Let's face it: There are many great games that don't get enough coverage at E3. This is usually because games are overshadowed by big announcements from Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo. So this month I want to take you through some of the best games at E3 from third-party publishers and developers like Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, and Activision. All of these titles are ones you definitely want to put in your GameQ, and all but one of them will be arriving at the GameFly warehouses before the end of 2009.
The Joker and Batman square off in Batman: Arkham Asylum.
Assassins Creed 2 is set in Venice and features a new flying machine.
Commander Shepard returns in Mass Effect 2 next year.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Could this be the first-ever Batman game that doesn't suck? Forgive the harsh sentiment, but it's true. And that's part of the reason why I'm so excited about this dark and gritty Batman adventure that will be out at the end of August for Xbox 360 and PS3. Based on the comic books, the Dark Knight gets trapped in Arkham Asylum and squares off against villains like The Joker and Poison Ivy. The action is a blend of what is called "free flow combat," puzzle solving, and stealth-based sections where Batman takes out gun-toting henchmen by swooping down from above. Arkham Asylum sets a new high-bar for a comic-book-inspired action game, and there are some other big twists to the gameplay that the press isn't allowed to discuss. Make sure to check it out - it will change what you think of games based on comic book heroes.
Based on the demo shown at E3, Modern Warfare 2 looks to deliver all the action you'd expect along with some new twists...
Mass Effect 2
BioWare was on fire at E3 2009 showcasing three new RPGs, including the highly anticipated Mass Effect 2. Scheduled for release next spring on Xbox 360, you'll once again play as Commander Shepard in this sci-fi RPG. Perhaps the coolest twist comes right at the start: If you played the first Mass Effect, your save file will impact which characters and locations appear in the sequel. Based on the E3 demo, BioWare is definitely taking cinematic storytelling to a new level. What used to be long drawn-out dialogue conversations now feel like interactive cutscenes with lots of action, quick-cut camera angles, and the ability for the player to interrupt conversations mid-sentence. The first Mass Effect did a great job blending a deep RPG story with fast-paced, third-person action, and the sequel looks to amp things up further as Shepard encounters a new character, The Illusive Man.
Brutal Legend
Long-time gamers probably know the name Tim Schafer. He's the man behind classic LucasArts adventures like Full Throttle and Grim Fandango. His latest creation is the world of Brutal Legend, which tells the tale of Eddie Riggs, a rock roadie played by Jack Black. This third-person action game has Riggs being transported into a fantasy world where he uses a battle axe and guitar to rid the world of rock demons. Comedy is something seldom seen in games, but based on the E3 demo it's clear that Brutal Legend will generate some serious chuckles. It's also a deeper game than you might expect, with elements such as driving a hot rod and a real-time-strategy-like interface that's used to help Eddie direct his roadies to build the ultimate rock stage.
Left 4 Dead 2
One of the biggest surprise hits last fall was Left 4 Dead from Valve. It's a game that broke new ground with its cooperative multiplayer and non-stop action as up to four players face off against a deluge of zombies. It usually takes Valve at least a couple years to come out with a sequel, but this year they are toying with fate and delivering Left 4 Dead 2 in November. This time, you'll get five new campaigns; four new survivors to play as, including Coach (a high school football coach); and a host of new enemies and weapons (including a frying pan!). As for the setting, you'll be heading to the South in locations like Savannah, Georgia and New Orleans, Louisiana. What makes Left 4 Dead so addictive is its replayability - the game's "A.I. director" makes sure that each chapter plays differently every time, even in the single-player mode.
Modern Warfare 2
It may not include the Call of Duty logo, but make no mistake about it: Modern Warfare 2 is the direct sequel to Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare from Infinity Ward. While many of the details are shrouded in secrecy, we do know that you're part of Task Force 141, an elite Special Forces unit that travels the world with Soap MacTavish as your leader. Confirmed locations include Brazil, the snowy mountains of Russia (complete with ice-pick climbing and snowmobile chases), and Afghanistan. And, of course, those who have seen the trailer know there is more coming, including a rumored underwater segment with submarines. Based on the demo shown at E3, Modern Warfare 2 looks to deliver all the action you'd expect along with some new twists including an extraction rope that helps you escape from firefights at the end of a level. One thing Infinity Ward isn't discussing yet is multiplayer, although we do know that there will be a special co-op mode called "Special Forces" with a unique set of missions.
Assassins Creed 2
The first Assassins Creed was a polarizing game. Some players loved the world and concept, while others complained about repetitious missions like pick-pocketing. Ubisoft is promising to address those concerns in the sequel, which will be set in and around Italian locales like Venice and Rome. Instead of Altair, Assassins 2 has you playing as Ezio, who seeks revenge against those who killed his family. And he's got some help: The one and only Leonardo da Vinci acts like Q does to James Bond, and provides you with new technology, including a flying machine! Guns will play a more prominent role in the sequel, although the concealed blade will always be the best way to take down an opponent without attracting attention. And while no one is talking about specifics, expect more of the game to be set in the present-day. Hopefully we will learn more about Desmond Miles and the Animus, the device used to restore memories of ancestors in one's DNA.
Do you have other games you're looking forward to? I'd love to hear from you. Make sure to drop me a line on Twitter @geoffkeighley.
