Added: 19.06.2015 2:45 | 7 views | 0 comments

E3 is over; let's review Microsoft's showing.

Click through the images here for all the highlights, biggest games, and areas of improvement for Microsoft.

Highlights: Xbox One Backward Compatibility

Microsoft may have had the biggest news--across all companies--this week with its announcement of backwards compatibility for the Xbox One. Yes, the initial lineup of supported Xbox 360 games is somewhat limited, and the feature won't roll out publicly until this fall, but it's an exciting first step.

Highlights: Fallout 4 PC Mods on Xbox One

Through a partnership with Microsoft, Bethesda announced plans to bring Fallout 4's PC mods to Xbox One sometime in 2016. This is a big deal, since this has never happened before on console, and it could be a way for Fallout fans to find new fun long after release. Of course, there will be some limitations on what mods make it to console, but it's an exciting feature all the same.

Highlights: Early Access Comes to Xbox One

The Xbox Game Preview will allow developers to release in-development versions of their upcoming games on Xbox One. This has been available on PC for some time through Steam Early Access (with a fair amount of controversy), and the Xbox One becomes the first console with such a program. Your move, Sony.

Highlights: Xbox One Elite Controller

Microsoft announced a new Xbox One controller during its E3 briefing. It was a total surprise, and particularly noteworthy, too. We haven't seen dramatic controller revisions from Microsoft before, especially not so soon after launch. The controller cost $150 and launches in October. Visit our E3 hub for more about the controller.

Needs Improvement: What's Up With Kinect?

Microsoft had a strong E3 showing, but there is always room for improvement. Microsoft didn't talk about Kinect whatsoever at the briefing or during E3 itself all week long. The company tells us there are still some more Kinect games in development. But people who bought an Xbox One with Kinect or purchased the camera separately probably want to know more.

Needs Improvement: Missing Games

We didn't see exclusives like Quantum Break, Scalebound, Inside, or Crackdown at Microsoft's E3 briefing. This was no doubt a bummer for fans who were looking forward to new footage. But you can rest assured that Microsoft will talk about these games (and probably more) during Gamescom in just two months.

Biggest Games: Gears of War 4

In addition to the Gears of War Ultimate Edition, a remastered version of the 2006 original due out in August, Microsoft announced a brand new Gears of War. Details are light at the moment, but it appears we'll be getting new characters and a new setting. And of course, chainsaws will return. Gears 4 launches holiday 2016.

Biggest Games: ReCore

A total surprise announcement, ReCore is the next game from Mega Man and Dead Rising designer Keiji Inafune exclusively for Xbox One. The game will be developed by Inafune in collaboration with Armature Studio, the team founded by former Metroid developers. It's early days, but the trailer alone has us excited.

Biggest Games: Rise of the Tomb Raider

We saw a thrilling new Rise of the Tomb Raider trailer this week at E3, showing Lara Croft in a snowy Russian region, using her climbing axe to scale icy walls and escaping danger. The game looks darn impressive, and Microsoft locking it up as a timed exclusive could be a big win for the company this holiday. Rise of the Tomb Raider launches November 10.

Biggest Games: Halo 5

Halo 5: Guardians isn't new, but we learned a lot more about it this week at E3. The main takeaway was a new, massively scaled multiplayer mode called Warzone. It's a 12v12 mode that combines PvP and PvE, a first for the series. This could end up being a big deal for Halo. You can read our impressions on the site and pick up the game on October 27.

Added: 19.06.2015 1:25 | 4 views | 0 comments

These are the most exciting, promising games coming out of E3 according to GameSpot's editors, and the ones we're most excited to play more of. When deciding these, our only condition is that gameplay must be shown off--so trailers don't count. Regardless, here's our results.

Star Wars Battlefront

Star Wars Battlefront has been a long time coming for Star Wars game fans, ourselves included. Seeing the new gameplay at E3 2015 depicting famous battle at Hoth was incredibly exciting to see in action. With more historical Star Wars battles promised to be on the way, we certainly can't wait to jump into the game with laser blasters blazing when it launches in November.

