Ubisoft continued with its laid-back atmosphere as the company’s E3 press conference was hosted, for the fifth time, by Aisha Tyler. The comedian and actress kept the audience entertained while making her way through the slate of games we can expect from the developer in the near future. After an awkward pre-show that was very fan-centric, the conference opened with what looked like a Broadway production – costumed dancers, including several dressed as animals. After it bled into the intro for Just Dance 2017, Ubisoft rolled right on through South Park: Fractured but Whole, Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands, Star Trek: Bridge Crew (a VR experience), Watch Dogs 2, For Honor, updates for The Division, and a new IP titled Steep; which marries action sports with an open-world environment.
The For Honor portion included a significant amount of gameplay footage and sweeping cinematics of massive battles between factions. The game is something that Ubisoft hasn’t always been able to classify, throwing out phrases like “medieval spec-ops,” or a “shooter with swords.” What they have promised, however, is a totally new and unique experience.
For Honor begins with the player choosing their faction from one of three playable classes: Knights (The Legion), Samurai (The Chosen), or Vikings (The Warborn). In what the developers call the “Art of Battle System,” the game gives players full control of their character like no other open world game. Features allow the player to shift their weight or switch weapons and shields from hand to hand. But doing so takes time, which forces players to anticipate their opponents moves in combat, or die trying.
There is a story mode, a dual/split screen co-op mode, and a multiplayer mode. Players fight for resources like water or land for the survival of their faction. According to Ubisoft, the story campaign will “…go into more depth on the three warrior factions, to the causes for the all-out war between them, and the evil leader of the Blackstone Legions, named Apollyon.”
The trailer and gameplay show Vikings overtaking a Samurai stronghold in brutal fashion. Battle axes and katanas clash all while the warriors display some wicked finishing moves. Ubisoft tweaked quite a bit of the game based on feedback from an early closed alpha, and they are confident that the game they have now will have been worth the wait.
Another For Honor Alpha is scheduled to begin later this summer, with the game’s official release date slated for February 14, 2017. Check back with Screen Rant as we stay up-to-date on this long awaited Ubisoft genre buster.
Source: Ubisoft
