InFamous: Quite an experience

Well, its been sometime now. Been busy with a number of things so I haven't been able to jump back to my blog as of recently. But I did say I would have an InFamous review for those you that are continuing to read my blog, and so here we are again. I soon hope to follow up with a Prototype review, but for some strange reason I've grown quite addicted to Tiger Woods Golf 10 for my 360. Perhaps I blast aboard with a review of that as well. So here we are......InFamous.

Now for some reason, whenever I hear the word infamous, I always think back to the classic comedy “Three Amigos” with Chevy Chase, Steve Martin, and Martin Short, but let's just get that comparison out of the way because this is no little amigos game. To sum up the game for you in its feel, its like Crackdown meets Assassin's Creed, high impact action with a great story and at the same time, you choose to follow a moral code that affects what you can do and how you are as a person. You play Cole, an unsuspecting bike messenger carrying a bomb that levels nearly 20% of the city sent it into utter turmoil, but behold, you live. How convenient? But how, why? And what seems to be a cheesy plot to just kind of send you on this what the hell is wrong with me character life, the story is much more in-depth than just a few explosions and a guy that doesn't realize what's going on. Armed with the power of lightning, you run off into the city to regain something of your life that you seemed to have made miserable so many. And would a game like this be if you didn't have a pissed off ex-girlfriend to boot? Well look no further. But once again, it kind of starts out on this cookie cutter anti-hero story, but its so much more.

Visually, the game is stunning with lots of attention to detail. If there's one game to play on an HDTV this year, its this one. The colors are rich with little next to no clipping or draw in at all when leaping over tall buildings or jumping down from them. There are a few moments when going into a small scene starting a mission where you may bump the character you are speaking to, and it throws them to the ground with their legs flailing about meanwhile their head and eyes continue to stay focused on you as if to say, “Oh don't mind my crazy legs. They do that from time to time.” But that doesn't happen often. Other times, I would notice car driving right through each other as I would blow up a bus or truck, but not a lot at all to think it would be call rampant. This is all cosmetic, and should not shy you away from playing this game just because of a few minor graphical glitches. And though I could probably be very picky and state a bunch of other little things here and there, they are in no way significant to even mention in my opinion.

Now the game isn't without its repetition mind you. It's not all one great ride, though the story itself can carry the game, but the side missions do get repetitive. Blow up these guys. Save my clinic from those hooligans. Run through these lights as fast as you can. Much like Assassin's Creed, the side missions are very similar to one another, but they are fun to do. Even though these missions seem to recreate themselves with slight variations, it does help offset your mind while blasting away at a mass of gang members in a bunch of different ways. Thinking about this now, when you break the game down, there isn't that much to it. But with the side missions being as repetitive as they are, there aren't that many of them to drill you between phases of the story, and the story is what drives you. Kind of like my days of counter-strike of saying to myself, “just one more map”, you really do want to see what happens next, and comfortably the adrenaline that gets you going dies down in just the right moments it seems to give you that break to get away from the game. But another item that probably needs attention is the collecting. Open world games, or the more recent term being use, sandbox titles, cannot be without some element of collecting some sort of item, trinket, packet, box, or in shards as we see here in InFamous. But once again, the game handles the situation well by giving you a nice way to find them along the way. Same goes with these little satellite dishes you can run into from time to time that you can find to reveal a little more about the story of the game. Numbering over 320 shards, I found myself collecting just over 300 shards and found all dishes with little next to no problem with my along the way gameplay style. So once again, it can seem annoying telling yourself, man collecting more crap? Once you get rolling though, its not so bad.

Now there are a few more characteristics of the game I can get into, but they aren't as lively others that its not of a great focus. The focus of the game is the story all the way. Just like the presentation of the game, its like having a great comic book read and played out in front of you with the choose your own adventure feel thrown in. The graphics once again are spectacular, the sound and slowdown aspects of the game work really great, and the action comes and goes in just the right spurts. These days, games all seem to get their strength from some sort of multiplayer mode, so the single player based games get lost in the mix, and often end up in your bargain bin at your local game store because, well, they get beaten and traded back to the game stores fairly quickly. Where as people are still playing their Halo or their Gears of Wars, even though as disappointing the story of those games can seem to some. So we often pick and choose our solo games very carefully. But allow me to same that InFamous is definitely a must play title and should definitely be in the library of any PS3 owner.

E3 2009 Nintendo Press Conference Impressions

Those that did not comment on my previous blog but still read it, I thank you very much. So once again, here I sit the day after E3 2009 Nintendo Press Conference to bring you my impressions, opinions, try to paint a picture to your minds for those of you that cannot even see E3 as I have. And also again, I thank G4TV for broadcasting E3 2009 Live which gives me the opportunity to my mind and personality to the world of gaming. Though many may not be following right now, but I've got to start somewhere right. So without further delay, here's what Nintendo had the pleasure of bringing to us at this year's E3 Press Conference.

Nintendo had a lot to live up to this year coming in from last year's press conference not only making a lot of hardcore gamers feel ousted, but also leaving Nintendo fans themselves with virtually nothing to look forward to. Granted Nintendo still presses on strong with sales figures baffling and amazing us month to month with the sheer amount of product movement since last year's E3, but many I've spoken to, from developers to just every day shoppers as well as Nintendo Fan Boys, the majority of users question what do they have to look forward to, or why do they bother to hold on to a system that doesn't deliver a title that really drives me to play it? It didn't help Nintendo either when The Nielson Company release their report, "The State of the

Video Gamer" in late 2008, where they stated that while Nintendo was the most highly sold system, it is also the least played of the current generation of consoles. Even I took it upon myself to really find a game that said to me that I must buy it for my Nintendo Wii in the late part of last summer, and though I do enjoy playing on the Wii Fit, I cannot seriously say that there has been one Wii title that urged me to buy it. This is not to say Nintendo hasn't brought enjoyable games to its audience. Animal Crossing, cute and enjoyed by many along with the Wii Speak, it wasn't a hook that reeled s in. Now there are other games that were played by many Wii owners over the past year such as Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles, Punch Out!, Boom Blox, and Rock Band 2, fans have been looking to Nintendo make them say, "Please don't make me think I bought this thing for nothing". Well, while not out of this world, actual kind of out of this world, Nintendo did bring some blockbusters that surely give us something to look forward to.

• Super Mario Bros. for Wii

Gamer roots are something a lot of us older generation gamers boast about. Playing on our Atari 2600's with nothing but a stick and only 1 button, dumping countless quarters into machines at our local arcades, perhaps even playing on our 14.4 bps modems (little love the movie "Hackers" there), one of the games that you'll always hear about when you think of gamer roots is the classic Super Mario Bros. After a bit of talk of numbers, kind of sounding like last year all over again, Nintendo quickly changes gears to bring us a look at one of Miyamoto's latest creations, Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. This newest edition to the Mario Library brings us to our grass roots of the original Super Mario Bros. From their presentation and live demo, it appears that the game will take players on a jour

ney through many of the gameplay elements we all enjoyed in so many of our side scrolling favorites of the Mario series over the Nintendo console years. The level they showed resembled the first level of the first Super Mario Bros. game on the NES with the brick breaking blocks, simple greenery on the ground, and of course, the pipes. But later on in the level, the landscape turns changes into much of what we saw in Super Mario World for the Super NES, and ended back with the classic flag pole and castle at the end of the level. All very cool and cute as it just makes you reflect and reminisce of your gaming days of old. But the hook in this game is the 4 player simultaneous play. This element of play allows up to 4 friends to gather together and play together as well as compete for coins to rack up high scores. Of course, Nintendo besides refined graphics and returning characters like Toad, they had to add little Wii remote motions to give us nice little gadgets such as the helicopter suit shown in the live demo where the play would swish around the Wii remote to rotate the propeller on the character's head and fly about.

There really wasn't much more in terms of show in the game, but there are a lot gameplay mechanics that pop up with a suit, a power-up, and so on that make you smile remember doing the same type of actions in other Mario games. Though one more feature which allows for cooperative moves such as throwing your partner to knock down some koopas was demonstrated which will bring good team aspects to gameplay. All things together just gave us a small sample of what the game will bring, but in my opinion, not enough that really entices me to buy it. So I guess that answers this question, will I buy it? Probably not. Over the years, maybe it's just easy to say that I've become a violent gamer enjoying too much things like chain sawing locust in Gears of War, rather than jumping around with a cute little character. Maybe with my niece or nephew, but I don't see this joining my Wii library. The other selling point that they did not clear up was if the 4 player gameplay would be available online, not just locally. We'll see when it releases later this year in the fall.

• Wii Fit Plus
  

If you don't know about the Wii Fit and you call yourself a gamer, just skip this section entirely. Unless you've been living under a rock or maybe a hardcore Amish with no television, you can't go much of anywhere without hearing about the Wii Fit. Now I have one, and I do enjoy it as it doesn't so much call to me to play it, but much more of a symbol to myself that there is more to life sometimes than just sitting on the edge of my seat and killing things with lightning in Infamous, or torque bowing a guy in the head in Gears of War 2, it definitely does its job in trying to help people be more active. Not a lot has changed here with this new expansion of Wii Fit with Wii Fit Plus. More workouts obviously come to this title, but something very nice is a more in-depth workout tracker, and a workout playlist allowing you to link workouts one after the other which lets you customize works with small rest breaks in between for a more fluid workout. New balance games in this like Perfect 10, skateboarding, and even a Mario-like game that has you walk the path Mario would in such a game like Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Wii Fit Plus promises be just as much fun as the first and deliver more to its fans. And now the question, will I buy it? Umm, no. Least not right away. I waited for the Wii Fit and picked it up just when I happen to see it while looking for something else to buy, there was never any pressure from me to buy it, but I figure I'll get it eventually if the Natal doesn't get me first. Will Fit Plus comes bundled in future Wii Fit packages and as a standalone title for those who already own Wii Fit this fall.

