| Video GamesA preview of 2008's most anticipated releases. | Hai Vu |
Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots (Konami) – PS3 [2nd Quarter 2008]
After many delays and a missed Christmas 2007 release date, MGS4 has now arguably become the most anticipated game of 2008. It is also one of the most eagerly awaited exclusives for owners of the PS3. With a franchise that spans two decades, game creator Hideo Kojima has stated that this will indeed be the last of the series. Taking place in 2014, you play a much-aged version of the character Solid Snake. While the hero has obviously changed, stealth is still the object of the game. Hiding in shadows and corners while using various camouflages will get you further than having all guns blazing. And, despite this game guaranteeing to have somewhat of a convoluted storyline like all others before it, we’re also certain that this technical marvel will entertain and wow us, setting a standard that other games in the genre will have to live up to for a long time to come.
Resident Evil 5 (Capcom) – Xbox 360/PS3 [4th Quarter 2008]
From the first Resident Evil to all of its future spinoffs, Capcom has always stuck to the “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality. It wasn’t until Resident Evil 4 that the company finally realized how stale the 10-year-old plus series has become. Going back, they re-imagined the series and added a number of new gameplay elements. Such as the over-the-shoulder camera view, which has been copied by many games since—see Gears of War. And it looks like Capcom is still not done reworking their best selling franchise just yet. This is the first game in the Resident Evil series to take place mostly in the hot daylight sun. Continuing the story 10 years after the original Resident Evil, you once again play as Chris Redfield. This time, you are trying to escape the perils of a mysterious desert that is rumored to be in Haiti. You will also have to contend with the heat. If you stay in the sunlight for too long, you will begin to see mirages and hallucinate. These minor additions serve to intensify the horror in a game that once started out as a tribute to George A. Romero’s zombie flicks.
Final Fantasy XIII (Square Enix) – PS3 [TBA 2008]
As one of the longest running and most critically acclaimed RPG franchises in history, any Final Fantasy release is big news, especially in Japan. You’ll play as the gun/sword wielding heroine “Lightning,” but little else has been leaked about the plot of FFXIII. It is known that the game will have a new active time-based battle system that will make the game more action based than previous outings. You can also expect another 50+ hour adventure barring all side-quests. But this won’t be the only Final Fantasy title we’ll be seeing in 2008. There will also be a few spin-offs to the series as well. Expect Final Fantasy Agito XIII for mobile phones and Final Fantasy Versus XIII for PS3 as well. All Cosplay fans can rejoice. Begin making your costumes now.
Grand Theft Auto IV (Rockstar Games) - Xbox 360/PS3 [04/29/08]
Welcome back to Liberty City, which this time around happens to resemble a bustling New York City, even down to having five boroughs. You play as Niko Bellic, who has just immigrated to the city in pursuit of the American Dream. Much like the plot of Scarface, it’s up to you to create your own empire from the ground up. The story unfolds as you complete missions and climb your way up the crime ladder. From the subtle nuances of the pedestrians to the promise of no load times as you create mayhem throughout the city, Rockstar Games has gone to great lengths to painstakingly create a living, breathing city. The scale of it is impressive—it will take you at least an hour to get from one side of Liberty to the other. And only now, with the processing power of the 360/PS3, can the ambitions of a game like this be fully realized. GTA IV is guaranteed to be one of the best selling titles of 2008.