Jason V.’s Winner & Losers of #E3 2010 (Best of Show/ Worst of Show)

The show is over, close the story book. There will be no encore. And all the random hands that I have shook, well they’re reaching for the door. I watch their backs as they leave single file, but you stood stubborn, cheering all the while. (The Verve Pipe – Colorful)

With my preview blitz over the last week coming to a close and a small break before I finish my last three months of the 365//365 project, I figured  it’s time to reflect on the games and companies that stole the show at E3, or  just shouldn’t have even bothered to appear. Nothing will be in-depth here, only a quick glance over what was hot and what shouldn’t have ever made an appearance. Keep in mind that I was not able to visit every single booth, tr out every single game and fall in love with, deplore everything offered at E3. So this is the best, and the worst, of what I had a chance to play:

The Three Worst Showings At E3

3. Two Worlds II (360)

Let me quickly say that Two World 2 looks gorgeous. The lighting is rather impressive, with some physics powering the various items you encounter in the game world. But the gameplay was so disjointed, the camera controls felt floaty and combat in general was just really piss poor. Southpeak still has time to tweak the flaccid combat engine to augment their stellar graphics, but what they had at E3 seemed more like a “graphics over gameplay” argument starter.

2. Lucha Libre AAA: Heroes del Ring (PS3/360)

I didn’t play many titles that I was flat out dissatisfied with, but the few I did, really underwhelmed me, or just flat out turned me off. After watching the highly entertaining tag team match live in the South Hall of E3 on day one of the convention, I decided to give the console game a go. Based within the six sided ring, the gameplay was a bit lethargic, with very slow punches, kicks and other non grapple based combat. The grappling and number of available moves felt limited as well, more so than THQ’s Smackdown vs Raw series. Probably the only highlight I had with AAA was a running punch that sent my opponent, who was standing a couple of steps away from the ring ropes, flying over the top in the most implausible manner. I’m sure there will be a few kinks worked out, some aspects altered and whatnot, but what was playable at E3 was just dull.

1. Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 (Wii, 360, PS3)

I’m convinced that Sega has finally killed the Sonic franchise. The demo stage I played on the Nintendo Wii felt like a re-imagining of the first stage in the first Sonic game, with gimmicks thrown in to further drive the broken down mechanics in Sonic 4. You can’t just jump on top of an item box to destroy it and claim its contents; for the Wii’s case, you have to shake the Wiimote to dash into it while in the air. This waggle mechanic is the means to “success” with Sonic 4, where it becomes your means to attack enemies, as well as latch onto context sensitive places. Why you can’t just JUMP ONTO THINGS, or JUMP AT THINGS like previous Sonic titles, I don’t know. All I know is that Sega’s showing of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode 1 was by far the least impressive playable demo that I tried on the floor, and if the full game is this bad, we won’t see an Episode 2 for sure.

The Three Best Non-Playable Showings At E3

3. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II (360, PS3)

Although it was playable, only the dev was at the helm. The new video trailer that preceded the gameplay segment was one of the most entertaining trailers on the floor this year, further proving that a Star Wars movie based off the exploits of Starkiller would be a tremendous success in the box office. Starkiller comes off as a more badass individual, with powers that seem to be fully realized. The dev playable portion highlighted a better camera system, auto-targeting system and a taste of what to expect come mid October of this year.

2. Portal 2 (PS3, 360, PC)

While I’m sure what was shown will not be actual in-game graphics, the explanation of all the new aspects, as well as storyline teasers was quite captivating. Speaking as someone that was “one and done” with the previous Portal (phenomenal, highly original title, but didn’t have any incentives to soldier on after the first clearing) I was already hooked in, wanting to test out off of the new tricks and maneuvers that awaited me. While a lot of complexity has been added, Valve wants to keep the difficulty from going higher than it should. Whether or not they succeed in those respects, Portal 2 has my attention, and will most certainly have my money come 2011.

