Super 16 - Bracket B - Match 2

Wow, this is an odd matchup.

Match 2

Syphon Filter

Vs.

NHL '94

Syphon Filter is unique; it's a bit of a dark horse on this overall list of favorite games. But it does have this special place in my heart. By comparison, games from the past generations blow it away. Graphically, it is awful. Control is ehhhhhh. But its story is interesting; interesting enough to make the most recent season of 24 extra bland and pretty bad.

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NHL '94 and NHL 09. The two best hockey games ever made and ever played. What makes '94 special is the simple gameplay, quick games, sweet rosters, and Brian Leetch and the New York Rangers. Would I love the NHL as much as I do now had I never played NHL '94? I think it is obvious that my love for the game would hardly even stretch past the Red Wings.

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I sit here and think: Which of these games do I love more? After the reasoning I gave behind NHL '94, it is hard to go the other way. Even its menu theme song is cooler.

Winner: NHL '94

Super 16 - Bracket B - Match 1

It's been a long time, huh? Well, I am going to super charge this one, with a very quick dual match up to cover both challenges from Bracket B. No images to dress this post up, sorry. I have no excuse for not updating this bracket. It's been over a year, I should have gotten done with it in two months.

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Match 1

Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots

Vs.

Super Smash Bros. Brawl

MGS4 is storytelling at its finest. Video games used to be solely about playing them, until this franchise came along. Many gamers can argue about long cut scenes interrupting play, but the story drives this game. The graphics are top notch. Raiden is not a bitch.

This has favorite written all over it. I foresee it reaching the finals. (No promises though) I bought a PS3 because of this game. I do not regret it. PS3 is a quality and under appreciated game console. MGS4 is not under appreciated. It is respected by critics and gamers alike. It's earned perfect scores from many sites and magazines. It's earned a perfect score from me.

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Super Smash Bros. Brawl is amazing. This is the best local multiplayer known to man. The extended roster boosts replayability through the roof, but then again, once you find your best fighter (or for me, my best 6) its hard to change your ways.

I will say this is my favorite local multiplayer game. Better than a local Guitar Hero band, since you do not get tired of the set list, and you don't need to be a pro to play Brawl. Button mashing is a tactic, but come on! You only need to use two button! It's brilliant!

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Sadly, for Brawl, I got all reminiscent of it typing that. But I haven't been around the people I play it with in months. MOOOOONTHS. Even if it hadn't been, it would be hard to justify why this game is "better" than MGS4. Brawl doesn't have that groundbreaking, horripilating experience when you play it. And I love my games to tell me a story (which is also why I love RPGs (and I'm not knocking down Brawl's Adventure mode)).

Winner: Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots.

E3 2009 - Wrap Up

I cannot think of a better way to wrap up an incredible week than this "Hype Montage" that was put together by IGN.

I still love that track that plays during the Final Fantasy XIII trailer.

E3 2009 - Day 2

We've heard the big news from Nintendo already (see previous post) about Mario Galaxy 2 and Metroid: Other M. Besides that, New Super Mario Bros. Wii was announced and displayed. Nothing real special about that, besides a four player mode. There was no Zelda announcement during the conference, but apparently Miyamoto spoke in a closed-door discussion with gaming journalists about the next installment.

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Sony's conference was also this afternoon, and what you expected to be shown pretty much was. God of War III showed off its similarly cool gameplay that the other two are known for, but it looked much better and you can tell it will be far more epic.

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Final Fantasy XIII was also present, with English voices in its videos. A little more dialogue was spoken toward the characters and their personalities and how they fit into the plot. Check it out.



Then a complete shocker. FFXIV was announced, as a PS3 exclusive (during the conference, they kept adding that PS3 only games are not only exclusive to the PS3, they are only possible on the PS3). The drawback? It's an online game.

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Hideo Kojima was also at the conference. No new announcement toward MGS:Rising, but instead presented MGS: Peace Walker for the PSP. Setting is in the 1970s, ten years after Snake Eater. Described not as a spin-off, but an extension to the story, hopefully bridging the gap and the beginnings of Outer Heaven.

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Did I mention Golden Sun DS?

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Sin and Punishment 2 Hands-On Preview!!!!

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I think G4 did an amazing job with their E3 coverage today. Airing live, they had the Nintendo and Sony Conferences this afternoon, with great filler coverage up until 6, when the AOTS and XPlay crew were on the floor with demos for Modern Warfare 2 and Mass Effect 2, asking the questions we wanted answered.

They also were the first to speak with Reggie Fils-Aime right after the Nintendo Conference, and he was really great and adding info on how he, as a gamer, takes his time to read the boards and listen to what we other gamers look for and what.

On the other hand, I am a little upset with IGN, who throughout the day, was running very slow online and didn't get updates up as soon as they could (should) have been. A very slow day

New Metroid! Galaxy 2!

So I'm gonna try to get some audio stuff up and running. He is a quick reaction to Nintendo's press conference. More to follow after Sony's, and a wrap-up of today's biggest news tonight (after the Wings game, of course).



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So here is video of Metroid: Other M.

And Super Mario Galaxy 2.

E3 2009 - Day 1

I'll do this every day during E3. I will have sort of a wrap-up with quick hits on stuff that's most awesome (things I care about). Will include links to stuff, some video, maybe some images. Enjoy.

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Metal Gear Solid: Rising is the new title that has been building suspense for days. Instead of the "Tactical Espionage Action" that made MGS awesome, this is billed as "Lightning Bolt Action." Since Raiden is our main character, fighting with swords and ninja kicks and I guess lightning bolts will take us away from the stealth-focused familiarity. The trailer does add "Sneak in" at the end, so maybe not...

While the XBox logos appear, this better not be an exclusive. Hideo Kojima was even on stage for the announcement and stated that MGS:R is currently in development for XBox 360.



Teaser website hit zero at 6 p.m. EST. But it took 20 minutes to work. Ugh. Nothing new or exciting on the site, since I already saw the announcement. Hope more comes in the following hours or so.

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Microsoft's Conference was today, and there was a release window given for the XBox 360 version for Final Fantasy XIII: Spring 2010. Will this mean that the PS3 version is released around the same time, or before??

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IGN gets their hands on demo for Muramasa: The Demon Blade, a beautiful 2D hack-n-slash. Check it out.

More Muramasa: The Demon Blade Info

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Full Guitar Hero 5 artist list announced. No Arctic Monkeys, but more Muse and Rush.

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Pete Sampras showed up to EA's conference to play Grand Slam Tennis with Peter Moore. Moore asks, "How does this feel in relation to the real Wimbeldon?" Sampras replies, "This is easier."



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EA's Conference ended with the awesomeness of a trailer for Star Wars: The Old Republic. This will be an MMO that takes place in the same era as the KOTOR series. I just may have to get this PC game.

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More to come.