From E3: New Video Game Review

You’ve heard about the new game consoles and advanced technologies. Now we’re going to focus on the games you can expect to see in the months ahead. From continuations of popular series to totally new games, here are some to get excited about.

E3 is particularly hot this year with all major game companies competing to provide the best challenges for seasoned and beginner game players. We’re going to look at the expected 2006 to 2007 line-ups of two of the most popular game publishers – Electronic Arts and Take2.

The EA game lineup is as diverse as today’s gaming enthusiasts. Gamers will have all-new experiences on award-winning franchises or discover completely new franchises; EA titles will demonstrate that next generation has arrived on the console, PC and handheld devices.

Madden NFL 07 – With the exclusive video game license of the NFL and its players, Madden NFL 07 continues to be the #1 football franchise in history with more than 51 million copies sold. In its 17th installment, you control the running game like never before. For the first time ever, step up as the lead blocker to create a hole, and then take control of the tailback and smash through, overpower, or slash away from would-be tacklers as you fight for every yard. Game will launch in August on the Xbox 360, Xbox videogame system from Microsoft, PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, Nintendo Game Cube, PSP system, PC, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance. It is also in development on the PlayStation3 console and Nintendo Wii.

NCAA Football 07 – Featuring unprecedented graphics that capture every moment in complete detail – from the authenticity of the stadiums, mascots, and marching bands, to the true-to-life look and feel of the players on the field. NCAA Football 07 delivers the most realistic college football experience ever. NCAA Football 07 is scheduled to ship in July on the PlayStation2 console, Xbox, Xbox 360 and the PSP system.

ARMY OF TWO – EA unveils details of the action title that has been kept top secret for the past year. Developed at EA’s boutique production house in Montreal, Canada, the new, original game will redefine strategic TWO man cooperative play when it launches on the PlayStation3 console and Xbox 360 in 2007. ARMY OF TWO will throw gamers into hot spots ripped from current day headlines where they will utilize unique TWO man strategies and tactics while seamlessly transitioning between playing with intelligent Partner AI (PAI) and a live player. When one man is not enough, it will take an army of two to fight through war, political turmoil and a conspiracy so vast it threatens the entire world.

Battlefield 2142 – The year is 2142, and the dawn of a new Ice Age has thrown the world into a panic. The soil not covered by ice can only feed a fraction of the Earth’s population. In Battlefield 2142, players choose to fight for one of two military superpowers in an epic battle for survival. Armed with a devastating arsenal of hi-tech weaponry, including assault rifles, cloaking devices, EMP grenades and sentry guns, players can level the playing field against massive Battle Walkers that control the ground and futuristic aircraft that rule the skies. Massive online battles for up to 64 players drop gamers on the front lines as part of a formal squad, or behind the scenes in Commander Mode to direct the strategic assaults of their team-mates.A PC release is expected Fall 2006.

SPORE – Spore takes players on an epic journey from the origin and evolution of life through the development of civilization and eventually into the outer reaches of space. Create a creature and control every dimension of its evolution from pond scum to galactic god. Experience multiple styles of gameplay as your creature advances through different stages of development. A PC release.

Crysis – Crysis delivers next-generation PC technology, graphics and gameplay. Set in 2019 after a colossal asteroid crashes to Earth, Crysis begins amidst a tense military standoff between the North Korean and United States governments for control of the impact zone. Amid rising tensions, the asteroid suddenly bursts open revealing a massive alien ship, which begins freezing vast portions of the island and altering the global weather system. The invasion of Earth has begun. Crysis is slated to ship for the PC in Winter 2006.

Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars – The genre defining Command & Conquer series is back! The epic struggle between the Global Defense Initiative (GDI) and The Brotherhood of NOD continues…and the third Tiberium War is about to begin. This highly-anticipated next chapter takes the popular series back to its roots in the Tiberium universe and features the fast, fluid gameplay that Command & Conquer is known for and a gripping story that will redefine storytelling in RTS games. Experience a revolution in RTS gaming with a breakthrough single player campaign that rewards you for your gameplay style. Battle it out online with native voice-over IP. Windows PC, 2007.

