E3 2018: Microsoft Presser

E3 2018 is here and Microsoft is starting its show off with a bang. Lots of rumors about a new Halo game were spreading like wild fire and sure enough, Microsoft starts off with a teaser trailer for Halo: Infinite.

Microsoft Starts Off With A Bang – Halo: Infinite

What a great way to start off the Xbox Presser and then Phil Spencer came out to address the crowd. Microsoft would be showing 50 games and 18 of those are going to be Xbox exclusives. On top of that, Microsoft is doubling down on exclusives with the announcement of acquiring five new studios, Playground Games, Ninja Theory, Compulsion Games, and a new studio, The Initiative. Microsoft is taking a global approach to gaming and will help gamers find the right game, at the right time. So let’s get into what really matters, the games.

Xbox Is Bringing The Games

A second trailer for Ori and the Will of Wisps – a new owl character is seen playing and frolicking with Ori. A weird creature-beast seems to be the new baddie for this installment.

Next up is a world reveal for a new samurai game, from Software and Activision. This open world adventure sent in a magical world with a mixture of exploring and hack and slash action. The characters are amazing looking and has a great anime feel to the game. This samurai seems to be immortal will have to face all sorts of interesting bosses and bad guys. Make sure to check out Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

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Bethesda is revealing the first look at Fallout 76 – is a prequel to the series. Bethesda and Microsoft have a long relationship and as such, starting today Fallout 4 will be available through the Xbox Game Pass. Fallout 76 will be a massive game – it is going to be four times the size of Fallout 4. Set in the hills of Virginia, Fallout 76 puts in the shoes of one of the first survivors and players will will experience a rather different game then previous installments.

 

The next chapter in the universe of the Life is Strange takes us to a snowy setting. A little boy, named Chris, who lives in a broken home must deal with his mother’s death while trying to keep his father from spiraling out control from grief. Chris has an amazing imagination and a special knack for telling stories. Make sure to check the Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit. Players can download the firs episode for free on June 26th.

Even though it has been delayed into 2019, Microsoft delivered another Crackdown 3 trailer with Terry Crew. There are lots of fun and exciting weapons, including a gun that fires exploding rubber duckies – yes, you did read that right. Exploding. Rubber. Duckies. February 2019 cannot come fast enough. In the mean time, make sure to watch the E3 trailer for Crackdown 3.

The new open world adventure for Metro: Exodus, is looking amazing. The return of Artyom looks grogeous on the Xbox One X and it appears people are going top side. While there is sure to be a lot of action underground, the focus of the game seems to be about going outside and trying to start a new world. Artyom will have to battle other factions while trying to survive the radioactive wasteland. Metro: Exodus is looking to launch in February 2019.

For the first time in the series, Kingdom Hearts is finally making its way to the Xbox One. In Kingdom Hearts 3, there are plenty of Disney characters, with what seems to be a focus on the Frozen movie. Something is not right in the Kingdom Hearts realm and Elsa will have to work with Pluto, Goofy, Sora and Donald Duck. The gang from Toy Story and Monster’s Inc., also make an appearance and everyone favorite arcade wrecking machine, Ralph, even makes an appearance.

Sea of Thieves is showcasing two new content packs. In the next few months, players will be able to experience the Cursed Sails and the Foresaken Shores. Not a lot of information was shared, although there was a sighting of a boat of skeletons. Look for the first content pack to drop next month.

The return Forza Horizon 4 was revealed and it looks amazing racing across Britain. From the coasts to the mountains, it looks like you will experience every type of terrain Britain has to offer. This is a completely open world race game where the different seasons will greatly affect how players can race and drive. Join and race against other players during giant global events and experience all the majesty of Britain. Look for Forza Horizon 4 to launch in October and it will also be available on Xbox Game Pass.

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Anyone hungry for a JRPG with a side of anime will be happy to hear that Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Addition is coming to the Xbox One.

It appears the Dollar Flu spread across the United States rather quickly. It was not contained in New York and in the collapse, civilization had to make due. Now Division Agents are coming to Washington D.C. to help put the world back together. The survivors have taken up urban warfare it appears the city is on the verge of a civil war. Welcome back to the world of The Division, with The Division 2. This game is a lot different from the snowy streets of New York – now it is hot and humid city of Washington D.C. The plants have taken back control since there are no humans to cut back the vegetation.

The Xbox Game Pass has been a successful experiment. The next step in the Game Pass is the Fast Start. Now players will be able to fire oup their games that much quicker. This program will be launching later this month with specific titles. Later this year, Halo: The MCC will be joining the pass. There is also going to be some indie titles that are available later on this year. Starting today, players can download, The Division, Elder Scrolls along with Fallout 4.

The next chapter in the Tomb Raider series has been revealed. The Shadow of the Tomb Raider sees Laura exploring tombs as usual, but this time she finds the wrong type of treasure. During her adventures, she comes across a magical artifact and in the process she unleashes some truly diabolical.

Devil May Cry is back and it looks crazy. Dante is back with a new cast of characters and the over the top action. He also seems to have a new upgrade with a robot arm, to kick demon ass.

 

New DLC for Cuphead, the The Delicious Last Course, will introduce a new character, Ms. Chalice. Along with Cuphead and Mugman, Ms. Chalice will be a playable character when the DLC launches in 2019.

Universes collide in the new title from Bandai Namco. A new fighting game, in similar style to Smash Brothers, sees a ton of characters from almost every Bandia Namco game in a 3D fighting arena. Welcome to Jump Force, it is sure to blow your mind.

A post apocalyptic world, where zombies have taken over and groups of civilians are ruled by guns. The new setting for Dying Light 2 looks to a fun and exciting game. The setting for this new chapter takes place in a time known as the, “Modern Dark Age.” Players will work with the warring factions in what is sure to be a humongous world map. Choices made by the players will have ramifications that are felt throughout the entire game.

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While there is not much information, there is a lot of excitement about an announcement for a new Battletoads game.  Battletoads will be launching in 2019 and there is sure to be more information at a later date.

While there were 50 games announced, the big reveal was three new Gears of War games. The first one is a collaboration with Funko, called Gears of War Pop. This is going to be a mobile game and that is all we know at the moment. There will also be a turn-based strategtic game, called Gears of War Tactics. Similar in style to XCOM, this is a new way to experience Gears of War and this game will have a stand alone story about the Locusts. To cap everything off, there will also be Gears of War 5. This is a story involving Kate and things do not look so good for the group. Dell and Marcus are back and will join Kate on some mysterious top-secret mission. This chapter in the Gears universe looks amazing and it appears we may get a good look at the planet of Sera.

Last but not least, the Xbox presser was hacked by CD PROJEKT RED as the world is introduced to Cyberpunk 2077. From the makers of The Witcher series comes a new game about a futuristic world of cybernetics and humanity. This game is sure to be the next hit game from this amazing studio.

Overall Impressions

Xbox had been receiving a lot of negativity lately about Xbox exclusives. While I understand the negativity, I just want to see the games. Xbox did a great job of showcasing some exciting new titles. The rest of 2018 should be a great year for games and 2019 is shaping up to be even better. Overall, I thought Xbox did a great job with the presser and I am excited for the future.