Well, another E3 has come and gone. E3 week has always been a special time for me. I remember skipping school back in high school to sit around a computer with two of my friends while we downloaded videos via dial-up all day.

Of course, times are different now. We're able to download trailers in mere seconds with broadband internet, and G4TV had live coverage of all the major press conferences throughout the week. So, what were my thoughts on E3 2011? Pretty good show all around, if you ask me. Here were the highlights:

Microsoft

Microsoft's press conference was decent enough. They showed us some Gears stuff, although I was disappointed that they opened with Modern Warfare 3, which is a multiplatform game. Now, I'm all for a hardware company showing off a multiplatform game if you're version is going to have an exclusive, a la Sony explaining that NBA 2K12's Move support won't be half-baked this time around. However, showing us like ten minutes of a Campaign level that we'll see on PS3, then trying to rationalize it by saying that the downloadable multiplayer maps will be available first on the 360 just doesn't cut it. I thought the same thing when they showed Tomb Raider.



Either way, both MW3 and the Tomb Raider reboot still looked great on the 360. Also, while I've long thought that the Gears of War games are overrated, I still enjoy them, and the third one should be another solid entry.



Then we had Star Wars Kinect. While people who played the demo reported that the controls were a bit clunky, the game's not finished yet. Here's hoping the game plays to the level of it's visuals, because I really like the look.

I have to admit, the Kinect stuff they showed was pretty cool. I love how we'll be able to select our convo options in Mass Effect 3 by just saying them, and Ghost Recon's gun customization looks to be a load easier thanks to the accessory. Want to customize a gun for long range attacks? Simply say, "optimize for range," and the game does it for you. While it's probably not enough to make me want to go buy a Kinect, those who already have it have a neat alternative way to play.

Well, there was Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary. A remake of one of my favorite games, complete with online and all the bells and whistles. I'm there.



Speaking of Halo, yeah, there was Halo 4. I'm really looking forward to this, for obvious reasons. The start of a new trilogy, from a new developer, with a new story arc. Where will Master Chief's adventures take him this time? Can't wait to hear more on this. I loved how the Halo music had a sense of dread in it at the end of the trailer.

So Microsoft had a pretty good showing, but I did think that they were the weakest of the three. The next few days I'll post about what I thought of the other two big companies, plus some other things. I might even hand out awards!

Til next time!