In Part Two of my list of things that I expect and don't think will be there, I continue discussing the things I believe will might be shown at the E3 Direct.
(continued) 2. What Might Be There
Miyamoto's New IP
It's been a while since we heard of Miyamoto's new little project. Whatever it may be, we don't know. It is said to be a small project perhaps something so small as some sort of eShop game because that doesn't take that much time to make but something that will most definitely not reach Super Mario or The Legend of Zelda's level of fame and series length, for lack of a better word. We also know Miyamoto was quite interested in making a First Person Shooter game but it is exactly, only time will tell.
Whatever Intelligent System Is Working On
Intelligent System is responsible for the Fire Emblem series as well as the Advance Wars series. They are also the developers of the Paper Mario games. Apparently, the makers of Fire Emblem have an unannounced game in the works, which means it's not Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem. The probability of it being a new advance wars game is low to say the least. That leaves us with Fire Emblem and Paper Mario. The last Fire Emblem was acritical and commercial success for the series. It wouldn't be surprising if they brought a new one to the Wii U. But they can also follow the formula of releasing a Paper Mario game for every home console. If you ask me, I think the later is most likely.
Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze was released this year. Shortly after its release, Retro Studios confirmed that they have been working on a new game for months now. What it is, we don't know. However, this doesn't stop the internet from spreading rumors that a new Metroid or even a new Star Fox is being made. Though it is too early to say that they are working on the next Donkey Kong game, I advise you keep your hopes low if you don't want it to be another Tropical Freeze level announcement (Not that it is a bad game). Since it's in development for a while, it has a low chance of appearing at E3. I just hope they have been wise enough to listen to the fans this time around.
StarFox
The StarFoxseries has been on hold for quite a while. As years pass, and as the spacial canine doesn't show up, more fans have begun losing hope in the series and Nintendo themselves. Since many of the major system sellers are now revealed or released (Smash, 3D Mario, Mario Kart and in the future, Zelda) it's time to turn to projects like this and start bringing us more the good stuff that we haven't experienced in a while. There are a surprising amount of people willing to buy a Wii U if a new StarFox game is made. After all, having only Mario and Zelda isn't enough, especially considering Nintendo's immense catalog of franchises. With StarFox being the major On-Rail Shooter/Flight Simulator, there aren't many Nintendo series capable of replacing it. Hopefully, the fan pressure pushes them to finally release a new StarFox game.
F-Zero
To answer your question, yes. Yes, I am one of those Nintendo fans who beg on their knees to see a new Metroid, to see a new StarFox.... To see a new F-Zero. It's been a while now. The thing is that, while I only played ONE F-Zero, that one being F-Zero X, the experience was good enough for me to place it above the Mario Kart series. And GX is said to be even better. Gosh. The thing that I love so much about the series is the it can so easily suspend your disbelief and truly engulf you in it's futuristic world with the fact-paced gameplay, the difficulty and the merciless AI. These are things that a Mario Kart game cannot simply reproduce and that is why we need a new F-Zero game. Mario Kart 8 has been released. Is that really the only major racing game Nintendo is going to pull out of their pockets when they have so many other great racing series? The future of this beloved series is quite uncertain but should we let this destroy all our hopes that a new F-Zero game will never happen? No. Like StarFox, we must stand up. We can either remain quiet and never see it again or speak up so our desires are heard. With that said, the rant is over and so is the list.
I hope you enjoyed the list and I sure hope that I didn't raise your hopes up too much. That's why I decided to back up my list with confirmations, so that it remains a little more down to Earth. See you all next year!
Rising from the grave, I come to you with a new list about the Electronics Entertainment Expo. Last year, I came up with a list about the things that I expect and wish to see from Nintendo last year, at E3. Though the list came up several months before E3, this time I'll do one a few weeks before E3 begins. As usual, Nintendo's Press Conference, or should say Nintendo's Directs, are what I'm going to focus on given they are the only ones of the big three that I follow closely (Or care, if I am to be honest here). At times like these, E3 rumors run rampant throw out the internet about what will be there and what will not be there. With false prophets and fake sheets, one has to try and be as realistic as possible if he doesn't want to receive insults and death threats from people who where too hyped for the show. Like last year's list, this one will be split in three sections: What is sure to be there, whether it be games or accessories or even updates, What has a chance to be there and What I personally wish to see. The last part is more personal and can be about anything, really. To back up entries in this list, I decided to go with what the producers, directors and the company itself has said in the past rather that some unrealistic and far-fetched rumor coming from an anonymous source. Let's start with the what is sure to be there.
