I think we can all agree that this years E3 was a great one. We saw gameplay of the highly anticipated Last of Us and got to see Assassin’s Creed 3 in action, as well as getting a few peeks at huge surprises that nobody expected like Watch Dogs and Beyond Two Souls. The show was filled with excitement and bursting to the maximum with amazing games, here I’ll break down which did best in their respective categories.

Best Action/Adventure:

-         Assassin’s Creed 3

-         The Last of Us

-         Tomb Raider

Winner: Assassin’s Creed 3

Assassin’s Creed 3 was a true show stopper this year at E3. The game also packed a couple of memorable trailers as well as three separate singleplayer demos, one of which showed off the game’s new sea battle gameplay which impressed me greatly. Every time I watch new trailers or gameplay I get more and more excited.

Most Improved Sequel:

-         Darksiders 2

-         Assassin’s Creed 3

-         Resident Evil 6

Winner: Assassin’s Creed 3

There is no doubt in my mind that Assassin’s Creed 3 is a shining example of how to improve an already great game. While many were beginning to feel that the series was getting stale with Revelations, everything feels completely revived here. With that said, this is still undoubtedly an Assassin’s Creed game which is staying true to its roots.

Most Overlooked Game:

-         Darksiders 2

-         The Amazing Spider Man

-         Lost Planet 3

Winner: Lost Planet 3

Lost Planet 3 showed off some good singleplayer gameplay at E3, but nobody seemed to notice. This new title in the series has a greater emphasis on isolation. The setting also looks great, the frozen planet looks like a good place for some scares and gunplay.

Best First Person Shooter:

-         Crysis 3

-         Metro Last Light

-         Halo 4

Winner: Crysis 3

Many fans of the Crysis series much prefer the first game to the second, while a great many others prefer the second to the first. Crytek’s sequel to their hit game back in 2007 was very different to the first game, leaving some disappointed, but others thrilled. Here Crytek will attempt to cater for both sides, with the same gameplay and graphics style of Crysis 2, but incorporating the player driven choice system of the first game. If Crytek can pull this off then we’ve got a fantastic shooter headed our way.

Best Third Person Shooter:

-         Resident Evil 6

-         Star Wars 1313

-         Transformers Fall of Cybertron

Winner: Resident Evil 6

Many fans were very disappointed in Resident Evil 5, but this new title looks to bring the series back to form. With four entirely separate but in intertwining singleplayer campaigns to play through, each with its own feel and characters, this game seems to have everything going for it.

Best Graphics:

-         Beyond Two Souls

-         Star Wars 1313

-         Watch Dogs

Winner: Star Wars 1313

When the next game in the Crysis series doesn’t get nominated in this category you know that you have a bunch of picture perfect games. Star Wars 1313 left many wondering about the next generation of consoles and just how powerful they will be, as both it and Watch Dogs were shown running on high end PC rigs. If this game is any indication of what to expect of the future of gaming, then that future certainly is bright.

Best Multiplayer:

-         Halo 4

-         God of War Ascension

-         Call of Duty Black Ops 2

Winner: God of War Ascension

The new multiplayer offering in God of War Ascension has a fresh feeling to it, while third and first person shooters dominate the online space this new title in the series shows something generally new and invigorating in a much loved genre.

Best New IP:

-         Beyond Two Souls

-         Watch Dogs

-         The Last of Us

Winner: Watch Dogs

Not very much is known about the new game from Ubisoft, but what was shown was pretty damn near masterpiece material. The idea that everything can be hacked opens up huge gameplay and online possibilities, but it’s not just the gameplay and ideas that shine though, it’s also the incredible graphics. This is defiantly one to look out for in the future.

Best Trailer:

-         Metro Last Light Live Action Trailer

-         Resident Evil 6 Chaos Trailer

-         Assassin’s Creed 3 Cinematic Trailer

Winner: Assassin’s Creed 3

Resident Evil 6 only just lost this award to Assassin’s Creed 3 and you’d do well to go and watch both trailers right now. It’s fairly obvious that Ubisoft spends a fortune on the Assassin’s Creed trailers at E3 each year, and while this latest one doesn’t quite beat last years Revelations trailer it is nevertheless a memorable few minutes of our new assassin in action. October couldn’t come quick enough.

GAME OF THE E3 2012 SHOW:

-         Resident Evil 6

-         Star Wars 1313

-         The Last of Us

-         Assassin’s Creed 3

-         Beyond Two Souls

-         Watch Dogs

-         Dishonoured

AND THE WINNER IS…

ASSASSIN’S CREED 3

Very few games manage to build up hype like a new entry to the Assassin’s Creed series, and this new title is no different. The announcement of the game brought about huge pre-order numbers and a massive amount of excitement from fans and game journalists alike. This years E3 was the first time that the public could get a good look at the way the game played out. This may very well end up being game of the year for 2012.

Written by Jesse Kuhn

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