I had been intending to do a write-up for each of the E3 conferences this year. However, in the end, I didn’t feel that there was enough content to do a write-up for each conference individually and also it was a lot of work for each post! This year’s E3 was incredibly disappointing and a lot of the games that were featured were ones that had already been premiered last year or even the year before. Whilst it was good to get updates on the games in development and some 2019/2020 release dates for those games, it meant that there was little to get excited about in terms of new games.
This year I watched the presentations/live-streams for EA Play, Microsoft, Bethesda, Ubisoft, the PC Gaming Show, and Nintendo. I did a presentation write-up for EA Play and Microsoft, but the other presentations (with the exception of Nintendo) didn’t leave me with much to talk about. So, instead, I’ll be sharing with you all my game highlights of E3 2019 in this post featuring the games that I’m most looking forward to playing in 2019/2020.
Animal Crossing: New Horizons
New Horizons has to go first because it’s the game I’m most looking forward to playing. I love Animal Crossing and I have been holding out for a new AC game reveal at E3 for a while now. There are so many things featured in the trailer and Nintendo Treehouse gameplay that I am screaming over, I can’t wait to get my copy when it comes out next year.
Baldur’s Gate 3
I have only recently entered into the D&D domain thanks to being carefully introduced to it by some super cool friends. Although I don’t know much about Baldur’s Gate, I am very excited to play BD3 as a new D&D convert and given that it’s being developed by Larian Studios who made the excellent Divinity: Original Sin 2.
The Elder Scrolls: Blades
The Elder Scrolls: Blades is a free to play game for mobile that was announced as coming to the Switch and will still be free to play. I’m interested in giving Blades a go as it looks pretty cool from the trailer and it will tide me over until the release of the next Elder Scrolls game.
Spiritfarer
Spiritfarer is this adorable looking indie game which is described as a “cozy management game about dying. You play as Stella, a ferrymaster to the deceased, build a boat to travel the world, care for your spirit friends, and guide them across the magical seas to the afterlife. It sounds so perfect, has a woman of color as the protagonist, and also has the capacity for local co-op.
The Outer Worlds
The Outer Worlds was announced previously at E3 but we got a more in-depth look at the game and also a release date for this October. It’s developed by Obsidian Entertainment who also developed Fallout New Vegas and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, two of my favourite games, so I can’t wait to get my hands on this.
Cyberpunk 2077
Yes, Cyberpunk 2077 and its developer, CD Projekt Red, are problematic. Yes, as a trans person I am making an informed decision to play the game anyway for many, many reasons. That’s the end of that discussion.
Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order
I already detailed my thoughts about Jedi Fallen Order in my previous write-ups – tl:dr, have some reservations but looks like a pretty cool game and I love the introduction of BD-1.
Planet Zoo
When I first saw the trailer for this I gasped because I was like, omg someone is clearly ripping of Zoo Tycoon, but then I realized it’s made by the same developers so now I’m just excited. Planet Zoo looks very cool and I love the central theme of conservation!
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Series
I played the original Lego Star Wars series (Episodes 1-6) many years when it first came out and loved it. As well as the inclusion of the new episodes, the series is supposed to be bringing in some new content and design. It looks like it could be a cool game to play on the Switch.
Final Fantasy 7 Remake
Again, the FF7 remake was announced a few E3’s ago but we finally have a release date for March 2020 which is exciting. To this day, I still have barely played any FF games because I struggled with the game mechanics but FF7: Advent Children was such a huge part of my teenage years and I’ve always wanted to play the game.
Pokemon Sword and Shield
Technically the new Sword and Shield trailer was shown on Nintendo Direct a week before E3 but I’m including it here anyway because it looks so cool and it was still shown at E3 as well. I’m so excited for the new Pokemon game, despite all the drama on Twitter over edits made to the Pokedex, and we only have to wait a few more months for it!
Way to the Woods
Way to the Woods is another cute little indie game that piqued my interest. You play as a little deer family who are making their way through a strange world where the humans have disappeared and need to find food, shelter and safety as you try to make your way back to the woods.
Zelda Breath of the Wild 2
Breath of the Wilds 2 was announced during the same Nintendo Direct as the new Animal Crossing and I honestly thought the internet would break. I haven’t played Breath of the Wilds yet as its pricey and I’ve never been interested in playing as Zelda (or Link) game before, but I’ve heard such amazing things about BotW that I’m definitely planning on playing it ASAP.
Sky: Children of the Light
Sky is a new game from the developers of Journey, one of the most beautiful games ever made. At the moment, it looks like its only being released on mobile (iOS, then other mobiles) but I’m hoping it will be adapted for consoles because it looks great and there’s no way my phone could ever handle a game like this!
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Another game I’ve already talked about in my Microsoft highlights post. I love Ori and I can’t wait to see what new journey Will of the Wisps will take us on with Ori.
The Sims 4: Island Living
Finally, I saved The Sims 4’s new expansion pack, Island Living, until last because I am so hyped for it. If you want to read more of my thoughts on it then you can check out my EA Play highlights post, but I think it’s fair to say I’m very excited for this.
Although E3 2019 was quite disappointing, there are still a lot of games coming out in 2019/2020 which I’m excited to play and we’re still missing a lot of announcements from Sony that they will no doubt be sharing with us all soon (I need more news on The Last of Us 2!) Regardless, E3 always gives me a lot of games to look forward to and reminds me how much I love gaming. Over the past 2 weeks I’ve been making a lot more time for video games than I normally would so I’ll have lots more gaming news and thoughts to share with you all.
As always, I’ve love to hear which games you’re most looking forward to which were announced and/or featured at E3 2019. I need more people to get excited about games with!
Red Rocket Panda 
I agree the overall fare this year was a bit lackluster, I think this is the off year as most of the big games are being developed for next gen, which won’t debut for over a year.
That being said I still found some games to like! Curious about the Outer Worlds, as it’s been a while since I’ve managed to really dive into a first person RPG. Surprisingly, some of the games I was most interested in (like Astral Chain) were on the Switch, the one console I haven’t purchased yet. Some day!
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Yeah, this is the first year where I watched the Nintendo briefing as I’m usually not too interested in what Nintendo is releasing, but the games for the next year look so good. I’m going to need to do a lot of money saving!!
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Super excited for The Sims 4 Island Living!
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