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UR: Super-Late E3 2013 in Review

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It certainly has been a while since my last update, hasn’t it? Actually, I haven’t updated at all since 2013 started. My apologies. With that said, I should probably get this out before all discussion for it finally dies out, what with this being over two weeks late: E3 2013.

Ah, E3. You glorified trailer fest, you. E3 this year was rather interesting. It was the battle between Sony and Microsoft to see whose console everyone is going proclaim as their favorite in the next-gen console war. Of course, Nintendo is just off doing their own thing with the Wii U in the background while Sony and MS are duking it out in the ring. Now, I know that I should talk about Ubisoft and EA’s conferences as well, but to be perfectly honest…I didn’t watch them because I didn’t care. I will say that I initially thought Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare was a ridiculously stupid idea, but I’ve grown to be amused by it. Also, that guy was way too excited about Peggle 2. With that out of the way, let’s see how the three home console companies did?

Microsoft

As much as I’d like to join in on the jeering and mocking of Microsoft, I do try to be objective as possible. That said, the conference was mediocre. If you’re unaware, Microsoft first announced their brand new console, the Xbox One, a month ago with very little games shown and with a greater focus on what kind of multimedia features it was going to have. That announcement really alienated the gamer audience, especially with how vague MS was being about the highly controversial DRM, a disregard for the independent game developers, and the always-on Kinect camera that was going to be implemented for their new system.

E3 did very little in resolving people’s fears.

Just a head’s up, I’m not going to bring up the technical issues Microsoft had with the trailers. It happens to everyone, but it was just a really bad time to happen.

They chose to show off many more games this time around, but they did nothing to answer people’s criticisms of the console. In fact, some interviews with Don Mattrick, president of Microsoft’s interactive entertainment division, show that they had no answers whatsoever for the gamers and little-to-no care about their issues with the Xbox One. That is not a good way of handling public relations, Microsoft.

But, hey. They showed off some games, why not talk about them? Okay.

None really stuck out for me aside from Dead Rising 3 (even then, I’m not crazy about how they decided to take a realistic approach to a goofy-as-hell game series). Well…that’s not entirely true. I liked Metal Gear Solid V’s showing, but that’s a multi-console release. Which is weird why’d they show it here specifically. I guess it’s great that they announced a new Killer Instinct game, but it really looks like it borrowed a lot from Capcom’s Street Fighter IV, down to similar artstyles and similar attacks and attack names. It’s not even been developed by Rare, but by Double Helix Games. You know, the company that developed a bunch of movie license games and the poorly received Silent Hill Homecoming. Yaaaaaaaaaay. Also, real classy with the rape joke during the gameplay presentation, guys.

Microsoft did try to revive indie interest, but all they did was announce, “Hey! We’re getting Minecraft for Xbox One!” And, well, that’s really not saying much at all. If you really want to get the indie people on your side, you need to do something like Nintendo and allow you to release your game on the console and set your own prices for it, giving as much support as possible. All you’re doing is picking out one of the biggest indie names right now and saying, “See? We’re supporting independent developers!”

Again, the conference was okay. They genuinely tried to show off the games coming for Xbox One, but the DRM fears were simply too great and they completely ignored them. However, as you might be aware by now, Microsoft has recently reversed their stance on the whole DRM thing. Despite people laughing and pointing at MS over this, I respectfully give my thanks and appreciate them recognizing that their DRM practices were not practical for the consumers. I’m sure it’s because they were afraid the bad reputation they were building up was getting out of hand, but whatever. I’m not buying the console, but I appreciate them doing this. That being said, GET RID OF THE ALWAYS ON KINECT CAMERA. INVASION OF PRIVACY, WHY DON’T YOU?

Sony

How to describe Sony’s E3 press conference…?

How about an unmitigated verbal beat down of all of Microsoft and everything people hated about their new console?

