EA E3 2011 Press Conference

Yup, it's the whole darn thing warts and all, so pull up a chair and grab a nice cold drink if you haven't seen it yet. I'm buried under news, trailers and assorted updates, but who isn't? Off to NOT raise some hell and look at more games - back later...

Wii U: Nintendo Changes The Game (AGAIN)

Well, who DIDN'T think they weren't going to blow minds at today's conference? Showing off the new controller while not babbling about the console's tech specs (or showing the console itself) was an excellent move that baffled some editor-types and online posters. YES, the unseen actual system does HD 1080p graphics and based on the slick teaser videos and live announcements, we'll be seeing the same SKUS on the PS3 and 360 for some key upcoming titles with Wii U functionality.

I like the HUD moved to the tablet idea (more real estate on your TV screen for game action) in some titles, the sketchpad (yes!) and other cool things. Sure, the console's price point (and additional tablet controllers) will be the wallet kicker for most folks, but we won't get that information until sometime next year, I'm thinking. I'm sure it's not going to be cheap, but Nintendo has a way with showing tech that has many consumers more than eager to pay up. Cue Miyamoto saying "ITEM GET!", a live orchestra playing some Zelda music and people reaching for their wallets.

EA jumping on board so strongly is a big plus for sports fans (and maybe Dead Space 2 is headed to the console along with Mass Effect at some point) and seeing Ken Levine's eyes twinkle means I bet there's a Big Daddy or three coming to Nintendo's new system at some point. As well as a LOT of other stuff to appease the hardcore, Nintendo die-hards and others. Skeptics beware... this is going to get REALLY interesting as developers start peeling back the covers on their Wii U projects over the coming months...

More later - I've got some more games to see...

Random E3 Thoughts...

Yeah, yeah, some of these are goofy or short enough to be tweets, but I'm old school (and low tech, as I'm still a poor bastard). In no particular order: AND after the jump, hah!

E3 Day 1 - Sony: Apologia et Vita (or Something Like That)

Sony's press conference was exactly how I thought it would be in terms of tone, but that's a good thing. No Kevin Butler this year to joke it up with the crowd. a lot of announcements, a lot of exclusives, a re-naming of the NGP and even more solid-looking games for the new handheld. Jack Tretton was almost sheepish in laying out Sony's apology to gamers and publishers who've been suffering with all this hacking nonsense since April. But after the frowny times for a minute or two, things got rolling with plenty of first-party power.

E3 Day 1 - Microsoft: Surprises and No Surprises Balance It Out...

So far, so good, I suppose. Microsoft kicked off the day with a pretty cool conference that revealed a much stronger focus on Kinect that in this writer's opinion, should have been last year's approach. Sure, 10 million plus units were shifted at retail since the launch, but many "core" gamers have ignored the peripheral for a few reasons (most of them based on misconceptions). Microsoft set out to change that big time and seems to have succeeded thanks to integrating Kinect functionality into nearly everything they showed off. More precise Kinect functionality (for the most part).

Some Quick Thoughts on "Transfarring"

OK, so we all know Hideo Kojima is a genius. My question is: why the heck didn't Sony think of this idea when the PSP was initially launched? As soon as I heard they were doing a portable unit, one of my top wishlist items was the ability to either link PS2/PS3 content to the unit for on the go action or have new games where portable versions had data that could be transferred back and forth between consoles. Anyway, now that "Transfarring" is not only a reality, but a new "word" gamers worldwide will be speaking whenever they hit the road with a Sony handheld, let's hope it's adopted by as many developers as possible as soon as possible.

Oh, and ANY sort of data transfer system NEEDS to be offline enabled as well just in case the PSN hacks never stop rolling out on a regular basis. Just a thought...

Dark Souls Collector's Edition Makes Me Do A Double Take

...along with a half-assed backflip (I'm SO out of shape). In case you didn't hear the news, both the standard and "limited" editions of the game are the SAME price. Interesting, considering the trend of charging MORE for that extra stuff by most other publishers. I hope this is the beginning of a new deal for gamers, particularly in an economy that's still quite lousy for many.

