I wouldn't say that. They didn't show much new stuff at E3, but that didn't mean that the 360 doesn't have a nice lineup of exclusive games coming up this holiday season (and beyond...though we don't know much about those yet). You really seem to be underestimating Mass Effect, which will probably be the 2nd best game after Halo 3 (although I don't know if it will sell like that). I'm kind of hoping they port that game to the PC actually (care for it more than Gears of War). A couple of other big games too that I don't think you mentioned, like PGR4 and Blue Dragon. And maybe Lost Odyssey if they can get it shipped this year, although it should still be a good 360 exclusive regardless. They probably should have showed off more of their 2008/2009 stuff, like Halo Wars (video looks nice), Fable 2, Alan Wake, Too Human, and probably some other games that I can't think of at the moment or don't know about. I agree that things were a bit disappointing on the hardware side of things. The least they could have done is have Chewbacca introduce the Halo 360. I might be wrong, but it seems pretty clear at this point that MGS4 isn't going anywhere, at least anytime soon. Kojima being there is pretty big, and Sony did put a large emphasis on MGS4 being exclusive (notice the difference in how they stated MGS4 exclusivity vs UT3 and Haze). I could see them re-releasing MGS4 (like Substance or Subsistence) in 2009 or so, and they may decide to release that on the 360 if the situation calls for it (like MGS2). I don't think anyone should really disagree either (assuming they're being objective). However, I don't think it is exactly fair to Microsoft since they decided not to show any of their 2008 games. For example, if you take just the 2007 releases (no KZ2, Infamous, etc.), it is a little closer (although I personally like the PS3 lineup a lot more...partly because I can play some 360 games on the PC though). Actually, all 3 systems have great holiday lineups IMO. Yeah, I was a little surprised by that too. I figured we'd start hearing a little more from 3rd parties that jumped on-board. Maybe we'll have to wait a little longer to hear their announcements. That, or Nintendo is still having troubles at getting 3rd party support. If you guys care, Phil Harrison mentioned something about Echochrome having user-created content. That will make this game even better. I love how Sony is embracing this idea (LBP, FolkLore, UT3, this, etc., all promote user-created content).
I just checked it out. It looks like it might be really cool. Seems like it's made by the same guys who did KOTOR which is a big reason to be looking forward to it. Spoiler <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/naazAgYKJeU"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/naazAgYKJeU" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> Fable 2 was the one I was thinking of. It looks like it would be a great pickup. I'm not familiar with the others you listed. Too Human looks really intense Spoiler <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/TZnaLQq6Oug"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/TZnaLQq6Oug" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object> I think Microsoft let Halo drown out these other titles. I paid pretty close attention in the last week and I missed a couple of these. Strong titles though. Too Human especially. I agree that things were a bit disappointing on the hardware side of things. The least they could have done is have Chewbacca introduce the Halo 360. I think you'll start to see that change. Katamari is all of a sudden being developed for the wii as well as the 360. There are just too many units out there for developers to ignore. I do question the buying power of the wii consumers. It's popular because of the families and "non-gamers" and IMO they aren't going to have a strong purchasing habit. we'll see though. Can't wait till Lair comes out. If you guys care, Phil Harrison mentioned something about Echochrome having user-created content. That will make this game even better. I love how Sony is embracing this idea (LBP, FolkLore, UT3, this, etc., all promote user-created content).[/QUOTE]
That alone would be enough to look forward to the game. Of course, the fact that every showing of the game has been very impressive doesn't hurt either. Project Gotham Racing 4 is a racing game, although not as much of a sim as Gran Turimso or Forza. PGR3 was a 360 launch title and did fairly well IIRC. Not sure how well this game will do, but it is a nice addition to the 360 library (especially since this one adds bikes...although I don't know if that will work out well). Blue Dragon and Lost Odyssey are both J-RPGs made by Mistwalker, headed by Hironobi Sakuguichi (creator of Final Fantasy). Blue Dragon is more of a Dragon Quest clone, while Lost Odyssey is more of a Final Fantasy clone. I don't know if either game is as good as those games, but there aren't many good J-RPGs to pick from (on the 360 or any next-gen platform). Halo Wars is a real-time strategy game made by Ensemble Studios (developers of the Age of Empires franchise). Obviously, it is set in the Halo universe (20 years prior to the 1st game IIRC). Alan Wake is a game by Remedy Entertainment (known for their Max Payne games), and it is supposed to be a "psychological action thriller." Not much is known about the game, which is partly why I thought (and hoped) we'd see a little more about it at E3. Basically, each of these games is being developed by a quality developer (with nice funds from Microsoft), and each contains some nice concepts that could make for a great game.
