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The PrE3view: What We Expect at E3 2013

Third-Party Games, Part Two

by Justin Baker, Kimberly Keller, Josh Max, and Neal Ronaghan - June 7, 2013, 8:03 am EDT

Disney's new powerhouse, some 3DS love, and a couple of HD remakes.

Disney Infinity - Preview by Neal Ronaghan

Disney is aiming for the throne with Disney Infinity, their foray into the toys-in-video-games market that Skylanders broke wide open. The difference with Disney Infinity is that they have licensed characters and a greater emphasis on playing in the Toy Box mode, where the entire experience is meant to emulate playing with physical toys. The array of other accessories, which are in the form of flat discs that open up vehicles and items from other Disney properties, add to the toy feel.

Disney Infinity also has a whole structured story component as well, but it's limited to only including characters from the property it's focused on. In The Incredibles play set, you can play as the cast (as long as you have the figures) in an action-packed brawler. In The Monsters University play set, the focus is on engaging in a prank war with a rival college as the Monsters U cast.

At E3, we'll see way more of the game, especially the recently announced Cars and The Lone Ranger play sets. The entire game was supposed to launch the week after E3 before being delayed to August to make sure all the figures were in wide supply.

Shin Megami Tensei IV - Preview by Kim Keller

It’s been a decade since Atlus released a numbered title in the main Shin Megami Tensei series and hype has been growing since its announcement at Nintendo’s E3 press conference in 2010. Thankfully, after seeing the response to Japan’s release of the game on May 23, it looks like Shin Megami Tensei IV promises to deliver.

In a surprise shift from the previous entries, this fourth installment will be moving away from present-day Japan and instead focuses on an elite warrior society living in a crossover European-Japanese world in 1492. The RPG follows a silent protagonist after he is chosen by a special metal gauntlet to join the elite Samurai class, creating jealous tension when his friend, Issachar, doesn’t make the cut. Battling, negotiating, and fusing demons will naturally make up the core of gameplay, and the Press Turn system of combat will be returning.

Featuring a mission-driven structure that lends itself to the 3DS, the game will arrive in North America on July 16 and Europe later this year. It has the distinction of being the first game in the main series to include full voice acting and will offer free and paid DLC. A special edition that includes a game guide and music from the series will also be available.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies - Preview by Josh Max

After eight years on the sidelines, Phoenix Wright is returning to the courtroom. In his first game for the Nintendo 3DS, Phoenix, along with his new junior partner Athena Cykes, will be taking on all new cases. Dual Destinies takes place one year after the events in Apollo Justice and will feature characters from previous games such as Apollo, Miles Edgeworth and Trucy Wright.

The gameplay appears to be faithful to form, splitting the game between investigating crime scenes and battling in courtrooms. In the trailer it was revealed that a new tool, the Mood Matrix, would be used in the game. The Mood Matrix helps Phoenix and Athena pinpoint parts of testimonies that evoke certain emotions from the witnesses.

Unlike previous games, Phoenix Wright – Dual Destinies will be released via digital download for North America and Europe. The game will be released in Japan on July 25, 2013 and in NA and Europe in the fall.

DuckTales Remastered - Preview by Justin Baker

DuckTales: Remastered has been a long time coming. The original Capcom developed NES game, released in 1989 in North America, was a great example of excellent platforming combined with an amazing soundtrack. Its sequel continued the tradition of licensed excellence fans had come to expect from Capcom developed games during the NES era.

DuckTales: Remastered, announced during PAX East this year, is being developed by WayForward Technologies. It will maintain the same 2D exploration based action found in the original game, but updated with expanded story and hand-drawn sprites. Several of the original voice actors will also be lending their voices to the game, hopefully making it the definitive version that the franchise deserves. With any luck we'll be able to see more of the gorgeous artwork that WayForward has created for the game, as well as some more details concerning the expanded story.

Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara - Preview by Justin Baker

Dungons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara collects  both of Capcom's classic Dungeons & Dragons themed arcade brawlers (Shadow Over Mystara and Tower of Doom) into one downloadable title coming to Wii U eShop. This re-release will features four-player drop-in/drop-out online play, updated HD graphics, leaderboards, and custom House Rules.

The Mystara games were originally released in arcades in the mid-Nineties and featured a mixture of classic beat 'em up action and light RPG elements. They were previously released in a collection on the Sega Saturn in Japan, but due to limited runs it's very difficult to find. This version is being developed by Iron Galaxy Studios, and will release on the Wii U eShop on June 18 for $14.99.

Since this will release so shortly after E3 it’s unlikely that there will be a lot of new information will be revealed, but hopefully Nintendo will showcase the games running on the Wii U. Playable multiplayer at the event could be a boon for the game, as well as remind us of the Summer lineup for the Wii U.

Talkback

AdrockJune 07, 2013

I expect a very good first party showing. I'm more interested if Nintendo pulled a rabbit or two out of their hat and secured some big third party games like Grand Theft Auto V and Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. I would be very impressed if Nintendo convinced Konami of a (late) port of Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 since David Cox already said no. I'd wait, especially since the end of this year is going to be insane in the membrane with jawesome games.

noname2200June 07, 2013

I haven't really thought about it, but there are actually a lot of games in that list that I'm interested in, and will probably be picking up.

mustbeburtJune 07, 2013

I'm still predicting that the next 3D Mario will be a successor to Galaxy and will be called "Super Mario U-niverse"

Kytim89June 07, 2013

I expect Sony ad Microsoft's presentations to be nothing more than glorified stand up comedy routines with Nintendo stealing the how and causing Wii U sales to spik 400%.

pokepal148Spencer Johnson, Contributing WriterJune 07, 2013

Quote from: Kytim89

and causing Wii U sales to spik 400%.

that wouldn't take much...

Mop it upJune 07, 2013

I expect to see Wii U games.

I'm trying not to expect anything, I don't want to set myself up for stuff that doesn't happen or turn out how I want.

EasyCureJune 07, 2013

Damn not only am I really getting hyped but this preview makes me want to run out and by a 3DS right-fuckin-now!

xcwarriorJune 07, 2013

Quote from: EasyCure

Damn not only am I really getting hyped but this preview makes me want to run out and by a 3DS right-fuckin-now!

There are already a ton of great games for the 3DS! Yes, go buy one!

And I just hope we get more than 3 surprise games, 1st or 3rd party. Retro will count as one, GTA would honestly be enough from 3rd party. And Nintendo need to pull something out of its hat.

And a bit surprised Wii Fit U was not listed. You guys really don't believe Johnny Metts crazy theory, do you?

EasyCureJune 07, 2013

I just never allow my handhelds to shine to the potential that they could. I have a DS and DSI, more games for it then I've had for any prior consoles, and only finished half of them. Some I haven't even played.. :/

SorenJune 08, 2013

Don't forget Scribblenauts Unmasked, they'll also be at E3!

AnGerJune 08, 2013

I for my part am going to jump into the freezing cold water of predictions and will state that Retro's new project will feature him: http://nintendo.wikia.com/wiki/Takamaru

Why? Well... he's been featured in two Wii games (Captain Rainbow and Samurai Warriors 3) and got his own section in Nintendo Land. That might mean nothing, but remember the last time Nintendo brought a character believed to be long gone back to a game? Remember Pit's return in SSB Brawl? He got his own game a few years later.

I for my part am excited about E3, but not in a sense that I expect a big surprise within the next few days. I'm excited just because it's E3.

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