RJ Writing Ink

6 Things I’m Looking Forward to at E3 2019

My fellow gamers, the most important time of the year is upon us. The Electronics Entertainment Expo, or E3, begins next week. Of course, that’s only when its open to the public. The days before are what everyone pays attention to. It’s when gaming companies hold their press conferences and announce new games.

As a huge gamer myself, I will be looking at the E3 Press conferences very close. With that in mind, here are the six things that I’m looking forward to seeing at E3 2019. Did I mention that its the 25th E3?

Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order

After EA managed to burn Star Wars fans with the disaster that was Battlefront II, people were mad. Some even wanted Disney to take away the right to make Star Wars games. Yet despite this, EA is still making Star Wars games.

When Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was announced, I made a promise to myself that I would not pre-order the game. As big a Star Wars fan as I am, I may not buy it altogether if it looks bad.

That said, I’m willing to give EA a chance to redeem itself. Star Wars Jedi will likely get a lot of attention at EA’s press conference, so they have to make this count. If they don’t, I hope Disney takes away their Star Wars privileges.

The Redemption of Bethesda

I saw Bethesda’s reveal of Fallout 76 last year; I remember how few people clapped for it. Since then, faith in Bethesda’s taken a nose dive: Fallout 76 was a bad game, but failing to give the people who pre-ordered the canvas bags what they paid for? That’s wrong, plain and simple. I haven’t even played 76 since it came out.

I like Bethesda, I think they’re an amazing studio and they make some good games. It’s why I’m so disappointed in them. If they want to win back the trust of gamers, they need to pull out all the stops. I want to see more news on Wolfenstein: Youngblood, and I want to see a real Fallout game. I want to see Bethesda at their best!

Final Fantasy VII

For years now, Square Enix has been promising gamers a remake of the popular Final Fantasy VII. Yet, Square Enix has been very vague on details such as when its coming out, how long will it be, and more. Now that Kingdom Hearts III is out, I say that Square Enix has no more excuses to stall on the game. I want to see something about Final Fantasy VII.

I was too young to play the game when it first came out, but I have heard nothing but praise about it. Heck, I love Team Four Star’s abridged series for the game! I want to see some news about this.

Square Enix Avengers Game

Speaking of Square Enix, another game I’m looking forward is their Avengers project. Earlier this year, the company announced a multi-game deal with Marvel, leading to obviously high levels of hype. With love for superheroes and Marvel at an all-time high thanks to Avengers: Endgame, whatever they announce about this future game will be a highlight of E3.

I, for one, am going to look forward to seeing what happens.

The Next Assassin’s Creed Game

I’ve been a fan of Assassin’s Creed for years now. It speaks to both the gamer and the history geek inside of me, so it kills two birds with one stone. Then came the disappointment that was Assassin’s Creed: Unity. The perfect setting, the perfect setup, but they still failed. Since then my passion for the series has cooled. I haven’t even played my copy of Odyssey yet.

Ubisoft will likely be making an annoucement about the next AC game at their press conference this year. Having had my passion cool for the games in that time, this may end up being what decides if I stay with it or let it go. If I’m being honest, I don’t want it to take place in the Viking’s era that much.

Fire Emblem: Three Houses

Fire Emblem is still a thing in the west, right? Good, because I’ve loved the series since Fire Emblem: Awakening. Around a year or so ago, Nintendo announced that the next game in the series would be moving to the Nintendo Switch. Titled Fire Emblem: Three Houses, the game sees players become a teacher at an academy that teaches the next generation of leaders for the three dominant nations on your continent. That’s all I know about it, though.

The game’s coming out next month, and I intend to get it for the Switch. With the release date so close, I would be happy to see some more details to keep me satiated until then. Plus, I want to know if the romance mechanic is still in effect. Shippers need to have their fuel!

Agree with my picks? What are you looking forward to?

*The following was originally published on FANDOM. Due to the FANDOM Contributor Program being shut down, it has been copied and moved to my blog. Thank you!

Ask anyone who’s played it, and they’ll say that one of the best games for the Nintendo 3DS is Fire Emblem: Awakening. Released in 2012, the game’s received praise for its storyline and the depth of its characters. Most notable about the characters is the in-game mechanic known as the support system. This allows players to build bonds between characters that can even lead to marriage.

