If you’ve followed the story of independent media outlet Second Wind even a little, then the prospect of this organization reaching a point of security and confidence enough to even host a games showcase likely comes as an impressive feat, if not necessarily a surprise. After all, we’re talking about a talented assortment of folks known for their thoughtful, even-handed coverage and love of games as an artistic and entertainment medium, called upon to help restore the reputation of once-esteemed games media site The Escapist. Had the corporate owners holding The Escapist’s purse strings not overstepped by firing editor-in-chief Nick Calandra, driving much of the staff to resign in protest, who knows what the future of The Escapist might have been? That the ex-Escapist crew are now in a place, a few years down the line, where they can comfortably offer the stage to other creatives within the industry is a magnificent sight to behold. It doesn't hurt that the resulting showcase, publ...
Rather Interesting - Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Don't care if it's "just" all the old fighters in a new package (which, as the footage made clear, it isn't). Don't care if it's functionally a high-definition port of previously-showcased Smash Bros maps, items and game mechanics. It's the biggest in scale, the largest in roster, and potentially the most ambitious in terms of detail and design.
And can we just appreciate for one goddamn second that every fighter in Smash history is coming back for this game! No question, this is awesome.
Runner-up - Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Let's Go Eevee
GAH! Your starter Pokemon follows your player character outside of its Pokeball. You catch wild Pokemon not by battling it, but with luring it and carefully tossing Pokeballs a la Pokemon Go. All of the original 150 Pokemon, rendered as 3D models, in what appears to be a lovely recreation of the Kanto region.
Okay, I dig where this is going. The Pokeball accessory for the Switch is a nice touch.
Has Potential - Super Mario Party
Nintendo lost me after Mario Party 8 proved a lukewarm mix of infuriatingly random board mechanics and hit-and-miss motion control gimmickry, so I didn't experience first-hand the anguish many got from playing later titles. Replacing individual movement with a group vehicle doesn't seem like a great decision, though.
That said, Super Mario Party promising to return to older styles of play - characters move on their own again - and boasting some rather enticing mini-games certainly is cause for hope. I'll be ecstatic if this turns out to be a winner in the making.
Runner-up - Daemon X Machina
There's something to the eccentric off-brand Gundam vibe of this mech combat game that I'm kind of intrigued by, even while acknowledging that very little of substance was shown. Could be neat, need to see more of the game in action.
Not Especially Impressive - Fire Emblem: Three Houses
People seem to really get something out of the relationship sim/strategy game blend inherent to Fire Emblem, and I... really wish I was one such person. The games just consistently look like competent but unexciting medieval anime fare from where I sit, and Three Houses looks to be a more polished and expansive expression of that.
Runner-up - The laundry list of Switch Ports & Exclusives
Some of 'em look good, Mega Man 11 gives me warm feelings and Overcooked! 2 seems pleasant... but many of these titles are/will be available elsewhere OR are not necessarily sufficient as system sellers (for me, I stress). Sorry.
Special Honours
Most Gloriously Absurd Moment - The Panda-led Just Dance 2019 parade
Most Adorable Moment of Developer Sweetness - "We Nailed It!"
The "League of its Own" Award for Best Straddling of the Fine Line Between Weird and Awesome - Death Stranding
The "Enduring Respect" Award for Continued Support of Physical Releases - Limited Run Games
The "Astounding Piss-take" Award for Sheer Brazen Nerve - Devolver Digital
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