Ubisoft may not have announced a brand new Assassin's Creed title this year during their E3 presentation, but that doesn't mean the showcase was any less impressive. In fact, there were a couple of titles which may steal the attention of gamers away from everything else offered up over the past few days...
Watch Dogs Legion
Without a doubt one of the most exciting announcements to come out of E3 so far, Watch Dogs Legion puts an entirely new spin on the franchise, asking players to recruit anybody they find in London, England, as part of the Resistance.
The English capital is facing downfall in the near future, as oppression takes over the city and residents are under the rule of an all-seeing surveillance state. Corrupt military forces patrol the streets to maintain control, whilst a powerful crime syndicate preys on the most vulnerable to get ahead. This authoritarian regime is only growing stronger, so the goal of gamers is to build the Resistance and take it down for good.
The recruitment system is built out of a never-before-seen gameplay innovation, created by Ubisoft Toronto, allowing players to 'Play as Anyone'. Every Londoner in the open world setting is fully simulated, with their own backstory and skills, and can be recruited under the Resistance. Once they're a part of the players' ranks, gamers choose their class before levelling them up, and unlocking new abilities and upgrades.
Legion will also force some difficult choices out of players, with real consequences. If non-lethal force is used, the enemy will attempt to subdue the player and arrest them, but if the player shoots to kill, then their characters could be wounded, or even permanently killed. Check out the brilliant gameplay trailer below to get a glimpse at how it all works:
Watch Dogs Legion will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC and new-generation gaming platform Stadia on March 6, 2020.
Gods & Monsters
With some of the most stunning art ever seen at E3, the team behind Assassin's Creed: Odyssey have unveiled a wholly new universe under the title Gods & Monsters. Clearly inspired by the success of Nintendo Switch's Zelda: Breath of the Wild, developers are promising an "epic journey through the fantastical world of Greek mythology."
The synopsis reads: "From the creators of Assassin’s Creed® Odyssey comes a storybook adventure about a forgotten hero on a quest to save the Greek gods. Prove your heroism by fighting dangerous mythological creatures and taking on their fearsome leader in a face-off for the ages. Explore a beautiful fantasy world where tricky trials, treacherous dungeons and heroic feats await. The journey will be as challenging and rewarding as the final destination and you will emerge as the hero you are meant to become."
Gods & Monsters will be released on PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC on February 25, 2020.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine
Infection spreads in the first official trailer for Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine. Three players work together in this new tactical co-op shooter, which is set several years in the future of all we've seen of the Rainbow Six Universe to-date. Operatives face down a lethal new breed of mutated alien parasites that infect human hosts and their surroundings in Quarantine, in a game that wouldn't look too out of place as part of the horror genre.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Quarantine is expected to drop in early 2020.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint
We got another cinematic trailer for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint at E3, as well as the announcement that the game will be entering its first Beta phase from September 5-8. It'll be available on PlayStation 4, the Xbox One family of consoles and Windows PC. Players can sign up for a chance to take part at ghostrecon.com/beta, and those who pre-order any edition of the game gain automatic access.
Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Breakpoint comes to Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on October 4, 2019.
Roller Champions
Roller Champions looks like it could be one of the most competitive new titles coming to the market, with an innovative design and 3v3 play that'll push even the most seasoned of players to their limits. This skill-based PvP sports game will be free-to-play upon release, with the simplest of rules: take the ball, make a lap and score.
Official release will be in early 2020 but for now, PC players can play the Roller Champions E3 demo until June 14 on UPlay.