Obvious Opinion: Nintendo had the worst E3

Ok, before you read this their are two things that I should be honest about. I don't own a Wii or Nintendo 3DS (own a Nintendo DS and a Gamecube though), so there may be some Sony + Microsft fanboy bias. Now that you know the truth, I just want to give you my own perspective on this years E3. I am a core gamer at heart. Nintendo's E3 last year was the best one, but this year I believe that Nintendo's wasn't as good compared to the others.

Microsoft: Look, some of the Kinect stuff was bad but it's somewhat starting to grow on me with its intiutive controls, and while I was hoping that Crytek wouldn't make an exclusive Xbox game for Kinect, they did and Kinect seems more appealing now. One thing I liked about Microsoft's E3 was that they are trying to turn the Xbox into an overal entertainment system where you can access live TV, youtube, and netflix. My main complaint was that there weren't enough exclusives that really caught my eye. The only ones I were really interested in was Gears 3 and Forza 4. Both Halo reveals were kinda cool, and before you say "oh Microsoft had no ideas so they are recycling Halo" then I will immediately point you to Nintendo.

Sony: This was the best press conference in my opionion. I'll identify the main problem, all that 3D crap is still there. Sony still doesn't understand that even with a 600 dollar TV, 3D is STILL NOT ACCESSIBLE. Another thing I have come to realize was that from my perspective, playstation move sucks if your a core gamer. Ok now that we have that out of the way, what I loved about the Sony press conference was all of the exclusive games! Infamous 2 recently came out (and I love it), but also Resitance 3, Uncharted 3, Sly Cooper. Surpisingly they didn't mention Twisted Metal, but Sony is going to have another great year exclusive wise. The playstation Vita looks awesome, was well priced at $250 dollars without AT&T's 3G support . Plus there are a good amount of games being developed for the Vita. Good stuff on both fronts, now onto my least favorite.

Nintendo: The Zelda stuff went on for waaaay to long, I am not a hardcore Zelda fan so maybe I just don't "get it". Moving on the the 3DS, I thought that even though most of the games were reboots or in some actual cases, sequels, however after seeing playstation's new portable Vita being $250 dollars like the 3DS, and the Vita just looks better in general. I have futzed around with 3DS's in the past, and while I may have not found that 3D "sweet spot" on the adjuster, I really don't see what the big deal of 3D is. Maybe time will tell

Lastly and most importantly is my outlook of the Wii U: I am extremely paranoid about it. Yes its backward compatible with previous Wii controllers and games, and that is great (especially if I owned a Wii). But based on what I have heard so far, the Wii U's processing power scales of the the 360 and the PS3. Some people may initially think that that's great, but lets propose a hypothetical situation. Microsoft and Sony announce their new console in 2013, and they will be available in stores by 2014. What happens to the Wii U, there are two (or three) possibilities. Either it ends up being a success like the Wii and it appeals to casual gamers or it ends up like the Dreamcast and it will be disregarded when the next real "generation" of consoles arrives. I think it will be a combination of the 2 becuase this is Nintendo after all and they will make money of this, but money aside, I just don't see what the big deal is with the Wii U or the controller. Like Move and Kinect, Wii's contrroller could also be considered "gimicky". Play on the screen if someone else is using the TV? I mean I could just do something else like watch TV with them or go on the internet posting stupid rants...it's applications in some of the games are cool, but I am just not feeling it yet. Maybe I am stupid, but it actually took me a while to figure out that the Wii U was a new console and not an addon. Regardless I don't think the Wii U has a bright future, and as for the 3DS, I think it deserves to get a price drop but that likely won't happen in a while. I think that I may buy Sony's handheld over Nintendo's depending on how each one turns out within a year or so.

....myah!

