E3 may have been a bit smaller this year but by no means were the pickings slim. There’s a lot to look forward to in the coming months, with some especially promising titles from Sony making their way to the market. What resonated with me in 2016? Check out my five top titles from the show.
1. Horizon Zero Dawn
An open world game is only as strong as its environments, and in that arena Horizon Zero Dawn excels. It also features a sophisticated tracking and hunting system that puts a fresh spin on the gameplay of predecessors like Far Cry. Aloy’s adventures in finding her heritage will no doubt be a system seller for the PlayStation 4.
2. Here They Lie
I’ve been slow to warm up to VR but having played Here They Lie, the medium now seems veritably built for the horror genre. The game’s development team not only boasts an impressive resume including Bioshock 2 and Condemned: Criminal Origins, they’ve also incorporated smart influences from horror film forefathers like Stanley Kubrick to deliver an experience heavy on a terrifying surrealism delivered in the virtual flesh. Here They Lie immediately sets forth an enormous pair of shoes to fill for the horror games to follow. Consider it another PlayStation system seller.
3. Overland
I’m a sucker for all things post-apocalyptia but Overland is so much more. It has the appealing art style of an indie game like Kentucky Route Zero, but with a turn based strategy gameplay that remains challenging even as you comfortably settle into the game’s premise (a cross country roadtrip across a now-empty America). Did you know that The Long Dark was once conceptualized as something quite similar to what Overland is now? More on that later. For now, keep an eye on this indie darling.
