(Live Arcade, April 21st)
Using the Source engine for a weird first person melee combat is intriguing, but then wrapping that around weirdass art direction that, from media I’ve seen, looks like an Oddworld + Fable mash up, and it becomes entirely different animal. It looks different, and it seems to be taking a reasonable number of risks – something we don’t typically see in games concerned with turning a huge profit. Yes, it’s been available on PC since last year, but my PC is from 2003 – so it’s still new to me.
(April(?), WiiWare – Live Arcade)
I heard about this game because it was apparently going to feature random characters from other 2D platformers (like Tim from Braid and the alien from Alien Hominid) and their respective abilities, but I fell in love because it looked like, from a gameplay perspective, ‘Spolsion Man; 2D side scrolling done right, and without the bullshit games like Mario have beaten into our head. The game is challenging but not overly punitive, eschewing the lives concept our friendly red plumber has necessitated for the last 25 years. The replay feature, where, upon completing a level, the game shows you a simultaneous run of ever one of your attempts, as well as the awesome soundtrack, are cool too.
(April 27th, PS3 – 360)
Not entirely sure why I’m looking forward to this. Cavia hasn’t really ever produced a top tier title, the other “half” of the game isn’t coming stateside, the trailers look terrible, and it seems exist solely to plug a hole in Square-Enix’s release calendar, but I think the art direction is appealing enough to render interest. Odds aren’t in its favor, but I’m willing to give it a shot.
(May 11th – PS3)
My excitement here is augmented by the fact that I have almost no idea what the hell this is. I know From Software just knocked it out of the park with Demon’s Souls, I know it looks like what would happen if did acid when I was eight years old, and I think it may or may not be sort of like older school Zelda. Beyond that, I have no idea – but I know I want to play it.
(May 18th, PS3 – 360)
Neversoft’s Gun made me realize that western (as in Wild West) games had potential, and the prospect of mixing that aesthetic with a modern open world design has me foaming at the mouth. Angel Studios (or Rockstar San Diego, whatever) is no slouch, Midnight Club and Smuggler’s Run were two gems from last gen, and I am eager to see what they can do with a high budget all star release. I expect them to have learned from the mistakes of GTA IV (not that it had many) while still managing to produce a highly atmospheric and wholly unique experience.
(May 18th, PS3 – 360)
I didn’t really care much for the original Lost Planet. Much like Dead Rising, I thought it was a great concept hampered by handful of bizarre design choices. Can’t say the same for Lost Planet 2, where, each time I’ve played it, I’ve walked away with exceeded expectations. It’s still a thoroughly Japanese affair, but this time it comes with modern game design sensibility. Hooking up with friends and bringing down massive, hulking goliaths is a ton of fun (presumably even more so when we all actually know what the hell we’re doing), and the rest of the game looks to have the depth to maintain interest outside of the considerable boss fight. Might be a bummer by yourself, but should be great for those finally ready to set Borderlands aside.
(May 18th, 360)
Remedy is one of those enigmatic developers that only releases a game a few times a decade. It’ll be announced, then you won’t hear about it for three years, then suddenly it’ll be back at the forefront of a publisher’s marketing blitz. They take their time, and it usually bleeds through in their work (small in number, but Max Payne is all you have to say). Alan Wake, from what I’ve seen, looks like Alone in the Dark if the people who made Alone in the Dark had the proper amount of time and money to make Alone in the Dark. Which, of course, sounds awesome.
(May 23rd, Wii)
I Ioved Mario Galaxy enough to complete it (242 stars, folks) twice in its first week of release. The game was incredible, and it easily outclassed Mass Effect, Portal, and Persona 3 for my game of the year in 2007. I’ve heard rumblings that a bunch of the levels are just unused design concepts from the first game, and I’ve never been a big fan of Yoshi, but I still can’t wait to ravenously consume every single morsel of gameplay. Nintendo rarely gives its fan base something they actually want, and I am going to savor the opportunity.
(May 25th – 360)
The enthusiast community has been kind of down on Bizzare’s arcade/cart racer mash up, but I found the game incredibly charming when I played it at E3. To me, Project Gotham was always a second tier series and never really “all the way there” in terms of execution, so I’m happy to see Bizarre trying out something new. Arcade racers have been everywhere this gen (topped off with Burnout Paradise, how I love three), but it Blur might be able to carve its own niche by throwing cool weapons into the mix. My only worry is it’s apparently shallowness; they’re going to have to think of something to justify a full $60 price tag.
Sin and Punishment: Star Successor
(June 7th, Wii)
Maybe it was my penchant for rail shooters, maybe it’s the pedigree of Treasure, but I walked away from E3 2009 thinking the sequel to Sin and Punishment was the best Wii game on the show floor. Nintendo releasing this first party is arguable more shocking, and, while I can’t imagine this being a very long game, I’m excited to give it a shot.
