Nerd Rating

Tag: E3

  • Scott’s E3 2014 Predictions

     

    snape

    Last year’s E3 is but a distant memory. We now have shiny new consoles in front of us and now we are like an addict needing a hit. E3 is here to give us a fix, if only for a brief moment. Here are my predictions of what I think will happen as the unwashed masses descend on Los Angeles to play new games and bitch about how long we have to wait on them.

    1. Unlike last year, Microsoft will win the press conference war.

    Let’s not sugar-coat it, Microsoft got their ass handed to them last year. It was a beatdown of epic proportions. One that is still being seen today with the PS4 outselling the Xbox One by a good margin. Microsoft had an unpopular message (always online, Kinect must be plugged in, limits on lending games) and then to make matters worse they didn’t have their ducks in a row on the company’s message. One talking head would say one thing about always online then another would say something conflicting to that. It was as bad as bad could get. Then Sony shows up, announces the PS4 will play used games, not require an online connection AND be $100 cheaper. You could just see Sony with their arms wide open saying “we will take you in wounded gamer”.

    This year will be different.

    With no console announcements this year, Microsoft and Sony will have to focus on the games and just looking at games we know are in the pipeline, Microsoft has a lot more to offer than Sony. Microsoft will be showing off games like Halo 5, the unnamed Halo collection (Halo: The Master Chief Collection most say), Sunset Overdrive, Project Spark, Quantum Break, Fable Legends as well as rumored games Ryse: Son of Rome 2, Forza Horizon 2 and a possible early look at the next Gears of War.

    That’s a damn lot of games.

    Sony, on the other hand, has Drive Club, The Order: 1886 (which was just delayed to 2015) and…give me a sec.

    Yes, Uncharted may be shown, but with all the problems at Naughty Dog over the past few months that is not a guarantee. What else could set our panties on fire? God of War? After the sales of God of War: Ascension is that really something that will help Sony? Guerrilla is working on a new IP that could cause some excitement.

    See where I am going here? I am stretching to find Sony’s big moments. I hope they prove me wrong.

     

    2. Super Smash Bros. Wii U will get a release date.

    Expect a lot of gameplay shown and a heavy emphasis on the fighter since it will be Nintendo’s main selling point for the Wii U this fall.

     

    3. We will see gameplay from both Assassin’s Creed: Unity and Assassin’s Creed: Comet.

    And they will look nowhere near as fun as Assassin’s Creed IV.

     

    4. A new Battlefield will be shown.

    I cheated with this one. Battlefield: Hardline was already leaked. The part of this I am predicting is that it will be looked down on because of Battlefield 4’s complete lack of being able to work. Ever. The fact that Visceral, not DICE, is handling developing duties will not make gamers forget.

     

    5. Sony will show off more of Project: Morpheus

    Let’s hope it is more innovation than the next Move.

     

    6. Zelda Wii U is shown in some way.

    Whether it is pre-rendered video or gameplay, we will see a new Zelda. Don’t expect a release till late 2015 or 2016 though.

     

    7. Same for Gears of War.

    The new Gears of War will at most get a teaser trailer, but like Link, it won’t see release till 2016.

     

    8. Microsoft will make Games with Gold mean something.

    Playstation Plus is worth so much more than the $50 you pay. My PS3 and PS4 are loaded with so many games that I will never be able to finish them. Microsoft introduced Games with Gold last year and while they get a participation ribbon for trying, it has offered up paltry efforts compared to Plus.

    This year should change things now that free games will be coming to the Xbox One. Rumors are that Ryse: Son of Rome (which I liked) will be one of the free offerings. With Microsoft making an effort to bring newer games to the 360, Games with Gold should take a step in the right direction.

     

    That’s all I got so far. Give us some of your predictions for this year’s E3. I will be back after the show to see how my list did. I am going to say I get 5 out of 8.

    Games!

    hanni

     

  • Far Cry 4 To Be Set In The Himalayas

    vaas_montenegro_by_caroll_in-d73e54e

    Eurogamer is reporting that Far Cry 4 will see a drastic change in setting and take place in the Himalayas. Far Cry has always been associated with tropical settings (or just damn hot if we are talking about Far Cry 2), so the switch to the mountainous terrain will be a huge shift.

    The gameplay will remain close to that of Far Cry 3 (our 2012 Game of the Year) including outposts that need liberating. One new feature will be the ability to ride elephants.

