E3 2004: Sony's Shockers, Stunners, & Surprises

Another E3 has come, and another E3 has gone. With the hype for the event far outstretching the actual show, E3 regardless is the biggest gaming show each and every year, as all game publishers and hardware makers blow their load over the course of one week, trying to outdo each other. This year's E3 is no different Ц and in this specific case of the PlayStation 2, Sony is doing what's needed to outstrip their competition, as well as attempt to break into an area of gaming that's long been lacking serious conflict. From portable systems, price drops, and fresh looks to classic franchises, PS2 owners and Sony fans in general have nothing at all to complain about, as this E3 had more than enough good stuff to satisfy any gamer. The following are 5 of the biggest announcements and/or realizations of the Sony side of the Electronic Entertainment Expo for 2004.

As expected, Sony unveiled their brand new baby, PlayStation Portable, best known as PSP. In a market long dominated by Nintendo, portable gaming is a risky proposition, and Sony is going at it the right way by avoiding direct competition with the Game Boy Ц instead, creating a piece of electronics that is wholly focused on great gaming, but has numerous extra parts to target the mobile gaming audience in ways they haven't yet imagined. So while Sony touted the ability to play movies on their proprietary UMD software, as well as listen to music, they put emphasis on gaming, and with 100 publishers backing up Sony's portable console, that seems to be a truthful statement.

While most early announcements have been existing PS2 franchises like NBA/NFL Street, and mobile versions of games like Wipeout, Gran Turismo 4, and Twisted Metal, the biggest early title discussed is Metal Gear Acid, the latest in the legendary Metal Gear franchise. What's astounding about the PSP software isn't really who's on board, but the demonstrated power of the system. With a graphic engine that equals, if not surpasses the PS2, the PSP is practically guaranteed to be the single most powerful portable console ever devised. There is only one concern Ц price. As Sony did not reveal the cost of the PSP at retail, speculation is abound, especially with the СSwiss Army Knife' feel of the system. The hope is that it goes no more than $200 Ц any higher and they'll price themselves right out of the market, especially with the equally interesting Nintendo DS coming around in the same time frame. No matter what, however, the PSP is a portable system to watch, as it looks to be unlike anything currently available.

In a move that surprised no one, Sony officially dropped the price of it's PlayStation 2 console to $149, equaling the price of Microsoft's Xbox. Oddly, this applies to both the stand-alone model, as well as the PS2 Online Pack that includes a Network Adaptor and ATV Offroad Fury 2. My best guess is Sony plans to clear out the basic PS2 model, and only sell the online package Ц though in that case, I'd figure Sony'd drop the basic PS2 to $129, a move that might have been impossible for Microsoft to match at this point in time. Either way, those waiting for a PS2 drop will be pleased, with this $30 price break.

Rockstar Games knows how to conduct hype around their games, that's for sure. On the first day of E3, Rockstar revealed the first three screens of the latest entry into the Grand Theft Auto franchise, San Andreas. Later on, the revealed the first snippets of the story and gave a general outlook of what to expect. Playing as Carl Johnson in the early 1990's, the idea is akin to Vice City Ц get revenge on those who've deceived him, and take over the city. Nothing out of the ordinary, aside from the possible controversy over CJ being a black lead character. It shouldn't even be an issue, but this is 21^st century America Ц you just know some BS is going to come from this. Of course, it's sure to carry the trademark GTA satire, which means it'll be tongue in cheek the whole way through.

The stunner though? San Andreas is not a mere city, rather a whole state, with three major cities the size of Liberty/Vice (based on LA, San Fran, and Vegas) and small towns/countryside in-between to visit. The thought of GTA: SA being numerous times larger than either GTA III or Vice City is astounding (especially since Rockstar said it couldn't get much bigger than that unless there was a massive innovation in streaming technology Ц musta found it), and I can't wait to see how it all works. As long as they don't make it as painfully boring and lifeless as the huge True Crime: Streets of LA, the enhancement of San Andreas to be larger than any GTA seen before is a welcome addition and one that should add hours of playtime.