1. What Is Going To Be Shown
Super Smash Brothers. Wii U/3DS
The big announcement of last year makes a return this year in force. It was pretty much a given that Super Smash Bros. 4 wasn't going to be released before another E3 or at least for me. With Nintendo hosting a Super Smash Bros. Tournament, it is pretty much confirmed that they will show more of the game in their E3 Direct. Ever since it's announcement, the game kept getting a new trailer here and there from random Directs and E3, being the big event that it is, is sure to be a good place to show some more trailers for the game. A new character reveal is what I guess.
The Legend of Zelda Wii U
We've been waiting for a true HD Zelda game for a long, long time. Even before the Wii U was announced. We've been waiting for it since the beginning of the HD era, in 2006.Nearly 8 years later, we get to see what a true, original Zelda game made by Nintendo will look like in HD. Already in showable form at E3 2013 and Comic Con, Zelda Wii U seems to have gotten more development time for it to give us a very decent look at its gameplay and story. Both these opportunities were not taken advantage of due to conflicting schedules and with Eiji Aonuma saying that more detail about the game will be shown at E3 2014, It only makes sense that E3 is the best opportunity, as of now, to give us a full, detailed look at the very anticipated next installment in this stellar series. Perhaps more details will come about Hyrule Warriors but Nintendo's E3 Direct does need its fair share of nuclear announcement and The Legend of Zelda for Wii U seems to be the answer.
GameCube Controllers!!
GameCube controllers are a favorite of mine. Comfortable, clever button placement and a very nice looking design. It is the preferred controller for the more hardcore games like Super Smash Bros. So when Nintendo announced a GameCube controller adapter for the Nintendo Wii U, holy molly, I was beatific! Along with the adapter itself, there was a Super Smash Brothers themed GameCube controller, which only means one thing: GameCube controllers are back on the market, baby! Whether the controller can be used for the GameCube itself or just for Super Smash Brothers, we don't know yet. One thing is certain, with the upcoming Smash Tournament taking place at E3, it is only logical that Nintendo shows us the adapter and controller in action.
X finally gets a name
While nothing directly points to X being a huge part of E3, it is logical that it will show up at some point in the Direct. It was the big nuclear bomb dropped at Nintendo's January Direct from 2013, it had a second trailer for the game presented at E3 2013 and it had a more in depth look at its gameplay earlier this year. With three trailers displaying what the game is suppose to play like, it's time for us to know the name of the darn game. This will answer the question if it has anything to do with Xenoblade or Xenogears. It's perhaps not the most likely thing to happen but it's sort of about time we know the true title of the game.
2. What Might Be There
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem
We're now getting to the part of the list where the possibility of a game being shown at E3 varies greatly, with Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem being the first entry. It's been about a year and a half since this unlikely crossover was announced... and that's kinda it. No gameplay trailer is shown and we have no idea what it is supposed to play like. Of course, we have confirmed that it is an RPG, although who would've thought it would be anything else. Whether or not it will be shown at E3 as yet to be confirmed or hinted at, but E3 being the only major event on the horizon, this is the only opportunity right now to show what it truly is. Here's hoping...
Yarn Yoshi
Yet another game from the January Direct that we haven't hear of since. This time, however, we have some actual gameplay footage (short as it is) and some screenshots of the game. It's safe to assume that a year and a half later, the game is well advanced in its development. While it doesn't have an official name, like X, we can assume it is something closely related to Kirby's Epic Yarn. As if I'm not repeating myself enough, E3 being the next major gaming event in the horizon, we may finally hear more of the game and get an official title as well.
Pokkén Fighters or/and Pokkén Tournament
Let's talk about something a little more peculiar and cryptic than announcements that were made by Nintendo themselves. Back in August of 2013, the Pokémon Company filed a trademark for ''Pokkén Fighters'' and ''Pokkén Tournament''. While nothing is truly known about what these trademarks truly truly are, we can make the logical connection that it has to be something related with Pokémon since it was filed by the Pokémon Company and has the word ''Poké'' in its name. Around the time these trademarks were discovered, a video featuring Lucario and Blaziken in fighting posture was shown. It lasted mere seconds and was dismissed by the creators of Pokémon as a Tech Demo. The most accepted ''theory'' about what these trademarks are is that they are both some sort of Pokémon fighting game. The possibility of this ever showing up at E3 is sort of low but it is still there.
