At first glance, E3 feels a little underwhelming this year compared to last. The social aspect is better than ever, and IGDA threw an awesome party last night, but the show itself feels like it lacks last year’s frantic energy.

There are fewer people, fewer booth babes (but I’m not complaining), less swag, and everything I’ve seen today seems to either be a shooter or a fantasy RPG. With two other producers, I lined up for the much-hyped Scarface demo, and found that the game is set in 1980s Miami of course, has a huge driving component, extremely average graphics, and has you building up a crime empire. Remind you of anything?

On the plus side, the EA 360 degree booth kicked butt again, and Dad, I taped you the entire Medal of Honor Airborne trailer.

The thing I’m looking forward to the most is Marvel Ultimate Alliance, which comprises over 140 authentic Marvel characters. The decisions you make affect the outcome of the story. You can skin your characters in the various outfits they’ve worn over the history of their comic, and have it affect their powers according to how powerful they were at that time. You can destroy the environments and the pieces of it as weapons. Kewl.

Also cool: I got to tell Sony what I think of Ratchet Deadlocked. Seems I’m not alone in my opinion, and they’re returning to their roots. Got to try out Ratchet and Clank 5: Size Matters. Pretty good, though it’s not by the Insomniacs and it’s only available on PSP.

Also also cool: I saw Tim Burton and the guy who plays the captain of the Firefly. My colleagues, not to be outdone, saw Robin Williams and Vince Vaughn. But then I got to meet Stan Lee!

Tomorrow I’ll try to see the Wii (3 hour wait) and talk to the Insomniacs.