The biggest week in gaming is fast approaching. In the days leading up to and following June 14, all of the biggest video game news and announcements will be coming nonstop as if fired from a machine gun, and gamers everywhere will be loving every second of it.
While we already have a pretty good idea on what to expect at the show thanks to official confirmations, leaks and rumors, jumping aboard the E3 hype train is always so much fun because of all the surprises that games have for the special week in June. There's always some major crowd-pleasing moments and blasts from the past that fans never see coming, and it's those moments that make the tradeshow so memorable year after year.
With that in mind, we've put together a list of all the games and announcements we desperately hope to see at this year's show. Some of these games have been heavily rumored, sure, but once it's all official, fans will freak out just the same. Whether it's the return of a classic gaming franchise or a brand new IP that takes our collective breath, here's what we can't wait to (hopefully) see come June.
A Return To Form For Resident Evil
Capcom's Resident Evil series is a staple of the industry, but it's lost its way in recent years. Recent numbered entries in the franchise have focused more and more on action and shooting than the horror elements that made the series popular in the first place, culminating in the critical bomb that was Resident Evil 6 in 2012.
Since then, Capcom looks to have wised up, re-releasing remasters of older Resident Evil games and staying closer to the franchise's roots with entries like Resident Evil Revelations 1 and 2. A recent investor report seems to indicate that Capcom is planning a "full-scale" Resident Evil offensive for the second half of this year, so it seems like a solid bet we might see Resident Evil 7. If Capcom can prove it's learned from past mistakes, the announcement of a new numbered game in the series is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Release Date For The Last Guardian
The story of the long-delayed The Last Guardian is a complicated one. However, last year, Sony seemed to make it clear the game wasn't cancelled and would be released on the PlayStation 4. It's safe to say some fans are still skeptical, but the best way to put those doubts to rest would be for Sony to officially announce a release date for the heavily-anticipated game. There's a chance the title could be ready to ship for this holiday (after all, Sony's holiday lineup is looking pretty slim), or it could come early next year. Either way, an official date would definitely be worth getting excited about.
E3 is the stage where classic franchises make their triumphant return and new ones are birthed for the first time. This year will be no different, and we can't wait to see what it has in store.
A Tease Of Halo 6
Halo 5 may have released less than a year ago, but that doesn't change the fact that the franchise is Microsoft's biggest gun. We know development on Halo 6 has begun, so it wouldn't surprise us to at least see a teaser for the next game in the series during Microsoft's press conference. After all, a teaser for Halo 5 made an appearance at E3 2013, not even a full year after the release of Halo 4. It stands to reason we may see history repeat itself. Given the cliffhanger ending of Halo 5, it certainly would give fans plenty to talk about.
Announce The Last of Us 2
If Uncharted 4 proved anything, it's that Naughty Dog can't do wrong. The developer is Sony's ace in the hole, responsible for both Uncharted and The Last of Us in recent years. Now that the team has shipped what is supposedly Nathan Drake's last adventure, it seems high time we reunited with Joel and Ellie. Will it happen? Tough to say. Rumors have made it seem like The Last of Us 2 is almost inevitable, but it might still be too early for an announcement to come at this year's show. Here's hoping.
Literally Anything More Than Legend Of Zelda From Nintendo
Nintendo's in a bit of a weird spot right now. The house of Mario has all but given up on the Wii U, instead looking ahead to its next console, codenamed the NX. One might assume, then, that Nintendo would shine some light on its new console at the show, in the process detailing some of the launch titles that will be releasing alongside the new console come March.
That's not the case. Instead, Nintendo will be showing off one game: The Legend of Zelda, which will release for both the Wii U and NX next year. The game company has long abandoned traditional E3 press conferences in favor of its own Nintendo Direct live streams, but the idea that it will only have one game playable at the show makes it difficult to be enthusiastic about Nintendo's future. Sure, the new Legend of Zelda will likely be great, but for it to be the only game Nintendo is interested in discussing? That's a bit of a bummer. Any surprises from the Big N, whether it be details about the NX or unannounced games, would be welcome. Just don't hold your breath.
More Final Fantasy VII, Please
Amid all the surprises at last year's show, the announcement of a full-fledged Final Fantasy VII is by far the one that sent shockwaves through the audience. Long hoped for, a modern-day remake of the most-loved Final Fantasy of all time would finally be a reality.
That was last year. Since then, we've learned a few more details about the game, namely that it will be episodic in nature. There's no telling how much work on the game is actually done at this point, but showing off more of the game in action is a definite no-brainer for Square Enix. Fans are a little cautious to hear that some changes will be made to the original outside of just the graphics, including the decision to ditch the original's turn-based mechanics in favor of a more action-oriented approach. Demoing more actual gameplay would go a long way toward easing fan concerns.
The Return Of Crash Bandicoot
Naughty Dog's classic platformer has been begging for a reboot, and for months, it's seemed that evidence of the Bandicoot's return have only continued to build. From Crash-related posts on official Sony social media accounts to Crash Bandicoot toy rumors, hopes have only continued to grow over the past few months. The most recent tease to throw fans into a tizzy came in Uncharted 4, where players can actually play a stage of the original Crash Bandicoot in Nathan Drake's home.
Now, more than ever, it seems like a Crash reboot is inevitable, and Sony's E3 press conference would be the perfect time to announce the character's triumphant return. For years, Crash served as Sony's mascot, so it only seems fitting for him once again steal the spotlight.
New IPs
You've probably noticed that almost this entire list is sequels and reboots. While it's true that gamers love their sequels and the return of classic franchises, one of the best aspects of E3 is seeing brand new games that nobody knew they wanted. Last year, those came in the form of games like For Honor, Horizon: Zero Dawn and Recore. What brand new IPs will the show have in store for gamers this year? We have no idea, and that's why we're so excited. The more new properties, the better. Gamers want to be surprised, and there's no better way to do it than knocking their socks off with something fresh and new.
Those are our big hopes for E3 2016. What are yours? Let us know in the comments below.
