The 2D side-scrolling strategy game “Monarchy” is now available for PC and consoles
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The London-based (the UK) indie games devel[...]
So, here we are with the 2019 version of Nintendo Direct for E3. Well, the presentation contained quite a few updates, surprises and announcements for the Nintendo Switch (some of which I bet a lot of people went totally nuts over).
So, with that said. Let’s dive straight into Nintendo’s E3 2019 presentation shall we? (I’m going to share my thoughts and opinions on the presentation as a whole, bit by bit).
To start the Direct we’re introduced to another sword wielder for “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate” but surprisingly it’s not a “Fire Emblem” character this time.
The Hero comes in four different flavors in “Smash Ultimate”, and even more Heroes can be seen in their Final Smash.
Nope, because it’s the Hero from “Dragon Quest XI”, but instead of color swaps, he brought some friends to join the fight. This Hero can either be the one from “Dragon Quest XI”, “Dragon Quest VIII”, “Dragon Quest IV”, or “Dragon Quest III”.
This was a nice surprise to see coming in Summer 2019, and well deserved since the “Dragon Quest” series has been a part of Nintendo’s library and one of the most popular JRPG series in Japan.
Speaking of “Dragon Quest”, to tie the knot with this announcement they showed the trailer for the Nintendo Switch release of “Dragon Quest XI”.
As goofy as this monster might look, I don’t think you can question a Hero’s style when he can choose to ride a monster over a horse.
Well, based on what I’ve seen from “Dragon Quest XI” so far I have to say that the game looks pretty good. I’m all guessing that Square Enix really like Nintendo enough to put their game on the Switch.
Another fun fact is that the game’s full Switch title is: “Dragon Quest XI – Echoes of an Elusive Age S: Definitive Edition”.
Anyways, if you like what you’ve seen from the game so far, then you can complete the story on the Nintendo Switch when “Dragon Quest XI” comes out on September 27th this year.
Moving on. We then finally get our hosts for the Direct after these two trailers. Of course we have Yoshiaki Koizumi, who introduced his co-host Bowser, only for Doug Bowser to appear on-screen and confuse the poor koopa.
Sure, I don’t know about you, but I thought this was a funny bit as it’s not too drawn out and a good way to have fun with having Bowser as the NoA President.
As funny and cute as this scene was, it was explained for the Japanese audience since Bowser is more known as King Koopa over in Japan.
Next up we got to see a glimpse of “Luigi’s Mansion 3”, which takes place in a hotel instead of a mansion. I guess it wouldn’t sell if it was “Hotel Luigi”. Other than that, the green ghostbuster returns with the new Poltergust G-00.
However, this Poltergust doesn’t just suck but it has some brand-new features as well. For example, you can now use “Slam” to, well, slam ghosts around (even onto other ghosts) to reduce their HP.
It’s funny how Luigi still fidgets as he walks around the hotel while Gooigi just nonchalantly waltzes to his destination.
We also get to see Gooigi in action, as he can be played and switched between Luigi in solo to solve puzzles the original can’t, like walking through bars or over spikes.
Keep this in mind though, in co-op you and friend can cover more ground in the same room. Here’s some word of advice as well, just don’t add any water into the mix, as the two don’t mix very well…
Anyways, I liked how it was going so far but became more intriguing as it turns into a ghostbusting party game with “ScareScraper Mode”, which is the multiplayer time rush mode where eight players (local and online) can go around to bust ghosts in the quickest time.
Hopefully the place doesn’t leak that much, otherwise, half the party would be wiped out.
Simply put, expect to feel good when “Luigi’s Mansion 3” is released sometime this year! (2019)
Next, we have a Netflix game based on the new “Dark Crystal” series called “Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance Tactics”, coming around 2019.
A fun sidenote worth mentioning is that I was quite amused with how Aughra woke up saying that she slept too long (I can relate). Anyways, I find “Dark Crystal” to look like a rather good strategy game, with a bit of environment manipulation for good measure.
