Microsoft @ E3 l Sony @ E3 l Nintendo @E3 l 3rd Parties @ E3 l Podcast
Now that we’ve seen what Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo have to offer, it’s time to take a look at the most interesting announcements from the remaining publishers. These are the third party games that weren’t covered at the platform holders’ press events and each was unveiled for the first time at E3 2011.
Publisher EA has teamed with Insomniac Games to announce an entirely new property. Overstrike is an original sci-fi action game with a strong focus on cooperative play and an offbeat art style reminiscent of recent Splash Damage release Brink. As one of four stylish but deadly agents, players will be striving to eliminate a sinister cabal hell-bent on ending humanity’s reign. While Insomniac is best known its work on PlayStation exclusive franchises Ratchet and Clank and Resistance, Overstrike will be coming to both 360 and PS3. A release date is yet to be announced.
Ubisoft has made a major splash at this year’s conference, announcing several new titles, none more exciting than blockbuster fitness sequel Your Shape Fitness Evolved 2012. The preceding statement is a lie. The prolific French publisher also unveiled Far Cry 3. While the most recent instalment in the series of open world shooters transferred the action to Africa, the latest game will take place on a tropical island, just as the original did. Far Cry 3 is due for release on 360, PS3 and PC in 2012.
Ubisoft will also publish Gearbox Software’s World War II shooter Brothers in Arms: Furious 4. The more sombre tone of the series has seemingly been ditched in favour of sadistic cartoon violence plainly inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s recent cinematic hit Inglourious Basterds. Look for it on 360, PS3 and PC in the first half of 2012. In marginally less troubling news, Kinect titles Raving Rabbids: Alive & Kicking and Motorsports Adrenalin are due to arrive in Q4 2011, with the latter also coming to the Move.
Namco Bandai has shocked (SHOCKED!) the gaming world by announcing that a new Ridge Racer title is in development for the PSVita. While a release date hasn’t been announced, it’s worth remembering that the drift racing series has been present at the launch of each of Sony’s home and handheld systems. Namco Bandai is also working to bring a HD version of classic PS2 fighter Tekken Tag Tournament to the PS3 in November. Finally, the critical mauling handed out to the Wii version of Pac-Man Party hasn’t dissuaded the publisher from dragging its long suffering mascot back into the spotlight. A new edition of Pac-Man Party (cleverly dubbed Pac-Man Party 3D) is in the works for the 3DS.
Tecmo Keoi has promised to bring a new instalment of its long running Dynasty Warriors franchise to PSVita.
Troubled publisher UTV Ignition has taken a break from discussing its financial woes for long enough to announce a handful of new games. A side-scrolling fantasy action game in the tradition of Golden Axe, Dragon’s Crown features one character design so shamelessly exploitative that it borders on the misogynistic. (Picture a wafer thin model with two basketballs strapped to her chest.) Odin Sphere developer Vanillaware is preparing this one for release on PS3 and PSVita. Avoid it in 2012. In more encouraging news, the publisher has clearly taken a liking to Nintendo’s nascent 3DS handheld, not to mention games with “3” and “D” in their titles. UTV is bringing Fractured Soul 3D to the system in early 2012. This sci-fi action platformer is designed to make full use of the system’s twin screens. Also on the cards is interstellar RPG Planet Crashers 3D.
Konami is repackaging Hideo Kojima’s back catalogue for a new generation of gamers to enjoy in high definition. The Metal Gear Solid HD Collection will feature PS2 hits Sons of Liberty and Snake Eater, as well as recent PSP release Peace Walker. The original Metal Gear Solid will sadly be absent from the anthology when it arrives on 360 and PS3 in November. The PS3 version of Peace Walker will also be available as a standalone product. Next year will see the release of the Zone of the Enders HD Collection. Both titles in the futuristic action series will be included in the package. The publisher also announced that it will bring a Zombie Apocalypse sequel to XBLA and PSN in spring.
Proving that it can indeed look beyond sequels and remakes, Konami has also announced a pair of original downloadable games. Surreal puzzle platformer Puddle, which began life as a student project, will be coming to XBLA and PSN later this year. The other game has been saddled with the working title Leedmees and looks to be a variation on Lemmings. A winter release, Leedmees will challenge players to lead their flock to safety using Kinect gestures.
Finally, 505 Games and Zombie Studios are working on what is likely the most controversial game of the show. Kinect controlled first person shooter Blackwater sees players enlist with the notorious real world mercenary outfit (sorry, private security firm) of the same name. Blackwater is expected in spring 2011.
Well, that’s E3 done and dusted for another year. Are you looking forward to a new IP from Insomniac? What do you think of the decision to return Far Cry to the tropics? Let us know what you think of the third party offerings at this year’s show.
Microsoft @ E3 l Sony @ E3 l Nintendo @E3 l 3rd Parties @ E3 l Podcast
