My E3 2015 Predictions & Expectations

Nintendo

I'd like Nintendo to ideally make a new Custom Robo game. The last one that came out was back in March 19, 2007 with Custom Robo Arena. The development company is called NOISE and has worked with Nintendo for a number of years, however, it has been quite some time since their last title.

As such, I think it would be a great undertaking if Nintendo were to re-visit the franchise, especially with the release of the upcoming game, Little Battlers eXperience. In that game, (which is based off of an animated series about kids building miniature, remote controlled mecha models, battling them, all while taking on a secret conspiracy that utilize the mechs for their own ambitions) players can customize their mechs with a plethora of different parts and weapons. I feel as though this would be the perfect time to make this upcoming year the year of the mechs!

This holds merit when one considers that the upcoming title Xenoblade Chronicles X has giant humanoid mech suits called "Skells" ("Dolls" in the Japanese version), which are used to combat the various enemies in the expansive open world environment.

I also expect to see Starfox Wii U with an all new trailer for the game, as well as a brief glimpse into the main plot (if possible). I've been a fan of the Starfox games since the release of Starfox 64 (I have yet to beat it sadly, as I've only recently downloaded the game on the Wii's Virtual Console). I did however manage to complete Star Fox Assault and rather enjoyed the game.


Although Nintendo mentioned that The Legend of Zelda for the Wii U would not be featured at E3, I still sort of hope that maybe they will toss out a teaser trailer or something to whet our ferocious appetites. In addition, I eagerly await more information on Fire Emblem and the Shin Megami Tensei x Fire Emblem crossover.

I'd like to see a brand new Pokémon Snap, and a new Metroid game as well, but perhaps those ideas should be locked away for now. I think it would be fantastic to be able to once again revisit the Metroid Prime Hunters universe with a sequel that has a truly dedicated multiplayer first person shooter experience (most desired on the Wii U) with Samus Aran, Weavel, Sylux, Kanden, Spire, Noxus, and Trace.

Sony

The one game I'm most interested in with regards to Sony is Tom Clancy's: The Division. I eagerly anticipate more details and gameplay footage that will assure that my decision to purchase the game will be a worthwhile investment.


Microsoft, Activision, & et cetera

As for Microsoft, Bethesda, and the rest, I want to be surprised and dazzled by their showcases. I don't know exactly what to look for, but I'm hoping that overall, I will be impressed.

Mech Check, Testing, 1, 2, 3!!!

No, that's no typo (it's more of a pun on how often I come up on the Internet blog stage to talk to you all...I'm making sure the "mic" or "mech" in this instance is still working). I'm excited to be talking today to you all about another Kickstarter campaign I've stumbled across on my news feeds. It's called Project Nimbus by KISS Ltd. and it's about mechanized robots which are essentially humaniod machines controlled by human pilots (often for the purpose of warfare or competitive combat).

Project Nimbus

I've always loved the giant robot/mecha genre in both movies and games but the latter of the two is sort of lacking in terms of production.

For me, the last game that I personally owned and played with that dealt specifically with robots in a free-roaming-like environment was Custom Robo Arena (released in North America on March 19, 2007). It was a fun game but Nintendo hasn't published another installment to the franchise and to me, that's a little bit disheartening because I (and many others I'm certain) would really enjoy a new game either on the Nintendo 3DS or Wii U (preferably on both).

Nonetheless, Project Nimbus will be a "high speed mech action game set in a post apocalyptic world. Players control 'BattleFrames' - humanoid battles suits armed with an arsenal of weapons."

When they say "High Speed", they're not kidding around!!!

The game is apparently set in the late 21st century (known as the "Age of Sky"); taking place decades after a massive war broke out which decimated the entire surface of the Earth, causing it to no longer be able to sufficiently sustain human life. Thus, mankind had to take refuge in the heavens.


The world (or perhaps the skies) are divided into three different factions; each possessing its own orbital elevator that generates energy to keep the flying cities stable.

Players fly freely in the sky, dodge and intercept incoming missiles with machine guns and particle blades/beamswords, fighting colossal armies with the power to annihilate nearly anything imaginable, all while engaging with many ace BattleFrame pilots, each with their own unique, individualistic fighting styles and backstories.

The game seems to be reminiscent of Zone of the Enders (Konami, 2001) with its level of control in a three-dimensional environment. However, unlike Z.O.E, you can replay any of the cleared story missions with all of the BattleFrames you have encountered in your campaign. That means that your allies and the various enemy BattleFrames are available to pilot, from the grunts to even the ‘boss’ BattleFrames. Every ace pilot’s personal machine can be yours for the taking.

As of this post, the project will be funded on Saturday Jan 25, 10:03pm EST (it's currently raised £9,939 of its £6,000 goal). However, the development team as some pretty sweet stretch goals that it's trying to reach. (I've got a snapshot of them here for you to take a look at.)

The game is being made in Thailand (which is why GameCrafterTeam noted that the initial goal was so low. The cost of living in Phuket, Thailand (I laughed at that name.) is apparently much lower than in other locations). So their £6,000 goal converts to approximately $9801.60.

The game will be available on STEAM and may have multiplayer functionality later on (I'm REALLY banking on that feature. It seems almost a necessity for this genre). So, if you'd like to contribute, please visit the Project Nimbus Kickstarter Page.