Traditionally E3 has been the the be-all and end-all of gaming shows, a place that drew huge crowds, lots of flashy booths, and a ton of great games. Last year, the ESA toned down the show, going to an invite-only model and moved it to Santa Monica. For 2008, the invite-only model remained, although the show was moved back to downtown Los Angeles.
And alas, it was a quiet show. Well, if you don't count one of the best game lineups we've ever seen. Which leads to our annual E3 awards; a collection of the standout games of the event. Our team scoured the show floor and held private meetings in search of the best games of the event, and we're finally ready to unveil our findings.
It was a tough decision this year, but we decided to include external events into the rankings for the first time. We saw a large number of games during our various off-site meetings during the week, where we were given hands-on time with games not available in the pavillion or private meeting rooms.
Our awards are presented among four major categories, Special Achievement, Genre, Platform, and Overall Game of the Show. Lets get started.
Best Trailer
Game trailers build excitement, derive interest, and often have a sense of humour. They tell a story, demonstrate technical prowess, or simply show off the artistic style of a game.
And The Winner Is...
Bethesda's upcoming Fallout 3 presented the game in a stylish way, and injected a keen sense of humour into a post-apocalyptic scenario. From the opening moments with the classic 1950s style and the upbeat music, to a post-nuclear wasteland that isn't far behind, it just makes you want to become part of the story.
Honourable Mentions:
- Gears of War 2
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- I Am Alive
- Mirror's Edge
- M.A.G.
Best Graphics
Graphics can really be broken down into two ways of thinking, artistic and technical achievement. The best games have a common blend of the two, pushing the boundaries and showing off a level of realism that we've never seen before. Our winner this year has done just that.
And The Winner Is...
Remember the pre-rendered Killzone 2 trailer from E3 2006? Remember how everyone said the final product would never look as good? Well skeptics, you were wrong. Killzone 2 is a visual masterpiece that looks as close as humanly possible to those flashy trailers, and is quite possibly one of the most visually stunning games we've ever seen.
Honourable Mentions:
- Crysis: Warhead
- Mirror's Edge
- Resident Evil 5
- Flower
Best Audio
In the past, audio has been a very difficult category to judge, given the noisy show floor. This year, we were able to spend a lot more time with each game, and actually hear them clearly for the first time.
Audio is a cornerstone for total immersion in the game experience, a combination of music, voice acting, and sound effects. As graphical prowess continues to move forward, audio technology is getting better every day as well, and developers are finding new ways to create real-life environments through sound.
And The Winner Is...
You're running for cover and yelling at your squadmates for backup, while bullets richochet off nearby structures. You've entered Hell's Highway. The latest Brothers in Arms game not only creates an outstanding environment, the team at Gearbox have brought it to life through their superb use of sound effects and voice acting.
Honourable Mentions:
- Fallout 3
- Silent Hill: Homecoming
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- Rock Band 2
- Guitar Hero: World Tour
Biggest Surprise
Every year we are blown away by something at E3, whether it's a major announcement, a technology demonstration, or simply a title that we didn't expect to see at the show. This year was no different.
And The Winner Is...
After the twenty minute demonstration of Red Faction: Guerrilla, the looks on our faces could only be described by one word: disbelief. Not necessarily at the depth or story behind the game, but of the technical marvel of the destruction engine. Every structure is destructable, and use buildings as a weapon against your foes by taking out key supports. And it's not a tacky gimmick, it's truly a wonder to watch in action.
Honourable Mentions:
- Revival of the Tecmo Bowl Franchise
- POSTAL III Makes an Appearance
- The New Xbox 360 Experience
- Dynamic Fire in Far Cry 2
- Final Fantasy XIII on the Xbox 360
- Wii MotionPlus
Best Action Game
Guns, swords, combat, and general mayhem. Also known as the Action Genre, one of the most popular across all platforms and always a very competitive category in these awards.
And The Winner Is...
