GAMEScom, Day 2

Ah, the amazing day 2 of GAMEScom. Lots of stuff today, but before I start I would like to correct myself. On the previous blog I stated that the PS3 will have an 80GB hard drive. A friend corrected my mistake. The actual size of the hard drive will be 120GB. Now on to the announcements:

A: Lionhead Studios revealed Fable III at the Microsoft Conference. Targeted release date will be late 2010. The game will take a Fable II save file and will put you in the shoes of your hero's child. The game will center on becoming ruler of Albion, and then ruling your subjects. For more info, see this.
R: Pros and cons for me. First, I feel it was ridiculous that the entirety of Microsoft's press conference was Peter Molyneux talking about Fable III. That isn't an MS conference. That is a Lionhead conference. Fable III is no surprise to me, especially because See the Future kind of headed this way in the first place. It sounds interesting, and I am glad the game is progressing somewhat. I still don't trust Molyneux, though. He has a really bad track record of overhyping his games. What intrigues me is the fact that it will still have combat mechanics. I don't want a politician game. I am interested in seeing how this touch thing works. I kind of like the scroll wheel for expressions, and I don't want something that is gonna feel like a context-sensitive action. I need to see WAY more to make a correct opinion about this. Fable II was good though. One thing that would be great is if they actually made Fable III with lasting appeal. Fable II was great, but it had zero appeal after I finished the game and fully upgraded my character...

A: Dark Void is given a release date of January 12, 2010.
R: Dark Void is a little mysterious to me. It sounds and looks cool, but this seems like a MadWorld situation. I don't think it is gonna sell very well. I will have to wait and see what the reviews and the watercooler talk says.

A: Fable II will be broken into 5 downloadable content packages.
R: Why? What is the point of doing this? If you want Fable, go pick up the game. Why would anyone wait for 5 episodes to come out when you can grab the entire game?

A: Infinity Ward announced there will be no public beta for Modern Warfare 2.
R: Not a surprise but still disappointing. I would have loved a multiplayer beta.

A: Album DLC is specified for The Beatles: Rock Band. Each album will cost 1360 MS points per album and 160 per song. Abbey Road will be released on October 20, with album buyers given the ability to play the entire 16 minute medley on the album rather than seperate songs. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band will come out in November, and Rubber Soul will follow in December.
R: Awesome news. I know I am going to be spending a crap-load of money on this. I am not a big fan of paying $16 per album, but I really want to play that 16 minute medley. For anyone who doesn't know, The last 8 songs on Abbey Road were recorded together as a medley, so playing all of those in a medley is epic.

A: Guitar Hero 5 will be getting an exclusive 5-pack downloadable content from the Rolling Stones.
R: Dammit. I am jealous...

A: Many new details were revealed about Assassin's Creed 2. For full details, see this.
R: Don't ignore that link up there. You need to read that preview if you want to follow me. First, I love Assassin's Creed, so all this news is great to me. All of the things I keep hearing make me know for a fact that they are focused on fixing every flaw of AC1. They seem to be doing super well. All citizen crowd cover is great, and it is something that I think everyone thought they would be able to do in AC1. Finally, eagle eye is good for something now that you can move while doing eagle eye. It is kind of nice that the HUD can be turned off, but I probably won't do it. Taunts are awesome, and are definitely welcome. I can't tell you how many times I was stuck in a fight with 3 people waiting for one of them to hit me. It is also cool that Ezio's gun is somewhat inaccurate. This makes it historical accurate and it doesn't make the gun the new blade. NOT BY A LONGSHOT. The crypts sound epic. Can't wait for this game...

A: Ninja Theory, developers of Heavenly Sword, are teaming up with Namco Bandai to make a new multiplatform title.
R: Honestly, I don't care much for this. Heavenly Sword failed in sales. Let's hope that this new one sells better, or Ninja Theory may be in some danger.

A: Naughty Dog announced they would like to return to the Jak and Daxter franchise somewhere along the line, and it is at the top of the list for options of what to do after Uncharted 2 is finished.
R: Good news for Jak fans. In my opinion, a definitive sequel to one of the best platformers ever would be most appropriate...

A: Titan Studio, developers of Fat Princess, tease two new classes to the game: pirates and ninjas.
R: Pirates, ninjas, and cake obsessed princesses? Who could ask for more?

A: In an interview with IGN, Kojima talked a bit about his new projects unrelated to Metal Gear. Kojima stated that he is working on introducing a new engine, of which the first game to use it will be Metal Gear Solid: Rising. He is also working on 1 new IP, and hinted at a possible return to a loved franchise.
R: My guess is that he is working on another Zone of the Enders game, and probably a true Metal Gear Solid 5. In the interview he states that Peace Walker is going to introduce many details of the story and close some gaps, but it will also open others. I think he is going to make a real MGS5. I can't wait to hear about his new IP. Anything he makes is fantastic.

A:In addition, many new videos came out today. Running down the list:
-Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
-Army of Two: The 40th Day
-Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
-Just Cause 2
R: Peace Walker looks cool. Especially that co-op move where one player follows the other and it becomes somewhat of a line shooter. Awesome. Army of Two looks to be fixing its story problems. They really want to have that sense of disaster. Castlevania looks sick. Just sick. That just went to my 2010 list. Just Cause 2 looks like it could be the definitive free roam destruction game. Of course, people said that about Mercenaries 2, so...

That be it for today. Hopefully some better announcements will come tomorrow, but I highly doubt it. Tomorrow is when the show is open to the public, so it will probably mostly be hands-on impressions and stuff.