E3 Overview: Day Three

Photo of Robert Allen Robert AllenJune 15, 2013
53 8,523 14 minutes read

Robert’s Overview: Whether you spend the evening imbibing spirited potables or merely turned in early, fatigue is inevitability on the third day of E3. Knowing this, I placed a double-dose of Eastern righteousness to start the day: back to back appointments with Atlus and NIS America.

A brief playthrough of Dragon’s Crown confirmed that Vanillaware has crafted a wonderfully engaging hack-and-slash title which aims to please a variety of players. Solitary players can tackle the onslaught of creatures and the rewards of treasure hunting by themselves, with up to three AI drones, or with a trio of local or online players. Each of the four playable characters has a unique moveset, which allows for a modest number of attacks. Most notable is a heavy strike which issues substantial damage but requires players to pick up their weapon afterward. Naturally, DC’s biggest enticement is the title’s sumptuous hand-drawn aesthetic- which delivered a faultless sixty frame-per-second output on both the PS Vita and PlayStation 3 platforms. My only concern is the game’s simplicity; despite the gorgeous graphics, the mechanics themselves aren’t radically different from games of the Final Fight-era.

Dragons Crown (1)

Atlus also showed R.I.P.D., a tie-in title intended for release alongside the film. A single-playthrough revealed awkward mechanics, restrained enemy types and a general lack of enjoyment. Unless the game goes through a radical eleventh-hour transformation, players might want to be suspicious of this title. Much more appealing was Shin Megami Tensei IV, which flaunted the archetypal Atlus JRPG accomplishments: exquisite visuals, full voice acting, and an engaging combat system. Thanks to the 3DS’s stereoscopic capabilities, the Shubiya-based overworld map came to life, allowing easy navigation through the post-apocalyptic environment. Combat followed MegaTen template, allowing for a players to fight, converse, and even convince creatures to join their party. North Americans can expect a July 16th release.

Next up was NIS, which showed a quick glimpse of three upcoming titles. Beyond Disgaea Dimension 2: A Brighter Darkness lightened hues and high-definition sprites, the title revealed an energetic animated opening cinematic. Once we got into the menu system, most of the Netherworld tenets seemed to be intact, with a myriad of character customization options (and the reassurance of new classes), item world, and a mentor-student experience system which paid statistical dividends.

Disgaea Dimension 2

As many might know, The Guided Fate Paradox is the spiritual successor to Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger vs. Darkdeath Evilman, offering a Rogue-like role-playing amalgam for PlayStation 3 owners. Most interesting was the utilization of the DualShock 3’s right analog stick, which allows for breezy menu navigation. Of course, Unlosing Ranger stalwarts still have the option to use the triangle button to steer through a list of options.

Lastly, The Witch and the Hundred Knights was demoed, with NIS America’s Ryan Phillips leading a single, diminutive knight across a flora-filled landscape filled with enemies. A departure from the firm’s typical turn-based titles, combat was rapid, with a character defeating a procession of walking vegetables.  In execution, the game’s customization options and elemental bonuses vaguely recalled a Diablo vibe, albeit with damage quotients bursting around the screen.

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Photo of Robert Allen Robert AllenJune 15, 2013
53 8,523 14 minutes read
Photo of Robert Allen

Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

53 Comments

  1. Good write up, all!

    I’m really looking forward to some of this new tech. (ok, maybe everything but the Xbone).

  2. Recently tweeted that pre-orders for the PS4 through his site have outsold those for the Xbox One by 69%.

    I can’t believe that figure. It’s got to be much higher than that. Who says “I’ll take DRM and pay $100 for the privilege?”

    1. I believe the number was 47% on Tuesday. If it’s jumped that much in just a couple of days, the margin must be growing by the hour.

      1. Out of ALL my gamer friends, I don’t know a single one who wants to get Xboned. Even the guys who owns Xbox and 360’s and never bought a PS3 are going for a PS4.

  5. Where’s the Steampunk interview Sage? BTW: the amberstreet site isn’t loading for me.

    Great to bear your impressions. Sounds like you guys had a great time.

  7. Not really too much info on NISA’s game that I didn’t know already. Do you know what new classes are in DD2?

  9. @Blue “For Big N, I felt their pre-recorded Nintendo Direct was a train wreck. Not based on the games themselves, mind you, but the fact that their “event” was the only one of the top three where the company-supplied streams were literally unwatchable.” Good to know I wasn’t the only one, I had a hard time for like 10 minutes trying to find a decent stream. Eventually I ended up watching it all via YouTube after it was done, I could catch up on everything I didn’t know I had missed.

