This week saw the biggest gaming event of the year take place in LA. The E3 conference saw the world's biggest gaming companies run through their upcoming games for the 2015 and beyond - possibly well beyond, given the lengthy delays many major games experience these days.
E3 is a weird event - effectively a glorified advertising event that nonetheless manages to set the mainstream gaming agenda for the foreseeable future. While it's sadly not a show that always celebrates the quirky and original, it usually does highlight the soon-to-be blockbusters - and a few pleasant surprises along the way.
In between seemingly endless virtual reality demos, it was a show that saw no less than two of the most long-requested games announced within an hour or so of each other - that's Shenmue 3 and the Final Fantasy VII remake, in case you're wondering.
Those two games would have made for a surprising show alone, but there were lots of fascinating, exciting and promising games shown over a few days in LA.
Here are just ten of the highlights:
Uncharted 4
It's more of the same from Nathan Drake it seems, but the latest demo for the third sequel in the blockbuster franchise sees the hero transitioning to PS4 with aplomb. The world of the game looks more dynamic and dare we say 'cinematic' than ever before, with production values and virtual acting unlike anything else. Some might be disappointed there's so much combat in the short demo, but this is looking like it will be another great interactive rollercoaster - and with the creative team behind The Last of Us on board, maybe something more than that.
Unravel
Every so often, one of the big, faceless video game publishers reveals an unexpectedly small-scale, charming game that wins many hearts. This year EA offered up the most pleasant surprise, with this glorious looking 2D platformer. Frankly, it showed up Nintendo's latest yarn-themed adventure Yoshi's Woolly World.
Tacoma
Sadly, E3 is not necessarily a place where indie titles get to shine, given the amount of headline-grabbing announcements. But Microsoft's show gave us our first proper look at Fullbright's second game, following their widely acclaimed Gone Home. This looks like an ambitious step forward, and will almost certainly maintain the mature, intelligent storytelling of their first game.
The Last Guardian
If you haven't played Ico and/or Shadow of the Colossus, go rectify that right now with the HD collection on PS3 as they are among the greatest achievements in gaming art yet produced. When you're finished, you can then join the rest of us in eagerly anticipating the long-delayed Last Guardian, after Sony finally assured Team Ico fans that yes, the game is still alive (albeit with an expected transition to the PS4). It's due next year, but we'll believe it when the end credits are rolling.
Shin Megami Tensei X Fire Emblem
In a relatively disappointing showing from Nintendo, it's this crossover of two of the most successful Japanese role playing games that remains the most exciting prospect. If it manages to marry the best of both worlds, this will be JRPG heaven.
Fallout 4
Announced before the show, the big surprise with Bethesda's game was the discovery of just how far along this much-hyped sequel actually is. In a gaming world where major titles are often announced years before release, it was an encouraging to know we'll be exploring the latest post-apocalyptic wasteland by the end of the year.
Cuphead
After wowing in an almost blink and you'll miss it clip last year, it's no surprise that Microsoft gave this game a longer trailer during their E3 conference. Fair to say its retro-cartoon art design still looks truly fantastic, and fingers crossed it has the gameplay to match that remarkable animation.
NieR
One of the most significant 'well, we didn't expect that' moments of E3 (in a good way) came during the Square Enix show with the revelation that cult classic NieR is getting an unlikely follow-up. Not only that, but it's being produced by those peerless action masters at Platinum Games (of Bayonetta fame) - hopefully meaning the gameplay will finally live up to the narrative ambition of the first game. Platinum, incidentally, are also working with Nintendo on the new Star Fox title.
Super Mario Maker
The chaos. The wonderful, wonderful chaos. Remember all those rules we've learned from decades of Mario games? Time to forget them.
Shenmue 3
It's about time! There was a little bit of controversy surrounding the fact this notoriously non-existent sequel is using Kickstarter to get its funding, despite Sony footing a significant chunk of the bill. That didn't stop fans breaking crowd funding records, and the sheer enthusiasm that greeted the confirmation that a third Shenmue game is happening sent the internet into a near meltdown. Now, just that long wait until 2017...
