GameSpot: E3 09 Editors' Choice Awards

This was the year that the Electronic Entertainment Expo "went big" again in the fabulous Los Angeles Convention Center. Like E3s in the days of yore, this year's E3 had bright lights, loud music, and tons of exciting new games. But because there were so many games to see, we're here to give you the bottom line. What were the most impressive games of the show? Which stage demos from GameSpot's archived E3 stage show should you be watching? Browse our awards to find out.

[xabmol]

6 minutes in...

BG&E2 Gameplay footage?! Holy SH1TBALLS!!! Anyone gimmie a link to the full vid?!

*Goes Googleing*

EDIT:

Damn! That was pretty much all of it. How did I miss this?! >.< Guess I'll finish watchin the ECA vid now. Damn, BG&E2 is lookin good!

EDIT #2:

I like their choice for GoS. I wanna play Scribblenauts!

[KKanjiAnkh]

Because your were probably checking 4 the aforementioned blockbusters, and announcements that generate a huge reaction within the crowd.

The Uncharted Demo toe tagged E3 4me, that view at the beginning made me think of a NatGeo cover, very awe inspiring.

I don't play GT, but that trailer w/music flashed me back to Ridge Racer Type 4, MY favorite car racing game.

I loved the scene in Alan Wake, when he pans the flashlight across the forest and the trees bend like they're in a hurricane.

Best Fighter to me hands down KOFxii, not only do they redrawn/reanimate everything, it got the 3rd Strike treatment in F'n HD. SNKP also added a 6 player campaign mode on PS3 WHAT!

Where the heck is the RPG section, oh well to each is own.

Scribblenauts hmmm very creative/simple, this the type of game that let's you know who's a potential cereal killer.

Uncharted 2 has my vote.

[KKanjiAnkh]

Oh man if this was just E3, the Tokyo Game Show is gonna kill.

I wish they'd televise that too .

[JohnnyBadfinger]

Scribblenauts looks hilarious. Im gunna go out and get a DS just for it.

[talltony]

The PS3 does have the best upcoming games whether you like it or not. Every other website agrees that sony has the better game lineup. Xbox 360's games are good but they are more of the same and just not up to par with sony's lineup imo.

[Guitarded]

IGN disagrees with you too, as well as a few other sites. Quite selective in where you get your information, aren't you?

[talltony]

your name mine as well be "retarded" its just so close!. How am I being selective when IGN and Gamespot are like the only other sites that think differently? Sorry bro majority rules. its blatantly obvious who has the better games coming out within the next year. But I think microsoft has a insanely strong lineup dont get me wrong, I am just not that excited for more halo or left 4 dead. I do want forza 3 and splinter cell conviction though.

[el zorro]

Talltony, you're so full of it. Most sites didn't specifically rate the consoles according to the strength of their game lineups. The vast majority of sites did give Microsoft the best of show though, and mentioned their strong game lineup as one of the reasons. A lot of sites were surprised with how strong the 360's lineup ended up being.

In any case, it really comes down to what you like. I am waiting for Uncharted 2 and God of War 3, but that's about it on the PS3 side. On the other hand the 360 has a bunch of games I am looking forward to: Halo ODST, Splinter Cell Conviction, Mass Effect 2, Alan Wake, Left4Dead 2 and Forza 3.

[onanie]

As for PS3 fans, they will be most looking forward to uncharted2, GOW3, GT5, and the Last Guardian, of which every one is a heavyweight title.

[xabmol]

Don't forget R&CF:ACiT

[talltony]

I am really not full of it. Your not really reading what I am saying, I am not talking about microsofts press conference I am talking about upcoming games. Yes microsoft had the best press conference with a good game lineup and natal. Really natal won it for microsoft. if you read the other sites they say sony has the best upcoming games even though they didnt have the best press conference. And I completely agree. I am more excited for sony's upcoming games than microsofts. Whats wrong with that?

And boy you sure forgot alot of ps3 exclusives coming. I am not really excited for more halo or left 4 dead. All I am excited for is forza 3 and splinter cell conviction.

[JL]

Here's what i don't get: People getting over excited for cgi trailers. and then going on to say these games look the best based on said trailers. that's laughable. come on i have to have some gameplay footage before i'm forming an opinion. For instance, i keep hearing stuff like "Mass Effect 2" blows everything away. but as far as i remember, i never saw one thing of actual gameplay. the closest we got was the lil "interactive cutscenes". which is a bit funny when fanboys jump all over that after spending so long ridiculing MGS for being too much about cutscenes (i'm not dogging the game, it's actually one of only a couple that i'd like to bring over from the xbox side so i can play). i mean the first one looked pretty good but let's not go judging things just on cgi trailers. another being forza 3, i saw that action video MS showed at their conference and i was actually like damn, that looks pretty damn good, maybe give GT a lil competition. Then i go online to watch actual gameplay and graphics take a big hit it seems (except for maybe background environments). another that sticks out too is Last Guardian. Yes, the art direction on that looked beautiful. but it's already being hailed for its graphics? from a cgi trailer? give me gameplay then we'll talk. and while i'm at it, i think alan wake is overrated in the graphics department once you cut from cutscene to actual gameplay (got some pretty good lighting goign for it, that's about all for me) Best looking in my opinion (that we actually got to see) were Uncharted 2, GOW3 and Conviction. but that's enough about graphics. as far as overall game, uncharted looks to take it for me. though Conviction looks like it's going to be a blast (i'm betting it will eventually come over to us at ps3). rounding out the top 5, in my opinion, as overall game: gow3, heavy rain, and assassin's creed 2. and no, you can keep mw2, so sick of that franchise at this point.

