Upcoming Games to Watch (all platforms)

noel · Post by **noel** » September 2, 2003, 7:34 pm

The intent of this post is to have a constantly updated 'Upcoming Games to Watch' where we maintain a list of the top 5-10 games per platform with projected release dates, genre, and a brief description of each game. Once the games are released, we'll spin them off into a review thread for each.

I personally only own a PC an X-box, and a PS2 by proxy, and my tastes lean toward FPSs, RPGs, and MMOGs, I'll be relying on you the readers to assist me in keeping these lists up to date expecially for the GC, PS2, and Sports/RTS genres.

I want to get away from the Gamespot/Gamespy/IGN fluff and talk about games that matter, not just companies that feed review sites press kits and cash to hype up their crappy BS games (Hi Matrix Reloaded!). Here we'll focus on the games coming out that really matter. All of the rankings in the lists will be completely subjective, and can be modified if people think there's a need for it. Feel free to suggest any game, or change in ranking as you see fit. I'll try to make all of the game titles eventually links to the game sites this post will be forever a work in progress.

Without further ado, the games:

PC:
1. World of Warcraft - Blizzard Entertainment - MMOG - 6/15/2004
Arguably the most talked about, anticipated game currently in developement.

2. Half Life 2 - Valve - FPS - 6/2004
Can this sequel to the genre inspiring original, live up to the hype? Will it EVER actually be released?

3. Unreal Tournament 2k4 - FPS that has 10 different multiplayer options. Demo is the win so it will be hard for the release to disappoint.

4. Doom 3 - ID Software - FPS - 3/15/2004
Another eagerly awaited FPS sequel.

5. Battlefield Vietnam - Drop your BAR and pick up your M16 and go kill charlie instead of jerry.

6. Everquest II - Sony Online Entertainement - MMOG - 11/18/2003
Follow up to the most successful MMOG of all time.

7. Sims 2 - Maxim Softare - Strategy - 2/15/2004
For the people who wanted it, now with offspring!

X-box:
1. Halo 2 - Bungee Software - FPS - 3/1/2004
Arguably, there wouldn't be X-box sales without Halo.

2. Ninja Gaiden - Team Ninja - Action - 11/19/2003
For those that saw the trailer in Dead of Alive:Xtreme Beach Volleyball, this game looks awesome.

3. Starcraft: Ghost - Blizzard - Action - 02/11/2004
Looks to be similar to Splinter Cell in the Starcraft universe.

PS2:
1. Final Fantasy XI - Squaresoft - RPG - Q1 2004
The ever popular Final Fantasy line continues.

2. Xenosaga 2 : Jenseits von Gut und Boese - Monolith Soft - RPG - TBA

3. Grand Theft Auto 5 - Rockstar - Adventure - 10/15/2004
Hopefully more offensive than the previous 4!

4. Gran Turismo 4 - SCEA - Driving - Q3 2004
The best and most realistic driving game returns.

Gamecube:

1. Metal Gear Solid: The Twin Snakes - Konami - Action - 03/09/2004
Gamecube takes a swing at a sequel that hopes to be better than the first.

2. Resident Evil 4 - Capcom - Adventure - 2004
Find yet some more zombies to kill in the game that is the only reason some people buy a Gamecube.

3. Metroid Prime 2 - Nintendo - Strategey - TBA
Sequel to the massively popular Metroid series.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » September 2, 2003, 7:56 pm

PS2 - Xenosaga 2 : Jenseits von Gut und Boese
RPG
no definite release date

its more of a cult hit like the mech series. Still some of the best story in games to date

noel · Post by **noel** » September 2, 2003, 7:59 pm

Edited.

Thanks Sion.

Post by **Xouqoa** » September 2, 2003, 8:06 pm

Jedi Academy isn't really that great. It is decent, but it could have been a lot better, I think. (The version I have is a beta, so some might have changed... but I can't imagine it being too terribly different.)

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » September 2, 2003, 8:08 pm

X-Box - Ninja Gaiden, XIII, Amped 2, Halo 2, Baldor's Gate:Dark Alliance 2

*edit* also Starcraft:Ghost

noel · Post by **noel** » September 2, 2003, 8:34 pm

Hell yes on Starcraft Ghost!

Xzion · Post by **Xzion** » September 2, 2003, 11:49 pm

so what would be like Baldurs gate shadows of amn on the Xbox? just started playing this on PC, ebat BG1 right before i got into everquest and doing this 1 as im getting out of it...isnt that freaky

Sartori · Post by **Sartori** » September 3, 2003, 12:41 am

I hate to rock the boat, but in addition to the above PC titles (which most of them I am waiting for eagerly) I would have to add Deus Ex 2...if only because the original was one of the best single-player game experiences I've ever had.

Also, I'm waiting on Doom3. I have been a die-hard Doom2/Quake-LAN junky forever, so on the non-massively multiplayer front (unless you count 100+ person LANs) I'm looking forward to this game as well.

Akaran_D · Post by **Akaran_D** » September 3, 2003, 8:51 am

Prince of Persia - all systems (Won best of show at E3)
-- Persia has gone 3d with stunning graphics. Game looks to be an utter beauty.