The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II for the Xbox 360 – Now command the epic battles of Middle-earth from your living room couch! Take control of huge armies and venture into the heart of Middle-earth to live the battles. The game boasts a new, intuitive console-specific control scheme that allows novice players to enjoy the game’s signature Real-time Strategy gameplay while giving expert players the flexibility needed to engage in a deeply complex strategy experience. Summer 2006.

SUPERMAN RETURNS: THE VIDEOGAME challenges players to master Superman’s unrivaled powers to save Metropolis. Based on 60 years of DC Comics and the upcoming motion picture, this game creates the ultimate open-world super hero experience. It will be available on Xbox 360, the PlayStation2 console, Xbox, the PSP system, Nintendo DS and Game Boy Advance.

Def Jam Fight For NY: The Takeover – Experience the ultimate hip-hop fighting game anywhere you go. Master over 180 new fighting moves and 50 new dirty moves in order to win fights and rise among the ranks of your crew. Create your own fighter and battle through over 40 of the hottest artists and celebrities in hip-hop. For the PSP in Summer 2006,

Take 2 Interactive Games (T2) made a name for itself with its hot-selling Grand Theft Auto. It expects to deliver “Grand Theft Auto IV,” in stores on Oct. 16, 2007, in North America and Oct. 19, 2007, in Europe. GTA-IV will have an advanced storyline and even more action than ever. T2 has more games prepped for release than ever before including an expansion of their sports game series. There will also be a multi-format release of The Family Guy, based on the popular TV series. Other T2 titles include:

BioShock immerses players into a war-torn underwater utopia, where mankind has abandoned their humanity in their quest for perfection. Anticipated for 2007.

CivCity: Rome - Inspired by the world of Sid Meier’s Civilization, CivCity: Rome is an innovative city builder that invites players to zoom-in on and create the great cities of the Roman Empire. Through dozens of missions, each offering an array of interesting decisions, players will be charged with building, nurturing and managing one of these great cities as they endeavor to lead the Roman Empire from its humble beginnings to its mighty apogee. PC – July 2006.

Dungeon Siege II: Broken World is an action/role-playing expansion game set in a dark, post-apocalyptic fantasy world that concludes the story of Dungeon Siege II. Players must hunt down the Dark Wizard to exact vengeance and undo the evil brought to the world of Aranna during Dungeon Siege II. New features include new character classes, a new playable character race, updated graphics and the ability to import Dungeon Siege II parties. PC – August 2006

Family Guy - The first video game based on the hugely popular Family Guy TV show, Family Guy features the outrageous humor its millions of fans know and love. Various game consoles and portables – Fall 2006

The DaVinci Code – Based on the most popular bestselling novel with an almost simultaneous release date with the movie version in May 2006, this game has lots of potential. An adventure/puzzle game with action elements, The DaVinci Code challenges players to solve mysteries and puzzles that go beyond anything they have seen or read. Encountering new plot twists and clues, players must try to stay one step ahead of an enemy formed by an ominous, covert society that will stop at nothing to protect a secret that has been locked away for centuries. Multiple formats.

The Darkness – The popular Top Cow comic comes to life for multiple formats. The Darkness video game is a gritty, first-person, action-adventure game for next generation console systems.

NHL 2K7 - NHL 2K7 reigns supreme as the category leader in innovation, design and critical acclaim with four straight years as a leading NHL video game. 2K7 notches a 2nd year of next-generation domination with a groundbreaking presentation system that will truly engross gamers with cinematic style bringing raw emotion and exciting drama to every hockey game. New additions to ProControl empower players to turn up the defensive pressure on specific opposing players.

College Hoops - College Hoops 2K7, the hot college basketball game four years running on both Xbox and PlayStation 2, returns for its sophomore season on the Xbox 360 and is set to make its freshman debut on the PlayStation3 system. Leadership makes a difference this year as team chemistry plays a vital role in a team’s performance—especially come tournament time. The college atmosphere is fully realized with updated mascots, improved crowd interaction and more fight songs. With over 325 NCAA Division 1 schools and the deepest legacy mode around, College Hoops 2K7 defines the college basketball experience.
These offerings are just from two of the many game publishers around. If these are any indicator, gaming is going to be booming over the next year. We’ll be here to share the enthusiasm.

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