5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Wii, Xbox 360
Developers: LucasArts, Krome Studios (Wii)
Publisher: LucasArts
Release Date: Summer 2008

The Star Wars feature film series may be over according to George Lucas, but there's plenty more to be explored. And LucasArts' forthcoming title Star Wars: The Force Unleashed will do just that, filling in some of the blanks between "Episode III: Revenge of the Sith" and "Episode IV: A New Hope." Specifically, players will assume the role of Darth Vader's secret apprentice (remember that Vader doesn't know young Skywalker exists until "Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back") and the hunt for the remaining Jedi scattered throughout the galaxy. LucasArts' newest Star Wars title aims to do exactly what its title indicates: give players the ability to use the Force in ways they've never experienced before. In fact, the premise of the game, according to LucasArts, is quite simply being able to "kick somebody's ass with the Force" with telekinesis, Force Lightning, and a new ability that amounts to a "Force explosion." And instead of being a high-minded Jedi bound to a moral code, players will instead get to act like a wreaking ball with Vader's apprentice, who wields him like an attack dog. The premise and storyline are irresistible, and the technology behind the game is tantalizing as well. The Force Unleashed utilizes three impressive technologies for its graphics: NaturalMotion's Euphoria for 3D character animation, Havok for physics, and Pixelux's Digital Molecular Matter engine for dynamic destructible environments. Early footage of the game's graphics in action has been impressive (most impressive). And Star Wars fans that have fantasized about using the Wii's motion controls for light saber action have been rewarded. The Force Unleashed looks like it could earn a spot alongside Knights of the Old Republic for the best Star Wars titles of decade.
Upside: Gamers can wield the full powers of the force with reckless abandon.
Downside: The lack of a PC version really hurts.

4. Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Platforms: Wii
Developer: Nintendo
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: March 9th

Despite the Wii's astounding success in the next generation console war, the platform has a mere handful of truly great titles that stand out from the numerous third-party flops, weak ports and bad ideas (Ninjabread Man, anyone?). The Wii could definitely use another hit to compliment the likes of Super Mario Galaxy and Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, both of which used the Wii's motion controls to perfection. Surprisingly, the best may be yet to come for the Wii: Super Smash Bros. Brawl has become a sensation in Japan, where it was released last month, earning perfect scores from publications like Famitsu while selling a million copies in less than two weeks. The game has also generated considerable hype in the U.S., thanks to popular demos at video game events like E for All. So what's the fuss about Brawl? The follow-up to the underappreciated GameCube title Super Smash Bros. Melee obviously incorporates the Wii's motion controls for its fighting gameplay, but the real attraction is the dozens of popular playable characters and their signature fighting moves, known as "Final Smashes." Brawl features everyone from Nintendo favorites like Link and Samus Aran to third-party guests like Solid Snake and Sonic the Hedgehog. While the game is predicated on both multiplayer and online multiplayer action, Brawl also comes with an intriguing single player campaign called "The Subspace Emissary" where players can engage in side-scrolling fighting while enjoying character-specific storylines. With new characters, gameplay, stages and campaigns for both single and multiplayer, Super Smash Bros. Brawl is poised to be the Wii's blockbuster title for 2008.
Upside: A popular demo and early success in Japan portend great things.
Downside: It is, after all, just a fighting game.


3. World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King
Platforms: PC, Mac
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Activision/Blizzard
Release Date: 2008

World of Warcraft celebrated a banner year in 2007, reaching 10 million subscribers and enjoying monster sales of the game's first expansion pack, The Burning Crusade, which sold 2.7 million copies worldwide in its first 24 hours on sale. In the U.S., Burning Crusade became the best-selling PC title of the year by a wide margin (in fact, the closest title only sold approximately 914,000 copies, and that was the original World of Warcraft). With that kind of success, the next move for the franchise seemed pretty obvious: launch another expansion pack. So Blizzard plans on releasing Wrath of the Lich King sometime later this year. The game will take place in the icy realm of Northrend with a villain familiar to Warcraft III alumni - the Lich King Arthas - and provide new customization features for players' characters. The forthcoming expansion pack will also feature a new level cap of 80 and new Hero character ****called the Death Knight, which will be available to both the Horde and Alliance factions. Blizzard has also added a new profession with Inscription and will also provide players with more talents and powers. And while World of Warcraft has never been known for its graphics, Blizzard said it's working on some technical enhancements for the game's visuals. It doesn't look like Wrath of the Lich King will add any groundbreaking or innovative features to the World of Warcraft universe, but it's a good bet that millions of eager subscribers are going to make the series' second expansion pack another huge hit.
Upside: The World of Warcraft phenomenon isn't slowing down.
Downside: Will Lich King really offer anything new?