another one that needs an honorable mention. which i'm sure can't really contend against these blockbusters and big titles, but that game is: ModNation Racers. that game is looking to be the lil engine that could trophy winner for me. one that i may very well get as much enjoyment and playing time out of as all those others.

[ShabzS]

man splinter cell is gonna rock this year ... cannot wait

splinter cell conviction, forza 3, mordern warfare 2, bioshock 2, odst, balad of gay tony... and the king of them all max payne 3, man i'm gonna be pissing away all my money this year

[xabmol]

Oh, because your exited for a 360 game.

This site is depressing at times...

[Omega4]

Seems like every site is in love with Scribblenauts, at this rate it wouldnt be surprising if it got GOTY

[lloyd_wonder]

Uncharted 2 definitely deserves best graphics. Goty contender for sure.

[PotNoodle]

I still think god of war 3 looks better than uncharted 2.. :p

Loved the demo on stage, my game of the show.

[chrisnick]

especially impressed with kratos character model itself.

[Aa_quib]

Just wondering, because I don't remember Sony making a note of it during their press briefing. I was under the assumption it'd be March 2010.

[gravv]

yeah i agree with omega scribblenaut is gonna be goty....
and uncharted 2 will win best graphic just like mgs 4 last year

[Counter Strike]

iTs Insane!

[LukaX23]

Wow, AWESOME list. I agree 100% with GameSpot on this one.

[Bordel_1900]

Nah, they have in the Best Graphics department Modern Warfare 2 but not God of War 3, THAT IS COMPLETELY INSANE!!! God of War 3 looks OMFG awesome!

They didn't even have GoW3 there, what's up with that Gamespot?

I mean MW2?? lol, this game look, graphically, mediocre at best.

Best graphics winner: Uncharted 2
Runners-up:
*
Assassin's Creed 2 (X360, PS3, PC)
*
Heavy Rain: The Origami Killer (PS3)
*
Modern Warfare 2 (X360, PS3, PC)
*
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction (X360, PC)

Edit: and Best Action-Adventure Game

Winner: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction? HAHAHAHAHAHA, don't make me focking laugh.

These are the runners-up:
*
Assassin's Creed 2 (X360, PS3, PC)
*
Bayonetta (X360, PS3)
*
God of War III (PS3)
*
Uncharted 2: Among Thieves (PS3)

[antoinetm]

MW2 Mediocre?? are u a clown or smthg

go play boring crisis i ll stick with MW2 anytime.

also their game of the show was weak.. im all for going against the odds to pick the best game but this choice.. hmm hmm :/

[Nathan123]

I kind of agree with Bordello. MW2 looked good, but not a great leap from MW1. GOW3 was probably the second best looking game showcased at E3 after UC2. And that too the game isn't in native 1080P yet. I am pretty sure after 9 months of polish, this game will blow anything.

I feel that GS are trying to act as diplomats here. Giving one win to each so they don't seem biased.
Even that Action game award seemed to be to suffice both sides. I mean I have seen the SCC demo shown.. It was good, but if head ripping isn't 'ACTION', then I don't get what is. The GOW3 demo was the pure definition of 'ACTION'. I think they just saw the initial part and declared the verdict. Just wait till march and then the definitive ACTION game will bomb the GODS.

[Bordel_1900]

@antoinetm

Even if Modern Warfare 2 was a graphically impressive game, God of War 3 is miles ahead anyway, and should therefor be at least nominated.

MW2 is just a minor update graphically to CoD4. If you cannot see that, then it's you who have a problem boy.

[el zorro]

You guys need to take off the fanboy goggles, or maybe it is nostalgia getting to you...in any case, God of War 3 did not look that good. It looked exactly like what you would expect a HD next generation God of War game to look like, nothing more. The textures and lighting are better, as you would expect on a next-gen console, but the animations and overall fighting mechanics looked mostly like they did last gen. Nothing mindblowing or spectacular and that is why most sites haven't given it 'best graphics'.

[antoinetm]

@ Bordello1900

I was argumenting against the fact that MW2 is mediocre because the gfx arent top notch.

I am NOT saying that its a graphical powerhouse or that it should nominated. :P

get ur facts straights

@ zorro i agree with you btw

[onanie]

zorro is the one who needs to take off his fanboy goggles. GOW3 animation is top notch (obviously better than what you can get from an FPS like MW2 :) ), and textures are excellent when viewed from a HD source.

[Bordel_1900]

@antoinetm

I never said MW2 wasn't going to be a great game, I was just talking graphics wise. Like I said: "this game looks, graphically, mediocre at best". That's maybe a little harsh, but my point was that MW2 isn't about the spectacular graphics, and still it's nominated as a game with one of the best graphics.