ЕAnd it's a major change from the norm. Since FFXII has been announced, nobody knew what to expect of the battle system, especially seeing as the team behind the quirky but creative Vagrant Story was behind the latest entry into the mega-franchise. They promised something unique, and something you'd not expect from Final Fantasy. Now, however, we know. ATB? Nope. CTB? Nope. Traditional turn-based? Bzzt, guess again. If you said Сreal time, no random battles', you're our winner! That's right, FFXII will eliminate the random encounters and traditional FF battle systems for a more western feel (and you thought I was full of shit when I said FFX-2 was the first major step in bringing western RPG traits to Final Fantasy). Instead, it will be more like Final Fantasy XI, where all combat takes place in real time, and functions like a multi-character version of Square's MMORPG. A new Сgambit' system lets you program different styles to characters you're not playing as at the moment, to better strategize a big battle, rather than pausing and setting things up (which will be how you plan battles normally, sort of like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic). There's no glass breaking and transition to a different screen Ц it all happens in real time, like a traditional action game. There's not even post-battle posing, and Victory Fanfare is notably absent after winning. An experiment? Indeed. The controversy is sure to brew high from now until it releases sometime in 2005.

Obviously, this is going to cause a lot of controversy, seeing how turn-based, random encounters have been prevalent since the very first FF game (and personally, I've never had trouble with the turn-based play, the system has always emphasized smart, strategic play of wits rather than reflexes, though random battles can be a pain in the ass). But this is Square, a company that's taken a lot of risks this generation and has pulled them off splendidly, with a quirky spin-off sequel, a wholly online creation, and now, the last bastion of old-time Final Fantasy, the elimination of random battles and the creation of real-time fighting. It's jarring to imagine, but I can't possibly see it as a bad thing. We'll know for sure when the final game reaches US shoresЕsomedayЕwhenever that may be.

So, all right, this is a personal vendetta (if this was one of your favorite video games of all time, you'd feel my pain too). While we're talking Final Fantasy, it's a disappointment that Square Enix has failed to make any sort of announcement about the release of the Last Mission expansion of Final Fantasy X-2, the 20 some-odd hour action RPG that not only wraps the game up the way it should but gives FFX-2 whores a chance to play as their favorite YRP member one last time. Alas, it seems that Square has no interest in releasing this here, effectively flipping off US FFX-2 fans in the process. Sure, I already know what goes down, how it ends, etc, but it's only fair to give those who've bought FFX and FFX-2 (the millions of us, after all) the actual ending of this game (I already paid $25 for a copy of the import soundtrack, that's how much I'd like to play this in English), without having to spend $300 on an import PS2 and a copy of the game, along with a translation guide to know what the hell is going on. With FFXII delayed until who knows when, why not give FF fans something to do in the meantime, other than salivating for the FFXI expansion, Chains of Promathia? Sounds like a fair trade to me. At the least, Squeegienix, put some of this in the Greatest Hit release of the standard FFX-2. It's the least you can do for the millions who've spent their hard earned $50 on your software previously.

Final Thoughts
This year's E3 was one of the best ones in a while Ц all the various publishers and hardware makers pulled out all the stops, giving everyone plenty of games to choose from. The PS2 didn't have many outrageous announcements or runaway surprises, but instead, a good, solid E3 that showed tons of games, many of which show serious promise. A couple disappointments were found, and some surprise twists to famous franchises were uncovered, and one company saw fit to use E3 to show nothing, but instead attempt to steal the spotlight from what was at the show. And with a new price for the PS2, and new portable hardware down the line, it looks like Sony is serious about holding its lead in the game industry, and not rolling over for Microsoft or Nintendo. As next year will unquestionably show the next-generation hardware, this E3 will be remembered purely for the games, and the rebirth of competitive portable gaming hardware (the Game Gear has been dead how long??). And without games, why bother playing?