We've gotten the early word that consoles won't be the focus this time around (aside from the Wii U), so it'll be the software's time to shine.
Even so, major blockbusters like BioShock Infinite and Metal Gear Rising won't be at the show, so which titles are we most looking forward to getting our hands on.
Between Dishonored and Assassin's Creed III, the pseudo-nationalism steampunk genre that BioShock Infinite looked to capture this fall will be aptly filled by an established IP and a strong contender for best new franchise. Crafted by Arkane Studios, Dishonored will take players on a stealth-action adventure through the town of Dunwall. We've seen a nice chunk on Dishonored in previews, but it's definitely time to get some more hands-on.
The PlayStation Vita hit the ground running, offering up two dozen games at launch. Since then the releases have thinned out for the most part, but we're hoping E3 2012 clues us in on a lot more upcoming software. We know of titles like Sound Shapes, Sly Cooper, and LittleBigPlanet are on the horizon, but it's the unannounced games that we're clamoring for. Will Sony unveil a respectable list of Vita titles?
Last year's Assassin's Creed Revelations gave us the impression that the franchise was running on fumes, but it's amazing what one teaser trailer can do for morale. Assassin's Creed III will put players in a totally different time in history, taking place during the American Revolution. It'll be exciting to see the new features this setting will bring, so chalk up Assassin's Creed III as a must-see.
We'd be lying if we thought Resident Evil 5 was the best in the series -- in fact it might not even be top three -- but all that can change with Resident Evil 6, which is set to hit consoles later this year. Some hands-on time with RE6 should give us an idea of where the franchise is headed this time around and whether it's dead in the water.
- The Last Guardian
Is The Last Guardian still a real game? We hope so, because if it doesn't get mentioned at E3 2012, we're going to have a tough time believing that it in fact still exists. Sony slyly avoided any and all discussion of Team Ico's highly anticipated follow-up to Shadow of The Colossus at last year's show, so now it's put up or shut up time.
One of last year's unsung heroes of E3 had to be Far Cry 3. The Ubisoft team behind the title is focusing a lot more around the game's story, and this year we're hoping to finally be able to play it. How open-world is the game? Is it as big as Far Cry 2? We should find out the answers to these questions and more in just a few days.
At the end of Microsoft's E3 2011 press conference, the company teased the world with a Halo 4 trailer. Fast-forward a year and now it's time to see if a new developer can keep the franchise fresh. Look for Microsoft to lead with a Halo 4 gameplay demo this go around, but it'll be the hands-on with the title that dictate whether Master Chief still has it.
Why are we still making zombie games? Oh, that's right, because they're awesome. Developer Naughty Dog has treated us with the Uncharted trilogy, but things are about to take a turn for the worse with The Last of Us. We don't know much about the specific story or gameplay, but Naughty Dog's pristine resume doesn't have us concerned one bit. There's a lot to learn about the game, and we're hoping E3 2012 sheds some light.
- Wii U games
While Microsoft and Sony have both come out and preemptively declared that neither company will be showcasing new hardware, Nintendo stands a chance to steal the show with the Wii U. Announced at last year's E3 2011, the Wii U has already had a gestation period that has left many skeptical of its gaming chops. At E3 2012, we'd love to get our hands on some legitimate Wii U software -- perhaps a Mario or Zelda game -- that convinces us the Wii U is the real deal.
Tomb Raider got punted into 2013, but Square Enix has told us we'd be able to get some hands on with the relaunch of the franchise at E3 2012. While Tomb Raider games in the past may have been aimed at a more general audience, this reboot features a grittier, bloodier Lara Croft.
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