E3 '09 Graphic Whores

Artistic design and visual prowess are common ingredients for greatness in videogames. Numerous titles throughout the nearly four-decade lifespan of videogaming have spawned sales running in the millions and profits in the billions. It’s no surprise that publishers are banking on the ‘graphics hype’ to promote their respective titles – desperately trying to standout from the over-saturated visual battlefield.

E3 ’09 showcased this spankin’-fresh batch of titles, designed to outsell and outdo other games in their respective genres.

Alan Wake E3 Trailer 2009 on Vimeo.

First off, Alan Wake -- Announced during ’05, finally we have a working demo gamers can get excited about. It’s more action-oriented than once thought, but whatever Remedy is conjuring up with Microsoft, hardcore aficionados have something to look forward to in 2010.

Trico_E3 on Vimeo.

Next, we have an excellent trailer of Trico’s new title, The Last Guardian – slated for a 2010 release window. After playing through the stunning Shadow of the Colossus for PS2, anything being developed by Sony’s in-house gem deserves some gaming love.

So boy and girls, it couldn't have been more clear cut than these two titles proudly attest - videogame visuals is ever-evolving, ever-changing.

Uncharted 2

Uncharted 2 on Vimeo.

The first Uncharted title showcased the visual muscle of Sony's hulking console. The title oozed with glamor, an action driven plot, and a distinct and quirky Indiana Jones-like atmosphere. It became a fitting reflection of what an action adventure should be in the HD era.

To the demise of the obvious majority, the Uncharted franchise will be locked to PS3 as Halo is to Xbox. A Pity that not all gaming enthusiasts could experience the grandeur and exquisite production value the game boasts through and through.

Officially announced during E3 '09, the second installment just got a face-lift and is set to outdo its predecessor. Being developed by Naughty Dog (an in-house first party developer of Sony) we can expect a tight storyline and solid gameplay in all its third person glory.

Uncharted 2 is slated for a late '09 release -- just in time for holiday season.

The New Frontier

Project Natal on Vimeo.

At E3 ’09, various platform’s announced their peripherals catered to the motion-obsessed gaming populace. Sony officially announced its ‘imitation’ to the Wii’s IR sensitive wand while Microsoft, well, is entirely in a different level.

The surprisingly secretive Project Natal is finally out in the open, demonstrating to the few selected gaming journos what makes it tick. Through the vids and pics of numerous gaming sites, we can see the sheer technological brilliance Project Natal bestows upon the gaming world. It's the revolution the industry has been waiting for.

The Wii felt more of an evolutionary step on controller design rather than a revolutionary one -- a tangible barrier between the player and the game still existed.

With Microsoft’s new technology (through an Israel-based company, 3DV), we finally have the controller-less capacity to play. It pushes you to react when a ball rolls your way, when you're placed in the driver seat of a super-car, or when a technologically impressive A.I. realistically interacts with you.

The applications and possibilities of Project Natal are indeed limitless when compared to the restrictive nature of Nintendo's wand. It'd be quite intriguing how Microsoft will innovate a young gaming industry with such a technology.

Red All Over

Is Microsoft serious? A ‘Red’ Xbox 360 for their so-called Resident Evil 5 Bundle. Mockingly -- either intentionally or not -- they’ve matched the color that broke the hearts of millions.

Note that this baby uses the same innards of a ‘Jasper’ unit which masses proclaim is the second coming -- it's believed that it completely alleviates the whole heat sink issue plaguing majority of 360 owners. Gut wrenched logic tells me a youtube vid featuring an RE5 360 with 3 red lights will randomly sprout – knowing what an EPIC FAIL the 360 hardware is.

Killzone 2 = Halo Killer

Killzone 2 has proven to be more of a PR nightmare for Sony than the glorious savior its been hyped up to be. However, it seems the tides are turning as the first batch of reviews (print and online publication) have consistently praised the game's visuals and atmospheric gameplay.

To actually play the game would be another issue, but seeing the trend in the world of PS3 post MGS4, Sony might have the perceived Halo Killer its been looking for.

576KByte Mag Reviews Killzone 2

Graphics: 5 (out of 5)
Playability: 5 (out of 5)
Lasting Appeal: 4 (out of 5)
Music / sounds: 5 (out of 5)
Overall: 9.7 (out of 10)

Sneak Peek: Star Ocean 4

Finally an update post new year!

To usher in the brand new year, here are screenshots of the up and coming 360 exclusive, Star Ocean 4: Last Hope. The game's looking hot, Square's crystal engine sure looks stunning.

No Love for WOW

This just in: employers are now factoring in the effects of sleep deprivation and 'reprioritization' of work due to World of Warcraft. In fact, they're implementing extreme measures by black listing ALL WOW players.

Since they unwittingly opened the floodgates, they’d have to consider other sources of sleep deprivation, such as but not limited to social parties, clubbing, drinking, TV, surfing through the internet pipelines -- for which most, if not ALL potential applicants would be guilty of.

news source: gamesindustry.biz

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