1. Homefront (360, PS3, PC)

A somewhat surprise for me, Homefront came out of no where pre-E3, and put some publicity muscle throughout the show, which culminated into a closed door video and dev piloted gameplay trailer that simply wowed me. The opening piece that explains the games back-story was well put together, and further drove the impressions received throughout. Kaos Studios wanted to infuse more emotion and a deeper sense of urgency from your experience with Homefront, and what was shown really drove that home. While these early segments gave me a feeling that I was watching a mix of Half-Life 2 and Modern Warfare 2′s in terms of narrative and emotional tugs, they left a very solid impression on me, and has me legitimately hyped up and eagerly anticipating its release in 2011. Keep an eye out on this one, folks. There’s potential for Homefront to be the next big thing when it comes to a single player story driven experience.

The Three Best Playable Showings At E3

3. Marvel vs Capcom 3 (PS3, 360)

Having no real expectations for MVC3, I was blown away with how addicting the nature of this demo was, as well as how well built it was at this early phase. My biggest concern remains the roster size. If the E3 demo’s character select screen is any indication, we may have a limited number of fighters, compared to MVC2, as well as even Super Street Fighter IV. Thankfully, the gameplay is still amazing, the graphics are drop dead gorgeous all around and it looks like the hook will sink deep into your soul. Marvel vs Capcom 3 went from a title that I really didn’t have any confidence for, to one that I’ll go to every convention I can to get another playable fix.

2. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Wii)

I had an equal amount of time between the number two and number one selections, and have see-sawed on this for days. I’d rather no cop out and say “it’s a tie” so I decided to put one over the other. The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword’s mechanics are already leading Nintendo to their next gem in the gaming world. The command over Link’s sword is impressive, making combat seem more intuitive and less intrusive. The visual style isn’t cutesy, nor a detriment to what is going on with the game its self. For the first time in the Zelda franchise, it really does feel like you’re playing as Link, between the sub weapon controls and sword wielding. As brief a glimpse into Miyamoto’s next best-seller as it was, the lasting impression it had on me is apparent. Just as Super Mario Galaxy and Super Mario Galaxy 2 could be considered system sellers, Skyward Sword looks to be the game that will revive the stagnant Wii sales going on currently.

1. Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)

What else can I add about Bioware’s behemoth? After a two part preview, followed by a picture and video preview days later, it seems as if everything has been elaborated. Again, even with a brief period of playtime, the cohesive feeling, the fully voice narratives, the combat that doesn’t feel boring so far and the Star Wars universe in its self all meshed together to give such a hype and anticipation for it. When Bioware first announced The Old Republic, I was determined to pick this up on day one, no matter how development turned out. After playing an early build, not only am I confidant about the final result, but I’m fiendishly looking for any ways of getting more playtime with The Old Republic, and have signed on with their site in hopes of being one of the gifted few to play-test various elements. After the plethora of MMORPG’s that I’ve played, from the nearly ten years of off and on play with Sony’s Everquest, or the six month romp through the World of Warcraft, Star Wars: The Old Republic stirs a feeling within me that feels that we may finally see someone overthrow the vastly overrated WoW off the top of the mountain.

Now that I’m done with my previews and best/worst selections, I have to say that E3 was definitely one of the most memorable events in my life. Growing up with dozens of Game Players, EGM and Nintendo Power magazines littering the floor of my room, I’ve always wanted to experience first hand the madness, scenery and environment that E3 provided. It may have taken me ten years to finally have the opportunity to attend this convention, the hard work and long wait was well worth it. I am more than grateful for the opportunity to attend this event, and would like to thank the Chocolate Lemon staff, as well as our readers, for helping me finally realize a near life long dream, one that I will only wake from next year, for E3 2011.

Did you enjoy something that wasn’t listed here? Whether or not you attended E3, did you find any game that has you swooning for it? Leave a comment below with what game(s) you picked, as well as why. We always love to hear from you!

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