The Ultimate Winter Games Guide 2007

Ah, it's that time of the year again, a time to look beyond those pool trips and the cool multi-million dollar popcorn movies. Summertime is almost done for and now is the time to rejoice and anticipate the greatness that is in store for us gamers. 2006 will always be remembered as the year of the consoles, for many reasons. Sure, we did get a few great PC titles to love, such as Oblivion, HL2 Episode One, BF 2142, FEAR Extraction Point, but the majority of sales were still dominated by The Sims and World of Warcraft expansion packs. Now that's surely not all, what the platform is about, it never has been. Microsoft has done its bit to promote the platform with Vista and DX10, but that hasn't quite done the trick till now, has it? 2007, however, with all the new technology, promises to be the year for PC gaming to make a come back.

Everything is in shape for a momentous fall/winter season. With numerous positively special E3 stories currently hogging the space, it just can't get any better. Developers are pushing harder and harder to deliver those fulfilling next-gen experiences to the consumers, as quickly as possible. Several titles now have been dated and many new ones have been freshly announced to level up our expectations. With all these great developments in place, one can't help but feel all the more excited.

To share my excitement with you guys, I've compiled a list of 100 most anticipated games for the coming season, featuring all the known platforms. One word though, the list does not by any means contain all the titles scheduled for release but only those which I'm looking forward to and also, the titles have not been ranked in any order. So get seated, strap yourselves tight for the ride of your lives. Here goes nothing:

Playstation 3

1. WarDevil

Developer: Digi-Guys

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: First Person Shooter

2. Warhawk:

Developer: Incog Studios

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Flight Action

Warhawk is one-part Ace Combat and one-part Battlefield. It's a combination of superb aerial physics and cool land-based bloodshed, silenced early critics thanks to its accessibility and fun, while its superb visual performance and kick-ass military atmosphere can't be denied.

3. Heavenly Sword

Developer: Ninja Theory

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

4. Super Stardust HD

Developer: Housemarque

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Shooter

Extremely impressive visuals and more varied environments than those found in similar shoot 'em ups, like Mutant Storm and Geometry Wars, have me salivating at the prospect of playing this gem.

5. GRAW 2

Developer: Red Storm

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Tactical Shooter

Come August, PS3 owners will be able to customize their own respective experiences with the flexibility of doing everything from picking an avatar and a vast selection of headgear, to be a part of a deeper and an extremely expansive co-op online experience.

6. DiRT:

Developer: Codemasters

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Rally

The game looked absolutely stunning on Xbox 360 and the PS3 version promises to be even better. The replay modes and the physics will surely stand out. Be sure to check out my review of the 360 version.

7. Strangehold

Developer: Midway Amusement

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action

Despite not being a PS3 exclusive, Strangehold's PS3 version will be a special edition of sorts featuring a lot of extra content along with the movie, Hard Boiled.

8. Lair:

Developer: Factor 5

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action  

9. The Darkness

Developer: Starbreeze Studios

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Shooter

Destructible environments, non-linear storytelling, and several MP options-join the already-neat ability to control Darklings with a variety of powers. As an added bonus, PS3 owners get specialized Blu-ray content and Sixaxis controller support!

10. Ninja Gaiden Sigma

Developer: Team Ninja

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Third Person Action

We've got the review for you, read it and when it comes out, make sure you get it. Thanks to a number of great additions, like true HD visuals, overhauled weapons, extra moves, bonus plot points, and an all-new playable character, named Racheal, you'll not regret it.

11. MGS 4: Guns of the Patriots

Developer: Kojima

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Stealth based action

12. Gran Turismo 5

Developer: Sony CE

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Racing

GT5 looks all set to continue the tradition of the franchise by offering yet more choices of tracks and cards, including the long sought after Ferrari brand, and even higher levels of realism than ever before.

13. Killzone 2

Developer: Guerilla

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Shooter

Nintendo Wii

14. Super Mario Galaxy

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Third-person Adventure

15. Mario Kart Wii

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Adventure

16. Super Smash Bros. Brawl

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Adventure

17. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Adventure

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption will take all the first-person adventure aspects of its GC predecessors, and team it with the precision, speed and comfort of the Wii controller.

18. The Bigs

Developer: Blue Castle Games

Release Date: August 20, 2007

Genre: Sports

19. Madden NFL 08

Developer: Tiburon

Release Date: August 14,2007

Genre: Sports

NFL 08 will feature over 20 MP mini-games, online play, and a unique, Wii-exclusive Telestrator that allows you to humiliate your friends by drawing on-screen during instant replay.

20. Mario Strikers Charged

Developer: Next Level Games

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Sports

Mario Strikers Charged brings arcade style Four-on-four Soccer to Nintendo Wii, including a lot of intensity and chaotic soccer stadiums, all wrapped in Mario's own world.

21. ManHunt 2

Developer: Rockstar Toronto

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action

Manhunt 2 makes its way to the Wii to deliver more brutal violence, killing and stalking with the Wiimote as your weapon.

22. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08

Developer: EA Tiburon

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Sports

23. Mercury Meltdown Revolution

Developer: Ignition Banbury

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Puzzle Action

24. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Developer: EA UK

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Adventure

In Potter's latest adventure, the wand shaped controller will be substituting for Mr. Potter's wooden wand, as spells will be activated through unique gesture-based commands with the Wiimote.

