It’s an open secret that Sony has trounced Microsoft to win the current generation’s console wars. The PlayStation 4 has shipped nearly 79 million units and even if it’s currently winding down, there are still plenty of high-profile games (and unannounced titles) to look forward to. Let’s examine Sony’s upcoming E3 2018 presser, what to expect from the confirmed titles and different surprises that could be in store.
The Showcase
"Perhaps the most shocking thing that could come out of Death Stranding’s presence is a release year. Not release “date”, but release year."
Since Sony has hyped up a “deeper look” into Insomniac’s Spider-Man, Naughty Dog’s The Last of Us: Part 2, Sucker Punch’s Ghost of Tsushima and Kojima Productions’ Death Stranding, I’m willing to bet that all of them receive new and/or first gameplay trailers. Shocking prediction, for sure. Of course, there are some terms and conditions to each.
Spider-Man, for instance, is out this September so it would behoove Sony to market it. Promising something “different” at E3, it’s likely that Insomniac’s open world superhero title will feature some footage of Miles Morales aka the other Spider-Man. After all, with the recently revealed Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse (produced in part by Sony Pictures) that sees young Miles making his cinematic debut, why not do a bit of cross promotion?
Death Stranding is obviously a more complicated scenario. This is where the “deeper look” of the showcase could translate to behind the scenes footage and development details, offering a more holistic look at exactly what the game is. While I believe a new trailer may be showcased, the actual gameplay might be something separate. What’s a Kojima trailer without the right amount of pretentious teasing? Then again, it wouldn’t be strange for gameplay snippets to be included as well. Perhaps the most shocking thing that could come out of Death Stranding’s presence is a release year. Not release “date”, but release year.
"Depending on Sony’s release window for the next year, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ghost of Tsushima releases in Spring 2019."
The Last of Us: Part 2 will undoubtedly see its first gameplay trailer. Too much time has passed since it was last showcased and little to no actual details have been offered by Naughty Dog. Plus, the developer is always one to raise the stakes – if it can show off actual gameplay for its fans, it will. Of course, depending on how far into development the game is, we could be looking at a release date that ranges from November 2018 to March 2019.
Finally, there’s Ghost of Tsushima. Though it’s been in development for quite a while, it strikes me as a 2019 title. Expect more information on the breadth of the open world and don’t be surprised if it’s more Tenchu then Ninja Gaiden (or some kind of cross between the two). Depending on Sony’s release window for the next year, it wouldn’t surprise me if Ghost of Tsushima releases in Spring 2019.
Sony wouldn’t focus on these four titles if it didn’t have something earth-shattering to share. Then again, the fact that Spider-Man is mixed in tells me that the publisher could be focusing more on games that have more realistic launch windows (like Dreams, which will likely arrive in November). If there’s been one criticism against Sony all these years, it’s the lack of titles having solid release dates being heavily featured at E3. Whether this is a way of changing that or not, we’ll find out this Tuesday.
Bloodborne 2
"If rumours must be taken seriously, then maybe this is a game in the vein of From Software’s Kuon, which released on the PS2 in 2004. It can’t get any more out of left field than that."
Had you asked me if Bloodborne 2, after all the rumours over all these years, was actually happening at E3 2018, I’d still be divided on what to tell you. From Software’s highly acclaimed PS4 exclusive still remains in the spotlight and rumours of its sequel continue to resonate with fans. This is despite creator Hidetaka Miyazaki insisting on a break from the Souls series after Dark Souls 3. “Never say never” and all that jazz but it would be odd if From Software went back to the well so quickly after revealing no new projects.
That doesn’t change the theory that Shadows Die Twice could be something macabre like Bloodborne. Maybe it’s a hack and slash title with a new combat system but set in a different universe. Perhaps it imbibes many of the same Lovecraftian vibes. How close could it be to Bloodborne 2 without actually being Bloodborne 2? Personally, I’d find it hilarious if Miyazaki took the stage to confirm that this is actually the next Front Mission. If rumours must be taken seriously, then maybe this is a game in the vein of From Software’s Kuon, which released on the PS2 in 2004. It can’t get any more out of left field than that.
Square-Enix And Others
"On a side note: What is SIE Japan Studio up to? The studio has worked on a number of titles, from Gravity Rush 2 to The Last Guardian and helping Bluepoint Games with the Shadow of the Colossus remaster. Could its latest effort be revealed as well at E3?"
Square Enix will be hosting its own presser on June 11th before Sony’s E3 conference. While we believe that Kingdom Hearts 3 will receive a release date there, it wouldn’t be all that odd for Final Fantasy 7 Remake to appear on Sony’s show. That being said, both games could make appearances in both pressers. Anything is possible. No, that doesn’t mean that Nier Automata 2 or whatever Nier sequel happens to be in early development will be revealed. But a short tease from Square Enix doesn’t seem far-fetched.
Of course, there will be footage for games like the remasters of Yakuza 3, 4 and 5. The recent announcement of Dead or Alive 6 by Team Ninja, which promises an update on June 11th, could lead to more gameplay footage and details at Sony’s presser. However, the most interesting announcements will seemingly come from Capcom. Not only does it seem like Resident Evil 2 Remake will be revealed but the long-awaited Devil May Cry 5 may finally be announced. Granted, the recent domain registration and shift to Capcom servers doesn’t guarantee it’s being revealed at Sony’s presser. But if there was ever a time and place, then E3 2018 would be it.
Furthermore, Capcom could use the stage to deliver more information on Monster Hunter World. Rumours are already running rife about the next big area coming to the game in August/September, not to mention brand new monsters and the like. For the most part, we believe the rumoured Summer Twilight festival will be unveiled and the PC version finally dated. Whether the latter ends up coming in October or not is unsure.
On a side note: What is SIE Japan Studio up to? The studio has worked on a number of titles, from Gravity Rush 2 to The Last Guardian and helping Bluepoint Games with the Shadow of the Colossus remaster. Could its latest effort be revealed as well at E3?
All The Rest
"One title that definitely warrants looking out for is Bluepoint Games’ next remaster. The studio has indicated that its slightly bigger than Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 but that could mean any number of things."
What more do you expect from Sony out of E3 2018, especially given the number of games that will be hogging the stage? Red Dead Redemption 2 will receive a new gameplay trailer, along with more information on the exclusive PS4 content that’s coming. The real question is whether the online component will be revealed. It’s not quite Rockstar’s style to do that at E3 but we’ll see.
Furthermore, Activision’s usual titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 and Destiny 2: Forsaken will receive new gameplay trailers, the former possibly debuting its battle royale-style mode Blackout. The latter will likely tease the PS4 exclusive strike, weapons and armour along with new footage. Nothing too crazy, to be honest.
One title that definitely warrants looking out for is Bluepoint Games’ next remaster. The studio has indicated that its slightly bigger than Shadow of the Colossus on PS4 but that could mean any number of things. Demon Souls Remastered? Let’s not get our hopes up. All the same, wouldn’t it be something if Bluepoint was teaming up with SIE Japan Studio again?
Sony’s E3 2018 presser will take place at 6 PM PST on June 11th. What announcements do you hope to see? Let us know in the comments.
Note: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to GamingBolt as an organization.