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Newsguy777′s top five games of E3

July 27th, 2008, 10:12 pm by

E3 & Game Rover

John Crandall

We were wrong. About the best game at E3, I mean.

I asked a number of different game reviewers, columnists and reporters at E3 to pick THE GAME OF E3 – I actually asked in bold, capital letters like that – and they gave me a lot of different answers. Left 4 dead, Prince of Persia, Fallout 3 and Spore were some of the top picks.

In fact, we had a poll on what games you, our discerning readers, were most looking forward to at the event and the most votes went to Spore. I know I thought Spore was going to be THE GAME OF E3 (cue echo and thunder and lightning).

However, I can say that we were all categorically wrong. Spore was great, but one game beat it. So without further ado or adon’t, here are my choices from my trip to video game nirvana.

The top 5 games of E3

5. Halo Wars by Ensemble Studios

This game has to go on the list, not only because I’m a huge Halo fan, but also because the game looked … well, pretty. It had the traditional real-time strategy gameplay feeling (like Command and Conquer or Age of Empires), but the thing looked so doggone beautiful that (though this is sacrilege in the gaming community) I felt I could have just watched someone else play instead of playing the game myself.

The metal shimmered, the weapons glowed and the whole game had that familiar shine of a program polished like the brass ring on a carousel.

4. Red Wars: Guerrilla by THQ

I already previewed this game, but suffice to say, in this futuristic martian dystopia buildings done blowed up real good.

3. Fracture by Lucasarts

Fracture was the last game I got to play at E3, and it was wonderful.You have these grenades you can use to change the surrounding terrain and … words don’t do it justice, so check out the video here.

2. Spore by Maxis

Spore has so much depth, so much replayability and so much charm that it’s hard to believe it was greater than I thought it would be. But it beat all my expectations. However one game topped it and that is …

1. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by Lucasarts

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed was the best game at E3. It sounded great, it played well, and it looked as close to the CGI that Lucas throws at the big screen as we’re going to get.

Aside from the brilliant graphics, the game gives the player the heady rush of absolute power. Whether it’s crumpling a two-story robot walker into a ball(I know they’re called AT-STs, Star Wars fans) or picking up a spaceship with the Force (if you don’t know what the Force is, I weep for you) this game will grab you and not let go until it’s shaken all the change from your pockets.

For those of you who played Psi-Ops you’ll understand. For those of you who didn’t, shame on you, that game was great.

Even if you don’t see have some sort epiphany while playing Star Wars: The Force Unleashed when it arrives in September, you’ll have a lot of fun.

Unfortunately for my readers, THE GAME OF E3 (distant rumble) title is subjective and completely dependent on my whims, so there are bound to be some who disagree. If you do, leave a comment. The more comments the better. And tell us your top E3 game.

For my next post, I’ll be answering the questions you sent me about E3.

Posted in: E3 • Events • Latest game news • The Business • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • | 5 Comments »

Is this year’s E3 its last?

July 25th, 2008, 12:00 am by

EteRnal PAL mugGame Rover at E3A week has passed and as the dust settles on the E3 2008 Media and Business Summit, rumors are running rampant on whether or not this was E3′s last show.  After a one-year hiatus from E3, I was somewhat glad to be back.  I skipped out on last year’s show because I didn’t want to deal with traveling around from hotel to hotel through Santa Monica.  Having all games at one location as opposed to being scattered is what I personally prefer.

Unfortunately, the new format that E3 has taken on left me with mixed feelings.  Some words to describe the new E3: somber, low-key, tame, relaxed.  This year’s event was all about scheduling appointments and arriving on time at each respective meeting room.  Since fewer companies attended, the show floor itself was drastically reduced in size and fewer games represented.

With E3′s new format, I was not able to check out the games that I was most interested in, such as “Gears of War 2,” “Fallout 3″ (although Joe was fortunate enough to check that one out), “Resident Evil 5,”"Halo Wars,” “Star Wars: The Force Unleashed” and the list just goes on.  Note to self for next year (if E3 still exists): schedule an appointment with companies showing games I’m most interested in.

I miss the craziness of past E3′s – the loud music, the free swag that was passed out like candy at Halloween, the variety of shows, the skateboarders, the celebrities, the long lines and yes, let’s not forget about the booth babes.  This spectacle of mixing business and pleasure is simply no more.

In its place is a more organized event that contains no thrills.  A place where you can rub elbows with the gaming industry’s finest… just in a more sterile environment.  With the video game industry growing rapidly and being accepted by the masses as a viable form of entertainment, it does seem like the correct approach for E3 to continue in this form.

We’ll be sure to post any new information we receive on E3 and its future plans so stay tuned.

Posted in: E3 • Events • Latest game news • • • • • • • • | 2 Comments »

Jim Lee gives a rough sketch of “DC Universe Online”

July 22nd, 2008, 12:01 am by

JoeSony Online Entertainment announced “DC Universe Online” at E3, marking the first major licensed comic-book MMO.

When we ran into uber comic-book artist Jim Lee at the company’s lounge, one of the first questions we asked was: “Can we play as DC characters?”

No dice, unfortunately. I’d really set my heart on playing the Green Lantern, too.

Lee, the game’s executive creative director, is also the pencil artist behind the revamped “X-Men” book from the ’90s, his own Wildstorm line under Image comics, several “Superman” issues and, of course, “Hush,” one of the best-known “Batman” story arcs.

