eat.sleep.geek.

When I first received the press release with official details of what Sega would be bringing for show and tell at this year’s E3 something was wrong. There was something missing from the lineup and I couldn’t put my finger on it. Then suddenly it hit me, it might be that this is just a decent roster of games. The shitty Olympic Games game is at the back of the list, instead of being the crown jewel, there’s no 3d remake of a game that originally debuted on Sega Genesis, there’s no “this time Sonic is a good fun game again” game (in fact Sonic’s only appearance is with Mario in the Winter Games game for DS), there are no sequels, no goofy bad summer movie games, really Sega has put forth a bunch of titles that all appear to all have the potential to be good games. It’s sort of weird don’t you think?

Bayonetta

Most people are predicting this to be the best game in Sega’s line-up at E3, it looks to be a little bit of God of War, mixed in with a healthy dose of Devil May Cry, and some Sarah Palin sprinkled on top. Check out the trailer and you’ll see what I mean. The game looks sweet and to be perfectly honest, I would be willing to give any game that lets you suplex a dragon a few days of my time. Sega had this to say about the game:

BAYONETTA from PlatinumGames is set to invite gamers into a world full of adventure, mystery and a dash of sexiness. Players assume the role of the seductive Bayonetta and use a myriad of weapons and combat skills to dispatch her angelic enemies. This epic action-adventure title will to set a new standard in the genre.

Check out the trailer and I think you’ll agree with me that this game might not be for everybody, but it will be worth checking out when it comes to stores

Aliens vs Predator

This brand name first person shooter is probably the closest thing that Sega has to a big name game that we all know is going to suck ass. However, I don’t think that’s going to be the case. Here’s my theory, this generation of hardware is powerful enough that even a bad first person shooter isn’t going to be unplayable. So even if the game is bad, it’s going to be Haze bad, not Black bad. I also think that there will be enough cool alien weaponry, visceral claw killing, and a familiar franchise feel that will make Aliens vs Predator a decent title next year. This won’t be the must have game of 2010, but I think it will be worth the time and money investment. Sega has been pretty tight lipped about the game (never a good sign) but there is a teaser trailer here you can check out if you’re interested.

Alpha Protocol
Now this is a game that excites me. A Spy action RPG from the makers of Neverwinter Nights 2, I’m sold. I love action RPG’s, I loved Neverwinter Nights 2, I even loved Knights of the Old Republic II (although not as much as I loved the original KotOR). So I can hardly wait to see what Obsidian brings us when Alpha Protocol comes out. If you look at the video you might agree with me that the voice acting and the graphics look like they might not break any new ground, but I’m willing to sacrifice those a little bit for some deep RPG elements mixed into an action game. Here’s how Sega described the game in their E3 press release:

Alpha Protocol takes players to locations around the world and arms them with a full arsenal of weapons and gadgets with which to complete any task at hand. The game also features fully customizable character attributes and a unique dialog system that tracks players’ responses in the game, dynamically changing missions and alliances as they progress through the game’s storyline.

Check out the developers diary to get a feel of what the game is about and how it will look.

The Conduit

The last of Sega’s games for E3 that I want to draw attention to is the wii exclusive The Conduit. People who have had hands on time with the game all agree that this is “the” wii fps shooting experience we’ve been looking for since we first touched a wiimote. Metroid Prime 3 was good, but according to those who have played it The Conduit is what you really want to be playing if you own a wii and are a fps fanatic. According to Sega, the game “pushes the wii to it’s limits”, mind you what else are they going to say? However game play videos confirm that this is a very sharp looking game. I know personally the wii’s last gen graphics and the casual gamer focus limit how much time I spend with the console. Nintendo has placed so much emphasis on casual gaming that even when real games come out for it I don’t get all that excited. The Conduit is making me rethink that stance though. Check out this game play video and decide for yourself.

The Rest

Sega has some other treats for us at E3, there’s a multi console winter games game that I’m sure will sell a ton of copies and dole out a ton more button mashing blisters, there’s a DS exclusive Mario and Sonic at the Winter Olympic Games that I know I will play the shit out of; I can’t help it…I loved the first game, but I know I’m almost certainly in the minority here, and there’s a game cashing in on the cartoon Planet 51. The game will suck but since the movie reunites Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Seann William “Stiffler” Scott I know I’ll be checking it out. So look for those too.

All things considered I think that Sega is finally on the right track, they’ve got some promising titles for E3, and no Iron Man bullshit so I think it could be a good show for the folks at Sega. If only they would announce Dreamcast II, then they would be awesome.