Well, the Electronics Entertainment Expo (E3) has come and gone this year, and I must say, I was glad to be in attendance. The show truly returned to form, bringing with it the mass attendees, the giant screens in the giant booths, and even the “booth babes.” It was, to say the least, a successful year.

While I was busy working most of the show, I did have a chance to check out some of the awesome upcoming titles we should see by year’s end.  Rather than do my usual wall of text, though, I figured I’d give them to you guys top ten style. Keep in mind, I’m an old-school RPG gamer, so if you’re looking for Beatles: Rockband on my list, you’re looking in the wrong place.

So, without further adue, here’s the stuff that sparked the most excitement out of me at the show:

Runner Up: Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom (Capcom, Wii)

The Awesome: I don’t think ANYONE expected this thing to actually make it over to the states, and the fact that is, short of only ONE character, is nothing short of a miracle. That, or some major cash changing hands in corporate Capcom. I’ve played the import version, and I’ve gotta say, for as awkward as you’d think a fighting game would be with a Wii remote, the control scheme is succinctly mashed into the Wii with startlingly clarifying results. It’s nothing like any other fighting game I’ve played, and that’s refreshing.

The Concerning: It had better sell well, or chances are we’ll never see anything like this happen again. Also, I don’t know how 90% of the anime-based characters are, and I hope I’m in the minority there for their intended audience. Capcom has announced that four new characters will be added, and let’s hope they’re cool.

10. Bayonetta (Sega, PS3, XB360)

The Awesome: Bayonetta is an action game that oozes style and well… action. Taking a page from the Devil May Cry series, you chain combos together all the while executing crazy moves and imbuing yourself with crazy witch powers. I’ve got to say, the game looks fluid. It’s clean, chaotic, and most of all, it just looks fun. Alas, I would be remiss if I didn’t point out to the males out there that the “ass physics” of the protagonist are probably some of the finest ass physics we’ve seen in gaming yet.

The Concerning: The formula is getting old and tired. There was a long dry spell of these 3D, combo heavy hack and slashers, and I’m just not sure Bayonetta is really gonna stand out from the crowd as anything super special. Fun, fluid, yes, but original? Didn’t see that.  But before I’m done, I just wanna say “ass physics” a third time.

9. Assassin’s Creed 2 (Ubisoft, PS3, XB360)

The Awesome: For those that could stomach getting all the way through the incredibly repetitive original title, AC2 promises a far more dynamic and varied experience. It really sounds like Ubisoft listened to the fans on this one, and corrected the mistakes that prevented the original AC from becoming an instant masterpiece. The reconnaissance missions should be more action packed, you can hang-glide, swim, and assassinate fools in new and interesting ways. It’s also set in 1400s Italy, an amazing setting that has already yielded some amazing cutscenes and artwork for the game.

The Concerning: Ubisoft has a reputation for hyping the hell out of their AAA titles only to have them fall short of the mark. See the original AC, or even Prince of Persia 2008. I will invest in AC2, but I don’t think I’m going to be as shocked and amazed by its gameplay as Ubisoft hopes I will be.

8. Metal Gear Solid Peacewalker (Konami, PSP)

The Awesome: What isn’t awesome about the chance to play a new Metal Gear? We can hope the control issues that plagued Portable Ops will be addressed, and that we’re in for another epic ride into the MGS saga, in the shoes of Big Boss. Like him or hate him, it sounds like Hideo Kojima has a major role to play in this title, and his games more than prove that video games are an artform in themselves.

The Concerning: Okay, here’s the thing. Do we actually need another MGS ? So far I’m not convinced that we do. MGS4 wrapped up the series succinctly, with epic moments leading to epic conclusions, and more epic-osity than you can actually fathom. Epic overload, really. I don’t think this chapter in Big Boss’s story really needs to be told, and I hope Kojima will prove me wrong. I’m already not liking the potential direction it’s going though, as the trailer showed several Big Boss characters all on the screen at once. This could be his way of hinting at some cool multiplayer mode , or… it’s his way of saying our heads are gonna be spinning the whole time as he gets on his cloning soapbox… again.

7. Metroid: Other M (Nintendo, Wii)

The Awesome: I spent a whole article on how awesome the Metroid series, is, so I’ll keep this brief – the fact that Metroid is going in a new, action-oriented, perhaps even story driven direction excites me. I like when games break new ground but stay true to their roots at the same time. What I saw of Other M in the trailer looks awesome, action packed, and intense. I’m looking forward to this one.