    1. I couldn’t watch it either. I tried different websites that advertising that they were streaming it but the source was the same. Lucky me, I caught it on replay.

      sadpikachu.gif here

      1. What was sup with all the glitches this year? No sound for two MS games? Pulling the plug on Assassin’s Creed 4? Even Nintendo Direct failed.

        1. Seems clear that none of the big 3 were ready for E3.

          Personally I see the new consoles doing a Wii U and not having games for a while after launch. Also: expect shitty ports.

  10. Witcher 3 won 52 best in show awards? Wow, I didn’t even know that many outlets gave awards.

    1. I’m sure every outlet has awards, wait…where there T-G awards?

      Best loli game? Best Monster Hunter game that isn’t Monster Hunter.

  11. Am I the only one who feels I haven’t seen/heard/read enough about the new generation to make the jump.

    I see video, but it’s hard to see the improvement in visuals. Games still putting out 1080p, just with a few more polygons. To be this feels like a 32X kind of leap.

    1. I was pretty excited about how this E3 came together but fact is – it does feel like there has got to be more to the next generation hype than we have seen so far.

      1. I hope so. Because right now, theres no need to upgrade. The games dont look all that much better or play different.

  12. Can I just tell you, I really like reading through 4 pages and not having to sort through like 30-50 articles?

    Of course, you guys are probably doing yourselves a disservice.

    1. I read about it yesterday too, I guess it’s just as you say – desperation will push them to that.

    2. Thats just stupid. With cameras everywhere youre asking to get caught. It just make MS look worse. Another reason to hate them.

  18. RIPD and the game look like a double dose of diarrhea. Protip: Avoid anything with Ryan Reynolds at all costs.

  19. So the notion hit me during E3 that I may stop gaming soon.

    Microsoft’s “We’ll do what we want” attitude is total crap. Some of their statements and seeing Major Nelson grab microphones from people is douchiness I can’t support. (“Backwards compatibility is for backwards people” drove me nuts.) Everyone is getting behind Sony, but when they cancel interviews and don’t want to talk about DRM, I worry about them as well. Which leaves Nintendo, which goes on making the same games I played when I was five. In a way, their Wii U is the Japanese version of the Xbox one: We’ll make this and you’ll love it. I don’t feel any connection with the people that are making the hardware and I feel software is heading in the same direction.

    1. The thing that drives me nuts is when you make a statement like “Backwards compatibility is for backwards people” while you sell Xbox original games on your service. Way to make fun of your own audience Microsoft. I’m sure they’re going to try to sell you old TV shows, movies, and music. Does that make people backwards for not wanting the latest media?

      Seriously, fuck them. If they think they’re going to call me names AND get my $500, they are in for a rude awakening.

    2. Right and after Sony sent PSASBR and Little Big Karting to die (because like some have said Sony didn’t have money) I wonder if they will be able to compete this generation.

      I’d like to give my money to them but Killzone, Infamous, and some indie games aren’t convincing me to drop $399. I have a feeling the software glut is going to be bad again this generation.

      1. Microsoft is pushing the boundary, the others are not. I know where my money is going.

        1. Dude, I’ve seen your posts. You’re a known Xbox shill that probably should be banned.

          Either that or you’ve been brainwashed and need to get your head out of the “cloud”.

  20. Man, this site has some of the some jaded, grumpy-ass people I’ve seen on the internet. It’s video games people. Remember, something to have fun with. You guys are thinking way too much.

    1. People need to be critical. Otherwise the corporations will do whatever they want.

  21. Smooth McGroove may well me a great guy. He’s certainly a good musician. But as far as I know the guy hasn’t written or recorded a word on games or developed any. This year, E3 had way too many many YouTube people who were only tangentially affiliated with gaming. If that continues, E3 is going to be the same as PAX, which will piss off people like you and I who actually write about games.

    1. I actually thought this year was better than years past. I didn’t see any outlets offering contests to get in, so the cosplayer/swag-collector demographic was a lot lower than it was last year. I also noticed a lot less goofy video crap from bigger sites (Polygon’s weird scavenger hunt being the eye-rolling exception). I don’t really mind the YouTube crowd getting in as long as they stay professional. I know Smooth McGroove is not the press, but he IS still media, and he has something to gain from the contacts he could make at an industry event. For example: Konami might want to hire him to help with the marketing of the Metal Gear Legacy Collection, or perhaps commission a Castlevania album to offer as a preorder bonus with Lords of Shadow 2. Those are legitimate reasons for someone on the entertainment side of things to be there.
      The thing that we as “traditional media” need to remember about E3 is that it isn’t a press event, it’s an INDUSTRY event. In fact, its REAL purpose is for manufacturers to show wholesale buyers what is being offered so that they know what to stock their shelves with in the coming years. There was a time when writers were considered the outsiders, so I’m not opposed to welcoming our new-media brethren, as long as they don’t make E3 more of a spectacle than it already is. McGroove was very professional, and I respect that. What I didn’t like last year was all they Jackass-Style prank/stunt shows that filmed on the show floor. E3 is not the venue for that. Save that for the fan conventions.

