Reflections on E3

The chairs have been stacked up, the lights shut off, and the doors locked, yet a residual energy still charges the air. E3 is a fairytale world where we catch but a glimpse of the future and are teased with every tantalizing wonder on display. E3 is to gamers as the fountain of youth was to Ponce de Leon… as The Ark of the Covenant was to Indiana Jones. So, it stands to reason that we have been fairly distracted of late by this spectacle, if not completely blinded by the promised media to come.

Our impressions of the expo have been profoundly positive - there is truly too much on which to comment. We squealed like girls asked to their first dance during the Nintendo press conference, which we feel was the best of the three major conferences; it was filled with a slew of enticing diversions. I was exceedingly tickled by the idea of returning to Hyrule to rescue Zelda once again with Skyward Sword. Reminiscent of The Wind Waker, the graphics of Skyward Sword capture the childlike whimsy for which the series is known… I hope the stylized plumes of smoke make a glorious return whenever bodies of fallen adversaries vanish or bombs explode. If the controls are tight, this promises to be a wonderful experience.

If I were to point out one other title of extreme interest, I would be remissed if I did not mention Portal 2. If for some bizarre reason you have not played the first title, it is free to download using Steam and is contained in the Orange Box (for a nominal fee). I must admit that I’ve played though Portal at least seven times. There is nothing to criticize about the title. The controls are ideal, the puzzles are intuitive yet (at times) challenging, the writing if fantastic, and the closing track (Still Alive) is one of the most beloved ending songs. Knowing Valve, Portal 2 will be as well designed, equally well written, and as fantastic. In fact, if I took anything out of the demo videos, it would seem that timing and portal placement have become even more important than the first installment in the series. I cannot wait to enter the world of Aperture Science to test my metal against GLaDOS once more.

I cannot but apologize. Although we would love to continue prognosticating about the highlights of unreleased games that remain rumors beyond the horizon, we are heading right back to work. Videos will be uploaded shortly and a comic is in the works. The chairs are stacked, the lights are off, and the doors are locked for the Electronic Entertainment Expo... back to business as usual for The Media Cows.

- Ben