At this year’s Investor Day in Japan, Sony admitted that its lineup of first party software for the year 2015 would be “a little sparse”. It’s abundantly clear that the console maker doesn’t have a whole lot to offer this year, but that doesn’t necessarily imply that it won’t have much to show at E3 2015.
Below is a list of Sony exclusives that we’re likely to see in one form or another at the console maker’s press conference. Some of them are known entities, while others are based on rumors and speculation. We’ve excluded remasters so as to keep the list relevant to new content.
Guerrilla Games’ next – Horizon
We’ve known for a while that Guerrilla Games is working on a brand new IP, and that the game is supposedly an RPG. Last year, we also came across supposed concept art leaks for the game via a Chinese forum. Based on the leaks, the project’s codename is Horizon. The artwork showed a setting that mixed prehistoric elements with sci-fi. Whether will be playable in first-person or third-person perspective is unknown at this point. Similarly, it’s also unknown whether Horizon will be an open-world or a linear game, although going by the concept art, the world seems more open-ended than Guerrilla Games’ Killzone series.
It wouldn’t be crazy to assume that whatever Guerrilla Games has been working on would at least be in a state where it can be revealed to the public. And what better time to do it than this year’s E3.
Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End
This one is pretty obvious. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End is Sony’s biggest first party title, and it’s set for release sometime in 2016. We got an early sneak peak at the game during Sony’s Playstation Experience Event from last year. Based on the footage shown, the game seemed to have brought some refinement to its existing game mechanics in addition to introducing a few new ones.
If there’s one developer we expect to make a strong case in favor of “next-gen” gameplay, it’s Naughty Dog. With Uncharted 4, we’re hoping the studio will showcase how the PS4’s horsepower can be used to transcend the gameplay into uncharted territory (pun intended). Whether it’s by making the platforming more physics-driven, the transitions between animations even smoother than they already are, or the levels more open with branching routes, we’re looking at Naughty Dog to showcase a fresh take on the Uncharted series at this year’s E3.
Level 5 JRPG
Level 5 has been awfully silent ever since it finished work on its last game, Ni No Kuni. It’s very likely that the studio has been working on something since then, and given its inclination towards Sony’s platforms, we’re confident that its got something to show very soon. President of SCE Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida has hinted at a few new titles that are under development at SCE Japan Studio. It’s possible that one of these projects is a collaborative effort between Sony and Level 5.
Whether it’s in time for E3 is or if the developer will hold back on revealing its next project until this year’s Tokyo Game Show remains to be seen, however. Though, given how Ni No Kuni was well-received in the West, it wouldn’t be out of the question for a potential reveal trailer to make its way to Sony’s press conference. On that note, the game in question may even be a sequel to Ni No Kuni. Fans of the original would definitely be delighted at a chance to revisit Motorville.
The Last Guardian
Yes, we know, The Last Guardian is a myth and all that. But we can’t have an E3 list without mentioning the game, can we? Plus, let’s not forget that President of SCE Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida has denied the game’s cancellation time and time again. We’re going to go out on a limb and say that the game does indeed exist. However, the kind of shape The Last Guardian is currently in is anyone’s guess.
Is 2015 finally going to be the year when Sony gives us an elaborate re-reveal? We’d even settle for a 10 second trailer at this point. Heck, a verbal reassurance and the game’s logo displayed at Sony’s press conference would be enough to get us excited (yes, we’re desperate!).
God of War next
We already know that a new God of War game is in development. But will the game appear at Sony’s E3 press conference this year? We’re going to say “Yes” and “No”.
Yes, because we’re likely to see a couple seconds long teaser trailer. No, because there will hardly be any gameplay footage. It’s probably too early for a gameplay trailer, though we’d love to be proven wrong. Expect a full gameplay reveal at Sony’s Playstation Experience event later this year.
Media Molecule’s VR Game
Media Molecule is known for its creativity as well as its support for Sony’s console peripherals, and with the console maker putting emphasis on VR tech heading into 2016, it’s a no-brainer for the developer to working on a VR game.
Given the studio’s tech demonstration at Sony’s PS4 event back in 2013 and the fact that motion controls add to the immersion that VR brings, it’s also very likely that the game will offer full support for the PS Move controller. We’re expecting Media Molecule’s VR game to be a launch title for Project Morpheus in 2016.
What kind of exclusive content would you like to see on the PS4, and what are your expectations from Sony’s E3 press conference this year? Let us know in the comments below.
