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[singlepic id=1400 float=left]10. GRAN TURISMO 5
Genre: Racing
Platforms: PS3
Release date: December
Developer/Publisher: Polyphony Digital/Sony
Why should you look forward to Gran Turismo 5? For one, it’s the latest installment in the PlayStation brand’s number 1 first party franchise, having sold over 50 million copies worldwide. If that isn’t reason enough for racing fans with PS3s to sit up and pay attention, GT5 boasts a staggering 1,000-car roster, including for the first time, Lamborghini’s line-up. To put them through their paces, the game will include 80 tracks, each with multiple layouts. The career mode is bolstered by fully-licensed WRC and NASCAR championships. GT5 also introduces, for the first time in franchise history, vehicular damage. Then of course, there’s the stuff we already know – cockpit view, 1080p/60fps photo-realistic visuals, etc. It’s the epitome of console sim racing, and we don’t even know everything there is to know about it yet.
[singlepic id=1399 float=left]9. DRAGON AGE: ORIGINS
Genre: RPG
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: November 6
Developer/Publisher: BioWare/EA
Do the words ‘Baldur’s Gate’ mean anything to you? If not – go shoot aliens. Dragon Age: Origins is the spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate series. Here are more reasons to get excited – it’s built by Bioware, the guys who’ve made arguably the best RPGs. The game has Elves and Dwarves, and those pesky Humans – although you can’t start off as Drizz’t. And if you hadn’t guessed by now – it’s a classic RPG. In DA:O, the player’s actions have an effect on the world, and each character has its own ‘origin’ story. So no more a generic adventurer, but as a player, you empathise with your protagonist. This is the first time the complex RPG gameplay mechanism is being ported to a console, and we look forward to the exciting gameplay in store. It’s been so long since Neverwinter Nights, we are just dying here for a good RPG.
[singlepic id=1398 float=left]8. MARVEL ULTIMATE ALLIANCE 2
Genre: Action
Platforms: PS3, PS2, PSP, Xbox 360, Wii, DS
Release date: September 25
Developer/Publisher: Vicarious Visions/Activision
You don’t have to be a die-hard Marvel fan to enjoy Marvel Ultimate Alliance. It’s essentially an old school beat ’em up and action-RPG hybrid with a Marvel twist. The first game offered fast-paced single player and cooperative multiplayer action with an impressive roster of Marvel characters to choose from. The sequel aims to expand upon the first game by offering all new playable characters and an original story based on the celebrated Civil War storyline. The game also boasts more destructible environments and a new ‘fusion’ mechanic, where two characters can combine their special attacks to create a unique new attack. We can’t wait for clobberin’ time!
[singlepic id=1397 float=left]7. RATCHET AND CLANK: A CRACK IN TIME
Genre: Platform
Platforms: PS3
Release date: October 30
Developer/Publisher: Insomniac Games/Sony
Clank is trapped inside a giant time machine. Ratchet is no longer the only lombax in the galaxy. Dr. Neferious has outdone himself in his latest evil scheme. And Captain Qwark is back.
In case the above doesn’t make any sense, you’ve been missing out on something truly special. Often the underdog in the formidable line-up of Sony exclusives, the Ratchet and Clank series has wowed its fan with beautiful graphics, addictive gameplay featuring a healthy mix of platforming and action, and genuinely hilarious characters. And the upcoming sequel plans to cram even more fun along the way. The series’ trademark features are all there, mixed with some intriguing new elements. The time manipulation segments of Clank and the recently revealed space exploration feature only goes on to firmly place Ratchet and Clank: A Crack in Time among our most anticipated releases in the upcoming holiday season.
[singlepic id=1396 float=left]6. ALPHA PROTOCOL
Genre: RPG
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Release date: October 30
Developer/Publisher: Obsidian Entertainment/Sega
Dubbed as a ‘spy RPG’, this new IP from Obsidian Entertainment and Sega sure looks like a promising one. We like to think of it as James Bond meets Deus Ex. As superspy Michael Thorton, you’ll be talking, sneaking and shooting your way through this high-tech espionage-fueled adventure. One of the highlights of the game is that you can play the game the way you like. For example, you could be a suave, smooth-talking stealthy spy or an aggressive and unpredictable loose cannon. Add to that your regular RPG-style leveling and skill mastery and you have the perfect recipe for an action packed thrill ride!
Next page: The Top 5
[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!