Now that E3 is a couple weeks in the review mirror, I thought I’d compile my general thoughts on each press conference. I know this is erring on painfully late, but oh freaking well. Here we go.

In order of occurrence.

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EA

The vibe of the show was strange; it felt like EA was just winging it at times. No more was that more apparent than when Vince Zampella was informally interviewed while sitting in the crowd.

Highlights: Martin Sahlin (Unravel) continues to be an adorable man. I loved seeing Sea of Shadows; Cornelia Geppert was also adorable. Sea of Shadows is the game I’m most looking forward to from EA’s show.

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Microsoft

I feel like Microsoft took games more seriously than ever this year, and nowhere was that more apparent than in their acquisition of several studios, including Ninja Theory.

Highlights: The Cyberpunk 2077 trailer was a huge get for Microsoft and, even though it didn’t look like I was expecting, it was exciting all the same. I enjoyed seeing the various reveals, even if they weren’t first-party titles. I was probably most excited for the Dying Light 2 reveal.

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Bethesda

I think anytime you put a bunch of people in a room to watch a performer they didn’t elect to see, it’s going to set a strange tone.

Highlights: Rage 2 looks a lot more interesting than I was expecting, and I was awfully excited for Wolfenstein: Youngblood. I’m still not sure what to think about Fallout 76, but, as of right now, it has my interest. I’m keen to learn more.

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Square Enix

This presser was a whirlwind.

Highlights: Shadow of the Tomb Raider looks interesting.

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Ubisoft

I always unironically love Ubisoft’s press conferences. This year was no different.

Highlights: Hearing the joyful exclamations of the people offstage whose mics were still hot. The opening Just Dance dance number. Transference continues to intrigue me. The water physics in Skull and Bones were dreamy. The Division 2 looks solid. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey has my attention.

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Sony

What a deeply strange press conference. All pacing issues aside, it felt like a half a** attempt at a press conference. For the second year in a row, no one even took the stage to close out the show. I’d love to know why. I feel like Sony’s last two pressers have been strange and not very effective experiences. Sure, the games look good, but the presentations haven’t done them justice. I’d love to see Sony pair with a creative theatre director to get back some of their former excitement.

Highlights: Ghost of Tsushima looks gorgeous. The Resident Evil 2 remake looks beautiful. Death Stranding is the most intriguing game I will play when it releases in 2025, and will probably not understand. I love not knowing what the hell is going on.

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Nintendo

Nintendo’s Direct was short and Smash-centric.

Highlights: Oh, it had to be when they announced Animal Crossing for Switch! Wait…

I feel certain they must be working on one, but it would have been lovely to hear anything about it, even just a title.

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E3 2018 left me feeling a little underwhelmed this year. I felt like of all the hype fizzled, and I don’t think it was because of the bevy of games leaked prior to the show. Something just felt like it was missing this year. Perhaps it was just me.

What were your favorite parts of E3 2018? What games and announcements were you most excited about?

With that I also ask: what will you be playing this weekend? I’m hoping to play anything new. That’s it. Anything new. I’d love to finally get to A Way Out, and I’d love to finally play Shape of the World. And, while we’re at our hopes and dreams here, I’d love to finally finish Everything. I’ve been dragging my heels on it for months because I haven’t wanted it to end.

Please be safe out there, friends. Cheers.