E3 2018: Bethesda Conference - The Plus and The Minus

Bethesda has completely confirmed my suspicions and is definitely the best and at the very least my favourite publisher on the planet today.

+ Rage 2

My only knowledge of Rage before Rage 2 was: 'that £1 game in CEX'. Despite the leak by Canadian Walmart Bethesda manage to make this game look exciting and brought out some new info. I think it's a super interesting game and I can't wait to try it out.

+ Doom Eternal

I know it isn't much but confirmation of a Doom sequel and a promise of a debut in the next couple of months is good enough for me.

+ Prey DLC

All this DLC and updates look super cool. Mooncrash especially looks more fun that the actual game to me.

+ Wolfenstein Youngblood

80s Nazi apocalypse? HELL YES. It looks like a cross between Blade Runner and Blood Dragon. I'm in and I can't wait.

+ Fallout 76

This game could be one of these games that defines a console generation. Online Fallout is a big deal as it is, the fact there is some base building elements is cool too. My only worry is that maybe the game is hollow? doesn't seem to be any indication of quests, or interactions with NPCs at all?

+ Fallout Shelter for Switch

I was way more excited for this than I should've been. I love the idea of free mobile gameson the switch I think it just works. Pokemon uest is a lot of fun and although I didn't really get into Fallout Shelter on the mobile I definitely will on the Switch.

+ Starfield & Elder Scrolls VI

Although it seems like they tacked these two games on at the end the confirmation that Starfield is a thing and that they will make an Elder Scrolls VI is satisfying to hear. I can't wait for Starfield, all I think of is Mass Effect but it's a Bethesda Game Studios game, and it makes me very very happy.

- Elder Scrolls Legends, Elder Scrolls Online & Quake Champions

Haven't played these but this part of the conference feels obligatory at this point. Feels like all of these games have been talked about or mentioned in one capacity or another for the full 4 years Bethesda have been doing their press conferences.

- Elder Scrolls: Blades

Super weird looking game, and not in a good way. I guess I would have to see it in person but I personally can't imagine this playing well or even wanting to play this game on a phone. Maybe that's just me?

Overall I think Bethesda might be my tied favourite of E3 so far, with Microsoft. Really great conference I'm excited about Fallout 76 this year and all the future games coming from the publisher.

E3 2018: Microsoft Press Conference - The Plus and The Minus

Microsoft's best press conference in a long long time. But buckle up, this might be a long one. Anything not mentioned here means I have nothing to say on it or I'm just luke warm.

+ Ori and The Will of The Wisps

I have no connection to this franchise at all but this game look stunning and exciting to play, the game looks a lot like the previous two Rayman games, Origins and Legends. I really enjoyed those games so I don't mind playing another one.

+ Sekiro

From Software, Dark Souls-esque games are just really cool concepts. I've only played Bloodbourne, and then it was only because it was free recently with PS Plus, but I immediately understood when I started playing that game. The combat feels amazing and for someone like me who really enjoys timing based combat instead combos, I really enjoyed it. This game looks just as cool, the setting is a nice change of pace to Demon Souls, Dark Souls and Bloodbourne.

+ Fallout 76

This was a trailer that showed us more of Fallout 76 but nothing huge just yet, I'm sure we're going to see stuff later on at Bethesda's conference but for now, it looks good.

+ The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit

I'm a huge fan of Life Is Strange and I loved Before The Storm, so this is right up my alley. It's great because they've gone for a whole new take and tone here and it looks heart melting. Also it's free, which is crazy!

+ Crackdown 3

Terry Crews could sell me anything. As a fan of Brooklyn Nine Nine I just have a huge soft spot for the actor. This game makes me hugely jealous that I'm not an Xbox One owner, something that the PS3 never made me feel last generation.

+ Metro Exodus

I haven't played any Metro, something I still need to try out, but this looks really cool and more footage compared to last year has got me excited.

+ Kingdom Hearts 3

Frozen, Monsters Inc, Tangled. I mean come on. This shit is great, I get it, it isn't everyones cup of tea but I really enjoy Kingdom Hearts wacky cheesy story.

+ Forza Horizon 4

This is the first time I've been jealous of a car game. Forza Horizon 4 looks beautiful, captivating and enjoyable in every sense. Seasons although not initially a selling point become more desirable when they showcased the driving over a frozen lake. But the always online racing is the real selling point for me. Then again, I just bought Burnout Paradise remaster for the PS4, so maybe I'll just go play that.

+ Microsoft aquisitions

I think Sony have had some of the best first party studios and video games of the past couple of years but these studio acquisitions is looking good for Microsoft's future in first party.

+ We Happy Few

I honestly thought this game had already came out because of being a Playstation player and it being a Xbox exclusive. But apparently it hasn't. I really love this concept, I really love this art style, and overall I really enjoy the look of the game. If I get a chance to play it I will.

+ Sable

I DONT KNOW WHAT THAT WAS BUT IT LOOKED AMAZING

+ Harold Halibut

WAIT WTF IS THAT, IS THAT FUCKING CLAYMATION, OH MY GOD

+ Shadow of the Tomb Raider

I haven't played the other two Tomb Raider games yet, but I think this new reboot looks good all round so I'm happy that they are continuing on with it.

+ Session

I thought this was Skate 4 for 90% of this trailer and then I remembered as soon as the name came up that Session was a thing. I'm excited to get my hand on this even though lack of any sort of date kinda means this was an empty trailer that maybe was trying to play on the expectation that EA announced Skate 4.