While it was a close fight, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed exceeded all of our expectations, and playing it was one of the most enjoyable experiences we had at the show. The controls are slick and very responsive, and frankly speaking one will never get tired of slamming stormtroopers against walls at will. Top notch.
Honourable Mentions:
- Prince of Persia
- Resident Evil 5
- LEGO Batman
- Gears of War 2
- Red Faction: Guerrilla
Best Driving Game
With such a large number of driving games available on the various platforms, the genre seems to have taken a back seat at this year's show. With that said however, from the small selection was a handful of outstanding titles.
And The Winner Is...
MotorStorm is back for another spin around the track, and it's looking better then ever. The new setting makes the game feel very different then it's predecessor, a new experience and just as gorgeous.
Honourable Mentions:
- Pure
- Wheelman
- RACE Pro
Best Fighting Game
The fighting game as a genre has been around almost as long as there has been gaming. The idea of a one on one battle of fists and fury is one as timeless as pixels themselves. Despite the advances in video game technology, there are few simpler pleasures in gaming as a one on one fighting game.
And The Winner Is...
Street Fighter IV emerged as our best fighting game of show unscathed with a perfect two round victory. SF IV has reimagined the series with fantastic graphics and new technologies while retaining the feel, and more importantly, the soul of the series that put fighting games on the map.
Honourable Mentions:
- Soulcalibur IV
- Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe
Best First Person Shooter
It’s a crowded market for what is unarguably the most popular genre on the market today. With so many different choices and offerings out there, it can be tough to figure out which titles are explosive, and which ones don’t amount to a pile of empty shell cases.
And The Winner Is...
It was a very close firefight, but the combination of real life tactics and adrenaline pumping action of Hell’s Highway made it our winner for best FPS of show. Throw in some amazing graphics and audio, and you have a game that will have you shell-shocked faster than you can say “Mein Leiben!”
Honourable Mentions:
- Left 4 Dead
- Far Cry 2
- Operation Flashpoint 2
- Killzone 2
- Resistance 2
- Project Origin
- Borderlands
Best Puzzle Game
The puzzle genre is one of a few that's accessible to everyone, young and old, hardcore and casual gamers. It's also one of the oldest genre of computer games, and something you'll find on every platform, from PC to handheld, to console and arcade.
And The Winner Is...
Flock was one of Capcom's "super secret" announcements at E3 this year, and we weren't quite sure what to expect. In fact, Flock is an extremely addictive and simple puzzler, essentially you take the helm of a flying saucer with the task of abducting farm animals. This is done by hearding them into the mothership, with a combination of weaponry to complete the task. A cute and entertaining game that really surprised us.
Honourable Mentions:
- Puzzle Quest: Galactix
- Braid
Best Role Playing Game
How does one determine a great RPG? Is it an entertaining combat system? A fantastic storyline? Great presentation? All of our nominees for RPG of show featured all of these elements and more.
And The Winner Is...
Bethesda Softworks has gone above and beyond the call of duty with Fallout 3, ensuring that it is so much more than Oblivion with guns and a post apocalyptic setting. The combat system is fast paced and elegant, which will appeal to both FPS fans and the most demanding RPG aficionado. This game will be at the top of many a “nuclear bunker” lists.
Honourable Mentions:
- Chrono Trigger DS
- Rise of the Argonauts
- Fable 2
Best MMO
We promise that we will get through this award description without mentioning World of Warcr… err, that really popular MMO with Orcs in it. The MMO is one of the fastest growing genres in the world, enslaving countless masses in its social-life destroying claws. What upcoming addiction will the masses flock to next?
And The Winner Is...
Why wander an endless countryside slaughtering local wildlife when you can fly around from galaxy to galaxy in a space fighter? Jumpgate Evolution turns the traditional MMO on its ear with an intriguing premise and retina searing graphics. It's one of the most promising MMO's we've seen in a long time, although no word on a release date as of yet.
Honourable Mentions:
- Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning
- The Agency
Best Music Game
The music genre is no longer just a fad, but rather a cold war in which every publisher is stockpiling features for an all out battle for your plastic guitar strumming dollars. With so many options and so little room for plastic drum kits, which music game at E3 truly rocked our socks off?
