Our Tokyo Game Show 2018 Video Presentation, featuring some of the highlights and such anticipated games as Kingdom Hearts III, Devil May Cry 5, God Eater 3, and more! Also we test out some of the unique – and bizarre – Indie games, as well as give a few new VR titles a try. Check it out!
It’s that time of the year again, when we push through the crowds under humid weather, and make our way to Makuhari Messe in Chiba Prefecture, on our way to the Tokyo Game Show 2018. The event is expected to be even larger this year, with 668 companies and organizations (609 last year) showing off a total of 1,568 game titles from across 41 different countries and regions. Plus, the Japan e-Sports Union (JeSU) was established just this past Spring, marking the Tokyo Game Show 2018 the first time e-Sports will be holding professional competitions.
One of the most anticipated titles being presented in the main hall was Square Enix’s Kingdom Hearts III. It has been 13 years since the Square Enix / Disney cross-over RPG had a full sequel, after multiple remakes, prologues, and side stories. Set for release in January 2019, Kingdom Hearts III will feature returning worlds such as Olympus from Hercules and the Caribbean from Pirates of the Caribbean, new stories from Big Hero 8 and Toy Story, and a completely new, original world that has not yet been disclosed. Visitors at TGS 2018 were able to learn more at the Square Enix booth, as well as play the demo at the PlayStation area.
Also, Capcom was a big hit at the Tokyo Game Show 2018 with their presentation of Devil May Cry 5. The last we saw Dante battling demons was ten years ago, when the PS3 was still fresh on the shelf and trophy support was on its way. We did get a reboot/prequel called DmC: Devil May Cry in 2013, and while the game was critically successful, fans weren’t too happy with the changes. The long-awaited Devil May Cry 5 had playable demos at the PlayStation area as well as the Capcom booth, with a scheduled retail release on January 25.
And speaking of Capcom, this year marks the 30th Anniversary of the Mega Man (Rockman in Japanese) series. Not only were there playable demos for Mega Man 11 scheduled for release next month, but a museum dedicated to the platforming, shooting robot, complete with commemorative coins, figures, stamps, illustrations, and soundtracks, while also showcasing the game’s history.
Finally, Bandai-Namco had several titles on display – the most notable being God Eater 3, a game which made its debut on the PSP back in 2010. The God Eater series, which features battles against huge monsters known as Aragami, may not be huge sellers overseas, but are smash hits here in Japan. God Eater 3 is set for release in Japan on December 13, though no world-wide launch date has yet been decided.
Virtual Reality is still a hot item here in Japan. The Japanese company JPPVR had a booth that was at least eight times larger than last year, showcasing VR games with sleek, cool looking vehicles to ride, creating a 4D experience. They ranged from motorcycles and racing cars that looked like something out of Tron, a Gatling gun on the top of a starship, and a bicycle for traversing across the top of skyscrapers.
Sony, meanwhile, still continues to promote their PSVR, with visitors trying out Everybody’s Golf VR, and the platforming Astro Bot Rescue Mission scheduled for release on October 2.
Overall, the Tokyo Game Show 2018 had some delightful surprises and some unique – and hilarious – Indie games. I was glad to see that VR is still going strong, with more titles to look forward to on the PSVR.
For more pictures, please visit our Facebook Page and our Instagram.
Stay tuned for our video presentation of the Tokyo Game Show 2018!
written by Damon Finos
E3 is just about over this year, and while Sony did not reveal too many surprises or shocking announcements this round – such as confirming rumors regarding a PS5 or PSVR2 – we did get to see more of the titles we are already anticipating for the near future. So without further ado, here are the E3 2018 Sony Press Conference Highlights.
Things were kicked-off with some gameplay of Naughty Dog‘s upcoming The Last of Us Part II. Ellie is stealthily creeping through the tall grass and hiding behind abandoned cars, while picking off the nearby baddies using a variety of weapons, crafting ammunition and pulling an arrow out of her shoulder. The graphics look stunning, and the gameplay seems more brutal than the previous installment. No release window has been announced yet.
Following a set of teasers, we got to see some gameplay of Sucker Punch Productions‘ upcoming action-adventure title, Ghost of Tsushima. Set in an open world, the game takes place in ancient Japan during the first Mongol invasion, where players can engage in one-on-one duels with their katanas, use stealth, and explore the island of Tsushima on horseback. The graphics on this one is also breathtaking, particularly the picturesque environment. Ghost of Tsushima is scheduled for release sometime next year.
Perhaps the biggest highlight of the Press Conference was gameplay for Hideo Kojima’s highly anticipated and talked-about Death Stranding, where we see the player-character modeled after Normal Reedus, wandering a desolate land while lugging scientific equipment, hiding from a strange phantom that leaves handprints in the mud, and using a device to reveal invisible enemies to sneak past. The trailer appears both incredible and ambiguous at the same time. Still no release window set for Death Stranding.
Things ended with gameplay for Insomniac Games‘ Spider-Man, set for release on September 7, 2018. The game will be set in an open-world of New York City, where Spidey not only battles enemies with his fists and web-action, but can use environmental combat, stealth, and even craft his own gadgets.
Other quick teasers and trailers were revealed for Resident Evil 2 Remake set for January 25 next year, the action RPG Kingdom Hearts III releasing worldwide on January 29, Team Ninja‘s Nioh 2, the quirky Trover Saves the Universe by the creator of Rick and Morty, and Remedy Entertainment‘s supernatural action-adventure Control.
What are you most excited about? Let us know on our Trophy Hunter Facebook Page.
Square Enix has just released a trailer which reveals Pixar’s Toy Story joining Kingdom Hearts III.
Sora and friends will be able to venture to the world of Toy Story, where they can meet up with Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and other characters from the Toy Story series. This will be the first time a Pixar location is featured in a Kingdom Heartsgame.
“At long last, we are excited to open up the Kingdom Hearts universe to include the world of Disney Pixar’s Toy Story,” stated Tetsuya Nomura, director of the Kingdom Hearts series. “I’m sure fans have been anticipating the inclusion of this world for many years. The Narrative will be an original story exclusive to Kingdom Hearts III, and the gameplay will feel charactersitic of the Toy Story style and aesthetic.”
The provided trailer reveals not only cutscenes, but some gameplay as well.
In other news, a release window has also been announced. Kingdom Hearts III will be released sometime in 2018, for both the PlayStation 4and Xbox One.
Kingdom Hearts is an action-RPG series and a crossover with Disney Interactive Studios and Square Enix, centering around the character Sora who interacts with characters from both the Disney franchise, and Final Fantasy and The World Ends with You characters. The first Kingdom Hearts title was released in March 2002 on the PlayStation 2.