• Final Fantasy: Crystal Bearers

Appearing to look like a page from the Braver Fencer series, Crystal Bearers is a single player Action/RPG and looks good doing it. Though there was no live demo of the game, this still looks like a decent title for Wii owners that really enjoyed having the Final Fantasy series on the Nintendo system like the days of old. I'm sure many Nintendo faithful would of much rather seen the series stay with Nintendo, but alas, that's not the case, and this is what Nintendo fans are reduced to. I wasn't a big fan of the Crystal Chronicles game on the GameCube, and I really don't foresee myself buying this one, or better said, until I see a little more of the game, and even then, I don't think I'll purchase this one on its release. With no demo of what gameplay with the Wii remote would look like, though I'm sure some tried it at E3 themselves, it looks as though there is definite promise to its gameplay mechanics as many of the different aspects of the game itself look good for nice opportunities to use the Wii remote in different ways, one obviously being swordplay. Was this a mega hit for Nintendo, I really don't think so, but it was nice to see this first of 3rd party love for Nintendo. This title is exclusive to the Nintendo Wii, and why not.

• Kingdom Hearts by Square-Enix
  

Releasing September 29th is this relative classic; Kingdom Hearts makes its way to Nintendo Wii for the masses. Though Kingdom Hearts was a great game in itself, but this is one of the things that I get upset with Nintendo about, and it's this with a remake. Nintendo to me has geared a lot to the retro gamer, which is an audience that definitely should not be forgotten, but should not be the only catered to. Even the hardcore Nintendo followers cry out for new titles of their favorite lovable characters, not a look on how they can use the Wii remote. As a Nintendo Wii owner, I want to be marveled with revolutionary and intuitive ways to use the Wii remote with new titles and multiplayer, not another rehash on a game I've already played. The same case was with Okami released by Capcom on the PS2 first, then later on the Wii. Now the Wii version of Okami was great, but if I hadn't of bought on the PS2 already where it was fantastic too, I wasn't going to buy the game again just to try out some little motions on my Wii remote. For those that have never played Kingdom Hearts, this is a perfect game, but still, it's nothing new for many of us. I will not be buying this at all.

• Mario & Luigi's: Bowers' Inside Story DS
  

Here Nintendo moved to their DS titles which is obvious that Nintendo DS has claimed a strong percentage of the gaming market with record sales. And what kind of world would be in if Mario didn't somehow influence it. Miyamoto and his clever wit bring forth yet another Mario game with this one called Mario & Luigi's: Bowsers' Inside Story. This game takes the Mario brothers through a journey through just that, Bowser's insides. How the story comes about that Mario and Luigi somehow make their way into Bowser's body is unknown at this time, but with the trailer, the game looks to be very cunning in its use of the stylist and movement sensor in the DS recognized various motions with your fingertips on the first screen, and good use of tilt and pan movements causing the player to turn their DS around and around to complete different objectives. I myself am not very big into the handheld gaming because I usually don't have the time to play on my DS or PSP, but the game itself looks like a lot of fun and you can bet Mario sells games. He's a veteran and he knows what to do to get it done. But will I buy it? No, maybe presents for family, but not myself.

• Golden Sun DS
  

Golden Sun is one of the few RPG's from the Gameboy Advanced days that really stuck out in my head. With a solid story, nice characters, and good combat system, Golden Sun was a widely loved series on the GBA. The graphics were really impressive for a handheld title making full use of both screens on cinematics much like the Final Fantasy games on the DS; it's quite a beautiful piece of work. A nice surprise for DS lovers for this one, and even though the trailer game no idea of the timeline or story elements of the game, I can see this one being a really good seller for Nintendo DS players. Would I buy this one? You know, I just might, maybe not on release, but think it will be a good one for the collection.

• James Patterson's: Women's Murder Club - Games of Passion DS
  

Game's based on books? Nothing unheard of here. Here Nintendo began its turn in its conference to show how they are catering to the female gamer. Nintendo bombarded us with numbers at last year's conference, telling us how much the handheld market was starting to become dominated by female games. The female gaming audience has been targeted by games like the Sims, Brain Age, and Nintendogs. Interactive titles that focus on quick in and out gameplay for the most part, but also leaning on popular television show concepts like mystery and drama (Trauma Center anyone?) such as CSI to draw in the crowds of female gamers. Here we have James Patterson's: Women's Murder Club. No guys, it's not what you think. Just a simple mystery game of clues and who done it type stuff surround by a multitude of mini games. Games like this I usually can't get into and just must say aren't my style. I'm sure there are many that love these types of games such as the cellular gaming audience, but no I. It serves no justice really placing my take on the game but from the looks of it, it should fetch a decent return in sales for its target audience. Look for this title in October later this year.

• The C.O.P. DS by Ubisoft
  

Along with many others like Pets from developer Ubisoft, The C.O.P. is a action packed little game with decent graphics in relation to the movement and pace of the game, but once again, I'm not thrilled as this particular game doesn't cater to my style, but like other DS games and the support of Ubisoft itself, it will probably sell well regardless. Driving, running, shooting, and no explanation what the acronym stands for, it appears to do the job it was intended. No release date mentioned for this title, and no, I probably won't buy it.

• Style Savvy DS
  

Continuing with its female targeted audience, Style Savvy is another game of fun glamour and dress up for young girls across the world. Hair styles, make-up, shopping, runway shows, this game puts little girls in the driver's seat to be the top fashion model around. Games of this nature I can see doing better than most if it has a lot to offer in the customization department as well if it allowed for Wi-Fi connections or just connecting with friends wirelessly to compete and trade items. Like the previous game, I won't be buy this either, but look for this title probably this fall.

At this point in the conference, Reggie Fils-Aime exited conference and handed is back to Cammie Dunaway who began the conference. With last year, she went about with numbers and numbers and more numbers, and on and on, that it really just drove me batty and put me to sleep in many cases. But this time around, though she started off with the usual numbers giving credit to the soaring sales with the success of the Nintendo DSi selling 1 million units in its first month alone and 400,000 units of of the DS Lite since the DSi's release. Cammie continued on the theme that the roles of the DS Lite and DSi were about customization. Of how people placed gaming in their life, where they placed, and how it's joined so many people together.

• Flipnote Studio

Cammie rolled in from his numbers speech to the captivation that the DSi has induced into players all around the world. Expanding on this and the phenomenon of the DSi, Cammie introduced Flipnote Studio for DSi users. Playing off the successful use of the camera, Flipnote Studio allows for users to make their own sketch animated movies right on their DSi. Showing cool features in animation, brush strokes, and just photo editing, it really is a nice dynamic tool for the DSi. Since I don't have a DSi, I will not be able to enjoy this tool, but even if I did I wouldn't use it. Have my iPhone for that. Flipnote Studio will be available this summer to DSi users only.

• Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again DS
  

Are you sick of Mario yet? Well the world isn't. And as long as the world isn't, Miyamoto will continue to pump out Mario titles. Mario vs. Donkey Kong DS is all about bringing the retro style back much like its Wii big brother of Super Mario Bros. for Wii. More than just a platformer, jumping on koopas, collecting coins, and such, the trailer only showed a few brief elements of gameplay with the minis trying to march through levels much like in a Lemmings game, but the focus point here in this installment of the series is a new level design editor that puts the player in the position to make super complex levels and also upload them to the Internet for others to play and download other players levels. Looks cute and fun like other Mario games are, but I don't see think game joining my library at all. More importantly, it can't!! Why is that? Because you need a DSi as it will only be available as a download for DSi users. What is this to say about Nintendo? Playing favorites are they? Probably not, but since it doesn't need a camera, not sure why it's only for DSi users. Oh well.

• Wario Ware DIY (Do it yourself) DS
  

Honestly, I don't understand the fascination with this Wario Ware games, but they sell. When it came to the Wii, it was a great game that made use of the Wii remote. Quiky little motions making you shake, rattle, and roll in so many different ways it made it fun for so many. But now we return to the DS with Wario Ware: Do It Yourself. Another very short clip which at this time, kind of got annoying because these little trailers really didn't show enough in my opinion, but I'll get to that later. With Wario Ware: DIY, players take control of all those fun loving Wario games and make their own. Unlike Mario vs. Donkey Kong: Minis March Again, Cammie stated that players will be able to share and upload to other DIY owners but made no reference that your games could be loaded to the web which doesn't really make sense but who am I to question Miyamoto's greatness. Look for this one this fall, except me, because once again, I won't be getting it.

• Fackbook Uploads
  

Connecting with friends is something all three consoles are stressing more and more. Microsoft showed us on day one their partnership with Facebook, well what's to stop Nintendo from doing the same? Coming this fall, DSi owners will be able to upload right to Facebook with pictures they snap, edit, and alter on their DSi's for the entire world to see. Nintendo probably trying to continue its play to its female audience with this application and show the Facebook community that they don't need an iPhone to post so easily to Facebook on the go. Implement this feature to your DSi this fall.

• Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks
  

Another famed character returns to life for Nintendo in the form of the Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks. The Zelda series has been one for me that has died down in the thrill factor for me, though Twilight Princess was highly enjoyable, but people have been enjoying Zelda for years and this one will probably not disappoint their audience with this one either. Though no trailer or teaser for this game at all, a little disappointing for fans but still something to look forward to.

Global Presidet, Mr. Satoru Iwata came to the stage starting off with the way Nintendo has made people really think about the way they play games. He went on to talk about how the age barrier of the gamer has been broken with the Wii that has had people that would never think about really playing games, now off the couches with their children, grand children, and so forth and bringing players from all ages together. To go on, Iwata talks about how not only are games to excite and thrill us, but to relax us as games are suppose to be fun, putting us in a state of mind to be free and release the day to day stresses of our normal everyday lives. With this, he introduces the following:

The Wii Vitality Sensor

This device does more than just track your pulse, but somehow track your mood and emotion through different readings it capture from your body. Not exactly sure what else its suppose to track but Iwata says that this peripheral will help players achieve greater states of relaxation to put them in a better state of mind. I would imagine that the Vitality Sensor would also be able to send its readings back to Nintendo for study into what types of people are playing their games and help develop future games to bring players to higher level of consciousness. Though no demonstration of the peripheral was shown, and you know, the first thing I thought to myself when I saw this was, "Great, another peripheral", the truth is that many people will still buy this thing. I would have to see some intuitive demos showing off some interesting uses for this thing before I'd buy it, but that goes for just about every smart shopper. But because Nintendo is Nintendo, and though it seems less people play the Wii more than Nintendo itself seems to believe they do, Nintendo has found the formula for marketing because despite what many can say about the library of games and lack of 3rd party support, they sell and they sell very well.