She may look like Dominar Rygel XVI’s auntie but I wouldn’t cross Aughra
I can’t say I’m invested in this game, but that could be because my Netflix subscription was canceled before I got a chance to watch the show. However, having seen the movie many moons ago I can say it does resemble a world with Jim Henson creatures.
For example, a new addition to the game is the “Chamber Dungeons” where you can create special dungeons with the help of Dampé.
Link looks adorable even when he’s eating an apple :3
Furthermore, during your adventures you will be able to collect chambers for you to build new dungeons and run through them based on certain layouts.
Essentially, you get to explore your own creations to collect the rewards based on the layout, one of which being a Fairy Bottle gained from “Fill Up Your Hearts”.
You know, I think this game shall to go down into history as one of the most adorable and addicting “Zelda” games ever created.
So from my point of view, I think that “The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening” will be a worthwhile adventure coming out on September 20th, with quite a bit to play with while we wait for the sequel for “Breath of the Wild”.
I wonder if Nintendo will have any of the familiar layouts from the original “Legend of Zelda” here?
So, what about those surprises then? Well, the next surprise just happens to be “Trails of Mana”, which is one of the games that I’m really ecstatic for.
Why? Well, you may know this game better known as “Seiken Densetsu 3”, which was a game I downloaded a translated ROM of and was hooked on the story.
You see, the said game is now getting a full remake with a release in 2020, and so far it looks great. That’s just the half of it though, because there’s more!
Because at the moment you can buy the “Collection of Mana” which has “Final Fantasy Adventure” (Game Boy), “Secret of Mana” (Super Nintendo), and, of course, “Trails of Mana” officially translated.
I was into “Seiken Densetsu 3” back in the day that I can’t help to see the full remake of the game as a wonderful and beautiful thing.
The collection is out right now, so if you can’t wait for “Trails of Mana” 2020 then get “Collection of Mana” and play some “Seiken Densetsu 3”.
Adding another surprise to the list (for me at least) we have “The Witcher III: Wild Hunt Complete Edition”. I haven’t personally played this installment or the previous one.
However, after playing “The Witcher Enhanced Edition” on PC I can say going with “The Witcher III” may have been a wise choice, mostly taking controls into account. Nevertheless, the hunt on the Switch starts sometime this year (2019).
Don’t worry about it being a book adaptation. From what I’ve heard they took liberties with Geralt of Rivia.
Meanwhile, with “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” we get to see a trailer over a class reunion gone to hell. This was an anime cutscene trailer showing details of the story without going too much into spoiler territory.
Well, if you enjoyed the trailer and what you’ve seen for the game so far, then I’m happy to inform you that “Fire Emblem: Three Houses” is coming out next month on the 26th (I think the length was appropriate to get fans ready for the next installment).
They were once friends, but now they lead opposing forces. This won’t go well…
Following that we see Capcom going back to corny horror, having a trailer for “Resident Evil” (Remake version) on Nintendo Switch presented through two teens entering an eerie mansion to play the game.
I for one at least thought that it was a pretty funny scene to see them running near the end only for the guy to go back for the Switch (those things are not cheap).
I just have to add that the players in the “Resident Evil Remake” Switch trailer seemed to be rather negligent with their ammo reserving…
Regardless, at the moment “Resident Evil 0”, “Resident Evil”, and “Resident Evil 4” are currently released with “Resident Evil 5” and “Resident Evil 6” coming this Fall (don’t miss out on the RE5 and RE6 Switch trailer!).
With Capcom bringing their survival horror games to the Switch does that mean we may see “Resident Evil 7 VR Labo”? (time will tell!)
We then found out that Travis Touchdown is back in business again, this time in “No More Heroes 3”!
And after watching this trailer a couple of times I’ve noticed that Travis’s vulgar nature has toned down a bit, though I think he just matured over three game before returning to the Garden of Madness in 2020.
Travis Touchdown is our last hero of Earth, so don’t mind his position as top assassin.
Speaking of madness, we’re next introduced to “Contra Rogue Corps”. So where should I begin with this entry? I guess with characters.
Your team of contras includes a veteran from the alien war, a cyborg panda, a lady with an alien where her stomach ought to be, and a giant grub that happens to be a gentleman and a killing machine in one.
