Microsoft Announces TGS Lineup

[bapenguin]

Microsoft has officially announced their Tokyo Game Show lineup, revealing a few nuggets of goodies, as well as confirming stuff we've already known. The biggest, and most obvious announcement, came in the form of Ninja Gaiden 2 (http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35870). But there were a few other gems.

Lost Odyssey has gotten an official release date. The game by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi will be available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, January 2008 in Asia, and February 2008 in North America and Europe.

Square-Enix announced two new Xbox 360 RPG games. The first was The Last Remnant. The second, Infinite Discovery is being developed by Star Ocean 4 developer Tri-Ace and being co-published by Microsoft and Square-Enix.

Finally some awesome (so awesome) announcements for Xbox Live Arcade. Let me just lay it out for you. Rez. Yes mother fucking Rez is coming to XBLA.

Wait...there's more. The hugely popular and insanely awesome (so awesome) Ikaruga is coming, as well as the addictive PSP puzzler Exit.

Finally Microsoft has announced a TGS: Bringing it Home available on Xbox Live the week of the show. You'll be able to download videos, demos, and other content based around the show for free.

Full Press Release After the break.

[bapenguin]

Japan’s best developers are betting big on Xbox 360 in 2007 and beyond, as Microsoft announces best-ever holiday entertainment lineup.

Flanked by a who’s who of Japanese gaming luminaries and video game development legends, Takashi Sensui, general manager of the Home and Entertainment Division at Microsoft Co. Ltd., took the stage at the Yebisu Garden Hall during Xbox 360 Briefing 2007 to announce support from some of Japan’s most renowned game developers and unveil an unparalleled lineup of holiday blockbuster hits and exclusives for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system.

Two of Japan’s most celebrated game developers, Tomonobu Itagaki from Team NINJA/Tecmo Ltd. and Hironobu Sakaguchi from Mistwalker, joined Sensui onstage to announce their support for the Xbox 360 platform. Itagaki highlighted the announcement that Team NINJA will develop “NINJA GAIDEN® 2,” the true sequel to the best-selling and critically acclaimed Xbox® original, exclusively for Xbox 360. Sakaguchi revealed pricing1 and availability for Mistwalker’s upcoming role-playing game (RPG) “Lost Odyssey™,” available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, and around the world in early 2008. In addition, representatives from SQUARE ENIX took the stage to discuss two new games for Xbox 360: “INFINITE UNDISCOVERY™” and “THE LAST REMNANT™.”

Japanese Developers Embrace Xbox 360

“NINJA GAIDEN® 2” is the long-awaited sequel to the platinum-selling Xbox original, where players once again assume the role of Ryu Hayabusa as they guide the ninja hero on a quest to avenge his clan and prevent the destruction of the human race. Team NINJA’s announcement that “NINJA GAIDEN® 2” will be exclusive to Xbox 360 and available worldwide in 2008 provided gamers everywhere with plenty of reason for excitement, and served as yet another example of the blockbuster games being created by Japanese developers exclusively for the platform.

Xbox 360 owners in Japan will be the first to experience the magical world of “Lost Odyssey,” created by Mistwalker/feelplus Inc., and featuring a beautifully told story by Hironobu Sakaguchi, creator of the “Final Fantasy” video game franchise. Available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, January 2008 in Asia, and February 2008 in North America and Europe, “Lost Odyssey” headlines a lineup of games by Japanese developers for Xbox 360 owners around the world this holiday, including these:

· “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” takes players up to the sky and into the heat of realistic air combat with next-generation audio and visual effects and online multiplayer action.2 Available this holiday, only on Xbox 360.

· “Beautiful Katamari” (NAMCO BANDAI Games). Marking the debut of Namco’s beloved ball-rolling puzzle game on a next-generation platform, “Beautiful Katamari,” the fourth installment of the “Katamari” series, features levels of quirkiness, cosmic animations and musical stylings never seen before. Available in October.