2. Grand Theft Auto IV
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: Rockstar Games
Publisher: Take-Two Interactive
Release Date: April 29, 2008

Grand Theft Auto IV was unfortunately delayed last summer about a month after the game's all-too-brief preview at E3 2007 (which should have been a hint of the news to come). The game's epic launch date was pushed back from October to the following spring amid rumors about development issues for the PS3 platform. But the bright side is that, according to Rockstar Games, whatever technical issues that plagued the game have now been fixed. And it's most likely that GTA IV will be worth the wait. For one, the game boasts an all-new, redesigned Liberty City that looks and feels like its real-life inspiration, New York City. While the map is reportedly smaller than what Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas offered, the GTA IV environment shines like none before it, with gorgeous landmarks and authentic details. Even better, perhaps, is the newest GTA title will be powered by the RAGE game engine, which provided the graphics for Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis. In addition to the graphics upgrade, GTA IV gets an additional coat of polish with NaturalMotion's Euphoria technology (also used in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed) for 3D character animation. The GTA series has been known for gameplay - and wanton violence - much more so than its graphics, but it looks like GTA IV will change that. The game's story follows a new character, Nikolai "Niko" Bellic, who has emigrated from Eastern Europe to Liberty City at the behest of his cousin Roman in the hopes of living the American Dream. It turns out that Roman is in deep trouble with some shady characters, and Niko is forced to take action with the Liberty City underworld. With new gameplay features, multiplayer modes, and enhanced graphics, GTA IV could rival the current highlight of the series, Vice City.
Upside: Nobody does sandbox gameplay better than Rockstar.
Downside: Let's hope whatever technical problems that caused the delay have been corrected.

* 1. StarCraft II

Platforms: PC, Mac
Developer: Blizzard
Publisher: Activision/Blizzard
Release Date: 2008

The godfather of the real-time strategy genre makes its long-awaited return, and that gives StarCraft II the number one spot on this list. After all, millions of Korean gamers can't be wrong, can they? Fans had long suspected Blizzard was secretly working on the game, codenamed Medusa, behind closed doors. Sure enough, Blizzard confirmed the suspicions last May with a big announcement at the Blizzard Worldwide Invitational in Seoul, Korea, and a cinematic teaser trailer complete with the clever line "Hell, it's about time." The story picks up a few years after the events of StarCraft: Brood War, which left off with "Queen of Blades" Sarah Kerrigan becoming the dominant ruler of the sector after crushing the Terran Dominion and Protoss. Blizzard says the original three race ****s - Terran, Zerg and Protoss - will return in the sequel and the Xel'Naga species will also play a prominent role in the single player narrative but not as a playable race. StarCraft II will feature new units and gameplay features to further distinguish each race. In addition, the sequel will be powered by a new 3D graphics engine that will bring the StarCraft universe up to the visual level of other recent RTS titles like Company of Heroes. Of course, StarCraft II will have some new multiplayer features for match-making and competitions, as well as a game editor for players to create custom maps and mods. The most intriguing part of the game, however, may be the game's single player campaign - or rather, campaigns - which Blizzard calls "groundbreaking." The campaigns for each race will be unique, and according to Blizzard, the Terran campaign will non-linear with open-ended gameplay and optional missions. StarCraft's narrative has always been an under-appreciated part of the series, but that may change with this highly anticipated sequel. StarCraft II could turn the RTS genre's recent resurgence into a full-blown renaissance.
Upside: The king of all RTS games makes its triumphant return.
Downside: It's been 10 years - will StarCraft still have it? Actually, that's a dumb question...