2007 is one hell of a year to be gamer. 2007 marks further integration of video games into the entertainment mainstream as well as a grand evolution of video games in general. If the record-breaking BioShock is not a signal obvious enough, let me remind you to save up your money, ’cause the fun hasn’t even started.
Microsoft has recently announced that Bioware’s highly anticipated RPG Mass Effect will be hitting stores on November 20th. There is no doubt that this game, with its novel innovations will make ripples on the gaming industry. But Mass Effect is accompanied by several over games, to be released in November. Let’s take a quick look at what’s going to come.
Gears of War (PC, coming November 1st)
Gears of War. Love it or hate it, you can’t deny that Gears of War made a mark on the Xbox 360 gaming scene with its intense action and breathtaking graphics. Epic proved their worth once again, by creating the first game to harness the powers of the Unreal Engine 3. Gears of War will be coming out for the PC this November, which should quench the PC enthusiasts’ thirst for some GoW action!
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (PC, XBOX 360, PS3, coming November 5th)
Call of Duty, one of the most successful World War II shooters finally crawls itself out of the trenches and into the choppers as it advances to Modern Warfare. The intense action of the previous games combined with modern technologies and settings is bound to make a mark. Call of Duty 4 is reported to feature more unpredictable action, more yelling officers and like always, addictive multiplayer!
Blacksite: Area 51 (PC, XBOX 360, PS3, coming November 5th)
Area 51 managed to garner some attention back when it was released, but Blacksite is one game that’s rather overshadowed by the giants (read Halo 3). Developed and published by Midway, Blacksite: Area 51 will feature squad-based action as you infiltrate a secret government facility. Adding to the list of clichés is an enemy gallery full of aliens and plenty of ass-kicking action. And yes, Blacksite is also a game using the Unreal Engine 3. To be specific, it will use the very version that is under development for Stranglehold, the much-antipicated “John Woo game”.
Fire Emblem: Radiant Dawn (Wii, coming November 5th)
The hugely successful Fire Emblem series is known for its brilliant storylines, unique and addictive strategic role-playing action as well as its colourful characters. Fire Emblem crosses the generation gap and enters the Wii, offering radiant new action with the Wiimote. Build support relationships between your characters as you command the “Dawn Brigade” to victory. Also featured is widescreen support, which will make for some cinematic Fire Emblem action!
Empire Earth III (PC, coming November 6th)
Take control of a civilization and turn it into a great empire in the third version of the popular Empire Earth series. Span all the human eras, from stone age to the future. Lots of new features include taking defeated enemy armies under your wing, as well as a new freeform campaign mode. Also, look out for strategic missions to add some colour to your game. This is the game for all you strategy maniacs!
Assassin’s Creed (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, Various dates in November)
Assassin’s Creed comes from the team that brought you Prince of Persia: Sands of Time. Assassin’s Creed is also one of the most awaited games, as well as one of the most unique stealth games. Set in the medieval age, you take control of an assassin as he is tasked to well, assassinate targets. You use the city to your advantage, melding with the people, taking camouflage and using every damned visible object in the game to your advantage.
Super Mario Galaxy (Wii, coming November 12th)
Super Mario Galaxy is the supposed spiritual successor to the highly acclaimed (and damn right it was) Super Mario 64 (which was the same to the phenomenal Super Mario Bros.) This time, Mario will take his adventures to the galaxy, with planet-hopping and Italian accents galore! Demonstrated by the big daddy Shigeru Miyamoto himself, we have no doubt that Super Mario Galaxy might just be the game that’ll have you reaching for the Wiimote again!
Unreal Tournament 3 (PC, PS3, coming November 12th)
Unreal Tournament, Epic’s flagship series of games makes a return with UT3. The latest iteration is slated to include a new gametype, Warfare, more “in-your-face” action, and a complete revamp of playing style from the speed-based UT2004. UT3 will also feature seamless PS3-PC integration, as well as mod support for the PS3 version. Unreal Tournament 3 is the game to buy if you like long nights of merry fragging.
Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway (PC, Xbox 360, PS3, coming November 13th)
Brothers in Arms is considered to be one of the finest WW2 shooter series, and with good reason. Like before, the third version of BiA will feature a compelling storyline, strategic squad-based action that goes beyond the usual gun-slinging action and of course, dramatic and visually appealing graphics powered by the Unreal Engine 3. Join Matt Baker in the singleplayer of the game to open up the “Hell’s Highway” or frag friends in the new revamped Multiplayer segment of the game!
Crysis (PC, coming November 16th)
Come on, you can’t not know this game and still be a PC gamer. Crysis the pet project of Crytek, the previously unknown developer that made a massive mark with the hugely successful Far Cry. Crysis will feature DirectX 10 graphics, alongside a slew of other graphics technologies to offer you an absolutely cutting edge visual experience. With a rather random story that involves North Korea and aliens, Crysis will be a ride of coolness with its hot “Nanosuit” that looks awesome, functions even more awesome!
Rock Band (Xbox 360, PS2, PS3, coming November 20th)
Rock Band is Electronic Arts’ famous competitor to Activision’s very successful Guitar Hero series of games. Rock Band may be dropping in a while after Guitar Hero III rolls in, but that matters not, does it? Rock Band is reportedly published by MTV, while EA is playing distributor. Many are considering this game to be a cross between Guitar Hero and Karaoke Revolution. Whatever this ends up becoming, Rock Band is something to keep an eye on!
Enemy Territory: Quake Wars (Xbox 360, PS3, coming November 27th)
Quake Wars is the long awaited RTS game from the Quake franchise, one of gaming’s forefathers. Take control of futuristic weapons, vehicles and units as you wage war against the alien Strogg or the humans. Establish bases, deploy structures and conquer obstacles to ensure that you are ahead of your enemy at all times. Quake Wars will certainly be something to look forward to for console strategy fans, and may even succeed in drawing fans of the FPS series into strategy!
So, what do y’all think? Think we missed out your favourite game coming out in November? Think a game doesn’t deserve to be on this list? Think we should quit our jobs and go back to the zoo? Drop us some comments, then!