Jim Lee, DC Universe Online

DC Universe Online, the gameWhat the game will let players do, though, is something missing from superhero MMO “City of Heroes”: Interact with comic-book legends. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, even DC institutions like the Justice League will be present.

Jim Lee sketches Batman“My goal is to have everything – everything in the DC universe,” Lee said. He mentioned Gotham and Metropolis, respectively of Batman and Superman fame, as sites, as well as the Bat Cave, the Daily Planet and Arkham Asylum.

Even more interestingly, the game will let players be a part of actual canon events in the DC Universe. Lee explained that, prior to the game launch, an event will take place in the comic books that will explain why there’s suddenly an influx of new heroes – and villains. But we’ll get to that in a moment.

As events happen in the comic book, they’ll have repercussions in the game world. And, as events happen in the game world, they’ll have repercussions in the comic books.

Read the rest of this entry »

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E3: Square gears up for a big, cross-platform year

July 18th, 2008, 2:00 pm by

JoeE3 winding down but we’ll still be posting more of what we saw from the show.

Considering Square Enix’s recent move to put Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox, its “My Life as a King” entry on WiiWare, several re-releases on the PSP and DS — including ”Dragon Quest IX” slated for Nintendo’s powerhouse handheld — it seems that the company is really trying to expand its presence on all consoles. It’s certainly going to be a rich year for the company’s fans — no matter what console or handheld they own.

Oh Dragon Tank, how I've missed you.The “Dragon Quest IV,” “Chrono Trigger” and “Final Fantasy IV” releases played nicely. “Chrono Trigger” is essentially a port. Employees at the expo were pretty close-mouthed about it — apparently news will be released on the company’s Web site — but there will be some sort of multiplayer available in the final release, as well as a new dungeon that somehow ties into the story. No word on possible new endings, but I’d bet we’ll see at least one.

The top screen is the traditional game view, with all the info and targets cluttered up on the bottom screen. It gives a nice view of the play area, which really underscores the fact that this game is old. Klee Kuo, a public relations senior associate at the company’s meeting room, said that the company chose not to tinker with the graphics because of the game’s unique status — it was the first North American Square release to really give flair and life to Akira Toriyama’s art. I understand that — we game nerds have been known to over-react to changes to our nostalgia — but still, it would have been nice to have even just smoothed out the textures.

Angry Edge takes center stage.FFIV will be out on July 22, and it looks great. It’s a revamp using the DS “Final Fantasy III” engine, but keeps the title’s signature Active Time Battle combat. I only got a few minutes in Cave of Eblan, but it looks like this version — like the “Final Fantasy III” release — is very faithful to the original. Of course, some changes had to be made — it’s been confirmed that item duping’s gone now.

The PSX version’s movies were folded into the game, but they’re much clearer and lag-free this time around. Now we can all forget the PSX release ever existed, thankfully.

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'Saints Row 2' expands options, improves co-op

July 18th, 2008, 9:23 am by

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EteRnal PAL mugGame Rover at E3“Saints Row 2” picks up right from where the first one left off: a huge explosion that had players wondering what happened to their character.

The sequel begins in a hospital controlled by police. The protagonist is wrapped in bandages and finally regains consciousness. That sets up the player to create a character again for the first time.

Vast improvements have been made to the game’s customization options. You can now create a female gangsta, which opens up a new set of of options, including make-up application.

New customizable character traits include selectable voice, taunts and combat style. You can choose the way your character walks, what kind of gang attire he wears and even the car your gang drives.

Saints Row 2

After you’re done creating your character, the real fun begins. You are in charge of the Saints gang now, but who actually runs a gang behind bars? This is where players bust out of the hospital and learn about all the new things they can do.

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Spore for the Wii could happen, says one Maxis producer

July 17th, 2008, 6:39 pm by

E3 & Game Rover

John Crandall

Spore for the Wii is a possibility, says one of the game’s producers.

Though the upcoming life simulation game will not be making an appearance on Nintendo’s console any time soon, Thomas Vu, a producer at Spore’s development company Maxis, said it could happen.

“It’s something we have considered,” Vu said. “It’s one of the options on the table.”

“Nothing we want to announce though, ” Vu added.sporsewmacpftright.jpg

I talked to Vu momentarily at E3 while he was showcasing a version of the game at the Electronics Arts meeting room. When we spoke he was guiding a herd of creatures that looked like the dinosaur Yoshi from Super Mario Bros. to attack a neighboring tribe.

Spore is slated for release for PC and Nintendo DS this September.

More E3 Spore/Sims coverage:


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MySims coming for PC and 7 of your friends

July 17th, 2008, 4:08 pm by

My Sims for the PC coming Fall 2008Tamara “Gadgetress” ChuangWhen “MySims” for the Wii came out last year, creators said it was made especially for the Wii controller. Now, the same game is coming out for the computer. Go figure.

Publisher EA did add a few new features to the game where you design your own town and build your own furniture. Just like the original, you can unlock buildings and new areas.

But the coolest new feature is that you can “play” with up to 7 friends. Ed Chang, a product manager with The Sims, demonstrated the game for me using the good ol’ keyboard and mouse.

Watch the video of the “My Sims” for the PC demo at E3.

In the game, each player has a shared space, which can be accessed by your friends (invitation only). Just hitch a ride at the train station to get to the shared area. Once there, you’ll see a series of buildings, a central court, and access to other activities for friends. You can also give gifts of home-made furniture to friends directly in the game, or send them objects via e-mail. Read the rest of this entry »

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