The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild
The winner of the top honor for best of Gamescom, The Legend Of Zelda: Breath Of The Wild is bringing a little bit of attention back to Nintendo’s Wii U. It’s also supposed to be among the launch titles for the semi-mysterious NX console. While it’s set to be part of the series’ core line of games (the 19th installment, in fact), it may wind up looking different from any Zelda game we’ve seen before. Breath Of The Wild will feature visuals typical of the “next-gen” consoles (which is to say impressive high-def), and an open world gaming format allowing for more freedom of exploration than any previous title.
In addition to overall quality and rave reviews from several gaming expos, Breath Of The Wild may also benefit from what appears to be a widespread yearning for the return of Nintendo classics. Zelda has never really gone away, and in fact there are even a handful of mobile games that are recognized for essentially being imitations of the game as well. But right now we’re on the cusp of a new console release with the promise of new installations for multiple major franchises. We’re also in the midst of the Pokémon Go craze that has reignited one of Nintendo’s greatest franchises. The timing feels right for a big, bold Zelda title to take the gaming world by storm.
For Honor
One thing that’s been curiously lacking in gaming as of late is medieval swordplay. That may sound a little bit specific, but with a new King Arthur film franchise on the way and Game Of Thrones ruling television, it’s somewhat surprising we haven’t seen swords, knights, and castles becoming more prevalent in video games. Even where Thrones is concerned, console and PC games have been underwhelming. A Game Of Thrones slot reel based around the series can be found among other pop culture-themed casual games online and is arguably being the show’s most recognizable extension. It’s a fun opportunity to see the great houses of Westeros on a slot reel but not quite the sword-slashing fantasy game we've been waiting for.
That’s where For Honor has a chance to fill a massive void. It’s not related to Game Of Thrones, King Arthur, or any other specific tale, but it’s packed with all the settings, characters, and action we’d hope to see from a game that was. Developed by Ubisoft, this is a gorgeous hack-and-slash game that is based almost entirely on combat. For Honor invokes several different types of ancient warriors — namely, knights, samurai, and Vikings — and has already become known for a unique hand-to-hand combat system. The title was recognized at Gamescom as the best title for PC and PS4.
Sea Of Thieves
And then there was Sea Of Thieves, which is fast becoming much of the world’s most eagerly anticipated 2017 release. Developed by Rare, this is a title that could redefine open world, co-op gameplay on major consoles through its creative take on the age of piracy. It’s been popularized through numerous looks at gameplay that show off a beautifully animated world and countless exciting elements, from commanding a ship, to diving into clear water, to watching the daylight fade to night. The detail in this game is, frankly, almost overwhelming, and it’s no wonder it’s getting so much attention.
Sea Of Thieves won recognition in two categories at the expo, as the best multiplayer game as well as the best game for Xbox One.