    You heard it ride. Elephants…that you ride. I love you Far Cry.

    Expect an unveil at the Ubisoft press conference at this year’s E3. A release is expected before the end of March 2015.

  • Exculsive: Every E3 Title Reviewed! Video Gamer TV has the Scoop on all the Hottest Unreleased Titles!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6wV4twnMew

    Here at NerdRating, we do our absolute best to bring you news and reviews in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, our lack of a time machine prevents us from reviewing games that we haven’t actual played, especially the ones that haven’t even been released yet. However, I’m sad to say that we’ve apparently been going about this whole thing back-asswards, as Matt Lees and the team at Video Gamer TV have devised a solution that I would have never thought of. You see, they’ve uncovered the ability to review games based solely on their respective E3 trailers, and I have to say, they’ve pretty much nailed it. So things around here will be pretty quiet from this point forward, as there’s hardly a reason for us to continue reporting news and previews on games that you already know the score for. Hopefully we can get in ahead of the curve next year, and bring you hard-hitting reviews based on leaked pieces of possible concept art.

    Lastly, I’d like to throw my hat in the ring by giving Half-Life 3 – a title that is so completely new Valve still denies it exists – a Nerd Rating of 10/10. Will it live of to the hype? Of course it will; it’s a #*@&ing Half-Life game.

  • Nintendo’s E3 Direct Gets Equally Funny Treatment

    presentation

    Just because Nintendo did not have a big, bright and flashy press conference does not mean that they are exempt from the funny brought to you once again by Matt Lees at Videogamer.com. Just like with the Microsoft and Sony press conferences he skewers everything about Nintendo’s announcements which underwhelmed to say the least.

    http://youtu.be/xFDthoYQr4E

  • Microsoft Turns Tail on Xbox One Requirements

    Photo courtesy cnet.com
    Photo courtesy cnet.com

     

    Let’s all just take a moment and enjoy this, how about it?

    What started as a rumor reported by Giant Bomb has now been confirmed by several articles, the most prominent coming from IGN: Microsoft has decided to rethink the always online / game pass code / no used games / rivers of blood / dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria  protocols for their upcoming console. They did, however, still have this cryptic piece of info regarding when you first hook your console up:

    “After a one-time system set-up with a new Xbox One, you can play any disc based game without ever connecting online again,” Microsoft wrote. “There is no 24 hour connection requirement and you can take your Xbox One anywhere you want and play your games, just like on Xbox 360. Playing disc based games will require that the disc be in the tray.”

    …what the ^#*@ does that mean? Will people with absolutely NO internet connection still be able to play? Does the list of “launch countries” still hold weight for people who want to import a console? Still, it is nice that they finally backed down from their previous stance on the subject, which was essentially to give all detractors both middle fingers while doing the heli-cockter. As an added bonus, this will apparently not change the plan to have Xbox One games available for day-one download as well as retail purchase.

    To acknowledge just how off-base and out-of-touch these ideas were, I give you Microsoft’s Don Mattrick:

    “Since unveiling our plans for Xbox One, my team and I have heard directly from many of you, read your comments and listened to your feedback. I would like to take the opportunity today to thank you for your assistance in helping us to reshape the future of Xbox One. You told us how much you loved the flexibility you have today with games delivered on disc. The ability to lend, share, and resell these games at your discretion is of incredible importance to you. Also important to you is the freedom to play offline, for any length of time, anywhere in the world.”

    “These changes will impact some of the scenarios we previously announced for Xbox One. The sharing of games will work as it does today, you will simply share the disc. Downloaded titles cannot be shared or resold.”

    “We appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity. While we believe that the majority of people will play games online and access the cloud for both games and entertainment, we will give consumers the choice of both physical and digital content. We have listened and we have heard loud and clear from your feedback that you want the best of both worlds.”

