AND IT’S DONE!

The three big names in our favourite Industry have now completed their slots at E3 2008 – Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo showcased games/features of the past, present and future to wet our gaming appetites and to get our fingers heading towards our bank cards.

I have to admit, I am emotionally beat from the excitement! Anyone who has been talking to me in the past few hours has probably realised this FROM THE AMOUNT OF GAME RELATED INFORMATION I HAVE TYPED TO THEM IN CAPS!

So, who came out on top?

What are we to look forward to for 2008/2009?

What should we all spend our money on?

DON’T PANIC!

Over the next three posts I shall be breaking each conference down to include videos and small snippets of information, just for you!

Lets get rolling!

MICROSOFT

Gears of War 2

To be released November 7th, 2008. The campaign has 2 player co-op, but there will be a 5 player mode in multiplayer. You’ve still got the classic loveable chainsaw in tow, but you’ve not got a new weapon to enjoy – A flamethrower! You’ve also got elevators, grappling hooks and Locust-shields to enjoy! Oh, and lets not forget you get to ride a brumak. A FREAKIN’ BRUMAK PEOPLE!

Fable 2

To be released October 2008. This is a very creative RPG which enhances the innovative system of morphing one’s character based on their actions of good/evil (kind of like Overlord, if you have ever played that!) Your character will slowly morph into whatever you create it to be through your actions in-game. You can get drunk with friends, get a wife ‘n kids or.. do none of the above. It’s all up to you how you play, and create, your game. Sounds like a very unique experience and I cannot wait to try this out. Not to mention there is a co-op side to this that is just begging to be explored!

Resident Evil 5

To be released March 13th 2009 (DAY AFTER MY 21ST BIRTHDAY, HINT, HINT, HINT!) I think we all know the basic gist of all Resident Evil games – You’re human, they’re zombies, you’ve got the save humanity! I have to say, I was very impressed by the RE5 video. And I will be even MORE impressed if you get to use that bleedin’ chainsaw yourself at some point. We all know how obsessed I am with chainsaws are Gears of War.. But yes, this looks to be an amazing game and it’s a shame we’ve got to wait another 9 months to have it in our sticky little hands! The best thing about RE5, aside from the amazing graphics - IT. IS. MULTIPLAYER.

Fallout 3

Due out this Autumn. Well, what do I say about this game? It’s like Bioshock, but on the surface. It’s also by the same team who made Oblivion so you know this is going to fucking OWN YOUR FACE. I am extremely excited about this game & I don’t even know what to type here because I am so excited. I love the graphics, the environment and I was just to dive in head first and explore, explore, explore!

Revamped Dashboard

So, it looks as though the Dashboard is set for a complete revamp. New layout, new “avatars” and group chat options. Aside from the latter feature, I am personally not happy about this. I hope there will be an option to keep the dashboard as it is, to keep your gamerpics/themes.. But somehow I don’t think this is going to be happening. If I want a cutesy little avatar, I would move on over to the Wii. I’m a gamer, I want a simple little icon and that’s all. I think the general revamp is a huge waste of time (aside from multi-chat), but watch the video and decide for yourself. Welcome to the Mii60! An age I do not think I am going to enjoy much..

Other Game Announcements

- Rock Band 2: Out this September. Like Guitar Hero you get a large amount of tracks on a disc. You will be able to download approx 20 more songs when it’s released for the other systems in November.

- Squeenix (Square-Enix): Infinite Undiscovery to be released on September 2nd, Last Remnant November 20th and Star Ocean 4 Spring 2009. Not to forget that Final Fantasy XIII due to hit the 360!

- Guitar Hero: World Tour: Pretty self-explanatory there. This game needs no introduction. 85 tracks, all on the disc at launch.

- Lips: Your basic karaoke game, out this Christmas. You get two wireless mics with the game. Also comes with comes with the added ability to use your iPod/Zune for music.. But it has music on a disc as well if you don’t have any of the above.

- Scene-It: Box Office Smash: A new version of Scene-It. It looks like you’ll be able to use your new “Avatars” (see section below) in-game.

- You’re In the Movies: A game that uses the Xbox Camera to integrate you into movies at home.

- New XBLA games: Geometry Wars 2, Galaga Colonies, Uno Rush, Banjo-Kazooie, Portal: Still Alive and a new South Park game.

- Netflix integrated into XBL (US users only). Netflix customers will be able to stream movies to their Xbox for free. Your friends will also be able to view movies at the same time.

And that’s it for Microsoft! Keep an eye open for my Nintendo and Sony posts too!