This week I created a topic in Neowin"s very own Gamers" Hangout asking the members what games they were looking forward to the most this year at E3. Anticipation is almost at its peak with the event kicking off this Monday, where the show returns to the LA Convention Centre with Microsoft set to kick off the conferences. There are plenty of top ten lists floating around right now, but here"s what our member"s are looking forward to.
10: Alien vs predator
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3 & PC
Release date: Q1 2010
The first proper sequel to the PC and Mac game released in 2001, Rebellion Developments once again take up the reign on the Alien vs Predator franchise. Players will once again need to choose which race they want to win, Aliens, Humans or the Predators. Very few details have been released so far on the game, so expect a media blowout from E3 this week.
9: Battlefield Bad Company 2
Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3 & PC
Release date: Q1 2010
Last year EA Digital Illusions CE made the triumphant return to console gaming with their new series of the Battlefield games, Bad Company. Battlefield Bad Company 2 is a direct sequel to the first game, again developed by EA Digital Illusions CE. Changes included are a reworked class system, cutting the original five options down to four. Players can now only pick between Assault, Engineer, Recon and Medic. Taking some tips from other popular shooters, Bad Company will include more customizing options including gun sights and grenade launchers.
8: New untitled Valve game
Developer: Valve
Platform: TBA
Release date: TBA
Valve have been on a roll the past few years releasing hit after hit, the most recent of course being Left 4 Dead. Although there haven"t been any hints at all of a new game from the developer/publisher, it doesn"t stop our members and anticipation is high for the next talked about game. Possibly a sequel to Portal or Left 4 Dead, or maybe another new franchise altogether.
7: Final Fantasy XIII
Developer: Square-Enix
Platform: Xbox 360 & PS3
Release date: Winter 2009 (Japan) TBA 2010 (NA/PAL)
After last year"s surprise announcement that Final Fantasy XIII would be launching on the Xbox platform, what can gamers expect this year? Most recently gamers in Japan had the chance to try the demo, bundled with the blu-ray release of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, but it"s almost certain there will be plenty of gameplay and new features shown off at this year"s E3 with possibly more surprises lined up for the Tokyo Game Show later this year.
6: God of War 3
Developer: SCE Studios Santa Monica
Platform: PS3
Release Date: TBA
God of War 3 is set to return to the Playstation home console with the fifth game in the series and gamers will finally learn how the battle between Gods and Titans ends, with Kratos on a quest for revenge. Gamers already had a glimpse of the gameplay from leaked footage at GDC earlier this year, but you can expect to see a lot of footage on plain site this year as Sony showcase one of their most loved franchises.
5: Halo 3 ODST
Developer: Bungie
Platform: Xbox 360
Release date: Q4 2009
It has been two years since Bungie last took the stage at a Microsoft conference at E3, and after last year"s cancelled announcement, they look set to come back this year with a bang. Halo 3 ODST is an expansion pack to 2007"s hit game and will have the player take control of a UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST). The game takes place in the events leading up to Halo 3, but unlike the other games in the series, the player will choose in what order they complete the campaign as they unlock flashbacks of their team mates; discovering the secrets of their disappearance.
4: Bioshock 2
Developer: 2K Marin (single player) 2K Boston & Australia (multiplayer)
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3 & PC
Release Date: October 30 2009
Another franchise returning from 2007 is 2K"s Bioshock, with the new game which takes place 10 years after the original. There have been reports of little girls being kidnapped all around the world and the player soon discovers that Big Sister (one of the Little Sisters) from the original game is behind it all. Big Sister now controls the city of Rapture, keeping a delicate balance and killing anyone who tries to disrupt the new balance of power. Players will now take control of a rogue Big Daddy, more powerful and intelligent than those in the first game. Expect to see a lot more footage from E3 this week.
3: Half-Life 2 Episode 3
Developer: Valve
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3 & PC
Release date: TBA
Again Valve have not released any information on the new Episode of Half-Life 2 but our members are still excited to hear or see something new this year. Episode 3 will be the final part of Half-Life 2"s story arc and its possible the story is set farther North, maybe even in arctic conditions. Details were supposed to be announced at the end of 2008 however all that fans learned was the gap between Episode 2 and 3 will be longer than the gap between Episode 1 and 2.
2: Mass Effect 2
Developer: Bioware Edmonton
Platform: Xbox 360 & PC
Release date: early 2010
2007"s action RPG is returning in 2010, again developed by Bioware Edmonton and this time published by EA after they bought the company in January 2008 for a reported $860 million. Very little is known about the new game; however Bioware have already released the new teaser trailer for the game which confirms Sheppard"s return.
1: Modern Warfare 2
Developer: Infinity Ward
Platform: Xbox 360, PS3 & PC
Release date: November 10 2009
Previously announced in February this year, Modern Warfare 2 has also been building up a lot of hype to E3 with various teaser trailers from Infinity Ward, so much so it was our member"s most anticipated game and it doesn"t look like the game will disappoint. Set several years after the events of Call of Duty 4, the game takes place in new locations such as the mountains of Russia, deserts in Afghanistan and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. MacTavish will return, now the captain of the SAS leading a new elite squad to combat Vladimir Makarov, leader of the Russian Ultranationalist organization. Makarov is using Imran Zakhaev"s death from the first game as an act of martyrdom to gain support for his cause. Expect to hear a lot more details on Modern Warfare this week.