Sony - The undisputed leader of the previous generation has certainly lost a step or two going in this time around. Their press conference at E3 was a solid affair, but little in the way of actual software was shown, and many are criticizing the price of the Playstation 3. The big guns from last year's show (Kill zone, Devil May Cry 4, among others) were either altogether absent, or nowhere near the level they appeared last year. The PS3's motion sensitive controller was a pleasant surprise, and there was definitely some killer software on display (including the jaw dropping Assassin's Creed), but the momentum just wasn't there. the relatively passing mention given to Sony's PSP, which, by rights, really should have come into it's own this year was also very disappointing.
Microsoft - With a full year's head start in this generation, the Xbox 360 is really coming into it's own. While Sony and Nintendo focused on new hardware, Microsoft had a solid showing of software. They have done a good job of bolstering the 360's lineup, a diverse selection of amazing looking product, as well as sequels to some of the Xbox's biggest hits (on display were trailers for Fable 2, Forza 2, and of course, Halo 3!). Also of note, Grand Theft Auto 4 will ship simultaneously for Xbox 360 and PS3 in October of next year, definitely good news for Xbox 360 fans!
Nintendo - Word of mouth behind Nintendo's Wii console (stupid name notwithstanding) has been overwhelmingly strong. Nintendo did a great job of showing that, yes, they're all about fun. The Wii still strikes me as more of a curiosity than a "hard core" gaming machine. The software on display was typical of what Nintendo has been doing with the Gamecube and Nintendo DS, which is to say accessible and breezy software built around the gimmick of a motion sensetive controller. The promising sounding Red steel was actually a major let down for me, and graphically the system severely lacks the visual punch of the Microsoft or Sony product. Nintendo seems poised to hit the mainstream, while Microsoft and Sony are sticking with the gamers. Surprises included TWO versions of the new Legend of Zelda title, one for Gamecube and one for Wii, both available on the Wii's launch day, and not much else. Nintendo also had a very strong DS showing on display, which bodes well for fans of the popular handheld.
The game watch - The most promising titles on display at the show that will see release in the not to distant future (we hope!):
Sony
- 8 Days (ps3)
- Heavenly Sword (ps3)
- Warhawk (ps3)
- Resistance: Fall of Man (ps3)
- New Naughty Dog project (rumored to be called Iron and the Maiden) (ps3)
- Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops (PSP)
- Final Fantasy XII (PS2)
- God of War II (PS2)
- Mortal Kombat Armageddon (PS2)
- Valkyerie Profile: Lenneth (PSP)
- Valkyerie Profile 2: Silmeria (PS2)
Microsoft
- Gears of War (xbox360)
- Forza 2 (xbox 360)
- Bioshock (xbox 360)
- Fable 2 (xbox 360)
- Splinter Cell: Double Agent (xbox 360)
- Mass Effect (xbox 360)
- Too Human (xbox 360)
- Lost Planet (xbox 360)
- Dead Rising (xbox 360)
- Mortal Kombat Armageddon (Xbox)
Nintendo
- Legend of Zelda: The Twiglight Princess (Cube, Wii)
- Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass (DS)
- Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin (DS)
- Children of Mana (DS)
- Final Fantasy III (DS)
PC
- Bioshock
- Crysis
Overall, what should have been the biggest E3 of all time wound up disappointing me more than impressing me. I'm disappointed with the seeming lack of drive behind the PS3 from Sony, and the dwindling PSP support. I’m very very disappointed that we didn’t see Killzone for the PS3 (the talk of the show in 2005). I'm disappointed that Nintendo didn't approach the software for their new machine with the same creativity and originality they placed into their hardware, as we just saw more of the same fun, but ultimately shallow sort of experiences we've come to expect on the Ds. I'm also very disappointed that Nintendo didn't nail a release date and price. I'd expect more from both Sony and Nintendo. Ultimately, for the discerning gamer, Microsoft really had the most interesting stuff on display.
I'm particularly saddened by the death of the current generation; The Xbox in particular had a dismal showing. Sony's PS2 remains the strongest of the current crop by a huge margin, though the Gamecube does still have Zelda winding down the pipe sometime this fall.
I must say, both the Halo 3 teaser and Konami's 15 minute look at Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of The Patriots were ultimately the most satisfying experiences of the show, even if both games are a long ways off.
Game of show:
Assassin's Creed by Ubisoft (ps3)
Developed by Ubisoft Montreal's Prince of Persia team, Assassin's Creed lets you take control of an Assassin in the 1100's during the Third Crusade. Venture between three cities in an open ended game world, and murder key targets to even the balance between Christianity and Muslim alike. Daring subject matter wrapped around some incredible looking technology that allows for interaction with crowds of hundreds of people, all with realistic Artificial Intelligence. The sheer amount of innovation present in this title is what "next generation" is all about - it's due out in January for PS3, and will follow by about 6 months for the xbox 360.
Honorable mention:
- Gears of War
- Bioshock
- Resistance: Fall of Man
Dud of the Show:
Shadowrun by Fasa Studios (Xbox 360 / Windows
What was a cult hit RPG on both the Super Nintendo and on the Sega Genesis (two very different games too), and a popular pen and paper RPG since about 1989, has been re-envisioned for the Xbox 360 (and PC) as, a Counter-Strike clone??? What the hell were you guys thinking? And don't get me started on the graphics that look like they came out of 2002.
That's it for this year.
