Fond memories
E3 is always an exciting show to attend. We get to see all the upcoming games and be on the front lines as exciting new announcements are made. But E3 2013 in particular was especially awesome because we finally started to get some more details about the PS4 and Xbox One--its hard not to get pumped about a new generation of consoles.
But now that E3 is over and the dust has settled, we've been doing a lot of thinking about everything we saw there. Sure, the console announcements were great, but so were all the games--after all, that's what we're all looking forward to the most. So let's talk: what announcements From E3 2013 have you most excited?
Ryan Taljonick fell in love with Final Fantasy all over again (at least, he wants to after seeing FFXV)
There was a period of about five years where I totally, 100% believed that Final Fantasy games were the best games ever made. My adventures with the franchises many characters, particularly Terra, Cloud, Squall, and Zidane, resonated with me so deeply that it spawned my interest in writing (yeah, yeah, I know) and storytelling. I couldnt get enough. But that series and I hit a rough patch; I started to find its characters too childish, its stories too incomprehensible, and we drifted apart like two best friends separated by change.
Final Fantasy Versus XIII was the first game in the series Id been excited about in a long while, but then, poof. It vanished. So when Square Enix announced that Versus had been rebranded as Final Fantasy XV--and man, it looks better than ever--I got all giddy. It feels great to be super pumped about a Final Fantasy game again, even if FFXV seems to be taking a different approach to tried and true systems. Then again, maybe change is just what it needs.
Hollander Cooper lost his mind when the Animal Crossing Villager showed up in Smash Bros.
I've never been the biggest Mega Man fan--the Blue Bomber just isn't for me. Animal Crossing, on the other hand, has been my jam ever since I popped the disk into the GameCube. And when I saw the Villager's dead, soulless eyes pop into the Super Smash Bros. trailer, I was ecstatic. He looked so vacant. So broken. So... distant.
Grabbing Samus' attack and shoving it into his pocket? Adorable. Digging holes beneath enemies? Perfect. The Animal Crossing Villager is a wonderful addition to the Smash Bros. roster, and I was shocked when he showed up, disturbed glare and all.
Henry Gilbert found Vitas killer app
My favorite overall booth was definitely Nintendos, but it wasnt home to the game that best captured an aesthetic that was unique and appealed to all ages. That would be the PS Vita title Tearaway. Despite not enjoying the LittleBigPlanet titles developer Media Molecule had previously created, after 20 minutes with Tearaway I was a fan of their newest title. It had the same handmade charm of LBP, but with more focused gameplay and story. The games whimsical style is engrossing enough, but its just as important that the papercraft platformer could only exist on the PS Vita.
After playing so many Vita games that could easily exist on the PS3, including great titles like Persona 4 Golden, Tearaway was finally a game that couldnt be done on any other system. The touch controls were straightforward and the use of the camera was clever, both of which give you a window into a brand new world on a show floor full of sequels. The Vitas release schedule might remain fairly barren post-E3, but at least theres the promise of an oasis in that portable desert.
Sophia Tong can't wait to revisit Twilight Town after Kingdom Hearts 3 announcement
Sony's press conference was packed with pleasant surprises but I was not prepared for Square Enix to come out saying they were working on Kingdom Hearts 3. We all knew it was in the works, but we hadn't heard a peep from the publisher in so long that we were beginning to worry about its existence. But seeing an older Sora skipping along in Twilight Town in lovely next-gen graphics made my heart a beat.
The game is real. It's in development. I don't know when it's coming out, but at least now I know it's coming. Between this announcement and Final Fantasy XV before it, I couldn't have been happier or more excited for next gen.
Justin Towell was stoked for 8-bit handheld ports
The biggest announcement of the show went by completely without fanfare: Sonic 1 on Game Gear appeared in the 3DS eShop. Marvelous.
But seriously, the standout moment for me has got to be Sonys conference. Just for convincing me in one fell swoop that now is the time to pre-order my PS4. So I have. I cant wait, either, I am immensely excited. The new hardware looks great, the games look amazing and Im happy for Sony too for their amazing turnaround from E3 2006. Good times ahead.
Lorenzo Veloria is stoked to play Mega Man in Super Smash Bros. Wii U
The standout moment of my entire E3 2013 experience would have to go to the Mega Man reveal for Super Smash Bros. Wii U. You never know who Nintendo is going to be able to wrangle for the upcoming Smash Bros. roster. Last time we had Solid Snake and Sonic as the surprise guests, but for the Wii U game, the Mega Man reveal definitely takes the cake. As soon as I saw the Blue Bomber's helmet materialize on his head I just about had a heart attack. Then the super fighting robot started throwing Metal Man's saws and creating leaf shields.
It's all over. I don't need to see more. I'm in. Just take my money.
Lucas Sullivan basked in the glow of countless indies
Granted, I've only been to a handful of E3s. But this year was by far my favorite, simply for how much floor space indie games got. I had assumed that the rush to show off processing power with pretty next-gen games would take the spotlight away from titles made by smaller teams. But the Big Three proved me wrong--they all made sure to promote the little guys on the show floor.
Sony was the undisputed indie champ at E3 2013, with literally dozens of booths dedicated to awesome indies like 1001 Spikes, Mercenary Kings, Outlast, Hohokum, Tearaway, and Secret Ponchos. Nintendo was no slouch either, promoting downloadables like Scram Kitty and Ballpoint Universe alongside biggies like Mario Kart 8 and Bayonetta 2. Even Microsoft, who's been painted as the anti-indie villain as of late, proudly displayed the wacky LocoCycle. Seeing people line up to play these little-known games was a heartwarming surprise, to be sure.
What was your standout moment?
So, whether you were there yourself or watching from home, what moment defined your E3 2013 experience? Let us know in the comments!
And if you're looking for more fond E3 2013 memories, check out 20 quotes that made E3 2013 and The GamesRadar E3 2013 awards.
