The Electronics Entertainment Expo has always been a highlight of my summer, ever since those early days of seeing Adam Sessler and Morgan Webb host the event on the G4 channel. I would always gather up some friends, make awesome food, and we would celebrate the game industry together. It’s like the Super Bowl for me, filled with potential, surprises, and hope. Now that I’ve been a journalist for a few years, E3 has taken on a slightly different form (I now feel obliged to cover tons of stuff, so it feels more like work), but the excitement has never left. E3 2017 has some real tangible potential and I have some things I would really like to see this year.
Here are five things I would love to see at this year’s E3. Consider them part educated guess, part excited hope.
Monster Hunter XX Switch Version US Confirmation
Recently, Capcom confirmed that their extremely popular Monster Hunter franchise was in fact making the jump to Nintendo Switch. However, as of this writing, there is no word on whether or not that game will make a global appearance. Included in this new release of Monster Hunter XX (an expansion of what is globally known as Generations) is the ability to play alongside 3DS players, so if this were to leave Japan, one would assume that both the Switch and 3DS would be getting the game.
The Monster Hunter series has been known in the past decade as a system seller, with many even attributing it to saving the PSP. Wish that could’ve been said for the Vita, but a Switch version would be huge. For me, this is the first time since Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate that I’ll be able to play Monster Hunter with a proper controller. Not only that, but I’ve been wanting to stream Monster Hunter for quite some time and having it on Switch would make that much easier.
Even if we don’t get Monster Hunter XX on Switch, I would like to see some sort of announcement of a new game coming to the system. There have been rumors here of late of the next Monster Hunter also coming to PS4, which would be crazy considering the game hasn’t been on a modern, full-power console in years. However, judging on the popularity of their handheld releases for the franchise, I don’t see this happening unless its a game that also coming to Switch.
Either way, I love hunting monsters and I can’t wait to do it on a system that doesn’t cramp my hands.
Release date for Final Fantasy VII Remake and Kingdom Hearts 3
Ever since I completed Kingdom Hearts 2, I’ve been wanting a third game in the franchise. A few years back, we finally got confirmation that this was happening and every year we wait patiently for the fabled announcement to be made. We need a release date, or a least an estimated release window. The same can be said for the Final Fantasy VII Remake, which was even teased to players as a tech demo back on the PS3. Wildly, the project was officially released to the fanfare of millions, making it one of the biggest surprises I have ever witnessed from E3. This too, needs a release date this year, as well as a proper name for the title.
With Final Fantasy celebrating a huge milestone this year, now is the perfect time for this sort of announcement for both projects. Considering the Final Fantasy VII Remake has been said to be releasing in episodes, I was honestly anticipating that first episode releasing by the end of the year. However, with the recent issues with IO Interactive, this episodic approach may be shifted. Only time will tell, but at the least consumers need some new information about these two games.
Although, it is important to note just how monumental these releases are to Square Enix, taking a collective millions of hours of work, not to mention the financial strain it must put on the company. This is all while they continue to pump out releases throughout the year across all platforms. While both of these games are super important to me and many other players, I’d also like to see some smaller announcements by Square Enix. I do hope that they create that Final Fantasy Anniversary Collection hinted at earlier this year, cause I need more ways to play Final Fantasy IX. I’d also like to see that Secret of Mana collection hit global audiences, as well as more information on the next Final Fantasy Dissidia and the Dragon Quest series.
Needless to say, my eyes are on everything Square Enix related.
Sony steps back into the handheld market with new portable unit
Alright, follow me on this. Shortly after the PlayStation Vita was released, Sony quickly dropped first party support, with major franchises only taking a single stab at the market. Games like Killzone: Mercenary and Uncharted: Golden Abyss just didn’t mesh well with critics or players, quickly being shadowed by the sheer vastness of the 3DS library. Surprisingly, the Vita became home to thousands of indie games, as well as a continued wealth of classic games from PlayStation’s history. Even with this though, Sony has opted out of even mentioning the Vita for the past three years or so at press events. It is the golden child cast aside in favor of VR pursuits.
