[singlepic id=1395 float=left]5. HALO 3: ODST
Genre: First-person shooter
Platforms: Xbox 360
Release date: September 22
Developer/Publisher: Bungie Studios/Microsoft
Let’s face it; it’s been over a decade since any game whose name began with the word ‘Halo’ needed a sales pitch. But since we are here, we’ll give you the spiel anyway. The campaign fills the gap between Halo 2 and 3 and since you no longer play as a Spartan, it should have enough changes tactically to make it feel fresh and new. Firefight is the new addition to the buffet. Think horde from Gears of War 2. Then multiply the number of enemies by 10 and triple the size of the playing field. Throw in some vehicles and you are looking at some of the most frantic co-op multi-player gaming to come along in a long time. All of that is nicely rounded off by the whole Halo 3 multi-player component with 3 new maps. And, as always, true to the Bungie tradition, every single gameplay type offers split-screen gaming, one of the most criminally overlooked and under used gameplay mechanisms today. Prepare to drop some cash on this. It will be well worth it.
[singlepic id=1394 float=left]4. BRUTAL LEGEND
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Release date: October 16
Developer/Publisher: Double Fine Productions/EA
There are quite a few new IP vying for the holiday customer’s attention this year, but none more intriguing than Brutal Legend from Tim Schafer’s Double Fine Productions. A heady mix of action, fantasy, music, and humour, the game follows the adventures of Eddie Riggs, played by the hilarious Jack Black, who is, much to his own bemusement, transported into an alternate world of Rock n Roll. Gameplay is standard blood-splattery hack-n-slash fare set in an open world with plenty of driving elements thrown in. The game also promises some eccentric characters, who will join Eddie on his journey from time to time and bring some interesting co-op scenarios into the combat. A unique art style further sets Brutal Legend apart from anything else you will see hit store shelves this year.
[singlepic id=1393 float=left]3. ASSASSIN’S CREED 2
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Release date: November 20
Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft Montreal/Ubisoft
Assassins Creed 2 promises to address the issues faced by players in the first game – namely repeat and rinse gameplay, shallow combat, and lack of variety in side missions. The action has now shifted to Renaissance Italy, there’s a new protagonist who is less brooding and has all ten fingers, the plot is full of well known historical figures (including certified genius da Vinci who will help Ezio out with gadgets), there are more weapons and an upgraded combat system. We loved the first one in spite of its shortcomings because there is a lot of promise in the game, and Ubisoft seems to be addressing all of them without taking away the good stuff. And hey, if Ubisoft is confident enough to make AC2 go up against Modern Warfare 2, they must be doing something right!
[singlepic id=1392 float=left]2. CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE 2
Genre: First-person shooter
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Release date: November 10
Developer/Publisher: Infinity Ward/Activision
Activision keeps its annual juggernaut rolling with the impending release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the sequel to 2007’s insanely successful present-day shooter Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. Players will be treated to the continuing saga of Sgt. “Soap” McTavish and his contemporaries in an epic single player campaign that, from what we have seen and heard so far, should surpass the original game in scope and scale. Dual wielding, throwable knives, snowmobile chases, and new weapons are some of the improvements that have been shown so far. MW2 should also continue its predecessor’s dominance of the multiplayer charts with awesome new maps, a revamped perk system, and improvements to the killstreak bonuses. MW2 ranks high on every gamer’s list and should provide an explosive amount of fun on its release in November.
[singlepic id=1391 float=left]1. UNCHARTED 2: AMONG THIEVES
Genre: Action/Adventure
Platforms: PS3
Release date: October 16
Developer/Publisher: Naughty Dog/Sony
Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune was a beacon of hope for the fanboys fighting on the “dark” side of the console war. In a time when the PlayStation 3 could only do wrong, Sony turned to one of its most talented first party developers, and boy did they deliver! Uncharted was all about ground breaking graphics, compelling characters, and gameplay that came together with the best elements of action and platforming. With Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, Naughty Dog is going all out to scale up the experience. New gameplay elements such as stealth will only add to the already refined gameplay. The graphics are so beautiful that they just fall short of hypnotising us, and the story trailer indicates a plot that is hell bent on outdoing the original. And if that wasn’t enough, the closed multiplayer beta was a clear indication that Uncharted 2 can deliver an intense and highly enjoyable multiplayer experience. October can’t get here fast enough!
