E3 2009 is returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center on a new date, June 1, and is planned to fill out the South and West Halls just like it used to, with huge booths, lots of noise, and plenty of new games to show. As usual, GameSpot will be on hand to cover the show, the games, the developers, and the discussions. Like always, we'll also have a live stage show going all three days to host live demonstrations of all the exciting new games. Be sure to join us on GameSpot in June at http://e3.gamespot.com. In the meantime, our editors discuss the games they're most looking forward to seeing. Have a look at our thoughts and let us know which games you're most anticipating. We'll see you in June.
Ricardo TorresEditor in Chief
This year's E3 has definitely got me excited. There's a good energy crackling along as we speed towards the show. There's a nice bit of old-school anticipation and excitement that I haven't seen in years. This year I'm excited for a bunch of different stuff. Let's start with the big three.
Nintendo: I'm always excited to see what Mario's people are going to announce, and this year promises some very cool stuff. There should be a mix of old and new business for Wii and DS that will walk the line Nintendo's been treading between core and casual games. Given that Nintendo might have dipped a little too much on the casual side at last year's show, I think it's a safe bet that we'll see them swing more towards hardcore games, which is fine by me.
Sony: Obviously I'm curious about just how this new PSP stuff is going to play out. And Sony had best announce a price cut…so I'm looking forward to both of those things. Whether or not they happen…we'll see. As for software, I'll be hunting down God of War III, Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, PixelJunk 1-4, and LittleBigPlanet on PSP. Sounds like there might also be a new PS3 game announced at the show.
Microsoft: You know E3 is set for fun when you get all sorts of leaks leading up to it. I'll be anxious to see just what this camera/motion-control thing turns out to be. Could be cool, could be a facepalm moment in the making. Hoping for cool. On the game side, I'm looking forward to seeing Alan Wake, the new Lionhead thing that Mr. Molyneux's been teasing, and some neat stuff for XBLA.
Otherwise, there's tons of stuff to be excited about. Too much to mention, really, but off the top of my head, and in no specific order, my list Modern Warfare 2, Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2, BioShock 2, a new Capcom game you'll be hearing about on GameSpot later this month, The Beatles: Rock Band, Bayonetta, Tekken 6, Soulcalibur: Broken Destiny for PSP and a new Lucasarts game you'll also be hearing about on GameSpot soon. So yeah, lots to keep an eye out for at E3. Haven't been this excited in years.
Andrew ParkManaging Editor
E3 is back, and it's planned to be "the preeminent North American gaming show" of 2009; dozens of game companies will have their new and upcoming games to show at the Los Angeles Convention Center. And there are two games in particular that I'm most interested to see in motion.
The first is Supreme Commander 2 from Gas Powered Games, published by (wait for it) Square Enix, the Japanese publisher best known for producing the Final Fantasy series. Yes, you read that right. Regardless of who's published what, the first Supreme Commander was a great real-time strategy game that took place on an awesome scale, on gigantic 3D maps that could be zoomed in to direct tactical maneuvers and zoomed way, way out, in real time, to give more strategic orders.
The other game I definitely plan on seeing at E3 is Star Wars: The Old Republic. This is the massively multiplayer game from BioWare that's being designed to have all the plot, character-driven stories, and hack-and-slash battles of the best of BioWare's single-player games, such as Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. I have no idea how a massively multiplayer game will offer all of the content of a single-player game but also have all the open-endedness of an online game, but I'm very interested in finding out.
Giancarlo VaraniniEditor-at-Large
I'm glad I'm attending this year's E3. In fact, the very thought of possibly not attending an E3 makes me a very sad panda, especially when this year's show is supposed to return to the glitz and glamour of E3s past. And though all the flashy lights, shiny objects, and cranium-pounding bass are undoubtedly going to be a source of distraction, or epilepsy, I'm more than happy to be covering the show this year for a couple of obvious reasons.
After all, how could I possibly think of missing out on the first public unveiling of the sequel to one of my favorite games from 2007? Yes, I mean Assassin's Creed 2. And yes, I was on the side of "loved it" when it came to the divisive Assassin's Creed. The setting, the combat, and even the premise of the oft-maligned story were all aces in my book. Although I wouldn't have minded a return to the Crusader era--there's lots of unexplored history there--Renaissance-era Italy is an equally enticing fit, and one that should allow for new gameplay mechanics that weren't possible with the first game. Plus, hanging with Leonardo da Vinci would be really cool in a Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure sort of way.
Although I find myself a bit cautious about it, BioShock 2 also ranks high on the list of games I'm dying to see. The original BioShock was one of the few games that I found myself playing over and over simply because Rapture is just an amazing location and one of the few that manages to tell an entire story in a single room or through something as simple as a poster. I'm not completely sold on the idea of multiplayer because the original didn't need it or even warrant it, but I'll give 2K and Digital Extremes the benefit of the doubt.
Sophia TongAssistant Previews Editor
E3 is supposed to make a triumphant return this year, so I'm hoping there's going to be a ton of new announcements and exciting games to play. There are several games that I'm looking forward to, but below are just a couple that are on the top of my list.
