Wednesday, June 08, 2005
E3 - Sweaty mitts-on impressions, part 2
And, the rest:
Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure - A graffiti game based on a clothing designer's idea of anarchy wouldn't fly usually, but it's actually really well thought-out and executed thus far. The exploration bits play like an urban Prince of Persia (which is a massive compliment), and the fighting bits aren't too bad either. So yes, there's definitely potential in a game that theoretically has no right no exist. Keep an eye out.
Mario Baseball/Super Mario Strikers - Everyone's favorite Italian whore has chosen sports as his latest conquest, and he's doing a decent job of it so far. I mean, I'd much rather have a real Mario game or a new first-party Nintendo game, but anyone expecting anything new out of either of those areas anytime soon is a bit delusional. Both games play exactly as you'd imagine - Mario and pals use their nominally different abilities to play baseball and soccer, emitting as much whimsy as possible. Fun, but I'll hold out for Mario Curling.
Mario Kart DS - While the above write-up might lead you to believe I'm not a fan of Mario's various non-jumping affairs, he's always been a dynamite kart racer. Tom will bore you to tears about the merits of the original, but I'm content with saying it's a great series non-conditionally. DS is as good as you could hope for out of a 3D Mario of a goofy portable system, which is pretty good. Not that using the second screen as a map is any stroke of genius, but hey, the gameplay is borderline classic.
Mario Party 7 - You can play with eight people, though I can't imagine how that will work. The regular, four-player mini-games I tried were alright, but they reeked pretty strongly of parties 1-6. Change this series up drastically please, no matter how great it is.
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects - I expected the absolute worst, but I kinda dug it. The Marvel license is just window dressing, but gameplay is simple fun, along the lines of Def Jam with a deeper third dimension. Wolverine still looks lame as all hell, but his moves are simple to pull off and satisfying to land. The rooftop environment I played left a lot to be desired, but throwing power generators at my opponent and then landing on top of them with a set of claws to the face was good-natured fun. I'm sure the final game won't be much more developed than this demo, but I can see myself screwing around with it for an hour or two. I'll also be interested in seeing how they make the storyline even mildly sensible.
Meteos - I think we can now officially start referring to Tetsuya Mizuguchi as the King of Puzzle Games, or at least until Patjinov (Tetris) arises from the grave (assuming he's dead, which he probably isn't). Meteos is a might bit more complex than it's sister-in-law Lumines on the PSP, but I can see it being every bit as addicting. The mechanics are as simple as the best of 'em, but the touch-screen aspect adds a welcome dimension to the proceedings. A must-own for any DS owner.
Odama - Military pinball games had to make an explosive entrance into the market as some point, and this is a brilliant debut. You basically command your troops verbally with the GC mic while knocking a giant ball around the battlefield, trying to crush the enemy troops while avoiding your own. There are lots of little odd features beyond the basics, but I'll let you figure them out when you buy the game. Because you MUST buy this game.
Okami - I could write a dozen columns on this stunningly gorgeous, brilliantly inventive game just based on the two demo levels that I played. The beautiful aesthetic of the oil painting canvas visuals of the game won't be lost on anyone, and the gameplay is every bit as wonderful in it's presentation and uniqueness. To give you a sample, you can freeze the action at any time, dropping you into a traditional inked canvas view of things, at which you can use you magic brush to paint in bridges, put a sun in the sky or split a nasty enemy down the middle. This will be an absolutely awesome game, and it was definitely my game of the show when all was said and done. Please, for everyone's sake, keep an eye on it's release.
Ratchet: Deadlocked - I love Ratchet like a son, as he has starred in a couple of my favorite games ever (most notably his second adventure). As I've written in this space before, Deadlocked is quite an unnecessary venture for a now-too-prolific series, but I'm at least glad to report that it's still fun, still controls perfectly, and doesn't let the squad-based action get in the way of classic R&C gameplay. The look and setting isn't quite as charming as usual, but it will still be hours of fun for anyone faithful enough to invest themselves yet again.
Shadow the Hedgehog - Worst game of the show, and not just because of the disappointment factor. It's legitimately an awful game. Unplayable controls, awful visual style, and an obnoxiously aggressive unlikable main character. Yuck.
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves - Yes, you can play this game with 3D glass if you like. I played a fairly fun flying level wearing them, and while it added some interesting depth effects, it makes the otherwise pretty visuals a bit mushy and rough around the edges. I assume the main sneaking gameplay is as good as ever, and it should be extra fun with a pal.
