This year’s E3 was destined to be an important one, but I didn’t expect the pre-release tide to turn as heavily as it ended up. Concrete details on Sony and Microsoft’s next-gen platforms were the big things we knew we’d be getting, but the results seem to have placed many people squarely in one camp.
Admittedly, there are components of the Xbox One that I find intriguing, such as the idea of more dynamic and evolving achievements. In terms of games, as a fan of developer Rare’s Nintendo-era games, I was thrilled to see the long-rumored return of Killer Instinct. Other exclusives, like Insomniac’s Sunset Boulevard and Ryse: Son of Rome, also have my interest. But in my opinion, Microsoft has already shot themselves in the foot with the system’s now infamous DRM and online policies. I wasn’t thrilled about the used game news, but could deal with it as I usually buy the games I’m interested in when they first come out anyway. It’s the daily check to see if you’re online that truly upsets me.
Whenever I end up getting an Xbox One, I’ll likely end up bringing it various places when I have to stay outside of the house, but if it’s a place without a reliable Wi-Fi connection, there won’t be any point. An Internet connection can never be 100% reliable, and Microsoft’s assumption that everybody has one is nothing short of ridiculous. Finally, the $499 price point seems a bit steep, especially compared to the PS4 and Wii U. To sum it up, I will eventually be getting an Xbox One to try out select exclusives, but it will probably be some time after the initial launch.
Next up, Sony didn’t start their conference on the most encouraging note, with segments talking about movies and media that most gamers didn’t care about. The reveal of the PS4 hardware itself wasn’t as impressive as it could have been, as the people I talked to afterward all remarked on its resemblence to a 1980s VCR. Despite all this, Sony’s improved support for indie titles was welcome compared to Microsoft’s apparent shunning of the market, and even though it’s since been confirmed to be coming to the Xbox One, the reveal and confirmation of Kingdom Hearts III for the PS4 made me absolutely giddy.
The kicker though was when Jack Tretton came on and laid out the PS4’s policies for used games and online connectivity, which rightfully led to long-lasting applause. It seems like a no-brainer to approach things this way, but Microsoft’s announcements, and Sony’s staying quiet on the matter up until then, had myself and others pretty worried, and it was immensely gratifying to see that they appear to be taking gamers’ rights into consideration. As a Vita owner, I do wish more support had been shown for the struggling handheld, but the goodwill Sony earned in the later parts of the conference helped make up for that. I will definitely be looking into picking up a PS4 at launch, though that will ultimately depend on what games come out for it at that time.
Nintendo needed to show some major titles to convince gamers to invest in the struggling Wii U, and while there were definitely some announcements that made me happy, I do feel that it could have been stronger. I was personally thrilled to find out that Retro Studios is developing a sequel to the stellar Donkey Kong Country Returns, but I’m definitely aware that many gamer’s hopes for a new Metroid title were crushed.
I was also happy to see the confirmation of two new Super Smash Bros. titles, but wished that we could have gotten a few more gameplay details or character reveals. As far as other new title announcements, I was happy to see the reveals of Mario Kart 8 and Super Mario 3D World, but would still like to see more of an evolution in both series as far as gameplay and style go. Like many others, I look forward to what Nintendo has coming out, yet can’t help but feel that they should be more original with their big titles if they truly want to stand out.
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