Pokémon Omega Ruby & Pokémon Alpha Saphire
Following the Pokémon theme, we have an actual official announcement that has a good chance of appearing at E3. While we know these games well already, since they've been released 10 years ago, I can assume Nintendo will show them at E3 because Nintendo likes to add new things to their remakes. Like what they did with Wind Waker HD last year, we may get another trailer and after that, the producers of the game will talk about the changes to the game they made. If we were to get some form of Pokémon presence, this one is the most likely one.
A year died and another is born. Every time this happens, us, gamers, need to make an obligatory list of the games we look forward to the most for the upcoming year. With 11 months ahead of us, we have plenty of games to look forward to and this list is to count those I look forward to the most. Please note that this is *gasp* a personal list and that you most likely won't agree with me but that's how opinions work. Now, the rules: 1. The game itself has to be confirmed for 2014 (Keep in mind, some may be delayed) 2. No new edition or revamped games that came out the years before (No Tomb Raider Definitive Edition). Now let's get this list started with Number 10.
10. Watch_Dogs
Yep, the game that is on most people's radars for the year 2014 barely made it into my list. That's doesn't mean I think it is a bad game but I tend not to follow the hype. With that said, Watch_Dogs is an open world game developed by Ubisoft in which you control a hacker doing good deeds and stuff. While I've never been and most likely never be a fan of Grand Theft Auto-like games , I can't dismiss Watch_Dogs' great innovation with the whole hacking thing. That and the fact that I can trust Ubisoft Montreal as developers. They've shown many times that they are very capable developers.
9. Alien Isolation
I've always been a great fan of the Alien films. They had a new and interesting take on the aliens, straying away from the classic green man with big black eyes and going more for a monstrosity that lays eggs in its victims so it can grow in them and burst out of their body once they are old enough. That said, the Alien franchise, despite being a great Science Fiction series, has yet to receive a proper Alien game.With Alien VS. Predators and Alien Colonial Marines receiving mediocre reviews, it's a bit hard to keep your hopes high for the game. What makes me happy however is that this game is going to go for the same feel of the first movie where there was only one alien rather than the second movie where it's pretty much Humans vs Aliens (Not saying it's bad though). Ultimately, that's what I seek from an Alien game, fear and isolation. Knowing that a killing machine is out there and you don't know where it is.
8. Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze
Granted the game has disappointed fans twice, once at E3 2013 when fans thought Retro Studios was developing Metroid and the second time at the VGX awards when fans thought that Nintendo would announce the new Zelda game, there is a little detail we are forgetting here: It is developed by Retro Studios. Whether you like the game or not, there is no denying that Retro Studios has yet to make a game that falls short of being great and Tropical Freeze looks like it will be another great game to add to Retro's list of amazing games. I've played Returns on the Wii and I can safely say that it is the best 2D Platformer Nintendo has published in years. The game had a good amount of content and unlike the New Super Mario Games and Kirby's Epic Yarn (Keep in mind that I haven't played Return To Dreamland), Returns was challenging and the mirror mode in the game was rather merciless. Tropical Freeze seems like it will expand on the already established gameplay and maybe even perfect the gameplay.With Grant Kirkhope composing for the game and its influence from more recent 2D Platformers such as Rayman Origins, it's hard for me to simply dismiss the game because it's not Metroid.
7. Hyrule Warriors
Look, I know the Dynasty Warrior seriesisn't the most well received series in the world. But hey, do I look like a guy who cares about reviews and awards (Could this be a future rant)? Put a Zelda sticker on Dynasty Warriors and you get Hyrule Warriors, a spin-off of the DW franchise as well as the Zelda franchise and I'll be damned, this game looks fun. What can I say, I absolutely love the Legend of Zelda franchise, it's my favorite video game series. What excites me about the game is the possibility of playing as other Zelda characters given we don't get to play as someone OTHER than Link. After all, the ''S'' at the end of Warriors is suppose to mean something, right? Also, I want to see how Link will put his arsenal to good use in this game. Sure the game doesn't look very polished but it sure looks fun and that is why I play games, to have fun.
6. Mario Kart 8
Granted I own only one Mario Kart game, which is Mario Kart 64 on the Wii's Virtual Console, and the rest I've just rented, I have a good amount of experience of the Mario Kart franchise to know what I'm expecting with this game. You should all know by now that I'll always prefer Arcade style racers over Racing Simulators and with Mario Mart taking some notes from F-Zero, which is my personal all time favorite racer, you'd figure I am pretty happy with what I've seen from the game. Visually speaking, Mario Kart 8 looks gorgeous and it honestly looks very different from the other entries. The tracks look like something out of a F-Zero game with a Mario skin on it which is never bad. I'm also looking forward to the Online Multiplayer in that game since I really enjoyed Mario Kart Wii's online. It looks great and pretty fun and that's what I expect out of Mario Kart.