Just Cause 3

Just Cause 3 is looking exactly like what you'd expect it to be. But that's part of the appeal. Where else can you play a game where you can blow up military complexes, grapple hook onto active missiles, or fly a jet into the statue of an evil dictator? These reasons among many others are why Just Cause 3 is one of the best games we saw at E3 2015.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4's debut gameplay was finally shown, and we are super looking forward to getting our hands on it. Set in Boston, Massachusetts, the game is filled to the brim with new features, including weapon modification, base building, mod support, and more. If you're fan of RPGs, Fallout 4 is absolutely a game that you need keep an eye on.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain still has us very excited. Innovating the franchise with its open world structure, base building mechanics, and emphasis on stealth exploration, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is shaping up to be the best game in the series so far. We seriously can't wait to play it once it launches in September.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

After watching the E3 2015 Rise of the Tomb Raider gameplay, there is no doubt that the game looks absolutely wonderful. Its wintry tundras and ancient tombs complimented by its tense dramatic set-pieces make the game a marvelous display of gaming. Rise of the Tomb Raider had our curiosity at first, but now it certainly has our attention.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WIldlands came as a surprise when it was revealed at the end of the Ubisoft E3 2015 press conference. It takes the series' signature tactical multiplayer gameplay and plants it into an open world setting. It's quite an unexpected move for the series, and this new Ghost Recon has us super intrigued

Halo 5: Guardians

We finally got to check out Halo 5: Guardians at E3 this year, and there's no denying the series' pedigree. The game takes the series' classic gameplay and innovates it with its new cooperative elements and MOBA-like Warzone multiplayer mode. Without a doubt, Halo 5: Guardians is definitely one of our top picks.

Horizon: Zero Dawn

Guerrilla Games' new IP Horizon: Zero Dawn is an open world game that has seized our attention. The game offers a unique aesthetic spin mixing natural world characters with sci-fi robotic creatures. From what was shown at E3, we are very excited to see what more comes of Horizon: Zero Dawn in the coming months.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End's E3 2015 gameplay once again delivered on the series' non-stop trademark set-pieces. It was a shining example of why Naughty Dog is one of the best developers around at constructing amazing action sequences. Without a doubt, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End was one of the strongest showings this year.

The Last Guardian

Sony's E3 2015 press conference saw the return of The Last Guardian, a game that has been absent from E3 since 2009. And the game looks even more impressive than it did when we first saw it. Featuring Fumito Ueda's signature poetic feel and puzzle based gameplay, The Last Guardian is looking to be one of our most anticipated titles of 2016.

Minecraft Hololens

The Minecraft Hololens stage demonstration was one of the most impressive things we saw at E3 2015. What was shown was an interactive area of Minecraft displayed onto a table that could be modified in real time. It was one of the most unique displays of VR we've ever seen. You really need to see it to believe it.

Super Mario Maker

Super Mario Maker lets players create and customize their own levels across different Mario styles throughout Nintendo history. The realm of possibility offered by the game alone makes it one of the most charming and captivating showings at E3 2015.

Mirror's Edge: Catalyst

Mirror's Edge: Catalyst is a solid pick for us at E3 2015. Scrapping the linear level design of its predecessor, Mirror's Edge: Catalyst is going full open world. Players can now freely parkhour through the series' signature primary colored totalitarian world to their heart's content. If that doesn't get you excited, then we don't know what will.

Destiny: The Taken King

Destiny's ever expanding universe of content is getting another expansion this year. Previous packs gave us interesting content in the past, but The Taken King is going even further with new subclasses, weapons, and maps. From what we played at E3 2015, we can't wait to sink our teeth into what's in store.

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is a sequel that we've been waiting on for quite some time. It's E3 2015 showings made it clear that its tough turn-based battles and even tougher moral choices are back again. From what we got to play at E3 2015, it looks like the previous game's issues are appearing to be addressed. Regardless, XCOM 2 is looking to show a whole lot of promise.

Added: 19.06.2015 1:25 | 11 views | 0 comments

These are the most exciting, promising games coming out of E3 according to GameSpot's editors, and the ones we're most excited to play more of. When deciding these, our only condition is that gameplay must be shown off--so trailers don't count. Regardless, here's our results.

Star Wars Battlefront

Star Wars Battlefront has been a long time coming for Star Wars game fans, ourselves included. Seeing the new gameplay at E3 2015 depicting famous battle at Hoth was incredibly exciting to see in action. With more historical Star Wars battles promised to be on the way, we certainly can't wait to jump into the game with laser blasters blazing when it launches in November.

