This year’s Electronic Entertainment Expo in LA looks like it’s going to be another big show. Even before new titles are announced and press conferences are done and over, the yearly gaming show sports an excellent line-up of titles. We have a selection of just a few that we can’t wait to hear more about.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (PS3, 360, PC)
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Assassin’s Creed II was easily one of my top three favorite games released last year. It was an amazing improvement over the first game, which I honestly had to force myself to complete after that feeling of repetitiveness kicked in. Ubisoft is clearly listening to consumers, as told by the success of Assassin’s Creed II. I expect no less from Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood.
Ezio’s back, Rome is his focus, a brotherhood of assassins are yours to guide, and online multiplayer is yours to dominate. I think I have every right to anticipate the crap out of this one.
Bulletstorm (PS3, 360, PC)
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Epic Games, People Can Fly
Let’s create a scenario. You’re drunken space pirate Grayson Hunt, trapped on an isolated planet with your only cyborg friend Ishi Sato. This is years after betraying your former mercenary group’s leader – who’s the sole reason you’re in this isolated paradise in the first place. Now, with Sato, you swear revenge on your former leader, while trying to get off this mutated planet at the same time.
That’s Bulletstorm for you. It’s being developed by People Can Fly in collaboration with Epic Games. The game awards players points for every kill they make, which they can then trade in for weapon upgrades. There are some pretty sick weapons, too. If you’ve ever played an awesome game named Painkiller, you’ll know why you should be excited for their latest feat.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (PS3, 360)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Mercury Steam / Kojima Productions
When people hear 3D and Castlevania in the same sentence, things never really tend to end well. Konami’s latest entry in the classic series might prove that statement wrong, as the Mercury Steam and Kojima Productions-developed title has been earning quite the impression from previewers and gamers alike.
The game boasts a 3D world complete with challenging puzzles to complete and platforming elements to experience. An intuitive combat system lays in its engine, inspired by Street Fighter, that will have players thinking on their feet about what move they’ll make next.
A big supporter in its case: Hideo Kojima. We won’t deny it. We’re curious to see what he and Mercury Steam can do working hand-in-hand.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PS3, 360, PC)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Deus Ex: Human Revolution: set twenty-five years before the events of the first game where nanorobotic augmentations are non-existent and mechanical augmentations are all the rage. As Adam Jensen, players must uncover the conspiracy of an attack on the augmentation company where he’s employed. The story will eventually lead up to the UNATCO formation from the first game.
That’s the cool thing to do nowadays. Prequels.
In Human Revolution, regenerating health is in place and health bars are no longer. The game will allow players to upgrade their weapons (each using different ammunition packs rather than one unified pack) and use various augmentations. Augmentations will allow the player to use superpower-like abilities in combat, stealth, tech, and social situations.
We’ll get our first glimpse of gameplay at E3 2010. Definitely stay tuned to the site to see how it all plays out.
El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron (PS3, 360)
Publisher: Ignition Entertaiment
Developer: Ignition Entertainment
It looks like its made out of fancy watercolor. El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is being headed by Sawaki Takeyasu and Masato Kimura, who’ve both worked on the likes of Okami and Devil May Cry. It pursues a religious story centered around an angel named Enoch sent to Earth to gather the rogue angels that have fallen from heaven. He must do this in order to stop an angry God from flooding the Earth.
I like this. The game’s art style reminds me of a painting and the story’s religious background opens it to probable tie-ins with the religions many of us know and practice. The fact that it has a potential apocalyptic ending also helps its case.
Plus: it’s about time we see something noteworthy from Ignition.
Final Fantasy XIV (PS3, PC)
Publisher: Square Enix
Developer: Square Enix
I’ve never really been able to get myself into an MMORPG. There was Ragnarok Online, but after a few weeks, I quickly became bored with it. I’m hoping Final Fantasy XIV will do just the opposite. Square’s already promised a real-time battle system, a focus on character growth, a job system, and a better experience for those who like to play solo rather than cooperatively – which pretty much sells me. I get annoyed about the time that I need some huge party I can’t gather to defeat a boss too strong for myself alone.
Honestly, the Final Fantasy name alone makes XIV something to look forward to. Whether it achieves the ranks of a Final Fantasy title or at least shows a large improvement over Final Fantasy XI remains to be seen at E3.
Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Polyphony Digital
First announced at the same event four years ago, Gran Turismo 5 looks like it’s finally due to release this year. I’m not joking, either. It really is.
Sony’s racing series has always been one of the best, and Polyphony Digital head Kazunori Yamauchi knows what he’s doing when it comes to racing cars – whether it’s real life or in-game. The game’s already been confirmed to feature night racing, over 1000 cars and 20 tracks (including Nürburgring), internal and external damage, weather effects, and oodles more. The only thing we really need to see out of this is a set-in-stone release date.
Please.
Halo: Reach (360)
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Bungie
For obvious reasons, we can’t wait to hear more about Halo: Reach. The franchise has always held a place in my heart for its addictive multiplayer (although, it is the only game my girlfriend can humiliate me in – she’s a natural). Bringing the setting back to Reach as a prequel will also help us get a better understanding of the tragedy that struck the planet – a first hand experience. Unlike previous games, you won’t be a lone Spartan anymore, as you’ll be playing alongside a crew of super soldiers just as genetically enhanced as yourself.
After the end of the multiplayer beta, I’d really like to get a hands on with the story mode. I’d like to see what other new weapons Bungie’s throwing in and most importantly, I want to see if Bungie’s last Halo is its best.
Killzone 3 (PS3)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Guerrilla Games
Joining the parade of sequels is the recently announced Killzone 3. While Killzone 2 was a spectacular hit in our eyes, Guerrilla Games thought they could up the ante and went on improving everything we saw in the second game for a third. That means jet packs, levels that are “ten times bigger”, new weapons dubbed “portable weapons of mass destruction”, and diverse locations each with a “distinct gameplay style for you to master.”
What I’d really like to hear Sony confirm is the recent rumors that the game features a four-player online co-op mode. Being an online gamer, I’d also like to see what kind of vehicles they’re dishing out for the online modes. Of course, I’m hoping to get a hands-on with the game the most.
The Last Guardian (PS3)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Team ICO
We would never pass up a Team ICO title. NEVER. The developer known for crafting masterpieces is crafting their latest on PlayStation 3. The Last Guardian revolves around the relationship between a boy and his beast Trico (pictured above). Concrete details on the plot have yet to be released, but in the trailer, we see the boy and beast assisting each other in various obstacles, such as attacking soldiers.
Sony’s been quiet on the game since its E3 reveal last year. Hopefully this year, they’ll tell us all about it.
LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3)
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Developer: Media Molecule
Play, Create, and Share. It’s my one of my new favorite genres. The first LittleBigPlanet was creative, innovative, and spawned over two million creations from its online community. LittleBigPlanet 2 plans to up that ante, offering those existing two million levels, a new story mode, and the insane amount of levels that are bound to be created in this new iteration.
Media Molecule has already revealed new tools, sack bots (NPCs), player-assigned controls, customizable HUDs, the grappling hook (and more items yet to be revealed), and so much more. This time it’s not a platformer, but a “platform for games”. Players will be able to create racing games, puzzle games, RPGs, and so much more.
Considering the community from LittleBigPlanet came up with over two million innovations, you can definitely see why we’re anticipating the even greater innovation that will come out of the LittleBigPlanet 2 community.
Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds (PS3, 360)
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Ten years after the retail release and less than a year after the digital release of Marvel vs. Capcom 2, Capcom and Marvel have teamed up again for another collaboration to shake the world. Marvel vs. Capcom 3 is on the way and promising at least thirty characters to pit mits against. So far, Ryu, Wolverine, Morrigan, Iron Man, Chris Redfield, Iron Man, Dante, Captain America, Felicia, and Deadpool have all already been confirmed as playable characters. Capcom’s also confirmed that three-on-three battles and the previous game’s alpha, beta, and gamma assists are still in tact. Not only that, but Marvel vs. Capcom 3 promises a “deep” story brought to life by a “moving comic” style universe, mixing 2D and 3D visuals.
What we really want to see out of E3 is more of the crowd. How about Mega Man.exe, Viewtiful Joe, or the Human Torch? We’ll see what characters make an appearance come showtime.
Metal Gear Solid: Rising (PS3, 360, PC)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Metal Gear Solid: Rising was actually first shown and announced at last year’s Microsoft E3 media briefing. Fans of the series feared the game was only slated for Xbox 360 until the press release came and confirmed the game for both PlayStation 3 and PC, too. Here we are at E3 a year later, still without a glimpse of the game.
Playing as Raiden is definitely something we’re anticipating. Where Solid Snake is stealthy, slow, swift, and sneaky, we expect Raiden to be more of the action type. It’ll be a change for the Metal Gear Solid typical genre, but Raiden is a huge change by himself. We definitely can’t wait to see the first gameplay footage of this – if it’s made available.
Power Gig: Rise of the SixString (PS3, 360)
Publisher: Seven45 Studios
Developer: Seven45 Studios
The music game genre as we know it has been defined by games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band. Power Gig, on the other hand, aims to redefine the genre by doing away with the guitar’s colored buttons and adding the real deal: strings.
The game will feature a complete band set, although the other instruments have yet to be revealed. The company’s said before that they will be revealing them at E3. Drums and a microphone have been confirmed, but what we’re waiting to see is how they follow the route of the game’s guitar peripheral and keep reality in tact while keeping it a game, as well.
Silent Hill (PS3, 360)
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Vatra Games (rumored)
The new Silent Hill. The franchise’s last outing wasn’t that big a hit amongst fans – brought down by its lack of psychological horror and somewhat predictable scares that Silent Hill titles are known for. This time the game is (rumored) in development at a new studio – one who hasn’t shipped a game to date. It makes you wonder why Konami would pick them to make the next title in a huge franchise.
The pre-E3 trailer, shown only to select press, showcased a man stumbling down a foggy street before being attack by some large creature. Some sites reckon it’s a Silent Hill 2 remake. Other rumors point out to the game being a first-person shooter. Only E3 will tell for sure.