Pre-E3 Trailer Updates

Within four days, the biggest event of the video game industry, the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), is kicking off on June 6th. Many websites such as IGN, Gametrailers, Gamespot, Machinima, and others are going to be streaming footage of press conferences right to your computer screens, so make sure to check those out to watch the Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo press conferences as well as new video game trailers. Some video games have already revealed their E3 trailers, but also on June 7th Infamous 2 will be hitting store shelves while Duke Nukem Forever arrives on June 14. Check back for more E3 coverage.

Duke Nukem Forever Launch Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIwQyaFsDPs

Saint's Row: The Third E3 Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlmSzZKeExY&feature=relmfu

Infamous 2 "The Beast is Coming" Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i6YNxqjwWU

Batman: Arkham City Catwoman Trailer - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVYTlPgKsAI

Witcher 2 for Xbox 360?

The Witcher 2 just came out last week on Tuesday at the same day as L.A. Noire. While readers may have been paying more attention to LA Noire, the Witcher 2 is also an amazing game that should not go unnoticed. The new RPG has been praised by multiple critics and is currently scoring a 89 on metacritic, and word on the internet is that the Witcher 2 may not be a PC exclusive, but will eventually arrive on the Xbox 360. Check out this article.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/117/1170652p1.html

Update: Gametrailers has an exclusive Xbox 360 announcement trailer!
Link: http://www.gametrailers.com/video/e3-2011-the-witcher/714516

Duke Nukem Forever: Finished

Don't give in to the hype, I repeat, do NOT give in to the hype. Even though this game has been in development hell for nearly 15 years, the reality is that this game will not be that great. If you have seen any gameplay of it then you will likely know what I mean. That being said, I know that Duke Nukem forever is going to be a solid game that it will likely be an extremely funny and cleverly written. But I am just going to repeat to all of you that you should NOT give in to the hype that has been riding behind this game based on that cult following. Based on what I have seen, I would be very surprised if this game got above a 8.5 on Metacritic. Alright, you have read about my negativity, now check out this videos and be enlightened about the "Chuck Norris" of the video game world.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzmF45lfxwM
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ciAj7V6jbY4

Modern Warfare 3: First Gameplay Trailer

Coming out on the 8th of November this year, Modern Warfare 3 is likely going to achieve massive sales, but will they reach the level of Call of Duty: Black Ops? That may seem like a stupid question, but hear me out. Call of Duty Black Ops was one of the biggest entertainment launches in history following Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but it's possible that EA's Battlefield 3 could potentially decrease Modern Warfare 3's sales given to it also being a shooter that takes place in a modern setting.

That being said, I am sure Bobby Kotick and the people at Activision will be more than excited to hear about all of the money flowing in, and I will most likely be one of those people that will donate to the cause. Flame wars aside, this trailer shows that Modern Warfare 3 will have gameplay taking place in America, England, France, and Germany. Check it out and be excited!

http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/callofdutymodernwarfare3/video/6315276?tag=topslot;img;1

Dead Island Gameplay

Dead Island is an open world action adventure game that is being developed by Techland and published by Deep Silver. It's currently slated to come out on September 30, 2011 on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC. The game puts an emphasis on RPG elements and melee combat.

I am personally excited for this game because it carves out a form of gameplay that wasn't seen in game's like Left 4 Dead. While the Left 4 Dead series was a very fun series of games, it is very different from the gameplay. Left 4 Dead played more like an action movie where you are provided with plenty of ammunition and ammo, and you followed a specific path to get to the "safe zone" or the extraction point. Typically, the ending of an "act", which was a series of about five levels, involved you holding out before the chopper arrives. In Dead Island, you will barely find that many guns or ammo, you can typically only take on a few zombies whereas in Left 4 Dead you could easily mow them down with an assault or hacking and slashing with a machete. For the lack of a better word, this game has a more "serious" approach on the zombie apocalypse, and I think that's what will distinguish it from a game like Left 4 Dead.

