We’ve already run down our top 10 list of indie games we can’t wait to see at PAX Prime 2015, but what about the big-budget, AAA releases? With everyone from Square Enix to Ubisoft set to grace the event, there will be a lot to see and a lot to play for attendees, and plenty of news to digest for those paying attention at home.
With that being said, here are the top 10 games from the major players we can’t wait to check out at PAX Prime 2015:
Top 10 Games to Check Out at PAX Prime 2015
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10. Assassin's Creed Syndicate
It's difficult to get too excited about the next Assassin's Creed game considering the buggy mess that was Assassin's Creed Unity, but Ubisoft have got a habit of following up a disappointing entry in the series with an impressive one. From first impressions this seems like it will be the case with Assassin's Creed Syndicate, which introduces a new setting in the shape of the Victorian era, which brings with it a gothic edge that could help eradicate the memory of Unity's sloppy frame rate and myriad of glitches from our minds.
Ubisoft are bringing their A game to PAX Prime this year, and regardless of our own reservations Assassin's Creed Syndicate will undoubtedly be one of the most heavily anticipated playable games at the event for veteran fans of the series.
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9. Hitman
With news that the new Hitman movie has pulled in disappointing numbers at the box office, it's clear that people are more interested in seeing Agent 47 make his video game return rather than his cinematic comeback.
After making its debut at E3 2015 with a trailer, publisher Square Enix will be guiding viewers through an onstage demo of Hitman that will hopefully highlight what has changed in the reboot, with there reportedly being a stronger emphasis upon stealth (hurray!) this time around.
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8. Mirror's Edge Catalyst
In comparison with other AAA games Mirror's Edge Catalyst could most certainly be perceived as an underdog, with it being a sequel to an underrated cult favorite that has only seen the light of day to a vocal outcry from fans of the original. Despite having been announced quite a while ago, we still haven't got a very good grasp on what direction Catalyst will take the series in - will it be more action oriented? Or will it feature an even deeper emphasis upon those no-gun runs? Fortunately the game will be playable at PAX Prime 2015, so our questions should be answered.
The original Mirror's Edge was a wholly unique game that impressed the few who played it upon release, and with a greater budget being pumped into Catalyst by EA, we hope that the flaws of its predecessor have been ironed out and that this time around it'll reach a wider audience. We'll be able to see for ourselves whether it's capable of doing this at PAX Prime.
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7. Rainbow Six: Siege
We're all disappointed that Rainbow Six: Siege has been delayed, but that doesn't detract from how much we desperately want to get our hands on the game. Rainbow Six is one of the most widely praised FPS series of all time, and with all signs pointing to Siege being a strong comeback for the franchise, we're looking forward to a shooter that can compete with the likes of Battlefield and Call of Duty.
We may not be able to buy Rainbow Six: Siege until December, but PAX Prime will give us the chance to get our hands on the game and learn more about it prior to its release at the tail-end of this year. While there will be many who are more excited by Tom Clancy's The Division, which will also be playable at PAX, those of us who are familiar with the legacy of Rainbow Six are foaming at the mouth at the prospect of a new entry in this series finally being released.
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6. Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided will be the subject of a panel at PAX Prime, with Square organizing a talk devoted to the topic of "Bringing Adam Jensen to Life." The panel will focus upon the technology behind Mankind Divided, and considering the warm reception for the game's predecessor Human Revolution, it's likely that it'll prove to be a highlight for many attendees of the event.
For those who aren't attending, though, a deluge of news regarding the upcoming sequel is to be expected, which is already shaping up to be a unique title following news that it will allow players to approach boss battles in a variety of different ways, from fighting enemies through to having a pleasant chat with them. This emphasis upon allowing a greater degree of player agency has left us highly intrigued about what it will offer upon release, and we'll find out much more during PAX.
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5. For Honor
In an industry littered with sequels it's always exciting when a new IP is announced, and For Honor looks to be a highlight of Ubisoft's future, potentially jump-starting a brand new franchise for the developer in the process.
Those who have played the PC game Chivalry: Medieval Warfare know that ultra-violent games set in a medieval time period can carve themselves out an admirable fan base, and though For Honor is a different beast what with it being third-person and featuring less of an emphasis on the potentially hilarious aspects of running around with a big sword and lopping off knights' heads, its multiplayer focus should give console owners an online game to play that is far different from the current deluge of shooters and sports games that litter the systems.
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4. Halo 5: Guardians
Halo 5: Guardians is, of course, Microsoft's flagship game during its PAX Prime Xbox event, with the game being playable on the show floor. We anticipate its newly announced Warzone multiplayer game type to be demoed at some point, though 343 Industries hasn't revealed exactly what will be showcased during the event.
Regardless of what we see from Halo 5, though, we're excited about what Microsoft and 343 have in store for us. With not long to go until the game's release, it will inevitably be a huge deal for the Xbox One and a lot is resting upon its developers' shoulders to get it right. We'll have a greater idea of whether they've managed to achieve this at PAX.
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3. Street Fighter V
The next entry in the seminal fighting game series is the biggest game of 2016 for members of the fighting game community, who will be lapping up any hands-on time with the game they can get prior to its release. With PAX Prime likely to see a brand new character being unveiled, the event is therefore firmly on the radar of the FGC.
For those who aren't a part of that community, the prospect of a new Street Fighter game is still exciting. With Street Fighter IV having proven to be a widely influential release in the fighting game genre, inspiring the reboot of the Mortal Kombat series among other things, it's exciting to think of what impact Street Fighter V will have on the genre, too.
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2. Forza Motorsport 6
PAX Prime is a big deal for Microsoft with them having a wide selection of Xbox One games available to play at the event, and Forza Motorsport 6 is one of the biggest guns they have in their arsenal.
While Forza 5 may have been a disappointing entry in the otherwise accomplished series, with it featuring a poor selection of tracks and an intrusive microtransaction system that was off-putting to say the least, Forza Horizon 2 was one of the best games to have been released on the console and this gives us high hopes for what Turn 10 Studios has in mind for the next main release in the series. PAX Prime will offer us a further look at what we should expect when the next entry in the racing series is released.
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1. Final Fantasy XV
After so many disappointing releases in the Final Fantasy series and fans holding the belief that Square Enix had lost their way, all signs point to Final Fantasy XV being a defining moment for the franchise and one that could see the Japanese developer returning to their former glory.
Final Fantasy XV will be the subject of an "Action Time Report" from Square Enix, in which director Hajime Tabata will disclose more information regarding the game including a behind-the-scenes look at it, and further details regarding the recently released trailer.