· “Lost Odyssey” (Microsoft Game Studios/Mistwalker/feelplus Inc.). Famed game producer Hironobu Sakaguchi leads a staff of gaming masters to bring a truly next-generation role-playing experience to Xbox 360 in “Lost Odyssey.” Players will be led through a dramatic story of massive scale that features breathtaking visuals and an epic adventure made possible only by the power of Xbox 360. Available Dec. 6, 2007, in Japan, and worldwide in 2008, only on Xbox 360.

Plus:

· “Battlefield: Bad Company” (Electronic Arts)
· “Battlestations: Midway” (Eidos Interactive Ltd.)
· “Bladestorm: The Hundred Years’ War” (KOEI Co. Ltd.)
· “CASTLE SHIKIGAMI III” (ArcSystemWorks Co. Ltd.)
· “Dynasty Warriors 6” (KOEI Co. Ltd.)
· “Dynasty Warriors: Gundam” (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
· “Final Fantasy XI Play Online All in One Pack 2007” (SQUARE ENIX)
· “Final Fantasy XI Wings of the Goddess” (SQUARE ENIX)
· “Just Cause” (Electronic Arts)
· “Mobile Ops: The One Year War” (NAMCO BANDAI Games)
· “Operation Darkness” (SUCCESS Corp.)
· “Winning Eleven: Pro Evolution Soccer 2008” (Konami)
· “ZOIDS ALTERNATIVE” (TOMY Co. Ltd.)



This incredible lineup joins many other amazing games from developers around the globe that will be available this holiday in Japan and around the world, including the following:

· “Assassin’s Creed” (Ubisoft Entertainment). “Assassin’s Creed” is the next-generation game developed by Ubisoft that merges technology, game design, theme and emotions into a world where players will assume the role of the main character, Altair, and will have the power to throw their immediate environment into chaos and experience the art of a master assassin. Available this November.

· “Halo 3” (Microsoft Game Studios/Bungie Studios). In “Halo® 3,” the third installment of the landmark “Halo” trilogy and hugely anticipated sequel to the critically acclaimed “Halo 2,” people everywhere can take on the role of Master Chief™ and experience Master Chief’s greatest battle as he launches an epic mission to stop the Covenant, destroy the impending Flood threat and ultimately save mankind. In this third chapter of the “Halo” trilogy, Master Chief returns to face his greatest challenge as he readies himself for the final battle and seals his place in history. A hero must rise. Believe. Available worldwide, with availability in the United States on Sept. 25 and Japan on Sept. 27, only on Xbox 360.

· “Kingdom Under Fire: Circle of Doom” (Microsoft/Blueside Inc.). Six heroes from the “Kingdom Under Fire” universe fight their way through the Dark Dimension against hordes of demented monsters in a twisted action RPG exclusive to Xbox 360. Coming this winter, “KUF:COD” features seamless four-player co-op2 via Xbox LIVE®, randomly generated maps and nearly infinite weapons combos with unique abilities, enhancements and magical powers for players to learn and master.

· “Project Gotham Racing 4” (Microsoft Game Studios/Bizarre Creations Ltd.). “Project Gotham Racing® 4” will redefine the acclaimed “PGR®” franchise by delivering a unique, exciting racing experience complete with dynamic weather and iconic cars and motorcycles. Available this October, only on Xbox 360.

· “Viva Piñata: Party Animals” (Microsoft Game Studios/Krome Studios Pty. Ltd.). An exciting new party game based on the critically acclaimed Xbox 360 exclusive and hit animated TV series, “Viva Piñata™: Party Animals” brings back the familiar piñata characters and invites players to compete in more than 40 mini-games against friends at home or over Xbox LIVE.2 Available this holiday season, only on Xbox 360.

“Gamers around the world can look forward to the greatest holiday lineup in video game history,” said Don Mattrick, senior vice president of the Interactive Entertainment Business in the Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft Corp. “We continue to evolve our strong relationships with Japan’s best and most innovative developers, and we’re looking forward to delivering exclusive high-definition titles for consumers worldwide, this year and beyond.”