I could go into detail about how the new PlayStation 4 looks like a pair of slanted parallelograms, or how that new guns-in-London game looks pretty sweet, or how Square Enix totally redeemed themselves in my eyes with releasing Final Fantasy Versus XIII as Final Fantasy XV and finally showing us the first glimpse of Kingdom Hearts 3, the game that I have been waiting over 8…long…years for…I forgive you, Square. I’ll buy the chocolates for tonight…

Ahem. But the big “reveal” was Sony none-too-subtly announcing that they will be avoiding Microsoft’s DRM practices and that the PS4 supports used games without any problems and you do not need to connect to the Internet in order to play them. This was a brilliant ploy by Sony. Even though the issue wasn’t with them, they still answered for them. They heard about all the crippling issues people had with the Xbox One and they turned it around on MS by listening to their audience and doing the thing that’ll get them to buy their console.

And being a hundred dollars cheaper than the Xbox One is a nice add-on, too.

Everyone went wild over Sony’s announcements, so I knew that Nintendo had an uphill battle ahead of them. They didn’t have a new console like Sony or Microsoft and Sony had everyone in their hands, so they had to beat them with software. Did they succeed? Well…

Nintendo

Nintendo chose to not do a press conference this year, preferring to instead do their announcements via Nintendo Direct. I thought this was a good idea, since Nintendo Direct seemed to be their go-to way of revealing the latest information by them. Admittedly, I’m kind of disappointed that we couldn’t get Reggie to provide us with some new gaming memes, but hey. It works…

…sorta. They kind of accidentally had some major issues with the American stream and had to have everyone go watch the Direct on the UK stream. Like Microsoft, it happens. Let’s talk games.

They showed off more Pokémon X & Y footage and revealed that there’s going to be a new type: Fairy! I find it rather odd that a lot of people are up-at-arms over this even though they all saw it coming and didn’t think too bad of it then, but whatever…. I personally think it’s cute and amusing, though it’s gonna be hell remembering the new type match ups when I get the games.

Then they announced the brand new 3D Mario game for Wii U, the one that I was most excited to see. It turned out to be Super Mario 3D World, a sequel to the 3DS’s 3D Land and incorporated use of the New Super Mario Bros.’ multiplayer aspect, allowing for multiplayer in a 3D Mario game for the first time. When it was first shown, I was…not happy at all. I knew the game was going to be fun (there is never any doubt when it comes to Mario games), but I was expecting something “more”. Anyone remember the first trailers for the Galaxy games? How they showed off the innovative gameplay that was accompanied by sweeping music that invoked a grand idea of epic? I was hoping for something like that. This just seemed like a step backwards. While I’m kind of disappointed in presentation, I do think the game looks like a lot of fun. I guess I should comment on Cat Mario…it’s cute!

Next up is Mario Kart 8. It’s Mario Kart – BUT WITH ANTI-GRAVITY! So…Mario Kart Galaxy. Rehashed joke, we’re moving, we’re moving. I will join the group thinking why didn’t they simply make a new F-Zero game with this gimmick. Well, no. I do know the reason why they didn’t: Because Mario Kart sells and F-Zero doesn’t. Still, it’s a crying shame they couldn’t actually make an F-Zero game from this idea instead.

We’re given some more info on Wii Party U, Wii Fit U, Zelda: Wind Waker HD, and The Wonderful 101. Not much to say on the first two, but I’m really excited for Wind Waker HD. The game looks simply fantastic and I really can’t wait to play it. Same case for Wonderful 101. Platinum Games makes amazing stuff and I really like what I’m seeing with 101. It’s kind of a mix of Viewtiful Joe and Pikmin, which I dig a lot. It’s got a lot of charm.

Then we find out that Retro Studios is making a new Donkey Kong game, Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. I absolutely loved the first Retro Donkey Kong game. It had the right mix of difficulty with fun platforming. However, I wasn’t too blown away by Tropical Freeze. It looked about the same kind of Donkey Kong, but with three-dimensional barrel blasting. It’s going to be fun, but I’m curious what else is new…okay, I was super glad to see Dixie Kong in there. I love Dixie Kong.

