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.
Before we begin, here is some background: Our awards are given to the most impressive game in each category at this year's E3. Not necessarily the best-looking games graphically, not necessarily the most fun to play, and not necessarily the games that seem like they'll eventually be good games when they're finished. Just the games that made the best showing at the event. Also, in order to qualify for our awards, each game had to have been playable in some form--either in hands-on form on the show floor or in hands-off form in a demonstration. If a game was shown only as a trailer or if only footage was shown, it does not qualify for our awards. Finally, we picked a maximum of five finalists for each category, except for our Game of the Show award, which has a maximum of 10. We kept our finalist lists as tight as possible and recognized only those games that were impressive enough to deserve mention--it's considered an honor just to be nominated.
And now, with that out of the way, here are GameSpot's E3 2009 awards.
Best Downloadable Game
Trine
- Publisher: Nobilis
- Developer: Frozenbyte, Inc.
- Platforms: PS3, PC
- Release Date: Oct 22, 2009
It was only a few years ago that downloadable-only games were considered a novelty, with short, arcadelike games dominating most of the catalog. Even so, Trine stood above the rest with its fully realized cooperative gameplay interlaced with some of the most beautiful visuals we've seen, downloadable or not.
Beautiful...
Trine is best described as a modern take on the classic puzzle-platformer Lost Vikings. You and up to two friends can take control of a wizard, thief, and knight as you explore the game's beautifully crafted levels, working together to solve puzzles and defeat enemies. Because each character has unique powers, the efforts of all three players will be necessary to tackle the challenging--and puzzling--environments.
Apart from the beautiful graphics, what made the game stand out was just how spot-on everything was--whether it was the controls, the interactions between the three characters, or the puzzle-solving mechanics, it's clear the developers spent a lot of time refining the gameplay. As a result, Trine has the honor of being the show's Best Downloadable Game.
Finalists: Best Downloadable Game
E3 2009 Editors' Choice Finalists for Best Downloadable Game
183 comments
Although Nintendo didn't show much about Super Mario Galaxy 2 back then, I'm confident that the game was already back then ready to be shown. Gameplay will be similar to the first Super Mario Galaxy 2, with a focus on platforming based on and around 3D planets with varying sizes and landscapes.
You fanboy's are morons if you think sony had anything to do with the creation of this game... They simply paid to put it on their DLC, whereas Microsoft either didn't, or Sony paid them extra not to even offer it to Microsoft. Or are these spaces just for idiot fanboi ravings like ZOMG TY FOR A GOOD PC GAME!
ratchet and clank fcit looks sweet, (sigh) if only they also had a new SLY game. that wood cool too.
Hooray! Ratchet & Clank Future: A Crack in Time is Best Platformer, and Scribblenauts is Game of the Show?! I am a happy person. :)
I can not wait to see what Fat Princess is about, I have been hearing a lot of good stuff on it and can not wait to play it.
Can't wait for Fat Princess!!! I will probably get PixelJunk Shooter too, even though the name is totally lame. I have all their other games, and love them all, especially PixelJunk Monsters!!
For PS3 I'd rated it 9.5/10, but Microsoft was good as well, therefore an 8.5/10 for them but Nintendo's was RUBBISH!! 4/10 for THEM!!! I loved EVERYTHING announced in Sony's E3, that's the main reason.
volrath - Ghostbusters on the front page right now was reviewed on the PS3... and that's multiplat. I just think anyone who accuses GS of favouritism towards one console needs their head checking.... there are far more pressing matters to worry about in this world over which console you perceive a site to hold favour for. It's such a tiny irrelevant detail that getting worked up about it seems pointless. Just enjoy your PS3 if that's your favourite console and be done with it.
@coltfantim: Thatīs not a good reason anyway. I expect from the site objectivity, we users decide which one we prefer; but iīm not lying when i say thereīs favoritism; you canīt deny third party games that reach both consoles are reviewed first for xbox and then for ps3.
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