I just thought I’d share with you some of the games I’ve been particularly excited about, although after E3 next month, I might have to revise my list!
5. Fracture
Release Date: October 2008
I actually don’t know a whole lot about Fracture other than the fact that it looks freaking awesome. Developed by LucasArts, this graphically beautiful game lets you drastically manipulate the environment with your weapons, creating some very unpredictable and frenzied battles. Hopefully more will be unveiled at E3 next month.
4. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Release Date: September 16, 2008
Oh Star Wars, will you ever die off? Hopefully not, or we won’t get to see cool games like this! Taking the role of Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, players can use the Force in ways never imagined. For example, yanking a TIE fighter out of space to have it crash land onto your foes. Wii respect is present and accounted for as well, since that version will be getting an exclusive versus mode as well as motion-based lightsaber controls. It’s about time.
3. Metal Slug 7
Release Date: November 19, 2008
If you’ve read my review of Metal Slug Anthology over at DK News and Reviews, you’ll know that I like the Metal Slug series. Number 7 will be the first to not appear in arcades (it’s a DS exclusive), but I don’t think that will affect the crazy and fun gameplay. Hopefully for the co-op mode (if there is one) only one game card will be needed, since the required multi-card multiplayer was one of Contra 4’s big disappointments.
2. Fire Emblem DS
Release Date: TBA
Fire Emblem 8 and 9 were some of my favorite handheld games ever, so I’m especially excited about this new one returning to a handheld system. It’s a remake of the very first Fire Emblem, and even though that game has already been remade, I’m happy to be able to experience for myself the classic story of Marth rescuing his sister and retaking his kingdom. This one is also getting online play features, and unlike the Link Battle that’s been seen in previous FE handhelds, you are actually able to move your characters around versus-specific maps. It’s like a level from the single-player game… only you’re playing against a real person. This is definitely something for strategy fans to look out for.
1. Guitar Hero 4: World Tour
Release Date: October 2008
Move over, Rock Band. You might think it’s okay to give the Wii a crappy port of a game that’s been out for months, but Guitar Hero 4: World Tour isn’t omitting anything for it’s Wii edition. I have confidence that this game will destroy all other competition in the music game market. With more songs than ever (all of them master tracks), vocals, drums, bass, a touchpad on the sweet-looking new guitar, character-creation, instrument-creation, song-creation, online Battle of the Bands mode, drum solos during encores, etc., this is shaping up to be one awesome game, well worth the $179.99 (with instruments, of course).
By Josh60502
having recently picked up rock band and being a drummer, I must say that im interested in the more accurate drumset design with the crashes being above the snares and such
I can hardly wait for Fire Emblem DS. I went back and did Ephraim’s path (As I had already finished Erika’s) in Sacred Stones this Summer, just to satisfy my Fire Emblem desire.
hey josh are any of the following games on your list (if it was a few bigger):
Left 4 Dead
Far Cry 2
Fallout 3
Mirror’s Edge
All excellent looking titles….
Well, I might make another list now that a few months have passed. As for those games:
Left 4 Dead: Maybe… I’d probably get it on the 360 if I do at all, but I would hesitate doing so after seeing how badly Valve supported Team Fortress 2 on the system.
Far Cry 2: Another maybe, but less so than L4D. Just haven’t followed this as much. I know its supposed to be like Crysis, and that’s the only reason I’ll give it the “maybe”.
Fallout 3: Game of the year, right here. Looks awesome in every way.
Mirror’s Edge: Very interesting concept and style. Probably wouldn’t make the list, but I wouldn’t count it out of my attention.
[...] Number 2 on my list of games I’m anticipating will release the in 1st half of 2009. It’s a remake of the classic Famicom game. Difficulty settings, online modes, and storyline details were discussed, but none of that is really new information. Full voice chat is only with friends, not random strangers. [...]