Living In Electric Dreams; The Eurogamer Expo 2013

It’s 7:20. As I begin to inhale my first conscious breath, with a night consumed by the delicate, asphyxiated embrace of the supple fabrics of my pillow, I stare incredulously at the blinking automated clock sceptical of the numerical displays relevance to my roused state. My mind–still subjected to the inebriated effects of the previous evenings indulgence–struggles to regulate a proficient rationalisation for my revival and assert reasonable sovereignty over my fragmented, domesticated adherence. I recite internal suggestions that could ably disclose my currently roused disposition; “Is it work related?…No. Dentist appointment?…No that was last week. Anniversary? I sincerely hope not!”. With concentrated paucity so intense I’m acutely aware that my restrained “scanner” abilities could send my still unconscious partner into gratuitous convulsions, before I definitively ascertain the significance of the adolescent hour; The Eurogamer Expo! With impetuous optimism of imminent gaming I beset strands of rebellious follicles that have formed an irregular pattern on my scalp into submission, arrange a suitably assimilated garment (Jeans and T-shirt emblazoned with the Dire-wolf sigil that represents my fealty to the Stark’s), and set off with assured vigour. With a stomach lined with thatched, wheat product and an appropriate navigational map; an Indiana Jones style animation, that accelerates my mobility to the event with sustained motility, without need for modernised transportation (if only).

“Character selection; this is as passive as Dark Souls 2 get’s.”

Yes I played the PS4, but no I won’t meander on about it…yet, that will be dispensed at my own discretion in my next article. Subsequently following a brief interlude, I begin in earnest to familiarise myself with the gregarious participants, writhing through a thicket of gamers, scrutinising every stand with enigmatic curiosity and the surrounding prodigious venue that has been cultivated into a habitable labyrinth of technological affluence. It’s easy though to become passively innocuous amongst such distorting climate that almost punctures your senses with levitating pronouncements, tumultuous resolutions and rhythmic assault of your auditive capacity. But once you acclimate to the cursory ambiance and almost suffocating intensity from ventilating latency, the neighbouring flamboyance begins to resonate on an apathetic level. But what’s this captivating, turquoise light that glistens with expectancy, beckoning me like a sultry provocateur? Gesturing with intimate, promiscuous enticements of moist chocolate sponge, smothered in decadent glaze of elegant chocolate sauce and….get that cake away from me, its distracting me! The bespoke ominous light guides me towards my first collaboration of the day, Ratchet & Clank: Into The Nexus. Despite its inelegant veneer, I’m encouraged by its restoration to single player format and platform adventure. This is also an epilogue to the protracted Tools of Destruction narrative which should (hopefully) end the uncertainty surrounding the Lombax’s prospective’s. Whether there will be any conclusive resolution is still clandestine though, but the promised array of destructive, often humorous ballistics at your discretion and the capacity to manipulate the laws of gravitational sovereignty, are all enticing factors.

“Doom the musical? No. But rather an Ebony & Ivory controller.”

Dark Souls 2 mandatory masochism is still prominent, as the augmented difficulty selection varies from likely, to certain death and diligent, structural procedures assures a compressed rendering of expiration. But ultimately if you relish the afforded opportunity to be a cadaver, then Dark Souls 2 is just for you narcissistic necrophiliac’s. Batman makes his triumphant return too with a more impulsive aggression. He’s less methodical and refined vigilant that he inevitably becomes in the Arkham series, but his more contentious stance won’t negate the elegant combat that will see you parrying assaults and retaliate with your own prejudicial advance. Final Fantasy X X2 HD KFC (not entirely sure of the legitimacy of the last acronym) promises more elongated fantasy, that makes the James Bond series seem like commercial. Call Of Duty has explosions, FIFA has Gareth Barry suitably attired in a Real Madrid shirt (still grossly over-evaluated though) and Assassins Creed IV: Black Tide, Liberation Brotherhood features a talking octopus named Oscar who–through the flamboyant flailing of its tentacles–can communicate with other nautical creatures, discussing various environmental hazards, the vast depletion of it’s habitat and serenade you with its own rendition of “Under the sea”. OK, so maybe I was a little remiss in my conduct, with no parable sense of clarification on the pertained content. But my moderate allotted time was callously designated by inherent availability, with only residual association with some of the more popular titles. But with abstract delegation I can assure you–on an a purely illusory basis–that if you’re a fan of the above content, then you will enjoy them regardless of my flippancy.

“Gran Turismo 6. And who says the industry is stagnating.”

Now I could reduce the remainder of this article advocating the grandeur of the imminent nobility of the PS4’s parable viscera and besetting its lustrous, angular contours with implicit fervour, with considerate, pedantic ovation. But I’ll humbly delegate this appraisal for the moment, preserved temporarily for my next article. However I will say that this eminent exhibition has remained obstinately empathetic to the professional domestication of its particulars and enveloping ample coverage to every facet of the industry with a diligent aptitude, without faltering into tendentious partiality. The venue was a perfect setting with bountiful concession stands to nourish your dwindling energy, and merchandise to satisfy your hoarding restitution. Only Eurogamer could infuse a unifying solidarity amongst such resonating, often divisive attendants, with a multitude of differing attitudes and preferences. There’s no ambient hostility from the competitive rivals or the assembled congregation, nor is their deceptive provocations that coerce you to specified partition with Machiavellian intent; just a consolidating association of gamers looking to ogle fresh content, sample developer’s nurtured wares and part with some disposable income. Sure there’s an understandable propensity from developer’s exulted exposition’s, dispensing ornate trinkets that your likely discard as soon as their eyes are averted, but that’s all part of it’s appeal; the ostentatious allures and self sanctioning of their respective products that create necessary excitement for a future yet to be commenced. Here’s to Eurogamer Expo 2014. I’ll see you next year.

Let me know your thoughts on this years show? And what game/hardware are you most anticipating? Cheers.