On Access the Animus, however, associate game director Simon Lemay-Comtois argues their necessity, especially when it comes to post-launch support. “Microtransactions, for all the flak it gets, allows us to do the Isu stuff, the quest stuff, the parkour updates, all of it.”

It’s hard to argue with that, especially given the sheer range of free content, including new story quests, companions, activities like Corrupted Castles, level cap increases, and new abilities. Plus, Naoe is even more fun to control thanks to the advanced parkour additions, and that’s a plus.

The collaboration, however, is a different matter, as fans like The Hidden One on Twitter called it a “total mess.” “Almost 90% of the entire collab quest is just very generic climbing and swinging with really poorly put together routes.” They also called the cutscenes “atrocious”, especially compared to Valley of Memory, a free expansion-sized update for Assassin’s Creed Mirage.

Perhaps even more insulting is that finishing the quest doesn’t provide an outfit (like the Mikasa Ackerman digs). Instead, it directs you to the store to pay for them. Suffice to say, this hasn’t gone down well for some fans.

Of course, Ubisoft claims the title is “overperforming”, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see even more microtransactions to accompany the free content. Rumors claim that a free co-op mode will launch next year, and before that, Shadows is finally arriving on December 2nd for Switch 2.

Sadly, that’s not all. An entire quest is included, which sees Naoe and Yasuke venturing into the Crystal Cave – a perilous environment with dangerous heights. They’re apparently investigating a “terrifying experiment,” and what else should be teased but a potential boss fight against a Titan? The signature syringe and transformation animation certainly seem to indicate as such.

What is Yasuke getting in all this? Why, an armor set with Titan-like stylings, including a creepy grin. Does it make much sense? Not really. Will it cost a bundle? Most likely. Either way, new content is on the horizon, and according to Ubisoft’s roadmap, it’s live tomorrow.

Other new additions include Naoe’s version of the War Kick and Yasuke finally learning how to take down foes in a non-lethal fashion. There’s also “A Puzzlement,” which is supposed to be more lighthearted.

If that wasn’t enough, Assassin’s Creed Shadows will launch on December 2nd for Nintendo Switch 2. It won’t include Claws of Awaji, which is scheduled for release in 2026.

Koei Tecmo has confirmed its line up for E3 2016 and as expected Nioh and Attack on Titan are leading the publisher’s showcase. However that is not all as Koei Tecmo America senior vice president and general manager Amos Ip has confirmed that they will be showing a “top secret” game from Omega Force at E3.

“With an original IP from an extensive, all-star development team, and a Titan-sized action game based on the acclaimed anime, Koei Tecmo Games is proud to demonstrate our continued commitment to bringing top notch gaming experiences to our fans. We can’t wait for attendees to get their hands on two of this year’s biggest action titles, and we look forward to their reaction when we unveil an upcoming project that we’re incredibly excited to be working on,” he said in a statement.

Nioh seems to be Koei Tecmo’s wildcard for 2016 given that the game’s alpha received positive press coverage and was generally praised by fans who enjoy games like Dark Souls. But what is this new game from Omega Force? Another Dynasty Warriors? Only time will tell.

For those that haven’t read the comics, the story is certainly one that stands out among the crowd. Set in a future that is an indeterminate amount of time from now, Attack on Titan is the story of the last of humankind attempting to survive against gigantic beings that enjoy eating humans, even if they don’t actually need to feed on them. The military is attempting to stage a massive attack against these beings but there is real danger in this basically being a last ditch effort in what has become an extinction level event.

The main character is a kid named Eren Yeager, who joins with his foster sister and a childhood friend, to enlist in the army to revenge his mother killed by a Titan. At this point, it’s not clear if you will be directing Yeager, or the army itself for the most part. It’s possible you’ll be doing both. The Titans certainly look plenty freaky and the video illustrates that this won’t be a simple formula of blasting them as many times as possible. It looks like players will have to use a bit of strategy to win a battle. Attack On Titan is due out sometime in 2016.

Koei Tecmo Games, better known for its Dynasty Warriors series, has announced a collaboration with Kodansha for an action title based on the hit anime/manga Attack on Titan. The title is currently being developed by Omega Force and will be out in 2016 for the West on PS3, PS4 and PS Vita

Koei Tecmo president Hisashi Koinuma said that, “I am very happy to reveal we have started developing a new action game based on the phenomenally successful ‘Attack on Titan’! Having evolved from a manga/anime series to an internationally recognized brand, we were enchanted by the opportunity to create our own take on humanity’s last stand against these overwhelmingly powerful beings, the Titans.

“Although there is still a long wait until this game is released in 2016, our studios are already pouring all of their passion and excitement into it and we hope to reveal more information soon! In the meantime, prepare for battle! The Titans are coming.”

The game doesn’t have an official title yet but the teaser provided looks promising. Check it out below.

The Titans themselves move incredibly quickly and are suitably powered. But the soldiers aren’t at a disadvantage. Using jetpacks and wall running, they can navigate the terrain to out-manoeuvre the Titans and effectively cut them off from the neck. I mean, shoot the pilot inside the Titan from behind. Through the neck.

In fact, players can enter their own Titans by just sliding through and being sucked right inside. This allows them control of increased firepower. Of course, the Titans have cool-down periods. It’s not like you can just go in and out of the Titan form at a fast pace. I’m sorry, did I say “Titan form”? I meant the Titan mech.

At this point, Titanfall just reminds me too much of something completely different. In fact, it’s something that has only now seen enormous popularity thanks to a recent anime series.

I’m talking about Hajime Isayama’s Shingeki no Kyojin aka Attack on Titan. Note the word “Titan” in the title.
See if this sounds familiar: A young boy, his adopted sister and their best friend join the military in order to force away enormous beings known as Titans.

These Titans are huge hulking beasts which can be outmanoeuvred but out power the humans significantly. The humans fight against the Titans by using powerful equipment to wall run and leap from one obstacle to another seamlessly. Heck, the Titans are even killed by striking at their most vulnerable part: The back of the neck.

Of course, in a surprise twist, it is revealed that some humans, including our young hero, possess the ability to turn into Titans, and utterly wreak havoc on enemy Titans. They can revert in and out of Titan form, although they are easily as subject to targeting at the neck as normal Titans. In fact, they can even eject from their Titan shell and continue fighting on.

Even more hilariously? Titan form has a cool down period. It can be used more and more, but at the risk of the user’s health.

By now, this is just getting awfully too coincidental to even be a coincidence. But while the Attack on Titan manga started in 2009, Respawn Entertainment was founded in 2010. By then, the manga would’ve had sufficient enough chapters released to provide half the ideas currently seen in Titanfall.

Of course, all the conspiracies and plot-twists weren’t showcased in the E3 trailer. Could it be that they somehow made their way into the game as well? Or is it just a case of Respawn using the basic template of Attack on Titan to craft its game?

Or is it all really just one big misunderstanding?

Regardless, these are some burning questions. As impressive as Titanfall looked, it’s impossible to shake the similarities to Attack on Titan, no matter how much more futuristic you make it.