Socom 3 - The first two Socom games are brilliant online, and vehicles should add a whole new element to this one. The level are now massive too, and I'm sure 32-player battles will be suitably epic. Beyond those new additions it plays very similarly to the other games, but that's assuredly a good thing. The balance of sneakiness and balls-to-the-wall action has always been perfect in the series, and I'd probably still be playing it nightly if Halo 2 never wormed it's way into my life. Anyhow, it should be great.
Soul Caliber III - It's tough playing any other fighting games after experiencing the perfection of the genre in the other Soul games, and #3 hones the formula a even further. Not by a lot - the core gameplay feels very similar - but considering it's only 30% done and plays like the final version of 2, I expect grand things by the time it's released. I just can't understand why they'd ship it without online play though; maybe we'll see it in the rumored 360 version.
Spartan: Total Warrior - If you like chopping your way through dozens of enemies in a quasi-gladiatorial setting, you'll dig this game quite a bit. Which I do, and which I did.
Taxi Driver - Take Max Payne, remove all intriguing and entertaining elements, dumb down the graphics a shade or three, and add an old movie license that has little to do with gunfights. Then vomit, punch yoursef in the face, and promise me you won't even consider making eye contact with this game in your local Gamme Shoppe. Thanks.
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction - Wow is this game awesome. It's Spider-Man 2 with the ability to tear a car in half and use it as metal gloves. The free exploration of the city is just as fully-realized as said web-slinging game, and you'll quickly finding yourself running up the sides of buildings and leaping onto passing helicopters with the goofiest of smiles on your face. It feels great, and bowling a '76' gas station sign down a city street is as gratifying as you could hope for. The missions are fun too, but I see myself just wandering/smashing things aimlessly just as often as following my instructions. One of my favorite games at the show.
The Matrix: Path of Neo - I still don't think the first Matrix game was as awful as everyone else seemed to, but it wasn't mind-blowing by any stretch. It was just too scripted, in every regard. This one feels much, much better, and I might even call it 'very good' at this stage. The lobby scene from the first film felt good and intense, and a black and white fight against some ninja monks in a Japanese snow garden was as badass as it sounds. The visually thrilling moves are still scripted, but you have quite a bit more say in them this time around. Anyhow, this could still turn out quite crappily, but I had a lot of fun with the demo.
Top Spin 2 - The Xbox 360 controller is a thing of sheer brilliance, and feels even more sextastic than it looks. Oh, Top Spin was alright, nothing special.
Marc Ecko's Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure - A graffiti game based on a clothing designer's idea of anarchy wouldn't fly usually, but it's actually really well thought-out and executed thus far. The exploration bits play like an urban Prince of Persia (which is a massive compliment), and the fighting bits aren't too bad either. So yes, there's definitely potential in a game that theoretically has no right no exist. Keep an eye out.
Mario Baseball/Super Mario Strikers - Everyone's favorite Italian whore has chosen sports as his latest conquest, and he's doing a decent job of it so far. I mean, I'd much rather have a real Mario game or a new first-party Nintendo game, but anyone expecting anything new out of either of those areas anytime soon is a bit delusional. Both games play exactly as you'd imagine - Mario and pals use their nominally different abilities to play baseball and soccer, emitting as much whimsy as possible. Fun, but I'll hold out for Mario Curling.
Mario Kart DS - While the above write-up might lead you to believe I'm not a fan of Mario's various non-jumping affairs, he's always been a dynamite kart racer. Tom will bore you to tears about the merits of the original, but I'm content with saying it's a great series non-conditionally. DS is as good as you could hope for out of a 3D Mario of a goofy portable system, which is pretty good. Not that using the second screen as a map is any stroke of genius, but hey, the gameplay is borderline classic.
Mario Party 7 - You can play with eight people, though I can't imagine how that will work. The regular, four-player mini-games I tried were alright, but they reeked pretty strongly of parties 1-6. Change this series up drastically please, no matter how great it is.
Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects - I expected the absolute worst, but I kinda dug it. The Marvel license is just window dressing, but gameplay is simple fun, along the lines of Def Jam with a deeper third dimension. Wolverine still looks lame as all hell, but his moves are simple to pull off and satisfying to land. The rooftop environment I played left a lot to be desired, but throwing power generators at my opponent and then landing on top of them with a set of claws to the face was good-natured fun. I'm sure the final game won't be much more developed than this demo, but I can see myself screwing around with it for an hour or two. I'll also be interested in seeing how they make the storyline even mildly sensible.
