With E3 now drawing to a close there has been quite a few note worthy announcements that has included some ready well known hardware (yes, I’m looking at Sony’s PSP Go! there) as well as some surprises such as the two new Metal Gear games, that shows that in this day and age of an inter networked world companies can still hold back on some of their ware to catch their customers of guard.
Looking at this year’s E3, at least in this humble journalist’s opinion, has been one of greater merit than many of the previous events. So let’s start off but looking at the event as a whole. Of course this is the first year that E3 is pretty much back to its normal blockbuster self, after the last two year’s expos largely being small affairs. This, of course, is the best news for gamers as it does mean that we will get all the big gaming news now instead of in September at TGS. E3 has always been the big trade show for the Games Industry and that was really shown with the change of the show in 2007, although some of the slack was picked by the other trade shows like the afore mentioned TGS and Leipzig they just didn’t manage to put on the show as well as LA can.
So as I said, this year really was a brilliant show. The best for me out of the “Big Three’s” Press Conferences at the show has to be Sony followed very closely by Microsoft, just for the shear amount that was there for their consoles. Unfortunately I felt that Nintendo’s conference lacked their normal touch and to me seemed very bland, which is a shame as there are quite a few titles to look out for on Nintendo’s platforms over the coming months as I’m sure most of you know, especially with the DSi's store working so well. But really for me Sony stole the show really, the announcement of a redesigned PSP (PSP Go!) was completely expected but looking at the console it could be a bit of a winner for Sony but only if they get the pricing and give the console some way of playing previously bought UMD games otherwise they risk losing a massive back catalogue. Also the announcement of a new MGS was something that really got me going as MGS: Portable Ops was and still is one of my favourite games on Sony’s portable platform.
There was but one thing that overshadowed all of the other announcements at was at Microsoft conference and once again MGS related with MGS: Rising. Which to me, even though there was no footage of anything other than Raiden if handled correctly could add a new angle to the style of MGS. I say if it is handled correctly as rumour has it at the moment Koj will not be onboard for this one, so it’s a bit up in the air still one to watch though. Finally there are two other games that I have earmarked for greatness this year, one a platform exclusive and the other a multiplatform but both look excellent. The exclusive is Ratchet and Clank, which if it plays anything like Tools of Destruction will be a sure fire winner of Sony. The other multiplatform game is Assassin’s Creed 2, if Ubisoft have really listened to the critics and reviewers of the first game and refined the gameplay then Assassin’s could well be a massive contender for Game of the Year.
That's it for my little roundup of this year's E3. You've had my top five games to come out of this year's event but now the floor is out to you guys out there. What is your favourite titles from this year? Is there something that you believe to be a Game of the Year contender? Who was the best conference in your opinion? Post your views below in the comment box.
10 Responses to “E3 2009: (That Inevitable) Opinion piece” Leave a reply ›
The Uncharted 2 demo was the highlight of the show for me. There have never been draw distances that amazing in a game before, and it looks like a true evolution of the series. After playing the multi-player beta today, I think it could be a real contender for Game of the Year.
I felt that Nintendo's conference was actually their best in years, in the fact there were actually some welcome surprises and games that appeal to the hardcore. Sony had the best showing, but Microsoft was very close behind. A great E3 all around though, with all three companies having great games.
Have to disagree with you slightly there. I'd say as far as press conferences go; Microsoft won hands down. At the end of the day, the best conference is the one that gets the most people talking, and it's safe to say that Microsoft achieved just that.
Not only did they bring out Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr. They also call out Steven Spielberg to talk about (the most talked about part of E3 09) Project Natal. It's hard to say whether all this promise will come to fruition, but if what they say works... does work, then they are really taking the next step to controller free gaming.
I think the game of the show for me was probably Splinter Cell: Conviction. It came totally out of the blue, and looks like they're really going in the right direction with this new game. Mass Effect 2 had the best trailer to come out of E3, seriously looks like a kick ass game.
Props to Sony though, they probably had the most impressive software lineup of the show. Uncharted 2 looks absolutely beautiful, and MAG looks really really impressive.
I'm glad Nintendo took note of how terrible their previous E3 presentations have been recently and kind of addressed that. Super Mario Bros. looks like awesome fun, and I'm glad to hear they're making another Super Mario Galaxy 2, as the first one was really enjoyable. My only dissappointment though, is no real news on a new Zelda game. It's very unlike Ninty to release two major Mario 64 esque games on one console, so I was kinda hoping for a Zelda announcement. Seeing as there hasn't really been a true Wii Zelda game, as Twilight Princess was basically a Gamecube game with Wii motion controls.
All in all though, the best E3 in a long time. Great article Alec.
Is your name actually James Harris? lawl
I've been posting on the same topics for the past few weeks.
Anyway you've seemed to read my mind or your pretending to be me.
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I agree with your sentiment that Nintendo have been left miles behind this E3, but I'm going to have to agree with James - Microsoft won outright. PROJECT NATAL - how could that fail to be the star of the whole show for you? The eyetoy is back. And, as James said, they had the Beatles.
Otherwise, great article and great E3
To be fair to Sony though, Beatles Rock Band is multiplatform. But MS wins the award for most flashy conference.
Oh, and the new Splinter Cell looks awesome!
I do agree that Microsoft come out with a interesting new project. But for me it is always the software lineup. I know alot of things are multis but I don't use my consoles for much else but gaming. Maybe on PS3 looking on the Net but other than that I use them for games. Maybe I'm missing out on things, but games make the console.
And thanks for the support James :D Drinks soo mate? (sorry off topic)
Interesting
Sounds like a plan Alec. And yes other James Harris... I am called James Harris haha. Small world eh?