Even with all of this against Sony handheld developments, as Nintendo continues to dominate with the 3DS, there is success to be found in the advancements of their rivals. As of now, the Nintendo Switch is one of the best selling consoles around, moving millions of units in a season that typically doesn’t see this level of console sales. Both of these consoles’ sales proves that the market still enjoys handheld gaming. The time is right for Sony to step back into the fight.
In order for true success though, I feel that Sony needs a system that does everything the Vita does, but better. It needs to have crossover features with the PS4, better battery, and maintain that vast library of games digitally. There is no reason why we need to lose the ability to play PSOne games, but to make this even more appealing, Sony also needs to have the storage expandable with a standard SD card. Even better would be backwards compatibility with Vita cards through a secondary game slot and an HDMI out or some other way to play on the TV.
There is a huge opportunity here for Sony to truly make something special. Whether they take this now or later is up to them, but I wouldn’t count them out of the handheld market just yet.
Surprises from Nintendo
Speaking of huge opportunities, Nintendo has primed themselves for their best year ever at E3. All eyes are on this company, one that did what seemed like the impossible with the Switch. Even though the unit itself isn’t quite what I would’ve hoped, so far we’ve seen some excellent games on it. While we are already aware of some of the larger releases through the year like Super Mario Odyssey and Splatoon 2, Nintendo could surprise consumers with surprise announcements.
Imagine Fils-Aime awkwardly announcing a new 2D Metroid title or finally giving us a proper Mother 3 release, not to mention information about the virtual console. Think of what could happen if another stellar new idea is announced in the vein of Splatoon and ARMS. Nintendo has often been the kings of making really enjoyable games for everyone and I’m excited to see what they have in store for the first couple years on the Switch. This doesn’t even include the third-party developments that continue to shine on the console, meaning there are plenty of chances for all sorts of new games.
Although, I am almost always a bit disappointed by every Nintendo Direct video, this year in particular has the potential to have some of the greatest announcements in Nintendo’s history. There’s an energy surrounding the Switch and I’m excited to see how its harnessed.
Indie title steals spotlight
While I usually enjoy watching PAX events for Indie announcements and revelations, it would be awesome to see an indie game swoop in and steal the show at E3 2017. Sure, all of these AAA releases are fun to speculate about and play, but there is a potent magic in games made by smaller teams. Imagine if a hit like Shovel Knight turned up in the midst of Xbox’s hardware announcements, suddenly we could have smiling faces of new developers make headlines instead of the usual corporate ones.
There is so many games being made these days, to the point that there are thousands in any given year that I will inevitably miss out on; that’s both depressing and wonderful at the same time. In the end though, we can never be sure what sort of announcements will come out of this major gaming event until it happens.
In Summary
Once again, E3 will always be a magical time for me, even though I have been scorned before by the so-called hype and pre-order culture of the industry. Unfortunately, the business side of game development can lead to some less than favorable choices like pre-order DLC, unnecessary micro-transactions, and the doctoring of footage and screens. While I am always reserved in my judgement until the game is in my hands, I still can’t help but get excited this time of year.
Hopefully, this E3 will have some interesting moments. At the end of the day, I’ll enjoy being a part of it, even in my small capacity.
What sort of things would you all like to see at E3 2017? Let us know in the comments below or on social media. Find me, I love discussing these things, even its as trivial as “who won E3?” To keep track of press event times, check out the schedule below. We also have a few writers going to the event, with the rest of us doing as much as we can from home, so keep an eye on Marooners’ Rock for all things E3.
Me? I’ll be at home, patiently waiting for my hopes to come true.
LIVE EVENT SCHEDULE
Electronic Arts – Saturday, June 10, 12pm Pacific Time
Microsoft – Sunday, June 11, 2pm Pacific Time
Bethesda – Sunday, June 11, 9pm Pacific Time
Ubisoft – Monday, June 12, 1pm Pacific Time
Sony – Monday, June 12, 6pm Pacific Time
Nintendo – Tuesday, June 13, 9am Pacific Time
Find the official E3 site here.
