E3 2011: What We're Looking Forward To

Well, another E3 has come and gone and we actually have A LOT to look forward to. But what are we looking forward to the most? Here is one of those convenient list things the internet is full of. This is in no particular order mind you.

Bioshock Infinite

It's amazing how a game that never needed a sequel has managed to keep it's universe so incredibly interesting. I actually consider Bioshock 2 to be better in some ways than the original. But now we have Infinite on the horizon and it already looks to be a stellar achievement. With a partner that can rip things from other times for your use, a giant metal machine after you, all new plasmids at your disposal, and an absolutely gorgeous city in the clouds, it would seem hard-pressed to be a failure in any sense of the word. It makes us long for 2012.


Anyone else already attached to Elizabeth?

The Darkness II

My first ever feature was over Jenny from the original Darkness because there rarely comes along a character that has that much impact on me. The Darkness had an incredible cast of wonderfully realized, greatly acted characters with a fantastic story and cool powers. The game had a few problems, like the hell world, but it's honestly one of my favorite games of all time. I was originally worried that a sequel wouldn't be able to capture the emotional impact of the first without a living Jenny, but her appearing as a ghost might actually be able to pull it off. Add in some new visceral game-play and I might just end up with a new favorite game on my list.



Rage

Id Tech 5? Yes please.



Skyrim

Oblivion is a game that still manages to take up large amounts of our time. Can think of something to play? Oblivion. Want to become a vampire and feast on the living? Oblivion. Want to make the sky rain dogs? Oblivion. Well Skyrim looks to shame it in every way. It's way prettier, the faces don't look like play-doh, you can duel-wield weapons including magic and swords at the same time, and you get to fight dragons. This is an absolute must have. I don't care what anyone says. Battlefield 3 looks great, but this is a way better Best of E3 contender.



Dead Island

Like Left 4 Dead, but more open-world, mission oriented, and RPG based? Sign me the hell up immediately.



Battlefield 3

Hey, I said Skyrim looked better. I didn't say this didn't look awesome. The Frostbite engine is looking great and 64 person multiplayer has peaked my interest to the highest of places. Let's see if it can dethrone Modern Warfare and force Activision to make other good games for once.



Mass Effect 3

Based on how much Mass Effect 2 improved on the first one, I can't wait to see the improvements, not that there need to be many. Mass Effect 2 is one of the best games I've ever played and with an even more streamlined dialogue wheel and seemingly better combat, Mass Effect 3 is something we wanted the second we finished 2. Seeing how our choices from 2 other games impact this one is going to be magnificent. Let's see how those Reapers deal with a Rachni swarm *fingers crossed*!




The Old Republic

Yes, it was another cinematic trailer, but I'll give it a pass because it's Bioware and the Old Republic. It better be freakin' good.


All my friends want to play as the dark side. I want to be a smuggler, now. I hate them.

Gears 3

It's Gears with bigger, badder guns and bigger, badder enemies. What more is there to say?



Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary

The game that revolutionized first person shooters on the console with some of the best multiplayer in existence except now completely remastered with online play. Can I has now? You know you want to replay that great campaign again.



The 3DS Line-Up

New 3D Mario, Star Fox 64, Kid Icarus, Mario Kart, and Luigi's Mansion 2!? Looks like Nintendo's making up for their semi-crappy launch line-up.

Skyward Sword

It's a new Zelda. It looks gorgeous. I want it. Now.



Wii U

Haters gunna hate I guess. Yeah, we've been let down before after promises of revolution in the ways we play games, but this actually looks legitimate. The new controller could actually make things more interesting if used properly and besides, the horsepower in the machine seems to be awesome. Remember this?


Yeah, it's real time. Game. Set. Match. Nintendo wins E3.

Uncharted 3

After Uncharted 2, the series earned the title of one of the best of this generation. It is almost unparalleled in the amount of action and charm it has packed into it, with Nation Drake being one of the best video game characters ever. The third game seems to kick it up a notch yet again. Hanging out the back of an airplane? Dear lord.



Tomb Raider

And the out-of-left-field with the amazing looking reboot award goes to Tomb Raider. Seeing the events that forced Lara to grow up and become the strong protagonist I remember playing as in my youth is almost a strong enough selling point for me in and of itself. But it looks amazing! The game looks tighter with a more modern over the shoulder look and the amount hell Lara goes through seems a lot more realistic. The is the Tomb Raider I've been waiting for. Disclaimer: This is coming from a die-hard fan of the series who even tortured himself by playing all the way through Angel of Darkness.



Rayman: Origins

With charming characters and absolutely stunning hand drawn 2d animation, there is no way in hell we could pass it up. Besides, we are huge Rayman fans. Listen to a French person now.



Batman: Arkham City

Words cannot express how badly I want this game. As our staff's resident Batman fan, I loved everything about Arkham Asylum, except for most of the boss fights, and this looks to improve on almost everything. Add in some more acrobatic sections with Catwoman and you can bet I'll be at the midnight release.



Welp, that's mostly everything. And of course, there's always the chance that something else that was there can surprise us later. Spoiler: It won't be something on the Kinect. Looks like our wallets are about to suffer. Oh well, we don't need to eat everyday anyway.