Instead of waiting until E3 to show off their latest games and breaking news, Konami decided to hold a live stream pre-E3 press conference. In the show, we found out about several new games coming from the company, as well as who will be stepping into the role of Snake for the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 5.
Konami discussed their latest edition of Pro Evolution Soccer. PES 14 will feature a variety of upgrades to make the game more realistic. This includes a new game engine that will change the way player act depending on a variety of factors, such as if they are playing at home or away. PES 14 will also allow players to control dribbling the ball with the analog stick, and even control where passes land using this feature. With FIFA 14 as competition, it will be interesting to see which soccer game fans and critic choose.
Konami also announced new information on Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 alongside a fresh trailer. The sequel will take place in a modern city, with a more open world for players to explore. This change of setting may help reinvigorate the series, and move it into new territory, outside of Catlevania's comfort zone of medieval castles.
The final piece of news during the presentation was the announcement that agent Jack Bauer himself will be filling the role of Snake in the upcoming Metal Gear Solid 5. Kiefer Sutherland will be filling the role of another iconic super spy, who was chosen based on his ability to show more subdued performances, while expressing themselves more with facial expressions and tone. Series creator Hideo Kojima also mentioned that he intends to take Metal Gear Solid 5 will be a much more subdued than previous games in the series, as well as having a darker, more emotional story.
Overall, Konami had a pretty solid pre E3 conference, but questions still linger about Metal Gear Solid 5's split into Ground Zeroes and The Phantom Pain. Are they two separate full games, or is Ground Zeroes a digital prequel to The Phantom Pain? Time will tell.