As a video game nerd, I was quite happy to see that the real E3 was coming back to L.A. this year. There is no better time and place to get all the news on everything in the world of video games. Whether you own a Playstation, an Xbox 360, a Wii, a PC, some sort of hand held device, or even a cel-phone, there is something coming out for everyone. I took the time to watch all of the major keynote speeches by the big three (Microsoft, Nintendo, and Sony), and I came away pretty charged up for what the next couple of years hold for us nerds. No new console announcements this year, but plenty of hardware and software announcements that are going to give a long shelf life to all of this generation's consoles.
Perhaps for me, one of the most exciting things to be announced was a new hybrid camera/motion detection unit from Microsoft, dubbed "Project Natal" for the meantime. It connects to your television, and with built in motion sensors and voice recognition, it is the first device aimed at creating "hands free" gaming. In other words, there will be no controller. Your hands, body, and voice are the new controller. For example, in a car driving game, you would sit in front of the television and simulate the movements of driving, all the way down to the foot pedals and gear shifting. Judging by the early demos, this thing actually has a chance of doing what the designers are hoping it can - breaking the forth wall, and making you genuinely feel like you are in the middle of the action. The implications for this device are far-reaching. In my opinion, if this delivers on all the promises, we could be looking at a Wii-mote killer. More than likely, it won't elevate the 360's sales above the Wii's, but it could definitely usher in an entirely new breed of games in the future. I don't think the developers even fully understand the implications of a device like this. I know one thing though - - if this device delivers even remotely upon its promises, I will be one of the first in line to get one! Can't wait!
Sony is also designing a new motion sensing device, but for some reason, it was neither as groundbreaking as "Project Natal", nor as sleek and simple as a Wii-mote. I'll save my excitement for another time. Sony also announced the PSP-Go, which is just another new iteration of the PSP, and I still can't get excited about it. Being a 34 year old, I don't spend much time with mobile games, and I would rather just have a new ipod touch if I had to spend $250 on a new handlheld. No desire to play Gran Turismo on a handheld, or to collect Resident Evil movies on UMD... sorry. The only other bits of hardware that were inspiring to see were the new Beatles: Rock Band guitars. There's a Rickenbaker 325, a Gretsch Duo Jet, and a Hofner Bass. There are all unbelieveably cool, and I will be picking up at least one (probably the Hofner bass).
As amazing as all of the new hardware looked, it is still the games themselves that dictate the success of a console, and this year, there was absolutely no shortage of amazing games on display. Playable kiosks, behind closed door demos, and jaw dropping trailers were all in abundance, and amongst the hundreds of titles on display, I managed to sort through them all and pick the twelve games that I believe represent the best of what the industry has to offer us in the coming months. Whether it's cutting edge graphics, innovative gameplay, an amazing story, something that looks just plain fun, or everything wrapped up into one package, these are the games that will inevitabley find a place on my shelves in the not too distant future.
1. Uncarted 2: Among Thieves - Sequel to Naughty Dog's 2007 "Uncharted: Drakes Fortune". This one's gonna be huge. A mixture of Tomb Raider and any good first person shooter. This one has the potential to be one of the most cinematic games ever, and carries the feel of a hollywood summer blockbuster. (PS3/Fall 2009)
2. The Last Guardian - From the team that made Ico and Shadow of the Collossus for the PS2 comes the third game in the trilogy. Perhaps the most ridiculously amazing graphics I've ever seen. Looks like it focuses on the relationship between a young boy and his cat-like dragon friend. Don't know what else to say... but I will own it.
3. The Beatles: Rock Band - You've probably heard about this one by now, but the opening cinematic got me excited all over again. Perhaps the best opening cinematic I've ever seen in a video game in all my life.
4. Heavy Rain - Another game that looks more like a movie than a game. Focusing on a murder mystery surrounding 4 main characters, this game looks to push storytelling and graphics to the limits. If Uncharted 2 can be described best as a playable cinematic summer blockbuster, Heavy Rain would best be described as a playable Film Noir. This one has been in development for almost 5 years, and it's coming next spring - only to the PS3.
5. Modern Warfare 2 - The sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. This might possibly be the most intense looking FPS I've ever seen. Snowmobile chases, exploding castles, gunfights in the streets of Rio de Janero... this game looks to trump Modern Warfare in action by a significant level... a feat that doesn't even seem possible after playing through Modern Warfare 1 again. If you've played and enjoyed any other Call of Duty game, this one will find a way into your collection. If it's not Wii Sports Resort, my guess is that this will be the biggest selling game of the year - if not bigger than that.
