The first six months of 2008 have been undeniably great. We’ve seen the release of such anticipated hits as Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Grand Theft Auto IV and Metal Gear Solid 4; there has been hardly a system or genre that hasn’t seen its fair share of quality titles released and the near future looks to be no different. With so many high quality titles on the horizon, one must wonder if some stick out more than others. The list below is just a scant portion of the various interesting titles gamers are anticipating in the months to come.
10. Brutal Legend (PS3, Xbox 360) - While Sony has recently announced that God of War 3 will be introduced to gamers at this year’s E3 convention, there has been little to stem the bloodlust of violent adventure fans between now and then. Heavenly Sword fell markedly short of fan expectations, while multiplats like Conan and Viking: Battle for Asgard have served as at best, mediocre clones of the mighty franchise. One game that looks to freshen things up a bit is Brutal Legend. Ditching the typical fantasy and mythology laden worlds of God of War and its numerous copies, Brutal Legend is steeped in imagery ripped straight from the album covers of heavy metal music. The game follows the quest of a roadie named Eddie Riggs, who has been summoned to the world of heavy metal to free it from the demons that enslave it. The action looks to be of the hack and slash variety, with players relying on two axes; Eddie’s massive battle axe, and his guitar which is used to strum out magic spells and special attacks. With a soundtrack including songs from Judas Priest and Black Sabbath and voice acting from rock and roll icons like Rob Halford, Lemmy Kilmister and Ronnie James Dio, the game looks to be a must have for gamers with a taste in music as well as fans of action/adventure. That is, if the developers don’t screw it up in the process. Seeing how the game is being headed by Tim Schafer, creator of the critically acclaimed Psychonauts, it seems safe to be optimistic.
9. Final Fantasy IV DS (DS) - Set to be released next month, July 22, Final Fantasy IV DS seems ready to prove that not all those remakes and spin-offs Square Enix seems obsessed with as of late are a bad thing. A remake of the classic SNES game and more recent Game Boy Advance port, FFIV DS is a top to bottom remix of the classic title. No stone has been left untweaked in this version of the game which will feature an expanded story, a new ability system, gorgeous updated graphics and CGI, and full voice over’s for major scenes. The game has already been well received in Japan and on the import market and many western fans of RPGs and the Final Fantasy series have been literally drooling to get their hands on this game. With less than a month until it comes out and no delays anywhere in sight, it looks as though they won’t have to wait much longer.
8. Spore (DS, Wii, PC) - While some are skeptical as to the stability of the current, September 7th release date, few have had many negative things to say about this ambitious title. Spore, developed by Sim-sires Maxis, is a simulation game in which the player creates an organism and then watches and helps it evolve from an initial single-cell state all the way to a galaxy dominating civilization. The DS version of the game, titled Spore Creatures, is much less dramatic in scope, focusing in on only the initial creature focused portions of the main PC/Wii title, but both are shaping up to be interesting and innovative titles.
7. Tom Clancy’s: Endwar (PS3, Xbox 360, PC) - Slated for release in the quarter three of 2008, Endwar looks to further integrate console friendly controls into real-time strategy games. Though Endwar will be released on the PC, the game has been made around the requirements of the PS3 and Xbox 360, featuring console compatible controls, including a cool headset that will allow armchair generals to verbally command their units throughout the various battles of the game. While grounded in easy to grasp, rock-paper-scissors style game play, Endwar will be centered primarily on an ambitious online mode that will feature an ongoing, real-time world conflict wherein the actions of each individual commander can have long-term consequences beyond a single victory. Based around three war factions in a high-tech near future World War III, Endwar looks to be quite promising.
6. Little Big Planet (PS3) - A game that looks to be as innovative as it is weird, Little Big Planet is set to be released in October 2008. The game focuses on nonlinearity and allowing the player to figure out their own solutions to the numerous challenges the game presents. Perhaps no game has ever taken on this challenge in such a literal manner. In the game the players, in control of the potentially emblematic Sackboy characters, are given a retinue of realistic reacting materials (hooray for physics) with which to fashion whatever devices they see fit to accomplish a task. If they want a flight of stairs they can make it. If they want a cannon, it can be done. Sony hopes to expand on the game’s replay value by give players the option to modify game challenges and even create their own that can be shared via the Playstation Network. From the moment this game was announced it has received nothing but positive press. We can only hope it will live up to the hype when it actually reaches the shelves.
