Outside of the Prince of Persia and Assassin’s Creed franchises, I’m not exactly what you’d call a “fan” of Ubisoft. In fact, the Tom Clancy games (with all their various IPs) were so ubiquitous at one point, that I just wanted them to all go away, since it was just one slightly-different action shooter after another. Much like Electronic Arts, however, my perspective on them has changed significantly, as Ubisoft became the unexpected winner of E3’s first day, in my opinion, even in spite of the incredible Star Wars: The Old Republic trailer (which was easily the most exciting moment of the day).
Ubisoft made an unexpected and daring move by opening their press conference with the debut of Child of Eden, the follow-up to cult classic shooter Rez, which has the distinction of being the first game for the 360’s Kinect that managed to actually impress. I have to give major kudos to Ubisoft for leading off with a title that was so far removed from their usual lineup of games, and from a Japanese developer, no less. I’m still not sure if Kinect will be anything more than a $150 device used for playing Child of Eden, but the game was so impressive that it might not even have to be.
Then, Ubisoft stayed strong by showing of the surprising Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. When I first heard that an Assassin’s Creed II spinoff was going to be announced, I was a bit worried that Ubisoft might be stretching one of their key properties a bit too thin, but with the announcement that the game’s focus would be on multiplayer, I walked away from the presentation of the game much more impressed than I would have ever thought possible.
The press conference then sailed into more mainstream waters with Shaun White Skateboarding. I hate Shaun White, and everything he stands for (get a haircut!), but the fact that the game’s landscape changes as you perform tricks left me a little intrigued. I really do think I’d be excited about this game if they removed all traces of Shaun White from it completely.
Ubisoft then went off the rails completely, showing a Lazer Tag-esque light gun game that I’m pretty sure isn’t really a game. It’s just a rehash of the 1980’s Lazer Tag toys with software. Still, it looks like fun.
It was at this point, Ubisoft began to lose some steam, continuing to show not-really-games by introducing Innergy, a game that’s supposed to help you relax through … breathing exercises. I’m sure the “casual” market will eat that with a spoon, but since I’m not a 50 year-old soccer mom, I’m moving on.
Speaking of the casuals, there was also a Wii Sports copycat for Kinetic, a Wii Fit copycat that was already shown at the Microsoft press conference, and a new Raving Rabbids game. Next, please.
You remember how I said I wanted all the Tom Clancy games to just go away? I’m a bit chagrined to say that Ghost Recon: Future Soldier impressed the hell out of me. It added optical camouflage and other high-tech weaponry to give the game a very Metal Gear Solid 4 look and feel to it. There’s a moment at the 63:30 mark of the presentation that shows the player sneaking up on a soldier, shooting him in the back of the head, then supporting his body while a guard passes, so his comrade’s death goes unnoticed. Badass. Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, please accept my sincerest apologies, as well as my $5 preorder.
Ubisoft then showed off the new Driver game, which should please fans of the franchise, to whom the game is clearly targeted towards, but after GR:FS and EA’s presentation of Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit, I was a little underwhelmed.
Project Dust, meet Fable III. Fable III, meet Project Dust- I’m not talking about him, either.
Rather than ending with a band, Ubisoft’s E3 press conference ended mostly with a whimper, showing off three previously-unannounced games. The first of which was a new Rayman title, and one that was actually a proper platformer. The new game promises to allow players to essentially make their own games, which I imagine is a move designed to compete with the PlayStation-exclusive Little Big Planet series. The game does, however, manage to look promising.
The second game was the follow-up to something nobody remembers. Remember Trackmania? Don’t worry, even I only barely remember. It was a PC racing game that allowed players to create and share tracks. Well, many years later, Ubisoft has taken that concept and is launching a new PC game platform called Mania Planet, which allows you to make and edit FPS games, racers, and RPGs. Like the new Rayman title, this has promise.
The last game they announced, however, has far less promise …
A Michael Jackson dancing game. Thanks, but no.
Still, a surprisingly strong showing from Ubisoft, who, if they deliver on the potential they showed today, just might have a new fan.