LETS GETTHIS PARTY STARTED!! :D
Blue DragonPublisher: Microsoft
Developer: Mistwalker
Genre: RPG
Release Date: August
What to Expect: When a game is being put together by Hironobu Sakaguchi, you take notice. He is, after all, the father of Final Fantasy and one of the most respected RPG designers around. Sakaguchi isn't the only person of note behind this title, either. Akira Toriyama, creator of Dragon Ball Z, is responsible for the character designs. Japanese 360 owners have already made Blue Dragon a hit and now the highly anticipated RPG is about to hit North America. Due out in August, this three disc epic looks to offer more quality turn-based, traditional Japanese RPG than the rest of the Xbox and Xbox 360 libraries combined.
BioShock
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Irrational Games
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release Date: August 21
What to Expect: What to say, what to say? Irrational's first-person shooter / adventure game / RPG / "insert genre here" has, after two hands-on sessions, lived up to our expectations. Across any internet and print video game publications, few things negative have been said so far, and for good reason; it's a lot of fun. It blends an intelligent plot with immersive visuals and sounds, offers a number of interesting gameplay options, and, most importantly, understands that player choice is of chief importance. We've already written way too much about this game and spoiled bits you probably would have rather found out for yourself, so we'll stop this write-up here. Just note the release date. Barring some sort of programming catastrophe, this should be a damn good one.
Mass Effect
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: BioWare
Genre: RPG
Release Date: Summer
What to Expect: We aren't really sure when Mass Effect will finally release. It may wind up slipping into the fall or winter. Call it's presence on this list as a hopeful inclusion. It is, after all, one of the most highly anticipated games of the year across all consoles here at IGN, and with good reason. BioWare has a tradition of excellence on Xbox consoles with Knights of the Old Republic and Jade Empire. Mass Effect is not looking to break that streak. With gorgeous visuals, a promising sci-fi story and an entire galaxy to explore, this is one RPG that everyone should have on their list of games they need to play.
Overlord
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Triumph Studios
Genre: Action
Release Date: June 26
What to Expect: Are you one of those people who kicks cats for fun? Yes? Please commit yourself to a mental health ward immediately. Now if you're one of those people who fanta**** about kicking cats but doesn't actually go through with it, you might enjoy this game. It puts you in the role of an evil warrior in command of an army of Minions. The gameplay proves to be something like Nintendo's Pikmin, but ensconced in a molasses of shadows and tittering spiky things called Minions that presumably daydream about punting cats. By ordering around Minions you're ultimately trying to gather pieces to rebuild a generically named Dark Tower, which serves as the source of your malevolent might. Intrigued? This one's in stores real soon, like next week.
Project Gotham Racing 4
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Bizarre Creations
Genre: Racing
Release Date: September
What to Expect: Project Gotham has always been relied on to launch consoles and services. The first PGR launched with the original Xbox, PGR 2 helped kick of Xbox Live, and PGR 3 shipped with the release of Xbox 360. PGR 4 is the first in the series without any of the launch pressure. And Bizarre is taking that more relaxed atmosphere to add a few new features. For one, PGR will finally feature actual AI drivers who will attempt to score kudos by drafting off your car and pulling powerslides. The new dynamic weather system will make things interesting, as a rainy race can quickly turn to snow. Microsoft hasn't announced a date yet, but retailers are expecting PGR 4 in early September. So, at least for now, this is a game for the end of summer.
Madden NFL 08Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Tiburon
Genre: Sports
Release Date: August 14
What to Expect: Madden has yet to wow anyone with its next-gen offerings. That's going to change this year. EA is throwing everything and the kitchen sink into Madden 08. On the gridiron, you'll be witness to some brutal mid-air collisions. A price will be paid for going over the middle. Along with big hits, gang tackles, and an improved hit stick, Madden 08 sees the return of owner mode. Once again you can decide the financial fate of a franchise. The last two years have been a let-down, but Madden 08 puts the franchises back on track.
John Woo Presents StrangleholdPublisher: Midway
Developer: Midway
Genre: Action
Release Date: August
What to Expect: Chow-Yun Fat and John Woo have teamed up once again to bring Inspector Tequila's next adventure to home theaters. But rather than follow the ****c Hong Kong ****c, Hard Boiled, with another movie, the pair has hooked up with Midway to create a game instead. And what a crazy game it is, what with its unbelievable gun fights, nearly-total environmental destruction, and Hollywood-like production values. PS3 owners even get the added bonus of a "special edition" version that uses the Blu-ray's disc's extra space to include the original Hard Boiled film. Nice!
