It was the press conference of dreams. Those with cold hard rocks for hearts naturally disagreed, but a single show revolving around The Last Guardian, Final Fantasy VII, and Shenmue III was fan fiction right up until the moment that Sony rolled them out for real, one Earth shaking announcement after another. Granted, one game doesn't have a release date, another is episodic, and the latter was funded by fans – but these criticisms miss the point. On the eve of E3 2015, if you'd have told us that the Holy Trifecta™ – as the trio will henceforth be known – would feature, then we'd have told you where to go. Funnily enough, we kinda did.
But now the Japanese giant's dated its E3 2016 press conference, which means that it's time to look forward once more. The question is: can the platform holder top the greatest line-up in presser history? It'll have more Horizon: Zero Dawn, Detroit: Become Human, and No Man's Sky for sure; God of War IV will probably rear its ugly bald head as well. But when you consider that titles like Uncharted 4: A Thief's End – which looked absolutely ridiculous by the way – were arguably the low-points last year, then it's going to have to have something seriously special to live up to the Holy Trifecta™.
There's one announcement that would raise the roof: Crash Bandicoot. All of you will be aware that Sony's been teasing a 'Coot comeback for years now; some of you may know that there's a little more to this story than meets the eye. But opening this year's show with a blast of that iconic theme tune alongside a look at an all-new game would surely be one of the strongest possible starts – especially if Shawn Layden waltzed out wearing that tee as opposed to his usual tailored suit. It would be even better if the original PSone titles launched on the PS4 with full Trophy support on the same day as the presser, no?
"At the end of the day, if this year's conference has even of half of last year's magic, then it will still be very strong"
But beyond that, it's hard to imagine what the company could possibly bring that would better the Holy Trifecta™. Half Life 3? Sure, but we're not sure why that would be at a PlayStation press conference. Agent? Stranger things have happened, but with only a logo to go on, there just isn't the same pent-up anticipation for the forgotten Rockstar North release as a Final Fantasy VII or a Shenmue III. What else could there possibly be? G-Police, Colony Wars, WipEout, The Legend of Dragoon… All franchises that fans desperately want to be revived, but not at the same level as E3 2015's round of announcements.
Perhaps, then, the sheer spectacle quite simply can't be topped, and Sony should be more focused on delivering a high quality presser rather than the best ever. If the platform holder can complement its roster of first-party titles with some big third-party announcements – we're thinking the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2 and Resident Evil 7 – then that may be enough. At the end of the day, if this year's conference has even of half of last year's magic, then it will still be very strong. And, to be honest, that's more than good enough for us.
Do you think that Sony can top its E3 2015 press conference? If so, what announcements do you think would better the Holy Trifecta™? Buy your ticket for the hype train in the comments section below.
Can Sony's E3 2016 presser top last year's? (87 votes)
- Yes, last year was totally overrated
- Don't care, just show me good stuff
- No way, E3 2015 will never be beaten
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Comments 57
If you've seen my previous posts you know that I want Dark Cloud 3. If that was announced it would make this year's E3 the best. Though when Fallout 4 was announced last year that was badass so it will be hard to top.
I guess it really depends on what games you enjoy and to a degree what your expectation levels are prior. For me E3 2015 was 'average'. Horizon:ZD and of course U4 blew me away but a kickstarter for a franchise I don't like, FF announcements, the revival of a game I first saw 7yrs ago, a wacky 'game' (dreams) etc all lost my interest.
So from my perspective, it wouldn't be difficult to top that. Problem is though that if I am expecting certain announcements - like PS4k, a return of favourites (Crash) and a couple of new IP's that appeal for example and we get none of that - just news on Last Guardian, Dreams, FF, Shenmue etc then for me it will feel disappointing.
Coming up last, it also has to contend with the impact of the previous conferences. If they fall flat, then expectation can be lowered so Sony's doesn't need to do as much to excite but if theirs are great, Sony's would need to be extra-special to seem exciting.
Hmmm.... pretty much impossible, but doable.
Crash Bandicoot
Dead Don't Ride being some amazing new IP
God of Norse blowing every one away
The Last Guardian 2016 date
Horizon 2016 date
Sucker Punch Spider-Man (lol)
Some other surprises. Could be just as good if paced well. But the FF VII remake is not gonna be topped, that broke the internet
I don't think Sony necessarily needs to best last year's conference. Surely the suits must realise how high a bar they've set for themselves. They could try and top E3 2015 - and if I had to put a bet on it, I'd say that they will try - but a steady stream of updates and announcements will be more than enough.
I think there is room for that. Last year was really good, but if they came out with new Crash, new GoW, TLOU 2 and a new IP I think people would be just as happy.
The crazy thing is that, writing this article, I genuinely struggled to think of things that would personally get me excited more than last year's. Shenmue III really was the holy grail for me, so I don't think it can be beaten.
