After the 2020 edition was cancelled because of Covid, videogame fans have been looking foward to the next E3. But now the wait’s over and E3 2021 has triumphantly come and gone. The immensely popular gaming fair did live up to expectations. Many new titles were announced and even if the exhibition was entirely digital, fans were not disappointed.
Through videogames we can evade from the reality, all the more so in time of pandemic. Unsurprisingly, it was during lockdown that titles like Animal Crossing and Among Us gained a cult following; you can find out more about the latter game on this page.
Even though E3 2021 was wrapped up on June 15th, if you have missed it you can still find the streaming of events, trailers and interviews on the official Website. Below we have listed some of the highlights from the expo, with the most eagerly awaited games out in the coming months.
Mario + Rabbids debuts at E3 2021
Mario + Rabbids was, without doubt, one of the hits of E3 2021, stirring interest in audience and media alike. Not surprising, when one considers how well the first episode – Mario + Rabbids Kingdom Battle – did in terms of sales and reviews. The road was already paved for a sequel, and now the cat’s been let out of the bag.
However, don’t think that Mario + Rabbids is just another generic follow-up to a successful game that exploits the best qualities of its predecessor but only takes it so far. This game is something else, at least if we are to believe what Ubisoft Milano showed in the trailer.
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Mario + Rabbids Sparks of Hope will face the protagonists with new and terrifying enemies, as well as some recurring old-time threats; Ubisoft also introduces some brand-new gaming mechanics. The player may select up to three different characters in their team, amongst spave travels and new weapons to explore.
Mario + Rabbids will be released sometimes in 2022 for Nintendo Switch.
The new Elden Ring trailer
In the plethora of news from E3 2021, the new Elder Ring trailer surely stood out. The title was highly anticipated by dark fantasy lovers, and has been very well received on the overall. With its successful blend of spectacular graphics and intricate setting, it definitely looks like Elden Ring won’t disappoint.4
One of the winning cards up Elder Ring‘s sleeve is the involvement of George R. R. Martin, the best selling author of A Song of Ice and Fire (or, as you will have it, Game of Thrones). Martin single-handedly developed the lore, worldbuilding and background of this game, lending his experience as storyteller and crafter of complex fictional worlds. Elden Ring is directed by Hidetaka Miyazaki, the mind behind the Souls franchise.
Although Dark Souls served as an inspiration for several in-game aspects, Elden Ring will develop them in its own unique way. The game has an open world setting, and players may opt to ride a horse and engage in dramatic battles with titanic monsters. Elden Ring can be also played as a multiplayer co-op; the game will be officially released on January 21rst 2022.
E3 2021 brings a new chapter in the saga of Zelda
Long time fans of Zelda were not disappointed by the latest E3 2021. Nintendo announced the release of a new chapter in Link’s adventures, which should debut sometimes in 2022.
The game has an intriguing graphic, glimpsed in the exclusive new trailer, and takes place after Zelda Breath of the Wind. While we don’t yet have an official release date, we do know that the game will be out later next year. Nintendo is also keeping the title firmly shroud – at least for now.
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“Revealing the title”, according to Nintendo, “may give away too much“. With these premises, expectations are legitimately quite high. Link’s new adventures promise to be spectacular already in terms of graphics. The protagonist will explore the skies of Hyrule, amidst floating islands and flaming volcanos. The first trailer, released way back in 2019, also previewed an underground mission.
In Breath of the Wind 2 (working title), Link will also have some brand new powers and weapons. The game will be available for Nintendo Switch.
From Batterfield to Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy
If you thought you had seen all the best that E3 2021 had to offer, you’re still in for quite some treats. Starting with the new chapter of the Battlefield saga, promising to bring new life into a franchise that had been rather stagnant since Battlefield V. If the trailer is any indication, the new Battlefield is more akin to the third episode of the series with its epic, devastating and highly spectacular battles. Battlefield 2042 will be out on October 22nd for both Playstation, Xbox and PC.
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Eidos and Square Enix will release Marvel’s Guardian of the Galaxy, a new single-player dedicated to the Guardians. The game has an unique lore, referencing both the graphics of the movies and the background of the original comics. For both die-hard Marvel purists and fans of the cinematic saga of the Guardians, this game sounds like quite a romp. The soundtrack is another nice touch, with a choice selection of iconic 80’s hits from Kiss, Blondie, Iron Maiden and many more. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy has very good premises and might be worth checking out. The game will be released on October 26th and available on PC, Playstation and Xbox.
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