E3 2004: Microsoft Booth

Halo 2
Apparently, this "Halo 2" game was some sort of hot title at E3. So, we decided to describe its multiplayer mode in detail here. It seems that the game is so big that it gets its own page. Go figure.

Fable
The title that claims to be the best RPG ever, Fable should need no introduction, as it was present at last year's E3. I did get to play a few stages, however, and was impressed by the freedom, both in combat and interaction with NPCs. One stage that I played was a town that showcased the way your character could communicate with others. It was fun to see, but hard to really get into without a story. It was much easier to appreciate the combat scheme, which allows you to perform combos effortlessly. Although the verdict is still out on whether Fable will be the greatest RPG ever, I'd be willing to wager that it will be one of the best titles of 2004.

Forza Motorsport
Project Gotham Racing and its sequel gave us arcade racing with real cars. RalliSport Challenge and its sequel gave us rally racing with real cars. Forza Motorsport will finally give us realistic racing with real cars and fill the gap in which Xbox gamers could only turn to PS2's Gran Turismo series previously. It's about time another first-party publisher directly challenged Sony's simulation racer and since Forza will offer fully car customization, a complete line of licensed vehicles, and online play through Xbox Live, Microsoft may be the company that shifts the Gran Turismo series down a gear or two. I haven't seen a console racer with more gorgeous graphics than this one, and yet it's still months from completion. Could Forza Motorsport cause me to think about Gran Turismo 4 no more? It's not likely. One thing I am certain about is that I'll be thinking about GT less now that I'm more tuned into FM as well.

MechAssault 2: Lone Wolf
If there was one incentive to buy the Xbox Live Starter Kit, it was MechAssault from Microsoft and Day 1 Studios. Like many Live gamers, I have since moved on to other online-enabled titles, only to dabble in MA matches from time to time. However, the game still remains one my favorite on Xbox Live and its sequel is only seems more engrossing. Lone Wolf improves upon the online mech battles and more specifically, your abilities as a pilot outside of the mech. This is how you begin and since you're in an exposed, weak state, it might be how your game ends as well. So it's a good idea to hop into a vehicle right away. Whenever you feel like occupying another mech, for reasons that range from seeing a better one to finding your current is about to blow up, you can quickly exit. From here, you're able to climb into a new vehicle or jack another that's being occupied. As you can imagine, the exciting your mech provides a new strategy for the sequel and makes it a game you must take online the minute you buy it. Lone Wolf won't release until January, but it's already looking like one of Xbox's best, in terms of both visuals and online features.

Jade Empire
It could be called the unofficial, chronologically displaced sequel to Knights of the Old Republic. It could be called a martial arts RPG. It can even be called a strange and seminal game, but it can't be called a bad idea. Jade Empire is shaping up quite nicely, with graphics and environments that are evocative of KoTOR, but much better. The biggest question that gamers have about Jade Empire is the battle system, which will incorporate real time fighting mixed with weaponry, magic, and the ability to transform into defeated gods. I had initial doubts about the battle system, but after trying it, I honestly became more excited about this game. The fighting is fluid, and the ability to change fighting styles on the fly make an already dynamic fighting system into a welcome replacement for the standard turn based battles that RPGs dole out regularly.

Conker: Live and Reloaded
I remember Conker's Bad Fur Day as the final great N64 game to own and as the one Rareware title that didn't receive enough attention. But Conker's potential as a mature mascot wasn't buried alongside the N64 and it wasn't left behind when Rare moved to Microsoft. Instead, the developer is creating a brand new Conker game for Xbox. Although Conker: Live and Reloaded was in playable form as a multiplayer demo at E3 2003, the game was too early to evaluate. The same can't be said about Conker's more complete showing at E3 2004, which was again in multiplayer form. The focuses this time was on team-based action and teamwork scenarios along with abilities to occupy tanks and helicopters and shell the stuffing out of enemy Teddies. A total of 16 players, either offline or online, can participate in this frag-filled platform mode that's not unlike the one planned for Ratchet & Clank 3. Just don't expect the two games to share similar jokes. These squirrels don't play nice when it comes to dirty humor and naughty language, nothing like you'll hear from Ratchet & Clank, Jak and Daxter, and especially Mario. Conker may not be as big of a name as these gaming characters, but his mature attitude is a switch from the mainstream mascot, which means Rare's sequel could sound enough alarms to attract grown-up gamers (as well as concerned parents).

The women of Dead or Alive belong online, but not in any sleazy pictorial. Instead, Tecmo is taking the girls into the era of online gaming via Xbox Live. Dead or Alive Ultimate is a combination of the original DOA game and its sequel, Dead or Alive 2, each now playable online. Although the first Dead or Alive game remains the same as its days on Sega Saturn, DOA 2 takes on a graphics overhaul and a new set of game features. So, expect new costumes, cut-scenes, and expanded arenas along with these classic beauties that begin kicking butt in the summer.

Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict
For the gamers that purchased Unreal II: The Awakening for Xbox never fear, the true Unreal Championship sequel is here. The Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict isn't coming from the PC as some cheap port, but rather being developed for the Xbox console just likes its predecessor. However, unlike the original, UC enables players to switch into a third-person perspective. This is used to perform spiraling jumps and to see close-combat action in which it would be more difficult in the first-person view. It also allows players to equip and use a melee weapon in the game, which automatically takes them out of the first-person perspective. Besides cool new melee weapons, there's also new guns, but you'll be limited on how many you can store this time around to make things more practical. Afterall, I only stuck with two or three guns in the last game depending on the situation. Players have the option of switching between weapons after killing off an enemy, much like in Halo, so there's a bit more incentive to choosing your victim. Just be sure you're not the victim of some one else's sniper rifle headshot and you should be good. While UC2 won't be in stores until the end of the year, it's already looking quite impressive with in its third-person perspective and jumping or performing melee attacks in that view makes Unreal Championship 2 seems like an all-new experience.

OutRun 2, Sega's sequel to its arcade racing classic, is on its way to Xbox and was playable at E3 2004. So, I took the demo for a spin while at the Sega booth and I experienced a fast-placed game much like the original, except with super-rich Xbox visuals included. Although I tested out other titles in which simulation racing only accelerated in visuals and arcade racing only translated into speed, OutRun 2 was combination of the two aspects. Its race against the clock mode was impressive looking, which is unlike the lot of arcade racers that conserve detail due to a fear of a reduced framerate. I had that fire engine-red Ferrari going over 250mph and the chick in the passenger set screaming for more. That is, until I crashed the car a couple of times in the process. No worries, though, as the Ferrari its all on the Xbox, the console Sega seems to releasing OutRun 2 onto exclusively. While we don't have a specific release date set in stone, let's just hope other promising features such as competitive arcade racing with eight players over Xbox Live remains concrete.