E3 is kind of a big deal to gamers, that’s an understood statement. Even on “off” years like this one, E3 time is always just a little more exciting than usual. Last year, we had new consoles to create this exhilarating experience, especially with the two big companies competing to sell said-hardware. This year, it felt like a lot of stuff we already knew was coming, with a few sprinkles of surprise.
Now that things have drawn to a close, I thought I would share my thoughts on what excited me out of what was announced and shown this week.
Tom Clancy Games in 2015
Not only was The Division showcased with some gameplay footage at E3 this year, but the next Rainbow Six title was re-launched/re-announced. Rainbow Six Patriots has been dropped in favor of Rainbow Six Siege, a game that looks like it will tug at my memories of SOCOM and the tense gameplay sessions I had with that game. Something lacking on the consoles is a serious shooter that makes me sit on the edge of my seat. The closest thing to that feeling is the last bits of a Titanfall match, when a last-ditch effort is made to either stop the escapees or trying to escape.
The gameplay to Siege looked great. Being able to shoot through walls, breach ceilings, plan your attack before you begin, and (ideally) work as a team because you only have one life. Maybe my excitement for both of these titles is based on my love for the last Tom Clancy game I played, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, but either way, I just want to fast-forward to 2015. Please?
GTA V and Payday 2 coming to Xbox One / Playstation 4
Some people get pissed off when developers waste time porting games to a newer generation, especially when said-games are a year or so old. Sure, I get that. But I’m sure I’m not the only person who played on system X when friends were playing on system Y, and now my friends and I all have system Z so we can play games together. Grand Theft Auto V was so much fun online, just as a hop in and goof off game. Payday 2 was fun with strangers, but I really want to be able to play a serious game without worrying about a random person without a mic and doing their own thing. On this weeks podcast, I mentioned the main announcement I wanted during E3 was Payday 2 on Xbox One. As of that recording, that wish had not come true, but Overkill Studios made it so by the end of E3.
Playing Tom Hanks on Big with Shape Up
I won’t lie, it looks like fun jumping around on an imaginary keyboard, playing a bad version of “Eye of the Tiger”. There’s more to Shape Up than reliving the infamous Big scene, like a push-up contest and some unannounced offerings, but the piano dancing has my interest perked in the new fitness game.
Racing Games!
First and foremost, I think Turn 10 heard me bitching about the lack of the famous Nurburgring in Forza 5. That, the lack of a few specific cars, and no night time or snow racing are my only complaints with this Xbox One gem. They solved one problem by dropping the ‘Ring on us for free, “available to download right now”. I’ll tell you what, last night I had a blast zipping through my favorite course while drinking a few beers.
Forza Horizon 2 was already announced, but seeing the night time racing got me a little more intrigued than I was (which wasn’t much, really) (EDITOR’S NOTE: You should be excited for it damn it) . Ubisofts’ The Crew looked awesome, too. Originally, I was pretty excited for this one earlier this year, but interest waned as I played other games. I’m honestly not sure WHY I’m interested again, because no gameplay footage was shown, but I am.
One thing was missing, Gran Turismo for Vita.
Sony Drops a BOMB, Plus LittleBigPlanet 3
One of the weirdest things I saw this year was Sony showing off Entwined, and then announcing that the game “was available now on PS4”. On a Monday. A day before the PSN updates. This wasn’t just a head scratching moment for me, but one I actually laughed at. It’s great to drop little things, but a seemingly random indie game? Oh well.
I’m not a LBP guy, but I think Sony needed LittleBigPlanet 3. It’s a great family franchise, and being able to play all of the created levels up to this point was a stellar move. I thought the three new characters were reaching just a tad, but there has to be something new I guess. But the good play was followed by a sad one, when I found out it was coming to PS3, too. Here Sony had me, by the wallet, because my wife and kids wanted LBP3. I was prepared to sink another couple of hundred dollars on a PS4 a year or so earlier than anticipated. Thankfully, for my checking account, Sony is not ready to make the plunge and commit to moving forward with it’s exclusive titles.
The Rest
Overall, a few things at E3 got me geared up and ready for games. The regulars and expected games like Battlefield: Hardline and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, and even the rumored Halo Master Chief Collection got me excited too. My eyes are mostly on 2015, but somehow, I still have a mess of games to play this fall.
What are your thoughts on E3? What are your thoughts on my thoughts on E3 this year? Leave a comment below.
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