TimeShift
Publisher: Vivendi
Developer: Saber Interactive
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release Date: September
What to Expect: Though there have been other games that allowed players to manipulate time but none with as interesting a development history as TimeShift. Just a few yards short of the finish line, Sierra requested that the game be rebuilt from the ground up. It's rare that developers get a second chance at making a game and it's clear that TimeShift has benefited greatly from the redesign. The graphics are much darker and much more detailed and the new SAM suit helps players to confront the obstacles in front of them in a greater variety of ways. The game still places a heavy emphasis on using the player's control of the flow of time to solve encounters but it's a much more refined and polished process than it was the first time around. We're very anxious to see how it comes together in the end.
Turok
Developer: Propaganda Studios
Publisher: Disney Interactive
Release Date: September 2007
Genre: Shooter
What to Expect: This isn't what you think it is. Disney Interactive's Turok revival shouldn't be the slipshod mess that its predecessors were... not by a long shot. A new development team, a higher profile publisher, and a hefty budget already bodes well for the returning franchise -- but what's truly promising is the game's new high-level AI. Animals and enemies work in tandem to react realistically to the player's moves, and they can even get so caught up in the moment that they'll start fighting amongst themselves. The bevy of new weapons and sweet visuals isn't bad either.
skateDeveloper: EA Black Box
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: September 2007
Genre: Sports
What to Expect: Gamers have become accustomed to smacking buttons quickly to pull off a number of improbable moves. But the days of Tony Hawk's arcade action may be coming to a close with the introduction of EA's Skate. Built to be a realistic physics-based experience, EA's foray into skating is going to awaken gamers to new possibilities. Skate's open world and laid back attitude encourages gamers to spend hours touring the city and teaching themselves new tricks. You won't have to go it alone, as the fictional city of San Vanelona is packed with professional skaters looking to throw down challenges and pass along knowledge. If you've been waiting for something to brake away from the Tony Hawk mold, Skate's a summer must.
Virtua Fighter 5
Publisher: SEGA
Developer: AM2
Genre: Fighting
Release Date: Late Summer
What to Expect: The series that is and always has been the definitive 3D fighter is finally coming to Xbox 360. We recently got our first look at Virtua Fighter 5 in motion on the Microsoft console and can now say that the wait will be worth it. The 360 version is prettier than the PS3 version and still has the fantastic gameplay that made Virtua Fighter 5 an arcade hit. The 360 controller may not be ideal for a fighting game that requires as much precision as a Virtua Fighter game, but the hardcore need not be worried - a HORI arcade stick is on the way to release alongside the game.
Two Worlds
Publisher: SouthPeak Interactive
Developer: TopWare Interactive
Genre: RPG
Release Date: August 7
What to Expect: Most of the world should finally be putting the last few hours into The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. So what's next? Two Worlds is looking to fill the void. It's got the whole medieval theme down pat, a wide variety of skills and abilities to level up, and a vast world to explore at your discretion. Plus it has dragons. If that isn't enough, Two Worlds also has an online multiplayer mode so you can quest with friends. If it sounds ambitious, that's because it is. After a series of delays, it looks like Two Worlds may actually make it out this summer. Let's hope the extra time was sufficient to clean up the bugs that traditionally plague games with as much freedom as Two Worlds.
Medal of Honor: Airborne
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: EA Los Angeles
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release Date: Late Summer
What to Expect: The Medal of Honor franchise has been around for quite a while. So long, in fact, that many gamers have stopped paying attention thanks to some less than thrilling additions to the catalog. Thankfully EA seems to have pulled themselves out of the doldrums with their take on the Airborne infantry drops over Europe during World War II. Aside from genuinely good visuals and fast-paced gunplay, Airborn'e most interesting aspect is in the level design. Players won't begin levels in a set location but will instead be dropped from a plane above the level to land in any number of locations creating number of very different scenarios for the player to overcome on their way to finishing objectives spread across the map that can be completed in any order. It's a new look for the franchise and, we're hoping, a good one.
BlackSite: Area 51
Publisher: Midway
Developer: Midway Studios - Austin
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release Date: September
What to Expect: Moral choices and multiple story paths are all the rage in videogames these days, and those two concepts are at the core of Midway's alien sequel, Area 51. But what you do and how you do it isn't all there is to it. Blacksite also loves to flaunt its epic boss battles (which include enemies so big they dwarf entire military bases) and "Massive D" environmental destructibility that puts previous shooters to shame. Sure it may not have the brand recognition of a Killzone or a Halo, but don't underestimate it -- Area 51 could be one of this summer's brightest.
The Darkness
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Starbreeze AB
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Release Date: June 25
What to Expect: Following the acclaim of Chronicles of Riddick is a tall order, but the guys at Starbreeze Studios are attempting to do it with their comic book adaptation of The Darkness. Thrusting players into the mind of Jackie Estacado, 2K's anticipated shooter brings several cool things to the table. Non-linear storytelling, destructible environments, and several multiplayer options join the already-neat ability to control Darklings with a variety of powers.
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