And The Winner Is...
While Guitar Hero played second fiddle to Rock Band last year, it came back with a rocking vengeance with World Tour. In addition to adding more instruments, the game has introduced a studio mode that allows wanna-be rockers to create their own tunes. How long until actual instruments are rendered obsolete? If Activision has their way, it’ll be by this fall.
Honourable Mentions:
- Rock Band 2
- Wii Music
Best Simulation
In the past few years we've seen the number of simulations dwindle, previously a staple on the PC gaming platform. Often a cross-genre between driving, flight, or life, it's often a challenge in the modern gaming world to class a game as a 'simulation'. And yet, among the crowd of games at E3 this year, it wasn't possible to overlook the winner of this category, as it's size and scope is beyond what we've ever seen in a game before.
And The Winner Is...
While Spore is more of a nontraditional simulation (many class it as a strategy game), it's as close to a real-life simulation as anything we've ever seen. In a game where you can go back to the evolutionary roots of a species, and allow them to breed, grow and form societies, it would have been impossible to select anything other then Spore for this award.
Honourable Mentions:
- Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X.
- RACE Pro
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Best Sports Game
Unfortunately, many of the sports franchises have become a cycle of rinse and repeat year over year. And while this was unfortunately true with a few games we saw at E3 this year, there was also a handful of truly innovative or extremely enjoyable sports games as well.
And The Winner Is...
Fencing, frisbee, jet skiing, among over a half dozen other games in a successor to what made the Wii platform so popular. Tack on Wii MotionPlus (which amps up the motion sensing) and you've got one of the most entertaining sports games we've played in a long time.
Honourable Mentions:
- NHL 2K9
- Tecmo Bowl DS
- Mario Super Sluggers
Best Strategy Game
For those who prefer a more cerebral and tactical edge to their gaming, nothing beats a great strategy title. From commanding marines to dominating fantastic worlds, there’s good reason the genre has been so successful for so long. Which eye-in-the-sky, strategic title took home our best of E3 award?
And The Winner Is...
PC gamers may scoff at a game that relies on a controller to command massive armies, but we’re here to tell you that Ensemble studios has somehow pulled it off. Halo Wars’ control scheme allows for lots of options while feeling natural and efficient. It also helps that the game looks great while retaining that unmistakeable Halo spirit.
Honourable Mentions:
- Tom Clancy's Endwar
- Defendin' de Penguin
- Robocalypse
- Empire: Total War
Best DS Game
The DS is a unique gaming system, capable of gameplay elements unseen on any other system. The DS had an excellent line up of games at this year’s E3, and has not left a single doubt in anyone's mind about the future of the DS, which appears very bright indeed.
And The Winner Is...
While the graphics remain unchanged from the Super Nintendo classic, it’s gameplay holds up to this day as one of the best RPGs of all time. After a lousy PS1 port, it’s refreshing to see this masterpiece get updated for a new generation to enjoy and experience, now with touch screen controls.
Honourable Mentions:
- Tecmo Bowl DS
- Rhythm Heaven
Best PSP Game
The PSP’s presence at this year’s E3 was not as prevalent as in years past, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t any worthwhile games on the show floor for Sony’s powerful little handheld. In fact, all the titles below show that there remains untapped potential for the PSP yet.
And The Winner Is...
The best PSP game of show was not one with flashy graphics, intense action, or a riveting storyline. Rather, our choice for game of show is a port of a little flash game that could. N+ provides addictive run and jump action that will keep you hooked for five minutes or hours at a time. N+ is everything that a portable should be, fun on the go, and exactly what the system needs.
Honourable Mentions:
- Resistance: Retribution
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- LEGO Batman
Best Wii Game
Hold on to your Wii-motes, because your arms are about to get a real workout. With the addition of the MotionPlus attachment for the Wii-mote, the casual gaming console is poised to sell enough units to buy a small country by this time next year. All of the titles below will be leading Nintendo’s charge for that goal.
