KeenGamer’s Top Games of E3 2018

E3 2018 has been our favorite E3 in the last couple of years. PC gaming is at an all-time high and consoles matured enough to bring us content of the highest quality. As mentioned, this year was light on the surprises but we still got an amazing showcase of known games that are coming out all the way up to Q2 2019 and beyond.

Still under the impression of everything shown, we clenched our jaws shut and managed to form a few coherent sentences on our favorites. Keep in mind that this list is just our collective opinion and while there are more games that deserve your attention, these came out on top in our staff discussion. While your personal favorite may not be on this list, please, don't hesitate to share your own top E3 games in the comments below. With all that said, let's get into the list.

7. Ghost of Tsushima

Ghost of Tsushima made our list of top games and our writer Zach Mathiot had this to say about the game and the footage shown:

"Out of all the reveals at this year’s E3 presentation I was completely and utterly blown away by Sucker Punch’s brand new IP Ghost of Tsushima. The developer is best known for their Sly Cooper and INFAMOUS franchises and has been oddly absent from E3 for quite some time now. It’s clear that this absence was needed to perfect the visually stunning samurai epic they’re currently working on now.

The game focuses upon a samurai named Jin who must defend the Japanese island of Tsushima from the incoming Mongol horde. The game is utilizing multiple forms of cinematography and visual flair to captivate and immerse the player. Each portion showed off in their gameplay debut trailer dripped with deep colors, brutal action and visual references to samurai films of yore.

The combat looked spectacular and when combined with the color palette and engaging narrative promises an amazing experience. The final fight in the trailer between Jin and a former comrade was emotional, brutal and visually stunning all at the same time. It actually took my breath away.

I am very excited for this title to release as soon as possible. I think it shows that the gaming market is growing in terms of overall innovation and design. Gone are the days of every single game being about shooting or zombies or military operations. I believe wholeheartedly that Ghost of Tsushima will blow people away and it is definitely my favorite game of E3 2018."

6. Pokemon: Let's Go

Although not the mainline Pokemon game, Let's Go still generated enough hype and interest to even make our list at number 6. This is what David Lozada had to say about the game:

"The best word to describe Pokemon: Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon: Let's Go Eevee is accessible. Integrating the easy-to-learn fundamentals of the mobile Pokemon Go franchise into the hybrid functionality that is the Nintendo Switch is a natural fit for the console and gives newcomers and diehard fans alike the chance to grasp at the potential of what a next-generation Pokemon title could be.

This may not be the sequel that people are looking forward to (that's coming next year), but it seems like Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee offer enough to change up a formula that has arguably run its course for several decades. Plus, there's added incentive to play thanks to the brand new Pokeball Plus peripheral that gives trainers the ability to take their favorite Pokemon with them on the go. I know I'm not the only fan out there who's wanted to know what carrying an adorable monster in your pocket feels like. I'm taking my Mew everywhere."

5. The Elder Scrolls VI

The fact that Elder Scrolls VI sits at our number 5 spot with only a 30-second video of an unknown landscape with golden " The Elder Scrolls VI" written on top speaks volumes of the hype for the game and the series in general. Considering the information that the game didn't even enter full production yet, this will probably be a long wait. However, considering Bethesda's track record and the increasing quality and scope of each Elder Scrolls game – it will be well worth the wait.

4. Death Stranding

It's safe to say that Death Stranding got more cryptic the more footage was shown. Luckily this E3, things got just a little bit clearer and we even got a little peek at some gameplay sections. Dakota Gordon had this to say about the game and the surrounding hype:

"If there's one thing in video games that excites me—and this may be a fairly unpopular opinion—it's the promise of a crazy story. Hideo Kojima has always been one for theatrics and character with his previous franchise in Metal Gear Solid, something I thought worked well with the overall chemistry of gameplay mechanics presented.  Death Stranding becomes exciting just on the cusp of appearing different, of being immensely experimental and dedicated to unleashing the inner madness of Kojima himself.

This year's E3 gave a more honest look at what players can expect from within the game instead of outside looking in, though not without some more mind-bending imagery. It gave me a sort of post-apocalyptic Breath of the Wild vibe with supernatural elements. The areas are darker and bleaker, with the interest going towards the characters and their at times bulky equipment, signifying some harrowing scenarios to come from the game. Everyone jokes that Kojima is losing his mind with baby tanks and dark, floating specters that pull one into the ground, but for me, I'm enthusiastic that Kojima is so willing to create this piece that doesn't cater to the average gamer, desiring to form a puzzle out of his works for everyone who cares to try it to form their own conclusions (at least until a definitive answer is given, if any).

