the evolution of that idea. It's out in September and will be exclusive to the PSVR.
Bravo Team - Supermassive Games Have Been Very Busy
Bravo Team is the third project revealed to be under Supermassive Games. The trailer revealed confirms that guns are involved and you get to shoot things.
There's really no information in the trailer and we have yet to see how well they implemented the PS VR.
No release date was given and all we know is - Supermassive Games is one busy studio.
Moss Announced - Last But Not The Least For PSVR
Yet another interesting title for the PSVR. It's an adventure that features a cute mouse wearing a scarf and a green gauntlet of sorts. Yet another title that makes us wonder how PSVR will be used in Moss.
No release date was given for this PSVR adventure.
Detroit: Become Human - The Power Of Choice
The more we see Detroit: Become Human, the more intriguing it gets for us. In the latest trailer that debuted at Sony's media briefing introduces a new character named Markus, an android that has the freedom to think for himself. He apparently has the ability to free other androids by allowing them to think for themselves, no limiting them to what they were programmed to do. He starts an android riots against their human creators and the events shown can be played differently based on the choices you make.
This is Quantic Dream's (Beyond: Two Souls, Heavy Rain) next game and it was revealed back in 2015 during Paris Game Week. It's a neo-noir thriller and focuses heavily on player choice, and how each scene can be played differently. Markus is the third character to be introduced. In the previous trailers, we were introduced by Kara, another android that was able to act on her own free will, escaping the facility that built her. Then we have Conner, who is a negotiator of sorts that was seen working on a hostage situation.
No official release date was given but it still currently has a 2017 release window.
Destiny 2 - Coming Out Earlier Than Expected
And Destiny 2 hits Sony's show floor with a trailer giving new details on the loot-driven shooter. Just like the first game, PlayStation players will get exclusive content.
PS4 players will get the Lake of Shadows Strike Mission, the Borealis Exotic Sniper Rifle, some armor, competitive multiplayer map Retribution, and the Apex ship. They'll be exclusive until Fall 2018.
Destiny 2 will be available earlier than expected. Originally planned for September 8, Destiny 2 will be out on Septeber 6 on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. The PC version of the game will launch on October 24.
Spider-Man Gameplay Footage - The Spider-Man Game Fans Deserve
This is a surprise - ending the show with the PS4 exclusive Spider-Man. Being developed by Insomniac Games (Sunset Overdrive, Ratchet & Clank), we are given an 8-minute gameplay footage of the web-slinger in action. We get a bit of how stealth works in the game and a look at the fluid combat. Then during intense moments, it seems like players will have to input basic button prompts. In the end, we get even a small tease of a specific character that will be in the game.
In the end, it looks like Insomniac Games could release the best representation of Spidey in a video game. No release date was given but expect this PlayStation exclusive to hit shelves in 2018.
And there you have it, a Sony conference filled with VR titles and exclusives. A presentation that would make any gamer excited, regardless of platform.
E3 is happening this week. For more E3 2017 coverage, check out our special podcast episodes focusing on each press conference.
