Release schedules are thinning, game news is dwindling - we're definitely slogging through the lowest lows of that pre-E3 lull that plagues gamers and game news outlets alike each spring. I can't help but fill a little bit of that downtime with some wishful thinking about what surprises are around the corner at gaming's big event. Over the next 5 weeks each of the writers here will be coming up with their own list of wants and dreams at E3 2011. Here's a few of my, Elizabeth Bahm, major hopes for E3 2011, coming up in just under a month - stay tuned to PlanetXbox360.com for all the coverage and news straight out of the biggest conference in gaming, June 6-9.
1) Sequels, without the Hype: There are a good slate of sequels headed our way for beloved series, but we also seem to be in the midst of a bad case of sequelitis: where Mass Effect 2 rocked big improvements to just about every aspect of the first game, Dragon Age 2 turned into many gamers' nightmare scenario of what happens when Bioware meets EA. This E3, I want a look behind the ad copy into the nitty gritty gameplay of some of those big upcoming franchise titles - not just Mass Effect 3, but also The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and the newly announced Assassin's Creed followup. I should be psyched about all of these titles, but a spate of disappointing sequels has me especially cautious to trade-show glitz this E3.
2) A Reason to Kinect: Kinect dominated last E3 - perhaps too much. So far the Kinect scene is still mostly dominated by those limited titles from last E3 and last winter's launch. Remember that Project Natal video from a few years back? It's hard to feel that level of potential and excitement over the current slate of fitness/brain/combo training games on Kinect. It's way past time for MS to give core gamers a reason to clear the living room for Kinect. The completely controller-free device should have a big competitive edge on Wii and PS3 Move, and with Nintendo's new console potentially pushing the console generation forward, Microsoft needs to capitalize on this advantage sooner rather than later.
3) Something Completely Different: I know that at least Catherine will scratch the itch for a quirky new gaming experience this summer, but my “Love is Over” pizza box looks to be remaining pretty lonely on the shelf for the foreseeable future. Whether it be sequel or new property, I'd love to see something fill the dizzyingly unexpected role that games like Bayonetta or Nier have previously occupied in my 360 library. What should this bold new title be? Theres no point speculating - that's one of the unique thrills of E3 I don't want spoiled beforehand.
This feature list continues on the next page, please click Page 2 below to see my next couple choices for E3 2011 wishlist.
