So E3 has come and gone. Microsoft brought the love and support for their Kinect device to E3 this year. Far more than we can say for a certain other platform's motion control. While most people groan at the thought of an on-rails shooter, sadly that's what you're going to get until someone develops a solid movement model. Maybe something a la Resident Evil 4. Granted not everything shown will be a home run, but with the variety of offerings, there should be more than enough to appease Kinect Supporters. Let’s take a look at how Microsoft showed us their support for their latest hardware venture.
Just Dance 3
A well established franchise from the Wii makes the trek to other consoles in this iteration. While the dance genre is a great use of the Kinect, it is starting to saturate. But, you can’t fault the number 1 selling dance title from the Wii trying to broaden the install base. Plus, this version will also make use of the microphones within the Kinect so that you can sing along while dancing.
Kinect Star Wars
Simply put, this game needs lots of help. The concept is the penultimate fantasy of anyone who has seen a Star Wars movie. The idea of Saberwaggle is almost too good to be true. Well, after the preliminary gameplay footage, it still is. Reaction is exaggerated, albeit on purpose and looked rather disjointed. Force Push looked on the money, but the core Saber action just wasn't there. I'll wait for the sequel when they add Sith powers and tighten up Saber response.
Mass Effect 3
Voice commands. Huzzah! Now you can tell Liara just what to do with it. Honestly, being that nagging voice in the back of Shepard’s head sounds intriguing. But it’s a gimmick that could get old quickly. Playing the Angel or Devil on Shepard's shoulder influencing his dialogue will add to the immersion for those who want to get lost in the game. Now the real draw is improving your squad command during a fight. Having the ability to tell them where to move and what skills/abilities to use without breaking the action is a welcome change from telling them to stay put so they don't die or get in your way.
Rise of Nightmares
We were treated to a teaser trailer of a game that looked an awful lot like Hostel: The Game. Hostel: The Movie was a horrid experience. This can’t be good. But, real judgement will have to wait for some actual gameplay footage, as a teaser is not enough to go on.
