E3 Awards-Part 2

I'm back with the second half of my E3 2008 awards which include the best handheld, downloadable, and overall games. Games were picked based on how good the actual game was (based on what I was able to see) as well as how well it showed at E3. These aren't to be cofused with my most anticipated games (which I may post later). These are what looked and showed the best at E3. Now let me hand out some awards:

Best Handheld Game

This goes to the best game that appeared on a handheld at the show. This award goes to:

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia (Konami, Konami)

Of all the awards, this was the hardest one for me to pick. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia and Resistance: Retribution were basically dead even. They both look spectacular on their respective systems. Ultimately, I gave the edge to Castlevania. The art feels more reminiscent of Symphony of the Night than the other DS games which is a good change in my opinion. They also added some other good additions to this entry like a new female protagonist, the new glyph system, a power-up that allows you to slingshot yourself around levels, and more environments outside the castle. It seems this could be the best Castlevania game in a while (and that's saying something with the quality of recent titles). Having said that Sony Bend seems to be doing a great job in bringing Resistance to the PSP and adapting the controls to Resistance's faster pace (compared to Syphon Filter). It also deserves a mention for how good it looks.

Runner-up: Resistance: Retribution

Best Downloadable Game

This goes to the best game at the show that will be available by downloading it through one of the three console's online stores. This award goes to:

Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty (Sony Computer Entertainment, Insomniac Games)

There were a ton of great downloadable games, but Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty rose above the crowd. This new Ratchet actually picks up where Tools of Destruction's cliffhanger ending left off and even though it's a downloadable game it has graphics and production values as good as most full games. It's basically a 3-4 hour mini-Ratchet adventure for $15. But it also looks to change things up with a bigger focus on platforming and puzzles along with a new wrench that allows you to manipulate things in the world. It looks like a great way to hold over fans until Ratchet's next big adventure while adding some new ideas to keep things fresh.

Runners-up: Fat Princess, Flower, Galaga: Legions, Mega Man 9

Overall Game of the Show

This award goes to the game at the show that impressed me the most. It had to both seem very promising and show well. My Game of the Show is:

Prince of Persia (Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal)

Of all the great games at E3, Prince of Persia impressed me the most. It started with the gameplay being shown in motion for the first time in a very well-made trailer. That was just the start though as the gameplay demonstrations that would occur over the course of E3 really showed off a lot more of what this game has in store. The Prince's moves have been overhauled as he has many new ways to move about the environment including cooperative moves with his new partner Elika. The game features what you'd expect from PoP with influences from games like Ico and Okami along with the new duel-type combat and more open level design which all look to make the game stand out among others in the genre. I'd heard about many of these features, but seeing them in action in the beautiful new artstyle was really impressive. It's tough to know how all these changes will ultimately work out, but the game looks extremely promising and fresh. It definitely earned my Game of the Show.

Runners-up: Far Cry 2, Gears of War 2, inFamous, LittleBigPlanet, Mirror's Edge, Ratchet & Clank Future: Quest for Booty, Resident Evil 5, Resistance 2

Well, that wraps up my E3 Awards. I may follow up this up with some eyes-on previews of some of the video demonstrations I saw from E3. I'm also going to now start to get to work on some reviews. So, keep an eye on Video Game Oasis for more new posts soon.