      1. Someone has as Smooth man-crush. Haha. He’s better than than the girl who sings the Pokemon song on the podcast.

        I heard from other sites that it was super crowded with swag hunters and friends of developers, though. Didn’t hear about the stunts? Who did that?

      2. The issue isnt Smooth McGroove, its the crown of people that make LP video and just swear non stop. They have no real talent and shouldn’t be at E3.

      3. Buyers wont sell units unless press covers a game. Look at PSASBR or LittleBig Karting.

        Dont sell yourself short dude. Theres a place in the ecosystem for press.

    2. I have to voice my agreement with Sean. While on Wednesday there was suddenly a surge of swag hunters as compared to tuesday and thursday (which might explain what you heard, devildaimakura), even that was SIGNIFICANTLY less than last year. This year felt much more professional, calm, and industry focused than the previous years I’ve been. Even the evening events had a lot less gimmick and flash. For example, the year when one party touted Macy Gray as their DJ and part-time performer, and made a huge deal, and then she pulled a prima dona and didn’t even show.

      There are a lot of faces at E3 that are video game-related web stars, like Ashley Burch, or voice actors, like Aisha Tyler, who aren’t media. However their presence at the event encourages more participation in the industry as a whole, in addition to Sean’s point about web celebrities being for promoting games and gaming.

      1. Calling Ashley Burch a star might be a stretch. Macy Gray maybe. Aisha Tyler is a star, but after watching her host Ubisoft’s press conference last year I had my fill of her.

        At least Toby and Caffeine guy weren’t their right?

      2. Ashly Burch (No “E”) is an accomplished voice actress, having roles in Aliens: Colonial Marines and a major role as Tiny Tina in Borderlands 2. Look for her in DLC next week.

        You might want to do a little thing called fact-checking before you post. It’s what real journalists do.

        1. If she’s such a major star, how come I had to IMDB her?

          Oh and if you’re her agent. Chill out. No wonder why she doesn’t get much work.

        2. Ted–that’s cute that you think I don’t do “fact checking”. Really. And I’m being a little demeaning since you decided to attempt to be a little condescending.
          “Accomplished” voice acting is sort of an subjective matter. You think that voicing two video games, one of which tanked and the other of which was written by her brother, makes her accomplished. Point in fact, she is more commonly known, if known at all–see Odin’s response, for the web-series, HAWP (hey ash, whatcha playin’, for those unfamiliar). I would consider “accomplished” voice actor’s those who have an established career, such as Tara Strong or E.G. Daily. But to each their own opinion.
          And if it’s of any interest to you, the reason I chose to refer to Ashly by her web videos is because I figured more people would recognize her from that venue, an opinion which is perhaps buttressed by Odin’s comment above. I will be sure to let her know you are such an avid supporter, however, the next time I see her. Im sure she will be thrilled.
          Pixeler–I used the word “star” as a subjective indicator—perhaps I should have put it in quotation marks above. And yes, a year without caffeine guy suited me just fine.
          Hellbringer– it is interesting, i think, how one person’s “internet nobody” is another person’s source of adulation. However, if it gratifies you to know, I am not on the “hype wagon.” Again, I probably should have put the word “star” in quotations in my initial post.

          1. I have no idea who any of these people are. But I have heard of the legendary Sektor. Did you run into him at E3 by any chance?

      3. “Ashly Burch and Aisha Tyler” (rolls eyes) I cant stand either. Neither can act their way though a YT vid without being nails on a chalkboard. Please get off the F class internet nobody hype wagon.

        1. Well, if we’re being 100% honest, most of the “real” celebrities we’ve seen at E3, I haven’t realized are famous until after the fact – like when Blake Griffon checked us into the Bethesda booth, and I just thought he was some dude. Same thing happened with Daisy Fuentes, although she’s probably a rung lower than Aisha Tyler. Oh, and we stood next to Danica Patrick for a while, and I thought she was just a booth attendant.

          1. What are you serious? They are all working at E3 or do you men people who looked like them?

  22. “Next we went to Atlus, where Robert and I had a difference of opinion on pretty much everything we saw”.

    Nice to hear nothing’s changed. 😉

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