As always, gifts from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony just before the E3 conference, their large press conferences. Psimonk was in Los Angeles when all three are present and barrel are pressing together.
Every year after the E3 there is among journalists, a discussion about who is the E3 ‘won’. A wonderful nonsensical discussion where I, the undersigned, would like to do. If you only to sales numbers and revenue looks at is Nintendo, of course, lord and meerster the last few years, but in terms of prestige and impact – and that is the debate – the struggle is mostly between Microsoft and Sony. Advance buzzed the following questions:
1) Does Nintendo still have a little bit of the real gamers?
2) Will there be a new PSP and Sony, the price cut announce?
3) What Microsoft is going to hell show, the company has also a wireless controller in store and is a portable gaming device?
I let Microsoft’s presentation starts. The presentation was strong, well-constructed and diverse. If you during your conference, Ringo Star, Paul McCartney, Yoko Ono and Steven Spielberg on your stage, create your impression, especially in America. Of course, it is a pr stunt, but the fact that the big names were there, was strong and convincing.
Than the games of Microsoft; Crackdown 2 and Left 4 Dead 2 were pleasant surprises. Forza III is an amazing racer; Xbox Live-an arcade game by Epic, Shadow Complex, is more fun than you might think, and Splinter Cell Conviction is according to many, is definitely one of the games of the show. Smart asset so Microsoft that this is exclusive to the Xbox 360. That there is now a Metal Gear Solid game to the 360, and Final Fantasy XIII (which we already knew but what was re-emphasized), indicates that more and more Japanese topontwikkelaars in the Xbox 360 camp feel like home.
Biggest surprise was Project Natal. Away with the traditional controller: the gamer is the controller. A device that you are under or above your tv place and that your actions, face, body and voice to recognize, and therefore no controller is necessary anymore. You simply create the movement in the game fits. The technique is revolutionary, and goes even further than the Wii controller, but it should still further be developed, in my opinion. Especially the ‘verfact’ was downright clownish and I thought seriously that Microsoft is here, a joke was making. Fun with paint fling on a virtual verfbord, but the accuracy was far to seek. When Peter Molyneux, however, a techdemo of interaction with a little boy showed up, the hall was reasonably quiet. The emotional interaction was impressive, but the extent to which such natural communication with a virtual person in a game can deliver, remains to be seen. But well, Project Natals possibilities are enormous.
Than Sony. Advance was the info about the PSP Go already painful drained but ultimately it is of course, a very slick device. This is really a handheld. I have this week, Gran Turismo on PSP GO played, and that felt wonderful. However, it was mainly the PS3 games that everyone and everything wegbliezen. Uncharted 2, God of War III, Final Fantasy XIII and Final Fantasy XIV, MAG (256 players online at the same time the creators of the original SOCOM , the new Ratchet & Clank, Heavy Rain, and perhaps the most beautiful game I have ever seen; The Last Guardian.
Of course many of the games that Sony showed, are coming only in 2010. But mother, dear, what a splendor. Especially The Last Guardian made me a great impression. It is a spiritual successor of the two previous games of the same creators: the culthit ICO combined with the grandeur of Shadow of the Colossus. The graphically-stunning, emotionally-charged game tells the story of a child who is a legendary mythical figure meet. Caught in a forbidden fortress is there, but a road to freedom: they must learn to trust it. The combination of the images, the music and the fairy-tale atmosphere made me almost a couple of tears wegpinken. And yes, Sony also comes with wireless controllers and that seem, in some cases, however, the Wii MotionPlus capabilities to transcend. I saw a lot of typical, innovative PlayStation-ideas that can lead to a very interesting, accessible concepts.
And then Nintendo. A free business and somewhat timid presentation, but finally some real games. Super Mario Galaxy 2, new Super Mario Bros. for the Wii, and even a new Metroid. These are games where the Nintendo supporters are happy, everything seems to be Super Mario Galaxy 2, in all honesty, more of a Super Mario Galaxy one and a half than actually a completely new part. Also on the DS; there is enough to play for the real gamer with a new Zelda, new Golden Sun, and a new Mario & Luigi rpg. In addition, of course, also many casual games that from a commercial perspective, again, everyone and everything will transcend, but where I personally a little less warm word. Wii Sports Resort looked fun, Wii Vitality is more an application than a game, and Wii Fit Plus is fitness for a (house), women and the elderly; at least that’s what the movies suggest. Then there were also a handful of “mature” games from third-party publishers, but that looked straight pieces less than Nintendo’s own portfolio. Only Red Steel 2 stretched out head and shoulders above it.
All in all, I have a Nintendo seen firmly in the saddle sits, very self-confident and in addition to casual games, we finally have a ‘real’ games. Microsoft has a very strong line-up, and Project Natal offers a lot of possibilities for the future. Possibilities-especially for the mainstream gamer referred to seem to be. Sony showed the most fireworks, and the overall strongest line-up, were it not that many for the PS3 only next year. If there is still a winner should be then I think that Sony that was made just for Microsoft.