Square Enix’s E3 2018 Sure Was Disappointing

It was supposed to be the grand re-emergence of one of gaming’s giants into the limelight of E3, the time when everyone would cheer and woop with new details on the Final Fantasy 7 remake, a closer look at Life Is Strange 2, and, for the most optimistic of us all, any kind of announcement surrounding Soul Reaver.

Instead, all we received from Square Enix at E3 2018 was a short and succinct showcase that had already blown its biggest reveal way in advance: the Kingdom Hearts 3 release date. We saw more from Kingdom Hearts (including the right audio this time) and also a new Disney character, but not really enough to close out a show. But we already knew about Kingdom Hearts 3.

There were some cool moments, to be sure. Some Shadow of the Tomb Raider gameplay was welcomed, showcasing how Lara is basically just asking out MGS: Tomb Eater now with her dispatching of bad guys with the same freedom as Nathan Drake with just as little in the way of a conscience. But we already knew about Shadow of the Tomb Raider.

Just Cause 4 received the EDM treatment in a trailer that showcased its violently volatile world and weather, as well as a few snippets of gameplay. It looks like being even more chaotic than ever (if you can believe that) and is bound to provide great filler for YouTube compilations for the months after its release. But we already knew about Just Cause 4.

It was nice to see Dragon Quest XI in the spotlight, a series that often doesn’t enjoy its share of mainstream. Likewise, another look at the twee and free The Awesome Adventures Of Captain Spirit from Dontnod added more intrigue to the Life Is Strange companion piece, but again: we already knew about these games.

Really, the only two titles we had no clue about going into the showcase were The Quiet Man and Babylon’s Fall. Sadly, both also had immaterial showings with next to no details revealed about what they will be like; the ultimate E3 tease. The Quiet Man is a weird pitch but a new IP, which I will always approve of. Babylon’s Fall, meanwhile, was only of interest because of PlatinumGames’ name being attached to it. The teaser showed nothing worth clinging to otherwise.

While Square Enix’s showcase was ultimately disappointing, it’s all their own doing. By giving early glimpses to Microsoft, they took out a lot of sting from their own conference before it even began. They also haven’t helped themselves by really bigging up their return to gaming’s biggest event, only to set up shop, sell their incomplete wares, and pack it all up again before people even really had enough of a chance to browse.

If Square Enix are going to come again next year, they really need to bring their A game and not play nice with other publishers and give away their biggest tricks. It’s not just for the sake of their fans, but for the sake of their public image.

Plus, I am just really bitter that we didn’t see a remastered collection of Legacy of Kain, particularly Defiance. That was the best. Square Enix’s conference, meanwhile, was supposed to show the publisher back to their best, but instead it showed them at their most complacent.