E3 was decent this year, across the board. Not one of the big three had a fiasco of a presentation, and even though the jury's still out on whether a Nintendo Direct counts as a conference, it's really about the games. So, let's get down to why I think Sony won. This piece is more or less of a recap of my previous articles, but with some perspective. You can find them here:
http://landofgaming.net/?p=...
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Let's start with Microsoft. They showed games from most of their key franchises(only Gears was absent this year), and wowed us with Project Sparks and Sunset Overdrive. They even secured a few indie games. My problem with their presentation, however, is that most of their big stuff was leaked early, and most of it does nothing for me, as someone who isn't a fan of Microsoft's main IPs, and the remainder just isn't sufficient to convince me to want an Xbox One.
Now, Nintendo. They also fired off games from at least a few of their key franchises. A new Zelda is sure to move Wii Us, but I think it's a little late to be the game changer the company was looking for. Super Smash Bros. is unlikely to reach far outside of its existing niche, and it's coming to the 3DS too. Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is great for 3DS owners, and will likely help the system further bury her console sister in sales. Yoshi's Island and Kirby fans have something to celebrate though, and a Captain Toad spinoff, and a Mario level editor are cool ideas.
Neither company had a bad presentation, and they were both solid on all counts. However, I just don't see the positions changing in the near future. That said, both companies at least proved why they should stick around, and that's good enough for me.
Now, Sony. Out of the three, much less of their hand was revealed prior to the event, and they also had more to show, in terms of original IPs. Uncharted 4 intrigues me, but based on the footage shown, I couldn't tell you if it's going to be any good or not. I can, however, say with confidence, that No Man's Sky looks great. Sony also talked about the right multiplats, and Arkham Knight is set to have extra content, exclusive to the PS4. In short, Sony won for me, by a landslide, regardless of what anyone says.
However, we have to remember, that the "winner" of E3 is a purely subjective notion. I once compared the event to a spectator sport, but it's not one with a clear, indisputable point system. Points are based on games, and what excites me, may not excite you, and vice versa. I maintain that all of the big three did good this year, and I look forward to next year.
The Honkai Star Rail 2.2 banners introduce Robin and Boothill, alongside returning faces Topaz and Fu Xuan to HoYo's space fantasy RPG on PS5.
Available right now on Xbox, PlayStation, Switch and PC is the latest from a prolific KEMCO team - Horrific Xanatorium; a horror Visual Novel
Gary Green said: You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of the Ar Tonelico trilogy. The previous two games arrived so late in the PS2’s life-cycle that they simply went unnoticed. While most were tinkering with their shiny new PS3s, Ar Tonelico: Melody of Elemia and Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica were being ‘returned to sender’ by your local Game stores. Luckily, you won’t need to have played them to understand and appreciate this third and final chapter, Qoga (pronounced k-yoga) tells the story of a racial war between humans and Reyvateils, a breed of biologically produced female cyborgs capable of reproduction, while still having a digital mind.
Oh my god. I kinda wish this would get a remaster on PS5, it would be awesome. One of my favorite games on PS3.
That and 3D Dot Game Heroes. It's a shame that some stuff is stuck on PS3.
Ar Tonelico 3 is good I still prefer the first AT game. The music is solid in all the games and Akiko Shikata is a very talented singer bringing life to the game. Only annoying part is well I find is Saki I always choose Finnel or Tyria. KOEI so needs to HD remaster the franchise along with Ar Nosurge and Ciel Nosurge since it never came to North America. I would day one the Ar Toneliceo games and Ar Nosurge if they were remastered.
I still have the limited edition of Qoga unopened. Unfortunately it never went up in value like I had hoped all these years.
I'm a shameless Sony fanboy, but I gotta give it to Nintendo this year. Mario Maker, Splatoon, X, Smash Bros, etc etc were too much for me. I actually am starting to think that Wii U might be able to gain some momentum again if they play their cards right.
Yeah, I'm not denying that Nintendo did good this year. No Man's Sky is still my game of the show though. No one pulled any punches this year, so it was good all around. If you were to ask a bunch of different gamers directly, who they thought won, each of the big three are bound to come up at least once. They all justified their place in this industry. I will say that Nintendo did what they needed to do this year, and that was to come out swinging.
I can understand people have preferences. We're human. Each of us has our reasons as to why they feel a certain manufacturer 'won' E3. You don't like Microsoft's games, probably because they are on their platform. That is your choice. Some people don't like Sony games simply because they are on playstation. It's all subjective.
Having said that.......... No one won by a landslide. I'm sorry. All opinions included, that is just a fact. All 3 did something different and all 3 did well.
I will agree No Man's Sky looks intriguing and Nintendo is bringing in a lot of fun.
Nintendo finally learnt a lesson.
The Wii sold like hot cakes because of casual players.
The WiiU didn't sell like hot cakes because the casual player had moved elsewhere or were so non-gamer beforehand that they are happy to keep on playing their original Wii- if they play it- forever until it gets cobwebs.
The 'Nintendo is written through me like I'm stick of rock' frankly sometimes rather permanently infantile buyer will buy a Nintendo console regardless . So there's no point even relying on their excitement for Super Smash Bros and Starfox. They're partly to blame for why Nintendo have been so conservative sometimes.
What Nintendo has now done is to appeal to a long unspoken of kind of previous Nintendo fan. The type who look for subtle forms of gaming innovation (as opposed to control innovation) from Nintendo but who like kind of cutesy games. The type who might have loved Banjo Kazooie on the N64. But who like fresh IPS or entirely one-off games.
Toad's Treasure Trackers
Yoshi's Woolly World
Mario Maker
Zelda in an art style that isn't so childish that it isn't dated or uncool and yet isn't so 'grown up' that it would become generic.
Splatoon
It's a lovely line up. Bayonetta 2 for the hardcore Sega fan too.
Sony DID win. With the White PS4 destiny bundle, including access to the alpha, they've made it clear the PS4 is the lead platform for the game coming in September. announcing GTA5 for PS4(I'm well aware it's also on Xbox and PC), but mentioning you can take your 360 saves and transfer over?! brilliant. Sony had many more surprises than Microsoft to make their console more relevant. Hell, People still think Uncharted 4 is CGI. Playstation is that good. Xbox can't compete.