In this gameplay preview, Deep Silver's Brand Manager, Vincent Kummer, narrates a section of gameplay footage.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/to-kill-dead-island/714103

Gametrailers Bonus Round: E3 2011 Preview

As some of you may know, E3 is very close and it officially kicks off at June 7th in the Los Angeles Convention Center. As of what we currently know, Nintendo is about to announce a new console (currently known as Project Cafe), Sony is going to talk more about their portable console, the NGP, and we don't know what exactly Microsoft is up to. Hopefully for Microsoft, they announce new software for their peripheral Kinect as well as more first party video game titles. In this episode of the Bonus Round, Geoff Keighley, Michael Pachter, Jeff Gerstmann, Shane Satterfield discuss Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft and their e3 agenda's, as well as what they need to do to stand out from their competition.

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/bonusround/504?ch=1

It has been a long time

I apologize, it has been a long time that I have updated this blog since I have been busy because I had a lot of tests and papers and I kind of left this blog collecting dust after my Infamous 2 coverage. But enough apologies, time to get this blog back up and running!

Besides Finals and not working on my blog, I have got 3 games from April to right now. M0rtal Kombat, Portal 2, and L.A. Noire, and these are some of my favorite games that have come out this year. Portal 2 lives up to it's predecessor, Mortal Kombat is an amazing reboot that is full of content and violence, and L.A. Noire, the noir inspired detective thriller, is a very fresh breathe of fresh air because of how differently it plays from other games.

It's slightly less than two months until Infamous 2 comes out, but at least finally we will have a slew of new games to look forward in the summer. Infamous 2 is the game I am most excited and it's personally my favorite PS3 exclusive. The first link gives gameplay of the cool new enemies you will be fighting in Infamous 2. Last time, Infamous 2 has announced that it would let players build their own missions and share them with other players, and the last player shows the player cool examples of custom missions they could make and play.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/in-game-missions-infamous-2/712762
http://www.gametrailers.com/video/user-generated-levels-infamous-2/712764

Gears of War 3: Dedicated Execution Developer Diary

Gears of War multiplayer was something I disliked mostly because of a lack of dedicated servers, host advantage, and overall game lag. This is something I hope they solve in Gears of War 3. After numerous delays, Epic has decided to host a private beta that is available to those who have bought Epic Edition of Bulletstorm or those who preorder Gears of War 3. The beta testers should help Epic trim the game's multiplayer and make it ready to ship. I am optimistic about Gears 3 because of all of the extra time they are having, and I believe you should to if you disliked the multiplayer in the previous Gears of Wars games. And if you loved the multiplayer, then I bet the hype is just killing you right now and you likely already saw this amazing trailer.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/dedicated-execution-gears-of-war/712714

Street Fighter X Tekken: Trailer and Current Roster

One important thing to keep in mind: Street Fighter X Tekken is being created solely by Capcom, with no input from Namco. The counterpart game, Tekken X Capcom, is being made by Namco, with no input from Capcom.

Here is the roster of currently known characters in the series, and this link also contains the latest trailer showing a showdown between each fighting series's icons.

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/116/1161109p1.html

Infamous 2: Quest for Power Trailer

In other news, Infamous 2 is also shaping up to be quite an amazing game where the protagonist, Cole, starts off with the powers he gained in the first game. As the game progresses, he proceeds to enhance his already existing electrical powers, but he gains control of some new types of powers as well. Infamous 2 is scheduled to launch on PS3 June 7th.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/quest-for-infamous-2/712635

Duke Nukem: The Beginning

As I have stated before, I never played Duke Nukem before, but there is still something to be excited over when you hear about the games of where you play a badass hero that spouts ridiculous and epic one liners. Because Duke Nukem was delayed to June 6, you can almost smirk because the game was delayed yet again after being announced 13 years ago. One can assume that these delays will help the game accumulate more hype, and this video isn't helping matters. Learn about the origins of the man who is the Chuck Norris of video games.

http://www.gametrailers.com/video/plucked-from-duke-nukem/712628

Are you buying Duke Nukem Forever? I for one, plan on picking this game up not because I know the game will be particularly good, but because I want to own a monument in gaming history. 13 years of development and ridiculous hype is something worth owning for $60, perhaps I will get the ridiculous special edition with the bust of Duke.

