What I'm Most Looking Forward to at Tokyo Game Show

Just 2 days to go until Tokyo Game Show 2009, and I cant wait. I will be in attendance on Thursday, Friday and maybe one of the public, weekend days. After attending the last 3 years on one of the ridiculously packed public days, I finally secured myself a press pass, and will have a preview and a recap of the event published in a magazine to boot.

Anyway, here are a few of the games and events that I am most looking forward to -


PSP Go – TGS will provide an ideal opportunity to have some hands on time with the new PSP, only a few days before the US and European release, and a month before the Japanese. I am intrigued by Sony’s portable update, but I do have some concerns about the proximity of the buttons, and the slightly smaller screen. TGS should give me a good chance to decide whether I will be upgrading or not, and it will be interesting to see if any announcement concerning trade-ins for existing UMD titles will be forthcoming.

Uncharted 2: Among Thieves – I don’t think I am alone in saying that I have been blown away by the footage and reviews of Nathan Drake’s latest escapades. Not having access to the beta, I am looking forward to finally being able to play the demo later this week and am already counting down the days until the October release. With Metal Gear and Final Fantasy going multi platform, I think this is Sony’s jewel in the crown, and it should receive plenty of floor space at the show.

Final Fantasy XIII – I remember reading that XIII will be playable at TGS, though I’m not quite sure if it’s going to be a new slice of gameplay, or what has been available previously. I will be sure to take advantage of any opportunity to play, and will be sure to have my kanji dictionary to hand to help me navigate all those tricky menus! However, for some reason I am more intrigued by……

Final Fantasy XIV - Square-Enix’s credibility may have taken a bit of a hit by announcing the forthcoming release of FFXIV at E3 a good 6 months before XIII hits shelves in Japan, and who knows how long before the rest of the world get it. Furthermore, their announcement that it will be a MMORPG, just like FFXI, raised some eyebrows. I really enjoyed my brief time playing FFXI, but it wasn’t a game without flaws. They will have to implement some big changes, and win over gamers who aren’t interested in taking their role playing online, but there is no reason to believe that they can’t. Chances are nothing will be playable, but I will definitely be queuing up for a peek at Square-Enix’s second FF foray into the world of MMORPGs.

Useless merchandise and free stuff – I already have my eye on the free MGS badges and t-shirts that Konami will be giving away, and I’m a sucker for Mog plush toys. Best bring a big bag, and leave my wallet at home.

Seeing a few familiar faces – I have a couple of friends who will be in attendance, so I will be sure to keep an eye out for them. Though I have to say, much like hunting for a particular game in Akihabara, TGS is best enjoyed on your relative lonesome, free to play the games you want to play most. And people have the cheek to say I’m a little anti social!

 

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker - Big Boss’ return to the PSP has been announced as a playable demo, and a second, three level demo will be made available to download to your PSP and take away from the Konami booth. There are also badges and t-shirts :).

Metal Gear Solid Rising - Hopefully something will be shown for the next home console installment of the Metal Gear saga. Starring the formally derided lady boy turned robotic ninja hard man Raiden, details have so far been few and far between. Hopefully Hideo Kojima will deliver the goods yet again. And sticking with PS3 MGS titles, is it possible that the oft speculated trophy patch for MGS4 will finally be announced?

Playing games that I know I’m good at, so as to look cool in front of friends and strangers – See Resistance 2 at TGS 2008.

Avoiding games I’m god-awful at – Getting my arse kicked at Sega’s booth on a new Puyo Puyo game 2 years ago, in front of a large group of onlookers, taught me this important TGS lesson.

The Last Guardian - The team behind Ico and Shadow of the Colossus have been hard at work bringing their next game to the PS3. Not many details have been made available, but hopes are high. I’m looking forward to seeing something more substantial than the brief but brilliant E3 trailer, and have a new found desire to see more of this game, after having my first taste of Ico and Shadow of the Colossus very recently.

No More Heroes 2 – More Travis Touchdown please.

New IPs and unannounced titles – High profile sequels and big name franchises are all well and good, but everyone loves discovering something new and exciting. With console price cuts abound, the pressure is on for Sony and Microsoft to one-up the competition with a new killer app. Will TGS play host to such an announcement? I’ll tell you in a couple of days.

Project Needlemouse – I have no idea if any new information is due from SEGA concerning the promised return to 2D-form for Sonic the Hedgehog, but I can hope. A lot is riding on this title for SEGA, and fans like myself, whilst extremely weary of recent Sonic games, have every finger and toe firmly crossed. Do the hedgehog proud, SEGA. Werehogs and sidekicks, with the exception of Tails, need not apply.

Valkyria Chronicles 2 – I loved the first game on the PS3, and was a little surprised to hear that the sequel would hit the PSP as opposed to the home console. Still, I’m happy that this surprisingly thoughtful, deep, challenging and stylish strategy series will live on. Has been announced as a playable demo.

TGS Forum – This year features a keynote from President and Group CEO of SCE, Kaz Hirai as well as representatives from a wide range of industry movers and shakers. I do really want to attend, but being the morning of the first day, there may be more pressing matters at hand, i.e. playing video games.


Aside form all of this, other great looking titles like Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Assassin’s Creed II, God of War III, Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles, Dead Rising 2, Halo Reach, and Castlevania – Lords of Shadow are all likely to feature in one form or another.

Be sure to check back from Thursday onwards for lots of news, and hopefully pictures, from the show floor.