E3 comes but once a year and this year the Techpedition crew and I are lucky enough to actually be attending the show. Literally hundreds of games will be showcased and dozens of developers will be pimping their wares in the Expo doors, but a few choice titles have really caught my eye and will be beeping on my radar all week. Here’s a quick run down of what I would like to see/get my hands on at E3.
10. Dead Space: Extraction
So, I am not a fan of On-Rail shooters, but I recently played through Dead Space and three things really stood out for me: the setting, the story and the dismembering. If extraction keeps these things intact, this could be sleeper hit in my book. I’ve heard some great things about extraction, and while I am happy to see the first person perspective, the on rails aspect is going to keep me nervous until I get a hands on experience.
9. Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
While the simple mention of a new Zelda game is a guaranteed purchase for me, being able to see a Zelda game first hand in this kind of venue has been a dream of mine for years. True be told, if there was a new Zelda on the Wii, it would probably top this list. Seeing Spirit Tracks in action and possibly being able to play it in advance is more than enticing.
8. Project Trico (Working Title)
I’m going out on a limb for this one. It has not been announced as an actual game yet, but enough evidence is out there to prove its existence. For those of you that don’t know, Project Trico is the new game from the developer of ICO and Shadow of the Colossus. Now that I have your attention, this one is supposedly going to be formally announced at E3 next week.
7. DJ Hero
Here’s another game that is not confirmed as being exhibited at E3, and I am willing to put money on this game being a pile of rhythm inspired garbage. However, as a huge fan of Guitar Hero and Rock Band, I can’t help but be intrigued by it’s bastard cousin. I would love for it to be playable…but that’s a long shot.
6. No More Heroes: Desperate Struggle
This is the last Wii exclusive that you will see on this list, but that doesn’t mean it won’t bring the thunder. NMH, was the coolest, bloodiest, most fast paced, and Wii-mote swinging fun I have had on the Wii since Mario Galaxy and Wii Sports. There’s not much that Suda51 needs to fix from the first game to make the sequel superior. A playable demo would be naughty fun.
5. God of War 3
I know it may be a bit too low on this list, but God of War 3 is a must see at the Expo this year. The Hype Machine attached to GOW3 is in full swing and putting this low on my list helps me keep my anticipation in check. I don’t know what else could be done with this franchise and the worst thing that could happen to this title is for me to underwhelmed at its release.
4. The Beatles: Rock Band
A proper RB3 would have easily topped my list, but I am completely willing to settle for The Beatles. I grew up listening to my Aunt’s dubbed Beatles cassettes, so the music in this one is already engraved on my brain. I would like to get my hands on the new hardware, since the price tag is going to prevent me from ever owning it myself and I don’t think anything in gaming this year is going to beat the experience of playing Eleanor Rigby in the Rock Band format.
3. Bioshock 2
Here’s another title that could have easily topped this list. The original Bioshock was a mindblowing FPS that redefined what an immersive game could be. I’m afraid that since 2K Boston is not developing this one, it won’t have the same feel and emotional strength of the original. Also, the idea of Big Sisters seems a little silly to me. We’ll see.
2. Uncharted 2: Among Thieves
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune is hands down the best PS3 exclusive game that I have played since launch (please keep in mind I haven’t played MGS4, Resistance 2, or Killzone 2), and personally the original contained everything that I look for in a great action game. I have been a huge fan of Naughty Dog for a long time, and Among Thieves almost has my mouth watering. Please give me something playable Sony, please.
1. Assassin’s Creed 2
Outside of a few other games on the show room floor, I think that Assassin’s Creed brings the most weight both personally and commercially. The original was one of the first break-out hits of the new console generation and while it had its flaws it was the first open world game that I was truly loved. It was a very hard decision, but Assassin’s Creed, is my most anticipated E3 game this year.
Did you know that E3 has 32 Wikipedia enteries? 31 of which have nothing to do with the expo.
Hopefully, I will see or touch most if not all of these wonders. Other notables that I didn’t include are, Halo:ODST, Guitar Hero 5, Tony Hawk: Ride, Lego Rock Band, Red Steal 2, Dante’s Inferno, and Modern Warefare 2 (I am openly admitting that this game is probably bigger than everything on my list, but having not played the original, I don’t feel qualified to anticipate it at E3) . I will keep Techpedition.com updated with my findings as will my cohorts.