Microsoft hosted a press conference on 20th Aug, highlighting their new console Xbox One, with a torrent of information regarding their new policies, exclusives, games and features.
They also showcased a world premiere of Call of Duty: Ghost multiplayer. Their presence on the show floor is spanned over in nearly half of the massive Halls 06.01 and 05.02. Dead Rising 3, FIFA 14, Ryse, Halo, Forza 5, Peggle 2, Killer Instinct, Ascend all have booths each with long lines of hopeful participants waiting hours for playing just few minutes of their favorite games .
Dead Rising 3 did not have a playable demo, but a guided demo tour instead, where you can sit and hear the developer present with you and watch him play though a level.
He showcased the new crafting system, where you can mix and match different objects around to make a deadly weapon, with often hilarious consequences. He also showcased for the first time vehicle crafting system, same philosophy is implemented here as well, mixing a Harley with stream roller creates a fantastic steam roller bike, with a roller in front and speed of a bike, plus the twin flamethrowers on either end for good measure.
Since Microsoft and FIFA 14 hav a deeply integrated partnership, it obviously had a large area dedicated to it, with FIFA playable on Xbox 360 and Xbox ONE. The game on Xbox ONE is great with live atmosphere and much improved gameplay, albeit we felt it had an aggressive first touch and needed slight polish on that front otherwise orchestrating a move from the back will prove very difficult. Ryse: Son of Rome and Halo 4 and both have large displays.
A huge monument, for the Roman gladiator Marius Titus who you play, is erected in middle of the hall.
Killer Instinct and Peggle 2 were both fun to play with, although nothing to write home about as Killer Instinct lacks that next gen touch which we have come to expect from Xbox One titles we have yet experienced.
Forza 5 is a completely different story though, some of the best looking cars we have ever seen, with a superb driving simulation experience. Especially the Xbox ONE’s trigger rumble really translates well into the game providing a new and innovative way to experience tactile feedback.