We then get the first trailers of Bayonetta 2 and the new Monolith Soft game that is only known as “X”. These two trailers (before the big one coming up) are probably what helped seal Nintendo getting a thumbs up from people. The two games are simply beautiful with stunning gameplay and eye candy (of many varieties, wink-wink-nudge-nudge-saynomore-saynomore). I’m particularly looking forward to “X”, since it appears to be a spiritual sequel to the critically acclaimed Xenoblade from last year. I recently managed to get that game relatively cheap (it currently, as of this writing, goes for over 120 dollars on Amazon) and I can definitely agree with the great reception it got.

And, finally, we come to the final trailer in the E3 Nintendo Direct: Super Smash Bros. for Wii U and 3DS.

Well.

Damn.

There’s no beating Super Smash Bros. There just isn’t. Everyone knows it’s going to be amazing, so let’s just talk about the newcomers: The Villager from Animal Crossing. None too surprising since Animal Crossing is one of Nintendo’s biggest franchises. There was Wii Fit Trainer from Wii Fit that was announced in a trailer not too long after the Nintendo Direct. Admittedly, when I first heard of her inclusion, I thought it was a joke. Then I remembered Masahiro Sakurai is a giant troll and knew this was his doing. Just as an aside, I hope your arm gets better soon, Mr. Sakurai. You made some of my favorite games and I respect you a lot. Anyway, Wii Fit Trainer: I like her. She’s just so unexpected and weird that I kind of have to laugh my ass off. She kind of reminds me of my reaction to R.O.B. or Mr. Game & Watch showing up. Plus, Smash Bros. could use a few more female characters. And, finally, the big one: The Blue Bomber. Rockman. The bot with the Mega Buster. The mascot of Capcom –

MEGA MAN.

Totally expected. I mean, everyone was begging for the guy to show up. If you wanted me to be completely shocked, have him show up alongside Sonic and Snake in Brawl. With that said, it’s really awesome Capcom allowed Nintendo to use him in the new Smash Bros. With the piss-poor way they’ve been treating their mascot as of late, I’d thought they’d be completely afraid to give Mega Man to anyone. Guess they knew Nintendo are classy fellows that know how to treat properties with respect. And with great respect they did, for Mega Man’s introduction was simply fangasm put to video. Two BIG thumbs up for Mega Man!

All-in-all, it was an okay showing. Better than Microsoft, but I was overall a bit disappointed with Nintendo. I was really hoping for some really big announcement, like them bringing back/reviving an old series of theirs and giving it the Kid Icarus Uprising treatment. I know I would have loved to have seen a new F-Zero game, or maybe a new Star Fox. I know a lot of people want a new Metroid after that horror that was Other M. It was mostly all just games that were already announced to be shown at E3 and it was just disappointing overall.

Still, Mega Man.

The winner?

To the people, Sony won over nearly everyone with their glorious display of kicking Microsoft off their highchair. Hell, this instructional video really nailed the coffin for Microsoft. Nintendo also got the fans going wild with the new Smash Bros. and it featuring Mega Man…

With that said, the game that really got the biggest shock and joy out of me was Kingdom Hearts 3, which (along with Final Fantasy XV) are multi-console releases, so I would say Square Enix won E3 for me! Haha.

Now for some personal update stuff: I’m going to try and release a bunch of reviews soon, so expect a review tsunami to strike soon from me. I might also be altering my rating system a bit, so I’ll be sure to post over the past journal to mention that. Also, I’m trying to bring back the Wonder Weekly, but probably not in the same way as before.

Until the next update, I’ll catch you guys soon.
So what did No Limit think of E3 2013?
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ElenaMegan's avatar
Okay, I'm late to review this review, but I gotta admit that I'm pretty psyched about Kingdom Hearts III and Final Fantasy XV. I mean, how cool is that to ride on a Heartless swarm?