Post Your E3 2009 Impressions

[Flak Beard]

All in all, this year's show was pretty big. Lots of unexpected game announcements and some new, impressive technology shown. In hindsight though, I didn't walk away with as much enthusiasm about the upcoming months as I thought I would. A handful of games are definitely on my watch list, but far less than previous years.

Nintendo surprised me the most. I had almost completely lost faith in the Wii, but now at least I have a few things to look forward to besides the inevitable DQX. Mario Galaxy 2 will no doubt be awesome, and the whole Team Ninja doing Metroid still blows my mind. Both of these games I'll most likely get. I'm also keeping my eye on Shiren The Wanderer.

360 is going to stay solid for me. Castlevania, Halo 3 ODST, Raiden IV and FFXIII have me the most excited. I wish I could make a bigger list, but I really can't get pumped about all the "2's". Assassin's Creed 2, Bioshock 2, Dead Rising 2 are sure to please, but one of each might be enough for me. I told myself I wouldn't grab too many sequels this generation unless they were from franchises I absolutely love. I liked all those games, but not enough for a second round. Shadow Complex looks like it could be good, but it's rumored to be more than $20 which I feel is too much for an XBLA game.

Speaking of sequels, I think the most annoying thing this year was all the announcements about Lego branded games. Too much of that shit is in the pipeline.

Finally, the motion control movement. Natal was amazing along with Sony's motion controller, I'm not going to lie. I just have a bad feeling about each of the companies taking this step. I guess it can't be helped, but it hasn't exactly proved worthwhile for core gamers on the Wii. The system is flooded with shovelware and games of tech demo caliber. I would hate to see this be an invitation for sloppy game design on the 360/PS3. Hopefully though, Sony and MS will have better quality control and ensure all the software using the tech is top notch.

What's your take on this year?

[General Chaos]

I own a PSP, PS3, DS and 360, so I was looking out for big announcements from all 3 first parties.

I was fairly impressed with the PS3 motion control and unfortunately missed the NATAL demo but will have to check out the videos on Youtube. From what I gathered it was scripted but technically still very impressive. I agree that the motion control trend does not sit entirely well with me. Being a retro gamer I am obviously drawn to traditional control schemes--but even more so I appreciate control schemes that are practical, responsive, and effective. I think motion controls will soon fulfill the responsiveness requirement, but I'm not sure they will ever be practical or effective means for game control.

Other hardware impressions: Though not a huge DD fan, I see the merits of the PSP Go and might pick one up for some multiplayer PSP gaming with my wife. The Wii just simply does not interest me and with the exception of some notably very good titles it probably never will.

Onto what I feel is more important and interesting: the games. I'm a bit of a niche gamer so the "AAA" titles don't interest me as much as they understandably will others--so of course I recognize the great presentation value of GOW 3 and the like, but I was most enthused to hear about the following games (in no particular order):

Golden sun DS (ok--so maybe this one is in order)
Borderlands (specifically that it has splitscreen co-op)
Uncharted 2 (so this might be considered an AAA)
Modnation Racers (I love kart racers and Littlebigplanet so this has me excited)
Left 4 Dead 2 (like others, I’d like to see more content for Left 4 Dead but this is still very exciting news)

The rest of the games I already knew quite a bit about, but they still have me excited. Some of these include Fat Princess, Pixel Junk Shooter and Katamari Forever.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Everything but the games will fail. PSP go looks pretty cool to me, but no umd drive. Project natal is just a eyetoy on crack and the PS3 motion controllers look like just a really advanced Wii motion plus.

[enderfall]

My take away from this years E3 is that it is make or break time for motion controls. Nintendo stepped up to the plate to prove that people are interested in it, but have yet to really tap it's full potential.

With Sony and Microsoft on board, it's now or never for 1st and 3rd party developers to finally come up with unique uses for motion controls that actually add to the gameplay. If they can't, then it might be time to write the epitaph of motion controls.

As for the games, it was a typical show, lots of flash and dance, but little substance for people who don't attend the show (i.e. - I can't play the demo's of GoW III, etc.). Surprising that the only device to debut at the show (beside Sony and MS's motion control projects) was the PSP go, which is a mixed bag in and of itself. Lots of questions Sony needs to answer to if PSP go is going to be a success.

[corn619]

The PSP Go looks like a flop to me. Old hardware, no UMD drive, new shell and a high price point. So I should just forget about my 20+ PSP games when I "upgrade"? I think I'll pass thank you very much.

[brickiemart]

I thought everyone did well. I am still happy to own a Wii and 360, plus thanks to The Last Guardian, I wish I owned a PS3 now. Mission accomplished on the part of the big three.

Project Natal has me very skeptical, it seems like too much tech to perfect and offer at an affordable price to gamers. All the big games Microsoft came out with look great, but are not my style.

Nintendo surprised me coming out with a bunch of new franchise entries. I am very happy to see a 2d (ish) Mario on the Wii. I've wanted that since the Wii came out. Galaxy 2 looks good and Metroid will most likely rock. Sin and Punishment 2 looks great, but why is it still not ready? A lot of good Wii games are coming out. I wish Nintendo had brought more Wiiware games. Also, no news on Lost Winds 2 .

Sony was the one I paid attention to the least since I don't own a PS3. The Last Guardian may change that though. Overall it looks like motion control is more than a fad. I'm surprised I haven't read more negative reaction to Sony and Microsoft’s motion technologies. I see so much anti-Wii in gaming I thought all the fanboys would rail them both for imitating. Shows what I know. Also, Miyamota seems like a nice guy and that makes me happy.

[J T]

!

Golden sun DS (ok--so maybe this one is in order)
Borderlands (specifically that it has splitscreen co-op)
Uncharted 2 (so this might be considered an AAA)
Modnation Racers (I love kart racers and Littlebigplanet so this has me excited)
Left 4 Dead 2 (like others, I’d like to see more content for Left 4 Dead but this is still very exciting news)

I'm most excited for Borderlands too! I love the cell-shaded redesign of the graphics. Though I appreciate the push for graphical realism, I have long been a fan of games that try to be artistically stylish over realistic. Borderlands looks like a game that will really push that concept far. I have yet to see any video, but the still screens are fantastic. I didn't know it had co-op, but that makes it even more compelling. I hope this game pulls all the elements together and isn't just a visually stunning piece.

[Flak Beard]

I'm most excited for Borderlands too! I love the cell-shaded redesign of the graphics. Though I appreciate the push for graphical realism, I have long been a fan of games that try to be artistically stylish over realistic. Borderlands looks like a game that will really push that concept far. I have yet to see any video, but the still screens are fantastic. I didn't know it had co-op, but that makes it even more compelling. I hope this game pulls all the elements together and isn't just a visually stunning piece.

Whoa, I had no idea they did a graphical overhaul on Borderlands! I just watched the trailer and I really dig the style. I'll have to keep my eye on this one too.

[newt42]

The new Metroid and Super Mario Galaxy games look pretty cool. I'll probably get the second Assassins Creed game, and maybe one or two of the new DS titles. I'm still trying to stay a generation behind before massively stocking up on games in this one.

[MrPopo]

I was surprised that there was not a single 360-exclusive game that I was interested in. Hell, it seems aside from the Halo series and that Natal thing everything that was on the 360 is also going to be on the PS3. Which leaves just the Natal if you're sane and understand that FPS's are for PCs.

Nintendo definately gave me the most games that got added to my Amazon pre-order list. Golden Sun, two Marios, Mario & Luigi, Metroid, it's all assuaged my fears that it would become difficult to achieve platinum status next year (already earned it for this year).