6. Split Second - I'm not generally into racing games, but who wouldn't love a game where you have the ability to destroy the levels as you are driving around in them. That's the premise of Split Second - a TV game show where drivers race around tracks while avoiding the destruction of the world around them. Imagine racing around the terminal at LAX only to have the entire control tower explode and come crashing down towards you, forcing you to instead race down the actual tarmac while avoiding landing airplanes. Now imagine being able to control that destruction yourself in an attempt to beat your opponent. I love destroying things, so sign me up! Coming early next year.
7. God of War 3 - This one will probably end up being the biggest selling PS3 game yet. Set in mythical Greece, you once again take on the role of the angriest man on Earth - Kratos, as he heads to Mount Olympus to take on the Gods and Zeus himself. With over-the-top action, amazing graphics, and a following of millions, this should be the action game to beat in 2010.
8. Alan Wake - Here's another game that has been in development for at least 5 years. Some people didn't think it would ever come out, but this year's E3 proved everyone wrong. Not only is the game almost complete (it's coming out March 2010), it looks and plays absolutely amazing. Alan Wake is a writer who heads tothe small rural town of Bright falls to end a long slump of writer's block. Slowly but surely, the events in his novel begin manifesting in his real life, and he must set out to find the cause of these events. Dubbed a psychological thriller, this one looks to appeal to adults looking for a story driven game.
9. Brutal Legend - It would be almost impossible not to include a game involving Tim Schaffer, Jack Black, and Heavy Metal. As Eddie Riggs (voiced by Black), you are transported to a parrallel world where you must join up with Ozzy Osborne (voiced by Ozzy himself) and use the power of rock and roll to save the world. If you've ever played a game by Tim Schaffer (you'll need to be an old school Lucasarts fan, unless you were one of the three to play Psychnauts on the Xbox), you know you're in for something special. A great concept, a great developer, a great cast (did I also mention Tim Curry), and great music. Sold.
10. Mass Effect 2 - I played through Mass Effect. and when I was finished, I felt as if I had just finished a 1000+ page novel. The storyline, characters, and dialogue system were leap years ahead of any other RPG out there at the time, even if the action portions felt a bit repetitious and underdeveloped at times. Let's not even mention the elevator loading screens. Well, two years later, it looks like Bioware has made the "Empire Strikes Back" of RPG sequels - darker, bigger, and sporting an entirely re-vamped action system. Any quips we had with the first game seem to be resolved - and then some. Many critics considered this the game of E3 this year.
11. Halo 3: ODST - A new Halo game. Made by bungie. New multiplayer maps. Enough said. Yeah, it may not be the most original game coming out (it still carries the Halo 3 title), but Bungie's track record with first person shooters practically guarantees that this game will sell a bazillion copies. 4 Player Co-op, as well as the addition of two new weapons (including the original Halo's pistol) should help convince anyone who was thinking they have had all the Halo they can stand.
12. Scribblenauts - Perhaps the first portable game to receive numerous "Best in Show" accolades from various game critics. The premise is simple - A side-scrolling platform game where you play Max - a character who is simply trying to make his way through the game's 220 levels. Max can literally "summon" any object by merely writing it on the bottom screen. When I say any object, I mean anything. The game's develepers spent 6 months researching words, and when the game is released, you will be able to summon over 10,000 objects, each with it's own unique properties. Unicorns? Check. Waffle Iron? Check. God? Check. People at E3 tried to stump the computer, but 99 times out of 100, whatever was written on the bottom screen was instantly conjured in the game in the screen above. I can't even begin to imagine to implications for the game, but I know it's one of the few DS games that will make it into this 34 year old's library. Awesome stuff.
There are quite a few notable runner-ups that I would like to mention as well: Final Fantasy XIII (360 & PS3), Splinter Cell: Conviction (360 & PS3), New Super Mario Brothers Wii, Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii), Metroid - Other M (Wii), Assassins Creed 2 (360 & PS3), Halo: Reach (360), and Zelda: Spirit Tracks (DS). Also, a super special shout-out to The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition - a remake of one of my favorite PC games of all time (see above picture).
Oh... and one final prediction - Wii Sports Resort will sell approximately a trillion units, and Nintendo will own part of Japan by 2011.
Until next time!