Here's a quick clip from the press release:

The Dark Souls Collector’s Edition can be pre-ordered for $59.99, the same price as the standard edition while supplies last, and will include a limited edition art book containing premium illustrations of characters and environments from the game, a mini-strategy guidebook, behind-the-scenes videos from the development studio detailing various stages of game concept, design and building, and the game’s soundtrack for digital download. All of this will come packaged with the standard edition game in a custom-designed metal case.

In the words of the great philosophers: They got my money already. Of course, you might want to stock up on foam bricks to throw at the TV, a few boxes of Kleenex for those crying jags and a pillow to bite down on hard when the game kicks your butt all over the room, but that's all optional.

E3 2011: El Shaddai Gets July 26 Release Date, More Lovely Screens

Looking at UTV/Ignition's upcoming El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron in screenshots, concept art and wallpapers these past months has been like walking through a museum made of dreams (and a few wicked nightmares), but seeing the game in motion makes things click a bit more into reality. Of course, I'm one of those cranky, crusty old-schoolers that doesn't believe EVERY game needs to be 110% innovative in EVERY area to be pure fun. Therefore, even if it turns out to be a straightforward third-person experience, the outstandingly bizarre visuals go a long way in carrying the rest of the game. Granted, the overall narrative is certainly groundbreaking in terms of subject matter and how it's been translated from a "That might not be a good game idea" chunk of religious text to "Holy Hell on a stick, I really NEED to play this just to see how the story turns out!" slice of current-gen awesomeness. July 26, 2011 is the release date - let's just call this an instant classic in the making for now and leave it at that.

Konami's Pre-E3 Video Is Brilliant Stuff

Absolutely one of the best and funniest presentations I've seen, Konami provided a pre-E3 showing that was informative and innovative while showing off a number of upcoming titles. I'm absolutely grabbing that Metal Gear Solid HD collection, the Silent Hill HD collection, NeverDead and a few other games. Kojima's got a great sense of humor as you'll see, but his "Transfarring" idea is one of the best uses of PSp/NGP and PS3 connectivity to date. Amusingly enough, I'd thought of this when the PSP was announced, but I don't make games. Still, why Sony didn't do this (or think of it) is a bit odd. Nevertheless, it's a phenomenal idea I can see other publishers jumping on, particularly in this day and age of people whining about games being too short or not getting enough value out of that sixty bucks. Anyway, go watch the video and enjoy the cool surprise at the end...

Tomb Raider Trailer Has Lara All Wet and Dirty

Lovely. I'd say Crystal Dynamics has done it up right (again), although any gal gamers out there expecting to see a mid to late 30's Lara Croft doing her thing this time out might be a wee bit disappointed. Still, relaunching the franchise with the younger Lara does indeed allow for the dev team to get all new moves, new characters and new environments into the mix. As long as it doesn't take a full clip to kill some guard trying to beat her head in with a club or a bulletproof monkey, this one should be a smash. Square Enix surely knew what it was doing with that Eidos merger. Between this, the new Hitman and Deus Ex: HR, it's going to be a HUGE year for them, I predict...

PrE3: Sega Lineup Packed With Aliens, Hedgehogs & Other Warm, Fuzzy Stuff...

Yeah, yeah, Thor wasn't all that hot (except for the DS version, which rocked in an solid, reliable old-school way - go WayForward!), but let's move on, shall we? It looks as if Sega has a pretty smoking 2011-2012 lineup, as you'll see from the long list below the jump.

PrE3: Bethesda: RAGE & Prey 2 Trailers

Yes, they both look amazing so far and yes, they're both quite different in terms of what they bring to the VERY crowded FPS market. And yes, I'm planning on sinking a lot of time into both at some point. Someone STILL needs to make a damn time machine so we can actually play EVERYTHING that's coming out...

