I write this recovering from an operation and my downtime has inspired me to write and to comment on several things because I have been a busy little beaver. Today is double post day!
E3 Lucky
Often I'd felt that overall in games (on home consoles mainly) we'd gone through a dark and werid period in the last couple of periods. I have probably bought the least amount of console games these last 2 years than I ever have and I feel the emphasis on the technology/hardware over software is partially to blame. But this is something I won't get into here. I will do a very big feature on why I feel things have gone a bit downhill recently and how we could be on for another video game crash.
BUT...before that, things have been deterring me from expressing that opinion in it's savage entirity. What things you may ask? Well for some reason some developers and bods in their offices have shown they really still have a grip on things. Not all of them but things are not looking so bleak and I am actually excited again. But why? Because E3 was actually VERY good this year, not just mediocre or terrible as in the last couple of years. Also there have been some exciting announcements and reveals recently too.
Here are some of the more significant picks of gaming's future. Both good and bad (but mainly good) to show you what I'm keeping an eye out for. For this I shall be introducing a new device. Something which has never been seen before (disclaimer: may have been seen before) which will revolutionise and shorten reviews the world over. I give you...
THE CHURCHY EXCITE-O-METER
With these pictures you can see what I'm looking forward to and what I don't like the look of at the minute. So lets go off in a random order with the good games and announcments that have re-ignited my passion (slightly) for the future.
The 3DS (all brand new Nintendo console)
ROCK ON! The new Ninty handheld that looks like it's going to be great. But I'm not that bothered about the 3D, it's the games I'm excited about. Expect an in-depth analysis of this very soon.
Golden Sun: Dark Dawn
AT LAST! One of my favourite Game Boy Advance games has a sequel on the DS. There is much rejoycing!
Metroid: Other M
PRETTY DAMN GOOD! Metroid: Other M is shaping up very nicely. You'll see why I'm not adding anything else at the bottom of this post.
Naruto: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
ROCK ON! Anyone who knows me knows I am an anime fan and that Naruto is one of my favourites. Of course like a lot of liscensced material not all of Naruto's games have been great. But with two great games from Ubisoft (Rise of A Ninja and The Broken Bond) along with Ultimate Ninja Storm, a sequel has been announced and it looks incredible so far. For 360 as well as PS3 this time in autumn!
Studio Ghibli's Ninokuni (PS3 version)
ANOTHER ROCK ON! The PS3 version of Studio Ghibli's first venture into the gaming world (in conjunction with developer Level 5)looks fantastic on an aesthetic level. It's already caught my attention, but I'll still be watching it pan out.
Tekken x Street Fighter and Street Fighter x Tekken
INTERESTING...These two titles are joining up yet competing at the same time...I've already seen footage of the Street Fighter version which looks impressive but I'm waiting for the Tekken version. Partly because I suck at Street Fighter but also because I want something to make up for the slight letdown Tekken 6 was.
18+ Dreamcast games to be ported to XBLA
LOSING MY SHIT! Whoa. There are a few things in this world that make me this excited. The Dreamcast is one of my favourite consoles of all time and for so many titles being planned for release, it means that those who missed them first time around will be able to experience the greatness. There are so many possibilities here such as online Power Stone fights but the prospect that excites me the most is the possibility of both Shenmue titles getting released. We've had the main character Ryo featured in Sonic and Sega All Stars Racing, so it's safe to assume it will happen. But if they sold well then there maybe enough awareness and support for, dare I say it...SHENMUE 3!
So gaming is well and truly saved with these great titles plus more? right? Well not completely. Later on this week I shall be going through the hardware and software that I think is a waste of time (yes Kinect is in there!) and other products that are neither bad nor good or have yet to prove themselves worthy.
Also there will be two previews of some upcoming games. I managed to playtest Metroid:Other M at the London Film and Comic Con the other week so this should be interesting!
See you soon
Take care
Churchy
i remember a game that came out many years ago on playstation one...Technomage, it was the first action adventure puzzle fantacy game of its time. a game that made me love the genre of rpg. do you think it should be classed as a founder of the genre and if so, should it be given a chance to shine once more with a remake or even an adaption.
ReplyDeletealso why is it that games based on books always do better than games based on films...take Alan wake for example
Thanks again for commenting Christian. You're awesome. You've actually inspired me to do a post based on the topic of games based on other source material. After that is posted I will definately talk about Technomage.
ReplyDeleteHey Christian sorry it took so long but to answer your question about Technomage. To be honest I can't give you a straight answer. I wasn't even aware of it's existence before you mentioned it but after researching it and check it out. I'll give you my opinion.
ReplyDeleteIt definately isn't a founder of RPG. RPG's have been around for a long time and also the genre itself now covers so many different things and game engines. It's got quite a late release for the PS1 life cycle and I can think of a few games in the same vein that came before it (RPGs without going into a separate battle screen). However, that does not mean I am discounting the game in anyway. I can't answer the question about a revival because I would have to play it first!
But thanks for pointing it out as I am always interested in obscure games that can impress!