Compared to last year's E3, there wasn't too much more shown of the game that would induce the sort of hype that a beloved franchise beefed up on nostalgic steroids would, but I feel Death Stranding continues to trump those titles with the potential of grandeur in its narrative and atmospheric qualities. It's weird, it's dark, and it might very well be pretentious nonsense, but it's a game I'm looking forward to for its bizarre approach alone. Kojima just has that magic."

3. Cyberpunk 2077

CD Projekt Red teased us with Cyberpunk 2077 a long time ago and the community was starved for any information about the game. Well, this E3 we got it and the hype is bigger than ever, here's what KeenGamer's Sean Rehbein had to say about it:

"Ever since Witcher III, one of the greatest games ever made, and ever since it was teased with just a single image, fans have been clamoring to see more of Cyberpunk 2077. Despite some criticisms over its use of daytime and first-person perspective, the reception of Cyberpunk 2077 has been pure excitement. Every shot used in the trailer does some amazing world building, drawing the player in and making them want to know more.

Following its announcement trailer at the end of Microsoft’s conference, we’ve gotten some more information on the upcoming CD Projekt Red title. As noted before, it will be an FPS, but it will be an RPG first. With character customization, skill trees, better and better loot, and undoubtedly masterful writing, Cyberpunk 2077 has all the hallmarks of a great RPG. As a fan of the Borderlands series, all of this sounds very appealing. The game will be a completely open world, with promises of no loading screens. Drive, augment, and shoot your way through one of the coolest world settings in fiction."

2. The Last of Us Part II

We've known about Last of Us Part II for quite some time, and now, the sequel for what is arguably one of the best games of the last generation got a new cinematic trailer and a gameplay demo. The footage that was shown had our writer Joseph Stanichar  pretty excited and he had this to say about it:

"The Last of Us was literally a game-changer. When it released in 2013, it would be one of a select number that would go on to define video games of the ‘10s. Not only did it have a tangible influence on how other developers would tell stories in games through the use of clever companion characters, but it also featured a frightening contrast between the rigidly systematic versions of zombies and the more advanced AI that could improvise based on your actions and communicate this via dialogue.

What is so exciting about The Last of Us Part II is that it seems to be refining all that made the original so great for the current console generation. The improved power of the PlayStation 4 means that everything from a passionate kiss to a gritty murder looks more real and visceral. The advances of the modern generation, from both Naughty Dog and other developers, are beginning to see their influence on this game, with the same gripping mechanics of the original appearing more slick and continuous in the sequel. And, of course, we all just want to know what’s going on with Joel and Ellie after the first part’s harrowing ending!

With no release year given, much less date, The Last of Us Part II might very well go on to define gaming of the ‘20s, or it might simply refine what made it so good in the first place. Regardless, we can’t wait for The Last of Us Part II to release exclusively on PS4, whenever it comes out!"

1. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Smash came out on top in our staff poll with a substantial lead over other E3 games. Our writer David Lozada was very detailed in his impressions of the hands-on demo, and Lindsay Schubert had this to say about the game:

"The last entry in the Super Smash Bros. series was about five years ago, and after a long wait, we have an update. Now, rumored to be the last title in the series, Masahiro Sakurai has announced Super Smash Bros. Ultimate for the Nintendo Switch. The game is set to release on December 7, 2018.

Ultimate caters directly to the Smash fans by bringing all 63 characters from all the past games into this game. Plus, the creators are adding in two new, highly demanded additions – Inkling from Splatoon and Ridley from Metroid. The identical smashers to their original counterpart, are now called Echo Fighters. For example, Daisy was added to the game as Peach’s Echo Fighter because they have the same play style. To make the experience even better, Nintendo improved half of the characters for battle. New techniques are available for each character such as ladder attacks and short-hops.

As always with new additions to the series, we have new stages, Assist Trophies, and items, along with some of the old content. Nintendo brought back an important feature from Smash 4 – Omega Stages. This is where any stage can be flat, similar to Final Destination. New features include colored smoke showing who launches who. Another new feature is the ability to turn off stage effects but keep the integrity of the stage design.  With all these changes and additions one thing is clear – December can't come soon enough."

HONORABLE MENTIONS

Doom Eternal

Kingdom Hearts 3

Devil May Cry 5

Beyond Good & Evil 2

So that's KeenGamer's Top Games of E3 2018. What were your personal favorites revealed or showcased this year? Let us know in the comment below!