Yesterday for me revolved around two mightily impressive looking titles – Mass Effect 2 and Alan Wake. Yes, you read that right, Alan Wake – first announced in 2005 – was demoed live and looked fantastic. Think Silent Hill/Twin Peaks/X-Files/Lost – this is a sci-fi/horror game with an interesting use of light. Shining your torch at assailants is the main way to defeat them but the game looks to be as much about the story – author goes to mysterious town to cure writer's block only to see wife disappear - as the action. The "previously on Alan Wake" and "in tonight's show" give the game the intended feel of a TV show and I can't wait to play this next spring (assuming it makes this deadline of course).
The other biggie for me was Mass Effect 2. From the Blade Runner-style opening scenes – the music in particular is deliciously Vangelis again, all retro synth – to the frankly market-leading facial animation Mass Effect 2, really stands out. Sadly the game wasn't playable, but the live demo suggests a slightly more accessible combat system – though tactics are still crucial – and a harder-edged story.
The latter was particularly evident with lead character Shepard allowed to "die" – apparently one of numerous endings. Owners of the original game will be able to carry their character over to the sequel too, complete with all the consequences of previously made decisions. Other new touches include the ability to butt into conversations and (hurrah!) beefed up planetary exploration. In short Mass Effect 2 looks like fulfilling the huge potential of the first game.
Fellow role-player Dragon Age looked almost last-gen compared to Mass Effect. The character animation – particularly the facial movement in the cut-scenes – was way off Mass Effect 2's pace. The look of the game reminded me a little of Oblivion which is fine, but the demo
included a "love" scene that felt contrived rather than convincing. But when the action started things got better. A dust-up with a dragon looked entertaining although for me the appeal was as much in the rather pretty landscape fading off into the distance, which suggests exploration is a key part of the game. A hands-on with the 360 version showed promise and while it lacks Mass Effect 2's majesty Dragon Age will likely gather a large fanbase on release.
Other notable spots include Dante's Inferno – think God of War goes to Hell – and perhaps my most pleasant surprise, Splinter Cell Conviction. The latter looked different – objectives are "beamed" onto walls and floors rather than hidden in menus – and had a pleasingly athletic feel with little of the overly-fussy stealth that characterised the older games in the series. Whether this means the game has been dumbed down remains to be seen but both this and the gorgeous Assassin's Creed 2 suggest Ubisoft has got two big hits this Christmas.
Finally and totally differently, special mention has to go to Scribblenauts, the unique DS puzzle game. The action involves writing down the names of items – which then appear on the top screen – and using them to solve the puzzles. Addictive and fresh are two words that sprung to my mind.
It may lack the one title that blows everything away – although a live demo of Natal or the PS3 wand may have done that – but this E3 has been a general success with enough new titles to please most gamers.
