What to expect from RPG Site at E3 2014

So, it’s that time of year again. The RPG Site team is currently in Los Angeles and is gearing up to get their heads down and throw themselves into a hefty week of seeing games, interviewing developers and writing up their thoughts for you lot, our readers - but we think before we do it’s only fair that we give you all a heads-up as to what to expect from us. 

There’s a lot to go over, so we’ll cut to the chase. Here’s a decent - but not exhaustive list - of what you’re likely to see from us this year at the show.

So, We Meet Again…

There’s a number of games at the show that we’re going to see for a second time - either to see all-new updates or to catch up on progress since last June. Here’s a few…

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt 

CD Projekt RED’s latest and largest RPG was a game we saw and were massively impressed with last year, and after a recent delay pushing it back into early 2015, we’re excited to see how the team at CDP has improved it. Last year’s pre-Alpha build was one of the most stunning we’ve seen from a game so early in production - and seeing a more polished product and chat to the development team is sure to be one of our highlights of the show.

Lords of the Fallen

We only got a little taste of what Lords of the Fallen had to offer Hardcore RPG fans at E3 2013 where it ended up blindsiding us, and already it’s been remarkable what this studio’s first stab at this genre has culminated in: a beautiful-looking title that looks to offer gameplay that provides players with a deep challenge while building a world full of intriguing mystery. Tomasz Gop has already promised a lot more details at this year’s event, and you bet we will be giving this game the attention it deserves. 

Tales of Xillia 2

We've already done an import review of the Japanese release of this darker and more serious-in-tone entry in the Tales of franchise, but Xillia 2 is finally heading West and we're both going to spend a bit of time with the game and the folks behind it to find out how the English-language release is shaping up...

Sequels, Sequels, Everywhere...

Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel

We’re going to spend some time with the folks behind the first fully-fledged Borderlands title not developed at Gearbox and see how it’s all shaping up. Will the oxygen mechanic work, or does it risk interrupting the flow of combat? We’ll find out...

Dragon Age: Inquisition 

Dragon Age II was a hard learning experience for Bioware. In a sales sense it actually performed pretty well, but if you ask a Dragon Age fan about the game, chances are the response will be pretty tepid. Inquisition looks to be taking the strongest elements of both games to try for the definitive Dragon Age experience - and we’re going to see how that’s shaping up.

Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX

With Kingdom Hearts III now confirmed to be skipping the show - apart from a brief 30-second teaser attached to another trailer - the focus for fans of Square Enix & Disney’s crossover falls on the HD rerelease of Kingdom Hearts II. It’s time to find out if this is as solid a port as the first game. 

Theatrhythm Final Fantasy: Curtain Call

The music of Final Fantasy is undoubtedly one of its greatest assets, and whatever you make of last generation’s FF titles, the music was always pretty awesome. Theatrhythm is back with a more definitive release, and we’re going to check it out at the show and chat to some of the talent behind it.

Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate

With the newest 3DS entry in the Monster Hunter series heading West in early 2015, we’ll be checking out the game at the show to see what all the fuss over in Japan is about… even if the noisy, sweltering mess of E3 isn’t perhaps the best place to concentrate on the hunt hunting.

And much, much more…

There’s a lot we’re seeing that we didn’t want to write full blurbs for, but you can expect to hear some thoughts from us on them. This includes, but is most certainly not limited to:

• Citizens of Earth
• Dark Souls II Downloadable Content
• Everquest Next
• EVE Online / EVE Valkyrie
• Fairy Fencer F
• Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn
• Monster Hunter Freedom Unite (For Mobile)
• Persona Q
• Quest for Infamy
• Rollers of the Realm
• Shadow of Mordor
• Tales of Hearts R

There are others, of course, that we’re booked in to see but can’t talk about just yet. Keep ‘em peeled...

Hopes, Dreams & Maybes

The Next Mass Effect

The name Mass Effect: Contact is one that has been doing the rounds and mentioned on internet forums for a few weeks now, and it’s also a name we at RPG Site had heard but been unable to corroborate quite some time before we saw it appear in more public places. All indications suggest to us that this game is at a stage where it’ll be revealed at E3. We believe we’ll see the return of a Mako-like vehicle, a continuation of Mass Effect’s existing third person combat, and a character creator so detailed it allows the player to select detail on something as granular as the iris. Next gen! Will we also see a PS4 and Xbox One Mass Effect trilogy box set? That’s also a possibility based on past rumours, though we’ve heard much less on that front.

Cyberpunk

While we know we’ll be seeing quite a bit of the Witcher 3 at E3, we’re still crossing our fingers for something brief - even if only a tiny tease - from Cyberpunk 2077, the next big RPG bet from the folks at CD Projekt. 

Project Beast

Is it real? With all that’s leaked and happened, we’re fairly confident can say the answer is a firm and absolute yes - so all that remains is for us to actually learn a little more about what this game - allegedly from the brilliant minds behind Dark and Demon’s Souls - actually is. Monsters and shotguns, you guys. They have our attention.

X

If you’re a fan of RPGs, right now isn’t exactly the most exciting time to own a Wii U. All that could very quickly change, though, if we learn more about X, the Xenoblade successor coming for the console from Monolith. We’re booked in to see Nintendo in general - but will this be a part of the line-up…?

Deus Ex Universe

Square Enix announced Deus Ex Universe last year as a commitment to developing an ongoing evolution of its brilliant dystopic sci-fi universe. The confirmed that the universe would include games for PC and console, but other mediums such as phones and tablets. Given it was announced last year, it’s not crazy to imagine we’ll catch a glimpse of at least some of this stuff at the show.