And The Winner Is...
The original Wii Sports was (quite literally) a system seller, it was the first game that demonstrated the capabilities of the new Wii controller. Nintendo is preparing a sequel, set in a beach resort the game will emphasize a series of different activities, from fencing to frisbee. Combined with the new Wii MotionPlus accessory to improve the Wii-mote motion sensing, this will be a must have on the platform when it ships in the middle of next year.
Honourable Mentions:
- NHL 2K9
- MadWorld
- Mario Super Sluggers
Best Xbox 360 Game
First out of the gate, the Xbox 360 has enjoyed success with several high profile console exclusives. Not only does it have the most popular online service of the three with Xbox Live and a new interface overhaul on the way, but the platform is also packed with a handful of fantastic upcoming exclusive (or time-limited exclusive) games.
And The Winner Is...
Fable is one of the original Xbox's most popular RPG's, and while it may not have lived up to the overly high expectations, it was a very solid game that still has a popular fan base. The sequel will further expand upon the offerings of the first, including the ability to raise a family, character expressions, and other elements typically reserved for more of the lifestlyle genre. As well, you'll discover a host of new online offerings with the ability to morph in and out of the online world at will.
Honourable Mentions:
- Rock Band 2
- Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts
- Gears of War 2
Best PlayStation 3 Game
After a rocky start, the PlayStation 3 seems poised to take the gaming world by storm. It all begins with an astounding line up of games that would make any gamer salivate in anticipation. It seems like that ten year plan Sony was talking about is finally coming to fruition, and the proof is listed in our nominees.
And The Winner Is...
Forget for a moment that Killzone 2 is the most gorgeous game we’ve ever laid eyes on, and you’re still left with a shooter that is eyeball meltingly intense and controls so polished that your controller will give off a glare. Killzone left the competition in its dust, and was an no-brainer selection for our PS3 game of show.
Honourable Mentions:
- Resistance 2
- M.A.G.
- LittleBigPlanet
Best PC Game
While the PC as a games platform has been losing market share to the consoles for the last few years, that isn't to say it's dead at all. In fact, the PC gaming community is still very much alive, as many genres of games simply don't translate well into the consoles (notably MMO's, simulations, and traditionally complicated real-time strategy games). This year we saw a wealth of PC games, and selected the winner that best makes use of the platform.
And The Winner Is...
While this one will be coming to the Xbox 360 as well, Valve's titles have always best been played on a PC. Left 4 Dead is no exception to this rule, a multiplayer co-operative horror based FPS built on the Source engine. Teamwork is the key to success in this zombie infested world, where players work together through a dynamic environment where the AI is regularily balancing the enemies based on mood and your success. An action packed good time indeed.
Honourable Mentions:
- Far Cry 2
- Spore
Game of the Show
This is it, the award that you've been waiting for. Our overall best of show for E3 2008.
And The Winner Is...
It took a heated debate, but Fallout 3 came out on top of our awards this year. Not only does the game stay true to the original Fallout and Fallout 2, it goes above and beyond what we could have ever expected. While Oblivion was an outstanding game, Bethesda has taken that engine and morphed it into something completely different, cranking up the visual detail, introduced an entirely new combat system, and produced a game that will please both the action and RPG fans alike. Fallout 3 is a must have when it releases this fall.
Runner Up:
Combine real life tactics and squad based action into an extremely realistic environment, and you've got Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway. Through the use of superb visual and audio effects, you'll find yourself immersed in the game, a standout performer and very close runner up in our Best of E3 awards. Gearbox is nearly finished this third installment of the franchise, and we can't wait to get our hands on it later this year.
Honourable Mentions:
- Killzone 2
- Resident Evil 5
- Prince of Persia
- Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
- Wii Sports Resort
- Fable 2
That concludes our awards from this year's E3 Media and Business Summit. Having checked out over a hundred games during the course of the show, we picked our favourites, and we'd love to hear your thoughts. Drop us a comment and tell us what you think.
