The Finally Happening, The Who'd Thunk It, And The Whoa! Edition

We talk about E3 every year with a roundup of what we think are the best games to look forward too. That’s about what’s to be expected, but this year’s E3 feels different. It’s more energetic, more passionate and more importantly, fun.

- Zachary Chan

Fun I haven’t felt in years from the rote formula of recycling franchises into the ground. Sure, E3 2019 has the usual suspects of Battlefield and Call of Duty updates, another year another FIFA, and the trend of remakes and ports. But, these are not the games we’d feature in this list. For me, the E3 hype lives in the fringes of nostalgia with updates to some of the original cult classic franchises, and whole new worlds of brand new IPs.

THE OGS RETURN

VAMPIRE: THE MASQUERADE BLOODLINES 2

- Miracles do come true! A sequel to 2004 RPG classic Vampire: the Masquerade – Bloodlines is in the works by Hardsuit Labs and new publishing owner Paradox Interactive. Now set in Seattle, the game will once again center on a fledgling vampire (you) born and caught up in dire circumstances.

Expect plenty of political intrigue, stealth, and blood – loads of blood – as our new “thin blood” comes to grips with their powers and investigates who or what is responsible. Like the first game it all plays out in first-person, with a strong focus on role-playing and some delicious vampire combat. In even more good news, Brian Mitsoda from the first Bloodlines has been confirmed as the lead narrative designer.

While the game was announced and teased at GDC 2019 earlier this year, we got to see a full 20-minutes of pre-alpha gameplay at E3 2019 courtesy of PC Gamer. Those who’ve played the original may remember the frankly awful combat systems, which goes to show just how much Vampire: The Masquerade achieved on its RPG aspects alone. From the 20-minute demo, it would seem that the RPG elements are intact, which bodes well for the title. Combat is still rough around the edges; you might even say old school. I like.

BALDUR’S GATE 3