It’s hard to believe it’s over already but it’s June 5th and that means it’s that E3 has come and gone. This year’s E3 has been one of the best I’ve covered in recent years. As I wrote three days ago, I think that Sony has won E3. But, this isn’t about the companies, this is about the games. So that’s what I’m focusing on this time. But, of course, I can’t cover everything. There’s been way too much shown, so instead I’m just going to cover the games that really stood out to me (and are on PS3, it’s a PlayStation website after all).
The first game that really got my attention was Assassin’s Creed II (which is why the picture is it’s cover). What really just floored me was the trailer (available below). I’ve never seen a trailer that looked so good. But, as was obvious, it was pre-rendered. Because of the trailer I was already in high spirits about the game when I saw it demoed, live, at Sony’s Press Conference.
In simple terms, the demo looked great. It really appears to have done what any good sequel should. Take the aspects that the original thrived on and expand upon them. Thankfully, the main problem of the first game, repetitiveness has been fixed. With over 50 mission types you won’t have to repeat the same five anymore. Ubisoft Montreal also seem to be putting a lot of work into making the assassinations different. With things like the DaVinci flying machine, a unique element is added to each assassination, so you’re not just doing the same thing over and over again. The game has also received a notable graphics update. It’s definitely one of the best looking games of E3.
The second standout of E3 for me has to be Uncharted 2: Among Thieves. Seeing that demo at the Sony press conference really blew me away, especially at the end when the building collapsed with Drake inside it. Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was popular for one reason, it was the best looking game on any console at the time, and held that crown right up until Metal Gear Solid 4. And I’m happy to say that Uncharted 2: Among Thieves doesn’t leave anything to be desired. This game looks amazing, it really lives up to the graphical expectations left by it’s predecessor. The visuals are crisp, the set pieces are amazing and the draw distance is awe inspiring. Looking out off a balcony over the city can really take one’s breathe away.
The amazing personalities and great story are also back with Drake being the same wise cracking smart ass as he was in the first game. Elena and Sully are also back along with a few new characters. Most notably the fiery Aussie, Chloe Frazier. One of Drake’s former love interests there’s definitely potential for some great interaction between her, Elena and Drake.
Uncharted 2 also features multiplayer which I’ve logged extensive hours playing over the past few days and I give it a big thumbs up (expect a full impressions article later on). Uncharted 2: Among Thieves is definitely a potential game of the year candidate and I can’t wait to get my hands on it, definitely one of the best games shown at E3 this year.
My third E3 standout is, ironically, the next game that was demoed at the Sony press conference. Despite the rather poor press reception it has been getting I’ve been really impressed by MAG: Massive Action Game. Obviously, the big thing that impressed me immediately is the scale. 256 players in one map is truly something to marvel at. What’s even better is the command structure that’s been implemented by Zipper to keep it from breaking down into a full on multiplayer apocalypse. The squad dynamic is an excellent way to keep the game organized and out of chaos. MAG can best be described as a first person Socom game expanded 100 times over. The HUD looks good, the controls seem solid and intuitive, and the weapons behave great.
However, it isn’t the game that is intriguing about MAG to me. MAG: Massive Action Game is being called a first person shooter MMO and for good reason. MAG isn’t like Halo. If you try to run into a crowded room like Rambo you’re going to die and the game isn’t going to work. MAG is very much an FPS MMORPG. The gameplay is about role playing. You have to play like a real soldier would work. You have roles and jobs and you have to do those jobs or else the game just doesn’t live up to what it could be. Also, everything in the game is done by other players. You call in some helicopter support, there are other players in that helicopter.
It’s really the potential of this game that impresses me. It has a lot of potential and it’ll be interesting to see if it can live up to it’s potential. Although it’s not the big sure thing that the other standouts are, it still impressed me a lot.
So those are the three big standouts of E3 for me. There are so many great games that were shown it’s really hard to just pick a few. If I had more time I’d write about them all, but I don’t so I’ll have to leave you with those three.
