Catch up on videos of five fascinating games that may have been somewhat out of the spotlight following the big publisher presentations at E3 2018: soccer sim “PES 2019”, one-armed action adventure “Sekiro”, acrobatic bullet-time title “My Friend Pedro”, serene and sandy exploration “Sable”, and an unexpectedly complex dip into the post-apocalyptic grinder via “Dying Light 2”.
1. PES 2019 Soccer
Where the EA “FIFA” franchise has the packaging, scripted moments, career drama and social momentum, plus the E3 platform of EA’s annual showcase, “PES” typically excels as a more challenging, tactical reflection of the beautiful game’s achievements and, after years of losing out on big league licenses, a ton of optional customization. This E3 trailer focuses on player skills and the presence of not only current star players but legends like Cryuff, Matthäus, Maldini, Maradona and David Beckham (complete with multiple hairstyles). Due the week of Aug. 28 on PS4, Xbox and PC.
2. Sable
Developed by a British team of six and inspired by the style of French and Belgian comics as well as Japan’s Studio Ghibli, “Sable” was briefly glimpsed during the Xbox showcase and then given a fuller reveal during the PC Gaming Show, sketching out an open world of desert exploration. Confirmed for Xbox and PC in 2019, anticipated for other consoles.
3. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
From Software, the Japanese custodians of the “Dark Souls” franchise are responsible for this textured, historically-set ninja-style stealth and combat title which nevertheless has its share of improbably enormous foes. Due 2019 on PS4, Xbox and PC.
4. My Friend Pedro
The official “Deadpool” video game is a little inconvenient to get hold of, thanks to licensing issues, but this supremely acrobatic slow motion vigilante gun fest appears to have an uncannily accurate eye for the antihero’s twirls, flips and fondness for slapstick violence. Out by 2019 on PC and Nintendo Switch.
5. Dying Light 2
See the impact of local water shortages as extreme parkour meets bleak post-apocalyptic desperation in this sequel to one of 2015’s breakout hits; Polish studio Techland pulled a surprise move by announcing it had hired esteemed writer Chris Avellone (“Planescape: Torment”, “Pillars of Eternity”, “Divinity: Original Sin II”) to work on the game’s story and narrative systems, which form a web of possibility usually reserved for a choose-your-own-adventure game. In 2019 for PS4, Xbox and PC. JB
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