E3 is where Video Game Nerds from across the world learn what they are going to be wishing for, dreaming of, and hopefully playing for the rest of the year. The following are just a few games that caught the keen nerdy eye of our editor; so sit back, click play, and strap on your knee pads cause you’re about to get F ‘ed in the brain.
Batman: Arkham City-
As the sequel to one of the greatest superhero games(a genre that besides for Spiderman used to suck, royally), “Batman: Arkham City” has a lot to live up to. Thankfully it appears to be meeting the challenge head on. Rather than the corridor-heavy exploration of “Arkham Asylum,” the sequel is wide open, letting the Dark Knight glide and grapple across Gotham with ease. It’s also gorgeously detailed, with fan service touches like a Flying Graysons poster hanging on a building. Toss in Catwoman as a fully-playable character (who wouldn’t want to play with catwomen for awhile ;p) and you are sure to have a hit.
Gears of War 3-
The first thing I want to see is that this game looks beautiful, it seems the guys from Epic know what their players want and are out to give it to them. While it is safe to say that the complexity and depth of the story will still be on the same level of a 5 year old’s writing assignment, once again seem to have kept the addicting gameplay as well as add a few tweaks to the multiplayer that will keep it fresh and fun. The most interesting thing to note is the new feature on Horde Mode which lets you level up your defenses and weapons as you drudge your ways to the waves.
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim-
I have personally logged in over 400 hours into Oblivion( a number matched only by Tales of Symphonia) and when I saw this trailer I literally drooled. Though it seems to have the same gameplay and basic look of Oblivion, sometimes the “if it ain’t broke don’t fix it” approach allows a game to keep the best aspects of the old and merge it with the modern. With breathtaking new character models, the additions of Dragon Shouts, a new relationship system, plus the depth of story and character creation Elder Scrolls is known for, who wouldn’t be anxiously awaiting this game.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 –
I wasn’t too keen about the first trailer for this game I saw, but the second trailer, which apparently aired during Microsoft’s E3 press conference, was undeniably spectacular. As the multiplayer trendsetter of the market this game will undoubtedly take predecessor as number one. I cannot wait to spend many a.m hours playing, getting new guns, and making little kids cry.
Star Wars: The Old Republic –
Ever since the end of KOTOR 2 I have been waiting for a continuation of one of the greatest rpgs on the original Xbox. I would have been moderately happy if even some toothless, drunken no name game producer would have made this but when I saw the name BioWare I nearly cried with joy. Several of us Star Wars nerds have been following this game for some time, on the official website there are already hundreds of guilds that are over 2 years old. This is a very ambitious MMORPG; is it the first fully voiced, story driven entry into the genre, it also features a versatile cover system unlike the MMO world has seen before. Little gameplay footage has been released and the talents for each class are constantly changing during development, but trailers like this have a level of Epic Awesome that keeps fans waiting.
Mass Effect 3-
The scale of the game seems enormous–BioWare truly has honed the mixing of epic action and intelligent storytelling, with loads of role-playing game elements to boot. The war with the Reapers is coming to a head, and the tension built up for this moment is concrete. We’ll finally see the end of Shepard’s story, for now at least, in what is shaping up to be the finest seventh-gen trilogy available.I can’t wait to play Mass Effect 2 and then fully experience the awe-inducing experience that BioWare has offered us players.
BioShock Infinite-
This game looks nothing short of spectacular. From what I have read series creator Ken Levine is back on board and looks like he’s working to recapture the same gaming magic that made the original a part of the staple collection among gamers. With a new spectacular setting in the floating city of Columbia, and a new riveting story, this is the game to watch for next year.
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception-
It falls under the umbrella of “games you know people are gonna love it”, and while I haven’t played any of them the PS3 owner have spoken for this franchise in the past. While the trailer seems awesome in a “Micheal Bay: Stuff makes loud noises and everything creates an awesome explosion” kinda way, I have seen some samples of the gameplay and would be lying if I said I was not interested. I may not have a PS3 but the game looks like another awesome entry in Sony’s franchise.
X-Men: Destiny-
If there is one good thing that can be said about game producer Silicon Knights it is that they are masters of fun game play and absurd amounts of customization. Add these qualities to the rich backdrop of the Marvel Universe and the engaging story X-Men is known for, and this a game that could shake up the gaming market. In a list of third installments it is very nice to see a fresh face with such promise. From what I heard so far the game will concentrate on three mutant newcomers — the ferociously electric Aimi Yoshida (sexy Asian), the powerful Grant Alexander(do-gooding Jock) and the mysterious Adrian(The Emo), a “Pure Fire” seeking vengeance for his father’s death. Each will be able to evolve/change their powers in numerous ways (something SK does very well), and have a unique-ish storyline with multiple endings. This does have several concerns among the community about the choice of producer, and the dropping of Uncanny X-Men artist Whilce Portacio (who still was contracted to do the character concepts, but not the level artwork). Out of all of the E3 releases this is the one that I hope is amazing and doesn’t fail like many others fear.
The Data Feed 