E3 2022 highlights: Metroid Dread, Elden Ring, Battlefield 2042 and more

E3 2021 highlights: Metroid Dread, Elden Ring, Battlefield 2042 and more

(Image credit: Nintendo)

E3 2021 brought us a ton of exciting gaming announcements, from a gameplay trailer for Elden Ring, to the surprise reveal of Metroid Dread. Microsoft, Nintendo, Bethesda, Bandai Namco, Square Enix and other major gaming companies showed off heady new titles, and expanded on some other games that we already know about. Whether you similar to play action side-scrollers, inventive Japanese RPGs, expansive racing games or anything in-between, E3 2021 was a good time to be a gamer.

Since this year's upshot was an all-digital affair, we didn't become a adventure to become hands-on with any games. As such, the Tom's Guide staff has rounded up our favorite games and hardware from the event in lieu of traditional awards.

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Something about these products defenseless our interest, and we're counting down the days until we can endeavour them out for ourselves. Keep an eye on these games and gear over the next few months; they'll more than likely exist worth checking out when they launch.

Advance Wars one + 2: Reboot Camp

I played the heck out of the original Game Boy Advance versions of the Advance Wars titles back in the early 2000s. In fact, I still occasionally listen to each commanding officeholder'southward catchy theme on loop only for fun. Unsurprisingly, I'm delighted to encounter that Nintendo's decided to remaster both games and bring them to the Switch.

Seeing all the familiar units and gameplay, from the adorable city capture animations, to the excited and horrified reactions of the commanding officers equally tiny tanks and soldiers practice battle, is the exact correct alloy of nostalgia and freshness. I'll be keeping a shut eye on this game correct upwards until I can buy information technology this December 3. — Richard Priday

Battleground 2042

Like many franchise fans, I've been desperately waiting for Battlefield to return to a modern setting. While I enjoyed the historical diversions in the last ii entries, Battlefield 2042 is the game I've been longing for. After so many leaks, and a frustratingly long await for the official reveal, I was concerned that 2042 wouldn't live up to the hype. I needn't have worried. The gameplay trailer nosotros saw at the Xbox showcase suggests that Battleground 2042 will offer the series' trademark large-scale skirmishes, along with several fresh ideas sprinkled in for expert measure. I'm hoping the pre-release beta happens soon, because I can't wait to become onto the battlefield already. — Rory Mellon

Elden Ring

I've managed to finish Bloodborne, and am still inching my way through Demon's Souls. Suffice it to say, I'm non a huge Souls-like player. But Elden Band really got my attention. For a commencement, it looks fantastic: a proper next-gen FromSoftware game. Only I'm also drawn to the thought of an open-world game cooked up past the minds of Hidetaka Miyazaki and George R.R. Martin. The idea of exploring a dark and dilapidated fantasy world filled, filled with interesting spots and creatures, is enough to make me grinning at the behemothic monstrosity that is the PS5. I also like the thought that if a boss encounter is too tough, y'all could find other means around it. Elden Ring could still be a Souls-like game, but is likewise appealing to people like me who struggle to master a parry. — Roland Moore-Colyer

Forza Horizon 5

There aren't many surprises in Forza Horizon 5. We at present know it volition take identify in Mexico, and we know that it will feature some of the well-nigh amazing cars ever produced — along with some vehicles that probably won't make it out of the concept phase. While Forza Horizon is an absolutely fantastic driving experience, the serial is every bit much about graphical prowess as annihilation else. Microsoft and Playground Games have chucked everything at this championship, and with 4K graphics, it looks admittedly stunning. PC gamers will love pusing their systems to the limit. With the biggest map in the serial then far, Forza Horizon five should be an absolute riot. — Ian Morris

Metroid Dread

Metroid Dread was 1 of the biggest surprises from E3 2021 — and 1 of the most welcome ones, too. While fans didn't hear annihilation about the highly anticipated Metroid Prime number 4, what we got instead was arguably even better. Metroid Dread, aka Metroid five, is a side-scrolling action/exploration game that acts as a direct sequel to Metroid Fusion. It's our first 2D Metroid in four years, and our first second Metroid with an original story in nineteen years. It'due south unexpected; it's exactly what fans wanted; and it's coming out within the adjacent few months. That'south the perfect combination for our beleaguered bounty hunter, Samus Aran. — Marshall Honorof

The Outer Worlds 2

The sequel to Obsidian'southward sci-fi RPG might just be the reason I purchase an Xbox Series 10 or Xbox Series S. The original wasn't a perfect game, but information technology got so much right: its light-hearted tone, its style and its scattering of separate simply well-sized open levels. I have high hopes that a sequel will be able to improve on the original.