• Super Mario Galaxy 2
  

So what do you do now that you're Nintendo and you've just announced another peripheral? Why introduce another Mario game. But not just any Mario game, but the sequel to one of the bestselling titles of the Nintendo Wii which would be Super Mario Galaxy 2. Looks like more of the same type of play, and why not? The success of the first game would obviously bring back what players loved of the first game as the trailer they played clearly showed. Besides much of the same gameplay mechanics, not one new suit for Mario was shown, but there was one little surprise that people cheered for which was the appearance of Yoshi at the end of the clip. For myself, I don't own the first game, and I wouldn't mind but I just haven't brought myself to buy it because seriously, I'm playing other games, but my nephew really enjoyed the first one. Watching him play it, I was actually really impressed by its puzzle and platforming elements, clearly seeing how many could enjoy it. Once again, no live demo and no certain release date except to say 2010, will I buy it? It's pretty safe to say no. I'd like to buy the first one before I bought the second. But that probably won't happen any time soon either.

3rd Party Love Continues with the homage paid by Nintendo with 3 titles

• The Conduit by Sega
  
• Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles by Capcom
  
• Dead Space: Extraction
  

None of these games we show in live demos, probably because these 3 could all be played on the showroom floor, but also because neither of them were any big of a surprise, though I would have loved to have seen some live demos of Dead Space. I loved Dead Space but I'm very hazy on buying a rail shooter based off the game, but the story intrigues me and its really pushing me on possibly buying this game just to know what happens. The Conduit is an interesting futuristic shooter that has a lot of people buzzing about not just its story but the look and feel of it alone. Then there's Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, which like its similar game before it in the Umbrella Chronicles has us riding the train once again to find out more of the world of Resident Evil through plot points in Resident Evil 2, 3, and Code Veronica. All 3 of these games look great, but as I mentioned, I'll probably just by Dead Space, and again Nintendo's recognition to its 3rd party developers with titles such as these was good to see instead of being absent from last year's conference.

• Metroid M
  

Well what would a Nintendo conference be without a surprise ending. Nintendo unveils before us a beautiful trailer for Metroid M. I had the idea that they would show Metroid Trilogy which was announced a few months ago, but this was a great surprised. Better still with the announcement was the collaboration of the game being done incorporation with Team Ninja which brought us the Ninja Gaiden and Dead or Alive series would be the key engineers of this new chapter in the Metroid series. Taking us away from the first person view, this game while absolutely beautiful, show Samus in a whole new light with vicious attacks and a somewhat brutal nature as I saw in one scene Samus jumping on an enemy, shoving her hand cannon into its mouth, and detonating a laser bomb into its mouth. Blistering stuff I must say. That alone has given me the greatest incentive to really declare that this is finally the Wii game that makes me tell myself that I have to buy it. No release date except to say 2010, but I can't wait to play it.

Final Thoughts

As I said, Nintendo had a lot to live up to, to bring a great show this year and helping us forget last year's sandbag conference. While Nintendo will never admit and firmly believe that last year's conference was solid if not just as great as this year's, I could only describe last year's conference as bland. As a more mature game myself, not meaning I don't enjoy games directed to the younger audience, but just that my own gameplaying habits have just grown with the business as I have in my choice of TV shows, movies, and music. I feel I probably don't enjoy Nintendo games as much as maybe I should with games like MAG, God of War, Gears of War, and Prototype really draw me in then Mario does, but don't be fooled, Nintendo's show this year was a incredible improvement from last year's in my opinion and they definitely brought something for everyone. Though they didn't achieve their promise of bringing the Wii Motion Plus as they said they would, with games like Rabbids Go Home, Red Steel 2, Super Mario Bros. for Wii, Tiger Woods Golf, Final Fantasy: Crystal Bearers, and Metroid M, Nintendo delivered a great show and I believe they have finally the heard the fans call for a different level of quality. I don't think Nintendo ever understood that going into last year, trying too hard to capture the faith of their system. Nintendo should have just had the firm belief that they would know that the fans are standing by their side, but they want something to show for it. Nintendo is greatly known for being super secretive as well as not ever pushing a product that they don't feel is a 100% complete, but I think that they should realize that gamers have accepted that there will be flaws, but that it's not that we as gamers will run at the sight of a single flaw, but that as long as the support is there, we will be there, ready and willing to play.

I haven't played a Nintendo Wii game obsessively for a very long time, but I feel Metroid M will bring back that feeling in my heart and give me something to put my faith back into their console while remembering where some of my roots came from growing up with Nintendo. Because I can't lie here, Nintendo has fed my passion for games for a long time, and to deny that would be like turning my back on my father. But to give a final reflection on the conference, I did enjoy the conference. Starting off okay, then getting better with Super Mario Bros. for the Wii and the Wii Motion Plus demos, taking a dip a bit for me hitting all those DS games, but then picking right back up with Mario Galaxy 2 and 3rd party love, but in the end I have to say that Microsoft's conference still stands tall against Nintendo, but I just hope that Nintendo keeps the energy going that fuels my appreciation for Nintendo and its innovation. Round of applause for Nintendo everyone.

Photos taken from G4tv.com, great coverage guys. Check out the full conference right there.

E3 Sony Press Conference 2009 Impressions

Here we are again with my 3rd piece, and for those of you that continue to come back to read, I thank you once again. It's been a hell of an E3 I must say. It's still amazing to me that I can share the excitement in my own home, though someday I still plan to be there myself, but all in due time. For now, thanks to G4TV, myself and other gamer enthusiast can enjoy the festivities. Thanks for reading to everyone in advance.

Last year Sony's conference was very lackluster in its presentation. I feel that it really wasn't that they didn't have much to offer, but because of the lockdown with last year's E3 which put a filter on the content presented then. At the same time, there was a sense that Sony kind of knew that their direction up to last year's E3 wasn't the strongest with titles being delayed, hardware failures, PSP sales going down, and so farth, Sony knew it was time to change gears from what the needed to rebuild, to something marvelous. Coming into this year's E3, Sony's come off into a turn around year with stronger titles, boosting sales, continuous support of their online community, and more, Sony came to stun and amaze. And that's exactly what they did this year.

President and C.E.O. of Sony, Jack Tretton is no stranger to keynote speaking, and I'm not going to clutter this piece with every little detail that he said, but there was only clear message he wanted to portray, "only possible on Playstation". In an odd sort way, it kind of sounds like a play off the old American say, "only in a America". It was sort of like Sony took the words "only on PlayStation" to the conference room and said let's make that mean something again. Sony came as strong as their introduction song that said the words, "One vision!", and I'll say from the start, Sony definitely brought their game face to E3.

Jack Tretton started off with numbers as he did last year, but it was a little different in the matter that it wasn't the act of a contest as it was at last E3. Last year Sony and Nintendo seemed like they were playing catch up with Microsoft as Microsoft themselves came off a pretty stellar year. Record sales of both Halo 3 and other huge hits like Gears of War 2, as well as outdoing Sony in cross-platform with such titles as Grand Theft Auto 4 and Call of Duty 5: World at War, its been pretty hard to compete. But considering where Sony started from E3 last year, I would say that the percentage of improvement has definitely been elevated. And even more importantly, Sony is a lot bigger than just the PS3. Tretton reflected on the continuing success of the PlayStation 2 and gave due appreciation to the developers that continue to make PlayStation 2 the phenomenon its been for the past 10 years. Though the hype and push for the blockbuster titles on PlayStation 2 is nowhere near as adamant as it was years ago, but Tretton resured the PlayStation 2 audience that as long as people continue buying and demanding the use of their PlayStation 2 systems, Sony will be there to giving people what they want of their system.

Continuing with the numbers speech, he went on into the total commitment Sony has in the PlayStation 3. With 22 million PlayStatin 3's sold last, tripling sales in South America alone and 24 million PSN users worldwide, the PlayStation 3 has come along way from what I consider a disappoint start when the system was first released. I was very hopeful in the PS3 on its release, looking for Sony to deliver intense titles is had given me in the era of the PlayStation 2. With titles being delayed, ridiculous loading and installation times, and the continuing number of developers that appear to be abandoning the idea of the exclusive title marketplace, things in my eyes weren't looking so good for Sony. But Sony has begun to shed the stage of its rebuilding with the release of fantastic new titles and continuing and growing support of its online community, its really revitalized itself. And Jack Tretton waited no time getting the show started with the introduction of Uncharted Chart 2: Among Thieves.

• Uncharted 2: Among Thieves by Naughty Dog

Coming off one Sony's greatest success titles Uncharted, the boys at Naughty Dog are ready to release its newest addition to this ongoing series. But instead of going on about the design engine, combat system, and blah blah blah, they got right to it with a live demo of the game. The game looks completely awesome taking full advantage of the PS3's graphics processor. If you're familiar with games such as Gears of War or Ghost Recon, the cover system returns nicely. The action starts right away with a helicopter riddling the already broken bridge Nate is trying to cross. The camera moves extraordinarily well around the action as the bridge breaks in half and collapses down. Nate moves up quickly back up the bridge and scales across balconies followed by the helicopter trying deseperately to cut Nate down. At one point Nate climbs up high showing off the detail of the dramatic landscape, but to continue on, Nate ducks and jumps through cover through building trying to escape the helicopter. It all looks amazing, almost too ridiculous. Truth be told, there are only two problems with this demo, and they are minor in nature as they are cosmetic. First, this helicopter pilot is probably the worst gunner ever. And second, with the destruction this helicopter is causing, I would like to have seen more environmental damage. Concrete breaking apart, desks and couches cut to pieces, something. I mean, those are probably the strongest cushions ever to withstand a gatling gun. Other than that, the game looks tip top. Will I buy this game? Most definitely. Uncharted 2 comes to us October 1st later this year, while the multiplayer beta starts first week of June.

