While Nintendo fans are being ripped off by the 3DS and rubbish games, we thought we’d show them just why they need to have a PS3. Here’s our list of top 5 games coming your way in 2011.Try not to rub it in to the Ninty fans faces too much though...
5. The Last Guardian – TBC 2011
In what seems like an eternity, The Last Guardian was originally announced at E3 way back in 2009, known simply as Project Trico. Now, players can rejoice knowing the game will be out sometime in 2011 – I'm guessing it will be around December, as the previous instalments Ico and Shadow of The Colossus are being buffed up in stunning HD with 3D support for a re-release in November. Yippee!
Still not much is known about The Last Guardian, director Fumito Ueda is keeping tight lipped about the details, stating the story is: “open-ended, and for you guys to figure out”.
What we do know is the game will be centred on an unnamed boy, trapped in a castle like setting, similar to the one in Ico. As the boy tries to escape, he will need to work with a huge, feathered creature that is trapped in the castle as well, named Trico. At first, Trico will be difficult to control – you must use the boy to feed Trico and entice him to different parts, in order to gain access to higher areas. Ueda came up with the idea of using Trico, after seeing his cat playing and that the game could be centred on the relationship between the boy and Trico who will become more responsive as the game progresses. Ueda States: “"each player will have a different Trico to work with depending on how he or she chooses to interact with him". I think this means, that as a player, depending on what level of care you take of Trico, you will receive the same in return.
So far, what little of the game has been shown looks stunning. And if Ueda’s previous games are anything to go by, The Last Guardian will be an emotional, powerful and unique experience. There are hints that there could be a demo of the game included in the HD remakes, so fingers crossed!
4. L.A. Noire – Out May 20th 2011
From the people who brought you Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire is a violent crime thriller set in Los Angeles in 1947. Taking inspiration from classic film noire of the 1940s and 50s, the game centres on Cole Phelps, an LAPD who must uncover the truth behind a string of arson attacks.
According to publisher Rockstar’s website, the LA in 1947 is where “Corruption is rampant, the drug trade is exploding, and murder rates are at an all-time high” – sounds like a lovely place to be, eh? The game itself looks absolutely draw dropping, with thanks to a new animation technique known as MotionScan, where actors are recorded with 32 cameras to capture every facial animation. Sweet!
Unlike Grand Theft Auto, L.A. Noire isn’t an open ended sandbox game. Instead, players must solve crimes at their own pace, in the way they think is right, which could alter the game play experience as a whole. Sounds interesting enough.
As if that’s not enough to wet your appetite, Rockstar are offering exclusive content to anyone who pre-orders the game now. Depending on which retailer you choose, you can receive different missions in game, such as 'The Naked City' where Phelps must investigate the apparent suicide of a fashion model. It may not sound much, but it’s a clever marketing ploy by Rockstar and could be made available through DLC.
3. Alice: Madness Returns – 17th June 2011
It’s been eleven years since the original Alice game was released on PC. Created by American McGee, this macabre vision of Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland sees troubled Alice released from the Rutledge Asylum only to be taken into the care of a psychiatrist in London. As her parents traumatic death still looms over her, Alice returns to Wonderland, to find it twisted and warped. She now must save the residents of Wonderland and discover who is behind the evil causing it.
All the cast from the previous game are set to return, with new characters being introduced such as the Dodo and Jabberwock. I can’t wait to see what horrors lay in Wonderland, as weapons such as the Vorpal Blade, Hobby Horse and Teapot Bomb are available to use and can be upgraded by collecting “teeth” throughout the game.
The recent trailer sees Alice wandering in Victorian London, hinting the game may switch between Victorian London and Wonderland, depending on Alice’s insanity. The trailer ends with a voice asking, “Alice, what have you done?” Hmm...
So far, the game looks just as it predecessor did – beautifully twisted. So you’re late, for a very important date indeed!
2. Tomb Raider – 14th October 2011
Details on Lara’s latest outing are scarce, yet this could be one of the most shocking and controversial Tomb Raider games yet. Dubbed as a reboot of the series, we see 21 year old Lara journeying to Japan onboard a ship (Aptly named “Endurance”) which fails to withstand an unforeseen storm. Lara is separated by anyone on board and washes ashore an island unconscious. She wakes to find herself tied up, with no weapons or equipment...
Lara has been totally transformed in appearance; she’s more realistic looking than ever, as the game has a grittier and darker look. The game play looks set more around survival – the official websites depicts a bloodied and dirty Lara with the words, “A survivor is born” above the new logo.
Crystal Dynamics studio head Darrell Gallagher said, "Forget everything you knew about Tomb Raider, this is an origins story that creates Lara Croft and takes her on a character defining journey like no other"
1. Batman: Arkham City – 21 October 2011
The Bats is back! Taking place around a year after the events of Arkham Asylum - Quincy Sharp has cornered off a part of Gotham City to detain prisoners and villains who can no longer be accommodated at Arkham or Blackgate prison. The perimeter is guarded by military contractors known as Tyger, creating Arkham City – where criminals and villains can be left to their own devices as long as they don’t try to escape. Sounds like a good idea...
Dr Hugo Strange is a psychiatrist hired to oversee the city, but appears to have his own agenda as he knows Batman’s true identity! (Eek!) Meanwhile, Batman is keeping an eye on the goings on of Arkham City, only to enter the place when Two Face threatens to kill Catwoman. Aww, the Bats has a crush!
So, where’s The Joker in all of this? Well, the official trailer shows (a slightly more curvy) Harley Quinn nursing The Joker presumably from his wounds from the previous game. The Joker is seen with torn clothes and a rotting face, spluttering and coughing away as he plots his revenge. However, not much is known at present, but I think he will end up trying to kill The Dark Knight somehow.
There are a lot of new characters in Arkham City, such as Mr Freeze, Calendar Man and the anti-heroine, Talia Al Ghul. Interestingly, as Arkham City will be 3 times larger than Asylum, different areas will be covered by different villains, which the player will see through the different environments.
Also, this time around The Riddler will be physically in the game (as opposed to setting cheap riddles over a head piece) and once again, players can have the choice to find secret clues left by him in side missions, or can capture villains in order to find The Riddler’s whereabouts.
I like the idea of the game being open ended, side missions will open different stories and extra things to do. The game itself looks even better than the previous instalment and all voice actors are set to return.
With so much going on in Arkham City, we simply cannot wait to get our hands on Bats’ gadgets...
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