+ Devil May Cry 5

I haven't really touched DMC, I played the first level or so of the first one and that is about it. But this looks fun and cool even though my experience with the switch version of Bayonetta this year has convinced me more that combo orientated combat in games really isn't my thing.

+ Tunic

I vaguely remember this from somewhere else, but regardless the game look stunning, cute and a lot like Zelda. ticks all round.

+ Dying Light 2

I haven't really seen much of Dying Light but this sequel is looking very very special and awesome. I love what they showed and talked about here with the mechanics and dialogue choices and the effects it has. Really cool.

+ Gears Tactics

This looks like Xcom. I like Xcom. If they  bring something new and different to the genre I'm in. If not. Then I'll stick to Xcom.

+ Cyberpunk 2077

AW YEAH, this is the game I have wanted my entire life. Blade Runner, The Fifth Element, all those cyberpunk visual styles and concepts in an actual game I could sink my teeth into. an RPG of all things too. I'm very very excited about some more info on this game soon.

- Halo Infinite

Not really a Halo fan so it makes it easier for me to put this here. No info on this at all and a nothing trailer. Kinda feels like it would've been better being left off. This game will be a talking point over some smaller games that actually look good and come out soon and that's a shame.

- Game Pass

Just to reiterate on what I said about streaming services in the EA blog. Streaming games to any device is not the way I want to go. I want to OWN my games, especially when you sink so much time into a game.

- Black Desert

Just looked super bland to me and didn't feel like it needed a press conference spot. Definitely there to fill in the '50 games' promise.

- Gears Pop

I love Pop Vinyls and everything but NONONONONONONONONONONONONONO  I don't need Pop Vinyl games.

50 games, huge exclusives, huge reveals, gotta be up there for me as one of the best conference in a long time. It makes you wonder if all thses games went to Microsoft because Sony are only going to show the 4 or 5 games they said they will be taking a look at.

E3 2018: EA Play Conference - The Plus and The Minus

Guess who's back? Back again? Oli's back, and I'm going to slaughter EA now.

+ Anthem

Got a big deep look into Anthem at EA, the game looks cool, although I think I have my criticisms my main take away from all of it was: 'This looks like Destiny but made for me'. Destiny isn't really my thing because it's mainly just a multiplayer game, and although Anthem is kinda in the same bag, the addition of having story areas where you basically play a single player Bioware game is pretty crazy. February feels like such a long time away though, for something that you take such a deep dive into I thought I'd be seeing it sooner.

+ Battlefield V

I haven't picked up a military FPS in a long time, and back when I did it was always COD. So recently I've been looking over at the competitor, Battlefield, to see if this is where I'm gonna jump in. Truth is, I'm not sure, but I think the game looks graphically amazing and the story mode seems intriguing. That's the one thing Battlefield has over COD this year and it's definitely a plus to me.

+ Star Wars Battlefront II

Man oh man, a lot happened in between last E3 and this E3 for Battlefront II. And it probably doesn't surprise you that I didn't pick up the game when it came out. The nasty micro-transactions and levelling system killed any enthusiasm the game gave me. Now although at the press conference this year they weren't pulling out all the stops, they were taking a step in the right direction. It gives me confidence that if I wanted to pick up this game in the future at a very low price (I mean low) I'll have a fun time and not have to worry about the horrible stuff that used to be in the game.

+ Star Wars Jedi Fallen Order

Respawn are one of the only EA devs that I have hope for. Titanfall 2 was much better than it should've been and I want to see that team create something great with Star Wars. This game by description alone sounds cool. Obviously they only talked about it so take with a grain of salt.

+ Unravel two

It's nice to have at least one of these 'PLAY NOW' games at a conference, and EA just released a full blown sequel to Unravel. This time a full co-op game, I'm glad EA seem to support co-op games, A Way Out was a lot of fun and Unravel two could be as well. I wasn't fully convinced so I won't be playing it right away, but when I start seeing some positive reviews maybe me and my girlfriend can give it a go.

+ Sea Of Solitude

This games art style is right up my alley, and although there wasn't a huge amount shown about what the game play of this game was, the concept was enough of an interest for me.

- Command & Conquer Rivals

Can't say I know a lot about Command & Conquer, but a lot of time was taken by this mobile game, it was very dull. Legitimately felt like a time filler and although I know this is an IP that is beloved by some people, from what I can gather is that some people hate this is a mobile game and others don't? I don't know but I wasn't interested.

- EA Origin Access Premiere

Streaming gaming services still feels like years and years away from actually feeling good to play. PS Now doesn't feel good so I don't believe any other company could improve on that for a while. Also streaming games isn't a future I want to be going towards. Movies and TV is a different story for streaming as they are very short in comparisons and you don't wanna own a DVD for every movie you like or would like to watch. Video games are huge time sinkers. I like the idea you can jump from game to game to see what you would enjoy, but that could just be a demo service for new releases. I want to actually own the games I enjoy.

- Sports!!!

Same as every year, a lot of sports. It's fine, it felt like they cut it down huge this year.

- NO LOOT BOXES

The fact that they mentioned this several times for different games is really bad. They also expected cheers and celebration. They shouldn't have done these shitty practises in the first place and they shouldn't be commended for not doing it.

- No Skate 4... again.

Maybe this is the new Beyond Good and Evil 2 or The Last Guardian, but with more and more rumours coming out each year signalling a new Skate game, it is so disappointing to never get a word on the franchise.

Overall this conference set my expectations super low, and I felt thoroughly dejected for the first time for an E3. Really unfortunate.