Spawn - XBox, Cube (He's the own!)
-- It's spawn. Cloakless, but spawn.

Manhunt - Cube (Yes, this one matters to me, heh) - produced by Rockstar Games
-- You play a serial killer. The game begins with your execution. You awake in a city with now eapons, no items, nothing, just shirt pants and shoes.. and a little reciever in your ear. About the time you wake up, you get a ring: "I'm the Director. Welcome to my city. Now live through it." Your character is forced to kill, execute and otherwise murder members of a good dozen+ gangs hired for the sole purpose of killing you.. and if you're seen, you're dead.

Rogue Squadron 3 - Cube
-- Lucas Arts. Due out sometime this winter.
It's everything the first two had with a ton more, including speederbike fighting on Endor and more.

EverQuest 2 - PC
-- Luclin was the bomb. Norrath is a shattered hell after the moon blows... 50 years ater the events that occur in EQ1. The Gods are in hiding, all cities except for two have been demolished..

Halo - PC
-- Just because I don't have an x-box.

Sims 2 - PC (this will make money)
-- Maxis, sometime in the next year. The sims gets a massive overhaul in graphics, playability, ect. More of the same plus some.

Don't have release dates for most of these.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 3, 2003, 4:25 pm

Updated.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » September 3, 2003, 4:29 pm

Counter Strike 2 is also in the works, its going to be a mod of HL2, i beleive they were speculating its release a month after HL2 releases

noel · Post by **noel** » September 3, 2003, 4:32 pm

I searched pretty heavily for this about a month ago. If you can find any credible information for this, I'd love to see it, and I'd gladly add CS:2 to the list.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » September 3, 2003, 4:51 pm

there still isnt much information available on it, most of what i could find was just saying that cs2 will use same this/that of hl2 and that sort. The 1.6 Beta has gameplay videos of HL2 available, they are probably also contained in the gameplay video file planet has but i havent seen it yet. When i went to fileplanet their login thing was down and i couldnt download anything.

Skogen · Post by **Skogen** » September 4, 2003, 2:42 pm

"Call of Duty" on PC, and consol, but I can't remember what system. The demo was great, and game has enormous potential! Should hit the shelves in October/November

Ajran · Post by **Ajran** » September 4, 2003, 2:49 pm

Boundless Adventures - Currently in a very rough Alpha no release date as yet. http://www.boundless-adventures.com PC

noel · Post by **noel** » September 6, 2003, 7:50 pm

Updated.

I took off JK:Jedi Academy due to the recommendations of several, and replaced it with Call of Duty.

Ajran, thanks for the tip about Boundless Adventures. I went through their web site, but I don't feel the game is 'upcoming' enough to warrant a place on the list yet. They have nearly an identical level of information as what Horizons had two years ago, and we all know how that story has gone. Perhaps further down the road they'll have a place on the list, but not yet. Again, thanks for the tip.

Pilsburry · Post by **Pilsburry** » September 7, 2003, 2:07 pm

Is Sigil's project too far down the line also?

Dregor Thule · Post by **Dregor Thule** » September 7, 2003, 2:38 pm

This has probably been linked before, but this WoW site has an amazing collection of gameplay footage taken with camcorders at e3. The ones from the Japanese site are the highest quality ones I've seen yet. Amazing AMAZING stuff.

http://www.worldofwar.net/files/movies/index.php

noel · Post by **noel** » September 7, 2003, 8:47 pm

Pilsburry wrote:Is Sigil's project too far down the line also?

Yes I think so. Considering the project doesn't even have an announced name, release date, publisher, featureset, FAQ, beginning for beta, etc. I believe it's in our best interest to avoid tracking games that have simply been rumored, or announced.

The idea of this list is to keep track of the most anticipated games being released in the upcoming months, or games like WoW that are just so highly anticipated to defy description. If you look at the amount of information that EQ2, or WoW are providing, i.e. what I mentioned above, plus information and footage from actual gameplay; that is where I'd like to see a game before we begin tracking it here.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » September 7, 2003, 10:35 pm

Mario Kart: Double Dash - Gamecube

No explanation needed really. I will buy a GC just for this game. (and pick up some of the other great GC games for dirt cheap!)

Tegellan · Post by **Tegellan** » September 15, 2003, 6:15 am

UFO: Aftermath is coming out on the 26th.

I don't know about everyone else, but i thought the original UFO games rocked so i am pretty excited about this.

noel · Post by **noel** » September 16, 2003, 9:34 am

Updated.

Lots of games coming out soon. Hopefully we'll see some good reviews for them.

Siji · Post by **Siji** » September 18, 2003, 4:59 pm

Whatever the name of Bauldurs Gate 2 for PS2 is.. comes out next month. 10th or 15th if I remember correctly.

Chmee · Post by **Chmee** » September 25, 2003, 9:19 am

Lord of the Rings: Battle for Middle Earth

http://www.strategyinformer.com/headqua ... arth.shtml

Screenshots

http://www.strategyinformer.com/screens ... arth.shtml

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » September 25, 2003, 12:06 pm

Can't say that I am interested in a LotR RTS. Too many of those coming out. None of course will probably compare to wc3.