• MAG by Zipperhead Studios

This is one I certainly hoping to see at E3, Zipperhead Studios hopes to bring us the largest scale first-person shooter in console history, MAG, otherwise known as Massive Action Game. 256 players broken up in 8 man squads, each with different objectives with one player assigned to be squad leader which has authority to enact things like air strikes, supply drops, and so on. The HUD looks well organized and detailed at the same time. Honestly, I thought it would of been cluttered but its done very well. I like team based game where everyone is working together, and this game appears to do it well. The fact that this game will redefine the words the weakest link is beyond words. If you are no stranger to online gaming, no one is made to feel more unwelcome than a teammate that just clearly has no idea what they are doing. But let's just hope that the choice of squad commander is put to a vote or perhaps based on experience MAG which like other FPS's have done incorporating an experience system as well.

Once again, I find myself amazed but again as well I here look for more environmental damage. In the live demo, which should not be overlooked as well as the demonstration debuted not only in real time with 8 players on stage, but the game they were playing was connected with a full game of 256 players courtesy of the Zipperhead Studios. But getting back to the environmental damage, showing one player on the huge screen, the player moves about the landscape assisting his team complete objectives when finally the squad commander unleashes a reign of fire calling in an air strike on a structure. The fireworks were beautiful, laying down mortar and fire, but when the smoke cleared, the structure still remained standing. Now I understand that a measure of the environment has to stay intact to a certain extent, but a little bit more damage would of been not only cool, but realistic too. Will I buy this game? Oh yes I will. MAG strikes down late November of this year.

• PSP Go

CEO Jack Tretton nicely labeled this best worst kept secret of E3, laughing about it in jest, Tretton handed off the conference into the hands of Kaz Hirai, President of Networked Products & Services Group, Sony's President and CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, to unveil the PSP Go. The latest adaptation of the PSP system. One thing I can't stand of Sony's development is how often they change hardware. I lucked out getting the first series of PS3's that allows for full backwards compatibility, 4 USB ports, and such, but soon afterwards, the system changes. Changing the system over nearly 7 times over the past 3 years, it was becoming sickening. But at least it wasn't as simple as just changing the color of the system. Sorry Nintendo, but painting your system a different color doesn't make it new and different as in your GameCube and Nintendo 64 days. Luckily the PSP hasn't undergone too many changes with this only being the 3 major change in the system's' history. Doing away with the UMD, the system is now 50% smaller and 30% lighter with the slide out controller set. Asking some developers through Twitter feeds, I asked the question of how the controller felt as the analog stick almost to the immediate right of the digital pad as I would believe it to be a little awkward feeling with the position of the analog stick since it seems your hand would stretch further trying to reach up to the left trigger. My answer was that it was actually very comfortable. Perhaps being both smaller and lighter, the shift the in the control set is a little less dampering on the hands as I myself have a first generation PSP, both heavy and straight edged, mine lays heavy on the hands and feels like it cuts into my left hand over a small amount of play.

Besides cosmetics, the internal specifications changed too. The regular features return like the built-in Wi-Fi and memory expansion, but built-in memory as well, 16 gigabytes of flash memory to be exact, not to mention bluetooth enabled. Seems as though they packed as much as they could with this little beauty. Many critics have asked, when is going to become a phone as well, but I don't see that coming anytime soon. Software escalates with the system too with a media manger they call Medio Go which will enable a much more user friendly interaction between your PC and PSP. Sense Me, another application that analyzes your music library that is suppose to generate music based upon your mood selection. It's not suppose to detect what your mood is, but somehow it is suppose to catagorize your music into an emotional order. Along with the new media manager, comes a new way of streaming movies right to your PSP. Kaz Hirai didn't go into how that will work, perhaps like remote play, but I'm sure all will become clear by the holiday season, but he did go into the expansion of the library and access of Sony's online movie database that will bring more content and television broadcasts. I guess the success of NetFlix has put a dent into Sony's movie sales which shouldn't be underminded as well as they distribute and produce a great number of films. As an added bonus, Hirai closed out with not only the price tag of the unit being $249.99, but extending to developers slashing the price of the PSP development kits by 80%. Will I by this? Not sure, but I would have to say no at the moment. Without a suitable way of knowing how I'll be able to transfer my current games on UMD's to the PSP Go, I'm not very keen on the idea of repurchasing all my games whether at regular cost or some discounted charge, I don't want to pay for games I alreard own again. PSP Go makes itself available October 1st of this year in the U.S.A. and in Europe, and later in November for Japan. Kind of funny that it should release later in Japan. Oh, and don't forget to look for the new Hannah Montana stylized PSP Slim in stores later into the fall. Race you to the stores on that on. Sarcasm is a wonderful thing, isn't it? Oh well. Moving on....

• Grand Turismo PSP by Polyphony Digital

Mr. Hirai's passion about how great the PSP Go news is strolled right into his introduction of Polyphony Digital Studios new development of Grand Turismo for the PSP. Director of Polyphony Digital Developmental Studios, Kazunouri Yamauchi comes to the stage to give us a full outline of what Grand Turismo for the PSP will contain. Now before I get into the details about Grand Turismo PSP, what the hell was Yamauchi's interpetor doing on that notepad, Sudoku puzzles? He looked like he was just scribbling away and just occasionally doing his job telling us what Mr. Yamauchi was saying. Alright, here are the details. No live demonstations for the game, and yet again, it would be greatly difficult to show an on-screen demo of the game, but Mr. Yamauchi put it all down what we can expect of the game. Operating at a full 60 frames per second, 800 cars, 35 tracks, and 60 layout variations of those tracks, they've really pushed the PSP technology to its limits. It was also very important for Mr. Yamauchi to stress that this was no way a dumbed down version of the soon to be released Grand Turismo 5 but it will have its similiarities. A particular mode in the game, the Mission Challenge Mode, much like the licensing aspect of the games larger predecessors, will give gamers the opportunity to ride in their favorite cars through various tests and trials. The game will also feature an Ad-Hoc connection gameplay mode for 4 player game support and feature a dynamic trading and shaing interface to exchange and compare cars with other players. This Mr. Yamauchi pointed out this features importance comes to help gamers who are just as passionate about cars as they are about collecting them, will make players work together to try to collect every last car they can. Though Ad-Hoc is nice, it would be great to have online play instead to feature all these bonuses. Will I buy this one? Once again, I don't know. I love driving games, but driving sims have fallen off the radar for me recently. But then again, with Polyphony's game trailer of what it will look like, I just may. I just may. Look for Grand Turismo PSP to hit stores October 1st later this year.

• Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker by Konami

Not to be out done by Microsoft, Hideo Kojima comes onto the stage to unviel its own PSP project, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker which he claims is a true sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater. The problem with the Metal Gear series now is that it may be a little hard for newcomers to enjoy as there is so much history to the game now, its tough to understand the complete story of the series without playing some of the rest of them. Taking place 10 years after Metal Gear Solid 3, this adventure takes us in the jungles of Costa Rica going into the Rise of Outer Heaven. If you don't know what Outer Heaven is, look it up because there is way too much to explain to really have someone understand with devoting a whole segment to it. Plus it would give away too much of the surprises. Plus if you haven't realized it by now, I'm a huge Metal Gear fan and I encourage everyone to experience the series. You don't have to go all the way back to the NES days though it does help to get the story, but playing the series beginning with Metal Gear Solid, which was released on the PSOne then going in order of their releases will make each one more and enjoyable then the last. The game looks fantastic on the PSP with so many returning gameplay elements that I have come to love, Hideo promises that the control system though a little different due to the layout of the buttons and controls of the PSP will not in anyway hindered the flow of the game itself. Not to embellish the game, but in my opinion, Metal Gear is the greatest video game story ever told. There aren't many games that have spanned console after console and continued such a story. Square-Enix has only touched the surface with sequels in its Final Fantasy series, but not to the caliber of the Metal Gear story. I will buy this game if you haven't already guessed. Kojima Studios delivers us Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker sometime in 2010.

Coming back to the stage, Jack Tretton debuted a huge trailer of PSP games coming this year alone. This trailer showed a huge cast of games as follows:

• Little Big Planet PSP
• Monster Hunter
• Socom
• Harry Potter
• Daxter 2
• Motorstorm
• Soul Caiber, which will feature Kratos as a playable character
• Hanna Montana
• Tiger Woods Golf 2010
• Madden 2010
• Fat Princess
• Star Wars
• Rock Band Unplugged
• And many more...

In additions to those titles, Tretton was proud to present the newest series to make an expansion in the PSP library with the introduction of Resident Evil PSP which will feature a continuing storyline segment to the smash hit Resident Evil 5. Look for that one to hit in 2010.

But Jack Tretton wasn't finished there. As the increase support of downloadable content has grown stronger, as the PSP Go shows to be a truly downloadable content only media, the PlayStation store brings new download content for the PSP and the PS3 alike with 50 classis PSOne titles before the end of the year, and to start off that series of titles to be launched is Final Fantasy VII available today. PS Home also continues its growth as well with 6.5 million users and counting, PS Home has shown its success, Tretton stated more than 100 pieces of clothing a month makes its way to users for further customization. How many of these will be free to users is unknown, but let's hope they'll give us something at least. Even though its still technically in beta, PlayStation Home shows lots of promise. I myself am still a little displeased with there lack of fulfillment of certain aspects of PS Home they stated would be available before this year's E3. But I can't hate on it too much because they still have given us a lot to go with, and with more Home spaces opening up as developments continue, its made its mark on the online community.

