SPC Highlights

Saturday, June 15, 2019

Top Ten Most Anticipated Games of E3 2019

Like a flash, E3 2019 started and ended. While this was a transition year for many, as new hardware is coming within the next year or two, there were still plenty of great games coming out of the show. SuperPhillip Central's list of its most anticipated games of the show include all-new franchises and old returning favorites, big budget blockbusters and smaller-focused games, as well as games with cute and adorable art styles and ones with bloody and brutal aesthetics. There's something for everyone on this list, much like there was a game for everyone at this past E3. Which of SuperPhillip Central's picks are you most looking forward to?

10) Gods & Monsters (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)


Ubisoft ended its E3 2019 press conference with a brand-new IP to ride this generation of gaming platforms into the sunset, Gods & Monsters. Although an exciting prospect of a game, based on Greek mythology and featuring visuals and open world expanses reminiscent of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, we really didn't get to see too terribly much of the actual gameplay. It was more of a concept trailer, and for a game releasing in February of next year, here's hoping the date supplied by Ubisoft isn't too ambitious that Gods & Monsters becomes a game that doesn't live up to its potential. That said, there's plenty of time for a better, more in-depth look at the game, which is coming to all major gaming platforms.

9) Trials of Mana (PS4, NSW, PC)


At long last, the third entry in the Mana series, Trials of Mana has reached shores outside of Japan with the Collection of Mana launching on the Switch. While that game has the newly localized Super Famicom version of Trials of Mana in it, allowing international players to finally enjoy the original game, a remake is also coming. Not only that, but the budget and care being put into the remake of Trials of Mana is obviously much higher than what was afforded to both Adventure of Mana and Secret of Mana's remakes. It's a shot in the arm to a series that hasn't found solid footing with past installments, and here's hoping that Square Enix sticks the landing when Trials of Mana launches on PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, and PC in 2020.

8) Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC)


I was one of dozens--DOZENS, I TELL YOU!--that enjoyed Playtonic's Yooka-Laylee, a game that was an ode to Banjo-Kazooie and similar 3D platforming collect-a-thons. While the passion project did not turn out as well as everyone would have hoped, we thankfully aren't seeing the last of the chameleon and bat pairing. While the original game was modeled after Banjo-Kazooie, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair pays homage to another one of Rare's successful platformers, this time the 2D delight that was the Donkey Kong Country trilogy. Offering 2D side-scrolling levels similar to Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair's namesake comes from the titular lair. This level can be accessed at any time, and beating it means you beat the game. However, it's next to--well--impossible at first, and as you complete other levels, you get more health available to you as a means to even the odds and up your chances of successfully clearing the stage.

7) Astral Chain (NSW)


Nintendo showed up with lots of interesting and good-looking games in its Nintendo Direct and subsequent Treehouse Live showings, so it's rather unsurprising that this list of Top Ten Most Anticipated Games of E3 2019 from SuperPhillip Central has plenty of Switch games on it. Astral Chain is one of these, and it's Platinum Games at its absolute finest. Between the fast-paced action where players can take control of mechanical armaments via attaching a chain to them to do battle with fast and fierce enemies, to the abundance of gameplay styles available, Astral Chain has me absolutely salivating for a chance to pick up and play it. I, as long with every other Switch owner, won't have to wait long, either, as Astral Chain releases on Nintendo's hybrid at the end of August.

6) Doom Eternal (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC)


I'm once again ready to rip and tear, and Bethesda's gameplay demo of Doom Eternal, the direct sequel to 2016's DOOM didn't help satiate that desire. The game looks exceptionally brilliant with how combat seamlessly flows between running and gunning and performing brutal melee finishers, a feature of the 2016 game dialed up all the way to 11 in this sequel. Although the competitive multiplayer from the original will not be making its way to Eternal, a brand-new Battle Mode is, which seems to be a worthy replacement. Doom Eternal launches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC in November, but there's been radio silence towards the Switch version, unfortunately.

5) Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (NSW)


While Marvel's Avengers was highly hyped, its actual showing was a slight disappointment. That said, there's obviously more time for Crystal Dynamics and Square Enix to gussy up the game, but in the meantime, there's an even more appealing Marvel game coming to a different console--and it's but a little over a month wait till everyone can own it. It's Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, offering a robust roster of Marvel characters, including many more coming via DLC, but the base lineup is nothing to scoff at regardless. The Black Order, by far, has the most characters in its starting lineup than any previous Marvel Ultimate Alliance game, and I can't wait to try each and every one of them out in battle, wiping the floor with foes and clearing out rooms full of enemies. Team Ninja has seriously put in a fantastic effort with Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order, and I'm frothing at the mouth to get my grubby hands on this game (not literally, of course, or else I'd be heading to the hospital).