Xbox LIVE Arcade Continues High-Definition Downloadable Games Innovation in Japan

Japanese developers have long embraced and championed Xbox LIVE Arcade, with hits including “Pac-Man Championship Edition” (NAMCO BANDAI Games), “Bomberman Live” (Hudson Entertainment), “Frogger” (Konami) and “Fatal Fury Special” (SNK PLAYMORE Corp.). Several new titles from these and other Japanese developers will be added to the diverse portfolio of digitally distributed, high-definition original and classic games currently available on Xbox LIVE Arcade, including the following:

· “Every Extend Extra Extreme” (Q Entertainment). The latest creation from Q Entertainment, “Every Extend Extra Extreme,” or E4, is a unique action-packed shooter where the goal is to perfectly time your self-destruction to create chain reactions that explode surrounding enemies. With outrageous visuals and the ability to play your own favorite music, E4 puts a new twist on puzzle shooter games.

· “EXIT” (Taito). An addictive, frenzied puzzle game, “EXIT” has players using their decision-making skills and wits to escape numerous obstacles, while rescuing people from more than 100 different emergencies. Players must save as many lives as possible while finding the fastest way out when “EXIT” arrives on Xbox LIVE Arcade by the end of the year.

· “Ikaruga” (Treasure Co. Ltd.). “Ikaruga” is a quick-paced shooter with strong strategy elements featuring a slow-motion training mode and co-op play for two.2 Available soon for download from Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Ikaruga” is the perfect combination of beautiful, manga-style storytelling and refined, ultra-challenging arcade heroics.

· “OMEGA FIVE” (Hudson Entertainment). “OMEGA FIVE” is a next-generation, high-definition shooter with awe-inspiring graphics. Players fly through dangerous 3-D environments in this side-scroller and try to avoid the enemies that come at them from all sides, even from behind.

· “Rez” (Q Entertainment). “Rez,” the legendary action-shooter created by Tetsuya Mizuguchi, is coming to Xbox LIVE Arcade. A fast-moving, wire-frame adventure backed by industrial beats, the story of “Rez” takes players deep into the world’s computer network, where they must hack the system, altering the visual output and even taking over the music, creating their own rhythms and eye candy as they dig deeper into the dreamlike cyberworld.

· “Triggerheart Exelica” (Warashi). A shoot’em-up game where players battle against hordes of enemy ships, “Triggerheart Exelica” dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match a player’s skill level. “Triggerheart Exelica” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.

Other exciting Xbox LIVE Arcade games available in the coming months include these:

· “Braid” (Number None Inc.). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Braid” is a platformer/puzzle game. The player journeys across seven worlds to rescue a princess; in each world, time behaves in its own peculiar way. The player must cleverly manipulate the flow of time to solve puzzles. “Braid” aims to provide a mind-expanding, filler-free experience.

· “Castlecrashers” (The Behemoth). Arriving in early 2008 on Xbox LIVE Arcade, “Castlecrashers” is the second title currently in development by award-winning independent developer the Behemoth. The four-player RPG adventure will let players hack, slash and smash their way to victory. “Castlecrashers” delivers unique high-resolution illustrated visuals, including memorably hand-drawn characters that are cute and menacing at the same time. Gamers can play with up to three friends locally or over Xbox LIVE2 and discover mind-boggling magic and mystery in the amazing world of “Castlecrashers.”

· “Schizoid” (Torpex Games LLC). “Schizoid,” from independent studio Torpex Games, is the first Xbox LIVE Arcade game to be created with XNA™ Game Studio. Debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year, “Schizoid” is an action-packed game focused on co-op gameplay2 in which players smash barrages of glowing enemies while cooperating closely to protect each other.

Microsoft Brings Tokyo Game Show Home With Xbox LIVE

Once again, Microsoft will bring the Tokyo Game Show experience into living rooms worldwide as it offers its “TGS Bring It Home” programming, delivering hours of coverage from the press briefing, all the best highlights from the show floor, interviews with developers, gameplay videos, exclusive cinematic trailers and a variety of Xbox 360 content for gamers to download over Xbox LIVE Marketplace, beginning Sept. 13, 2007.

[menage]

“Triggerheart Exelica” (Warashi). A shoot’em-up game where players battle against hordes of enemy ships, “Triggerheart Exelica” dynamically adjusts the difficulty to match a player’s skill level. “Triggerheart Exelica” launches on Xbox LIVE Arcade this year.

