In case you’re not all caught up on the main E3 2013 action, check out E3 2013 DAY 1: The MICROSOFT Press Conference Round-Up
Now that MICROSOFT has put all its cards on the table with their main E3 presentation, it’s time for SONY to show us what they have in store for us gamers. Going into SONY’s presentation, I was fully prepared to jump on board and call the PLAYSTATION 4 my first next-generation home. Was I right? Did they deliver? In short, yes. Let’s find out why.
First and foremost, SONY has smartly labeled itself as a gaming system for gamers. That’s me! While they will include all the extra entertainment needs we have come to expect (Blu-Ray and Netflix support etc.), what they really focused on here was the GAMES! A large chunk of the presentation focused on the continued support for the PLAYSTATION 3 console and SONY VITA handheld. We saw new and exciting videos for a handful of VITA titles along with THE LAST OF US, PUPPETEER, RAIN, BEYOND TWO SOULS, GRAN TURISMO 6, BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS, and GRAND THEFT AUTO V. It’s extremely clear that the PLAYSTATION 3 has some great life left in it and it’s going to smoothly lead us into what you really want to read about; The PLAYSTATION 4!
First up was an interesting exclusive game from Sony called THE ORDER 1886. I had previously never heard of this one before and it looks pretty stunning. See for yourself:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FK8dgzW0o8[/youtube]
While this is not actual gameplay footage, it looks damn cool enough for me to slap onto my gaming radar. I will be eager to see more from this project in the future.
Moving on, SONY focused on a couple of it’s established franchises with the next installments in the KILLZONE and INFAMOUS series’ titles KILLZONE: SHADOWFALL and INFAMOUS: SECOND SON respectively. These videos featured more in-game footage and look to be system-seller quality. It is also worth noting that KILLZONE: SHADOWFALL will be a launch title with INFAMOUS: SECOND SON blasting on the console later in the first quarter of 2014. Take a look at the footage:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezTaAExI-FU&list=PLol_ykYs3OQ65y4avMdbMk_k96z3lMt6W&index=2[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlNfJvFnzc8&list=PLol_ykYs3OQ65y4avMdbMk_k96z3lMt6W[/youtube]
These look pretty great, but nothing too new. SONY also revealed a new racer called DRIVE CLUB that will be offered for free for PLAYSTATION + members and it’s an online massive multi-player racing game that focuses on social interactions. Pretty cool. They also delved into a previously announced third-person action platformer called KNACK. After that there was a presentation for a game called THE DARK SORCERER that was more of a tech demo to show that character models in games on the PLAYSTATION 4 are going to be very realistic. It was confusing as to whether or not this will be a real game, and honestly, this was kind of a throwaway portion of the presentation.
SONY then proved that it’s proud of its indie game support and showcased a handful of games coming to the PLATSTATION STORE from a wide variety of creative game designers. Of these, a game called TRANSISTOR (from the makers of BASTION) looked most impressive.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ni02F7l4lAg[/youtube]
Following was a fantastic showing from SQUARE ENIX that proved that they still love the SONY brand and will be giving audiences 2 huge titles in the form of FINAL FANTASY XV and KINGDOM HEARTS III. These were both jaw dropping and really solidified SONY has the true home to SQUARE ENIX. Here is what they displayed:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3xKbPooKAo[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AtLkym8-RXU[/youtube]
Both these titles look like must-owns and will be great additions to the long list of games I want on SONY’s new system.
Once all the big reveals were displayed, there were a handful of 3rd party games shared in the form of DIABLO III, ELDER SCROLLS ONLINE, MAD MAX, DESTINY, ASSASSIN’S CREED IV: BLACK FLAG, and WATCH DOGS. All looking cool, but will be available across multiple systems.
We also got a great look at the actual console itself for the first time. Sleek.
And last but not least SONY took a handful of stabs at MICROSOFT announcing that they fully support used games, can be played online or offline for as long as you want, and will require a PLAYSTATION + membership to fully utilize online multiplayer games. But the final blow was in the form of their price point. The SONY PLAYSTATION 4 is scheduled for a “Holiday” 2013 release for $399.99. Take note, that is $100 less than MICROSOFT’s XBOX ONE console. This comes as an extremely smart move by SONY which is notorious for launching systems at an ungodly high price.
In the end, I only have one word for you all: SOLD!
For all the videos from SONY’s presentation, head on over to the Playstation youtube channel HERE.
Stay tuned for “Round-Ups” from the EA, UBISOFT, and NINTENDO presentations!
Tell us in the comments below who you think “won” E3 2013 so far between MICROSOFT and SONY.
