Among the announcements at the Ubisoft press conference were a Mario mashup, a new beginning, battles on the streets, seas and slopes all capped off with a long, long awaited sequel.
Mario goes Rabbid
First up was Ubisoft’s CEO Yves Guillemot taking to the stage to announce a special collaboration.
Exclusive to Nintendo Switch, Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle will see the Mushroom Kingdom turned on its head with some new arrivals. After a vortex transports the Rabbids, Mario and his friends must work with a team of Rabbids to try and find a way to send the Rabbids home before they tear the Kingdom apart.
For the announcement, Guillemot was joined on stage by Bill Trinen from Nintendo of America along with Nintendo icon Shigeru Miyamoto to discuss how the game came about, and how it will differ from other Mario titles. In addition, producer Xavier Manzares took fans through a gameplay demo, showcasing the game’s turn-based combat system as well as the character roster, weapons and locations players will be able to explore
Mario + Rabbids: Kingdom Battle will be released on Nintendo Switch on August 29. Watch the reveal trailer below.
Assassin Origins
Next onto the stage was Ashraf Ismail, Director of Assassin’s Creed: Origins. Presenting a new gameplay demo, Ismail explained how Ubisoft wanted to mark the franchise’s tenth year with a whole new experience for players.
In the live demo, protagonist Bayek is seen scouting a camp. With help from his eagle, Senu, Bayek is able to map out the layout of the camp, locate its occupants and decide on how best to infiltrate the location. A new trailer also showcased some of the locations players will be able to visit in game – including Giza, the Nile Delta and the oasis of Faiyum.
Assassin’s Creed: Origins will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from October 27. Watch the gameplay demo below.
Join the Crew
Fans got their first look at what they can expect in The Crew 2 in 2018.
A new gameplay trailer was shown at the conference, with Creative Director of Ubisoft Ivory Tower Stephane Belev explaining how the game has grown more expansive and more dynamic. In addition to street racing, players will be able to hone their skills off-road, in the unpredictable waters of the world or even by taking to the skies in a variety of planes.
Players looking to try the game before launch will be able to register for the Crew Rewards program and get access to the beta, which is coming later in the year.
The Crew 2 is scheduled to be released on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC in early 2018. Watch the reveal trailer below.
South Park goes Mobile
Fans of South Park treated to a new trailer for the upcoming The Fractured But Whole and news of a new mobile game.
In the new trailer, the story of The Fractured But Whole is expanded upon, with new characters appearing in their masked personas. The trailer also expanded on the role of the New Kid as they are given an assignment by The Coon to infiltrate another group of heroes who are in the quiet mountain town.
Launching later in the year, South Park: Phone Destroyer will have players doing battle with a plethora of different character types. From clerics to cowboys, cops to Buccaneers, knights to princesses and even angels, players will have no shortage of character options and opponents when the title launches.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole will be release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC on October 17. Watch the latest trailer below.
Coming Soon
Ubisoft previewed some new titles and expansions launching in the coming months:
- Transference – Elijah Wood’s production studio, Spectrevision, joins forces with Ubisoft Montreal’s Fun House for this psychological thriller for VR.
- Just Dance 2018 – this year’s instalment will feature tracks from Jamiroqui, Hyuna and Bebe Rexha, who performed her hit “I Just Wanna Dance With Somebody” live onstage.
- Starlink: Battle for Atlas – this toys-to-life action title will allow players to alter and customise space vessels both physically and digitally when it launches on consoles in 2018.
- Road to the Olympics – the first expansion for Steep will have players heading for the Winter Olympics, with a host of winter sports to compete in at launch in December.
Far Cry 5
Following on from the game’s initial reveal earlier in the month, fans got another look inside the world of Far Cry 5. After the reveal of the “Amazing Grace” trailer, Executive Producer Dan Hay took to the presentation stage to explain more about the story and to introduce some of the characters to be found in Hope County.
As previously revealed, the area has been taken over by the Project at Eden’s Gate, a fanatical cult led by the charismatic Father Joseph Seed, who is assisted in his endeavours by his three siblings Jacob, John and Faith, and players will take on the role of a Junior Sheriff in the County police. The latest trailer showcased some of the allies players will have in their mission to take down the Seed family.
Boomer will be the player’s faithful canine companion, while Grace Armstrong is a Gun for Hire who is seen putting her skills as a sniper to use saving a group of civilians. Offering assistance from the skies will be Nick Rye, a local pilot, and players will also have the option of calling in their fellow players with the co-op option.
Far Cry 5 will be available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC from February 27, 2018. Watch the latest trailers below.
Beyond Good and Evil 2
The final announcement of the presentation was the long awaited unveiling of Beyond Good and Evil 2. Currently in development at Ubisoft Montpellier, Beyond Good and Evil 2 will be a prequel to the 2003 game.
Taking place in the 24th Century, Beyond Good and Evil 2 is set in System 3 – a multi-ethnic society where corporations have assumed control and enslave animal hybrids. Players will join a group of pirates in the prequel, becoming part of a team of heroes fighting for freedom. Taking to the stage to enthusiastic applause, the game’s Director Michel Ansel was joined by Narrative Director Gabrielle Shrager to also announce that fans would be able to register for the Space Monkey Program – which will allow players go get early previews of the game and its content.
Beyond Good and Evil 2 is currently in development for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC. Watch the reveal trailer below.
For more information on all of these announcements, watch the conference in full below
Words by Megan Roxburgh