There were probably 50 games at E3, in some form, that you could tab as promising or good or exciting. Weve picked 20 that stood out, for us, because they exuded a sense of magic or achievement, above the average.
We picked them because they are trying to do something different or because they promise extraordinary things.
These games, listed alphabetically, represent the industrys best hopes for the next few months.
Maybe weve been suckered by the glitz. Or weve omitted something that really ought to have been mentioned. Please add your entries in our Comments section.
The Conduit
Wii
High Voltage
Shown off-site, this attractive Wii shooter has yet to be signed by a publisher. But at a time when hardcore Wii titles are failing to ignite, and when mainstream Wii titles seem samey or gimmicky, this shows promise.
Dead Space
Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC
EA / Redwood Shores
Alien-esque survival horror offers some neat weapons upgrade systems and genuinely frightening moments.
Fable II
Microsoft / Lionhead
Xbox 360
Plenty of opportunities to play with this finished game at E3, all of which add to the enigma of Molyneuxs unique RPG. Hes trying a lot of strange new ideas here; not all of them wholly convincing, but it adds up to something greater.
Fallout 3
Xbox 360
Bethesda
Not much on show, but VATS targeting system looks like it might challenge gaming conventions. As youd expect from Bethesda, a rich, textured world and dashes of humor. E3 didnt especially enhance this games awesome reputation, but we trust Bethesda to deliver.
Guitar Hero World Tour / Rock Band 2
Various
Multi
Not enough between these two to merit a single entry, but we can hardly just not mention the sales phenomena of our time. Rock Band 2 and Guitar Hero World Tour have both delivered the goods in terms of new song rosters and gameplay tweaks, enough to justify more purchases anyway, even if the experience is going to much of the same.
Final Fantasy XIII
Square / Enix
Xbox 360 / PS3
As is standard for Square / Enix, we were treated to some epic, big-screen footage, but little in the way of actual details (release date, combat system, plot are all misted in secrecy). Ultimately this is Final Fantasy reborn, in every conceivable way. So sure; were excited.
Gears of War 2
Xbox 360
Microsoft / Epic
We enjoyed the Horde mode, which allows five players to battle down large-massed enemies. The flesh-shield is a neat idea but, perhaps, more gimmick than gameplay. Even so, Epic has clearly been fine-tuning a franchise that is likely to repeat its 2006 success.
Halo Wars
Microsoft / Ensemble
Xbox 360
Ensembles work in sufficiently streamlining RTS controls to work on a console is deeply impressive, as is its beautiful rendering and reconstruction of the Halo universe.
Infamous
PS3
Sony / Sucker Punch
Visually exciting post apocalyptic super-hero adventure with a touch of class, above the ordinary. One to watch.
Left 4 Dead
Xbox 360 / PC
EA Valve / Valve
Valves highly anticipated zombie four-player team co-op game demoed well at E3, with new designs for its main characters and a playable level that, while short, impressed.
LittleBigPlanet
Sony / Media Molecule
PS3
The game industry has no new ideas? This is an accusation thats being being made by people who arent looking beyond the obvious, and necessary, sequels. Either that, or theyre seeking easy headlines. LittleBigPlanet shows that, as well as in-genre innovations, there really are new genres to be found. Here is a game, a world, that ought to bamboozle the doubters.
Madden 09
EA / Tiburon
Multi
It seems weird using one of our 20 picks on a sports game, one thats 20 years old, one thats only a few weeks from release. But Tiburon really looks like it has worked the hell out of football and deserves the credit.
MadWorld
Wii
Sega / Platinum
MadWorld is some way off from completion, and not yet playable, but visually, one of the most arresting games in development, and one of the most violent.
MAG
Sony / Zipper Interactive
PS3
Sony showed Zippers MAG as its E3 'wow' moment, and you could argue that something more immediate would have been better. But this shouldnt diminish Zippers attempts to create a multi-player action world of 256 players online, fighting in teams of eight.
Mirrors Edge
Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC
EA / DICE
This was a positive E3 for DICEs new IP, with its bright cityscapes, interesting character-moves and premise of mostly running away from trouble. Mirrors Edge has the looks and some lovely special effects, but its in a tough sector and will need to shine.
Prince of Persia
Xbox 360 / PS3 / PC
Ubisoft / Montreal
A pre-E3 publicity push put this pretty, innovative romp on the map. The cel-shaded style looks great, in a market threatened by a glut of quasi-Arabian Knights heroes, the series feels fresh. Another game offering two-player co-op through a female side-kick, with implementation looking solid.
Resident Evil 5
Xbox 360 / PS3
Capcom
Playable for the first time, this copper-bottomed blockbuster has loads to offer. It hasnt departed too far from the formula that made RE4 such a joy, but with improved control systems and a two-player co-op that adds a new dimension, were happy with progress.
Resistance 2
PS3
Sony / Insomniac
The Chimera are back in this sequel to, arguably, PS3s best game yet. Much work has been done on creating a varied story-experience, and on ramping up enemy creepiness. Beautiful work so far; difficult to see this disappointing.
Spore
EA / Maxis
Multi
Spore has been with us so long, its tough finding something new to say. Later stages of the game have now been shown to the media. We just have to wait a few weeks until its arrival and, what we hope will be a title that redefines gaming.
Tom Clancys EndWar
Xbox 360 / PS3 / Portables
Ubisoft / Shanghai
Large-scale modern warfare is coming to consoles later this year, with an impressive voice-command system. Tom Clancy franchise can be trusted to deliver hi-tech military hardware, with gameplay looking solid thanks to Creative Director Michael de Plater, whose resume includes Rome: Total War.
Special mentions for Wii Sports Resort, Borderlands; Soul Calibur IV; Killzone 2; Call of Duty: World at War; Too Human; Star Wars: The Force Unleashed; Motorstorm: Pacific Rift; Animal Crossing: City Folk; Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe; Saints Row 2; Mercenaries 2; Gran Turismo 5; Wii Music. Far Cry 2; Tomb Raider Underworld; Banjo Kazooie; Street Fighter IV.
. Mal schauen was da noch für Formate kommen.
(cliffy)