The marriage system gives rise to a lot of shipping amongst fans of Fire Emblem: Awakening. While providing the children characters good stats is essential, it doesn’t decide shipping. In fact, based on their support talks, these six are among the sweetest ships in Fire Emblem: Awakening.

CHROM AND SUMIA

Sumia’s introduced early in the game as part of the Shepherds, but she is prone to being quite clumsy. Meanwhile, Chrom is the leader of the Shepherds and eventual Exalt of Ylisse. While the game makes Chrom marry one of the Shepherds women after Chapter 11, Sumia is the first choice by default. Ignoring the gameplay mechanics, Chrom and Sumia do make a good couple.

In her first appearance, Sumia’s hinted to have feelings for Chrom, given how nervous she acts in front of him. As she grows more confident in the game’s first half, she becomes someone Chrom can depend both in and out of battle. By their supports end, Chrom admits that he sees Sumia as a source of personal strength, which is why he fell for her. This mutual bond can lead to their eventual marriage and is what makes this ship so sweet.

GAIUS AND MARIBELLE

These two may come from different backgrounds, but there is prior history between this noble and thief. Their conversations reveal Gaius had framed Maribelle’s father for false charges. Her dad may have avoided execution, but Maribelle remains angry at Gaius for his actions. What’s great about this couple, though, is that shows the heart of gold Gaius has within him.

It turns out, Gaius got blackmailed by a group of nobles to accuse her father in exchange for her life. Maribelle forgives him when she learns the truth, but Gaius feels guilty regardless. Seeing the good heart lying behind his thieving can lead to Maribelle to fall for him, while he can fall for her. Together, these two make for an unusual but sweet pair in the vein of Han Solo and Princess Leia.

HENRY AND OLIVIA

Olivia is one of the shyest members of the Shepherds, while Henry is outgoing and a little crazy. Given their different personalities, a romance between them seems as mad as Henry. Yet it works because Olivia comes to see that, despite his smile, Henry had a pretty rough past. Being abandoned by parents and living at a neglectful magic school can do that to someone, after all.

Olivia makes it her mission to teach Henry to feel real emotions, but Henry thinks she’s crazy to do so. Regardless, Henry does learn a little from Olivia about what it means to smile, and the two grow closer as a result. In return, Olivia comes to appreciate the dark mage for his odd behavior, which can lead to marriage. Together, they somehow make this ship work out, weirdness and all.

LON’QU AND PANNE

Lon’qu and Panne have a lot in common with each other. Both of them bear the wounds of a tragic past: Panne lost her people, while Lon’qu lost a childhood friend. Their trauma has made each into loners, with Lon’qu afraid of women, and Panne distrusting of humans. Finally, both have great skill at hunting and tracking, with Lon’qu even able to track Panne.

Given their similarities, it would seem natural for these two to get paired together as a couple. At first, Panne’s irritated by Lon’qu’s refusal to come near her, taking it as a hatred for her species. Once he reveals the nightmares he has over his friend’s death, she feels sympathetic. She later admits that she, too, suffers from nightmares — in her case, of mankind wiping out her people.

A great way to overcome pain from one’s past is to meet someone who understands your pain. Lon’qu and Panne both suffered in their childhoods, making them know each other’s pain. By talking to each other, they help heal the scars of their past, and that leads to lasting love and marriage. They give each other a chance for a better future and are thus happier as a couple.

ROBIN AND LISSA

As the Avatar character, Robin can marry anyone of the opposite gender in the Shepherds. This makes for a lot of shipping, but male Robin with Lissa stands out as particularly noteworthy.

From the start of the game, Lissa seems the most interested in Robin, being the first to want to help him when he’s found. This interest only grows, as out of the Shepherds, she’s the most impressed with his talents. This leads Lissa to desire to spend more time with Robin by pulling pranks, leading to funny moments.

Despite her pranking, Robin grows to love her spirit and loyalty, leading her love to be mutual. This leads to one of the best S-ranked supports in the entire game. Robin’s blushing as he confesses his feelings, followed by Lissa’s tears of joy, is adorable. This makes for the kind of passionate scene fans live for, and, as an added bonus, it means Chrom and Robin are brothers!