Although we’ve been lucky enough to see some exciting big releases, including of a lot of major AAA titles, this month, the industry is about to descend into temporary hibernation, due to the huge anticipation of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) taking place from June 11-13.
As the world’s premier event for computer and video games, and their related products, E3 gives industry leaders, such as Sony, Microsoft, EA, and Bethesda, an unprecedented exposure to the entire video game industry, all under one roof, and it’s the time they make their most anticipated announcements of the year!
It’s a crazy few days that overshadows the industry news for most of June, but despite this, we still have a few interesting picks for you this month, from the studios that have enough confidence in their projects to release during this busy time.
And what better way to start than with a remaster from a legendary games franchise, dating all the way back to 1996...
Crash Team Racing Nitro-Fuelled
Every gamer and their grandmothers knows of the iconic name of gaming legend, Crash Bandicoot, and after the recent success of last years Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy (both commercially and critically) it makes complete sense to ride on this success and continue the by remastering another popular classic title!
Although it wouldn’t be fair to say this game’s a simple remaster, it’s more of a reimagining, meaning that the talented team at Beenox are ensuring this title can stand up to the more recent Mario Kart and Sonic Racing titles (check out my last blog for more details on that!) by implementing features such as kart customization, various modes and a wild roster of quirky characters.
Rev your engines for the 21st of June on PS4, XB1 and Switch! Pre-order here!
Source: Gameshideout.com
Warhammer: Chaosbane
The Warhammer franchise has seen a lot of ups and downs in its history, with around 30 different titles made by dozens of different studios. Luckily, the people at the helm this time around, Games Workshop Licensed Projects, have been on a roll recently, with the adrenaline pumping Vermintide 2, and the colossal strategy franchise Warhammer: Total War taking the fantasy world by storm.
Chaosbane will be a top-down RPG (think Diablo-esque) in which you and up to three friends will be plunged into a world of chaos, battling through hordes of mutated opponents and the demonic spawns of Satan… you know, the usual stuff!
Hold back the hordes of chaos on the 4th of June, via PC, PS4 or XB1. Pre-order here!
Source: SteamPowered.com
Super Mario Maker 2
Seems the list this month is full of legendary franchises! And what better way to represent that than with a new Mario game, arguably the biggest gaming icon in the industries history, with over 200 games featuring our favourite Italian plumber. With that, Nintendo seem to be running out of scenarios to place our fav pair of brothers, so now you’ll have the opportunity to make your own!
The first Mario Maker was a great success and allowed millions of players worldwide to handcraft a series of levels, and share them worldwide. The sequel doesn’t aim to reinvent the wheel but instead will multiply all the content of the previous title, allowing players to truly create their own Mario stages, and even entire games, from scratch.
Mario (and Luigi) returns on the 28th of June for Nintendo Switch. Pre-order here!
Source: IGN
The Sinking City
It’s a bit of a funny time for horror games right now. With the recent rise of VR platforms becoming much more affordable and accessible to the average at home gamer, developers have emphasised much more on releasing smaller VR horror titles, rather than full-fledged standard releases. Admittedly, horror seems to be the ideal genre for the VR platform, but Polish developers Frogwares has opted for a more traditional survival-horror, inspired by the works of H.P. Lovecraft.
The Sinking City has you playing as a 1920s investigator, exploring a small city that’s had a seemingly impossible flood swallows the place up whole.
The detective story set-up goes on to play a big part in the gameplay of this title as well. And since it’s being made by the minds behind the Sherlock titles, expect to be unraveling the mystery of this other-worldly locale, as well as terrifying encounters with Eldritch horrors…
Take the plunge into the city of insanity on the 27th of June, on PC, PS4, and XB1. Pre-order here!
Source: Frogwares.com
My Friend Pedro
For me, this title is a personal highlight. Deadtoast Entertainment (who’ve previously only worked on mobile and browser games) have partnered with a major indie publisher, Devolver Digital, in order to bring the world a side-scrolling shooter, oozing with style, and featuring a protagonist that’s haunted by a friendly banana.
If the premise sounds confusing, just imagine a 2D John Wick, and you pretty much have the overall idea. It’s a concept in which words can’t do justice and is, without a doubt, worth watching some gameplay to really get the feel of the action.
My Friend Pedro will be arriving at a date TBC in June on PC and Switch. Pre-order here!
Source: Steampowered.com
That's it for June, well for now anyway! Look out for my e3 special coming later next month, with a roundup of all the biggest and best announcements!
And as ever if you’d like to discuss any of the titles I’ve covered this month, chat about what’s coming out next month, OR have something you’d like us to review… you can reach me on Twitter @SansonWray.
As well as playing games I also recruit for the world of games! So, get in touch if you’re looking for a new role in the Games and Interactive Industry or if you have a role you’d like us to fill!
**All opinions are our own. If you love them too, great! If not - don't hate the player hate the game. Also, we have not been paid to review any of the titles included in this blog. Links are NOT affiliate.**
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