PAX 2010 Thoughts, Day 1
By AgentJ 11 Comments
In keeping with my schedule from last year, I'm posting my observations from day one of the greatest gift to gamers
Winners
- Golden Sun DS. The 7 year drought is ending finally, and based on my hands on observations it will be utterly fantastic. The battle system is just how I remember it and the attacks are flashy and awesome.
- Vanquish. The latest outing from Platinum Games looks to continue a pedigree of excellence. I don't know how they do it, but PG seems to take a new genre with each outing and make it their own. Vanquish has a unique look and feel, and really puts the player in the action in a way I've never felt from Gears of War (likely its closest cousin).
- Duke Nukem Forever. I didn't get around to playing it today (that will come tomorrow) but just the fact that it is finally coming is a win in and of itself. The booth surrounding it was hilarious. This is my first priority.
- Goldeneye 007. believe it. This game is legitimately fun. It definitely feels like Goldeneye (right down to the grainy graphics, which the rep chalked up to an early build). Activision inexplicably captured the magic of the original in this re-imagining. Multiplayer was tight and intense, and brought back memories of playing against friends on the couch. (A side note: I fully believe that the new XBOX controller is now the de-facto gaming controller available, but the Classic Controller Pro is REALLY nice.)
- Donkey Kong Country Returns. A few gimmicks to be seen, but this is definitely Donkey Kong, and co-op is a blast.
- Giantbomb Panel. Topped last year's half beard shenanigans and was certainly the best panel I went to on the day.
- Vidiot. Good to meet a fellow GB'er. Remember, as a federal agent of dance, I cannot have my face shown :P
Losers
- Final Fantasy: Four Warriors of Light. I appreciate the style that was injected into the Final Fantasy III and IV remakes, but the team doesn't look like it even tried when it was making the models for this game. The characters look like... I honestly can't think of a thing they DO look like. They definitely don't look human. That aside, the combat is bare-bones, and I can't see the game appealing to anyone save for the hardest of the hardcore FF fans.
- Tron. The bike battles were fun, but they were only a piece of the game, and the platforming was imprecise and generally awful. Here's hoping the team figures that out before launch day.
- Overall selection. Despite the huge exhibition hall this year, it seems like there are fewer games I have an interest in picking up this year. Fewer original properties (last year there was Borderlands, The Saboteur, Brutal Legend, Split Second, Heavy Rain, Bayonetta, White Knight Chronicles... you get the picture. Most of what is available is something that we already have a pretty good idea about.)
Tomorrow:
- Duke Nukem Forever
- Sonic 4 Episode 1
- Okamiden
- Marvel Vs Capcom 3
- Ghost Trick
- Dead Space 2
- Epic Mickey
Sunday:
- Fallout: New Vegas
- Halo: Reach
- Gears of War 3
- Playstation Move
- Microsoft Kinect
- Valkyria Chronicles 2
- Yakuza 4
- Other???
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