WTF, excellent!!!! Hopefully in the West as well. Love me some more shmps

Great news about Undoscovery. At least 2008 will have some Jrpg's too.

[Kelegacy]

More RPGs, the better. I'm always excited by new RPG news, especially if they make it stateside.

And I KNEW Lost Odyssey wouldn't be here this year. Oh well.

As long as the 360 keeps the games coming, making the shitty winter and spring months worth living through, I will be happy. This year we had Crackdown, Lost Planet, and a couple other notables. Hopefully the same can be said in 2008.

EDIT: Exit and Castle Crasher should also be awesome. I might even have to resubscribe to Live, though I bought a 13 month card for Gears and never used online gaming again after November last year. But this time I will have Halo, so perhaps it will come in handy. Sounds like a 13 month sub could be a good Xmas present.

[Gorvi]

I really want to see some Lost Odyssey gameplay, especially since Mist Walker was supposed to have been much more involved in the game, unlike Blue Dragon.

Infinite Undiscovery looks cool too. TGS should be very interesting. :)

[Deepsleeper]

Live Arcade is proving to be pretty much the best gaming investment it's possible to make, as far as I can see. (Yeah, personal tastes may vary, but still.)

[Kelegacy]

I really want to see some Lost Odyssey gameplay, especially since Mist Walker was supposed to have been much more involved in the game, unlike Blue Dragon.

Infinite Undiscovery looks cool too. TGS should be very interesting. :)

Yeah, and Blue Dragon was supposed to be an opus created by 3 famed artists. We saw how that turned out.

I will need to see more of Lost Odyssey for sure after that fiasco. I still bought Blue Dragon, but I'm not so delusional as to think it competes with the best the genre has to offer.

[bapenguin]

I really want to see some Lost Odyssey gameplay, especially since Mist Walker was supposed to have been much more involved in the game, unlike Blue Dragon.

Infinite Undiscovery looks cool too. TGS should be very interesting. :)

You've played Final Fantasy right? There's your gameplay, except now you have "timed" button presses that look like the circles from Elite Beat Agents to maximize attacks.

[Vandenh]

I really want to see some Lost Odyssey gameplay

Early reports are not that good. Very "traditional" JRPG stuff apparently.

Anyway... looks like MS has started to fill in 2008 in a very impressive way. Add some of the European games and US games (Allen Wake, Fable 2,..) and 2008 looks to continue the stream of great games. Color me impressed that the momentum keeps on rolling.

[Gorvi]

You've played Final Fantasy right? There's your gameplay, except now you have "timed" button presses that look like the circles from Elite Beat Agents to maximize attacks.
Final Fantasy? Is that some kind of anime porn? :p

Anyway, so it's similar to Shadow Hearts?

[menage]

Early reports are not that good. Very "traditional" JRPG stuff apparently.

Could still be great. I still love traditional RPG stuff. If it has good chara's and a good story. The story sounds 100x more interesting then BD already.

[Vandenh]

Could still be great. I still love traditional RPG stuff
Yeah sure... I was just saying that you shouldn't expect a very "state of the art" combat system. Probably a very "epic" story and some amazing locations/creatures/effects.

[Kelegacy]

I thought this Hironobu dude was supposed to be a gaming god? Sounds like his best days are behind him. Doesn't mean he won't continue to help make decent games, but I want to see a AAA JRPG on the 360. That would be awesome.

But I doubt it will come from Mistwalker. Have to wait if or when Square does something, I guess.

[Codicier]

Fuck. Yes. Ikaruga.

Also Rez, which I've heard is cool. So much good shit to buy, not only this fall but also into next year now.

Speaking of which, I only saw this when I woke up this morning before work. Obviously I can't go surfing very far for info until afterwards, but does anyone know when Ikaruga is being released on Live? Soon or not so much? I can wait either way.

[KamaItachi]

There's a few titles there I'm interested in, Lost Odyssey, Kingdom Under Fire, especially, but I'm seriously fucking hyped for some of those Live titles. Rez, Ikaruga, Castle Crashers. Fingers crossed for more Treasure stuff on arcade.

[menage]

But I doubt it will come from Mistwalker. Have to wait if or when Square does something, I guess.

