E3 2012: The Last Hurrah?

The dust has settled and E3 2012 is finally over. It was a disappointing year with plenty of shooty pew pew games and everyone seemingly picking up a bow and arrow. If you want the short version then let me direct your attention to Michael Bay presents E3 2012.

We’re all very aware that next-gen is going to be rearing it’s ugly – and expensive – head round the corner pretty soon and this years E3 was a rather solemn affair. I was very excited, ready to watch this generation’s last hurrah parade in front of me. Instead we got the same old chaff that’s been regurgitated year on year.

While there were a few highlights, a lot of the content was safe. Even Watch Dogs, the game that seemingly ‘stole the show’, still resulted in the same old bad-ass man kicking the shit out of people who oppose him.

The behind closed doors demo impressed visually, and the concept of a player engaging with a city rather than against it was compelling, but it fell back into the same out shoot now and think later formula that nearly every triple A title succumbs to. 

I’m not saying I don’t enjoy these games. I do. I love me some shooty pew pew. But I also like diversity and I wanted to see something more than stabbing people in the neck and headshots. Yes, Tomb Raider included.

What was worst of all is that Nintendo, who were already showing off their newest console, fell short. Quick montages of third-party titles flashed past as we were reminded time and time again about their E3 website and separate developers conference. Which also turned out to be a bit rubbish.

There was no magic and while Nintendo Land is full of some really awesome mini-games that are guaranteed to put a smile on your face, that was really it. Another Zombie game, another old IP getting refreshed and well.. another slightly gimmicky controller.

I did enjoy most of the games though. Tomb Raider, Far Cry 3, Assassin’s Creed III, Splinter Cell: Blacklist, P-100, Dead or Alive 5, Nintendo Land, Rayman Legends and more. There were plenty of games to enjoy. Just a shame that there weren’t many awesome moments to take away.

Let me know what games you enjoyed checking ou this year in the comments

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