Gamescom can always be relied on for plenty of exciting news and presentations, as the biggest names in the industry showcase their upcoming releases.
2016’s event kicked off yesterday (the 17th) and runs until Sunday the 21st. While Wednesday was just for the media and those in the trade, the public is welcomed for the remaining four days.
What’s the news so far? Let’s take a look!
New Star Wars Battlefront Content
Electronic Arts is always one to watch at Gamescom, and so far, they’ve released some tantalising insights.
First of all, Star Wars Battlefront’s incoming Battle Station DLC looks jaw-dropping. Fans of the game have critiqued its fairly modest amount of content, but EA appears to be rectifying that in grand style with this mode.
Players will finally get to fight in open space, across three phases in a sort of mini-campaign.
The first phase sees you piloting X-Wings and A-Wings as you take on the Empire’s iconic ships (TIE fighters and interceptors). The second phase puts you right inside the Death Star(!) with iconic locations we’ll all recognise from the original trilogy. This will be welcome news for those of us who still love to play 2005’s Star Wars Battlefront 2 today, which featured a gorgeous Death Star stage recreated with impressive accuracy.
In the third phase, you’ll return to space for a spot of frantic dogfighting. You’ll actually get to control Luke Skywalker in an X-Wing, with daddy dearest, Darth Vader (spoiler alert!), lurking nearby.
Sounds good, right? Well, EA continued the Star Wars-centric excitement with their news on the VR mission for Battlefront. It’s been revealed that this expansion will be based around Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Details are thin on the ground, but we’re assured we’ll get to fly an X-Wing, and that the expansion will be free to those who own the game on the PS4.
EA also revealed that Battlefield 1’s beta will be open on the 31st August, for PC, PS4, and Xbox One, with members of Battlefield Insider getting early access (provided they sign up by the 21st). Players will be able to take part in the Sinai Desert map, across Conquest and Rush modes. Conquest allows up to 64 players to fight, and Rush is aimed at 24 players for a smaller experience.
Meanwhile, FIFA fans will either be elated or heartbroken to learn that FIFA 17 has officially partnered with Manchester United. Amusingly, Konami’s next PES will partner with Liverpool.
And speaking of Konami …
Metal Gear … Zombies?!
Ready for more Metal Gear? Well, love it or loathe it, there’s more heading your way!
Metal Gear Survive will hit consoles next year, and will be a four-player co-op adventure with a heavy emphasis on stealth (as you might have guessed already). This will take place in the wake of MGS V: Ground Zeroes, as the remaining Militaires Sans Frontieres members find themselves in a parallel universe, where …
You’ll be fighting zombies. And possibly multiple Metal Gears. But did we mention the zombies?
The announcement trailer’s pretty intriguing, and as this is the first MGS game made after creator Hideo Kojima left for pastures new, there’s plenty riding on it. It will certainly have to win fans over after taking such a huge sideways step, but who knows? This could be a hugely successful new path for the franchise.
Gears of War 4, ReCore, and More
Microsoft has been showing off the long-awaited Gears of War 4 in gorgeous 4K resolution. Using a Windows 10 system, Microsoft presented the new rendering engine which promises mind-blowing textures and comprehensive settings.
Of course, it’s also available for Xbox One, and will hit in early October.
A new trailer for ReCore was released, and Microsoft also discussed the Xbox One S, which is apparently seeing unprecedented demand: the 2TB version of the console already sold out at many European stores. It looks set to be an exciting festive season for Microsoft, at least!
Sony, Ubisoft, and Nintendo
Sony actually chose not to hold a press conference at Gamescom this year. However, the company has revealed that they will be publishing the impressive Battlezone, the PlayStation VR’s hotly-anticipated launch release. Due to touchdown on October 13th, this looks set to let players hit the ground running with their new tech.
Ubisoft, on the other hand, has been ramping excitement for their forthcoming slate right up. Watch Dogs 2 will apparently have a stronger online aspect, with players prone to too much bad behaviour triggering Bounty Hunter PVP situations, with up to three hunters on your trail. The mode can also be self-triggered in the game, for those looking to spice things up a little.
Steep, South Park: The Fracture But Whole, and For Honor all received new trailers. They’re all worth checking out.
But what of Nintendo? Well, the gaming giant’s holding various events during Gamescom, including massive e-sports showdowns. They have also announced new titles for the Nintendo Selects range on the Wii U, with Pikmin 3, Super Mario £D World, Mario Party 10, and Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker al set for release.
On the 18th, Nintendo will also reveal live gameplay footage from Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. As you may have noticed, Pokemon GO is consuming lives around the world, so excitement for these new titles is pretty big.
With a few days still to go, Gamescom 2016 may well still have some aces up its sleeve.
What do you think of Gamescom 2016’s revelations so far? Let us know!
