Showing posts with label E3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label E3. Show all posts
E3 2011 - Nintendo Recap
I feel as though Nintendo outshone its competitors this year. Beginning with a celebration of the 25th Anniversary of Zelda and rounding out with the announcement of the first new console since 2006 I think the future certainly holds high hopes for Nintendo to reclaim some of their hardcore gamer audience.
- Firstly, the new console is titled the 'Wii-U'. Perhaps a very ridiculous name, but it builds upon the existing brand which Nintendo have developed strongly. The console is essentially the Wii 2.5 - featuring HD output (finally!) which has already encouraged developers such as Ubisoft to jump on board promising Assassin Creed titles. The physical look is a streamlined Wii (which must lie down), backwards compatible with all Wii products (including Wiimotes etc). No longer providing Gamecube support and following a similar memory system the Wii-U offers alot of promise. The major development revolves around the unique controller which features a 6.2" touchscreen. This works in companion to games such as Zelda, displaying your inventory in a similar way that the DS does. The ultimate feature of this controller is the ability to switch all gameplay to the screen, without the need of a tv. This is especially important to families with children and a single tv - the parents can still watch tv and the kids can still play their games without one getting in the way of the other. Some aren't excited by the controller but the only issue that I can see with it is the lack of real analogue sticks and the potential pricing.
- With a new console comes a slew of announcements for new titles. For some reason their was alot of suprise for a new Smash Bros Wii-U title. I cannot understand why. Super Smash Bros has been a stable pillar of Nintendo since the N64 - both the Gamecube and Wii featuring Smash Bros as close-to release titles. Super Smash Bros Melee was the highest selling title for the Gamecube.
- Luigi's Mansion 2 debuted gameplay footage. As did a slew of 3DS titles including Starfox 64 3DS, Resident Evil: Revelations and Super Mario 3DS.
- Whilst there was no announcements regarding any plans for Zelda Anniversary packs (such as Mario had last year) but Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword debuted more gameplay footage which certainly impressed. The first game to feature an adult Link as well as a unique art style. I am hoping that it will be akin to Windwaker in its approach to a new style of gameplay.
E3 2011 - Microsoft Recap
Microsoft's panel delivered some major announcements which was unfortunately hampered by their insistence on shoving Kinect down our throats. There was a mix of expected announcements as well as some unexpected ones;
- Halo, Halo and more Halo. That was one major player in Microsoft's panel (as it has always been). For the first time in years Master Chief was back at the head of the franchise after a few absent years. Halo Combat Evolved: Anniversary was detailed and thankfully delivered a faithful update to the now 10 year old classic. It will be released in November, exactly 10 years after it originally blew our collective minds. The game makes use of the Halo: Reach engine (thankfully) and from what we have seen/heard is essentially the same game with updated graphics. There is also A Monkey Island-esque feature allowing you to shift back to the original graphics. The only downside to the release is the lack of the original mutliplayer but we are provided with 7 'classic' maps as a compromise. I am hoping that Sidewinder is featured, then I'll be set! The other announcement was Halo 4 - the first in a new trilogy featuring Master Chief and Cortana once again.
- Microsoft desperately wants hardcore gamers to love Kinect, featuring a game developed by Crytek as a key example of what is possible. Also featured Star Wars Kinect which failed to impress (unfortunately).
- The biggest showcase of the year was the final chapter of Gears of War, which continues to deliver. Hopefully after the game is released Epic Games will move on and apply their expertise to something new. Personally I would like to see a medieval Gears-styled game.
- Other games showcased included Mass Effect 3 (with Kinect support) as well as many cross-platformers.
E3 2011 - Sony Recap
E3 came and went this year. It didn't seem as memorable as past years, perhaps due to some lackluster conferences from the major players. Sony spent alot of their panel apologising for the recent PSN hack. Not just apologising once mind you, over and over. Regardless, a quick recap of their major announcements;
- Further gameplay from Uncharted 3 was exhibited, detailing a rather spectacular sinking ship level.
- The announcement of the Playstation Vita - the follow up to the PSP. With a 5" front touch screen panel, a rear panel as well as full sized analogue sticks.
- Perhaps the biggest announcement was Sony's new 3D splitscreen-less tv targeted at multiplayer. As you probably know 3D glasses are polarised to see two separate images (for each eye) to generate the 3D effect. This tv allows you for the same approach but to see 2 different images with different glasses. Essentially - Player 1s glasses display what would have occupied the top half of a split-screen, Player 2s the bottom. But unlike current setups with the screen split in half the player will see their gameplay in full screen, unable to see their opponents screen. Sounds confusing I know, but apparently it works great.
- Many other games were detailed, alot of which were cross-platformers which I'll probably post about later.
E3 Buzz - Microsoft.
This year's E3 is almost up on us and it appears that Microsoft is teasing those lucky media attendees with hints at what they will be unveiling on June 6. What we could surmise from the invite is that Microsoft shall be giving us some more Gears of War 3 footage, something more on Arkham City and here's hoping something far more developed in regards to Star Wars Kinect.
There is also expected to be something more in regards to the new Tomb Raider and finally there are hints of a Halo-related announcement. There are countless rumours that surround the future of the Halo franchise, which surely this announcement will address. Whether it be the HD remake of Halo: Combat Evolved or a new Halo title featuring Master Chief??
We'll see.
Fifteen*5
Yeah that's right. You saw what you saw! Space battles in Halo: Reach. I was suprised when this appeared in the Halo: Reach E3 2010 Trailer. Stands to reason that Bungie would pull out something magestic (more so than what had already been announced/released) for their 'final' Halo game. Can't wait.
I will be doing a full E3 post once it's complete.
Conviction
Being a long time Splinter Cell fan I must say that when I saw that Ubisoft had finally released more about the 5th Splinter Cell game at E3 this year I felt a bit nervous. Splinter Cell 5 is a game that was soon to be released back in 2007 and not much has been heard about the game since then, but now after seeing the E3 footage my Splinter Cell love and anticipation levels are back and kicking.
The alterations made to the way the game is played (speeding everything up) is a glorious addition especially when combined with the new interrogation technique. I must admit the old somewhat antiquated method of interrogating in Splinter Cell got old fast and was no more exciting than holding someone still a slightly chocking them to get information. BORING. But now there’s a whole environment to play with and the gameplay footage of the interrogation in the bathroom reminded me very fondly of the opening scenes of Casino Royale. Speeding the gameplay up is that little trick that will make the game vastly different, just as the addition of the knife in Splinter Cell 3 opened up a whole new way of disposing of enemies, navigating through the levels (cutting through curtains etc) and picking locks and the introduction of daytime levels in Splinter Cell 4 forced you to think more about hiding in plain sight I imagine this new ‘upgrade’ will vastly change the way the game is played.
I just watched Starship Troopers just to see Micheal Ironside and hear his glorious voice, nothing gets you in the Splinter Cell mood like that. So very excited. XD
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