Mass Effect fans are in for more good news, as BioWare proposes to focus its future single-player DLCs solely on Shepard. Barring the Extended Cut DLC, the game maker had nothing much to flaunt for its single-player add-ons. But, that is going to change very soon; if Mass Effect Producer Mike Gamble’s words are to be believed.Bioware
Mass Effect fans are in for more good news, as BioWare proposes to focus its future single-player DLCs solely on Shepard. Barring the Extended Cut DLC, the game maker had nothing much to flaunt for its single-player add-ons. But, that is going to change very soon; if Mass Effect Producer Mike Gamble’s words are to be believed.BiowareThe long-awaited sequel to Valve Software’s famed Half-Life series of sci-fi First Person Shooters (FPS), Episode 3 takes place six years after the events in Half-Life 2: Episode 2. It is set to be the final installment in the series of episodes following Half-Life 2. Expect the episode to be set in a picturesque world of ice and snow-filled mountains, besides a teleported ship – the Borealis. The ship apparently disappeared and was then teleported to the north, as a result of the mishap-ridden scientific experiments leading to the Resonance Cascade effect from the original Half-Life. The Borealis harbours something Eli wishes Gordon (the protagonist) to destroy, for fear of a repeat of the events at Black Mesa. Dr. Kleiner, however, feels otherwise - it is destined to be a useful asset in the future. The differing viewpoints between the two eminent scientists make for an intriguing subplot. Is caution the best bet or should Gordon use whatever he can find on the ship to aid in the destruction of the Combine once and for all? Despite the escalating anxiety and restlessness among fans, the delay in its release seems inevitable. The game is reportedly undergoing some developments and enhancements. Expected Release: TBA (To Be Announced) Platforms Supported: PC (Windows, Mac OS X), Xbox 360 and PS3.half-life2.netRockstar Games’ Max Payne 3 follows the same Matrix-style combat system of its predecessors, with the Bullet Time and Time-Shift effects that decided the fate of the protagonist then being retained. There are no major upgrades expected in the tech departments though and it is expected to be a straightforward sequel to the second game in the series. However, the action will not take place in New York City. Rockstar hints the situation has “drifted from bad to worse” for Payne. The game will now take place in sunny Sao Paulo… expect the opening scenes to show Payne cutting through a mafia attack at his own apartment. The game revolves around Payne’s escape to Brazil and his career as security chief with Brancos. Expected Release: May Platforms Supported: PC, Xbox 360 and PS3rockstargamesRockstar Games has a second high-profile title lined up for 2012. This one is yet another sequel to the insanely successful (and controversial) Grand Theft Auto (GTA) series of games, which remains the classic example of a perfect sandbox-style game. The series has already sold 120 million copies to date and this time the protagonist returns to Los Angeles… well, technically, it is the fictional city of Los Santos. Either way, expect an ample number of missions, cars, weapons and side quests engaging you for hours and hours. Expected Release: October Platforms Supported: PC, Xbox 360 and PS3rockstargames'Diablo 3': Blizzard Faces Legal Notices From France, Germany over False Advertisementdiablo3.comMetal Gear Rising: Revengeance is being developed by Platinum Games and produced by Kojima Productions. It is set in the era between Metal Gear Solid 2 and MGS 4. The game is a spinoff of the main Metal Gear Solid series. The protagonist is Raiden, a Katana-wielding cyborg Ninja. The player takes over the role of Raiden in a series of hack-and-slash fight scenarios alongside the series’ mainstay allied Ninja – Solid Snake. The game’s main focus is on sword-fighting, besides emphasis on third-person melee combat. Ever heard of something like “free-slicing mode”? Well… if you haven’t you soon will! The game takes a new approach, allowing the player to hack and slash at virtually anything that’s accessible in the game environment. Slicing through a falling target from multiple angles before it hits the ground should make for several finger-tingling moments! Raiden’s main weapon of destruction will be a high-frequency blade. He will also be equipped with more conventional weapons, like a dagger. Finally, expect the lead character to be comfortable grappling with and throwing robots! Need we add the game mechanics have vastly improved from the previous editions? Expected Release: TBA (To Be Announced) Platforms Supported: PS3, Xbox 360KonamiIO Interactive’s Hitman franchise has worn a rather subdued look since its last major release – Hitman: Blood Money. Now, however, the bald Agent 47 is back! Hitman: Absolution will be powered by IO Interactive’s native game engine – the Glacier 2. The game itself will fuse the traditional mechanics (sneak… sneak… and then sneak some more!) with more in-your-face open-gunfire moments. As far as the story goes, Agent 47 is back on the run and this time tasked with eliminating International Contract Agency’s handler, Diana Brunwood. Incidentally, his new enemy – Blake Dexter, will be voiced by Hollywood actor Keith Carradine. Expected Release: TBA (To Be Announced) Platforms Supported: PC (Windows), Xbox 360 and PS3hitman.comIrrational Games’ Bioshock Infinite is the prequel to arguably one of the best games in a long time… at least in terms of innovative game mechanics, weaponry, stunning visuals and storyline. The game is set in the pre-Bioshock era and in the floating city of Columbia. Previously known as Project Icarus, the game’s protagonist is former Pinkerton agent Booker Dewitt, who is sent to Columbia in search of a young woman – Elizabeth – who has reportedly been held captive for the last 12 years. Expected Release: TBA (To Be Announced) Platforms Supported: PC (Windows), Xbox 360 and PS3bioshockinfinite.comThe video game community has a lot to be excited about as of late. In addition to games such as "Mass Effect 3" and "Street Fighter X Tekken" stealing the spotlight, a first look trailer for "Halo 4" was just released, after gamers got a little sneak preview at Microsoft's Xbox Spring Showcase in San Francisco last week.343industries-Microsoft StudioBanking on the success of its predecessor, Prototype 2 attempts at recreating the magic with open world exploits with tons of raw power and the special abilities of the protagonist. The game is built around the idea of creating chaos as a means of accumulating skill points and being allowed to level up. The first game was responsible for some mega-sales for developers Radial Entertainment. There is, therefore, much expected from its sequel. The second installment resumes from where the prequel left off and follows Mercer’s attempts at regaining parts of his lost memory. The story depicts the protagonist’s desperation when he wakes up in a morgue with no memories, and through a peculiar set of shape-shifting abilities, consumes souls of people to acquire their memories. How Mercer regains his memories and why Heller blames him for the fate forms the rest of the story. Release Date: April 24 (North America) and April 27 (Europe) Platforms Supported: PC, Xbox 360, PS3prototypegame.com
The release of a number of visually stunning video game titles in 2011 made for one incredibly action-packed year.
There were games boasting an incredible depth of gameplay, narrative and technology, across all three major platforms - the PC, the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox.
Some of the more awesome titles released last year included Activision and Infinity Ward's "Modern Warfare 3", EA DICE's "Battlefield 3", Naughty Dog's "Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception" and Ubisoft Montreal's "Assassin's Creed: Revelations".
Other games that ranked among the highlights of the year were Crytek's "Crysis 2" and CD Projekt RED's "The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings", as well as Eidos' "Deus Ex: Human Revolution".
Meanwhile, "Dragon Age II", from Bioware, envisioned a modern approach to the classic Baldur's Gate-style dungeon crawling gameplay.
This year, therefore, has much to live up to... the standard has been set and it is time to see what 2012 has to offer.
Check out a slideshow detailing the 10 most anticipated video games, across all the three platforms, for the year to come...