    The Nerds are certainly glad to hear this news, and it has genuinely changed how some of us are going to approach this holiday launch season. Of course, I have to imagine the general atmosphere around Microsoft offices is a little something like this today:

     

    Conspiracy Corner

    Trap

    *Cue X-Files Theme*

    Right now, I feel a slight sense of euphoria. I feel like “We did it! We stuck it to the man!” …but what if that’s exactly what they WANT us to feel? It would explain just how lost and unprofessional their entire E3 presence seemed. They let a rep openly dismiss the idea that alienating active military personnel was a bad thing, for heaven’s sake. This way, they get to instantly switch from the Big Bad Dickheads to the guys who “appreciate your passion, support and willingness to challenge the assumptions of digital licensing and connectivity.” Also, last time I checked, something as integral to the system operation (according to them, at least) wouldn’t seem quite so easy to just scrap five months before launch. I’m a tin-foil-hat believer on this one; how about you?

  • E3 2013 Winners And Losers

    Photo courtesy arcadesushi.com
    Photo courtesy arcadesushi.com

    How was that for an E3? After a lackluster event last year, things sure did take a massive upswing this year with Sony and Microsoft bringing out the big guns for their new consoles. And it wasn’t just new shiny black boxes that stole the show. Developers brought their full support with a host of shiny new next-gen offerings. So let’s take a look at who the big winners and losers were from E3 2013.

     

    WINNERS

     

    *Sony

    ps4press9

    To say Sony won E3 is an understatement. They knew what they had to do to get people talking about the Playstation 4 and they did it. Show off the console. Check. Bring a quality lineup of games including a number of wonderful looking indie titles. Check. Punch Microsoft directly in the mouth when it comes to used games and online restrictions. Check. Absolutely floor everyone, me included, with an insane price point ($399). Check. Mission accomplished Sony. You have my pre-order.

    *CD Projeckt Red

    The Witcher 3 had already been revealed a few months back, but when you actually see the game in motion and realize that this is just the first generation of next-gen games, it truly excites to know what is coming. Plus, you know Geralt will probably totally bang one of those mermaids.

    *EA

    Talk about a surprise. I knew EA would be bringing their EA Sports lineup and a new Need For Speed to the table, but then they announced two of my most anticipated dream games ever I knew this was a different EA. A new Mirror’s Edge is coming to next-gen and even though it will not be a true sequel, but a reboot of sorts that gives Faith’s back story, I could not be more excited. Wait…now I am more excited because EA also hit us with the news that DICE is hard at work on a new Star Wars: Battlefront. Nicely done EA.

    *Bungie

    Bungie showed off the first gameplay for Destiny and showed just how ambitious this project is and how they how trying to blur the lines between single and multiplayer gaming.

    *Crytek

    Say what you will about quick-time events in games, I easily overlooked the abundance of them when I watched the Ryse: Son of Rome demo. That game caught my attention in the best way. Maybe it is the sheen of next-gen or just the fact that I would like a game to fulfill my bloodlust now that Spartacus is done, but either way, me likee.

    *Ubisoft

    Yes they have another Assassin’s Creed this year. And yes it looks beautiful. Here is hoping that the pirate setting can freshen things up. Ubisoft is on the win list because of Watch Dogs…for the second E3 in a row. The new demo gets me excited for a new IP from Ubisoft. Kind of like when the first Assassin’s Creed was released. Enjoy it now, because we will be complaining about Watch Dogs V in 2018.

    LOSERS

     

    *Microsoft

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    This is not an indictment on the quality of the games Microsoft showed off at E3. They did a great job with the titles that were shown and there are some that I would genuinely consider purchasing an Xbox One for. This is for Microsoft’s complete lack of tact in the way they have handled the blow back from the perceived “problems” of the Xbox One. From Don Mattrick’s completely asinine statement about buying an Xbox 360 if you have no internet to the incomplete list of countries that can “enjoy” Xbox Live on Xbox One come launch, it was one stumble after another on the PR end. It was a weird week for Microsoft. So weird in fact, that I am not sure if it was a solid showing for a new system or a complete clusterfu** that gave control back to Sony.

    *Nintendo

    Photo courtesy wiiudaily.com
    Photo courtesy wiiudaily.com

    This was the second E3 Nintendo needed a home run and it is the second time in a row they fell short. Last year they failed to sell people on needing a Wii U and this year they did the same thing. You would think that with what was delivered people would be clamoring for their own Gamepad and system. Mario Kart 8, Super Mario 3D World, a new Donkey Kong game from Retro and yet it felt…flat. I liked the new gravity defying antics of Mario Kart and after that it gets disappointing. While Super Mario 3D World is a 3D Mario game (which was promised), I think we were all expecting something more along the lines of Super Mario Galaxy and not a sequel to a 3DS game. Retro doing Donkey Kong is great and all, but the way it was being teased you would think they were bringing back Metroid or working on a new StarTropics game. And there was no Zelda which is cool if they did not have anything ready…but they did! Nintendo has said that they were going to show off the new HD Zelda and decided not to. They do realize their system is tanking and they HAVE TO give gamers a reason to be excited, right?