Maybe, but the company has pretty much left me in the cold since FFIX. Personal preference of course. They take themselves way too seriously these days.

[pheriannath]

Rez and Ikaruga announced for XBLA two weeks after my Dreamcast finally died...

...there IS a God!

(yes, I do fully expect for my 360 to be smited with great vengeance now.)

[Yeti2005]

Rez AND Ikaruga are coming to XBLA?! Sh*t, that's all you had to say.

I'm still waiting for the "MS is teh fail in Japan. PS3 rockz!" comments. Must be too early for the trolls.

[51|RandoM]

Lost Odyssey slipped to 2008? Doh. Running out of 360 games to buy this fall, think I'm down to just Mass Effect.

[Telefrog]

I'll join those that are excited for Ikaruga and Rez. Hell, yes!

[bean19]

Lost Odyssey slipped to 2008? Doh. Running out of 360 games to buy this fall, think I'm down to just Mass Effect.

Well, first, let me agree with you completely how much that is bullshit and sucks. They said it would get a simultaneous world-wide release, but I guess that was only true before the holiday season rolled around. They'll release early for Japan to hit December while we Americans have to wait 3 months. Still, that gives me something to look forward to in early 2008.

No Eternal Sonata? It's getting 7's and 8's in reviews, so it won't change your life probably, but I'm quite used to my JRPGs (even ones I really like) not getting great scores. If it isn't Final Fantasy, most RPGs seem to start their scores off at 8.5 and fall from there.

Anyway, there is also Halo 3, Mass Effect (you mentioned), and a bunch of great multi-platform games that I'm looking forward to getting or at least renting.

[Inverarity]

Rez? Freakin' REZ? SO awesome.

Exit should be great as well, and it's perfectly suited to XBLA. Ditto for Every Extend Extra. Boy, between XBLA and GameFly I may never set foot in a brick-and-mortar store again...

On a strategic note, if Microsoft can lure in Japanese developers with low-risk projects on Live Arcade, it might do wonders for the 360's acceptance in Japan among both developers and gamers.

[The Continental]

Never played Rez myself, though I know it holds a special place in many a gamers heart. I'm looking forward to seeing what all the fuss is about.

[menage]

Just saw the KoF screens at 1up. Damn that game is shaping up nicely in the visual dep.

[Salamande]

It looks like XBLA could become the new home for the old-school arcade shooter. Sign me the hell up.

[Gott]

I really want to see some Lost Odyssey gameplay, especially since Mist Walker was supposed to have been much more involved in the game, unlike Blue Dragon.

Infinite Undiscovery looks cool too. TGS should be very interesting. :)

Yo Gorvi...with all this Japanese dev love...think you might be getting a 360 in the next 6 months? You'd have to be crazy not to right? I mean you'd have to be crazy not to get a 360 in the next few weeks...

[Gott]

Well, first, let me agree with you completely how much that is bullshit and sucks. They said it would get a simultaneous world-wide release, but I guess that was only true before the holiday season rolled around. They'll release early for Japan to hit December while we Americans have to wait 3 months. Still, that gives me something to look forward to in early 2008.

No Eternal Sonata? It's getting 7's and 8's in reviews, so it won't change your life probably, but I'm quite used to my JRPGs (even ones I really like) not getting great scores. If it isn't Final Fantasy, most RPGs seem to start their scores off at 8.5 and fall from there.

Anyway, there is also Halo 3, Mass Effect (you mentioned), and a bunch of great multi-platform games that I'm looking forward to getting or at least renting.

2008 is shaping up for the 360 also...looks like it will be a battle royale...although seems like the tide is on the 360's side at this point...

[fitbabits]

PS3 executive to his boss (whomever that is this week): 'Game over, man. It's game over.'

[Gorvi]

Yo Gorvi...with all this Japanese dev love...think you might be getting a 360 in the next 6 months? You'd have to be crazy not to right? I mean you'd have to be crazy not to get a 360 in the next few weeks...
Next few weeks? Not a chance. I've got more than enough to play for quite a while with what's coming out in the next few months, and I know I'm not going to get to nearly all the games I'd like to, from both a time and money standpoint.

