Best Games of E3 2019

Borderlands 3

While there are still many who are skeptical whether or not Borderlands 3 will be able to re-capture the magic of the series, given how many years and similar games we've had since, based on what we've played at E3, there's plenty of reasons to be hopeful. The controls felt great, the changes being made seem promising, and above all it was a fun and well designed level. If the rest of the game can be held to such a standard, fans should be very excited indeed.

Read: Borderlands 3 Preview
When: September 13, 2019
Where:

Control

Remedy Entertainment probably doesn't get enough credit for their shooter mechanics. People tend to focus on the stories they've told and the worlds they've built. Games like Max Payne and Alan Wake are based upon the foundations of their characters and pulpy narratives, but operating beneath those stories are really solid action mechanics that have used creative gameplay to become more than just rote shooters. I'll add that it still feels like Remedy has found an interesting story, and Jesse is a fascinating character in her own right. But in my time playing Control, the action is the real the star of the show. Control also won one of our Best of E3 awards last year.

Read: Control Preview
When: August 27, 2019
Where:

Cyberpunk 2077

Cyberpunk 2077 is looking like a very engaging and well designed action RPG. We've seen its detailed and immersive open world, the expansive character progression, the varied gameplay systems, and the interesting (if somewhat overbearing) narratives. If the studio's previous excellent titles like The Witcher 3 are anything to go by, Cyberpunk 2077 looks to meet and exceed those standards. Cyberpunk 2077 also won one of our Best of E3 awards last year.

Read: Cyberpunk 2077 Preview
When: April 16, 2020
Where:

Dying Light 2

Last year, Dying Light 2 was the biggest highlight of E3 for me. I liked the first game enough, but it lacked a compelling story to keep me invested throughout the entire playtime. So to see Techland bringing in a writer with the caliber of Chris Avellone was exactly what it took to get me on board. Dying Light 2 continues to be a game that I'm excited for. While what we saw this year was not particularly new, seeing more of the world in action affirmed many of the feelings that made me interested in this sequel in the first place. Dying Light 2 also won one of our Best of E3 awards last year.

Read: Dying Light 2 Preview
When: Spring 2020
Where:

Final Fantasy VII Remake

The game felt and looked great, so I'm definitely excited to see how the rest of it shapes up. I am equally interested to see how the pacing goes, how much of the game is purely combat, how much is the story, and how much is exploration. The expectations for Final Fantasy VII Remake are obviously high, and I'd hate to raise them further for no reason, so let me say that however much excited you are right now, just maintain that same level. After all, we now have a finish line to look forward to in March 2020.

Read: Final Fantasy VII Remake Preview
When: March 3, 2020
Where:

Minecraft Earth

The Minecraft Earth demo was a memorable bit of augmented tech. The game already looks to be well rounded, offering the gameplay fans are familiar with, but within an entirely new setting. For more immersion, playing with a tablet would provide a bigger window into this virtual world. The Android and iOS app will be free to play, as the developers want to open the experience to as many players as possible, and initially there are no plans to lock features away behind paywalls.

Read: Minecraft Earth Preview
When: TBD
Where: Mobile

Sayonara Wild Hearts

I was simply smitten with Sayonara Wild Hearts. In some ways, it's the kind of game that's difficult to tell people about. It's something that you have to play, to experience for yourself. The music, the visuals, and the gameplay all come together for something that was an absolute blast. After my demo finished, I watched a quick sizzle reel of the other enemies you'll face in the game, and as I listened to the style of music that would accompany each foe, I couldn't help but feel excited.

Read: Sayonara Wild Hearts Preview
When: 2019
Where:

Spiritfarer

My time with Spiritfarer was enchanting. I was impressed with how beautiful the world was and how much I wanted to explore it all. But I was also taken aback by just how intuitive the mechanics fit together. Once I had a fish, I knew that I should cook it up and give it to a passenger, I was planting seeds in my garden before anyone could ask me. This was an interesting demo about caring for others and helping them find their peace, and the tools at your disposal work well with that theme. I can’t wait to play more of this magical game.

Read: Spiritfarer Preview
When: 2020
Where:

The Outer Worlds

I had no idea how much I missed games like The Outer Worlds until I saw this demo. The concept of getting to build a character that has as much power through dialogue as through combat, being able to customize my character to play and look my way - it's strange that we haven't had a game like The Outer Worlds for so long, and I'm totally ready to get into it.

Read: The Outer Worlds Preview
When: October 25, 2019
Where:

Watch Dogs: Legion

At the outset, the multi-character mechanics of Watch Dogs: Legion seemed to be similar to something like State of Decay. However, after learning more and playing through the game, it's obvious that the recruitment process is much more involved and presents a great amount of depth. With permadeath, players will likely grow to care a lot about their resistance fighters, and utilize each one differently depending on the situation.

Read: Watch Dogs: Legion Preview
When: March 6, 2020
Where: