Rallen's E3 Ramblings...

[DesertEagleXIX]

I just got back from E3, so here are my first impressions:

For media people, the power went out, and we had to stand in a 2 hour+ line, so that wiped out my energy level from the get-go.

Xbox 360 was the only next generation hardware I saw and played. The Microsoft set-up was massive, with people milling about playing a few games. Old Microsoft was leading the buzz race.

The first 360 game I spotted was Full-Auto by Sega. Imagine Project Gotham 2, with big turrets mounted on top of the cars. The game was playing on alpha hardware with half the memory the retail unit will handle. It played well, but had a bit on slowdown when things got hectic. I don't see this one being fun for too long. Still it looked great and was playable.

I witnesses Call of Duty 2 for the 360 also. It looked very cinematic. Smooth frame rate and it had some amazing architecture.

Also present for the 360 was another first person fighting/shooting game, that looked a bit early and laggy. The game seemed like a variation of the old computer game Kingpin. I didn't get a good feel from this Sega game. Maybe it needs a lot more time.

The Nokia N-Gauge area was a complete wasteland. No one was around, lot of empty machines and floor space. PSP and DS areas had vacancies.

Sniper Elite by Namco (PS2, Xbox) looked hot, with realitic tactics, and a wonderful bullet cam. One of the designer remarked he was a George Romero fan, so expect some grey matter in this one. This game gets the rallen/desertegale seal of approval.

Far Cry looked great for Xbox. I almost thought in was running on 360 hardware. To be honest you have to look for a second to determine if a game is running on Xbox or 360 hardware.

More details tommorrow...

[spoo]

Thanks for the hands on update rallen.

[Scorch]

Also present for the 360 was another first person fighting/shooting game, that looked a bit early and laggy. The game seemed like a variation of the old computer game Kingpin

Sounds like 'Condemned'.

[DesertEagleXIX]

Did I mention how CROWDED it was. I'm 6"5, 250 lbs. and every gamer there is carrying around their free Xbox 360 bags, bumping into me ;)

For all the people who desperately want to be there: Stay home and read the updates in your air conditions homes. You're not missing much!

[DesertEagleXIX]

Sounds like 'Condemned'.

I beleive that was the title before the colon.

[DesertEagleXIX]

A few more things:

I spoke with an EA rep. He reluctantly said EA's Next-Gen titles will be "AT least 60 dollars." He said this was for a number of reasons:

- EA needs to make money. Its stock took a small dive recently.
- Spending money on long-term projects (read NFL License).
- And because GAMERS will. He cited the 'phenomonal sales' of the Madden Collector's edition for PS2.

The soon to be most powerful retail console in the world(Xbox 360) can handloe a Tennis game. Top Spin 2 anyone? At first I thought it was an Xbox game, but the graphics are a bit better. Tennis , ANYONE?

I felt sorry for some of the Namco reps. They had to wear big, football helmet sized fuzzy Pac-Men on their heads. It looked like Pac-Man was swollowing their domes. UGLY.

Capcom is coming out with an Old School collection. Expect a shooter, SFII, and a few more, all for a budget low price.

GUNSTAR HEROES for the GBA! Yes!

Destroy all Humans looks like a winner. Rainbow Six Lockdown looks hot (and fixed) America's Army looks really bland. Code Arms feels funny. Rockstar sucks - They had a VIp section, where it looked like no one was in...

Logitech, fix your shit! At least three games were not running, while I was at their booth. Thats' not good for hardware people.

[2poor]

they're making america's army for consoles? that game is so damn boring. why would someone pay for a crappy game they give away for free?

[DesertEagleXIX]

they're making america's army for consoles? that game is so damn boring. why would someone pay for a crappy game they give away for free?

Yes, they're remaking it for PS2 and xbox. Don't ask me why, it looks like a lot of other FPS out there. They had to recruit the frag girls for attention.

The Army had one of the largest booths for a single title.

[CheapyD]

I agree with pretty much everything you said, although I think Full Auto could be awesome with proper XBL multiplayer. Its Burnout mixed with Twisted Metal.

I thought of Kingpin too when I saw Condemned.

I'm going to wait until tomorrow before I write up my E3 thoughts.
Its interesting...my vote for Best in Show is hardly getting any converage.

[DesertEagleXIX]

my vote for Best in Show is hardly getting any converage.

Aw, Best in show??? Here are some of the games that stood out:

Destroy All Humans: How could you not love an open-ended game where you destroy as much stuff as possible? As a kid, Rampage was a favorite of mine, and until a proper 3d verion is created this will have to stand in its place. There were so many things to do (Mind read, throw chicken at trees, throw cows into water)..great fun.

The America's Army Booth in front of E3: You can grab an actual M4 or M249 and stick in to the enemy mounted on a Humvee. The wespons were laser targeted on a huge three screen projection set-up, with simulated recoil. Give me this in my living room, please!

Metroid Pinball was seriously fun, and utilized the duel screens well. I was playing the game for longer than I'd like to admit. But betting on a DS game for best in show is a longshot.

But all that doesn't compare to the sexy, new hardware... I'm guessing everyone feel in love with the 360 and for game of show I'd say...Call of Duty 2. The bellowing smoke, distant explosions, and intelligent AI this time could get me to the local Gamestop to drop some pre-order 'love' down.