PrE3: Paramount Digital Announces Star Trek For 2012 Launch

"Deflectors full intensity!" A single screenshot launches a thousand plus internet posts on whether or not this one will be a proper reboot. Without looking at any of them (man, those flames are hot) I predict most of the Trek purists will hate it, the gamer-first crowd will be intrigued and William Shatner will probably tweet and bleat about wanting in on a cut of the profits. All kidding aside, if the game manages to capture half the excitement of the J.J. Abrams reboot, it'll probably be a hit. Let's hope that developers Digital Extremes, Bad Robot and everyone else exceed all expectations low and high.

ICO/Shadow of the Colossus Classics Trailer

Nostalgia usually means your head is about to be kicked in the ass by wistful memories of something that wasn't so great, but in this case, it's absolutely fantastic to see these two gems coming back for a new generation of gamers (including too many that never actually owned either game). The HD and optional 3D are fantastic, the soundtracks are perfection and that mix of hand-animation and superb gameplay will keep these in your collection for quite some time. Hell, I still own both originals and definitely plan to snap up this collection once it's out at retail.

XCOM E3 Trailer: 2K Australia Needs A Little More Respect!

There's a LOT of hate for this game and that's too bad. I'm a longtime huge fan of the PC original (and some of the sequels and clones such as the UFO Afterlight series), but I'm also a bigger fan of developers that take chances with well-known series that haven't had new entries created in quite a while. So, props to 2K Australia for tackling this and fingers crossed that it's not only NOT another by the numbers FPS experience, but a game that defies the more vocal criticism and becomes a modern classic in the vein of the Half-Life series. Remember, some gamers were pissing in that pond until they actually played it...

Trailer has been moved to the M-blog HERE.

Dark Souls E3 Trailer: Lovely, Deadly And I Want Two Copies Of The Game...

I absolutely LOVED Demon's Souls, as it was the culmination of what I feel FromSoftware wanted to do with its mighty King's Field and Shadow Tower games back on the original PlayStation and PS2. This not so-sequel is improved in every way, looks grim, terrifying and is pure hard-core, old-school eat your powdered bones with blood fantastic from what I'm hearing. I expect death to stalk my every step and I'll love every minute of it (when I'm not threatening my PS3... AND Xbox 360, as I fully intend to play this through on both consoles. The art direction here is phenomenal, that music is depressingly perfect and overall, i can see this as a Game of the Year contender in my book. Now, about that OTOGI reboot, From...

Square Enix' E3 Lineup: From Assassins to Zombies, You're Covered Quite Well...

With a determined focus toward publishing more varied games developed around the world as well as keeping its core JRPG franchises alive and well, Square Enix is really pushing "content" this year. In other words, they have more than enough content to keep core gamers VERY content, indeed. Their E3 2011 lineup is pretty amazing overall, featuring a few types of RPG's, sequels that mean something (thanks to a reboot or two) as well as an all-new IP that's been on everyone's radar from its first mind-blowing backward spooling trailer. Full press release below the jump.

Alice: Madness Returns Launch Trailer

June 14th is the big day we go down the rabbit hole once again... I can't wait to see how Spicy Horse has done with their twisted tale. PS3, Xbox 360 and PC, folks... Flip a coin, pop a red or blue pill and get ready for a return to this surreal nightmare of a game world.

NGP In Action: Uncharted: Golden Abyss & Wipeout 2048 Will Be System Sellers For Sure

Sony KNOWS good and well that its current and upcoming first-party teams and titles are rock solid (even SOCOM got back on gamers' good sides the part 4) and seeing these videos made me want a NGP yesterday and another today just to hand out to some poor naysayer suffering from a bad case of system bias. E3 is going to be REALLY interesting as more titles are revealed (along with any plans for cross-connectivity with the PS3). Go, Sony!

Aliens: Colonial Marines Trailer Delivers The Goods (Mostly)...

Hmmm... let's see now - an Alien game by the folks who brought you Half-Life on the PS2, Brothers in Arms, Borderlands and Duke Nukem Forever (among other things)? I smell a hit, but you'll all need to keep sniffing that air until Spring 2012 when Sega ships this out. Gearbox is on a roll, that's for sure...