4) The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (NSW)


While The Legend of Zelda is one of my favorite franchises of all time, the original Link's Awakening isn't my highest regarded 2D game in the series. By all means, it's a truly fantastic title, but just not one of my favorites in the franchise. However, with seeing the new footage and gameplay of this 2019 remake--with adorable clay-mation-like art style in tow (:3)--I'm thinking my ranking of 2D Zelda faves my get quite the shake up come September 20th when The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening launches on the Nintendo Switch. Aside from the cute new art style comes with it a "dungeon maker" of sorts, where you place rooms in your own desired pattern and sequence, challenging your friends to tackle them and beat your best time. It was a massive joy to see series director Eiji Aonuma tackle such a dungeon during the Treehouse portion of Nintendo's E3 showing, so I feel this mode may have a lot of mileage to it!

3) Animal Crossing: New Horizons (NSW)


Ah, Animal Crossing... it's like the return of an old friend! I'm definitely liking what I'm seeing with the latest Animal Crossing, Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Heck, even the delay to March next year doesn't really faze me, as the game will surely be even better looking both visually and gameplay-wise due to said delay. Between the major new addition to New Horizons: starting from scratch on a deserted island and doing all sorts of foraging for materials, as well as being able to customize your island to your liking, Animal Crossing: New Horizons has me insanely hyped. I'm ready to lose another 500 hours into this game just like I easily did with Animal Crossing: New Leaf on the 3DS.

2) Luigi's Mansion 3 (NSW)


BOO! Luigi is back, and this time he's stepped up from ghostbusting in spooky mansions and is now exploring haunted hotels. This scary seventeen-story house of horrors has captured Mario, Peach, and a collection of Toads, and Luigi is the only one who can save them. Well, of course, Luigi and his trusty, dusty Poltergust G-OO and helpful "Virtual Boo" ghost-detecting device. Oh, and how can I forget the awesome addition of Gooigi, who can be summoned as a co-op companion locally? Those who were dissatisfied with Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon's mission-based structure will be happy to know that the more Metroid-style approach to design has returned with Luigi's Mansion 3, as have special human-like ghost characters. Returning from Dark Moon is an old haunt (but a fun one), the Scarescraper, allowing up to eight players to hop online and bust some ghosts together while obtaining treasure and scouring the Scarescraper's floors for helpless Toads. Luigi's Mansion 3 has a marked improvement graphically from its initial de-"boo", and the game itself delivered an impressive showing in both the Direct and Treehouse Live.

1) Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4)


Square Enix absolutely delighted and impressed with its showing of Final Fantasy VII Remake. Not only did the company supply action-packed footage and nostalgic, old, memorable moments from the original game recreated in fresh, new ways, S-E also managed to provide a firm (?) release date of March 3rd, 2020. It's safe to say that the majority of fans' worries who were concerned with how Final Fantasy VII Remake would shape up, especially with the move to real-time action-RPG combat, have been alleviated. Perhaps my only real concern now is when the actual full story of Final Fantasy VII Remake will be completed. Seeing as this is still an episodic game, I'm wondering if witnessing a conclusion to this epic undertaking will ever actually happen. Regardless, I'll happily go along for the ride if the first episode is as robust and deep as the trailer, gameplay footage, and subsequent details from the developers are anything to go by.

Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Final Fantasy VII Remake (PS4) E3 2019 Trailer

Ah, yes. There was a little game that was shown at Square Enix's press conference over E3 2019. It's something called Final Fantasy VII Remake, which is apparently a remake of Final Fantasy VII. Have you heard of it?

Seriously though, I'm in absolute love with the look of the game, and the pieces seem to be perfectly falling into place. Well, almost. Seeing as not even the directors are sure about how long this full remake process of retelling the FFVII story will take, I might not be alive in 2070 to witness the conclusion! Other than that, with a release date of March 3rd, 2020 (I would have bet we would have just a release period, so I'm glad I didn't put any gil down on that!), Final Fantasy VII Remake is shaping up to be well worth the wait for episode one.

Dragon Quest Builders 2 (PS4, NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

With its July 12th release date for PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch soon approaching, Square Enix has provided an in-depth overview trailer for the game's appearance at E3 2019, featuring quite the overzealous announcer! Seriously--this guy would get me invested in sports if he did commentary! I found lots to be entertained with in the original Dragon Quest Builders, so there's no doubt in my mind that I'm going to jump at the chance to build some more awesome memories with the game's sequel. For those that aren't so certain of DQB 2, check out the free demo coming to both the PlayStation Store and Nintendo eShop on June 27th!

Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled (PS4, XB1, NSW) E3 2019 Grand Prix Introduction Trailer

Can a kart racing game have TOO much content? Of course not--but that doesn't stop me from thinking that Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled is flirting with that idea! This new video for E3 2019 presents the Grand Prix mode, featuring abundant new content and updates to keep players revving their engines and racing hard for years to come! Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fueled launches on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch on June 21st!

