E3 2018, Day Two: The Microsoft Conference

It was better than EA's show by a lot. Oliver Campbell's summary works for me:

Microsoft out here reloading its fucking arms like Henry Cavill

1. All games, no bullshit
2. Shit people actually wanted to hear about
3. CUPHEAD SALT
4. DO YOU GUYS HAVE BATTLETOADS

Like... well then. GOOD JOB MICROSOFT. I'm actually impressed this year.

— Oliver Campbell (@oliverbcampbell) June 10, 2018

I can tell the general trend of my takes thusly: if there is more storytelling than gameplay, then the game is shit. Also, this being Xbox, I can safely wait for everything to come out on PC sooner or later. If you missed it, here;s the Metro City Boys' take:

Summaries:

• PUBG: That's bullshot footage. It's still unfinished, so fuck this pile of crap.
• Ori 2: So far, looks like the Steam version will sell well, and is exactly what folks want- more of the same, with one new widget.
• DMC 5: Not feeling it.
• Gears 5: Gynos of War can get the fuck out. Gears Mobile can get the fuck out. Gears Tactics? Holding judgement.
• Battlefield 5: Still Hard Pass.
• Jump Force: The crossover game that will make all the money, just not on this platform.
• Dying Light: Will be fun to watch Oliver plat that shit.
• Metro Exodus: Interested.
• CP 2077: I played this over 20 years ago, as a tabletop RPG. CP Projekt nails the aethetics; gameplay--the important part--remains to be seen, and I expect Maximum Mike to be hauled out to shill it next year.
• Fallout 76: Cautious.
• Forza 4: Go call up The Grand Tour, make a deal, and get the boys into the game already.
• Kingdom Hearts 3: Don't care.
• Just Cause 4: See Dying Light.
• Battletoads: The hype is real. RIP Gamestop employees.

Unlike last year, I'm doing each conference as a separate post, so expect two more today and a few more tomorrow.

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