Next year? That's a damn strong possibility, especially if Lost Odyssey turns out to be really good. Around tax return time seems pretty likely if it's going to happen.

[drakkarim]

the rgp love from the idiots at redmond is making me happy, i suspect they're doing it for the sake of japan's crappy sell-through rates more than for the sake of US customers that have been trying to tell them they're ignoring the genre. anyway, however it gets done, as long as it gets done.

never heard of this Rez.

[Flatpicker]

I so don't care about the whole jrpg thing that LO and BD aren't even borrow worthy to me.
Rez and KoF sound cool.

[Kelegacy]

the rgp love from the idiots at redmond is making me happy, i suspect they're doing it for the sake of japan's crappy sell-through rates more than for the sake of US customers that have been trying to tell them they're ignoring the genre. anyway, however it gets done, as long as it gets done.

never heard of this Rez.

Good, I hope they continue to try to woo Japan. It's good for us Japanese game lovers. We already have an oversaturation of shooters and racers on the Xboxes, let's have some PS2-esque titles for godsake.

We're moving in the right direction, though. Me happy. More games like Katamari, some quirky Live titles, and JRPGs and other Asian games will continue to grow the 360 library and break it out of its gun and gearhead pigeonhole.

[Taiso]

Ikaruga.

YAY!

Now I can die every 20 seconds on the Xbox 360, too!!!

(not a knock on the game, I love it. Just hardz)

[Majster Wichajster]

After reading this press release only one comment is appriopate: HOLY SHIT! Sony needs to flex their muscles over here.

There are enough reasons for me to buy a 360. Now, if only money could fall from the heavens.

[Syl]

I already own Rez and Ikaruga. (And paid full price for them as well) Still extremely awesome inclusions. If they include extras, i may have to buy them again.

But there were many other things on that list I want. Microsoft has already convinced me to buy a 360; i just need to figure out when.

[Gott]

Next few weeks? Not a chance. I've got more than enough to play for quite a while with what's coming out in the next few months, and I know I'm not going to get to nearly all the games I'd like to, from both a time and money standpoint.

Next year? That's a damn strong possibility, especially if Lost Odyssey turns out to be really good. Around tax return time seems pretty likely if it's going to happen.

As strange as this sounds...I'm really excited for you to get a 360. Very curious about your oppinons on it after you've had it for a month or two...

[Gorvi]

As strange as this sounds...I'm really excited for you to get a 360. Very curious about your oppinons on it after you've had it for a month or two...
I can give you some opinions right now. ;)

Very comfortable controller. Excellent online intigration, though I don't like the charge. Good game library, though not great for a lot of what I'm looking for (though that's getting better).

Ummmm..... yeah, that's about it from my limited experience so far. :)

[Ghostbear]

Can't wait for Castle Crashers, that game was a blast when I got to try it out. The Viva Pinata Party game mildly interests me as well.

[KingGorilla]

Is it just me or does it feel like we have way too many trade shows? It is like birthdays in the office, some times you have had enough cake. I accept that each country deserves their own showcase. But I am having trouble amping up or getting excited for another opportunity to read the same previews, from the same demos, on the same games,

[Xerxes]

Rez AND Ikaruga are coming to XBLA?! Sh*t, that's all you had to say.

I'm still waiting for the "MS is teh fail in Japan. PS3 rockz!" comments. Must be too early for the trolls.

Remember this is EvAv. More "Xbox fanboys" according to Wiki... I think Neogaf is heading for a implosion sometimes around 2pm.

[bapenguin]

Is it just me or does it feel like we have way too many trade shows? It is like birthdays in the office, some times you have had enough cake. I accept that each country deserves their own showcase. But I am having trouble amping up or getting excited for another opportunity to read the same previews, from the same demos, on the same games,

Yes, there is way too many now. They need to space them out differently or something.

[KingGorilla]

I think I would mind less if the devs and publishers came out with new stuff each time. But how many times can we watch the same Metal Gear footage? How many times can Scott be disappointed at no new Burnout info?

[Shodan2020]

EXIT, Ikaruga, E4, and REZ!!!!!!

DAMN! That's some seriously sweet XBLA action! Not to mention Puzzle Quest!