Shenmue III (PS4, PC) E3 2019 Trailer

After a delay to the busy gaming month of November and some controversy regarding the Epic Games Store, Shenmue III arrives at E3 2019 with a brand-new trailer. It looks incredibly improved, and markedly so with each new look. I still need to catch up with the Shenmue saga myself by picking up the HD remasters of the original Shenmue and its sequel! Welp! I know what I'm doing this weekend!

Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot (PS4, XB1, PC) E3 2019 Trailer

Is it appropriate of me to consider Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot essentially a big budget remake of the Game Boy Advance's Dragon Ball Z: Legacy of Goku? I'm being tongue in cheek with this statement, but to be fair, it is an RPG, it does tell the story of Goku up to the end of the Frieza saga, apparently, and it has a lot of other things in common with Legacy of Goku. I just hope the quality of the gameplay of Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot--the 205th retelling of Goku's story in video game form--is higher than what was seen in the lackluster original Legacy of Goku. Add this game to my continuing list of anticipated 2020 titles!

Battletoads (XB1, PC) E3 2019 Gameplay Trailer

The Battletoads are back, baby, and they have brought more than a basic beat-em-up with their new game. Bosses, puzzles, and even a certain Turbo Tunnel experience are all part of this new Battletoads experience! A subject of a tad bit of controversy is the unexpected new art style. I don't mind it at all, but there is a sect of Battletoads fans that aren't too pleased. Where do you fall in your opinion of the art style of this return of Battletoads?

Ori and the Will of the Wisps (XB1, PC) E3 2019 Gameplay Trailer

Oh, goodness gracious, am I jealous of all of you Xbox gamers out there. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is yet another Xbox exclusive that I'm in envy that you folks will get to play when it releases in February of next year. Aside from the jaw-dropping visuals, the gameplay looks as stellar and unique with its 2D platforming prowess as it did in the original Ori. If you haven't yet seen the new E3 2019 gameplay trailer for Ori and the Will of the Wisps, check it out below and be stunned with me!

New Super Lucky's Tale (NSW) E3 2019 Reveal Trailer

From Playful comes New Super Lucky's Tale, an updated version of the Xbox One game appropriately titled Super Lucky's Tale. Now, this was an Xbox exclusive I really wanted to play, so seeing it available on the Nintendo Switch (and hopefully other platforms in the future) was quite the exciting surprise! It looks adorable and most importantly, fun! It may not hold a candle in polish or presentation to Nintendo's own efforts, but that's not really a fair comparison. Plus, I'll take all the intriguing 3D platformers I can get!

Gods & Monsters (PS4, XB1, NSW, PC) E3 2019 Announcement Trailer

Announced as the big new game at the tail-end of Ubisoft's E3 2019 press conference, Gods & Monsters is from the development team behind Assassin's Creed Odyssey, and this game's quite the stunner, no doubt inspired somewhat by The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. That's definitely a compliment! For a game that is set to release in February 2020, we didn't really see much out of Gods & Monsters! Still, I imagine there's plenty of time for a more in-depth reveal with hopefully a lot more substance to it.

  

Tales of Arise (PS4, XB1, PC) E3 2019 Announcement Trailer

It's time for change, and the Tales franchise is doing just that after countless years and entries of staying relatively safe with the meager amount of changes to the games. However, now it's time for a wholly new generation of Tales with Tales of Arise, and it's looking GLORIOUS. Check out the announcement trailer below and see why I'm once again excited for a Tales game once more.

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

SEGA keeps changing the structure of how these games are named that I'm totally going to forget the order of words to these game titles very soon. However, Mario AND Sonic are back, as are their friends for a whole new set of sports at an entirely new venue--Tokyo, Japan for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games! This November, this Nintendo Switch exclusive hopes to get on the podium. I'm personally a fan of these Olympic jaunts, so I don't have any sarcasm whatsoever when I say that I can't wait to see what SEGA brings to the series this time around!

Final Fantasy VIII Remastered (NSW, PS4, XB1, PC) E3 2019 Reveal Trailer

About darn time, Square Enix, but with a fully remastered version seemingly given a lot of TLC (by my opinion of this delightful trailer), the wait for Final Fantasy VIII to hit modern consoles was most certainly worth it! Funnily enough, FFVIII is the only mainline Final Fantasy game since the series went to Sony and its PlayStation that I've actually beaten! I guess now it's time to complete the game on a new platform--a Nintendo one, at that! Man, times have totally changed!

No More Heroes III (NSW) E3 2019 Reveal Trailer

What is going on in this trailer?! I don't know those details, but I do know that Travis Touchdown is back after all the blatant teasing at the end of Travis Strikes Again. No More Heroes III is real, and it's coming in 2020. Ready to have your mind messed with? That's director Suda51's specialty after all, so check out this reveal trailer for the third installment of the series that debuted on the Wii with No More Heroes III.