Is that the Terminator Boss from “Contra 3”?
Of course, the gameplay is just as crazy as the cast, with a mix of 2.5D and 3DS maps. Lock and load with the Spreader and friends with local and online multiplayer on September 24th, 2019.
Even so, if you still need more “Contra” Konami has the “Contra Anniversary Collection”, which is available now. This collection has 10 “Contra” games plus a 74-page eBook.
Next we get to see a bit more of “Daemon X Machina”. Well, truth be told, after that I had watched the trailer in this Direct I felt like I should eventually get around to check out the game’s demo as soon as possible.
Nevertheless, “Daemon X Machina” still looks awesome and being that this is the closest thing to an “Armored Core” game. I think I may be blown away. “Daemon X Machina” comes out on September 13th.
Intense mecha battles with bullets flying everywhere and picking up weapons your opponent dropped when you took it out and throwing them at other enemies sounds like a good Friday night.
In case you didn’t know it, it’s been years since there has been a new “Panzer Dragon” game. Well, this Winter that’s going to change. “And why is that?” So you might wonder, it’s because this gem of a game is going to get a Switch remake and so far it looks amazing.
The rail shooter gem “Panzer Dragon” is making a comeback this Winter, and the game looks very beautiful so far.
The next segment is on “Pokémon Sword” and “Pokémon Shield” and covers a few things showcased in the Pokémon Direct earlier this month. So if you want to know more about the matter, then just click here for my opinion piece on it.
There are a couple of details worth noting, though. Such as the fact that the Poké Ball Plus (while it can’t be used as a controller) can be used to travel with a Pokémon from your “Pokémon Sword” and ”Pokémon Shield” games for benefits.
Look at that cutie’s face :3 Nessa knows that the announcer knows her reputation well.
Also, we get to see the Water Gym Leader, Nessa, a Trainer whose calm nature hides her competitive spirit.
This beauty uses a Drednaw as her Dyanmaxed Pokémon, which can be scary as it’s know to take a bite out of unskilled Trainers. “Pokémon Sword” and “Pokémon Shield” comes out November 15th.
Next we got a brand-new trailer for “Astral Chain”, which presented a nice mix of awesome gameplay and interesting dialogue.
While the characters are talking about the symbiosis between the Neurons and Legions some crazy combos and bondage is going on. “Astral Chain” comes out on August 30th.
While the gameplay looks amazing I think the story goes a bit deep. I mean, with terms like “Neurons” (human force) and “Legions” (tamed Chimeras), it’s kind of hard to keep track of things…But let’s not do any digging just yet, this isn’t a theory channel.
We then got a rather short trailer for the upcoming mobster tactic game “Empire of Sin”. Even so, the trailer still caught my attention.
Because the game just seems to have that sort of old and classy style that I approve of. So if that’s your kind of game, then look out for “Empire of Sin” when it comes out during the Spring of 2020.
I’m sure that there will be one point in the game where you have to believe in an NPC, but your Tommy gun won’t.
So, was there anything Marvel related at Nintendo’s E3 2019 event? Yes, there was. As a trailer for “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3: The Black Order” was shown, and the game sure has a lot of characters in it.
Even so, I feel like some characters are new to me (I can recognize the characters that I know based on the comic book knowledge that I’ve picked up over the years).
In any case, this looks like a very impressive Diablo-esque game with more characters to come. You know the drill: buy the pass, get characters from Marvel Knight, X-Men, and Fantastic Four starting this Fall.
There are quite a lot of Marvel characters in this game, and for a person, such as myself, they could discover ones they haven’t seen before.
I guess I’m not really a fan of the naming convention of it, the “Expansion” Pass. It’s most likely me being old, though what would be an interesting expansion is finally having Samus Aran in one of these games. “Marvel Ultimate Alliance 3” comes out July 19th.
Next up we get to see Cadence in Hyrule again as the trailer for “Cadence of Hyrule” shows her, Link, and Zelda fighting monsters across the kingdom.
