Although I am authorized to attend E3 since my website is hosted on the Gamespy network, I never have managed to get there. One of these days I will. Until then, I'll have to be content with providing a wrap-up of what I've read and seen about what happened there.
Here are the announcements that represent what I believe to be the best of E3:
Metroid Prime 2 (GameCube):
see it in action here
It looks like this will be more of the same, but that's a good thing. Metroid Prime is one of my all time favorite games. I wonder how they'll explain away the fact that she starts without any power-ups this time?
Resident Evil 4 (GameCube):
see it in action here
I've been a fan of the Resident Evil series (Biohazard in Japan) since the very first game, but the formula has been getting pretty tired of late. Thankfully, this game is going to mix it up a bit in terms of setting and gameplay. You play as the police man from RE2 exploring a hamlet in what appears to be Eastern Europe. The zombies seem to have intelligence this time, and are capable of conversing with each other and dodging your attacks. You now play in a fully 3D world (no pre-rendered backgrounds). When you have a weapon drawn the camera moves to a nice over the shoulder view with great control, so half of the horror won't be caused by your fear that you won't get the protagonist pointed in the right direction before you get eaten.
The Legend of Zelda (GameCube):
see it in action here
Notice there's no subtitle attached to this game's name? That's because this is a realistic fully 3D remake of the original Zelda story. Does that mean a fully 3D old man will repeatedly say, "PAY ME FOR THE DOOR REPAIR" and take my rupees when I burn the bush that covers his cavernous hermitage? I hope not.
Halo 2 (Xbox):
Halo was overrated, but next to "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic" it's still the best reason to own an Xbox, and the cooperative play was especially fun. Shoot, any new reason to justify the presence of the gas-guzzling, 50 pound, 1200 BTU generating monstrosity that is the Xbox in my entertainment center is welcome. And speaking of Knights of the Old Republic...
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic 2: Sith Lords (Xbox and PC):
see it in action here
SW:KOTOR 1 did more to flesh out the back story and details of the Star Wars universe than the Episode 1 and 2 movies did by a long shot. Here's hoping the SW:KOTOR 2 will continue the trend.
Halflife 2 (PC):
see it in action here
This was announced at E3 last year, and was supposed to come out last September. I'll be surprised if it comes out by this September. Halflife is still the best FPS I've ever played when it comes to pulling you into the story. It also pushed the envelope of PC graphics and enemy AI when it was released. Halflife 2 will undoubtedly do the same.
Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children (Theatrical release):
see the trailer here
Okay, so it's not a game at all, but this computer animated feature film is the sequel to Final Fantasy VII, the FF game with arguably the best story yet. The trailer blew me away, and I can't wait to see the full movie.
There are downloadable trailers for everything I've mentioned here at FilePlanet. Check them out.
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