I have to be honest—E3 hasn’t peaked since this incident back in 2013. We’re still trying to keep safe during a global pandemic, so E3 2021 is a purely online event that doesn’t have the same spark—but there are still upcoming games announced that I am pretty pumped for.
But as I’m mostly a Nintendo fan myself, I asked for the opinions of the other folks here at SoyaCincau who would know more about what to look out for if you’re more of a fan of other consoles. So, without further ado, here are our favourite upcoming games that hyped us up during this year’s E3.
Raymond’s pick: Starfield
What it is
From the makers of Fallout and Skyrim, Bethesda released a very promising trailer for Starfield—which is a game featuring Bethesda’s first new universe in 25 years. Starfield releases on 11 November 2022 for Xbox and PC.
What Raymond says
“The Elder Scrolls: Skyrim was my first Bethesda game. Heck, it was my first time playing an open-world RPG of this scale, and it wowed me like no other. However, Bethesda’s next game Fallout 4 was a bit of a dud for me—the Creation Engine’s age seemed ancient, especially when compared to other open-world games like The Witcher 3 that came out in the same year.
That being said, it’s exactly why I have high hopes for Starfield. It’s not only Bethesda’s first game since Fallout 4, but their first to utilise the Creation Engine 2. Add to the fact that it’s been described as ‘Skyrim in space’ by Todd Howard, I’m pretty stoked to try out their first new IP in decades.”
Marcus’ pick: S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2
What it is
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is a series of first-person shooter video games developed by Ukrainian video game developer GSC Game World for Microsoft Windows. The games are set in the area surrounding the Chernobyl disaster site, in an alternative reality where a second explosion occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant twenty years after the first and causes strange changes in the area around it.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 will be available on 28 April 2022 for Xbox and PC.
What Marcus says
“S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 is the sequel to the series that, unfortunately, did not have a successor for the past decade even though there is a large fan base. The S.T.A.L.K.E.R. series pioneered the post-apocalyptic open-world survival genre, with not just human enemies but also mutants in an alternate world. What you do in the game will affect how you stand in the eyes of other factions as you also try to survive in the game.
Overall, I expect excellent gun play and environmental elements that will help or kill you—depending on how cautious you are. People have been requesting some form of co-op multiplayer mode, and there are rumours floating around saying it might happen.
To be honest I would always take trailers with a grain of salt. But if it is anything like the trailer, it looks really promising.”
Rory’s pick: Outer Worlds 2
What it is
Outer Worlds 2 is the sequel to the 2019 action role-playing game developed by Obsidian Entertainment. It is set in an alternate future when mega-corporations have begun to colonise space and terraform alien planets to varying results. The game will be an Xbox exclusive game, but no details have surfaced on the exact date of the release.
What Rory says
“I really can’t help but get excited when I see a good trailer, and The Outer Worlds 2 has one of my favourites. Self-aware and light-hearted, I think it really fits with the vibe of the series. Plus, with how well-received their last game was, and how cool the people behind the game are, it’s hard not to at least look forward to this game.”
Amin’s pick: Replaced
What it is
From indie game developer Coatsink, this cinematic action platformer is set in an alternative 1980s—where a nuclear explosion has devastated Phoenix-City and left it walled off. Replaced features John Wick-like punching and shooting in a steampunk setting and it will be available on Xbox and PC in 2022.
What Amin says
“I don’t have much time to game but I still enjoy a session or two once in a while so I’m a pick-up and play kind of gamer. There are a lot of interesting trailers in this year’s E3 but if I have to choose one, it would be the platformer Replaced.
For one, it is easily the prettiest game this year. The 80s inspired pixel art style is novel. The gameplay – from what I can see in the trailer – looks smooth and varied with hand-to-hand combat as well as weapons to choose from. The only sad part for me is that it’s for the Xbox and I don’t have one at the moment.”
Dzamira’s pick: Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water
What it is
Originally released worldwide on the Wii U by Nintendo in 2015, Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water is announced to get a release a remastered version sometime this year on PC, PlayStation, Xbox and the Nintendo Switch. Players navigate areas filled with hostile ghosts which must be fought by taking photographs using the Camera Obscura.
What Dzamira says
“I’m a scaredy-cat, but I thoroughly enjoy horror-based content. I also got really pumped about this remastered version of Maiden of Black Water because I’ve never had a Wii and now with a Nintendo Switch I finally have a Nintendo-based console that I can play this with.
There’s something about the concept of using a camera to fight ghosts in the dark that sends me chills down my spine—and I wholeheartedly welcome introducing this terrifying concept to new audiences.”
Honorary mentions
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2
The sequel to arguably Nintendo Switch’s best game, Breath of the Wild 2 is said to utilise the original game’s world with a new story and gameplay elements. Notably, the Castle is also lifted off the ground—and fans are saying that it was made to make it harder for speed runners to finish the game.
The game is expected to be released in 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
Elden Ring
FromSoftware, the team behind Dark Souls, Bloodborne and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, partnered with George R. R. Martin of Game of Thrones fame to make Elden Ring. It will be a new take on the studio’s signature action RPG gameplay, and will be released on 21 January 2022 for Xbox, Playstation and PC.
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: Kazuya Mishima reveal
So, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has been one of the top tier Nintendo Switch games to get, and one of the reasons is that we keep getting new characters to spice things up a bit. The latest fighter to Nintendo’s epic fighting game will be Kazuya Mishima from Tekken.
The announcement video showed off his strong Tekken-style fighting moves and destroying the other popular characters in the game. Although there was one character that he couldn’t fully destroy—Kirby.
A big highlight in the video was also when Kazuya tried to to throw Kirby off the platform… only for Kirby to fly back up. Like what Super Smash fans would say, “Kirby is immortal.”
There’s no word of when Kazuya will be released, but Nintendo will be revealing another new character on 28 June. Fingers crossed it would be Waluigi.
What are your favourite moments from this year’s E3? You can rewatch the E3 events for Nintendo, Bethesda x Xbox, Square Enix, Gearbox and Ubisoft.