I really love the “Crypt of the Necrodancer” rendition of Zelda songs in this game so far, enough to consider buying the soundtrack. You can jam to this game on June 13th (now as of editing).
After seeing Zelda slay monsters to the rhythm I doubt Link will ask Zelda for a dance.
Alright, before I continue on with the rest of Nintendo’s presentation, I have to be honest with you all and admit that I never took an interest in “Mario & Sonic at the Olympics” when they started it years ago.
However, “Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020” does look rather impressive I have to say (more impressive than I thought actually).
As a matter of fact, there are quite a few more sports than I expected to see, including skateboarding. So I think that they game might be worth checking out when it comes out in November this year.
I hope fans of Nintendo and SEGA are psyched up for Yoshi’s raddest skating moment.
This next one is what my fellow villagers have been waiting for. The next “Animal Crossing” game is “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” and it’s taking that name literally because you get to develop your own paradise on a deserted island.
This is a fun idea: you go to an island and you build yourself a little town. And by build, I mean with your own hands. You personally craft just about everything in the game, even the paths that you walk on!
And you don’t have to do it alone as the game will support up to eight players who could help you to renovate your island. However, we’ll have to wait a bit longer until the game comes out, but we can expect to see it on the horizon on March 20th, 2020.
“New Horizon” will let you develop your personal island (under Nook Inc. management) and build a number of things by hand with the material you find, including those pesky weeds.
We are now close to the home stretch on this Nintendo Direct, and before they end it they show off the highlight reel, essentially the bonus round.
And considering the fact that we have already gone through so many games as it is. I’ll just say that Nintendo’s E3 2019 presentation was a mixed accumulation of games, good and interesting titles along with a few that didn’t click with me.
The highlight reel quickly runs through games coming for the Nintendo Switch, but considering their length there wasn’t much to go on for an opinion.
And shortly after the highlight reel we get to see another fighter added to “Super Smash Bros. Ultimate”, and Duck Hunt has yet again proven to be a troll. Anyways, Banjo Kazooie is in Smash!
Yep, Banjo and Kazooie are finally making their debut in “Smash Ultimate” and they are bringing their move and attack set from their game series with them.
That’s right, the duo is now confirmed for Smash DLC, and they look so much fun to play. They even have Kazooie ready to be a rifle again as one of their attacks. They’ll be raring to go this Fall.
With that said, this would be it for this E3 edition of Nintendo Direct. Well, at least so I thought, but there’s one more trailer! And this shook me as a surprise and how messed up it is.
As we see Zelda and Link in the lowest levels of the Hyrule Castle to see the miasma that Ganondorf was shrouded with they found his body. And Ganandorf wasn’t happy to see them. Yes, you guessed it. The Sequel to “Breath of the Wild” is confirmed.
The only thing that looks good for our heroes is Zelda’s new haircut. So hopefully a corpse won’t ruin her good hair day.
The Nintendo Direct for E3 2019 had a good lineup this year and even brought up games I’d never expect to see, especially “Trials of Mana”.
And while some entertainment came from the trailers they had a good sketch with King Bowser and Doug Bowser.
I mean, Nintendo just kept pulling out surprises like Banjo Kazooie in “Smash Ultimate” and the announcement for “Breath of the Wild”’s sequel. So you can never really expect what Nintendo will come out with.
Entertainment: 4/5
Games: 4/5
Surprises: 5/5
Verdict: 4.5 (B+)
Nintendo just kept the going with some awesome titles this year: announcing new games, return of franchises, having move game collections, and just giving surprises out when you least expect it.
Sure, the highlight reel was something of a hit and miss for me, but the rest of the Direct had well made up for that. Plus, there is no excuse not to play “Trails of Mana” now.
Anyways, thank you Nintendo for another good E3! And thank you Koizumi, Takahashi (for announcing the BotW sequel), and Bowser. And Bowser.
David Lucas
The Gaming Ground
Twitter: @GamerFoxem
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Tags: Dragon Quest XI, E3, E3 2019, Fire Emblem: Three Houses, Nintendo Direct 2019, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, Trails of Mana