    Well, at least there is Smash Bros.

    *Ouya

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    Yeah, the Kickstarter darling was at E3, though not in a traditional way. It is quite the funny story of tit for tat that makes both the Ouya and ESA look a bit childish. Just give this a read and see that the most fun stuff may have been happening outside the complex.

     

  • The Walking Dead: 400 Days Is Add-On For Season One, Choices Carry To Season Two

    Photo courtesy gameinformer.com
    Photo courtesy gameinformer.com

    Telltale Games is making the wait on Season Two of their acclaimed The Walking Dead video game a little bit easier to bear. The Walking Dead: 400 Days is a one episode piece of DLC that will focus on five survivors as their lives intersect at a truck stop.

    Each survivor has a playable section that you can play in any order as it tells their stories in the first 400 days of the zombie outbreak. You do not need to have played all of Season One of The Walking Dead to enjoy 400 Days, but you must have at least Episode One downloaded on your system to play the new DLC.

    The Walking Dead: 400 Days will release in July on 360, PS3, Vita, PC, iOS and Mac for only $4.99. Check out the trailer below.

  • Microsoft And Sony Press Conferences Made Hilarious In Eight Minutes

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    Mr. Matt Lees at Videogamer put together these hilarious videos for the Microsoft and Sony press conferences that should leave you with a cheerful tear in your eye. If you are wary about if they will be worth your time, the best way I can describe them is they are like the Honest Trailers for movies, just with a video game twist.

    http://youtu.be/XlkZNNaYBro

    http://youtu.be/71H69yDZ6W4

  • Infamous: Second Son Gameplay Is More Than Smoke And Mirrors

    Infamous-610x343

    The Infamous series has been one of the most enjoyable of this past generation. Two quality open-world adventures with protagonist Cole McGrath proved Sucker Punch one of the best developers under Sony’s umbrella. Now the PS4 is here and it is time for a new direction for the franchise.

    Infamous: Second Son is set seven years after Infamous 2 and stars new hero, Delsin Rowe who develops powers that are vastly different from Cole’s electrical manifestations. Delsin’s powers are flame and smoke based which he can use to unleash fireballs (not unlike Cole’s electrical variety) and melee with a flaming chain ala Ghost Rider. He can climb walls and parkour with the best of them so this still definitely looks and feels like an Infamous game. He can also use ventilation ducts on buildings to travel with haste as Delsin can transform into smoke.

    The obvious bump in graphics helps Infamous: Second Son really stand out. When you see how clean and crisp the world is it is a true delight. Facial animations are also spot on at this early stage and shows just the beginning of the PS4 horsepower.

    Infamous: Second Son is a launch window title for the Playstation 4.

  • Microsoft’s Solution For No Internet? Buy An Xbox 360.

    Photo courtesy pcgamesn.com
    Photo courtesy pcgamesn.com

    OK, so Sony basically turned their press conference into a prison rape scene from OZ the other night. But it’s not lost Microsoft. Just stay on point and keep focused on games and above all else, for the love of God, don’t say anything stupid.

    Shit, who let Don Mattrick talk again?

    Geoff Keighley at GameTrailers interviewed Mattrick about the always online aspect of the Xbox One and what this means for people without internet connection.

    Check this shit out:

    “Fortunately we have a product for people who aren’t able to get some form of connectivity; it’s called Xbox 360. If you have zero access to the Internet, that is an offline device.”

    It gets even better when you hear of Mattrick’s loving way of saying that our military personnel would not be able to play their favorite games on an Xbox One.

    “Seriously, when I read the blogs and thought about who’s really the most impacted there was a person who said, ‘Hey I’m on a nuclear sub.’ And I don’t even know what it means to be on a nuclear sub but I’ve got to imagine it’s not easy to get an internet connection. But hey, I can empathise; if I was on a sub I’d be disappointed.”

    Doesn’t it make you all warm and fuzzy inside?

    You should do yourself a favor and listen to the entire interview here.

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