Non-specific Ramblings (My PRE-3)

What? WHAT?! E3 is only a few weeks away. Holy fishsticks!! So soon after the disappointment of last year? It doesn’t feel so long ago we were gearing up for E308. And oh boy!! The flames that baby went down it were almost horrific. Seriously, nothing really sticks to my mind beyond disappointment. So one would advise severe caution to anyone who is holding a remote piece of interest in E3 this year. Sure, they back at the Convention Centre and seems like the companies may reveal some big guns, but don’t hope too much as there is every chance this will just simply not touch upon former E3 conferences. Sad but true fact as well. The E3 many of us grew up with may be dead and buried. And in its place, this imitation demands our attention. So beyond this, what can we actually expect from the big 3 as we all cautiously brace ourselves for the worst?

Nintendo

What to expect – Though the Big N has really found itself on my bad side lately I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt here because surely they have learned something after the horror of last years conference. So begrudging feelings aside, there is plenty that Nintendo could show if they actually deemed it necessary. Last we heard the Mario AND Zelda teams were working away on something. Now, we have seen Zelda: Spirit Tracks but really… where’s our next home console Zelda? Surely this year or next we should be getting close to a teaser… something… anything to keep fans going! Mario team could be making any number of things, New Super Mario Bros. 2? Mario Galaxy 2? New Paper Mario? Mario Sports title? Who knows really. I am hoping for NSMB2 because the first was brilliant. But I wouldn’t complain about Galaxy 2, just feels a bit soon. But the way I see it, the Wii needs some serious saving. So far HVS seem to be the beacon of hope, and just the other day announced Gladiator AD, but I am not yet interested in that.

I can only assume Matt may jump back on his “Kid Icarus is coming” train, but I find it hard to jump on just yet. Actually, I would love to hear from Retro Studio are up to, small chance that they show something off, but not impossible. One thing we have a high chance of seeing is possible some DSi stuff, most likely some DSi enhanced game announcements (bank on something with Pokemon in the title), its like IGN AU said, if any franchise sells… it is Pokemon. We may hear something about a new Wii channel or so, but don’t hold your breath.  Channels have gone quiet later, so one must assume that if Nintendo has something planned. But I’m expecting some extra selling points for the DSi to be revealed and maybe a speck or two of interesting software to make the Wii purchase-worthy. Heaven knows when they’ll do that. I’d like some sort of talk of Metroid to, but I won’t get my hopes up.

Sony

What to expect - These guys have some recovering to do, same as they do every year, but not because they lack quality. Because by God, I own a PS3 and it is currently my most played platform. Enough great games already to keep me going as well as future promise. But its lacklustre performance in sales ensures they still have a lot of fighting to do. For the most part they need to get some more great exclusives. Unchartered 2 should be a big hit at E3 I assume, maybe MAG as well. PSP successor is very likely, there has been so much buzz around the concept of a PSP2 that it is entirely possible they could let it out of the bag at E3. If there’s a stage to do that, it’ll be this one. Something that should get some major floor time would logically be God of War 3, the series thus far has been a high scoring one generally receiving favorable feedback… so why not feature the third installment? I am quite personally looking forward to it a lot! Kratos is itching for some more attention, and I see E3 as the place to see it. Of course, Sony could prove me wrong and ignore this upcoming title. Another point of interest is that Team ICO’s latest trailer for its latest game was released, so the gaming world is in a buzz hoping for more (they of course made Shadow of Colossus and ICO) so here’s hoping we see more of it!!

Something that everyone on the face of the planet who has an interest in the PS3 but doesn’t have one yet (this includes publishers as well) is after is a PRICE DROP. So will it happen? Well, Sony had a pretty good year in 2008, and why not follow up the next year with a price drop? I’m in no way saying its going to happen, because people saying so have been burned in the past by the usual, “It isn’t happening.” But really, if its coming then it must be coming soon. I will hope and pray that Square Enix will show off something for PS3 that is an RPG, because fora Japanese company they sure aren’t giving the PS3 much love. I’d like some Versus XIII footage and maybe the revelation of Kingdom Hearts 3? I can dream, damn it!! I don’t think we’ll see a PS3 redesign… I don’t think Sony will be feeling confident enough in their position in the console race to redesign their console.

Microsoft

What to expect – I don’t really follow Microsoft, nor do I really know what to expect from this year. I have noticed they have been pretty tightly sealed in terms of announcements so really they could have any number of things to say. Let’s face it, their biggest announcement last year was poaching Final Fantasy XIII’s exclusivity in the Western world so it would see release on both consoles (and as a result delay the Western release of FF-XIII on PS3 as well, good work!!). Speaking of poaching exclusives, it sounds like everyone is gearing up for the announcement of Metal Gear Solid 4 coming to XBox 360. Now, forgive me if I’ve missed something, but when exactly did this become fact? We know Kojima is teasing a new game, could be anything at this point but people seem focused on MGS4 to 360. Personally, I’ve finished the game upwards of ten times so I’m beyond caring at this point. The part that puzzles me is the stuff they’d have to edit out. Snake uses a PS3 control to control Metal Gear Mk. II, there is a PS3 in some sections, they reference Bluray and PS3… it just seems like a lot of trouble to go through. If anything, the next Metal Gear may be multiplat. But by that point, the franchise may be in risk of being ruined. I’ll rant more about this at a later date.

Apart from that, there are a few possibilities, pump some more use into the new XBox avatar system and the such (the failure of Scene-It burns, a competitor for Buzz might not hurt) and XBox Experience could get some enhancements. Something I personally think could come up is a new game by Rare, its hard to tell what though. Perfect Dark: Zero and Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts ‘n’ Bolts have both failed. So will they start a new IP or try again with an old one? Impossible to tell really, but maybe they’ll try with Conker. He seems to be looked over a fair bit, but there is potential in bringing back this IP. The pop culture spoof he brings with him could go over well. I will put money on something Halo being shown. Halo = Microsoft, so they’ll show something. Definitely some Halo ODST but maybe something else? Halo 4? Halo Wars 2? Halo Party? I very much doubt Gears of War 3, but who knows what Epic could have up their sleeves.

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So like the title suggests, these were just some not so coherent ramblings of what I think E3 could have, but I am not going to get my hopes up. Between now and then I may cover a few companies in individual blog posts. And if I have the time, I’d love to cover individual companies WHILE E3 is taking place. I’m no game journo though, so that could be too much of an undertaking.

I foresee a Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft E3 write-up, and finally a Third Party one which will discuss interesting things bought to the table by the likes of  Square-Enix, Konami, Capcom, Bethesda, Rockstar etc. Either way, E3 is getting closer with every day.

Let’s hope it does not disappoint.

PRE-3