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

Marvel, Nintendo, and Team Ninja team up like the Avengers to deliver what appears to be one heck of an exhilarating and well executed follow-up worthy of the Marvel Ultimate Alliance name... and then some, as this trailer shows! With promised DLC in the form of the Marvel Knights and the Fantastic Four, to name a couple, Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3 is set to delight both fans of gaming and the Marvel comic book universe when it launches next month.

Luigi’s Mansion 3 (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

After a reveal months ago, Luigi's Mansion 3 gets its proverbial curtain pulled away from it, revealing the highlights and horrors within thanks to this new trailer for E3 2019. Goodness gracious, is this game gorgeous and much improved visually from its original reveal. And, that wasn't bad of a looked back then anyhow! With the return of a more exploratory design rather than the mission structure of Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, as well as all-new abilities given to Luigi via his Poltergust G-OO, Luigi's Mansion 3 is shaping up to haunt Nintendo Switches sometime later this year if all goes according to plan!

The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

By far, one of my most anticipated games for the rest of 2019 is from one of my favorite video game franchises of all time. It's The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening. I'm eager to see just how in-depth this newly revealed "dungeon creator" of sorts really is. Nintendo is known to squeeze a lot of content out of one game feature, so I'm optimistic. Plus, the excellent showing during Nintendo Treehouse Live earlier today with Mr. Aonuma filled me hope, too. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening reawakens with this Nintendo Switch remake on September 20th.

Trials of Mana (NSW, PS4, PC) E3 2019 Reveal Trailer

Revealed during this morning's Nintendo Direct, Trials of Mana, the long desired (over 20 years, in fact) third entry in the Mana series is getting an HD remake. Not only that, but the actual original game has released today alongside the first and second Mana games on the Switch in a collection. This marks the very first time Trials of Mana has been localized outside of Japan. Between the original Super Famicom version in Collection of Mana and this new HD remake in Trials of Mana (also available on PlayStation 4 and PC), today was quite the day for fans of the Mana franchise! Trials of Mana launches early 2020.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

Given a relatively short trailer for E3 2019, Fire Emblem: Three Houses made its second E3 appearance with a story-focused trailer, revealing the game will have a bit of a time skip within it. More info and actual gameplay regarding the first mainline installment of the Fire Emblem franchise to hit the Nintendo Switch will be showcased during Nintendo Treehouse Live tomorrow. As for now, take a glimpse at this dramatic story trailer ahead of the game's July 26th release date.

Astral Chain (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

From the studio that brought you Bayonetta, Vanquish, Nier Automata and other fantastic action-centric games comes the latest production from Platinum Games--Astral Chain. Linking up with Legion weapons via chains, you unleash attacks of dazzling displays on your enemies in this futuristic thriller. I'm liking how this game is shaping up, and I eagerly await to get my hands on the final version when Astral Chain exclusively launches on the Nintendo Switch on August 30th.

DAEMON X MACHINA (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

It was a year ago at E3 2018 that DAEMON X MACHINA was shown off as the first game in Nintendo's Direct. Now, the game approaches with a September 13th release date and a bevy of notable improvements made from the beta late last year. Listening to criticism and feedback, the developers of DAEMON X MACHINA have fixed the framerate of the game, thrown in a slew of gameplay fixes, and made enemies more easily visible. For mech fans, this Nintendo Switch exclusive is set to bring high octane action whether at home or on the go.

Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of an Elusive Age - Definitive Edition (NSW) E3 2019 Trailer

The title of this port for this RPG might be longer to say than it is to finish the actual game! Okay, okay. That's quite the exaggeration, but you get the gist. Dragon Quest XI S: Echoes of the Elusive Age - Definitive Edition brings with it a combo of both the PS4's goodies and the Japan-exclusive Nintendo 3DS content. You can switch between the 3D gameplay and the classic 2D sprite goodness at your leisure, just like you can with the MIDI and orchestral scores. Additional story content, episodes, and quality of life upgrades definitely make this Definitive Edition of Dragon Quest XI: Echoes of the Elusive Age... well, definitive!

Animal Crossing: New Horizons (NSW) E3 2019 Reveal Trailer

Hey all. E3 is already underway, which means your good friend Phil is sifting through hours of gameplay vids to present to you the best of the best of E3 2019. Well, your mileage may vary on what I consider the best of the best, of course!

Our first game is the highly anticipated Animal Crossing: New Horizons. The initial announcement trailer featured a mere tease with an ambiguous "2019" release year. However, this reveal trailer officially shows a delay in the game, launching March 20, 2020. I'm already excited by what I've seen in this trailer, and that's just the tip of the iceberg.. er... deserted island, in this case! Check out the full trailer below and let the SPC community know what you think about it!