Overall/Platform Awards
Overall (and Multiplatform) Game of Show: BioShock InfiniteDeveloper: Irrational Games
Publisher: 2K Games
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Perhaps not shockingly, the game the majority of GameSpy's editors were most looking forward to checking out at E3 took home the top prize, as our most highly anticipated demo of the week somehow managed to surpass our wildest expectations. Far more than just a sequel to BioShock, BioShock Infinite impressed us on a number of levels and left us wanting more. Even better, it brings a number of new and welcomed elements to the table, including a fully voiced main character, more not-so-thinly-veiled political conflict, the biggest robotic bird you'll ever see outside of a Chuck E. Cheese, and some wild styles of combat, thanks to the roller-coaster-like skylines crisscrossing the skyward city of Columbia's open areas. The worst part of the demo? Being reminded that BioShock Infinite isn't out until next year.
Runners-Up: Batman: Arkham City, Battlefield 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Journey, Mass Effect 3, Tomb Raider, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
PC Game of Show: End of Nations
Developer: Petroglyph
Publisher: Trion Worlds
Platforms: PC
While the PC-only field was a little thin this year, Petroglyph's End of Nations, a hybrid MMO and real-time strategy game, would've been a contender in just about any E3. The game sounds gimmicky on paper, but up-close-and-personal, it looks great, plays smoothly, and (at least according to what the designers told us) seems extremely well-thought-out. Simply put, End of Nations combines elements of a Relic-style RTS game (capture-and-hold resource points, limited units, rock-paper-scissors combat) with the leveling and persistent world of an MMO. Aside from offering 26-on-26 teamfight action, the designers said the engine was powerful and smooth enough to contemplate 50-player co-op vs. A.I. as well. That's an astounding achievement that, if it works in practical gameplay, will set End of Nations apart from any RTS that's come before.
Runners-Up: Star Wars: The Old Republic, Tera
Xbox 360 Game of Show: Gears of War 3
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Microsoft
Platforms: Xbox 360
After going hands-on with Gears of War 3, we're happy to report fans of the franchise should actually up their already high expectations. Why? Because the game's updated Horde mode alone is worth the price of admission. The addition of earning cash for kills, building defenses, repairing and upgrading said defenses, and fighting boss battles at the end of every 10th wave takes an already fun online co-op mode and transforms it into a Tyrone Biggums-level addictive experience. Given Epic's track record for creating great Gears campaigns, and the studio's successful effort to transform the franchise's multiplayer, Gears of War 3 was already shaping up to be the must-have Xbox 360 exclusive of 2011. The new Horde mode removes any possible doubt. As series protagonist Marcus Fenix would say, "Nice."
Runners-Up: Dance Central 2, Forza Motorsport 4
PlayStation 3 Game of Show: Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Developer: Naughty Dog Software
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: PlayStation 3
As you might expect from the series that's consistently won best PS3 game in just about every awards contest ever, this third Uncharted entry looks like another top-notch adventure with series star Nathan Drake. The difference here, though, is the vast revisions and augmentations made to the multiplayer mode. Everything from the new co-op narrative mode -- from the expanded arsenal of weapons to the inclusion of a killstreak rewards system (called "kickbacks") -- seems designed to make multiplayer a major focus of Uncharted 3. Sure, the story is guaranteed to be interesting, but that's always been a series strong point. Now that developer Naughty Dog has added so much more cool stuff to do with your friends, along with streamlining the combat system, this one looks like it's got accolades written all over it.
Runners-Up: Journey, Resistance 3, Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time, Twisted Metal