Victim of Culture

Best of E3 2009

This year saw E3 return to its roots and try to be the spectacle of games we all know it should be.  It brought with it some incredible looking games, but also some neat little surprises.  But when it was all said and done, what was the best of show?  Read on.

DS Game of the Show
Golden Sun DS

It’s great to see the return of this RPG franchise and also fairly unexpected.  The DS has oddly claimed its place as the RPG console of this generation, and titles like Golden Sun DS simply solidify that.

PSP Game of the Show
Little Big Planet PSP

If there’s potential for a killer app for the PSP this is it.  Little Big Planet has won lots of praise from critics, but not quite the sales one would hope.  The PSP offers another audience a chance t discover this charming series.

Wii Game of the Show
Metroid: Other M

With the recent announcement of the Metroid Prime Trilogy release for the Wii, many wondered if it was a sing of another Metroid title in development.  Still, very few imagined that the new title would be this.  The most exciting news from Nintendo’s press conference.

PS3 Game of the Show
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves

There were several great games shown by Sony this year, but Uncharted 2 was the most exciting.  Take one of the best developers in the business and have them follow up a criminally under appreciated action title with one that tops it in just about every manner imaginable.

Xbox 360 Game of the Show
Splinter Cell Conviction

Splinter Cell Conviction had reached the level of vaporware for many.  After its previous showings and the disastrous reaction to its changes to main character Sam Fischer, many thought this one was scrapped.  Thank goodness they were wrong.

Game of the Show
Splinter Cell Conviction

More than any other title at the show, Splinter Cell Conviction looked like a huge push forward in graphics, gameplay, and presentation.  It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but neither did Ferrari.  The most impressive title of the show.

Surprise of the Show
Metroid: Other M

As noted earlier, who expected this?  Sure, a new Metroid game maybe, but Team Ninja and Nintendo teaming up for a fast paced third-person action extravaganza?  No one can claim Nintendo doesn’t listen to their hardcore fans this year.

Tech of the Show
Project Natal

There are the whispers that Project Natal, Microsoft’s new camera motion controller technology, is all fluff and no substance.l  There are the rumors that it will never see the light of day this generation.  There are the groans of it all being fancy tricks for what the EyeToy can already do.  And maybe they’re all right.  It’s still the most impressive tech demo of the entire show.

Innovation of the Show
Splinter Cell Conviction

Some might question this choice, but go back and watch some of the gameplay footage of this title.  Realistic real-world environments with story elements that unfold as part of that environment.  A new approach to stealth and targeting that seem to address most people’s concerns with the genre.  It’s the leap forward the genre, and games in general, need.

No-show of the Show
PS3 price cut

Sony said it wasn’t coming, but no one believed them.  Guess we all learned our lesson, huh?  While a PS3 price cut this year seems inevitable, the fact that it did not happen at E3 was a major disappointment to many, including third party developers.

Future Addiction of the Show
ModNation Racers

The Xbox 360 had its kart racer, but this one for the PS3 stole the show.  With its Little Big Planet level of customization, plus incredibly simply track builder, ModNation Racers looks like it will keep many gamers addicted long after its release.

Bust of the Show
Project Natal

How can something be both the best tech and the bust of the show?  Mostly because Natal was little more than a tech demo.  It holds lots of promise if a mass produced version can work, but as it is there was little for gamers to look forward to.  Perhaps one day you’ll drive a car with an imaginary steering wheel, but Microsoft isn’t promising anything.

Trailer of the Show
Uncharted 2

There were lots of well-scripted, action-packed game trailers at this year’s show, but only Uncharted 2’s grabbed hold like the best movie trailers do and didn’t let go until the end.  If they released this game into theaters the trailer would be enough to make most people spend $10 to see someone else play it.

Top Ten of the Show

Below are the top ten games of the show in no particular order.  That’s right, no fun and arbitrary assignment of position in this top ten list.  Just deal with it that these were the ten best titles shown.

1. The Last Guardian (PS3)
2. God of War III (PS3)
3. Uncharted 2 (PS3)
4. Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
5. Metroid: Other M (Wii)
6. New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)
7. Crackdown 2 (Xbox 360)
8. Splinter Cell Conviction (Xbox 360)
9. The Beatles: Rock Band (multi)
10. Alan Wake (Xbox 360)

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