Welp, it was a hell of a week, but E3 has come to a close for another year. We’ve been treated to a new console, franchise favourites returning and just a sprinkling of new IP from big publishers.
Having seen just about everything the convention had to offer, it’s important that we recognise the standouts of the event.
So here’s what we reckon you should be keeping an eye on.
FAR CRY 5
The latest instalment of the Far Cry series follows a similar layout to previous games – open world freedom, capturing outposts and completing missions or side quests when you feel like doing so.
What’s different this time, though, is the setting. Rather than entering an exotic location, Far Cry 5 is set in the US state of Montana, pitting you against hoards of religious extremists.
The game’s reveal was controversial for that reason, but having had a taste of the gameplay, I can tell you it’s just as fun as its predecessors.
Far Cry 5 is due out for Xbox, PS4 and PC on February 27, 2018.
DAYS GONE
Throwing you into the shoes of an outlaw bikie in a post-apocalyptic world, Days Gone is a third-person zombie survival action game.
It certainly wasn’t the first we’ve seen of of the game, but this year’s demo gave us a slightly more human look at the game and its many enemies. Rather than bolting away from hoards of ravenous zombies, we got our first taste of the protagonist’s sweet-as-heck bike and the world’s volatile survivors.
While it’s not certain whether the main enemy of the journey will comprise of primarily zombies or humans, the persistent open world will be throwing a generous helping of both at you, so bring plenty of ammo.
Days Gone is due out for PS4 on December 29.
SUPER MARIO ODYSSEY
Super Mario is one of the best performing video game franchises of all time, so the team at Nintendo know a thing or two about how it’s done.
This time, Mario is traveling across worlds to stop Bowser marrying Princess Peach because of course he is.
Each world is like an open sandbox that feels like one giant level with many smaller objectives to complete. This means you’ll be be able to travel seamlessly between challenges to maximise your bloody good times.
Along for the ride is Cappy, Mario’s red hat. You can throw Cappy to take down enemies or morph into them. Having played it, I can confirm it’s insanely fun.
Mario’s latest adventure is out for Nintendo Switch on October 27.
SOUTH PARK: THE FRACTURED BUT WHOLE
It’s been a long time in the making, but South Park’s latest game is almost upon us and folks, it’s fucking hilarious.
It plays similarly to The Stick of Truth, consisting of puzzles and turn-based combat that’ll have you laughing the entire time.
Even if you’re not a gamer or usually shy away from turn-based games, it feels like you’re playing through an extended episode of the cartoon, so it’s 100% worth the time.
The Fractured but Whole is due out for Xbox, PS4 and PC on October 17.
THE ARTFUL ESCAPE
Assuming the role of young musician Francis Vendetti, The Artful Escape was easily the most gorgeous platformer at the event.
Made by a small team in Melbourne, the Aussie game was featured at the massive Xbox One X briefing that took place last Sunday.
Struggling to find his onstage persona, Francis embarks on a journey to discover who he is as an artist via colourful landscapes and interesting characters. It looks like a total acid trip and allows you to bust out your guitar at any moment to lay down some smooth licks.
It doesn’t have a release date just yet, but keep an eye on this one because it looks dope. It’ll be released on Xbox and PC.
WOLFENSTEIN II: THE NEW COLOSSUS
I was a big fan of the last Wolfenstein game, The New Order, so naturally, I was pumped to see this one during Bethesda’s huge announcement.
Set in an alternate reality where Germany won the second world war, the first-person shooter puts you back in the shoes of BJ Blazkowicz as he takes down some Nazi scum.
It’s set roughly 5 months after the events of The New Order and is, as you’d expect, dark as hell. Definitely not one to play before bedtime.
The New Colossus is due out for Xbox, PS4 and PC on October 27.
SEA OF THIEVES
This game rules. Simple.
An exclusively multiplayer experience, Sea of Thieves throws you and 3 mates into a pirate wonderland. The goal is to collect a fuckload of treasure, but how you do that is completely up to you.
Find it with a map, swim down to a shipwreck or just steal it from another group of players across the vast open world.
It was easily the best game I played at E3 and I can’t wait to play it with my pals. I wrote about it a couple of days ago, so make sure you check out this article.
Sea of Thieves is due out for Xbox and PC early 2018.
Photo: Wolfenstein: The New Colossus / Bethesda.