5. Bayonetta 2
The game that caused shock waves of anger, ladies and gentlemen, Bayonetta 2. Okay, to be honest, the hilarity of the fanboys who were pissed that this was a Wii U exclusiveis a smallpart of why I want this game. I mean, you can't be angry about a mediocre game becoming an exclusive, right? Back to Bayonetta 2. I guess I am pretty intrigued about what to expect about the game. The only 3D Action game I've played in my life is DMC4 and I actually enjoyed it which is why I feel like I could enjoy Bayonetta 2. I also want to support the game since it was a gutsy decision taken by Nintendo. But yeah, you could say I'm here to see what all the big fuss is about.
4. Child of Light
When I heard Ubisoft was making an RPG with Rayman Origins' engine, my imagination went nuts. First off, Rayman Origins is one of my favorite games of all time and its art style is among the best ones I've ever seen in any game. Come the announcement of Child of Light and I was blooming of joy. And it's developed by Ubisoft Montreal, one my favorite developers of all time. The game is supposed to be a love letter to classic JRPGs., like Final Fantasy I-VI and Chrono Trigger. I just love the art style and the music in this game. These are two things modern developers have a tendency to forget in favor of raw horsepower. This said, Child of Light is a breath of fresh air, much like Rayman Origins. I still need to see more of the gameplay to put it higher but what I have seen so far is more than enough to guarantee a purchase.
3. Super Smash Bros. Wii U/3DS
Now we are getting into the games that I seriously look forward to. Super Smash Bros. has become one of my favorite series of all time. Ever since I've played Melee, Smash Bros. has been one of my replayed games ever. Many hours of rage and fun! The thing about Smash Bros. is that it comes out once every generation and usually there is a lot of hype going on behind it and the fourth installment of this stellar franchise is no different. With pics coming out every day and the occasional character reveal, keeping your hype low is virtually impossible if you are a huge Nintendo fan. Hell, I've spent a whole month doing nothing but making Smash Brothers lists. Characters I want to see, stages I want to see, Music, changes, EVERYTHING!! Sakurai is also taking a lot of the criticism thrown at Brawl very seriously, like the slower pace of Brawl, the unbalanced characters, etc. That gives me confidence that this new game will be an amazing installment in this fantastic series, better than Brawl even. I'm so excited for the game that I might outright buy the two versions. Scratch that, I will.
2. Dark Souls II
If it wasn't obvious enough with Ideas For The Legend of Zelda Wii U Game Part 1, I really like the Dark/Demon Souls series although I've just recently startedplaying through Demon's Souls. What I like about these games is the amazing gameplay. Think of a more combat-oriented Legend of Zelda and a more challenging/punishing gameplay and that's basically what these games are. But it doesn't just stop with challenging and punishing gameplay. Dark Souls does a lot of things I like in a video game. It has amazing bosses (They're challenging too which makes things better), it has fun world to explore, particularly Dark Souls given it's open world, it has creepy levels, it has a lot of different kind of builds you can play as, it has high replay value, what's not to love! There is also PvP which I haven't taken much time to experience. Dark Souls II seems to be following the tradition of great challenge and punishing gameplay that the Souls series is known for. I just can't wait to explore the new world, fight the new bosses and just have a great time altogether. Sucks that this game is getting a ''T'' rating.... This is sarcasm. The game will be amazing regardless of its ESRB rating.
And the One game I look forward to the most in 2014 is......
1. Monolith Soft's X
Pretty much the one game that is usually at the top of every Nintendo fans' lists and can you blame me, Monolith Soft has done an exceptional job on their previous game, Xenoblade. In fact, Xenoblade is one of my favorite games of all time. It had great great characters, an interesting settings, an AMAZING soundtrack and it had very high replay value. This game, while we're not sure whether or not it is a sequel to the aforementioned game, appears to bring the same kind of open-world gameplay of Xenoblade but with something more..... Mechs and online multiplayer. HOW AWESOME IS THAT? While we only have to trailers to go by, the game is already looking amazing in many aspects. The music we've heard sends chills down my spine, the world looks huge and actually beautiful and varied, something many Open-world games don't do, the creatures look huge, the mech gameplay is not only awesome but seems to push the exploration aspect further than Xenoblade. It does have a lot to live up to but from what I've seen so far, X seems to be approaching Xenoblade's level of greatness. Not only that but we really need to support these new IPs. So much effort is being put into the game and if there is only one way to thank them, it's by supporting these great games. With all that said, X is my most anticipated game of 2014.
