So the VGX award show took place last night. I know...who cares right? Yeah, just like in previous years where they had the big Hollywood spectacle, this year's more personal feel was a disaster from the get go. While I could've been doing other things (like watching football, or playing games) I suffered watching the three hour internet stream. Joel McHale helped host the train wreck of a show filled with absurd comments and lack of gaming knowledge. I guess Aisha Tyler was busy that night. You could even see the look of discomfort on Geoff Keighley's face from time to time which left me wondering how long before the self appointed "Emperor of Video Games" would punch Joel McHale in the face.
Yes, the VGX show was that bad.
Grand Theft Auto V won Game of the Year. No surprise there. The big concert featuring the music of GTA V was horrible. Again, no surprise. The world premiere trailers...well let's just say that maybe two or three of the thirteen supposed announcements were actually never before seen titles. The rest were games that the gaming world already knew about for weeks or even months. Thanks internet! How stupid did everyone feel when they had people typing in #VGX to unlock a world premiere trailer only to find out that it was Telltale Games' teaser for Game of Thrones, a title that we all knew about the week before.
I can go on and on about this disaster of a show, but I won't. I'll let the rest of the internet do that for me. However, I wanted to share what games I liked from the event, and what's now on my gaming radar.
Tales From The Borderlands
Anyone who has followed me through the years should already know that I'm a huge fan of Borderlands, so I was stoked to see Telltale Games' collaboration with Gearbox Software for what looks to be an episodic story driven game in Pandora. While the idea sounds great, I still have trouble seeing how Telltale can deliver a story based on a gaming series that's more about gun porn. Add on to the fact that Telltale Games' staff could be spread a little too thin especially when they have a crowded 2014 featuring this game, Game of Thrones, The Walking Dead Season 2, and The Wolf Amongst Us.
Quantum Break
When Quantum Break was first revealed back in May, I didn't understand anything about what this game was about. All I saw was a large cargo ship crashing into a bridge. Then at E3 the game showed up again still leaving me with more questions. Now that I've seen this trailer and understand what the game is about I no longer feel clouded about Quantum Break. It's like the Max Payne games mixed in with time elements. So far this Xbox One exclusive looks pretty cool, and is a title that I'll be watching very closely.
No Man's Sky
This could easily be the game that literally stole the show. While there was no platform announcement as of yet, the idea of exploring new worlds along with elements of space combat had myself and the rest of the internet buzzing. I doubt anyone is still bitching about indie games now.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
I've never played any game in The Witcher series before, but now this action RPG has me hooked. The Witcher 3 has the potential to become the new Skyrim with it's huge open world allowing me to do whatever I want to do. I can't wait to experience everything this game has to offer.
So there you have it. The VGX event may have had me wishing for three hours of my life back, but it least there was something to cheer about. Sure they showed off Destiny and Titanfall as well, however the Destiny trailer didn't show anything really new. With that said, I still can't wait to sink my teeth into Bungie's new adventure. As for Titanfall, the game looks great, but I'm still having second thoughts about spending full retail price on a game that is multiplayer only. As for the VGX event itself. Well maybe it's time to scrap the whole idea altogether.
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Tales From the Boderlands
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Yes. It's focus on storytelling and brings back Handsome Jack. This is exactly what I wanted out of the next Borderlands game. All I need now is to see Butt Stallion is all its glory.
Quantum Break
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What I saw did nothing for me. The graphics look worse than what I've seen so far on current gen games and I've played so many games with time-based physics gameplay, it doesn't look like anything I haven't seen before. So, they really haven't done anything to sell me on this at all.
Titanfall
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New titans shown. Game looks okay, but, for some reason, I just can't really pull myself to like it. It seems like a game I should like, but I'm not won over by the wall jumping or mech combat at all so far. It seems like an FPS with vehicles so far and doesn't seem to do much else for me.
No Man's Sky
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I liked the art direction. This seems like something similar to Starbound with a focus on FPS elements than TPS action. Could be good, could be meh. Was definitely a surprise and the one game that had more of my thoughts than any other shown.
The Witcher 3
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I've played the first and second. They are great games with great gameplay. There's no way I won't go into the third. And, the fact that they're improving the game on so many levels (open world regions, more strategic combat, etc.) only makes it look like it's going to continue the line of great games. Lets just hope they don't pull an ME3 ending here.
Destiny
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I like this game. It's like Borderlands with a more open design. The graphics may not be the best, but it looks like a lot of community fun. This looks like a good alternative to Planetside 2, and, honestly, looks better already.