Just Cause 3

Just Cause 3 is looking exactly like what you'd expect it to be. But that's part of the appeal. Where else can you play a game where you can blow up military complexes, grapple hook onto active missiles, or fly a jet into the statue of an evil dictator? These reasons among many others are why Just Cause 3 is one of the best games we saw at E3 2015.

Fallout 4

Fallout 4's debut gameplay was finally shown, and we are super looking forward to getting our hands on it. Set in Boston, Massachusetts, the game is filled to the brim with new features, including weapon modification, base building, mod support, and more. If you're fan of RPGs, Fallout 4 is absolutely a game that you need keep an eye on.

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain

Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain still has us very excited. Innovating the franchise with its open world structure, base building mechanics, and emphasis on stealth exploration, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is shaping up to be the best game in the series so far. We seriously can't wait to play it once it launches in September.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

After watching the E3 2015 Rise of the Tomb Raider gameplay, there is no doubt that the game looks absolutely wonderful. Its wintry tundras and ancient tombs complimented by its tense dramatic set-pieces make the game a marvelous display of gaming. Rise of the Tomb Raider had our curiosity at first, but now it certainly has our attention.

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: Wildlands

Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon: WIldlands came as a surprise when it was revealed at the end of the Ubisoft E3 2015 press conference. It takes the series' signature tactical multiplayer gameplay and plants it into an open world setting. It's quite an unexpected move for the series, and this new Ghost Recon has us super intrigued

Halo 5: Guardians

We finally got to check out Halo 5: Guardians at E3 this year, and there's no denying the series' pedigree. The game takes the series' classic gameplay and innovates it with its new cooperative elements and MOBA-like Warzone multiplayer mode. Without a doubt, Halo 5: Guardians is definitely one of our top picks.

Horizon: Zero Dawn

Guerrilla Games' new IP Horizon: Zero Dawn is an open world game that has seized our attention. The game offers a unique aesthetic spin mixing natural world characters with sci-fi robotic creatures. From what was shown at E3, we are very excited to see what more comes of Horizon: Zero Dawn in the coming months.

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End

Uncharted 4: A Thief's End's E3 2015 gameplay once again delivered on the series' non-stop trademark set-pieces. It was a shining example of why Naughty Dog is one of the best developers around at constructing amazing action sequences. Without a doubt, Uncharted 4: A Thief's End was one of the strongest showings this year.

The Last Guardian

Sony's E3 2015 press conference saw the return of The Last Guardian, a game that has been absent from E3 since 2009. And the game looks even more impressive than it did when we first saw it. Featuring Fumito Ueda's signature poetic feel and puzzle based gameplay, The Last Guardian is looking to be one of our most anticipated titles of 2016.

Minecraft Hololens

The Minecraft Hololens stage demonstration was one of the most impressive things we saw at E3 2015. What was shown was an interactive area of Minecraft displayed onto a table that could be modified in real time. It was one of the most unique displays of VR we've ever seen. You really need to see it to believe it.

Super Mario Maker

Super Mario Maker lets players create and customize their own levels across different Mario styles throughout Nintendo history. The realm of possibility offered by the game alone makes it one of the most charming and captivating showings at E3 2015.

Mirror's Edge: Catalyst

Mirror's Edge: Catalyst is a solid pick for us at E3 2015. Scrapping the linear level design of its predecessor, Mirror's Edge: Catalyst is going full open world. Players can now freely parkhour through the series' signature primary colored totalitarian world to their heart's content. If that doesn't get you excited, then we don't know what will.

Destiny: The Taken King

Destiny's ever expanding universe of content is getting another expansion this year. Previous packs gave us interesting content in the past, but The Taken King is going even further with new subclasses, weapons, and maps. From what we played at E3 2015, we can't wait to sink our teeth into what's in store.

XCOM 2

XCOM 2 is a sequel that we've been waiting on for quite some time. It's E3 2015 showings made it clear that its tough turn-based battles and even tougher moral choices are back again. From what we got to play at E3 2015, it looks like the previous game's issues are appearing to be addressed. Regardless, XCOM 2 is looking to show a whole lot of promise.