Continue into his speech announcing 35 PS3 exclusives coming in the year, a noticable number for a console these days to have such a number of exclusives. One in particular, Lost Planet 2 will make its debut first on PS3 in 2010. This of couse may be subject to change as with other titles that had made the promise of being exclusive then later striking that statement down, but I feel this is one that will stick. The first one wasn't as grand of blockbuster hit it was made out to be. Though fun, and has a lot of potential, think they'll have to improve on those elements people enjoyed about the first one to raise the hype for sales in this sequel. I'll buying it I know this much, but probably for my Xbox 360. Sorry Sony. Another soft mention was a new title by Rock Star North called Agent. Not a great deal was said about this one, but it appears to rather similiar to the new ABP game developed by the previous developers of the Crackdown series, Real Time Worlds, this title will be a espionage/anti-terrorism game that should contain a good amount of multiplayer. Let's just know the news and conversatives don't fly of the handle on this one and think its some way for kids to emulate terrorist acts and such. No footage or mention of a release on this title as of yet.

• Assassin's Creed 2 by ubisoft

Yet another one I am looking forward to, so let me just get it out of the way, yes, I'm buying this one, but more than likely once again on my Xbox 360 than my PS3. Sorry, Sony once again. For the masses, the first game was one you loved or hated. Loved because it was just so massive in play that it really fulfilled your craving for assassination, stealth, and story. And probably biggest reason people hated it, what a damn cliffhanger ending, huh? As much as I loved it, I didn't want it to end, but I didn't hate it either because it still left me a number of different side projects within the game to enjoy. Plus I love this stealth nonsense. If only Tenchu Z was this fun. Anyhow, moving on...

The graphics are just, if not more amazing than the previous game set in the Renaissance period of Italy surrounding Vatican City. The fluidity of game is marvelous taking the idea of the Prince of Persia games, and just crafting it into an amazing race of jumps, dives, slides, flips, and combat, I would probably go as far as artistic. Okay, maybe I'm exaggerating, but let's leave it at that it looks pretty damn good. The combat system has evolved with more than 30 weapons, matching disarming attacks to boot, and what could labeled as finishers such as one shown where the player is able to flip a two-handed axe in his hands and bury it into his targets head. Quite brutal, but oh so good. And one other thing that our beloved hero couldn't do in the first game, swimming. Ah yes, the question of, why wouldn't an elite assassin know how to swim is answered in this game. You'll be able to dive into ponds and such with a little breathing tube to hide from search parties as well as use as a means of cover to get closer to your target. Not much of the story was revealed at E3, though you can just through other new forums or even check out the May issue of Game Informer for more details, but no direct statement has been said if this will tie into the first game. Once again, I will buying this, and myself and others can look forward to this title in a Holiday season release later this year.

• Final Fantasy XIII & Final Fantasy XIV by Square-Enix

Now we already knew about Final Fantasy XIII coming to PS3, and Square-Enix came aboard to show us its wonderful new demo on the PS3. Not much of change from the last time we saw it running on the PS3 last year, but in comparison to the Xbox 360 demo during the Microsoft Press Conference, the PS3 shows its graphical presense with crisper and cleaner graphics in the gameplay trailer. Look for this one in the Spring of 2010. But another little surprise Sony dropped on us here was Square-Enix's presentation of Final Fantasy XIV on the PS3. With a beautiful cinematic trailer, no gameplay though, the trailer glorifies the world of Final Fantasy in its sheer greatness, ending it with the subtitle, Online. Whether or not this means another extension of the online madness that was created with Final Fantasy XI, no one knows. But if it is, I'll definitely be interested in it. Final Fantasy XIV looks to come to the PS3 late 2010.

• New Controller - Playstation Eye

Okay now, Nintendo began this craze in the new generation of consoles for motion controls. Microsoft debuts its Project Natal. Why can't Sony get into the act? Sony brings to the stage, with no offical name as of yet, the PlayStation Eye. Labeled the Eye to my suspicion because the wand or "i" he was holding in his hands looks like the letter eye, but also works in partnership with a camera connected to the PlayStation 3 it seemed. It could be just a bluetooth connection, but a direct view of its connection to the PlayStation 3 was never confirmed during the press conference. The PlayStation 3, surrounded by keyboards, mouse, computers, and a second screen, it definitely looks in its infantile stages, but shows a lot of promise with the demonstration of functions it already has.

In the live demo, the wand-like remote (not official finished look, mind you), responsed with little to no delay whatsoever as the demonstrator moved the wand about in a virtual room where the user can pick up various object. Turning and speed matched virtually spot on as the precision of the device looks very well. They then turned the view onto the user himself with the camera where the wand could emulate and display images of various objects in the users hand such as a sword, a gun, and a whip. The whip didn't flail about well, but once again, this is alpha stage. Interestingly enough, a second wand can be incorporated by the user when a demonstration of a bow and arrow was used. Much like the Wii remote, the tension of the arrow is declared by how far apart the two wands were and once again, responded quite well. A first person mode can be enabled for obviously FPS games where the demo reacted to movement not only in 2D, but 3 dimenisonal space as the user moves back and forth about the stage. Other little demonstrations followed like the example of a crane type game, ninja stars, driving a tank, and using the two wands like a sword and shield to do thrusts and shield bashes.

Like the Natal, Sony demonstrated its own drawing and painting like application. The drawing tool itself tracked very accurately coming down to sub-millimeter accuracy to give the user very precise controls over design elements. The drawing tool also recognized letters and characters nearly perfect, not like you would signing on those stupid pads at check out counters where you're signature looks nothing like what you signed. Paint and brush strokes also tracked well and nice changed from a paint brush stroking side to side like you would a real paint brush, to a spray can where the user actually shoke the Eye to refill its color and strength. The Eye was even demonstrated as a pathsetter in which he layed out a string of dominos and was able to knock them down in different order registering not just which domino was touched, but from what angle and the quickness of the tap to make them fall down. Probably the most interesting point of the application was its lasso tool. Just like in a Adobe Photoshop settings, the lasso is used to grab a number of different objects at once, but they took this one step further showing this in an RST environment where the user circled groups of tanks and instructed them to another location on the map to attack. I can see the guys at UbiSoft already working on something for this element to work with the next installment of End War, if they are so inclined that is, but UbiSoft has some its own devices up its sleeve as well.

Altogether, it was quite an impressive and humorous demonstration, but was also had the presence of a rushed or last minute addition to the conference as the guys didn't see to have a lot of fun showing this at this stage. No release date is slated for this device, but look for Sony to try to match Microsoft's release of the Natal to eat away or try to take the spotlight in the motion control war.

• Little Big Planet Add-ons by Sony and ModNation Racers by United Front Games

Customization is something very big these days. Avatars, level editors, character costumes and so on are very important to people, just take a look at the Sims. And for this, Jack Tretton returned to the stage to give everyone a new look at some of the costumes that would be making its way to Little Big Planet later in the year with its add-ons of a Disney costume series such as Jack Sparrow and The Incredibles. And this was Jack's lead into present the guys from United Front Games with their latested creation, ModNation Racers. The game, much like Mario Kart with little bonuses and weapons looks like just another racer, but where ModNation Racers shines is in its custom tracks. Kind of like the PlayStation Eye did, the game allows gamers a tracker creator mode they can create their own tracks in nearly minutes. This wasn't a simple matter of grabbing a mountain and dropping it somewhere, no. This was about raising the earth to push up a vast mountain range, or pressing down to make a depression for a lake, or just dragging your finger along (or in this case, cursor) to create a rising forest right before your eyes. Probably the most fun is the way you create your track just by driving. The game will even recognize when you drive over your own tracks to assist in creating bridges and tunnels. The features of it were quite impressive where virtually anything can be manipulated to the gamer's liking and will also enable gamers to share their creations online. I can see myself having a lot a fun with this, and think many others will too. No official release of this announced, but once again, looks like a lot of fun.

• The Last Guardian

If you haven't played Ico or Shadow of the Colossus, go buy one of them. You can find them pretty cheap now, and they are well worth it. The Last Guardian made its appear on the Sony screens to reveal its wonder upon everyone. Though Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, show no sharing of story paths in any definitive way, there are hints to each other in both games, and whether this game shares that same feeling is unknown, but I would probably bet it will. Fabulous graphics but I must say I was a little surprised by the choice of this giantic bird dog creature your character is enthralled with. Opening with a trailer of a child being run down by a group of thugs only to be beaten down by the bird dog, the game circulates around these two in kind of a boy and his dog lovable movie. No battle scenarios were shown during the trailer, but the trailer did look as though it was actual gameplay with near flawless transitions and camera changes. No official release for this title presented during this demo, but this is another Sony exclusive that has my interest, and only time will tell if it keeps me there.

• Grand Turismo 5 by Polyphony Digital Studios

Polyphony gave us a taste of Grand Turismo on the PSP earlier in the show. Now they give us the real deal with their trailer for Grand Turismo 5 for the PlayStation 3. Something everyone was fighting for from day 1 of the series birth is car damage. Well the franchise has come a long way, and car damage is definitely here. Probably not to the extent of how EA's Need for Speed: Shift or Forza Motorsport 3 shows, but a stronger showing of it very noticable. I still don't think you'll see cars fully flipping through the air like some out of control comet in this one, but its going to be a nasty ride. With their already established use of Rally and Street racing, NASCAR joins the game as well, and a nice little cruise mode just to enjoy the ride. The trailer was emaculate, but I wasn't sure if its a sign of actual gameplay. The rally and NASCAR look gorgeous as the stock cars were in full detail, and the rally events looked as they spanned large landscapes like Baha and Sahara like environments. Like Forza, driving sims have lost its passion from me, but this one I give consideration to perhaps invest in as it looks as though it will have a huge online following. No release date was announced for this title either, but I wouldn't be surprised if it reared its head during the holidays.

