E3 2017 has come and gone, and we here at CGMagazine handed out awards for what we felt were the best games showcased this year. Featured below are a nominee and winner for:
- Best Use of Licensed IP
- Best Game developed by a Small Team
- Best Multi-Platform Game
- Best Narrative Focused Game
- Best Platform Exclusive
Best Use of Licensed IP
Nominee: Dragon Ball FighterZ
This new fighter from Arc System Works really let us experience what it would be like to be in control of our favourite Dragon Ball characters. The game looks stunning and features amazing animations that look like they were ripped straight out of the anime. Letting us choose a team of three of favourite Dragon Ball Z characters and performing some of the most iconic super moves felt amazing in this fighting game.
Winner: Spider-Man PS4
One of the highlights of Sony’s conference was the showing of Insomniac’s Spider-Man game coming to the PlayStation 4. Putting us in control of the web-slinger in ways we haven’t before, Spider-Man PS4 is looking amazing. The Arkham style combat really lends itself well to Spider-Man and he looked right at home as he beat-up henchmen in the trailer that Sony showed. The web swinging that we saw really let us feel like Spider-Man and we can’t wait to get a chance to try it out for ourselves.
Best Small Team Game
Nominee: Dropmix
The talented developers over at Harmonix love their peripherals, and the latest one for their game Dropmix is certainly interesting. Featuring a base that players put their phone into, Dropmix has users playing cards to various elements of their favourite songs to truly remix and make them their own. Featuring over 300 cards all with separate elements from various songs, Dropmix sounds like it’s going to be making some beautiful music when it launches this September. You can jam out to the trailer below.
Winner: Moss
Moss is something magical. In Moss, you play as a spirit who has to help a little mouse called Quill as she tackles puzzles, platforming, and combat. The game is VR exclusive and has players controlling Quill with the analogue sticks while you control the spirit with motion controls. What really sets Moss apart is how much charm and character is in the game. Quill interacts with the player through her gestures as she tries to help you when you get stuck in a puzzle or gets excited when you finish a level. It completely surpassed our expectations at E3 2017, and hopefully, you can learn just how magical Moss really is too.
Best Multi-Platform Game
Nominee: Call of Duty: WWII
Call of Duty goes back to its roots in the latest instalment from developer Sledgehammer games. Promising players the ability to take part in some of the most iconic battles of the Second World War, Sledgehammer hopes to put players right into the heart of the action. The game looks great, with visuals that really send home the message of how dark and dirty the war really was. After taking the series into the near future with Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare it’s nice to see the series simmering down and bringing things back to where it started.
Winner: Monster Hunter World
Monster Hunter has always been about two things, big weapons, and even bigger monsters. Monster Hunter World adds a third thing to that list. A giant ecosystem that players can freely explore and interact with. This new game in the Monster Hunter franchise promises players a continent that they can explore and hunt on. With the new grappling hook, players have more mobility options than ever before to use in their hunts of dangerous and deadly monsters.
Best Narrative Focused Game
Nominee: Detroit: Become Human
David Cage is no stranger to tackling social issues in his games. His newest title, Detroit: Become Human (which was on show at E3 2017) features androids who no longer want to be treated as second class citizens and features characters who are fighting to be treated like real people. While people generally aren’t androids, the idea of just trying to fit in is something that most people have experience. That’s why the game got our attention. Not to mention Detroit: Become Human has a plethora of choices and different ways the story can play out that has us excited to see it all unfold.
Winner: Life is Strange: Before the Storm
This prequel to the award-winning game takes players three years before the first game in the series. We here at CGMagazine loved the first game for how it tackled some tougher social issues that surround high school students. After seeing the trailers we are excited to get our hands on the next game in the series. For any players who are interested in finding out more about the prequel take a look at the trailer below.
Best Platform Exclusive
Nominee: Metroid: Samus Returns
After years of dead silence, the Metroid series returns with a polished and lovingly crafted remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus. Metroid: Samus Returns puts players in control of one of the galaxy’s best bounty hunters, Samus Aran once again. Featuring completely redone visuals, and an overhaul to traditional Metroid combat, Samus Returns breathes new life into a series that’s been dormant since 2010. Samus brings some new tricks with her this time around as the inclusion of a melee block makes for an exciting addition to combat, along with full 360 degree aiming. Metroid: Samus Returns is a love letter to Metroid fans and a true return to form for the series. We got the chance to get hands-on with Metroid: Samus Returns and we think it can be one of the best offerings on the 3DS.
Winner: Forza Motorsport 7
The Forza games have always been some of the best racing experiences on the Xbox console. The new Forza Motorsport 7 looks to be keeping that tradition alive as the new game looks beautiful and better than ever. Featuring over 700 different cars and 30 different locations, this entry into the Forza franchise is stuffed to the brim with content for players. Being developed alongside the Xbox One X as a launch title, this game really shows what the new console is capable of. Weather is now dynamic and looks amazing. In some races, you can even see the rain coming before you even drive into it. Another new feature to Forza Motorsport 7 is the addition of customizable drivers. With each element on your driver rendered in 4k the attention to detail in this game is astounding. To get a look at just how beautiful Forza Motorsport 7 is, take a look at the trailer.
Those are the nominees and winners for these categories. Look forward to part two of our Best of Show Awards as we hand out the awards for some of our favourite genres.