I know this is not a direct response, I just thought it was interesting and kind of was related to your post. "It was the third-party offerings that really did Microsoft proud. There were some surprises -- Naruto, Marathon -- and almost no downright awful games. And when it came to third party, the bulk of multiplatform titles were shown on Xbox 360. Even Fallout 3, which would probably have looked prettier on a PC, was shown on a 360. Rarely was a multiplatform game shown on PS3 over the 360, which says quite a lot about the 360's place in the console market at this time. It's the in system right now." http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/804/804991p1.html
This is the most important thing from E3, they are finally releasing some arcade sticks! its over now scrubs! <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/ksUXl28yj8k"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ksUXl28yj8k" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
Wow, I just watched the latest MGS4 trailer and the ending fight sequence is about the most homoerotic thing I've ever seen in a video game. The femmiest VG hero of all time, Raiden, and what looks like a resurrected version of that Vamp guy from MGS2 who also was like an uber gay S&M type then, in skin tight techno-gimp uniforms, having essentially a giant dance fight and then going back-to-front in the end with all kinds of stabbing, vamp saying something very double entendre-ish and then the phrase "simultaneous worldwide release" exploding onto the screen to end it. Metal Gay Solid.
I wish they were doing a true new Marathon game instead of just tweaking the old Marathon 2 game for XBLA, but it is better than nothing. Totally awesome game in it's day.
Is that what they are marketing with VF5? Looks like it could be cool. I wonder if you will be at a big disadvantage of if you are playing with the 360 controller. Hope I have a chance to give it a play.
you are always at a disadvantage with the 360 controller for fighting games. fighting games need arcade sticks. the hardcore gamers have made arcade sticks by building their own with the 360 controller and putting it in an arcade stick body with parts from japan. $200+ custom made sticks.
I kind of agree with the thinking on Microsoft. I know they have some decent games out and coming out, but it looks like Halo is their crutch. Even to start off their conference they had a band play the theme from Halo. I don't really see Sony doing the same with any one of their exclusives. Don't get me wrong I love Halo, but when I was debating which system to get, I couldn't see much out there besides Halo. Plus it has its problems crashing from what I've seen firsthand. In the end I went with Final Fantasy and some of the other exclusives like Heavenly Sword. The biggest factor though was that whenever God of War III comes out it will be PS3 bound. Halo's nice, but there are other good shooters out there (Resistance is fun and Unreal looks amazing). There is no other Kratos. The closest thing will be Heavenly Sword. I also look forward to the fun of Ratchet coming soon. At least Assassin's Creed will be multi-platform. Oh and it would be nice to see a new Twisted Metal sometime, although Warhawk may fill some of that desire. Being objectve, it does look like the system everyone said was done is starting to warm up.
It was far too premature to be writing off the PS3, despite whatever FUD Microsoft keeps spewing. I had a 360 and there was a veritable drought of good games until this past fall when Gears came out. I expected the same from the PS3, a slow first year until real next-gen games hit the market. To top it off, imo, the PS3 has a huge advantage in having a built in Bluray player. The player alone was why my wife signed-off on me purchasing a PS3. Our PS3 is now the center of our home theater setup. On another note, I am so looking forward to the return of 2K8 in just a few days!
Disagree with what, exactly? That Sony had a good E3? I think most people should agree with that. That 360 only has Halo? I'd say that's incorrect (as RC pointed out).
LittleBigPlanet is so awesome: http://www.gamespot.com/video/938583/6174874/videoplayerpop?rgroup=e32007_videos So much potential there. Some games going under the radar it seems: <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="409"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=21522"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=21522" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="409"></embed> </object> <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="409"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=21228"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=21228" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="409"></embed> </object> (on-stage demo available as well) <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=8,0,0,0" id="gtembed" width="480" height="409"> <param name="allowScriptAccess" value="sameDomain" /> <param name="movie" value="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=21919"/> <param name="quality" value="high" /> <embed src="http://www.gametrailers.com/remote_wrap.php?mid=21919" swLiveConnect="true" name="gtembed" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" quality="high" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="409"></embed> </object> (and I don't really care at all for the NFS series) Probably a few other games that belong there, although I haven't had a chance to check them out (like Mercenaries 2).
i was streaming a video of an interview of the producer/designer of BioShock. during the interview a video of someone playing live was going on..it went for a good 15 minutes so you really got a good feel for the game. Im typically blah about FPS since there are so many and not many distinguish themselves much, but bioshock looked pretty dam cool.
