Now Loading...E3 2015 High and Low Points - Final Fantasy 7 Remake, Battlefront Gameplay

In our last Now Loading, we discussed what our E3 2015 predictions and expectations were. Well, the big reveals are done, so the staff decided it’s safe to weigh in on what went down during the first few days of E3.

Instead of comparing each press conference and grading it (that’s coming tomorrow), we’ve written down the high and low points of E3 2015. Spoiler warning: most of us didn’t particularly like EA’s E3 2015 presser.

What are the high and low points of E3 2015 for you? Don’t forget to check out our E3 hub for our news, features and previews slowly trickling out all throughout the week.

Now Loading is a recurring staff-driven feature where PlayStation LifeStyle discusses anything video game-related under the sun (yes, even non-Sony platforms).

Essential Reading:

Now Loading Highs and Lows E3 2015

Now Loading E3 2015 High and Low Points
Alex Co

@excaliburps

This is definitely one of the better E3s I've seen the past few years. Microsoft and Sony didn't mess around with sales data, social and other stuff this time around. Nope, both of them got around to games, games, and more games.

I was impressed with Microsoft's presser with the Xbox 360 backwards compatibility announcement, Gears of War 4, and the HoloLens (provided it can live up to its demo) Seriously need to buy an Xbox One soon, I think.

Ubisoft surprised me with For Honor. It gave me some of that "Bushido Blade" vibe and who wouldn't want more Bushido Blade, right?

Sony, of course, stole the damn thing with one megaton after another. Shenmue III? Yep. The Last Guardian? Yessir! Final Fantasy VII Remake? Damn!

However, it wasn't all positives. Sony basically confirmed that the big PS4 game this year is the Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection, which is OK, but definitely not enough to hold off Microsoft's holiday games barrage.

Lastly, while EA managed to bore a ton of people (including me) with its EA presser, the publisher did redeem itself a bit with Star Wars Battlefront. Up to now, I can't believe that what we've seen is PS4 gameplay. It looked very close to the reveal trailer that everyone said can't be done on now-gen consoles.

E3 2015 one of the best E3s in history when it comes to games? Very arguable.
Mark Labbe

@markymark255

It was a great E3 all around. Microsoft really wowed me with their demonstration of the HoloLens, and their game line-up is impressive. Likewise, Sony had a great game line-up, and the Uncharted 4 gameplay footage was amazing. Nintendo, on the other hand, had a fairly underwhelming E3 presentation, but their Muppet opener was pretty fantastic.
Zarmena Khan

@Zarmena

I think both Sony and Microsoft pressers were strong this year. The introduction of backward compatibility is really tempting me to pick an Xbox One up myself.

Sony, on the other hand, delivered exactly what fans had been asking for in terms of software (Final Fantasy VII Remake, Shenmue 3, and The Last Guardian), although my personal favorite moment was the unveiling of Horizon Zero: Dawn. The game looks really promising.

The company that really stole the show for me, however, was Bethesda because I liked everything they had on offer. However, I really hope that EA is going to take some time out to take notes and understand how a press conference is done. I understand that sports titles sell well, and I have no problem with them being shown off, but the way EA conducts its conferences put me (and thousands of others) to sleep.
Mack Ashworth

@GamingWithMack

After the Microsoft conference I went ahead and picked up an Xbox One. It was a stellar performance by the Xbox team, and they finally gave me a reason to buy. Halo 5 looked fantastic, Rise of the Tomb Raider was intense, and the HoloLens completely blew me away.

Sony also pulled out all the stops, with The Last Guardian, the Final Fantasy VII Remake, and Shenmue 3 hitting hard. Seeing new IPs like Firewatch and Horizon: Zero Dawn looking so promising reassured me that, while the PS Vita was sadly ignored, at least the PlayStation 4 has some monster titles coming its way soon.

EA didn't impress me at all this year, with its conference focusing far too much on sports and mobile games. Not even "Hoop Gawd" could get me hyped about NBA Live 16...

E3 2015 was the best E3 yet.
Stephen Bitto

@MrXDurden

Best E3 ever! From Star Wars Battlefront to South Park: The Fractured But Whole to Fallout 4 to Kingdom Hearts 3, all of the third-parties brought worthwhile content for their fans. Even the competition, Microsoft, had a fantastic conference adding great value to the Xbox One.

As great as all that was, Sony blew the whole conference up with the Final Fantasy VII Remake reveal. I literally was kicking my girlfriend on the couch in excitement as I began to realize what the trailer was for. Can't wait to relive the game that changed storytelling for me.

Console gaming isn't only alive and well but it is bursting at the seams. Keep it coming.
Heath Hindman

@TheHeathHindman

The Sony E3 press conference made me like E3 again. For years I had been rolling my eyes at it, having fallen out of love some time ago.

Sony walkmaned, er, walked in and gave us the marriage counseling, the make-up, and the second honeymoon, all in under two hours. I'm still buzzing. I've never felt this strongly about a single E3, let alone a single conference.