Meteos - I think we can now officially start referring to Tetsuya Mizuguchi as the King of Puzzle Games, or at least until Patjinov (Tetris) arises from the grave (assuming he's dead, which he probably isn't). Meteos is a might bit more complex than it's sister-in-law Lumines on the PSP, but I can see it being every bit as addicting. The mechanics are as simple as the best of 'em, but the touch-screen aspect adds a welcome dimension to the proceedings. A must-own for any DS owner.
Odama - Military pinball games had to make an explosive entrance into the market as some point, and this is a brilliant debut. You basically command your troops verbally with the GC mic while knocking a giant ball around the battlefield, trying to crush the enemy troops while avoiding your own. There are lots of little odd features beyond the basics, but I'll let you figure them out when you buy the game. Because you MUST buy this game.
Okami - I could write a dozen columns on this stunningly gorgeous, brilliantly inventive game just based on the two demo levels that I played. The beautiful aesthetic of the oil painting canvas visuals of the game won't be lost on anyone, and the gameplay is every bit as wonderful in it's presentation and uniqueness. To give you a sample, you can freeze the action at any time, dropping you into a traditional inked canvas view of things, at which you can use you magic brush to paint in bridges, put a sun in the sky or split a nasty enemy down the middle. This will be an absolutely awesome game, and it was definitely my game of the show when all was said and done. Please, for everyone's sake, keep an eye on it's release.
Ratchet: Deadlocked - I love Ratchet like a son, as he has starred in a couple of my favorite games ever (most notably his second adventure). As I've written in this space before, Deadlocked is quite an unnecessary venture for a now-too-prolific series, but I'm at least glad to report that it's still fun, still controls perfectly, and doesn't let the squad-based action get in the way of classic R&C gameplay. The look and setting isn't quite as charming as usual, but it will still be hours of fun for anyone faithful enough to invest themselves yet again.
Shadow the Hedgehog - Worst game of the show, and not just because of the disappointment factor. It's legitimately an awful game. Unplayable controls, awful visual style, and an obnoxiously aggressive unlikable main character. Yuck.
Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves - Yes, you can play this game with 3D glass if you like. I played a fairly fun flying level wearing them, and while it added some interesting depth effects, it makes the otherwise pretty visuals a bit mushy and rough around the edges. I assume the main sneaking gameplay is as good as ever, and it should be extra fun with a pal.
Socom 3 - The first two Socom games are brilliant online, and vehicles should add a whole new element to this one. The level are now massive too, and I'm sure 32-player battles will be suitably epic. Beyond those new additions it plays very similarly to the other games, but that's assuredly a good thing. The balance of sneakiness and balls-to-the-wall action has always been perfect in the series, and I'd probably still be playing it nightly if Halo 2 never wormed it's way into my life. Anyhow, it should be great.
Soul Caliber III - It's tough playing any other fighting games after experiencing the perfection of the genre in the other Soul games, and #3 hones the formula a even further. Not by a lot - the core gameplay feels very similar - but considering it's only 30% done and plays like the final version of 2, I expect grand things by the time it's released. I just can't understand why they'd ship it without online play though; maybe we'll see it in the rumored 360 version.
Spartan: Total Warrior - If you like chopping your way through dozens of enemies in a quasi-gladiatorial setting, you'll dig this game quite a bit. Which I do, and which I did.
Taxi Driver - Take Max Payne, remove all intriguing and entertaining elements, dumb down the graphics a shade or three, and add an old movie license that has little to do with gunfights. Then vomit, punch yoursef in the face, and promise me you won't even consider making eye contact with this game in your local Gamme Shoppe. Thanks.
The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction - Wow is this game awesome. It's Spider-Man 2 with the ability to tear a car in half and use it as metal gloves. The free exploration of the city is just as fully-realized as said web-slinging game, and you'll quickly finding yourself running up the sides of buildings and leaping onto passing helicopters with the goofiest of smiles on your face. It feels great, and bowling a '76' gas station sign down a city street is as gratifying as you could hope for. The missions are fun too, but I see myself just wandering/smashing things aimlessly just as often as following my instructions. One of my favorite games at the show.
The Matrix: Path of Neo - I still don't think the first Matrix game was as awful as everyone else seemed to, but it wasn't mind-blowing by any stretch. It was just too scripted, in every regard. This one feels much, much better, and I might even call it 'very good' at this stage. The lobby scene from the first film felt good and intense, and a black and white fight against some ninja monks in a Japanese snow garden was as badass as it sounds. The visually thrilling moves are still scripted, but you have quite a bit more say in them this time around. Anyhow, this could still turn out quite crappily, but I had a lot of fun with the demo.
Top Spin 2 - The Xbox 360 controller is a thing of sheer brilliance, and feels even more sextastic than it looks. Oh, Top Spin was alright, nothing special.
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