• God of War 3 by Sony Santa Monica Studios

Finally we come to the big finish, the one every was waiting for, God of War 3. I still have to finish God of War 2, but luckily I still have some time as Kaz Hirai announced after the conference that the game would be release in March of 2010. This was a live demo, and why shouldn't of been? I'll tell you why. Because if all we got was another little teaser of the game like we did last year, there probably would of been a sea of boo's all around. But no, Kratos and his chains of chaos live magically with all of its carnage in this demo. Right from the start, the power of the PS3 is seen right from the title screen. Zipping right into CG and then in gameplay seamlessly, there's no waiting for the first blood drop to fall here. Switching from numerous targets with the chains of chaos, to the lightning bow and arror, and swinging from harpy to harpy all the while laying intense massacre on the land still isn't enough for your average God of War fan. One of the more interesting things going on while the bloodfest ensued was the background itself. A giant lava beast reeking havoc on the landscape was just awesome, it was almost distracting as you find outself trying to look for other stuff going on in the background so you don't miss anything.

The expanded combo system shows its face in the demo as well, displaying stunning finishers as in its predecessors, and incorporating the new weapons and movement features such as the wings Kratos sprouts at one point in the demo, and those hulking tiger looking cestus we've all seen in screenshots of the game. Another cool background element that came to be while Kratos speared a chimera in the head with its own horn was the god Apollo riding over you dropping sunfire down on your enemies. Unfortunately, they didn't go much further than this as the time limit of the conference was approaching to its end, but game look complete in its mechanics to me, and why they are waiting for a March 2010 release is beyond me as I personally know some people that have pre-ordered the game from the first day of the game's announcements, but I'm sure it will be worth the wait, and gives me time to finish other games in the mean time. Yes, I will be enjoying Kratos rage in March of next year.

Final Thoughts

This press conference was one for the record books. With so many surprises, I think after last year's quite and dismal E3, Sony came back with the flare and flash that E3 is all about. Though I would of liked to have seen a lot more like demonstrations kind of like the Microsoft Conference, as it just gives me a more secure sense of a finished product, Sony did not disappoint. With continuing support of the PS2, PSP, and the PS3, Sony has a lot on its plate and is looking to eat up the competition as well. One thing I would hope is that a lot of these games will make themselves present in 1080p HD, as I feel that would of been one of the PS3's strong graphical points coming into the next gen console war, but still so many only display games in the max of 720p. Not that the graphics of the PS3 are lame or lacking in any way, but would definitely put a mark in the overall look of their games. But Sony has a lot coming to us this year, or at least one would hope. And I am hopeful. Most importantly, Sony has nothing to fear of its competition I think. The innovation, the drive, and the spirit of the gamer is in the PlayStation 3 with these blockbuster titles and various ways they look to enthrall a nation of players together with their online community. It's pretty clear that the words, "only on PlayStation", truly do mean something again.

E3 Microsoft Press Conference 2009 Impressions

Since I am only fortunate in being able to watch E3 footage on my DVR instead of actually being there, I know I can't fully appreciate the thrill of being at E3 in person, something I hope to do one day, but thanks to G4TV, I give them my personal thanks to broadcasting it for the masses. So here I sit at home watching this great coverage, and allow me to first thank you for reading my opinions of the E3 Microsoft 2009 Press Conference.

• Rock Band: The Beatles

Opening with Rock Band Beatles was nice. Not mind blowing in my opinion but nice. Obviously, many of us who follow the business already knew of this one coming. Who knows if many will be able to appreciate the great music of the Beatles, but since the dawning of the music game with Guitar Hero (even though Guitar Freaks came out way before GH), I'm sure this will be enjoyed by so many. Even though our friendly neighbors across the ocean in England probably still cringe at the idea that John Lennon actually married Yoko Ono, it was still very impressive that not only Yoko came out to endorse the game, but Ringo Star and Paul McCartney as well. Ringo and Paul I must say were kind of lame in my opinion, but then again, I don't imagine them to be big into games. I was kind of hoping they would be enthusiastic like the guys in Metallica were with their interviews on dozens of other sites and specials, but I guess we can't have it all. I certainl3y hope there are nice goodies like interviews, commentary, and revealing videos. The biggest positive I saw in it was the harmonization of multiple singers in one song. I look forward to this technology being brought into future Rock Band games. I'll probably end up buying it because I'm a big fan of the music game genre. Rock Band: The Beatles rocks out in homes in September later this year.

• Tony Hawk Ride

Now I haven't been a fan of the Tony Hawk series since the first Tony Hawk Underground which I felt had a cool story despite that the gameplay itself particularly mirrored its predecessors. As far as skateboarding games goes, I'm thoroughly enjoy on EA's Skate. I feel Skate brought the genre into a nice, fluid, and definitely realistic feel of the sport itself. Skate 2 moved us off the board like the Tony Hawk series did later on in its saga, but it didn't dazzle me as it did in the Tony Hawk series when they first did it. But now with the debut of Tony Hawk Ride, the peripheral itself I thought would be kind of a flimsy joke, but seeing how the real skaters twisted and turns on it was pretty amazing. In the presentation, I must say it was great to see Christian Hosoi appear once again with greatness as he did when the sport first took off. The graphics themselves look nice, and the motion recognition seemed easy and fun. Anyone getting this better have the room to move around in as it’s not just leaning your body and wiggling your hands around, being able to actually turn and twist the board with your feet and hands was really impressive. It will be interesting if kids will hurt themselves using this, which will probably spark a rise in parents much like they did when the Nintendo 64 came out with Mario Party when kids were hurting their hands spinning the center stick with the palm of their hands, causing Nintendo to include a padded glove with the game in later releases of the game. Who knows for sure? But will I buy this one? Probably not just because I really don't have the room to incorporate the range of motion to fully experience the game, but who knows, maybe I will. Tony Hawk Ride kickflips into your living room in October of this year.

• Modern Warfare 2

Okay, if you didn't like the first Modern Warfare, you either hate shooters, or you just sucked at them. But if you did like the first Modern Warfare, Infinity Ward definitely appears to have hit another homerun hit. Many probably don't really care about the story of the first Modern Warfare as multi-player is definitely what has kept people playing the game to this day, but it sure does look interesting as I feel a game definitely should have a great offline experience as it does an online experience. The graphics look fantastic, reloading seemed a little faster than it really should be if they are shooting for realism, but then again, I've never reloaded an assault rifle, and I was really impressed with the visual effects of the snow blinding vision and movement. Riding on the snowmobile looked sweet. Nothing says fun like capping a terrorist from your snowmobile. As an added incentive, Infinity Ward will release exclusive maps on Xbox 360. Will I buy this one? You can bet on. Modern Warfare 2 brings it assault to 360 November 10th later this year.

• Final Fantasy XIII

Those that saw E3 last year, were pretty amazed that the Final Fantasy series would finally make its debut on the Xbox 360. It was kind of inevitable that Final Fantasy would jump on ride as well. Square-Enix's premiere gameplay debut was nice. I wasn't expecting the appearance of Odin, which was awesome, and I'm glad to see that they've now included fighting alongside of your Summon's like in Final Fantasy XII but just improved on it with the system that it sort of started with in Final Fantasy X. Will I buy this one? I'm not sure. I probably will as the gamer in me does, but these days playing Final Fantasy games to the fullest can be so time consuming, and with so many games to enjoy, it may end up in the back log of so many games I already have.

• Shadow Complex

When Epic took the stage, everyone was probably hoping to see gameplay of the new campaign expansion for Gears of War 2: Dark Corners. But no, instead, they decided to debut their newest creation, Shadow Complex. If you played Bionic Commando Rearmed, this will fit you like a glove. There wasn't a whole lot to the demo, but with the gameplay they showed, I can see the potential of good multiplayer combat in it. For those of you PS3 owners, it kind of resembles a more sophisticated and darker version of the PSN game, Crash Commandos. Weapons and enemies look pretty sweet and clean, plus the slight camera changes are nice as well. Bottom line, it looks like a lot of fun. Will I buy this game? Honestly I probably won't. I'll get the demo if anything, but once again, so many other games will probably be taking up my time. Shadow Complex comes to Live later on this summer.

• Joy Ride

In a word, it’s cute. Very cute. I definitely think this little arcade driving game will draw in a nice group of players that really enjoy and have been wanting a little more use of their Xbox Live Avatars. Those of you that enjoyed Re-Volt (a little RC Car racer quite some time ago) will probably enjoy this title. With good use of Avatar movement and silliness, it’s a nice little title to real just kick back with. But if the game doesn't offer a good amount of content, I think gamers will feel jaded buying it if it doesn't have a something to keep you coming back to. Will I buy it? Probably not. Unless a lot of my Live Friend's are playing, don't think this will grace my Xbox Live Arcade library.

• Crackdown 2

Alright, I've been waiting for this game for quite some time now. Now I didn't get to enjoy the first title until the game had a slight price drop to $20.00 about 3 weeks before the Halo 3 multiplayer beta ended, and I will have to admit that I got suckered into buying it as so many of my Live Friend's were playing the Halo 3 beta instead of enjoying the game that when it finally did end, I found the greatness that is Crackdown. Lots of action, explosions, firefights, leaping tall buildings in a single bound, and not to mention super fun multiplayer, if you haven't played the first game, I urge you go find it and buy it. You probably can get it used for 10 bucks in places now, so it’s definitely a nice cheap recommendation in my opinion. Now even though Crackdown 2 was only a trailer, I still can't wait to buy it. The only question one may ask about this title is will it be as fun as the first one was since the original studio team Real-Time Studios is not at the helm? No one knows, but I look forward to this title when it’s finally released.