Swiiter · Post by **Swiiter** » September 29, 2003, 3:01 am

Middle Earth Online looks pretty cool.

Sartori · Post by **Sartori** » September 29, 2003, 6:02 pm

Lords of EQ looks and plays like WC3...at least for the first 5 minutes it did before I deleted the demo.

vn_Tanc · Post by **vn_Tanc** » September 30, 2003, 5:52 am

SSX3 on the PS2 and possibly other consoles not sure.
Gran Turismo 4 on PS2. Gimme.

murr · Post by **murr** » September 30, 2003, 5:29 pm

it's not mario CARD!

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » October 7, 2003, 1:28 pm

Project Gotham Racing 2 for Xbox is coming soon. End of November I believe I heard. The list of cars in this one is seriously impressive. If the list I saw is correct, there will be around 100 different vehicles and 30+ tracks.

Chidoro · Post by **Chidoro** » October 21, 2003, 12:37 pm

Yeah, PG2 is looking good. I really enjoyed the first one quite a bit. NFS Underground looks pretty snazzy as well. I like the "fake" speed effects they're trying to put in as I liked the blur and sound warp that was put in MotoGp for Live.

What else is coming out for the systems this holiday season? Sounds pretty light to me so far

noel · Post by **noel** » October 21, 2003, 2:22 pm

Best quote I have yet to see regarding Lords of Everquest...

<a href=http://lordsofeverquest.station.sony.com/>Lords of Everquest</a> is still a shitty Warcraft3 clone, which was a shitty clone of a <a href=http://blizzard.com/war2bc/>fun game</a>.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » October 21, 2003, 4:10 pm

SSX3 on the PS2 and possibly other consoles not sure.

Im pretty sure I saw it being advertised for Gamecube as well.

Kargyle · Post by **Kargyle** » October 21, 2003, 4:43 pm

Tony Hawk's Underground: THUG
Rleases the end of October.
All Platforms

Kingdom Hearts II
Release: Unknown
PS2

an update for FFXI. It is fully online and will be released for PC and PS2.

And KOTR is apparently released. I saw it at Best Buy today.

Waran · Post by **Waran** » January 22, 2004, 11:10 pm

Saw updated release info for Halo 2 and it wasn't good

Both Gamestop and Ebgames have posted the release as 6/01 /cry

/twitches for new Halo action

Pherr the Dorf · Post by **Pherr the Dorf** » January 22, 2004, 11:28 pm

Aranuil wrote:
Pilsburry wrote:Is Sigil's project too far down the line also?
Yes I think so. Considering the project doesn't even have an announced name, release date, publisher, featureset, FAQ, beginning for beta, etc. I believe it's in our best interest to avoid tracking games that have simply been rumored, or announced.

The idea of this list is to keep track of the most anticipated games being released in the upcoming months, or games like WoW that are just so highly anticipated to defy description. If you look at the amount of information that EQ2, or WoW are providing, i.e. what I mentioned above, plus information and footage from actual gameplay; that is where I'd like to see a game before we begin tracking it here.

I'd have to disagree, Vanguard (yes that's the name) is not far behind WoW (they are gearing up for alpha from the interviews in the next couple months) and it's a who's who of MMORPG geeks that are doing the game (and pimp ass artists as well). I know everyone is planning on WoW, but I'd bet Brad has an all around better game out by the end of the year.

Sionistic · Post by **Sionistic** » January 22, 2004, 11:56 pm

wow that list needs updating, most of those games have been out a long time
aran, hop to, chop chop

Dups. · Post by **Dups.** » February 17, 2004, 4:46 pm

We still updating this?

Animalor · Post by **Animalor** » February 23, 2004, 2:32 pm

Mech Assault 2 for the x-Box

Kwonryu DragonFist · February 24, 2004, 9:22 am

I want Baldurs III for the PC with a new Graphics-Engine!

Sparck · Post by **Sparck** » February 29, 2004, 9:16 pm

Tegellan wrote:UFO: Aftermath is coming out on the 26th.

I don't know about everyone else, but i thought the original UFO games rocked so i am pretty excited about this.

Isn't this game supposed to be something like XCOM? I was a huge XCOM fan when I first played the game on the PS1. If it's even remotely similar I'll definitely buy it

Kilmoll the Sexy · Post by **Kilmoll the Sexy** » March 24, 2004, 9:57 am

I have only one game on my absolutely must have list right now. FABLE! This game makes me grow hard and tremble with excitement.

Shlamorel Starwrath · Post by **Shlamorel Starwrath** » August 1, 2004, 8:44 pm

noel wrote: Resident Evil 4 - Capcom - Adventure - 2004
Find yet some more zombies to kill in the game that is the only reason some people buy a Gamecube.

Exactly

VeeshanVault

Upcoming Games to Watch (all platforms)

Upcoming Games to Watch (all platforms)

Re: Upcoming Games to Watch (all platforms)