Everyone who bought a PS4 from new gets 50% off the new Neo system.
OR
A new PSVR title based on the classic 1995 drama 'Showgirls'.
I wonder which is more likely?
You should have checked out the forum e3 wish list and displayed what users are hoping for.
Honestly, they can top it for me personally. New infamous or Spider-Man from sucker punch is the top of my list. I think the problem with last year is that there were some big megaton announcements but they also had a lot of average (if I remember right). I want a lot of solid games to go with some big announcements.
Don't really like the way the top option was phrased, so I just went #2. Do I think E3 2015 was amazing? Yes. Do I think E3 2016 will be better? Yes.
If I get any 2 of Crash, Infamous: Spider Man & GOW4, coupled with a 'now in development' trailer for the last of us 2 & a confirmed release date for KH3 (+story trailer) I'd be over the moon.
@get2sammyb Then maybe a Shenmue 1 & 2 HD would make you explode
It's going to be a tall order. They really nailed it last year because they distracted everybody and made them forget that Sony had nothing come out in the short term with three blockbuster announcements that tore the house down. I was out of my chair cheering when the Final Fantasy VII Remake trailer was on.
I'll be very surprised if they manage to top it, but then I doubt anyone else will either.
Be interesting how they handle the Neo thing, because personally I think it could really blow up in their faces. Games wise I really don't care, it'll be interesting whatever they announce.
Personally I prefer the whole Fallout 4 thing - here's the game you all wanted, its out before the end of the year. I don't think we'll get that from Sony, and I'm not being harsh on them, Microsoft and so many other studios do the same thing... here's a game that looks great! (available 2020)...
The only thing I've been mega excited about in the last few years was the Division, and whilst I loved that game for a month, they royally mucked it up and alienated their userbase, so I take anything from E3 going forward with a pinch of salt.
@get2sammyb Sometimes I think we're the only fan boys on your site.
I don't think they'll even try to top last year, but to use last year to change the narrative entirely. Last year was all about the past - Shemue 3, FF7R, TLG - so this year they'll say it's all about the future and focus on Horizon (takes place in the future), PSVR and PS4K Neo. I just wish NMS released before E3, I am so sick of reading about it. At least it's been quiet since the disc packages were announced. Even they must have been feeling the overhyped overkill.
So after last year I don't expect to ever be blown away again, and I'm not a fan of PSVR, but on the bright side I don't own a Vita either, that's deader than Wii U. I'm cautiously optimistic as I wait for Dreams and Horizon. And if Neo gets announced I'm expecting a FFXV tie in, something to make PS4 THE system to play it on, not X1. So there's optimism, but I'm keeping my expectations in check.
@SKC_Diamond Not as much as Shenmue III, but I'd absolutely love a remaster. It would be a privilege to review those games.
I doubt they can top it. There is a strong argument that they relied too much on nostalgia and didn't actually show much that was particularly tangible. To that I say who gives a crap, this isn't a NATO summit, make me squee like a fangirl Sony!
I don't really see Sony topping their last E3 presentation for a long time, if ever. It really was a perfect storm where vast amounts of anticipation, long denied, met with brilliant realization. It was the vindication of an entire generation of gamers.
I'm not expecting much this year. There will likely be a huge emphasis on PSVR, which I don't really care about unless there's some surge of stellar horror (or fanservice) games for the thing.
I bet I know one thing that'll be there. A western release date for Persona 5. If so, it'll be the best conference ever. Haha. Can't wait for that game!
A psvr/neo bundle for under 500 quid would be a decent start. I know that would be pretty unlikely but would no doubt sell.
A total overhaul of the IGC in some way would probably be pretty big as well, given the reception most monthly games currently receive.
Theyll probably just trot out a few more MOBAs and the usual CoD nonsense, and i would put money on Crash Bandicoot being there. For me though, its all about any new IPs that may get announced.
Here's the thing.
None of the games that got people excited last year have come out yet. And won't come out for some time. None of them even have a release date.
So yeah, why not present some games that we will actually be able to play in a couple of months?!
I'd like to see Rise Of The Tomb Raider for PS4 get a mention, with bonus stuff of course.
I want a "Last year was f-ing amazing but they can always reach higher" option. I mean, last year was all about promise and acknowledging the long unanswered desire for certain games. This year could be about more concrete stuff like a lot more FFVIIR gameplay, showing more locations or the world map, they could show more of Shenmue III than a frankly crappy-looking couple of character models, they could announce Last Guardian for release this September or something. Kingdom Hearts III release date, Dragon Quest XI US and EU release date and more gameplay. There could be some insane things like Red Dead Redemption 2 being an exclusive. I'd love to see the state of the internet after that.
