Battlefield: Hardline, sports games highlight EA's E3 2014 press conference

After Microsoft, it was EA's turn in the E3 2014 spotlight. Here's a brief summary of what was shown off.

* Early in-game footage from Star Wars: Battlefront was shown. Developers explained how they went to actual locations where the movies were shot. Unfortunately, more information is coming Spring 2015, and that doesn't sound like a release date.
* A musician performed on stage while Dragon Age: Inquisition was shown off. Large, open areas and combat were highlighted. It looks nice.
* Very, very early conceptual prototypes were shown for a new Mass Effect and new IP from BioWare. Sadly, it looks like we won't be seeing these for a while.
* The Sims 4 (people still play these games?) has emotional states to keep track off. Doesn't look too much different from past games, but there was an Obama look-alike that I'm sure angered Republicans.
* Sports titles include EA Sports UFC with Bruce Lee, NHL 15, Madden 15 and Fifa 15. Once you've seen one trailer, you've seen them all. It looks like EA ran out of ideas for the next PGA Tour golf game. There are "extreme fantasy courses" with battleships and explosions to golf through. I guess that's cool?
* Criterion will have a new game featuring cars, wingsuits, ATVs, boats, planes and more. Not much else to say here.
* Dawngate will be another MOBA I don't plan on playing. But if done right, they can rake in the dough.
* Some very early footage of Mirror's Edge 2 was shown. This should be another fun and exciting game.
* Battlefield: Hardline features cops versus crooks with lots of explosions and mayhem. There's helicopters, miniguns, a construction crane falling onto buildings -- all while trying to hold onto some sort of loot. Those who own a copy of Battlefield 4 on PC and PS4 can sign up for beta starting today. The game is scheduled for release Oct. 21.

Overall, a pretty typical EA conference.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921

Microsoft's 2014 E3 press conference all about the games

Microsoft needed a rebound after last year's underwhelming E3 press conference and falling behind Sony and the PS4 for next-gen dominance. Their press conference at E3 2014 was solid with the main focus on games.

* No surprise, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare kicked things off with lots of explosions and shooting things. It looks great and should please CoD fans.
* Forza Horizon 2 will launch Sept. 30. Again, the cars look shiny and cool.
* Four-player co-op was shown off in Assassin's Creed: Unity. Players teamed up very well to take out their target, but I expect it won't be so organized when playing with random strangers online.
* Sunset Overdrive was my favorite game shown off. It's a mix of Borderlands, Dead Rising and Tony Hawk, with lots of colors and action.
* Dead Rising 3 is getting DLC with a bunch of Capcom costumes. It's hilariously called Super Ultra Dead Rising 3 Arcade Remix Hyper Edition EX Plus Alpha Prime. Good luck putting that in a headline.
* Co-op in Fable: Legends was played. Sadly the game still looks boring to me. Was never a Fable fan.
* Conker returns in Project Spark.
* Playdead Studios, creators of the critically acclaimed Limbo, showed off footage of their newest title, Inside. It kind of looks like a Limbo 2
* Rise of the Tomb Raider had a trailer, and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt showed Geralt hunting a griffin.
* More gameplay from Tom Clancy's The Division was shown featuring great graphics and scripted online banter.
* Scalebound will be an Xbox One exclusive from Platinum Games and features giant monsters and craziness.
* A new Crackdown game was announced, although it was just a CGI trailer. Phantom Dust had another CGI trailer. Ori and the Blind Forest had a short trailer as well.
* A bunch of indie games were shown in a montage.
* The biggest announcement was Halo related, with the announcement of Halo: The Master Chief Collection that includes the first four numbered Halo games for the Xbox One. Multiplayer for Halo 2 will remain unchanged from 10 years ago. With the game comes beta access for Halo 5: Guardians.

While there weren't a ton of megaton reveals, I liked the focus on games. One thing I took away from it is the future of the Kinect doesn't look promising. But I don't think anyone is really complaining about that.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Quick thoughts on Mario Kart 8

I've been racing around colorful tracks in Mario Kart 8 for the Wii U. Here are some thoughts on the game.

Nintendo went above and beyond to create some of the best tracks in the series. Planes flying around in Sunshine Airport, and a giant lava Bowser lashing at racers in his castle are just a small taste of the experience that'll have you playing them over and over again.

Battle mode is the weakest link of the game. Instead of battle arenas like the ever-popular Block Fort, you're just duking it out on existing tracks. Once the participants dwindle down, it becomes a bore to finish the match.

Check out my full review at www.theoaklandpress.com.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Far Cry 4 releasing Nov. 18

Ubisoft has announced that Far Cry 4 will release this year on Nov. 18 for the PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360 and PC. It is being developed by Ubisoft Montreal with Red Storm Entertainment and several other Ubisoft studios.

The open-world, first-person shooter will take place in Kyrat, a region of the Himalayas, which finds itself in turmoil while being ruled under a self-appointed king. Weapons, vehicles and animals will be at the player's disposal for their journey in the Himalayas.

More information will be available at E3 in June. After the success of Far Cry 3, this sequel will be one to watch out for later this year.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921

Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare starring Kevin Spacey releasing Nov. 4

You knew some kind of Call of Duty game was coming this year, and Activision and Sledgehammer Games will deliver with Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, which will release Nov. 4 on the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 and PC. The game stars Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Spacey, who plays Jonathan Irons, one of the most powerful men in the world. Soldiers wear exoskeletons allowing them to jump really high, cloak themselves and enhance other traits like speed, endurance and strength. The trailer above gives a small taste of what's to come.

I've never cared much for the Call of Duty franchise, but since this is built for next-gen I may check this one out.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

Quick thoughts on NES Remix 2

I've been playing more NES classics in NES Remix 2 for the Wii U. Here are some thoughts on the game.

NES Remix 2 is basically the same concept of the first title, but with a much better selection of games. Included in this package are Super Mario Bros 2 and 3, Punch-Out!!, Kirby's Adventure, and Zelda II: The Adventure of Link. However, there are fewer challenges and some some feel repetitive from the first game.

A couple bonuses include the NES World Championships Remix, where players who own both titles can post online their best high scores from three classic games. It loses its charm too quickly, but Super Luigi Bros. is really cool as it lets you play through Super Mario Bros as Luigi in mirror-reversed levels.

Watch out for my full review at www.theoaklandpress.com.

Get even tinier thoughts at www.twitter.com/JeffHoard921.

MLB 14 The Show for PS4 drops May 6

"The Show" baseball games have always been graphical powerhouses on the PS3, and the 2014 edition will hit store shelves May 6 for the PS4 (PS3 and Vita versions released around opening day). Sony is promising everything is better on the next-gen version: baseball, the cannons, the leather, the wood, the speed. From the few seconds shown in the trailer, Comerica Park looks great, as does everything else.