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Playstation 2, DS, PSP) - A multiplatform in the truest sense of the expression, The Force Unleashed has been wowing previewers with its realistic physics and player friendly approach to the force, while hungry Star Wars fans have been drooling over the prospect of yet another tidbit of the iconic universe. Based around Darth Vader’s secret apprentice and a plot to assassinate the emperor, the game puts the player firmly on the dark side as they take on the role of a skilled sith warrior. The Force Unleashed seems to be benefiting from all the polish that Lucasarts can muster, and is sporting versions for Star Wars fans of every shape, size and budget. Coolest of all, The Force Unleashed will allow players to temporarily play as Lord Vader himself, fulfilling the dreams of geeks all over the world.
4. Resident Evil 5 (PS3, Xbox 360) - The fifth entry in the long running series marks the return of protagonist Chris Redfield and sees the continuation of the storyline initiated in Resident Evil 4. Sporting some of the best graphics this generation has seen as of yet, the return of the popular over-the-shoulder aiming system, and an exotic new African locale, Resident Evil 5 seems to be shaping up into a game as incredible as its revolutionary predecessor was. Resident Evil 5 is expected for release in October 2008.
3. Resistance 2 - Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) - was one of the few worthwhile exclusives on the PS3 at its launch. That fact has inadvertently left a hefty weight on the shoulders of the upcoming sequel, but so far Resistance 2 has seemed up to the task. Featuring a lengthy single player campaign, a unique eight player cooperative campaign, and monstrous sixty person multiplayer, Resistance 2 is looking to be one of the few games PS3 owners might actually be able to lord over Xbox 360 devotees. The game continues right where the first left off. The player reassumes the role of Nathan Hale, the soldier who pretty much single-handedly won back Great Britain from the nasty Chimera. Taking place primarily in America, we can only hope Resistance 2 will shed more light on elements of the story that were left much in the dark in the first title. Just what are the Chimera any ways? Are they aliens? A bio-weapon gone wrong? Fans will hopefully be able to find out in November of 2008.
2. Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360) - Still touted by 360 fans today as pinnacle of both graphical achievement and action gaming, Gears of War is arguably one of the most prolific titles on the Xbox 360. That a sequel would be released should come as no surprise. While there currently isn’t a huge amount known about the game, developers have promised that players can expect most of the core elements (chainsaws included) to return in the sequel. As well, they hope to make the story, which is generally agreed to have been lacking in the first game, a deeper, more fulfilling experience. Gears 2 takes place some six months after the end of Gears of War and will see the player combating a new Locust offensive after the human victory in the first game. Developers thus far have promised more weapons, better enemy AI and more open, destructible environments to help trick up the oft copied cover system. In short, they hope to offer a bigger, badder rendition of the first game. As of now, Gears of War 2 is schedule for a November 2008 release.
1. Starcraft 2 (PC) - Ten years ago Starcraft was released, and to this day many still consider it the best real-time strategy game ever made. Featuring three unique, opposing factions, an interesting story and the best multiplayer of its time, Starcraft is a true classic. Starcraft 2 looks to further the franchise’s reputation. The developers hope to offer more of a focus on the multiplayer aspects of the game, offering a number of mechanics to enhance the play experience including a tiered ranking system to help players of similar skill match up more easily. This said, the game won’t skimp on the story mode; the plot picks up four years after the end of the Brood Wars expansion pack and will see the return of characters such as Jim Raynor, Kerrigan and Zeratul as they continue in their struggle to maintain control of Koprulu Sector. Already looking graphically stunning, and by all accounts playing like a dream, Starcraft 2 looks to be the kind of game every sequel should be. While no definite release date has been set, a number of sources (i.e.: rumors) believe it will be released sometime in the final quarter of 2008.