@rjejr I'm not saying this as a Sony fanboy, but the Vita isn't actually deader than the Wii U. It has a far fuller release schedule than the Wii U and always has. There's a lot less going on with Nintendo's console.
Compare Gematsu's Wii U section to the Vita section. There's only 5 Wii U articles in the last week. There are 34 Vita articles in the same time period. The Vita also has a larger install base (marginally) and is selling double what the Wii U is in Japan.
http://gematsu.com/c/wii-u
http://gematsu.com/c/playstation-vita
hope they make PS4.5 official already!
@Matroska Well as far as E3 is concerned, Wii U will get a lot more coverage than Vita. At least an hour more, which is all Ninteod is doing.
If it makes you feel any better PS3 will probably have more games at E3 than Vita and Wii U combined.Nobody will actually mention PS3 at E3, but those litle PS3 logos will show up on more trialers than Vita or Wii U will. But that doenst mean PS3 isn't dead. Dead is relative at E3.
The only way to top e3 2015 is to announced that 3 game dates.
NAME CHANGES!!11!1oneoneone
etc
I was underwhelmed last year. The two games I really saw people lose their stuff over we won't see for years.
The only thing I want to hear is "Horizon: Zero Dawn is coming out in 2016". That will make my Sony E3. But... if they did announce Half Life 3 I would lose my mind. I mean, run around my neighborhood screaming and tearing my shirt off, kind of mind lose.
I think Sony is going to have a decent show but last years' megaton could be hard to top. I could live well with Persona 5 and Ninokuni 2 making an appearance at the show and the last guardian becoming more than vaporware.
I would also love to see the return of Wipeout! Fearing a PS4,5 + FFXV bundle. if a game needs a frame rate boost...
@Cowboysfan-22 Yes, I really don't see how anyone could see the Vita as deader than the WiiU. Japanese developers are still extremely active on the platform and games will be coming for at least another 2 years. On the other hand, almost nobody has a game in the works for WiiU now, and it makes perfect sense with the new console launching in less than one year. I'm still going to enjoy #FE and Zelda and possibly Mother 3 as a VC title but yes, it's pretty much over.
@Feena I already have the special edition of #FE preordered so I'll be enjoying that one too.. I highly doubt P5 will come to Vita.. But that doesn't bother me.. Just give me the game! Haha
@get2sammyb
They could remaster the whole event?
All Sony did was provide hype by making unrealistic expectations come true... Shenmue 3, FF 7 Remake and The Last Guardian. All they have do is get Crash announced (I'm still insistent it's not happening, despite the heavy amount of hints), Date those three titles and find two titles under a very similar unrealistic banner.
In terms of shocking announcements? No.
In terms of actual real, tangible software? Yes.
@MadAussieBloke 2006?
Crash Bandicoot or we riot
With all the hints, I hope Sony shows a new Crash Bandicoot game. It's like what Microsoft is doing with Battletoads. Come on, a new Battletoads and Crash Bandicoot at E3. Let's make it happen.
@Punished_Boss_84 Haha, actually laughed out loud.
If there is a Crash unveiling it'll be a homerun. Last of us 2 would be great as well, and some more Horizon.
More quality, more variety and maybe juice up PS Plus (somehow), plus fully lay out the plans for PVR, PSNeo and be honest about the VIta!
i'd take that. Last years was decent, but to be honest, the pessimist in me never expects too much!
I think Sony can top last year's show because the games that got most people excited (The Last Guardian, Shenmue 3 and Final Fantasy VII remake) did nothing for me. That's not to say the rest of the show was bad, it just wasn't 'Holy sh*T greatest show of all times!' Horizon had a great reveal and it was nice to see Uncharetd 4 coming along well but I wasn't exactly blown away by anybody's show last year except Bethesda's. Everybody else was really solid, nothing.
So, what can make this year's PlayStation conference top last year's? Pretty simple really. The plans have to be fully laid out for VR, so show it off but don't let it drag on like what happened at December's PS Experience. Fully lay out plans for the PS4 Neo with no corporate bullsh*t speak, I'm sick of these giant ass corporations who charge people hundreds of dollars for these devices treating everybody like idiots. As an early adopter I understand that tech moves on and that sometimes those who wait will benefit. Console revisions always happen so just give us the plans and don't bs. As for games I want to see Gran Turismo Sport, Gravity Rush 2 and Horizon get some more stage time and for announcements I want to see God of War, Bend's game. Stuff I'm hoping for but not sure will happen... Sucker Punch-developed Spider-Man game and Crash Bandicoot.
Unless they have some really big surprises in stpre, I don't see how. The Last Guardian by itself was enough to make it one of the more memorable shows. Then you add in Shenmue and everything else, that put it over the top. Unless we get confirmation of a new Crash game along with some killer new IPs and maybe confirmation of No Man's Sky VR compatibility, I don't know if anything can top it.
