Now that the show is over and everyone's gone home, I've done my research and I'm here to talk about what I thought of some key announcements and games that were shown at E3. Well I wasn't at the show, thanks to the marvel of the internet, you can basically be given a pass to the show with all the sites, blogs, and videos that maintain near constant updates over the course of the show, which is great for those of us who simply live too far away, or don't blog for a big enough website to be invited. Anyhow, I'm sure you're all more interested in what I have to say in that article than you are to hear me rant, so without further ado let's get started.
AnnouncementsThere were a number of announcements at this year's show, some great and some...well, it's entirely a matter of opinion, but here are my thoughts.
Left 4 Dead 2Announced by Valve for the PC and Xbox 360, I'm sure that everyone is excited to get a hold of this sequel to last year's Left 4 Dead. New features added to the game include a new set of survivors, five new campaign levels, the addition of melee weapons, a few new types of special infected, and an improved AI director. While the new features will be appreciated, particularly the new campaigns, I can't help but feel that most, if not all of these new features, could've simply been added to the game through updates or sold as downloadable content. Valve had promised more content for the original game, outside of the recently released Survival Pack, but apparently plans for additional downloadable content were scrapped in favor of the sequel. In my opinion, in less the game features some gameplay changes outside of the aforementioned additions for the game, I just can't see myself dropping the $60 for this game when it's released in the fall. Left 4 Dead just seems like one of those games where a sequel just won't change the formula enough to buy a new version on a yearly basis, so I think that Valve may have dropped the ball on this one, but I guess we'll see as we approach the game's November 17th release date.
Perfect DarkWhile not talked about at their Media Briefing, it was announced that an Xbox Live Arcade port of the original Perfect Dark will be coming this winter. While there wasn't much information available at the show, we do know the port will feature improved graphics, online multiplayer for up to four players, leader boards, and support for 1080p. The port of the game is being handled by 4J Studios, who were also responsible for porting the two Banjo Kazooie titles to XBLA. This is something I've been looking forward to since Rare first teased it's existence a few weeks ago. I enjoyed the original Perfect Dark and I'm sure I'll enjoy playing it again on my Xbox 360.
Castlevania: Lords of ShadowAnnounced on the last day of E3, we got a look at Konami's first Castlevania game for the Xbox 360 and PS3. Developed by Mercury Steam (Scrapland, Clive Barker's Jericho) and Kojima Productions. The game follows Gabriel, a member of the Brotherhood of Light, who's mission is to protect the innocent from supernatural forces. The trailer showed some impressive visuals, though it is currently unknown whether the trailer featured actual gameplay or just pre-rendered cutscenes. The trailer was narrated by Patrick Stewart and the game is currently slated for 2010 release. This is a game I'm on the fence about, while I am a fan of the series, I have heard some very mixed opinions about the 3D Castlevania games. I'm sure I'll check it out, but it's still a long way off and I'm sure we'll learn more about it between none and the time the game is released.
Golden Sun DSThe third game in the Golden Sun series and the first since Golden Sun: The Lost Age was released in 2003. The game will take place in Wayard, just as the previous titles in the series did. The game will put the players in control of the decendants of the previous games heroes. The game will feature a mixture of 2D and 3D graphics and is currently set for a 2010 release. This announcement didn't really mean much to me when I heard it, having never played the previous Golden Suns, it just wasn't that big a deal to me. However, being a fan of RPGs, I'm sure it will make it's way into my DS eventually, but not before I track down and play the first two games in the series.
New Super Mario Bros. WiiConceived as a way to bring the traditional Mario gameplay to multiple players simultaneously, New Super Mario Bros. Wii will feature many gameplay elements from 2006's New Super Mario Bros. The demo and screenshots available at E3 featured players controlling Mario, Luigi, and two Toads as they made their way through a traditional side scrolling Mario stage. Not being a Wii owner myself, I just can't really get excited for this game. Sure it looks like it'd be fun, and I'm sure I'd want to play it, but I would've rather seen a sequel released on the DS than the Wii, but maybe that's just me.
Playstation Portable GoThe new version of Sony's PSP, this updated system features 16 GB internal flash memory, a slightly smaller screen, no UMD drive, and bluetooth compatibility. It is currently slated for an October 1st release in the US and Europe and will carry a price tag of $249.99. This was something I was excited about prior to the show. I though the idea of the PSP Go was interesting, though I wasn't entirely sold on the all digital content, as I prefer to own a physical copy of a game unless that is not an option. While this model will likely feature longer battery life than the existing PSP, I just can't justify the price tag for it, especially since I could buy a PSP-3000 and two or three games for what this unit costs alone. My other issue is with no UMD drive and no way to rent or demo games before buying them, you're simply stuck with a game even if you don't like it. I personally buy a lot of used games, mostly as a way to save money, but with this system that just isn't possible. I am aware that part of the reason for an all digital platform is due to the used game industry, but that's just something the video game industry is going to have to deal with, of course, that is a rant better suited for another article.
Final Fantasy XIVAfter showing off a new extended trailer for Final Fantasy XIII, I was very excited to hear Jack Tretton say that they also had a trailer for Final Fantasy XIV. As the trailer rolled on, I was excited to see that it seems Final Fantasy was going to go back to a more fantasy setting, similar to that in the older games in the series. At the end of the trailer I noticed the word "Online" under the title and my excitement turned into disappointment. Don't get me wrong, I played and enjoyed Final Fantasy XI, but I just don't feel that another numbered entry n the series should be an online game. The game is being targeted at a more casual audience, will be more party oriented, and will also feature a new battle system, different from that used in Final Fantasy XI. I'm sure I'll end up playing this at some point, it was still just disappointing to see that we won't see another single player entry until Final Fantasy XV. The game is currently slated to release for PC and PS3 in 2010.
Kingdom Hearts 358/2 DaysWhile not technically a new announcement, the game did receive a North American release date at the show. Taking place between Chain of Memories and Kingdom Hearts II, this game will focus on Roxas and tell the players his story leading up to the beginning of Kingdom Hearts II. Gameplay will be similar to that of the two PS2 Kingdom Hearts games and will also feature a cooperative multiplayer game mode. This is the only DS game showed off at Nintendo's E3 presser that I'm actually excited for. Being a fan of the series, I'm looking forward to playing this game, although I'm surprised there was no mention of Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep at the Sony conference, especially given all the PSP hype Sony was trying to build at the show.
This is getting a little on the long side, so I'll be breaking this article into two parts. Look for the second part early next week as I still have a few titles that I'd like to talk about. As always feel free to comment and let me know if you agree, disagree, or just think I'm crazy. Until next time guys.