The Concerning: Like I said, Ninja Team is behind this game, and I’ve got high hopes that they conform to Nintendo’s standard of quality here. They need to  make the game at least somewhat more approachable than the Ninja Gaiden series, which is known for wiping the floors with amateur gamers. That’s not what Metroid is. On the same token, they better keep Samus respectably sexy. She’s hot in that “no touchy” sort of way, and if they try to play up her sex appeal, it just wouldn’t be right. Also what the hell is up with that name?

6. Final Fantasy XIV (Square-Enix, PS3, PC)

The Awesome: A true sequel to Final Fantasy XI, SE’s only true MMO, I am on this game like a flea on a dog. I have faith that SE can take what World of Warcraft does well but make the game more than just a mass-market tool of brand marketing and ridiculousness. They’ve already promised that the game will cater to the casual as well as the hardcore, and contain a fully realized single-player experience – something XI sorely, sorely lacked.

The Concerning: How much is it gonna cost? Are they seriously going to expect us to keep playing XI once this is done? And oh my dear god, how am I going to find the time to fit another MMO in my schedule? In life, I think (most of us) make time for one MMO… and once we walk away, can we really come back?

5. Muramasa: The Demon Blade (Vanillaware, Wii)

The Awesome: What I saw of this spiritual successor to Odin Sphere looked beautiful, even for the technologically saddening Wii. The backgrounds and characters are lovingly rendered in 2D animation, and the attacks don’t seem to be suffering from any of the slowdown that plagued Odin Sphere. Games like this prove that 2D gaming isn’t dead. No matter how expensive it is to make, the work on this one will pay off in spades.

The Concerning: If Ignition Entertainment screws up the localization, I will never forgive them, and my vendetta will probably be strong enough to reach beyond the grave and haunt some fools.

4. Golden Sun (Nintendo, DS)

The Awesome: The sheer fact that it exists is awesome. Golden Sun was a fan favorite RPG back on the Gameboy Advance, and Nintendo has taken their sweet time about bringing it back to the limelight. Not much is known about it, but the protagonist looks a lot like Isaac, and the summons look pretty sweet.

The Concerning: I know that Golden Sun: the Lost Age left off with some unanswered questions, but I don’t remember what they were. I do hope there is some continuity here, though.

3. The Last Guardian (Sony, PS3)

The Awesome: What a beautiful trailer this game has. Featuring some crazy beast that looks to be a mashup of a dragon, a rat, and maybe a lion, the game looks epic in scope and chock full of imagination. The game comes from Team Ico, creators behind Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, two of the most critically acclaimed games to grace the Playstation 2. I’m sure it’s going to be a title to keep our eyes on as more becomes unveiled.

The Concerning: That awesome dragon thing is SO going to die at the end, after we’ve been made to care about it and love it and want to have one in the backyard. I’m calling it here and now!

2. New Super Mario Brothers Wii (Nintendo, Wii)

The Awesome: I think every boy and girl who grew up playing Super Mario Brothers with their friend or sibling, switching off when the other died said to themselves or out loud at some point, “Would it be cool to play this at the same time?” That dream has been realized. NWSMBW is the stuff of legend, with not two, but four players trapsing across the side scrolling landscapes only a Mario game could create. It’s beautiful.

The Concerning: Why do players 3 and 4 BOTH get stuck playing Toad? One’s yellow, one’s blue, sure, but of all the characters in the Mario universe, you had to make them BOTH Toads? I’m guessing the princess is busy being kidnapped, but a Super Mario Brothers 2 style reunion would have been nothing short of awesome. Also, I dislike the fact that when one player dies, the screen locks up for a split second. That can really make or break you if you’re taking a leap of faith, as Mario games often require you to do.

1. Castlevania: Lord of Shadows (Konami, PS3, XB360 ?)

The Awesome: Castlevania finally steps back into the ring to contend with the other AAA titles, a match it lost too many years ago to count. Being developed some dudes in Germany and overseen by Kojima himself, the game looks nothing short of an epic journey accompanied by some of the best whip-slinging moves the series has ever known. The narrator of this new game? Patrick freakin’ Stewart. The game is setting up Castlevania fans for something great, and here’s hoping it doesn’t let us down.

The Concerning: Two main problems here – One, the German team developing the title doesn’t have the best track record. They’ve developed like two other games, and both of them were major flops. Secondly, I don’t think they have any actual knowledge of Castlevania as a series, and the name feels very tacked at this point, as there has been no mention of a Belmont, or even Dracula to spare me my worries. I don’t WANT a reimagining or a reboot of the series as much as I want a true entry into the existing timeline of games. It wouldn’t be that hard, and they better throw us fans a bone. OoOooh, bad pun.

Stumble it!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 1:58 am and is filed under Scott Strichart, events, games. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. Both comments and pings are currently closed.