Welcome to my report and opinion on how the post E3 event of Nintendo, held 27th of June, 2019 in the Netherlands blew me away and I did not even get around to playing Link’s Awakening!
First things first, this event was held for members of the press and took place earlier today in the Netherlands, it was an incredibly early day as we departed at 5 am to basically “go play some games”.
Upon our arrival, we registered our presence and went into the presentation of Astral Chain. A game that I was very high on, but after today’s event, I wonder if it is not too ambitious. Allow me to explain. Astral Chain seems to be a massive game that seemingly also incorporates a few genres, to say the least. During the presentation we were shown how to control a Legion (the chained being from the outer world that helps you), we were shown many of the attack modes and just so much more.
At one point, we were using the Legion to listen in on cops as they can not see it with their eyes. Shortly after, we had to piece together the pieces of a puzzle, a true detective film noir feeling at that time, because we also had to repeat everything when asked.
The battle sequences look massive and complicated and while so impressed at E3, I now just wonder if this game might not be too ambitious? It just felt like a detective series, the musou genre, action/adventure, and melee combat was all just added to the mix that represents Astral Chain.
The information overload, if anything, made me wonder if I was ready for such a massive adventure or not. The variety in attacks, options and so much more, maybe this game is too ambitious?
Next up, we went and played none other than Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3. Lander and I finished the entire demo and I must say, this game was high up on my wishlist and it moved up to my top 3 of announced Nintendo games. Gameplay was fun and easy to understand. My sole worry might be that the multiplayer was so darn good, that it might ruin your desire to play in single mode anytime soon!
MUA3 was already a title I looked out for, but I never expected to be really into it so much. These demos usually run a specific time frame and despite never having played it before, it felt like we had played it numerous times before, we just rolled right into it. This is very high praise from me, after this Post-E3 event, I am naming this now my third most anticipated game.
Next up was Hollow Knight: Silksong, the new entry for Hollow Knight. Originally intended as DLC, this game became a full-fledged game on its own and we had the option to play a hard level and an easier one. I remember my concerns with my original game being that the entry level when talking difficulty might have been too hard and now I think they did tweak it a tad better. Adding in full heal and the ability to hold onto ledges, Silksong feels like the logical step upwards from the original game.
Then, sigh, the game that will most likely be my game of the year. Luigi’s Mansion 3. Oh my Lord, what a great game. It plays great, it looks amazing. The new smashing around of ghosts is just so much fun, I even giggled like a little girl at a point while playing. I included gameplay of my first playthrough of the demo. I say first, because, at the end, I went back and played it a second time. Clearly improved already, I was able to find even more items and hidden passageways, I can only say I am in love with this game. I already had an opinion piece before about how I thought this was the “game of E3” and now I am sure. I have never wanted a game this much before and I hope we know its release day real soon.
Then we went to line the queue for Link’s awakening, but due to some luck, we got a spot at the Pokemon Sword and Shield demo instead. We both had our chance to play it and Pokemon is looking amazing. The Dynamax powers allow for some impressive attacks and seeing the butt of a gigantic corgi-like Pokemon, it made me smirk. His attack was about as impressive as his btt and he took out the opposing Pokemon without breaking a sweat.
We then went off to play Link’s Awakening, which Lander played in our video. I handled the camera and actually ended up having a snack in the meantime. When it was my turn, the Resident Evil console was open for 2 players and as this is a coop game, we moved there first. Resident Evil played surprisingly well. Though not among my favorite game franchises, RE did leave a positive impression.
Played some more Silksong and then, out of the blue, Luigi’s Mansion 3 was available again and I just went to play a second time over. I adore this game, I can not stress it enough that I want to play it more and more and more. I think I will be sacrificing my last week of days off for this game. I love it that much.
As we were not able to play some other games, Astral Chain and Fire Emblem example given, we were not able to go all out with all the incoming series but I honestly had my fair share of gaming fun and if it lasted any longer, I would probably have gone down for a third session of Luigi’s Mansion.
This post-E3 event sure made it obvious that Nintendo’s line-up for the upcoming months is quite impressive and that was even with a more limited line-up. It is a great time to be alive and while today cast more questions over some games, it sure made the sun shine brightly over several others!
My new top 3 anticipated games, Luigi’s Mansion obviously at number 1, which it already was. Pokemon Sword and Shield at 2, replacing out Dragon Quest 11 and surprisingly Marvel Alliance 3 snuck in the top 3 as well at number 3. In all honesty, it is at 3 because it is coming a lot sooner than DQ11 and because I have already played/finished it too. Chances of me finishing all 3 games in the first week of purchase? I’d say 99% if time allows.
Today was awesome!
