Gears of War: Judgment (“I Want This Now” winner of E3 2012)

The recipient of PGN’s “I Want This Now” award for E3 2012 goes to Gears of War: Judgment. How then, you might ask, could a game that wins the award for what title I’d like to take home this instance not also win the Best Console Game award? Simple. There was so much cool packed into the Geras of War: Judgment demo at E3 this year that I wasn’t able to comb through it finely, the way I like to with my GoW games. What looks like a compelling story, more badass gameplay and physics than before, and some sweet level design that I want to sink my teeth into, just getting to play Gears of War: Judgment at E3 isn’t enough to satisfy me. With some of the other games at the show, I know that as good as they are, they demo left me content enough with what to expect later in the game’s retail build. But with Judgment, there’s something about the title that screams, “take me home!” and if Cliff would let me, I gladly would.

Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate (Best Nintendo 3DS Game of E3 2012)

Paul Gale Network has known in one form or another of Castlevania Lords of Shadow: Mirror of Fate for over a year, and is happy to see the near-final product be as presentable as it was at E3. It’s with my pleasure to give Konami’s latest effort, the award of Best Nintendo 3DS Game of E3 2012. The graphics and 3D stereoscopic effects were handled very well, the controls felt sharp, the music was as good as ever for a Castlevania game, and it was so refreshing seeing a portable title in the series be given so much attention. Though the game may have its differences from the information that I was given in these past months, there is enough here to make me very excited for the final product when it launches later this year.

Resident Evil 6 (Best Action Game of E3 2012)

Resident Evil 6 is certainly a few things, one of which definitely being a survival horror game…and equally fitting, one ride so fun that it has to earn itself the award for Best Action Game of E3 2012. I had a very extensive play session with RE6 in the back of Capcom’s VIP booth at the show, getting to try out all three parts to the demo, and it was just the right amount of time to make me confident with my decision. Capcom is really striking for gold with this new entry in the series, capitalizing on a diverse market of fans. A smooth interface and a tight look bring this effort together remarkably well for a demo and it makes me truly excited for the final product when it hits retail this Fall. If you’ve ever been a fan of the series, there’s definitely a lot to look forward to here. I also get the vibe that despite a robust cast and story behind it that veterans of the franchise will love, RE6 should also be a fine “first timer” game for those unfamiliar with the characters…it’s just that good from my initial impression.

Assassin’s Creed III (Best Adventure Game of E3 2012)

Ubisoft had a spectacular showing all across the board at this year’s show and one of its most deserving awards from Paul Gale Network comes in Best Adventure Game of E3 2012 with Assassin’s Creed III. Whether it was the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or impressive Wii U version on the show floor, one thing was clear and that’s me being the most excited for an Assassin’s Creed game since the first title in the series several years ago. That’s saying a lot in my book, too, because oftentimes franchises tend to loose their luster after a few iterations…and though the games can continue being amazing titles, their initial “wow factor” wanes. That wasn’t the case with Assassin’s Creed III, however. The exploration was big and thoughtful, making your way through enemy camps, chasing your victim while seamlessly hoping across trees was seamless, and the scope of the title simply put it above the rest at E3. There was good adventure game competition too, but non seemed more well put together than Ubisoft’s latest silent killer.

ZombiU (Best First Person Shooter of E3 2012)

E3 2012 had a dozen amazing titles to choose from in this category, with some of those choices being from esteemed franchises and looking very fine in their new outing. However, at the end of three days in Los Angeles, Paul Gale Network’s choice for Best First Person Shooter of E3 2012 was ZombiU for Wii U. The game’s trailer that was first shown off at Ubisoft’s Press Conference really hooked me and getting to have some awesome hands on time with it at Nintendo’s VIP Wii U play area is what sealed the deal. Get bit once, you die. Yes, a hard game…thank you! The Wii U GamePad controls were some of the most fun and well implemented into a “real”, hardcore game at the show and gave us a great glimpse of what’s to come for the system. I had a lot of fun with with ZombiU and think it’s shaping up quite nicely with good polygon models, smooth transitioning between sections within the E3 build, and just the right amount of different thrown into one of my favorite genres. I’ll be keeping my eye out for this one in the coming months.

Madden NFL 13 (Best Sports Game of E3 2012)

Just because you’re the biggest name in the world of sports video games, doesn’t mean that you’re a shoe-in to win year after year at E3. Instead, if your game is in such a prestigious spot, I think there should be more pressure on your team deliver beyond what’s expected…and that’s what EA Sports did this year. It’s because of its improvements in realism and noticeable physics enhancements that Madden NFL 13 wins Paul Gale Network’s award for Best Sports Game of E3 2012. Better handling, more robust features, and getting me pumped for football season is what Madden NFL 13 managed to do in a span of three days at E3. Now all I ask is to please fully take advantage of the Wii U GamePad for that version and design the game ground up for the system so that not only can I really enjoy my Madden this year, but also experience it unlike ever before.