By Bryan Smith on June 13, 2015 at 1:59pm
Ah E3. It’s kind of like a second Christmas but with games. Plenty to be hopeful for, plenty to be excited and happy for when something came true, and plenty to be disappointed by ... still a lot like Christmas for some people. In any case, everyone is putting their ears to their computers and TVs to hear the latest in big gaming news.
Today, we’re going to take a look at what could possibly be announced that we’re all eager to see come true. These are the games that have been lurking in the shadows and are about to hop out to surprise us. Or these could just be a dream that may happen much further down the line.
First thing before we look at our predictions is we’re just going to scratch off a few easy targets. “Half-Life 3” or anything Valve-related are the closest ones to be unlikely. Valve even stated that they won’t have a great presence at E3 and wanted to make sure we didn’t expect anything from them. Anything that has been confirmed to appear won’t count. It defeats the purpose of predicting something if it’s guaranteed to be there in the first place.
1. Rare Releasing Something
As to what Rare is planning, that’s anyone’s guess. I have a feeling that something is being developed, but I’m rather skeptical as to name anything off the top of my head. People say it’s “Battletoads” with evidence going to “Shovel Knight” releasing on Xbox. Others say it’s “Banjo-Kazooie” with tweets teasing music notes. My skeptic pants stay on, however, considering the last thing Rare made not Kinect-related was “Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts,” first teased as a traditional platformer, it turned into a car-building game.
However, considering that the Kinect has been pushed to the side quite a bit in terms of importance for the Xbox One, perhaps Rare can finally produce a game that shines like its golden days on the Nintendo 64. Then again, Rare showed a possible “Banjo-Kazooie” Kinect only game…
2. At Least One "Metroid" Title Revealed
While the guys at Retro Studios has been teasing their next game quite a bit, we’re hopeful that it’s the newest in the “Metroid” series. I say this because the last time Retro stated they had something to reveal, it was “Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze.” To be honest though, I don’t there really needs more explanation than that.
However, it should be noted that there are potentially two “Metroid” games in development. There could be one that is a traditional 2D side-scroller, and the other could be one in the same style as the “Metroid Prime” games. I heard rumors that both might be making an appearance, while others that it may be one or the other. I know one thing for sure though; it certainly won’t be following “Metroid: Other M,” not unless Nintendo wants more flack.
3. A Storm of Nintendo Games
With three Nintendo Directs just before E3, it’s scary to think what Nintendo has in store. Aside from Retro hiding something up their sleeves (and maybe a tease from Reggie with “Punch Out!!”), everything is shrouded in mystery. “Splatoon,” “Super Smash Bros.” for Wii U/3DS, and “Fire Emblem If” has been or will be covered just before the big conference in terms of information and future DLC content.
Aside from “Star Fox,” “Mario Maker,” and the Retro Studios game, there can about be anything. Here’s what I’m thinking: Nintendo is gearing up for something “Mother” related. I find it funny that Lucas just so happens to release as DLC for “Super Smash Bros.” for Wii U/3DS right before the big Nintendo Direct. It could be a “Mother 3” port/remake, a collection of all three “Mother” games, or even a sequel (which would be painful for us if we don’t get “Mother 3” officially).
I think we’re going to see the next “Super Mario” game since “Super Mario 3D World.” I doubt Nintendo would let Mario go unnoticed for that long (“Mario Maker” aside). Anything else, however, is anyone’s guess. Nintendo also mentioned more 3rd-party support, which could be just about any new IP or big collaborative project. All I know is Nintendo is planning something big.
4. "Chrono Trigger" Remake/"Cross" Sequel or True "Final Fantasy VII" Remake
Or Square Enix could have a brand new game no one knows about. Some things are just simply unpredictable. I don’t have high hopes though, so I’m just going with something I really want to see regardless- something “Chrono Trigger” related. Hey, it’s been 20 years since the game released. Could it be a 20th anniversary they’re celebrating? I think that would be something worthwhile to hold a press conference at E3 for.
Another theory I have is that Square Enix is going to truly reveal the “Final Fantasy VII” remake. I have a feeling that they wanted to tease at the PlayStation Experience. Once everyone heard about it and knows about it with the lackluster PC port, they suddenly surprise everyone with the actual remake. It makes sense. Square Enix wouldn’t put a dated-looking port of one of the most beloved “Final Fantasy” titles on the PlayStation 4, right?