• Left 4 Dead 2

This was yet another game that was just a trailer. And even though Capcom's Dead Rising was the first title in quite some time to really send a lightning bolt through my system taking my zombie killing enjoyment to a whole new level than Resident Evil had (I also eagerly await Dead Rising 2), Left 4 Dead brought us those zombies like in the remade movie of Dawn of the Dead that really would scare the hell out of me. Those zombies were like Olympic sprinters. Night of the Living Dead zombies, you could just poke them with a stick to push them away. Granted you wouldn't want to run into 30 of them packed in against you in an alley, but I'll take my chances with Night of the Living Dead zombies, than Dawn of the Dead zombies any day. I really had a lot of fun with Left 4 Dead, and with the addition of melee weapons into Left 4 Dead 2 will just make it all the more fun. Who doesn't love chainsaws? If you're a tree, then you probably hate them, but it looks glorious. The only problem with this game, as much fun as I've had with Left 4 Dead, I can't help but feel like it should be a download content of some kind. It would probably difficult in that aspect to introduce it as a DLC merely because of the introduction of the melee weapon mechanics. I can only hope that they include a bit more of in-depth campaigns as I felt the campaigns in the first one were rather short, but the fun of Left 4 Dead comes from its multiplayer co-op and versus play, and not to be forgotten, hundreds of zombies running at you from every corner. Will I buy it? Probably yes. I love killing zombies.

• Splinter Cell Conviction

The Splinter Cell saga has undergone some changes over the years, and I have to say that the saga has lost my interest over the years, even though Splinter Cell has a great story, it didn't really do a lot for me in the innovation department to make me jump into my car racing to my local game store to purchase it. But this installment of the game really peaks my interest with the introduction of the mark system like in the Rainbow Six series. The mark system just doesn't seem to let you know where people are going into the room you're about to break into, but leads you into quick movements like CQC in Metal Gear Solid, but also exciting gunfights. What I also enjoyed in the demo was the balance of stealth and full on-assault combat. Using objects for cover, meat shields, and fun and brutal interrogation techniques like smashing a guy's head into a mirror or urinal looks like a lot of fun. Very reminiscent of the Punisher game released on the PS2 and original Xbox which was a blast to burn a criminal's face on a stove and slam his head into a wall like in this new expansion of the Splinter Cell series. Will I buy this one? I'm thinking yes, but then again, may get stashed to the back log.

• Forza Motorsport 3

If the game handles as great as this demo showed, this will be the pinnacle of driving game simulation. Stunning graphics, fabulous car damage, and probably one of my favorite features, a great representation of the in-car view. A view I've missed dearly and in my opinion, not very well done since Need for Speed on the Panasonic 3DO. The easy to jump in and play aspect of the game seems to be enjoyable to not just racing sim fans, but arcade style racing fans. But I can't stop there though. The most amazing feature is the customization of the cars with the paint shop. The previous installment had a nice paint shop in it already, but this one appears to have improved on it in dramatic fashion. The demonstration of the beautiful paint jobs gamers will be able to make in the game. You can even import your own pictures to lay them down as vinyl or stickers on your cars. Now, the only thing that can ruin this would be some jerk trying to post a porno picture on their car only to have Microsoft restrict the images we can use. You can bet someone will try. Let's hope they have a good way of filtering that kind of stuff so real players that love the game truly enjoy this game. Will I buy this one? I haven't been much into racing sims these days, but this one is making think again. I might just have to get this one, maybe not at launch, but I think I will get it eventually.

• Halo 3: ODST

First and foremost, I love that they've brought back the pistol from the first Halo game. Pistol zoom returns in all its glory. The story? Try stories!!! I love a good story, but this installment has multiple stories from various shock troopers in the Halo world before the timeline introduction of the actual Halo 3 game. The weapons return with full force, the graphics look great, and you know the multiplayer will obviously be there. I think Halo really does speak for itself for the most part and I'll more than likely buy this on launch day in September later this year.

• Halo: Reach

Okay there isn't much to say about Halo: Reach since it was only a teaser, but once again, I love a good story and Halo definitely has a great story though many can argue the loopholes, especially with the way Halo 2 ended. It's a prequel first of all, and it makes me wonder at all if it will follow or take some of the story elements from the Halo novels that told some of the story before the very first Halo game. As a little bonus to those that pre-order Halo: ODST, players will get special invites to the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta. Halo: Reach, reaches out to us in 2010.

• Alan Wake

This is game that has been one in development for quite some time now. It's got what seems to be an amazing story with great survival horror elements. The use of the common ideas in the gameplay looked interesting and intuitive such as the flashlight that seems to repel these paranormal events and other things what appears to be monsters. Not only the flashlight, but a flare gun and a simple road flare as well. The camera and lighting effects look top notch, and has a nice eerie environment to spice up giving us that intense fear factor. Will I buy this game? Too soon to tell as the game won't be out until 2010, but I probably will.

The Xbox Live Experience

• Last.FM

FREE!!!!!!!! Yes, free, to Xbox Live Gold members that is. Sorry Silver members. Stream music right to your entertainment system with millions of songs at your disposal. Now I don't think of playing music on my Xbox much, but I can see it being a nice freebie to the whole Xbox Live Experience.

• Netflix

Dashboard Instant Queue browser, much needed, will be given to users coming this fall. Thank god. Not that I minded it much, but still was very much needed. Instant play from the title image, not that I thought it really needed much more instant play than what it already has, but it’s not a bad added bonus. The U.K. and Ireland will also be added to those that will enjoy Netflix as we have here in the U.S.A. Not only that though, if you love Futbol, or Soccer as we call it here in the U.S.A., SkyNews will join Xbox Live allowing for live streaming of broadcasting or news and World Premiership Futbol right over Xbox Live. My father doesn't play video games, but this may just make him very interested in an Xbox.

• Xbox Live Movie Library

Microsoft will now provide all of its movies available on Xbox Live in full 1080p, seamless streaming, and expanding its broadcasting up to 18 countries worldwide. PS3 has been displaying movies in full 1080p already, which makes you wonder why things are in reserve from the two companies. I mean, Xbox 360 could display movies in full 1080p, but the majority of games display in 1080p. And PS3 movies have been in 1080p, but yet the good majority of games only display in a max of 720p. Very odd indeed. Anyhow, for those of you that dumped your DVD libraries for Xbox live streamed movies, your movies will now be fuller, richer, and smoother. Now the one feature that was announced at last year's E3 with watching movies on Xbox Live I was looking forward to was the Movie Party feature where we were told that we would be able to form parties from all around the States and stream movies not just to our homes, but to those in our party. Well, that has not yet made its debut, but supposedly will make it’s appear this fall in an update. As happy I am to hear that, I have a question once again. Originally it was suppose to be a part of the Netflix integration, but they didn't mention if this feature would be only a part of Netflix, Xbox Live Movie Library, or both. Both would be great, but we'll have to see what it will really do for us.

In Microsoft's attempts to reach out to new users, Microsoft now brings us a new way of connecting to friends with Facebook Connect. Social Networking sites are hard to avoid this days, and Facebook appearing on iPhones, Blackeberry's, and such, perhaps it was just a matter of time. Honestly I kind of thought Microsoft would kind of do their own thing linking user profiles to a sort of gamertag site using www.xbox.com, but this is one better because in this case, Facebook has done the work for you. Facebook already their application to display achievements you gain while on Xbox Live, updated right to your Facebook account. Now people love taking pictures these days with cameras getting better and better so fast, they become almost obsolete as fast as computers do. But with Facebook Connect, you will be able to snap screenshots right to your Facebook for all your friends to see. As much as I come to use Facebook these days, I'm not sold on the idea that it will draw a new audience from Facebook users, though Felicia Day (creator and star of the online comedy show, "The Guild") is very cute in my opinion, makes me want to friend just to keep up on the developments and news of "The Guild". Most Facebook users are into it seems with updating their status, pictures of family or funny moments, and just chatting and messaging like other social networking sites. Will I use this? More than likely.

Along with Facebook Connect for more networking connectivity, why wouldn't Twitter join gaming consoles as well? I myself have only begun to use Twitter just recently, and as much as I didn't want to like it, I definitely find it useful and entertaining. While my growing appreciation of Twitter increases, meanwhile my gaming doesn't seem like it will ever stop, seeing Twitter on my Xbox Live will definitely bring my connection to friends both old and new, right from my Dashboard. Both Facebook Connect and Twitter come to Xbox Live this fall.

• Metal Gear Solid Rising

Like last year when Square-Enix joined the gaming library of Xbox Live, we were graced with the lovely surprise that Konami will now bring the Metal Gear Solid series to Xbox Live. This is both shocking, and not so shocking at the same time. In the previous console war, Metal Gear was always to be thought to never cross the border between the two systems. But it was eye opening to hear that Konami would release Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty - Substance on the original Xbox. It eventually made its way to the PS2 over time, but was still something many thought was not possible with Kojima's faithfulness to Sony. This is not to say Kojima is not have faith in Sony as he clearly expressed in interviews that he felt the PS3 was the quintessential system to truly show the Metal Gear story in the best way. Graphical differences are definitely seen here and there in various cross-platform titles, but I feel one can agree that both systems run neck and neck in the strength of their graphical performance. But as for this teaser in which Hideo Kojima himself came out to announced declaring Raiden being the star of the game, it will be nice to bring this new expanded story of the Metal Gear saga to Xbox 360. As it makes me excited to see this, at the same time, I don't feel I will purchase this on 360 but rather PS3 which was later confirmed after the press conference that it would make its appearance on not just 360, but PS3 and PC. Perhaps I'm just to use to playing it on my PS2 and PS3, but it’s just where I'm more comfortable playing the game. But we'll see.

• Xbox Natal

In the words of Darth Vader, "Most Impressive". When Nintendo came out with their motion sensitive controller upon the birth of the Nintendo Wii, and Sony delivering their Six-Axis controller to their audience, it was probably a matter of time before Microsoft would follow suit to create their own motion recognition device. Well at the close of their conference, they introduce Project Natal. An ingenious device, much like the Wii sensor bar that will rest on the top or base of your television, only with so much more. A camera, a sensor, and a microphone, but it’s not just that. If Skynet is anywhere close to realism, this would probably where it may originate. What's Microsoft headline with this? "You are the controller" is it. How does it work? The Natal is able to scan your body outline and therefore map it to your Xbox Live Avatar from which any time you sign in with your Xbox Live account, the Natal will automatically sign you with just standing in front it as soon as you turn on your Xbox 360. Your avatar itself will map to your body movements and can fully move with every measure of your body movement. As Kudo Tsunoda (Creative Director of Project Natal) demonstrated and said, "If you ever wondered what the bottom of an avatar's shoes looked like? Bam! There you have it." Fully body recognition, what can you say. No controller, navigate your dashboard with hand gestures, start games, and even play more intuitive avatar games. But this is not the end of it. With the use of the microphone, voice recognition is now capable. You will be able call up various parts, if not all, of the different aspects of dashboard by just saying something as simple as the word "Netflix", to initiate the application and others as well.