[menage]

Yes, there is way too many now. They need to space them out differently or something.\

True, but TGS is cake with extra cream!

[51|RandoM]

Anyway, there is also Halo 3, Mass Effect (you mentioned), and a bunch of great multi-platform games that I'm looking forward to getting or at least renting.

Multi-platform is the problem. I've got a PC and a PS3 along with the 360 so I'll probably only buy 360 titles that are exclusive or significantly better on 360 than on PC/PS3. The only game I'm interested in coming out this year that I'm fairly certain fits that bill is Mass Effect. I'm sure Halo3 is great too, but I wasn't able to maintain more than a day's worth of interest in halo or halo2 so I think halo3 would just be another waste of my money---my loss, I know :).

Eternal Sonata is an option, as you mentioned. I've got a stack of JRPGs that I'm more interested that I'll play before thinking hard about ES. By that time it might be multiplatform too.

With so many 360 games showing up on PC it might end up being the one console I can safely ditch next year.

[51|RandoM]

Is it just me or does it feel like we have way too many trade shows? It is like birthdays in the office, some times you have had enough cake. I accept that each country deserves their own showcase. But I am having trouble amping up or getting excited for another opportunity to read the same previews, from the same demos, on the same games,

All of them are scrambling to replace the old E3.

[Xerxes]

With so many 360 games showing up on PC it might end up being the one console I can safely ditch next year.

Fat chance... :-D

[GunshipRadio]

I hope they announce something solid for Castle Crashers. I'm sick of hearing "early 2008"

[silv]

Dear god. XBLA keeps on getting better. I want me some Ikaruga.

[fatefodder]

Ikaruga, Rez HD, Ninja Gaiden 2, and Ace Combat 6 were the highlights for me.

Microsoft gave us some nice appetizers for the blood bath I hope to see between Sony and newcomer Nintendo...

[Spigot]

Yay! Lots of great games a-comin' but REZ! WOO!

Granted, I still have my PS2 version (yes, I'm one of the 8 people who bought it the day it hit for the PS2) but this is great news for people who have been having a hard time tracking down a copy of the game (and cold comfort for people who have paid huge $$ for it on Ebay).

[KingGorilla]

All of them are scrambling to replace the old E3.

They addressed this on Gamestop's podcast earlier this month. I thought that everyone agreed that we HATE the old E3. I think that the beast has risen with two heads where once there was one.

[Maskatron]

Yes mother fucking Rez is coming to XBLA.

EXCELLENT. Weird timing too, because I just sold my Japanese import version I had no way of playing on my US PS3. Can't wait to see it all prettyfied on the 360! This and Space Giraffe should be the stars of my next LSD^h^h^h punch and pie party.

edit: Oh shit, there's some nice HD screens at The Shack. (http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/48909)

[Codicier]

EXCELLENT. Weird timing too, because I just sold my Japanese import version I had no way of playing on my US PS3. Can't wait to see it all prettyfied on the 360! This and Space Giraffe should be the stars of my next LSD^h^h^h punch and pie party.

Even with HD, there's unfortunately one thing (http://www.gamegirladvance.com/archives/2002/10/26/sex_in_games_rezvibrator.html) they won't be able to improve on with an arcade download...

[Disgustipated]

Holy fuck, the 360 lineup looks amazing. 10+ games I will have to get just up on that list.

[Evil Avnovice]

Ninja Gaiden II....available worldwide in 2008

The action game to end all action games. And spark a Megaton of threads complaining about the game's difficulty. :cool:

I can practically hear the excuses....http://mazeguy.net/sad/bawling.gifhttp://mazeguy.net/sad/cryingeyesout.gif

[BlackPete]

Rez? Dear sweet god, XBLA just exploded with all kinds of awesomeness right now.

And they have to go and throw in Ikaruga on top of that? And Castle Crashers? Are they trying to give millions of gamers brain anerysm?

Man, and this was the one game that I kept my PS2 plugged in for (and no, you can't just play it on a PS3; you NEED a vibrating controller).

[techromage]

All I saw was blah blah blah, Ikaruga blah blah blah REZ and several parts of me went stiff.

Now I just need release dates.