For all I know MW2 will be an awesome FPS, but that's not what I was talking about antoinetm.

[antoinetm]

aight aight i still think that COD4 (&6) stands its ground graphically but somehow they cheated because they probably allocated that the processing power to gfx - instead of physics which the game was lacking.

[MajesticBeast]

Scribblenauts seriously im sorry fun game by no way gots.

[The Judderman]

Uncharted and Forza i agree with. The rest not so.

[Grandizer]

I agree with you, but I have to add Mass Effect2.

In fact, it is the game of the show for me.

[majorsuave]

I have to agree with both.
Forza, Uncharted and Mass Effect all stand out above the rest.

[Arnon]

I liked IGN's more honestly...

http://games.ign.com/articl...

[maverick1191]

well cod has never been a game of graphics they focus on gameplay there graphics are mediocre at best the new cod doesnt even look mind blowing

[StanLee]

Have you been living under a rock? Graphics has been the biggest focus of fanboys this generation with gameplay a distant second. What's interesting is that both IGN and Gamespot named Uncharted 2 "Best Graphics" but it was a runner up for "Best Action Game" to Splinter Cell Conviction.

[KingKionic]

Ah splinter cell won another award. yay.

[user3915800]

360 won everything except for sonys pink dildo award.

[saimcheeda]

thats why u have no bubbles

[menoyou]

The Beatles? lol

Splinter Cell over Uncharted 2 and God of War 3? LOL

Supreme Commander 2? haha

Modern Warfare 2? lolol

None of these deserve their awards

[N2NOther]

Splinter Cell won because it's a complete re-invention of the series that unlike what was shown of it previously, looks like a game people WANT to play. Uncharted 2 looks amazing, but for all intents and purposes, it's got the exact same gampeplay as the first one, only everything is bigger. Same goes for God of War 3.

Modern Warfare 2 looks easily like the best shooter shown. But by all means, instead of you "lols" why don't you tell us what shooter looks better.

[wquach]

lol at Best Platformer going to R&C: Crack in Time. The series has certainly been some of my favorite games, but I can't say the same about the score GameSpot gave to Tools of Destruction, calling it the total opposite of what was said in the vid...perhaps redeeming themselves for the crap score they gave ToD?

[XDF]

Ratchet won by default. Can you name me another platformer on either PS3 or X360?

[andron]

These were the runner ups:
- Flip's Twisted World (WII)
- New Super Mario Bros. Wii (WII)
- Shadow Complex (X360)
- Trine (PS3, PC)

Also Mario Galaxy 2 was announced so it did have some competition, albeit weak.

I love the R/C series, so I am all aboard this decision...

[CryofSilence]

Andre Segers is still the same mouth-breather as he was before...

[gameman]

shut it bot most of the awards are for Sony and the multiple games

[chavafx]

e3 comes and we xbox360 owners have so much to chose from by quality and quantity
(best action game--splinter cell convition)on 360
(best racing game) forza motors sports 3)360 of course
(best shooter)modern war fare 2)wich xboxlive/360 controller makes it better+ 2 map packs time exclusives
(best rpg) mass effect 2)ofcourse xbox360
and every other tipe of game are on xbox360
ps3 can take best grafix but too bad grafix dont make the best fun games it can help u hype but at the end u are not the satisfied like my copy of kill zone 2 meh ofter 6 hours i go back to cod4&5

[saimcheeda]

good picks

[jixar]

it's a shame Jak and daxter never got no light in E3. its pretty similar to Ratchet and Clank and it was a great series.

[XDF]

What is up with PS3 fanboys for the past couple of years? How come it is all graphics, graphics, graphics like 24/7 a day on N4G.

I know PS1 and PS2 was not the graphics beast of their respective generation, but it has the best games, didn't it?

Wasn't KZ2 supposed to be the FPS and GOTY a few months back before it launches...because it has da best graphics??? WTF happen to KZ2?? It is not mentioned anymore..all I hear is inFamous has better graphics than prototype...Uncharted has the best graphics ever....GT5 has better graphics than Forza 3.

If graphics was the deciding factor for GOTY..GTA 3 should never win anything on PS2 because the graphics look like cr@p.

LMFAO at the graphic whores.

[Bordel_1900]

Well, the category "Best Graphics" is all about graphics.

Maybe the reason many of us PS3 guys talk about graphics is because a couple of years ago, specially here on N4G, all you focking X360 fans could talk about was how the 360 had better graphics. You talked about how the GPU in the X360 was so much better than the GPU in PS3, and you said again and again that the PS3 would never have gfx like the X360. Well, now you can eat your hat, your shoes, and your focking hearts out, because it's payback time, and the PS3 is creating some awesome graphics.

[knowledge4lfe]

somebody please tell me how mass effect 2 is an rpg?? its a shooter first, rpg ehhh, second. i mean i loved the first one, a little slow and loading was pretty sad, but over all a great game. but y is it an rpg?? cause it has slightly rpg elements. so many games now a days have rpg elements.so??