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PAX day 1: Torchlight II, Goldeneye 007, Tron

All that, plus a photo of an ewok in the "Back to the Future" DeLorean. No, really, it's that awesome.

Matt Hickey
With more than 15 years experience testing hardware (and being obsessed with it), Crave freelance writer Matt Hickey can tell the good gadgets from the great. He also has a keen eye for future technology trends. Matt has blogged for publications including TechCrunch, CrunchGear, and most recently, Gizmodo. Matt is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. E-mail Matt.
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Matt Hickey
3 min read
 
PAX 2010: Wish you were here! Matt Hickey/CNET

I just got back from my first day of 2010's PAX. At this three-day gaming festival, the big names have pulled out their big guns to try to out-wow each other in pursuit of gamers' geeky greenbacks. Here are a few of the best things I saw.

Tron

 
I want one of these so badly it hurts. The game is pretty cool, too. (Click to enlarge.) Matt Hickey/CNET

The new Tron game is pretty awesome. The reps from Disney wanted to show me the story elements and cinema cutaways. I said, "Show me the Light Cycles." And they did.

I played on two different platforms, the PS3 and the Wii. The games are very different. For the PS3, it's an action-oriented game with much story between action scenes. The Wii version is more of a party game, but definitely fun in its own right. Driving a Light Cycle with a Wii controller is one of the most fun things I've done in a while, though it takes some getting used to.

That said, it was great fun. I might need to finally buy a Wii.

Torchlight II

 
Torchlight II (click to enlarge). Matt Hickey/CNET

Torchlight was a great launch title for locals Runic Games. I got to play a preview of the sequel, and it's pretty great so far.

It's an easy enough game for beginners but has different levels of play that will keep experienced PC gamers clicking their mouses for a while.

Not a PC gamer myself, I was doing well hacking and slashing my way through the demo level before I gave up my seat to an actual gamer who actually kicked my ass.

I can't wait to try the finished product.

 

Goldeneye 007 for Wii

 
I used to be good at this game. I got my ass kicked. (Click to enlarge). Matt Hickey/CNET

Above I said I wasn't much of a PC gamer, and that's true, though I used to be quite a console gamer. Thus I was really excited to see the demo for Goldeneye 007. It was one of my favorite games back when I played and is still a fun one. Like many gamers, I became a fan of first-person shooters as a result of this title.

The new game features new characters and added levels, otherwise it's a faithful rendition of the original, including the weapons and movement, and even the breathing sounds when your character gets shot.

Yet another reason to buy a Wii.

Ewok to the Future

 
Oh, nothing, just an ewok in a DeLorean. No biggie. (Click to enlarge). Matt Hickey/CNET

Not much story here, but that is indeed Wicket W. Warrick of "Return of the Jedi" fame sitting behind the wheel of the iconic time machine from "Back to the Future."

The machine was on hand to promote the newly announced title from Telltale Games.

I was going to use a photo of yours truly at the helm, but this was just too geek to pass up.

 

 

Tune in next time...

Still to come, we'll be previewing new products from Wizards of the Coast, including the new Red Box D&D set; checking out Star Wars: Old Republic; and maybe drinking Wil Wheaton's milkshake.

Oh, and I'm sure we'll have more of this guy.

 
They'd better not be yanking our chains again. Matt Hickey/CNET

Know something specific you'd like me to check out and report on? Send me an e-mail, using the link below. I'm more than happy to be your eyes and ears. Booth Babes don't count.