For all of the months of build-up, here we are: the sober day after E3 2019 and in full-on conference withdrawal.However, with all of our staff traveling back, our votes tallied, and our awards distributed, itâs time that we showcase what was DualShockersâ top picks in Los Angeles for this yearâs E3. And what a terrific show this yearâs was.Much likelast year’s E3 2018 Awards, theReadersâ Choice polland DualShockersâ staff poll didnât line up â not to say that it wasn’t a hard-fought battle among the staff:
Now, without further stalling, here are DualShockersâ Game of the Show awards for E3 2018:
DualShockers E3 2019 Game of Show: DOOM Eternal
AlsoÂBest Shooter
This year’s E3 2019 Game of Show award was the most contentious in DualShockers' ten-year history, coming down to a deadlocked tiebreaker vote to decide between the winner,ÂDOOM Eternal, and runner-up,ÂFinal Fantasy 7 Remake. While other outlets will undoubtedly be choosing betweenÂCyberpunk 2077ÂandÂFF7R, I’ll let our residentÂDOOMÂconnoisseur Michael Ruiz (Senior Staff Writer) explain whyDOOM EternalÂpulled ahead:
In 2016, id Software rebootedDOOM, one of the most influential games in video game history. Naturally, there were some concerns. Will this game live up to its name? Was that multiplayer beta indicative of that entire experience? Why does that cover art look so boring? Despite that, developer id Software not only did right by the Doom name, but they also created something that felt both familiar and brand new. Even after three years, I donât think there has been a shooter as surprising and unique asDOOM(2016).
While that praise is all fine and dandy, the gameâs direct sequel,DOOM Eternal, has a lot to live up to. LikeDOOM(2016), many expressed concerns before its E3 2019 reveal, namely how will it differ from the first? After the reveal, those concerns were dashed. Seeing the same gameplay that hooked me from the last entry combined with new mechanics, like the dash and grappling chain, this looks to iterate in ways that could potentially change the flow of its fast-paced gameplay entirely. As long as it can exemplify the same technical performance I expect from id Software games, I can seeDOOM Eternaldethroning its predecessor as this generationâs best shooter.
You can pre-orderÂDOOM EternalÂon Amazon.
Readers' Choice E3 2019 Game of Show: Final Fantasy 7 Remake
AlsoÂBest PS4 Console-Exclusive Game
There was never a question that our readers would run away withÂFinal Fantasy 7 Remake. Sure,ÂCyberpunk 2077Âput up a hell of a fight. But we are talking aboutÂFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeÂhere, people!
In case you were wondering how split the vote was, slightly more than 38% threw in their vote forÂFinal Fantasy 7. Next up in the polls wasÂCyberpunk 2077Âat just over 20%. The other biggest contenders wereÂDOOM EternalÂ(4%),ÂWatch Dogs: LegionÂ(4%), and the newly-revealedÂElden Ring(3%).
Now to give our own two cents on whyÂFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeÂresonated so well among fans, let me turn over to Cloud-diehard, Cameron.
Cameron Hawkins,ÂStaff Writer: WhenFinal Fantasy 7 Remakewas originally announced there was much excitement, but they’re also a lot of people who were scared. Square Enix within the recent year has been hit and miss with their games. It has had a relatively rough development cycle after originally being developed by CyberConnect2. It got to the point that most thought we would never see the game. After finally showing off a presentation of the game it was incredibly impressive. What makes things crazier is that the game has a release date: it is coming out within a year. If you told anyone that two months ago they would say you’re crazy. But it’s here and it’s phenomenal.
Final Fantasy 7 Remakeis everything that a remake should be. It reinvents the formula of what made the original so special while still staying true to it. The game is gorgeous and plays incredibly smooth. It really is just a sight to behold. The gameplay is for the modern era, but still feels like Final Fantasy 7. The characters speak like how most players imagined them speaking back on the original PlayStation. There is no doubt in my mind that (if the rest of the game is as good as what I got to play)Final Fantasy 7 Remakewill live up to fans expectations and for some surpass the original.
You can pre-orderFinal Fantasy 7 RemakeÂright now on Amazon.
Best First Party Game: Luigi’s Mansion 3
AlsoÂBest Nintendo Switch Console-Exclusive Game
Cameron Hawkins, Staff Writer:Luigi’s Mansion 3is such a refreshing game to play from the slew of differentMario Bros.games and spinoffs. Simply put, the game is just so much fun to play. Whether it be by yourself or with a partner in co-op,Luigi’s Mansion 3gameplay takes a really big step up from the first two games. The puzzles are nicely balanced, the combat mechanics never get old.
Most importantly, it’s weird. Don’t get me started on Gooigi. It seems like Nintendo is finally giving the series it’s big boy shoes and placing it on the pedistal with the other big Nintendo titles. And it deserves to be. I was not a fan of the series before playingLuigi’s Mansion 3, but Nintendo can be happy to know that they have earned another gamer in that fan base.
You can pre-orderÂLuigi’s Mansion 3Âright now on Amazon.
Best Xbox OneConsole-ExclusiveGame: Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Lou Contaldi, Editor in Chief: We haven’t seen a ton ofÂOri and the Will of the Wisps; it made a brief appearance at the Microsoft E3 2019 Press Briefing in a new trailer we don’t know much else. It wasn’t on the show floor or at Xbox FanFest… and without a doubt, we want it more than ever. Maybe it is the mystique behind the game, but we are eyeing up that June 08, 2025 launch date. Will it surpassÂOri and the Blind ForestÂto be the best platformer of the generation? We will just have to wait and see.
Best PC Game: Cris Tales
Tomas Franzese,ÂReviews Editor: In addition to an absolutely beautiful art style,Cris Talesfrom Dreams Uncorporated, SYCK, and Modus Games innovate with interesting time mechanics while still paying homage to JRPG greats. When players are walking around, they can see the past, present, and future all at the same time, which led to some of the most intriguing mission at objective structure at E3. And yes, the developers draw three different versions of the entire game.
Once you get into battle, time mechanics let players manipulate enemies with time, adding another layer on top of what players will recognize from games likePersonaandFinal Fantasy. With a beautiful art style on top of those mechanics,Cris Taleswas one of the most memorable RPGs and PC games at the show this year.
You can pre-orderÂCris TalesÂright now on Amazon.
Best Handheld or Mobile Exclusive Game: Call of Duty Mobile
Tanner Pierce, Senior Staff Writer: Mobile games almost always get a bad rep because of how clunky the controls can feel.Call of Duty: Mobileis looking to change this by including simplistic controls that allow even the most clumsy of players to do well. On top of that, the game runs buttery smooth, which is necessary for an FPS, putting it above the rest.
Best Indie Game*: Blair Witch
Logan Moore,Reviews Editor: Bloober Team has already proven itself to be one of the best horror developers in the gaming industry and now it has the luxury of working with the terrifying world ofBlair Witch. The gameâs reveal at Microsoftâs briefing didnât show too much, but it was still enough to send shivers down your spine. Thereâs still a lot left to see aboutBlair Witchand weâre hoping to learn more sooner rather than later.
