Now that the dust has fallen and the battle lines drawn, most gamers have thrown their vote to Microsoft for the best. Microsoft simply brought a bigger game than Nintendo or Sony. On top of fantastic reveals such as an upcoming Netflix service as well as a thorough redesign of the 360’s interface, Microsoft managed to jam enough game play into their conference to keep most gamers happy until next year’s E3.
The marketing muscle of the ship that Bill Gates built was overpowering this year. It is Microsoft’s focus on sequels that gives it a leg up. People must realize that Microsoft is still establishing itself in the gaming world. While Sony and Nintendo have many generations behind them Microsoft still needs to entrench itself into gamers’ minds by adding to the groundwork they have built with titles such as Gears of War and Fable.
Xbox 360
Fable 2
Fable 2 is on track to become the realization of the dream that Fable 1 originally set out to fulfill. Promising an even greater breath of freedom, Peter Molyneux is setting out to forge the most open ended RPG of all time. The sequel will introduce a dog companion who joins the player early on. The pet’s appearance and even AI will form and mesh around the player’s actions. A clever death system that has gone through multiple renditions to finally settle on a pleasing outcome will be present in Fable 2.
All of these additions pale to the announcement of the co-op feature of Fable 2. Invites can be sent to friends to join a player’s Fable 2 world. The influx of your companion’s unknown intentions will shape an already unique experience. Also E3 saw the final release date, October 2008.
Gears of War 2
Ah, the big brown baby of the big white hope spawns a younger sibling. Gears of War is without a doubt the richest experience on the Xbox 360. Very similar to Wii Sports 2, Gears of War 2 is shaping to be a stellar sequel. Those that have played Gears 2 may not be surprised by any element but they are surely pleased by the enhancements.
Beyond the added guns, enemies and vehicles are some truly emerging multiplayer ideas. Co-op will feature individual difficulty settings. It cannot be stressed enough out far reaching this will become and it will most certainly become a feature for games of this ilk in the feature. Simply put one player can play on Hardcore and another can play on Casual. The game will adapt itself to provide an enjoyable experience for both the player who has run through the game 3 times as well as the newbie picking up his first Lancer.
Even more exciting is the game’s newly unveiled Horde mode. Employing an almost arcade mentality, Horde will pit up to 5 human players against wave after wave of increase Locust enemies similar to vertical shooters of the past.
XBLA
Geometry Wars 2
It is pleasing to speak about an E3 game that is not set to release in several months. Geometry Wars 2 was released on July 30th but despite the proximity to E3 it managed to generate a lot of buzz at the conference.
Game modes have been added to included a racing mode and this reviewer’s favorite; a pacifist mode. There is something about a shooter that takes away your ability to shoot that gives a fascinating spin to an already amazing game. Calls for multiplayer have been heard as well. Two modes will be available for those with friends; 4 player co-op and the interesting Two Pilot. This mode will find 2 players sharing a ship, as one drives and the other fires.
Castle Crashers
Castle Crashers is an Xbox Live Arcade game that has spent enough time in development to be considered a full fledged console effort. Players have been looking for 2D beat ‘em up multiplayer since 2006 courtesy of Behemoth development. It is a good thing that this is the last E3 Castle Crashers will have to spend in the same few hands. Game journalists have played it enough to agree; Castle Crashers it the true future of co-op romp fests. Employing many of the same features as the classic Guardian Heroes and various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles games, up to 4 players will be able to enjoy the myriad of game play modes offered in this one of a kind digital wonder.
PC
Knights of the Old Republic MMO
All but confirmed by EA, the third Knights of the Old Republic seems to be headed into the direction many hoped for; MMO. Those completely disgusted by Sony’s Galaxies offering will drool over the idea of playing within the already well establish Old Republic universe amongst numerous friends. Although still considered a strong rumor, Knights of the Old Republic MMO would play to all the strengths of PCs. No consoles have been ruled out at this point and while it isn’t hard to imagine an Xbox 360 version, PC gamers should be happy that they will get the royal treatment when Knights hits their boxes.
It is hard to point a finger of blame at Microsoft’s E3 2008 conference. The multiple sequels should be seen as a sign of further establishing a brand as opposed to re-treading old ground. Developers pushing these sequels have made sure to fill them with more than more guns and more foes. Both in digital and physical form, new horizons of multiplayer will greet 360 and PC gamers when they awake to the newest offerings displayed at E3 2008.