I remember how unenthusiastic people were about Sony's show prior to E3 last year, I think we expected back to back VR. Hopefully Sony know what they gotta do!
Echoing other comments a PS+ shake up would be really interesting. Not that I want more 2 year old AAA's, but I'd like to see them really spin it on its head somehow.
STREETS OF RAGE 4!
CANNON FODDER REMAKE!
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 1,2 + 3 HD REMAKE!
That would top last years for me.
It's a tough act to follow from 2015 but I look forward to whatever they announce. Solid PSVR announcement and tons of games for it would be sweet. Star Wars VR trailer would wet my pants lol!
show God of war 4.crash bandicoot.parasite eve.red dead redemption 2.agent.shenmue hd collection.sega genesis collection vol 2.bank collection vol 2.capcom arcade collection part 3
Give me some retro goodness, some remakes / reboots from the past.
Turrican, C&C, Cannon Fodder, etc etc. And some new IPs as well of course.
I voted don't care, show me good stuff. Same every E3. New cool Naughty Dog game which isn't The Last of Us 2 for me would be great, more of Horizon: Zero Dawn (with a 2016 release date), a 2016 release date for The Last Guardian, new Crash Bandicoot maybe, I don't know. Just good stuff I guess.
@LieutenantFatman C&C would be great. Of course, it won't happen, but genres seem to phase in and out of popularity, I really hope some RTS games will come back into fashion for consoles sometime soon
I would very much like to see Legend of Dragoon revived. The original had issues, but it also had a lot of potential. With JRPGs making a bit of a comeback at the moment, I think it would be a well-received announcement. But, alas, I think that series is gone for good.
@Matroska @Feena @rjejr
As a gamer who has owned Vita and Wii U since launch, I have definitely felt the Vita to be a much deader platform than Wii U for some time now. Technically, the Vita was getting about the same number of physical releases here but the difference has been the Vita's were mostly niche, meh titles while Wii U has consistently seen higher quality, bigger name titles. I recall Persona 4 Dancing being the best game I got on Vita all year, which kinda says it all. Of course, now that Star Fox has released it's more even between the two.
And that's not to say I don't enjoy my Vita- I do. Truly. But looking back even just the past 6 months, I was playing Zelda Twilight Princess, Pokken Tournament, Star Fox Guard, Star Fox Zero, Xenoblade Chronicles X and next month Tokyo Mirage Sessions. The only thing I've played on Vita was the digital exclusive Severed.
So that's probably where people are coming from when they say the Wii U has felt much more alive. It's not so much the number of games releasing as it is the number of games releasing that people are actually interested in.
Of course, in Japan it's another story. In Japan Vita is a monster just going ham with releases left and right. In Japan, Vita is very much alive and with some solid games too. Games I wish would release here. Especially now with Wii U's clock running out.
@get2sammyb Syphon Filter would do it for me. I really want a new Syphon Filter game to release, better AI, more stealth, etc etc.
I liked Sony's conference last year. Horizon Zero Dawn and FF7 were top-shelf, and The Last Guardian and FFXV being resurrected was the cherry on top. Shenmue 3 would have been more exciting if it wasn't a Kickstarter.
@Kamikaze_Krunch Good shout with Syphon Filter, I'd be up for that. Always loved the first 2.
http://www.destructoid.com/resident-evil-7-will-return-to-horror-roots-have-a-p-t-alumnus-involved-and-be-announced-at-e3-362019.phtml
Could be a good sign for Resi 7.. Or just Resi if it goes full reboot. If Capcom are smart they'll see the gap PT has left. IF lol.
@JaxonH I think some Ni no kuni 2 footage will blow my mind more than everything you named. I'm in the mood to reinstall my ps3 to play Ni no kuni all over again ( allthough the battle system is horrible)
Capcom's working on a new Monster Hunter game slated for a 2017 release. So any announcement on that during E3 would be great. I'm praying its for the PS4 or the VITA.
@Sanquine
I totally forgot about Ni No Kuni 2. Yes, definitely that.
@JaxonH well, there is no account for personal taste of course but I do own both consoles as well and while there's always been a little something on Vita that keeps the console in my regular gaming routine, like an Atelier game or games from XEED like Trails, or the monthly Playstation Plus games or something from PSP or ps1 that became very cheap in a PSN sale, the WiiU kinda gets just...moments of love from me, that are very isolated from one another. I tend to re-box the thing until the next game comes out. It's just a matter of play style I guess and for me it happened just because of the lack of third party support, Nintendo's lineup has been more than satisfying for me....it's like the polar opposite of Vita's story!
But what I meant really was just that it seems very clear to me that there is still a lot of software development for the Vita at the moment, while almost none on WiiU.
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