To go even deeper, I didn't think it was going to as far as they demonstrated. Kudo was great enough to show us a few more the ability of the Natal. First, he debuted the Avatar game, Ricochet, a fabulous reinterpretation of the simple breakout style games. His assistance, with her full body recognized avatar scope allowed her to not just maneuver her arms and legs, but every part of the body. Shaking her hips, squatting up and down, rotating her hands, even moving her head side to side, she was able to swat an onslaught of balls launched at her and return volleys to break the pieces in front of her. This looks not only like a good body workout moving about with virtually unlimited range of body motion, but a lot of fun. Kids will love it. The second item Kudo had demonstrated was Party Paint. A cute, fun family and friend’s party game. Imagine yourself 6 years-old, in front a huge canvas, with endless buckets of paint. Create colors just by asking for it. You want Brown, you got it. You want light blue, no problem. The demo had another of Kudo's associates virtually drenching his hands in virtual buckets of paint and just slapping hands full of paint to a canvas. Whether or not 2 users will be able to use the canvas as one time, remains to be seen, but in the demo, they demonstrated a cool tool called the stencil tool. Two or more users can join together to make shadow like stencil shapes to create cool new shapes or just about anything. Animals, trees, monsters, whatever. Just pose, say the word to freeze the stencil, then return to your canvas and place your newly created stencil. I can see a lot of family fun happening here, but like always, some fool will use it for some inappropriate purpose and probably get some politician get their underwear in bunches, but let's hope we can keep a happy medium on this.

These demos gave us a great insight into what the Natal can do, but also the trailer of the product itself showed game shows where a team of four, faced off against another team of four, and not just recognize which team was hitting their buzzer to answer the trivia question, but the person who rang the buzz, said their name, and responded as if talking to just another person sitting right next to them. More into the trailer we saw a skateboarding game that fully recognizes kick offs, jumps, grabs, kickflips, and grinds, without the use of a peripheral. Even more interesting was making use of the scanning feature allowing the young boy to scan his own skateboard deck imagine to use in the game. Also in the trailer, a driving game where a young girl grasps an invisible steering wheel and fully recognizing her movements to move her hand away from the virtual steering wheel and move the gear shift. Staying with the young girl in a later part of the reel, the girl initiates a video conference with a friend of hers where her friend states she found a great dress for her to try on. The young girl first interested wasn't sure what to think until her friend on the screen loaded up and imagine of the dress which allowed the young girl to map a makeshift imagine of the dress onto her person and displayed right on screen. How many of these trailer features are real? Only time will tell as it’s still too early to tell, but if it does function as it appears in the trailer, this will truly bring a new world of invention to the gaming industry.

The Natal truly amazed all audience members, but Microsoft had one more ace up their sleeve. Creator of the title Fable 2, Peter Molyneux came out to introduce his newest project, Milo. Milo is a fully interactive virtual child. Milo recognizes when you walk in front of the Natal, even calling you by name. He will not just recognize your voice, but the tone of your voice as well. Say something in a sad tone of voice, Milo looks concerned and begins to ask you questions like, "What's wrong?" Milo remembers things you tell him like birthdays of not just yours, but people you talk about. Milo makes use of the scanning feature in the demo, all this not live mind you, by having the user draw a picture in actual physical space, pass it forward to the Natal camera, and Milo will actually behave as if you are handing him a picture and you will see the piece of paper you just handed to him, watch him turn it around and show it to you just as you drew it. As a small but interest highlight on it, the paper wasn't just a stiff board, no. Milo was able to gently bend the picture with his hands and have it behave as it would the same way in your very hand. Whether or not Milo is something that will be available to the masses, it could be just a demonstration of the Natal's power.

With my next point, you may trend noticing a trend of mine point out how people can take a good idea, and turn it in something just horrible. What I mean by this is that with the Natal and Milo in mind, we can only pray that it doesn't fall in the hands of some pervert that would just abuse this awesome display of power to an unmentionable and terrifying nightmare where it would be stripped away from us, the faithful, the honorable, and the most appreciative of users. I just hate seeing things ruin by those few and making experiences like the Natal a horrible and corrupt version of itself. I guess I can kind of define this as a form of cheating, and to clarify my version of cheating, I define it as playing and manipulating games in a version other than intended. I myself have cheated a cheater to defile their cheating and hopefully making the game just as unenjoyable as he or she makes others feel. I've only done that several times and I usually either just find a new game to join, or play another game altogether for the time being. But bottom line, I like enjoying a game for the way it was intended. Why buy a game for $50 or $60, only to cheat it and beat it in the same day you bought it. I'm all about getting the most out of your game. Getting back on topic, Milo looked amazing. I can see Milo being a great educational tool where you could possibly load up applications into Milo where he can assist in tutoring children in school subjects, maybe even college level students with more sophisticated subjects like calculus. Perhaps Milo can link to automated systems with other voice recognition devices, or even act a computer assistant where he would behave like a web browser and call up web pages and he would fetch them for you. These are all good ideas, and I feel you can understand where my analogy of Skynet truly can take shape with the introduction of Milo. Though they made no mention as to when we may be able to get our hands on Natal, but they did say that when released, it will be included with Xbox bundles when finally sold to the general public.

Final Thoughts

Microsoft really came out guns blazing with their promise not to talk about sales figures and just show us all what they are all about, and that being, the games. And as mouth watering it was to see the entire press conference, quite a number of these titles we've already known about. We've seen the teasers to Modern Warfare 2, Halo: ODST, Rock Band: The Beatles, and Final Fantasy XIII, long before E3. As for other games such as Left 4 Dead 2, Crackdown 2 (still very excited to see it), and Tony Hawk Ride, though nothing has never really been seen referring to gameplay, and the rest of the conference, I don't feel the theme of the press conference was about new games, but new inventive gameplay techniques. We saw peripherals with Tony Hawk Ride. Nice new gameplay elements as in Alan Wake. Revitalizations of stories with games such as Splinter Cell: Conviction and Halo: ODST. Microsoft's trump card was definitely Project Natal with all these other titles really just showcasing the Xbox 360 itself.

Was I impression? Oh most definitely. Discussing with a number of friends of mine, Microsoft really didn't bedazzle us with new I.P.'s. Would I have loved to have seen gameplay of the new expansion of Gears of War 2: Dark Corners? Of course I would, but I don't have long to wait until I can get my very hands on in later this month. In my opinion, Microsoft just took their already well established and very refined Xbox Live Experience, and just made it better. This is all speculation as well since don't have clear release times of these Xbox Live features, but they did give us seasons. Some in the late summer, more in the fall, and probably most definitely more in the winter. The games will undoubtablely be there. If you've read this to its completion here, I hope you understand this from my point of view, Microsoft has cemented their foundation in the gaming industry. With more than 15 million Xbox Live users and supposedly more 25,000 users a month creating the largest most focused online gaming community, Microsoft is here to stay.

Much like Sony was rather laughed at when it unveiled its first Playstation, thinking what is an electronics manufacture doing getting into the gaming industry, Microsoft did virtually the same as they too were mocked, not only viewed as a monopolizing tyrant trying to take over another aspect of business, but also with the never-ending puns and jokes of creating a system that will probably just break. Perhaps it was karma that the red ring of death was not only quickly adopted to the original Xbox inheriting its name from the dreaded blue screen of death from regular Windows OS driven computers, but also passed onto the future with the Xbox 360. But for a system to carry so many problems that has even plagued me. I myself am on my 4th Xbox 360. But despite all of these problems, so many like me continue to come back to this system and just can't seem to stay away because not only are the games here, but the experience itself, connecting to friends, silly false sense of accomplishment with thousands of Xbox Live Achievements, intense heart pounding co-operative and brutally competitive games, Microsoft's Press Conference at this year's E3, definitely left me stunned, amazed, and as I said with just the Natal, impressed.

Is the Microsoft Press Conference the press conference to beat? We still have two more to go. So it’s not really fair to say right now. But I will say after Nintendo's rather showing last year, they have a lot to live up to with so many hardcore gamers feeling left out in the cold, I think it will take a lot for them to truly impress and out do Microsoft. As for Sony, I felt that last year’s press conference was shorter than they really wanted it to be with a lot of that rushed feeling. It was probably due to the lockdown that last year's E3 placed on the industry banning flashy presentations, higher booth costs, and even booth babes. We all loved seeing Little Big Planet, God of War 3 teaser, Resistance 2, and more, but Sony has definitely turned many of those felt let down by Sony when the PS3 was first release with the delay of Home and other games such as Killzone 2, developer issues with long installs and such, and so on, Sony I feel has won their audience back and more, and hopefully they continue as I own all systems and just really love games, I sure do hope they are dressed to impress, but Microsoft's Press Conference definitely has us looking very carefully to Nintendo and Sony for a great show.

Thanks for reading, and if you are looking for more E3 details and perhaps even more in-depth knowledge, please visit one of my favorite gaming news sites:

• www.kotaku.com

And for another great community of gamers collectively looking for great deals and trading, please visit:

• www.cheapassgamer.com

Another special thanks to G4TV for broadcasting E3 so I can bring this opinionative article. Please visit them at:

• www.g4tv.com

Thanks again for reading. I'll be back with impressions of both the Nintendo and Sony Press conferences, as well as developer conferences such as EA, Ubisoft, and Activison.