5. "The Elder Scrolls VI"
Bethesda pulled out one of their big guns already: “Fallout 4” well before E3. They also have a press conference to boot. Whereas a good chunk of that will most likely gameplay footage, Bethesda must have something cooking. I’m willing to bet it’s the next “Elder Scrolls” game. Not a side game or MMO, I mean “The Elder Scrolls VI.”
6. "Resident Evil 7" or "Resident Evil 2/3 Remake"
It’s been a while since we heard anything on the main numbered games for “Resident Evil.” Heck, there hasn’t been anything new for “Resident Evil” that is new for a while either since “Resident Evil Revelations 2.” Could this be the year for the rumored “Resident Evil 7?”
However, I think Capcom could also be readying a curveball for something fans have been dying for. Seeing we have “Resident Evil Remake” and “Resident Evil 0” being remastered, I think Capcom is testing the waters if people want to see classic “RE” titles. The most requested thing “RE” fans want to see is either a game that is true to its roots or a remake of “Resident Evil 2/3” in the same fashion the first game got. I can only hope to see at least “Resident Evil 2” being remade next or some “Dino Crisis” remake/reboot. That would be great, too.
7. "The Last Guardian"
I was tempted to not include this title as a prediction. I mean, it’s notorious for not appearing at any gaming convention alongside “Half-Life 3.” However, there are two things that made me reconsider. One is a statement from Sony where they didn’t have a whole lot for Holiday 2015 … prior to E3. Perhaps Sony is leading the public away from the fact that one of the biggest and most mysterious games for the PlayStation could be ready soon.
Another thing is The Guardian saying that they have it on a good source that “The Last Guardian” would make an appearance. While, yes, that’s just a rumor in the same vein that IGN said the same thing that the game was cancelled (which it wasn’t), the coincidence that The Guardian saying something about “The Last Guardian” may be a rather subtle hint (and funny on top of that). Maybe it was Sony just to be cheeky? Who knows until E3?
8. "Crash Bandicoot" or "Spyro the Dragon"
Just going off of what I said for “The Last Guardian,” Sony could have been hiding these gems for a while just for a golden moment. Meanwhile with Activision, “Crash Bandicoot” and “Spyro the Dragon” have been all but buried under “Call of Duty,” “Skylanders” (which practically wiped Spyro out), “Destiny,” and anything Blizzard related. We haven’t seen anything from the two iconic characters in ages. “Skylanders” practically swept away Spyro just so they could sell a metric ton of toys.
I want to see Crash and Spyro return to their glory days and come back to Naughty Dog and Insomniac respectfully. Maybe that’s why “Uncharted 4” was pushed back. Realistically, I think it’s because they wanted to polish the game more. But I can be hopeful, right? Crash and Spyro have been at their best on PlayStation titles solely, so maybe we’d see a surprise from Sony.
9. "Devil May Cry 5"
There could be more credence for “Devil May Cry 4 Special Edition” than the usual “remaster will get us more money” idea. I think this could be a subtle sign that the next “Devil May Cry” game is in the works. It seems rather suspect that Trish and Lady, characters who really haven’t had a lot of play time in the past games, to suddenly be playable and fully fleshed out.
On that note, I find it more likely that “DMC5” would make an appearance before “DmC: Devil May Cry.” Sorry to those who liked it; I really don’t think there will be another anytime soon. After the fan outcry and poor initial sales, I don’t see Capcom outsourcing games to the West for a long time.
10. "Beyond Good & Evil 2"
This will most likely be my most-leftfield prediction. As of lately, Ubisoft has been putting an extreme amount of attention on “Assassin’s Creed,” “Far Cry,” and “The Division.” I have a very small amount of hope that they have something from past IPs that are often ignored in favor of the more mature games. Maybe we’ll see the next big “Rayman” game, “Prince of Persia,” or the next UbiArt game.
However, there’s still one game that people have been clamoring for (other than “Prince of Persia” of course): “Beyond Good & Evil 2.” It’s been ages since we heard of the game past the teaser trailer. It would be great to see Jade and Pey’j again, and I heard rumblings that Ubisoft wanted the game to be on next generation consoles. However, whether this statement was for the seventh generation or the eighth I can’t say.
Due to the nature of predictions, anything can happen. Leaks may prove or disprove something, and we can only know by the big guys themselves. Here’s to an exciting E3 2015! Expect the worse (or in the case, nothing most of the time), and hope for the best. What do you predict will happen this E3? Comment and let us know what you think!