I've been waiting for Final Fantasy XIII since XII came out, and that was a while ago. Although I don't mind that the development team is taking its time to hopefully make the game perfect, I would like to be able to get some hands-on time with it, and preferably in English. In XIII, the battle system has apparently returned to the "active time bar" setup, but there are some other changes that I hope will make the fights interesting. The series has always been known for its epic storylines and beautiful CG animation, so I'm curious to see how this one will unfold.
Heavy Rain: The Origami Killer is the other game that I'm really looking forward to because I absolutely love story-driven games. The ability to pick multiple paths in this game is what intrigues me the most, because it seems like playing the game will be an interactive choose-your-own-adventure book. Developer Quantic Dream is keeping the details on the story to itself, considering that that's the most important aspect of the game, but I understand that a new in-game scene will be revealed at E3.
Chris WattersAssociate Editor
Just a few weeks away, E3 looms large with the potential to rewrite the list of games I expect to play this year. As my gaming future hangs in the balance, I'm particularly eager to see (and hopefully play) more of the games on my "most anticipated" list.
I'm really hoping to get some hands-on time with Borderlands, Gearbox's "role-playing shooter." So far, we've seen only demonstrations, and even those didn't fully showcase the new cel-shaded look that was revealed earlier this year. I'd love to hop in one of the fast, Mad Max-style vehicles and tear around Pandora's desolate surface, gleefully gunning down aliens and bandits with reckless abandon. Ideally I'd have a buddy riding shotgun (in the true sense of the word), but that might be tough to do on the hectic show floor at E3.
In keeping with the futuristic theme, I'm also looking forward to a more in-depth look at Mass Effect 2. I absolutely loved the characters and epic scope of the original, and I'd love to get a peek at what the sequel has in store. A Mass Effect 2 teaser video seemed to show Commander Shepard dead at the hands of a Geth trooper, so I'm hoping to get a glimpse of the new protagonist (if there is one) and an idea for what sort of dire circumstances he or she will be dealing with.
1102 comments
Definitely Looking forward to Splinter Cell: Conviction. Sam Fisher comes back better than ever! And of course, this being the year of the sequels, Assassin's Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2, Bioshock 2, and Forza 3.
I'm curious about the new Doom ID has been developing. Moreso in the graphics than anything else.
wooooooo prototype!!!!!!!!!!!! it comes out Tuesday! which sucks because that's a school day :(
i want one of those games where you have a dog that follows you around and then freaken just rips apart your enemies! haaaa good times
A multi-player zelda game is what I am hoping for, I know it is traditionally link going solo, but why not? Surely there has to be some sort of counterpart... I mean you seem to have companions yet no one else can play them.
Realistically... Most anticipated must be ModernWarfare2... this being also due to the mass of gamers who were so very disappointed in C.o.D. 5 WaW. after the huge success of CoD4-ModernWarfare. Too bad for Activision...
i know its still unconfirmed, but what about Nintendo's big game announcement? I really hope it's a new Zelda or Mario game!
I really hope they have set Alan Wake for release this year because it sounds awsome. I'm stoked for Bioshock 2, Mass effect 2 and ODST.
@link3301 mario + zelda has been milked to the death so has metroid they need new stuff ------------- i can't wait for Gran Turismo 5... so excited for it... and FF13 =] the new Kojima game (and i really want a new ZOE) MAG, sin's creed 2... bioshock 2.... DAMNIT lol
assassins creed 2, Modern warfare 2, Guitar Hero 5, Uncharted 2, Heavy Rain, MGS 5 (if its being announced) and many more....however those are on my top list
i can't wait to hear more on ME 2, M.A.G. , Bioshock 2, Assassin's Creed 2, and TOR. hope to also hear about some new games i haven't heard of or be reminded of some i can't think of atm. ooooooo. I just can't wait :]
I cant wait to see bioshock2 god of war 3 and assains creed 2 and final fantasy 13 and the new psp and the new mgs
looking forward to seeing anything new like and hope zelda is good but i dont have to high hopes with the crappy wii hardware
BIOSHOCK!!! ftw, defo looking forward to some more gameplay shots of that. and borderlands.
I absolutely must have details on Mass Effect 2, BioShock 2, Batman: Arkham Asylum, and Dragon Age: Origins. I'm also curious to find out more about Borderlands, Assassin's Creed 2, the Lionhead IP announcement, and Brink. On my wish list an announcement of a new, quality, non MMO Star Wars game would be icing on the cake.
metal gear solid for psp, metal gear solid for [ps3?], mask, modern warfare 2. hoping the "leaked" pspgo was to throw people off and where the start/select is there will be a second nub =].
Mass Effect 2, Assassins Creed 2, Modern Warfare 2, a bunch of other 2's and any of Kojima announcements im looking forward too seeing more about. That stupid countdown on the site is not funny anymore!
God of War 3, would love to see a level of Modern Warfare 2 (maybe even with the promise of a PSN demo at some point), Bayonetta is looking like an awesome game so far (will do until Devil May Cry 5 is announced and released). If you can list all the things you are excited about, youre not really excited. E3 2009: Gamespot is even MORE crazy!!!
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Featured Games
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Halo 3: ODST
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Gran Turismo 5
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Split/Second
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