Usually after E3, sites do a top 10 list sharing their thoughts on best of show and what will be hot later in the year. What usually happens, though, is that the same big name hyped titles dominate the lists and readers don’t really learn anything new. We wanted to do something different. This list is all about titles that gamers aren't really thinking about now, but could make a big splash when they are released this Fall.
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
Microsoft
Viva Pinata is still one of our favorite games of this generation, so Trouble In Paradise is very high on our “Do Want” scale. It promises new environments, new piñatas, and pretty much everything is bigger and better than before. Even if it is ultimately just more of the same, sign us up for another 40-50 hour addiction.
You're In The Movies
Microsoft
You’re In The Movies looks like the funniest game ever. The hardcore gamer crowd pooh-poohed it almost immediately, but who cares what they think. It is a party game and it looks like a blast. It looks like Nintendo’s WarioWare in terms of fast pace and wackiness in the minigames, and in a party situation it is likely going to be a big hit. The movies that you and your friends/family get edited into look like they are going to be hilarious.
LIPS
Microsoft
In the years since I moved out of the house, my parents have developed a semi-serious karaoke habit. When I told them about LIPS and how it would let them use any music they wanted, and also about how the light up microphones change based on your performance, they were drooling in anticipation. Again, not a game for the hardcore, but LIPS is a game that anyone else with a pulse should have a great time with.
FIFA Soccer 09
EA
Given the great strides EA made with FIFA 08 and UEFA Euro 2008, I don’t think it is too far off to say that FIFA Soccer 09 is probably going to be the best soccer game ever. Konami has gotten lazy with the Pro Evo series over the last few years and EA has finally caught up. Great gameplay coupled with pretty much every team and player on the planet make FIFA 09 one to watch for if you are a soccer fan.
Lord of the Rings: Conquest
EA
Take the massive battles of Lord of the Rings and mix them with the developer behind Star Wars Battlefront, and you have an idea of how Conquest should play. It is all about re-living all of the famous battles with all of the characters and enemies from the movies. It should be a hoot.
Command & Conquer: Red Alert 3
EA
You know how every RTS review on the Xbox 360 seems to start with, basically, “These games play like crap on consoles … until now!”. I wish they would stop doing that. C&C3 and Kane’s Wrath perfected the controls and played spectacularly well, and Red Alert 3 looks to take that ball and run with it. We already know it will play great, but the graphics are also a definite step up from C&C3. We’re excited.
Pure
Disney Interactive
Tired of playing the same ol’ half-assed ATV games from THQ? Yeah, me too. That is why Pure is such a breath of fresh air. It looks gorgeous, and promises great gameplay to back up the pretty visuals. From Disney Interactive and Black Rock Studios (MotoGP, ATV Offroad Fury), Pure should be awesome.
Just Cause 2
Eidos
Just Cause is one of our guilty pleasure games. It is buggy as hell and seriously flawed, but darn it, it is fun. If Just Cause 2 fixes the issues while keeping the go anywhere, do anything, parachute everywhere, dare devil gameplay intact, it should be something special.
Mirror's Edge
EA
Mirror’s Edge is a first-person-adventure game where you are free to explore a sprawling city any way you see fit by parkour/free running. Although there will be enemies and weapons, the focus of the game is on exploration and movement more than combat. It looks phenomenal and the concept sounds amazing. Potential Game of the Year, coming through.
Brutal Legend
Sierra
Jack Black starring in a heavy metal/Nordic themed alternate history where demons have enslaved humanity, and the only way to fight them is with guitars and rock and roll. How can that not be 10000% awesome? Coming from Double Fine Productions (Psychonauts), it should be fantastic.
Scene It: Box Office Smash
Microsoft
The best party game on the Xbox 360 isn’t a sports game or shooter or other hardcore game. It is Scene It. And the sequel promises DLC, online play, and even user created questions to make the game even better.
Dead Space
EA
A survival horror shooter set in a gigantic spaceship that has been overrun by hostile aliens. Dead Space isn’t exactly original, but it sure does look great. In terms of graphics and atmosphere, Dead Space is extremely impressive. We don’t know too much about the gameplay, but we’re dying to get our hands on it this October.
