By David Mayne
Assassin’s Creed III: Releasing 10/30/12 (US) – 10/31/12 (EU)
As a long-time fan of the Assassin’s Creed series, I can honestly say that I’m salivating at the idea of taking its brilliant game play mechanics and free-running exploration style and applying them to a Colonial American setting! Set during the time of the American Revolution and a fictional “Assassin-Templar” war, Assassin’s Creed III promises to excite with frontier exploration, thrilling combat employing period-appropriate weaponry, and enhanced enemy AI. Word on the Amigo grapevine also has players meeting up with such historical figures as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Lee, Israel Putnam, Paul Revere, General Lafayette, John Pitcairn, William Prescott, King George III, Samuel Adams and Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben. Wow.
In Assassin’s Creed III, you will play the half-English, half-Native American: Connor Kenway (via Desmond Miles), with a story arc spanning over 30 years. If you are a fan of previous ‘Creed installments, then you are incredibly familiar with HUGE cities to explore! Assassin’s Creed III will be no different, with both colonial Boston and New York as central settings to the game’s epic storyline. There will also be a “massive” frontier to explore, with plenty of quests, side quests, and general exploration possible. According to UbiSoft Montreal, “The entire Eastern seaboard will also be explorable via Connor captaining a ship.” Folks…Assassin’s Creed III is going to be epic, and we can’t wait!
Far Cry 3: Releasing 11/29/12 (UK & EU) – 11/30/12 (UK) – 12/04/12 (US)
Having spent the better part of 100+ hours in Far Cry 2′s huge open world, it’s a safe bet Far Cry 3 will re-deliver on the promise of a massive arena in which to explore, fight, and cause things to go “BOOM”!
Returning to the tropical roots of the 1st Far Cry, FC3 will also feature an improved stealth mechanic as well as an RPG-esque “leveling” system. The Far Cry series has always been known for its spectacular graphics, draw distances, and lighting effects. Far Cry 3 seems to carry the torch forward, and well. Early screenshots completely blew me away, and if the frame rate is stable, and the glitches are kept to a minimum, I foresee a possible Game of The Year contender in Far Cry 3, for sure!
Halo 4: Releasing 11/06/12
It ain’t over till the fat lady (in this case Master Chief) sings, and the fabled Halo series is no different. Originally only planned as a trilogy, Microsoft would be remiss if they shutdown a guaranteed cash-cow such as this, so Amigos…prepare for more!
With an all new story-driven campaign featuring, you guessed it, Master Chief, you find yourself (and Cortana) lost in space aboard the wreckage of the UNSC Frigate, Forward Unto Dawn. Focusing less on running and gunning and more on exploration, mystery, and discovery, it could be very well said that Master Chief has finally landed himself his own Dead Space gig. The main game will mostly take place on the nearby planet of Requiem, where developers promise an adventure on a “grand scale”, and will serve to be the 1st game in an all NEW Halo trilogy. As long as it’s fresh, and the game play innovative, I am seriously looking forward to Halo 4!
Doom 3 BFG Edition: Releasing 10/16/12 (US) – 10//19/12 (EU)
One of the most defining modern PC games of its time (2004), both in graphics and benchmarking, Doom 3 was destined to become video game royalty from the beginning. Excellently ported to the original Xbox, Doom 3 saw (which at that time was rare) a whole new life on Microsoft’s console, with superb graphics and great gamepad control, not to mention that the near 1:1 port fit on a single Xbox disc!
Now, almost 10 years later, Doom 3 looks to once again rock the PC and console world in this “special edition”. With greatly enhanced graphics and effects, improved sound, and support for 3D and HMD displays, Doom 3 should be quite the looker when it lands in stores next month. The re-release will also include the Resurrection of Evil expansion as well as a new single player pack called The Lost Mission. Want a cherry on top, Amigos? The BFG Edition will also include both original versions of the cult classics, Doom and Doom II! Seriously sold, I am!
X Rebirth: Releasing Q4 2012
Any Freelancer, Elite, X Series fans out there? Yeah, I know you guys exist, cause I’m one of you, and no other space/combat/sim has me more excited than the upcoming X Rebirth. Featuring a gigantic, open-ended universe full of systems, planets, trading, combat, and real-time industry, every space-sim fan’s dream may just come true in X Rebirth!
Developed specifically for Microsoft Windows, X Rebirth will take full advantage of advanced PC hardware with gorgeous visuals and deep game play. The game will also feature a completely redesigned interface, intended to reduce the game’s ultra-steep learning curve and overall complexity that has been a sore spot for many gamers. Having said that, the developers assure us that X Rebirth will in no way be “dumbed down”, and that the new installment will be a faithful addition to the long-standing franchise. X Rebirth will also bring a much more focused story mode to the table, as well as giving players the option to remain completely freeform if they so desire! Can’t wait to sink countless hours into this one!
Borderlands 2: Releasing 09/18/12 (US) – 09/21/12 (UK) – 10/25/12 (JP)
Sometimes called a cross between Halo, Diablo, and Quentin Tarantino, the first Borderlands game was indeed spectacular. With its semi-open world, blazing gun battles, and untold amounts of unique weapons, it was only inevitable that a sequel would make its way to us, and next week it’ll be here!
Taking place 5 years after the first game, Borderlands 2 will feature a more customizable weapons system, dynamic quests, and better vehicles. The biggest difference will be a more open-world feel, without loading times between “zones”, like the first. The enemy AI has also been improved, with more teamwork and problem solving amongst enemy gangs, meaning an end to the sometimes stupid AI of the first game.
Dishonored: Releasing 10/09/12 (US) – 10/11/12 (AU) – 10/12/12 (EU)
By Devin
Arcane and Bethesda bring forth a new game with limitless possibilities. Dishonored reaches a whole new level of personal preference from a role-playing leveling up system to systematic game play that adjusts to how you play. Whether by stealth or blatant violence, there will be those who will support you and those who will cast you out in this 1800′s steam punk World where corruption and disease are queen. The game has me sitting at the edge of my seat and my anticipation is high. Bring for the chaos. Bring forth the dishonored.