In that location's not much to see correct now in the teaser trailer, other than the game looking good and the voice-over showing off the serial' sensor of humor. It's nonetheless enough to have me hooked. — Richard Priday

Razer Blade 14

As a proud owner of the 2019 Razer Blade 15, it was incredibly satisfying to see Razer finally announce an AMD laptop. With the global bit shortage going on, investing in a new gaming device doesn't seem like such a bad idea, particularly since you'll take the option of equipping it with the coveted Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU. Even so, I'll be interested to meet whether or not the laptop'due south cooling system will exist every bit good as Razer promised, considering how tightly packed all the Razer Blade 14's internal components are leap to exist. — Denise Primbet

Resident Evil Village DLC

While Capcom'south E3 keynote was arguably uneventful, I was nonetheless excited to hear official confirmation for the upcoming Resident Evil Village DLC. The franchise's latest installment is easily one of my favorite games in 2021, thanks to its engaging story and memorable boss fights. Capcom gave us virtually no details on the upcoming DLC, autonomously from the fact that it's in evolution. Yet, because how well the DLC for Resident Evil seven: Biohazard performed, and the many, many questions Resident Evil Village left unanswered, I'm excited to notice out what else the horror serial has in store for u.s.. — Denise Primbet

Riders Republic

Prior to E3, I would have said I was looking frontwards to Riders Republic, but it was only a passing interest. Now I'chiliad fully on board. This farthermost sports game was easily the highlight of Ubisoft Frontward for me. The game appears to exist built on the foundation laid by Ubisoft's underappreciated snowboarding championship Steep, which is a very solid framework. While we got a reasonably lengthy look at the competitive online modes, what actually sold me on Riders Republic is its open-world aspect. Being able to prowl around a diverse map on a mount bike or a pair of skis looks like pure gaming elation. I tin't look to wipe out over and over again this September. — Rory Mellon

Starfield

Given that we didn't see any real game footage, information technology seems a flake airheaded to get super excited for Starfield, but I am. Not just is there a confirmed release date of November 11, 2022, but the game looks like It'll take place in a hard sci-fi setting — something I'm into, thanks to The Expanse serial. The idea of ships festooned with chunky buttons, à la Ridley Scott's Conflicting, and a sense of realism around space travel, ticks my nerd boxes. So does the description of "Skyrim in space." I can't think of a better thing to practice while I wait for The Elderberry Scrolls 6, than immerse myself in a big open up-space sci-fi game. — Roland Moore-Colyer

Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin

I'll be the get-go to admit that nearly of the Final Fantasy series is lost on me. While I beloved a practiced JRPG, I've never clicked with the series outside of FF7 and Crisis Core. But after seeing the trailer for Stranger of Paradise: Final Fantasy Origin, a Souls-similar with a Final Fantasy coating, I suddenly became interested. Square Enix has excellent storytelling chops, and the subtitle for Stranger of Paradise, Final Fantasy Origin, hints at something greater. This looks like it's going to exist a game worth paying attending to, especially since Squad Ninja is leading the development efforts. — Hashemite kingdom of jordan Palmer

Tales of Arise

E3 2021 wasn't merely almost surprise announcements and unexpected reveals; it was also a chance to learn a little more about some games that are already on our radar. Accept Tales of Arise, for case. This Japanese RPG is the latest entry in the 21-twelvemonth-old Tales series, which focuses on real-time battles, charming characters and colorful fantasy worlds. We got a longer look at Tales of Ascend at the Summer Game Fest, and saw some of the new party members. Kisara, the lady knight with a stylish set of armor and an imposing tower shield, seems like an early fan favorite. — Marshall Honorof

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