Trailer bonanza
This year I have mostly been following excellent GameTrailers stream - all the information from E3, with only slight delay (and they use remixed jingle from Lumines, don't think I didn't catch that!). Let's start chronologically, with Microsoft conference. I don't have Xbox360 and I don't really care about the games on the system, but I watched the stream nevertheless and here are my thoughts:
Mass Effect 3
I got bored by Mass Effect 1 (despite having made my mirror image in it), so I was rather indifferent - until I saw the video which showcases how Kincet can be used to catch voice commands. What's so impressive about it? Well, for one, player can actually choose Sheppard's responses by reading the lines from the screen and secondly, they can give squad orders by shouting in front of their console. Seriously: advance, fall back, fire! Immersion level goes throught the roof, it is like physically being there. I didn't expect myself to say that about Kinect - but it was incredible.
Tomb Rider
A very stylish debut trailer that was shown a few days back did restore my faith into the reboot, but E3 video showing actual gameplay solidified this. I am now officially looking forward to this game.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Skyrim got me sold on it the moment I watched the trailer that contained the music that had tones and melody from both Oblivion and Morrowind. Tear of nostalgia, feeling of coming back to fantasy reality I have known and long forgotten. Now, having watched some gameplay, I think it is going to be better than Oblivion and might even be on par with Morrowind. I love the trick with assiging two hands to shoulder buttons, allowing for dual swords wielding or powerful two-handed spells - it is a simple patent, but noone thought about it earlier.
I have already written that I want PSVita aka Next Generation Portable. After seeing Sony show, I stand by that opinion. Price point seems reasonable: 250EEUR for Wi-Fi version is okay, especially when compared to Nintendo 3DS. There are mentions of crossplay with PS3 (Wipeout), continuing PS3 game on PSV (Ruin), backwards PSP compatibility (wonder how GoW looks on this?). Frankly, how can you not love it?
Announced games:
Wipeout 2048 - selling point for me, love Wipeout series (trailer).
Uncharted: Golden Abyss - I am not that much of Uncharted fan, but it looks great.
Little Big Planet - as happiness-inducing as always.
Oddworld Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath - I still didn't have time to buy Oddbox.
Super Stardust Delta - brilliant shooter, loved PS3 and PSP versions.
Little Big Planet - hapiness-inducing as always.
Blaz Blue - neat beat'em up.
Ruin - Diablo-like dungeon crawler that looks rather pretty.
Bioshock Vita - not sure what it is exactly, but come on, Bioshock Portable!
Dragon Crown - Golden Axe / Dungeons & Dragons beat'em up clone with sweet 2D graphics.
Not strictly E3, but somewhat Xbox360 related, apparently there are signs that Limbo is coming to Steam. Would love to see that happen!
Ubisoft announced that there will be no Beyond Good & Evil 2 before next generation of consoles - but maybe they mean PSVita? It is next-gen after all, right?
Desktop Dungeons gets a proper standalone version for Mac and PC, as our ever-vigilant Gnome swiftly informed us (and IndieGames blog, too). You can play the E3 demo online for next three days, too.
Not bad for one day, eh? I don't know if other days can top this first one.
This year I have mostly been following excellent GameTrailers stream - all the information from E3, with only slight delay (and they use remixed jingle from Lumines, don't think I didn't catch that!). Let's start chronologically, with Microsoft conference. I don't have Xbox360 and I don't really care about the games on the system, but I watched the stream nevertheless and here are my thoughts:
Mass Effect 3I got bored by Mass Effect 1 (despite having made my mirror image in it), so I was rather indifferent - until I saw the video which showcases how Kincet can be used to catch voice commands. What's so impressive about it? Well, for one, player can actually choose Sheppard's responses by reading the lines from the screen and secondly, they can give squad orders by shouting in front of their console. Seriously: advance, fall back, fire! Immersion level goes throught the roof, it is like physically being there. I didn't expect myself to say that about Kinect - but it was incredible.
Tomb RiderA very stylish debut trailer that was shown a few days back did restore my faith into the reboot, but E3 video showing actual gameplay solidified this. I am now officially looking forward to this game.
The Elder Scrolls V: SkyrimSkyrim got me sold on it the moment I watched the trailer that contained the music that had tones and melody from both Oblivion and Morrowind. Tear of nostalgia, feeling of coming back to fantasy reality I have known and long forgotten. Now, having watched some gameplay, I think it is going to be better than Oblivion and might even be on par with Morrowind. I love the trick with assiging two hands to shoulder buttons, allowing for dual swords wielding or powerful two-handed spells - it is a simple patent, but noone thought about it earlier.
Sony Conference
I have already written that I want PSVita aka Next Generation Portable. After seeing Sony show, I stand by that opinion. Price point seems reasonable: 250EEUR for Wi-Fi version is okay, especially when compared to Nintendo 3DS. There are mentions of crossplay with PS3 (Wipeout), continuing PS3 game on PSV (Ruin), backwards PSP compatibility (wonder how GoW looks on this?). Frankly, how can you not love it?
Announced games:
Wipeout 2048 - selling point for me, love Wipeout series (trailer).
Uncharted: Golden Abyss - I am not that much of Uncharted fan, but it looks great.
Little Big Planet - as happiness-inducing as always.
Oddworld Munch's Oddysee and Stranger's Wrath - I still didn't have time to buy Oddbox.
Super Stardust Delta - brilliant shooter, loved PS3 and PSP versions.
Little Big Planet - hapiness-inducing as always.
Blaz Blue - neat beat'em up.
Ruin - Diablo-like dungeon crawler that looks rather pretty.
Bioshock Vita - not sure what it is exactly, but come on, Bioshock Portable!
Dragon Crown - Golden Axe / Dungeons & Dragons beat'em up clone with sweet 2D graphics.
Other various news
Not strictly E3, but somewhat Xbox360 related, apparently there are signs that Limbo is coming to Steam. Would love to see that happen!
Ubisoft announced that there will be no Beyond Good & Evil 2 before next generation of consoles - but maybe they mean PSVita? It is next-gen after all, right?
Desktop Dungeons gets a proper standalone version for Mac and PC, as our ever-vigilant Gnome swiftly informed us (and IndieGames blog, too). You can play the E3 demo online for next three days, too.
Not bad for one day, eh? I don't know if other days can top this first one.
