The E3 convention for 2017 is well underway at the Los Angeles Convention Center, and the two big video game players have been squaring off against one another. Sony and Microsoft have presented their portfolio of games for the next 12 months or so (and sometimes beyond), as the battle for the console marketplace hots up.
E3 – Uncharted The Lost Legacy (PS4)
Sony strongly pushed this downloadable content for the Uncharted series, hardly surprising considering that Uncharted 4 received hugely positive reviews. This is a spin-off from the main Uncharted series, starring Chloe Frazer and Nadine Ross, secondary characters in previous Uncharted games. With an action-based focus, this promises to be one of the gaming highlights of the year.
Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds (PS4)
Another example of downloadable content, this is the first additional package for the hugely successful Horizon Zero Dawn game. Set in a frosty wilderness, this received an excellent reception from the conference audience, and can undoubtedly be considered an outstanding Sony exclusive.
Days Gone (PS4)
Days Gone may not be one of the most original games ever produced, but this PS4 exclusive certainly looks outstanding on the PS4 Pro. The combination of biker gangs and a zombie apocalypse is intriguing, and the early graphical demos for the title are simply gorgeous. Definitely one to look out for in the coming months.
Monster Hunter World (PS4)
Many observers considered the Monster Hunter World presentation to be one of the most significant at E3, considering that the game has received a massive overhaul from previous releases in the series. Capcom has altered major elements of how this game will play, and it promises to be an RPG highlight of any year.
Shadow of the Colossus (PS4)
The Shadow of the Colossus remake represents the completion of a 13-year cycle following the release of the original title, at least assuming that the likely 2018 release date is indeed met. No one knows quite what to expect from this upgraded version of the classic title, but there is certainly a lot of excitement surrounding this renowned game.
Virtual reality (PS4)
Probably the standout virtual reality title at E3 was the long-awaited Skyrim VR. This hugely popular game promises to be particularly absorbing in HD, and probably one that will particularly require the powerful PS4 Pro in order to run ideally.
The virtual reality version of Monster of the Deep: Final Fantasy XV will probably also have whetted appetites, while Sony also announced Star Child, The Inpatient, Bravo Team and Moss. Sony is certainly keen to make the most of its PlayStation VR headset, particularly as the Wall Street Journal has just revealed that the forthcoming Xbox One X will not support virtual reality.
Other titles (PS4)
Sony also dedicated time during its presentation to the likes of Marvel Vs Capcom Infinite, Call of Duty: WW2, God of War, Detroit: Become Human, Destiny 2 and Spider Man. Of course, most of these will not be exclusive titles, but they were nonetheless of interest to conference attendees. All in all, it was a solid showing from Sony, and one that should keep PlayStation owners happy over the next 12 months.
There was no news on the rumored PlayStation 5, but this was hardly expected.
Xbox One X
Undoubtedly the biggest announcement from Microsoft has been the confirmation of the Xbox One X next-generation video games console. Naturally Microsoft promoted this forthcoming machine very strongly at E3, even if the key information about the machine was already in the public domain. Nonetheless, this is a hugely powerful console, but does Microsoft have the software to pair with it?
Forza Motorsport 7 (Xbox One)
Until the release of Gran Turismo Sport, Forza Motorsport is undoubtedly the state of the art in video game racing titles. And the seventh iteration of the mainstream range of Forza games looks absolutely stunning in native 4K. With over 700 cars to choose from and some spectacular, dynamic environments, this will undoubtedly be one of the standout titles in any genre in the coming months.
Crackdown 3 (Xbox One)
Another Microsoft exclusive that had fans of the Xbox range licking their collective lips was Crackdown 3. This science-fiction cooperative shooter enables players to wreak havoc within a vast cityscape. Microsoft was able to show off some outstanding visuals, and the third release in this series promises to deliver the sort of sheer indulgence that has become synonymous with the series. It will also be a launch title with the Xbox One X, providing the new console with at least one outstanding piece of software.
Metro Exodus (Xbox One)
Metro Exodus certainly seems to be one of the more intriguing forthcoming Xbox titles, with its post-apocalyptic Russian setting and jaw-dropping 4K visuals. Due for release in 2018, this title seems to deliver a massive and intriguing open world that should make it an enjoyable experience for all Xbox users.
The Last Night
Finally, the innovative cyberpunk cinematic title The Last Night also dropped on E3, with an Xbox One exclusive release promised (although it will probably appear on PlayStation 4 and PC as well). This game looks extremely impressive, and it will be intriguing to see what the Xbox One X can deliver here.
Other Xbox titles
Other games presented during the Microsoft slot at E3 included Assassin’s Creed: Origins, Life Is Strange: Before The Storm, Sea Of Thieves and Anthem. While Microsoft was able to show off the capabilities of the Xbox One X with each of these titles, there will nevertheless be PlayStation versions of each of these games.
Verdict
The release of the Xbox One X is undoubtedly a big deal for Microsoft, there is also little doubt that Sony once again won E3 in 2017. The PS4 manufacturer was simply able to deliver more exclusive titles during the event, while its virtual reality lineup also offers PlayStation consumers another raft of choice. While Microsoft’s new console is extremely impressive, it is difficult to deliver an engaging show from such a piece of hardware, and until the corporation is able to deliver the quality of exclusives that Sony has continually produced, it will continue to lag behind the PlayStation series.
Additionally, despite the impressive lineup awaiting PlayStation users, Sony was able to keep The Last of Us 2 up its sleeve, meaning that this will likely debut at E3 2018, once again putting the ball firmly in the Microsoft court.