LA Noire Trailer "Slip of the Tongue"

Another showcase of how L.A. Noire is shaping up to be a fine game indeed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyKSxlpCtQQ&feature=feedu

Gametrailers Bonus Round: Straight from the Top

Gametrailers description: "Ubisoft's Jade Raymond, Epic Games' Mike Capps and Sony Santa Monica's John Hight join us to lay down the details from the top, exploring the past, present and future of their triple-a franchises. Will the core games of the future have motion control support? What about a game's DLC – is it predetermined before the game even ships? Plus, what is the future of the boxed product - are subscriptions and episodic content the future?"

http://www.gametrailers.com/episode/bonusround/502?

Battlefield 3 Faultline Part 3

The final piece of Battlefield 3's series of gameplay clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsHIHxYXeLs

Mass Effect 2 "Arrival" DLC out now.

The final piece of Mass Effect 2 DLC has finally launched, setting out to bridge the stories of Mass Effect 2 and 3. Based on what I have read on the forums, the DLC has been recieved fairly well. Though a lot of people say "Arrival" isn't as good as "The Lair of the Shadowbroker". Regardless, Mass Effect fans should be pleased nonetheless to start downloading.

Launch Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPPXpikoWAo

Duke Nukem Forever: Delayed to June 14

The current reason for it being delayed is because of multiplayer bugs, and Gearbox Studios believed that they could have squashed these bugs before the next release date. They pushed it back an extra month to be 100% sure they've fixed most of the bugs.

Even though people are very impaitent nowadays, it's much better for a game to delayed later and and high quality rather than come out to early as a buggy mess. Magika would be a good example of that. Anyway, here is a fun video from Gearbox's Randy Pitchford talking about the game's delay. Enjoy :D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONLb0MOkuA8&feature=feedu

Magic 2012 Announced

Duels of the Planeswalkers was one of my favorite Xbox Live Arcade games that was based off the very popular card game by Wizards of the Coast, Magic the Gathering. My love for Duels of the Planeswalkers over other arcade titles would appear odd considering that there are far better Xbox Live Arcade titles like Shadow Complex and Limbo. However, I have actually never played Magic the Gathering before, and it served as an introduction into a very addicting card game. What's funny is that I swore I would never actually play the actual card game because of how much money I would have to devote, but in less than two years after the game's release,I ended up purchasing Magic cards, so I could play free for all matches until 2 o' clock in the morning. Good times.

Sad I know, but Duels of the Planeswalkers was a great game in its own right. Playing MTG in real life may not be the most balanced because either you or your opponent will have a deck that's meant to exploit some of the game's mechanics (unlimited Myr tokens anyone?), but that's not so in Duels of the Planeswalkers. All of the decks are fairly balanced against each other, and the chance to unlock cards to add to your deck made it all the more addicting. Check out the launch trailer and the details on the new archenemy mode.

Launch: http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/03/10/magic-duels-of-the-planeswalkers-2012-announcement-trailer

Archenemy: http://www.ign.com/videos/2011/03/18/magic-the-gathering-duels-2012-dev-walkthrough

Duex Ex Human Revolution - Gameplay Walkthrough

http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/deusex3/video/6304183?tag=topslot%3Bimg%3B4

Don't get me wrong, this game has potential, but after watching the video, I wasn't really that impressed. This video showcases the multiple ways in which you could approach a game level, but is that really a big deal? Other first person games like Bioshock, Elder Oblivion, Stalker, Operation Flashpoint, and Splinter Cell Conviction provide you the option to approach a level guns blazing or with a more subtle approach. Dues Ex isn't really doing anything special based on this video, but I hope the game does well nonetheless. That and the animations weren't the most fluid I have ever seen and the game seems to be showing its age after being delayed numerous times. Come on Eidos Montreal, prove to me that this game is a day one purchase!