It’s that time of year once again, the UK’s biggest gaming event is back. After being hosted at Birmingham’s NEC for the last few years, 2019 marks EGX’s return to London, namely at the ExCel arena. EGX 2019 runs from 17th – 20th October this year and will have over 250 games playable on their impressive show floor. Whether you are heading there yourself, as I am, or are simply curious to peek at upcoming releases, here are the 5 biggest games playable at the show this year.
5. Borderlands 3
I know it was released just over a month ago, however Borderlands 3 will surely draw the crowds in due to how high anticipation for the third game in the series was.
This is actually the fifth game in the overall series, thanks to Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel and Tales from the Borderlands.
There are four new vault hunters to play as this time round, and for the first time players can venture to new worlds beyond Pandora. The game reviewed favourably overall and EGX provides an opportunity for gamers to try before they buy. Chances are, if you’re a fan of the series you won’t be disappointed with Borderlands 3.
4. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot
I’ve always been fond of Dragon Ball Z and remember rumours of an MMORPG being in the works a fair few years back. Sadly, that project never came to fruition.
However, Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot looks to be weaving in RPG elements to break up the fighting this time round, which is intriguing to say the least.
The game also promises to expand on the established story from the anime and answer “burning questions” in the process. Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot looks fantastic, essentially just like a playable version of the anime.
The game releases on January 17th 2020.
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
Despite not remotely being a Call of Duty fan, I can appreciate there are many that are.
Infinity Ward are back with their “soft reboot” of the Modern Warfare string of Call of Duty games, 12 years after the original was released. Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare was extremely well received by critics and players alike back in 2007, so it’s fair to say fans are very excited for its successor.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is described as having a gritty and realistic storyline, which is linked across all modes. There’s not long to wait either as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare will be released on October 25th.
2. Marvel’s Avengers
I remember when I first saw footage of this game shown at E3 2019 at Square Enix’s conference. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was very excited.
Dropping not too long after the incredibly hyped Avengers: Endgame had a record smashing run in cinemas, it’s safe to say this game has the potential to be huge.
Marvel’s Avengers is an official Marvel game, but not connected to the films of the same name. Instead, we see our heroes targeted on “A-Day” by unknown forces causing destruction on a mass scale, and five years later superheroes are outlawed. However, after uncovering a conspiracy the Avengers must once again team up to save the world. The game will boast a huge roster of characters from the universe in an all new storyline.
This is definitely one to watch, and is scheduled to arrive on May 15th 2020.
1. DOOM Eternal
Well, it had to be really.
I was lucky enough to play DOOM Eternal at QuakeCon back in July and absolutely loved it. It’s shaping up to be even more impressive than its predecessor which did a fantastic job of rebooting the franchise.
The single player campaign feels bigger and more badass than ever, and there is a brand new “Battlemode” which promises to bring the same action to multiplayer. There will also be an “Invasion” mode where players can join the single player campaigns of others, fighting against them as demons. It’s all sounding like a, er hem, hell of a lot of fun to me.
Sadly, it has recently been announced that DOOM Eternal has been delayed until March 2020. While this is most likely necessary to ensure the game is totally ready for launch, it has now moved into a very busy release window. With other games such as Final Fantasy VII Remake, Watch Dogs Legion and Animal Crossing: New Horizons launching in the same month, it could turn out to be a very risky move indeed.
If it wasn’t already, DOOM Eternal is now definitely the biggest game to play at EGX 2019.
And there you have it. EGX once again looks set to deliver the best chance for gamers to play upcoming AAA releases, and a few that are already out now. See you in the queues!
