Closing out the last of the conferences at E3, Sony and Square Enix premiered several spectacular demos and gameplay trailers. Though Square Enix revealed many highly anticipated sequels, most notably Hitman and Just Cause 3, it was Sony’s re-reveal of The Last Guardian and the first footage of Horizon: Zero Dawn that left many attendees thoroughly impressed.
The Last Guardian
Long rumored to be dead, Team Ico’s The Last Guardian opened Sony’s conference, surprising many in attendance. Initially revealed in 2009, The Last Guardian was originally slated to arrive on the PS3, but after years of dormancy, the ambitious title was thought to be cancelled. The game follows a young boy who discovers a mysterious creature with which he forms an unbreakable bond. The two unlikely friends rely on one another as they journey through ancient ruins filled with unknown dangers.
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Developed by Gurellia Games, Horizon: Zero Dawn is a post-apocalyptic action-RPG set in a world overrun by advanced mechanical beasts. The player controlled protagonist, Aloy, is a woman who shares a mysterious bond with the mechanical monsters she hunts, able to tame and kill the mightiest of them.
Dreams
Quite possibly the strangest game to be featured at Sony’s conference, Dreams allows player to create their own custom dreams (game scenarios) and share them with other players.
Final Fantasy VII: Remake
Easily the most beloved title in the Final Fantasy franchise, Final Fantasy VII is finally receiving an HD-remake. Though only receiving a CGI trailer, the announcement has excited many longtime Final Fantasy fans.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
Closing out Sony’s conference, Naughty Dog premiered a new gameplay demo for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, showing off what appears to be a large open world segment of the game, a first for the blockbuster franchise. In the demo, Nathan Drake and his friend/father-figure, Victor Sullivan, attempt to rescue Drake’s brother, while being pursued by some trigger-happy bad guys.
Just Cause 3
Developed by Square Enix’s Avalanche Studios, Just Cause 3 is an open-world action-adventure game set in the fictional Mediterranean-island nation of Medici. Following the player controlled protagonist, Rico, the gameplay trailer showcases Just Cause 3’s level of mayhem and destruction. Using everything from guns, explosives and Rico’s physics-defying grappling hook, players will be able to destroy Medici and its power-hungry dictatorship any way they choose.
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
The second game in Square Enix’s rebooted Deus Ex series, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided sees the return of Adman Jensen, a gruff, mechanically-augmented human. Using advanced technology and Jensen’s body augmentations, players attempt to unmask a sinister conspiracy that has turned the majority of humanity against augmented-humans.
Hitman
Though the sixth game in the franchise, Hitman is being presented as a soft-reboot of the series. Taking on the role of Agent 47, players are tasked with completing dangerous assassination missions around the globe. Featuring massive open-world styled levels, Hitman allows players to assassinate their desired target in countless different ways. The game will also include free DLC and the option for players to create their own custom missions.
Kingdom Hearts 3
Kingdom Hearts is one of the most cherished video game franchises among Final Fantasy and Disney fans in existence. Able to mix Final Fantasy and Disney characters seamlessly, Kingdom Hearts has been able to market itself to gamers of all ages. The trailer for Kingdome Hearts 3 showcases the game’s beautiful combat and returning protagonists, Sora, Goofy and Donald. Though not confirmed, fans have speculated that Star Wars and Marvel characters will also make appearances in Kingdom Hearts 3.
