This year’s E3 conference gave gamers plenty to talk about, both in terms of this fall's big releases and a few titles still off in the distance. However, some developers went beyond general details about their games or providing quick trailers, and showed gamers their titles in action with gameplay demos. These are the moments every gamer looks forward to at E3.
We asked our writers what their favorite gameplay moments were from E3 and compiled the below list of the best ones we saw. There were no-doubt plenty more great gameplay demos, and we encourage our readers to share their favorites in the comment section.
Here’s our list of top 10 gameplay demos from E3 2015:
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The Last Guardian
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At long last, gamers finally got their first glimpse of The Last Guardian. While some gamers were convinced the game would spend a life in development hell, others knew in their hearts they would finally get the game. The gameplay for The Last Guardian was very simple, showing a young boy take on near-impossible obstacles with the help of his giant dog-like guardian.
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Star Wars Battlefront
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After EA first announced they were releasing a new Star Wars Battlefront game, gamers were begging for gameplay videos. These gamers were not left disappointed when EA finally showed off the first bit of gameplay during their E3 press conference, giving Star Wars fans a taste of the action.
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Next: An Unexpected Surprise from Guerrilla
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Horizon Zero Dawn
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During Sony’s press conference developer Guerrilla Games showed off their new IP, Horizon Zero Dawn, in which a female hero takes on mechanical beasts with a bow and arrow. While the gameplay wasn’t very detailed, it was definitely enough to whet the appetite of PlayStation gamers and get them excited for more information to come soon.
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Rise of the Tomb Raider
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After the success of 2013’s Tomb Raider reboot, it seemed only a matter of time until Square Enix announced a sequel, which they did last year with Rise of the Tomb Raider. However, it wasn’t until the most recent E3 that the game publisher decided to provide a little gameplay, and it was everything gamers were hoping for.
Based on the video, it looks like gamers can once again expect a fun, gritty story starring Lara Croft, as she ventures through harsh, sometimes violent Siberian Tundra in an effort to discover the key to eternal life.
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Uncharted 4: A Thief's End
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It looks like the tales of Nathan Drake are finally coming to a close with Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End. And based on the gameplay from E3, it seems Drake will be going out with a bang. If the above gameplay is anything like the final game, then PlayStation 4 gamers are in for a real treat. Uncharted 4 looks beautiful, with dynamic environments and characters.
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Next: Impressive Gameplay from a Top Tier Developer
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Fallout 4
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Without a doubt, Fallout 4 was one of the most anticipated - if not the most anticipated - game at E3, and developer Bethesda surprised everyone when they announced Fallout 4 would be releasing in just a few months for PC and current-gen consoles.
The gameplay video for Fallout 4 gave gamers plenty to talk about with just a few minutes of content. Everything from how players can change the appearance of their character to how players will interact with their in-game pet.
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Ghost Recon: Wildlands
In a surprising move, Ubisoft announced a new Ghost Recon video game at the end of their press conference, with a fun and exciting gameplay video. During the video, Ubisoft showed players the plethora of ways they can work together in completing missions and taking down bad guys.
As the video shows, gamers can be tactical, aggressive, or stealthy - whatever fits their desires at the time. It also seems Ubisoft is taking a slightly new approach to Ghost Recon: Wildlands than it has to previous Ghost Recon games, but it also looks like the changes will be for the good of the franchise.
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Halo 5
Many gamers got a feel for Halo 5 when 343 Industries conducted their multiplayer beta earlier this year. However, it wasn’t until E3 that gamers got to see Halo 5’s campaign in action.
As with other sequels shown at E3, Halo 5 looks and feels a lot like its predecessors, albeit with better graphics and a new, exciting story. There’s no doubt Halo 5 will be a strong seller among Xbox One owners.
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Next Page: The Moment We Were All Waiting For
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Black Ops 3
For almost a decade, Call of Duty has led the first person shooter space, releasing a new game every year. This year’s Call of Duty is Black Ops 3, the sequel to highly-acclaimed Black Ops 2.
With a new Call of Duty game every year, each one needs to have fresh extras that help is stand out from its predecessors. Black Ops 3 will let gamers play the campaign together co-op style, and will provide a fresh current-gen look with updated graphics.
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Kingdom Hearts 3
Finally, we have Kingdom Hearts 3, one of the most highly-anticipated upcoming games, though there is not yet a release date for the game.
However, despite the lack of a release date, Square Enix showed Kingdom Hearts 3 in action during E3, giving players a glimpse of the game’s updated graphics and fighting mechanics. The trailer received mixed reviews, with some gamers claiming it looked very last-gen, while others praised the updated look. It’ll be interesting to see the final result when the game releases.
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Other Great Gameplay Demos
Do you have a favorite gameplay demo from this year’s E3 conference? Let us know your favorites in the comments below.