25. Ratatouille

Developer: Heavy Iron Studios

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action Platform

26. Driver: Parallel Lines

Developer: Reflections Interactive

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action

27. Boogie

Developer: EA Montreal

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Music Action

28. Brothers in Arms: Double Time

Developer: Gearbox Software

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: FPS

The invasion of Normandy gets revisited on the Wii with Double Time, a FPS design set in World War II.

29. Donkey Kong Barrel Blast

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Casual

30. Battalion Wars 2

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Action

31. Mario Strikers Charged

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

32. Endless Ocean

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: October 29, 2007

Genre: Adventure

33. Fire Emblem

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 5, 2007

Genre: Adventure

34. Wii Fitness:

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Health/Medical

Xbox 360

35. Blue Dragon

Developer: Mistwalker

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: RPG

36. The Darkness

Developer: Starbreeze Studios

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: FPS

Refer to my review of the 360 version of The Darkness to know more about what I consider as one of the most evil and breathtaking cinematic shooters ever to grace the platform.

37. Mass Effect

Developer: Bioware

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: RPG

38. Overlord

Developer: Triumph Studios

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action

39. Project Gotham Racing 4

Developer: Bizarre Creations

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Racing

PGR 4 will finally feature actual A.I. drivers who will attempt to wreck you up by drafting off your car and pulling power-slides.

40. Timeshift

Developer: Saber Interactve

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: FPS

41. Two Worlds

Developer: TopWare Interactive

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: RPG

42. Virtua Fighter 5

Developer: AM2

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Fighting

The 360 version is prettier than the PS3 version and features fantastic play that made Virtua Fighter 5 an arcade hit. An incredible MP component puts it among the rare legends of arcade fighting.

43. Hour of Victory

Developer: nFusion Interactive

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: FPS

This UE 3 based title will give players a way to control three different characters, each with different abilities, as they battle it out on the front lines to take out the endless Nazi horde.

44. Flatout: Ultimate Carnage

Developer: Bugbear

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Arcade Racing

Expect better visuals, even more interactions and crashes with other cars and the tracks as Flatout finally makes its way to the next-gen era.

45. Alan Wake

Developer: Remedy

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Action Adventure

46. Halo 3

Developer: Bungie

Release Date: September 26, 2007

Genre: FPS

In all seriousness, there are mainly two reasons why I'm looking forward to Halo 3. The heavily built-up storyline will enter its third chapter and I'm dying to see what happens. Second, the MP should be incredible.

47. Banjo Kazooie 3

Developer: Rare

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Adventure

48. Eternal Sonata

Developer: tri-Crescendo

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: RPG

49. Fable 2

Developer: Lionhead

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: RPG

50. Lost Odyssey

Developer: Mistwalker

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: RPG

PC

51. Crysis

Developer: Crytek

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: FPS

Shooter lovers were treated to Far Cry in 2004 and Crysis is also set to bring back a lot of that same fast and extremely brutal shooter gunplay and beyond.

52. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Action

Capcom brings over their third-person action title from the X360, only now with DX10 support. Aside from the brief 11-mission campaign, players will find a number of MP modes to blast other humans.

53. GRAW 2

Developer: Red Storm

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Tactical Shooter

The PC version of GRAW 2 builds on the success of the original game by adding loads more customization, plenty of new toys, improved tactical control and even more MP options.

54. Settlers: Rise of an Empire

Developer: Blue Byte

Release Date: September 11, 2007

Genre: Strategy

55. Hellgate London

Developer: Flagship Studios

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Action

London mixes sci-fi with fantasy in a near future setting and its mix of first person action with deep play and a solid MP component already has its fans salivating.

56. World in Conflict

Developer: Massive Entertainment

Release Date: September 18, 2007

Genre: Real-time Tactical

57. Civilization IV: Beyond the Sword

Developer: Firaxis Games

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Strategy

58. Medieval II: Total War, Kingdoms

Developer: Creative Assembly

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Strategy

59. Guild Wars: Eye of the North

Developers: ArenaNet

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: Online RPG

The focus in Eye of the North will be on adding higher level content for gamers to explore.

60. Sword of the New World

Developer: IMC Games

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: MMORPG

61. Sam and Max Season 1

Developer: Telltale Games

Release Date: August 28, 2007

Genre: Adventure

Season 1 will feature all the amazing Sam and Max episodes presented together in one inexpensive package. Now that's worth gunning for.

62. Sins of a Solar Empire

Developer: Ironclad Games

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Strategy

63. Project Offset

Developer: Offset

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Stealth-based Action

64. The Witcher

Developer: CD Projekt

Release Date: September 14, 2007

Genre: Role-playing

65. Dragon Age

Developer: BioWare

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: RPG

66. Half-Life 2: Black Box

Developer: Valve

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: FPS

Episode Two will be a no brainer since I'm already hooked on HL but adding what looks to be an awesome MP title with amazingly stylized art, adds a ton of value. Nice!

67. Spore

Developer: Maxis

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Simulation

68. Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures

Developer: Funcomm

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: MMO

69. God and Heroes: Home Rising

Developer: Perpetual Games

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: MMO

70. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars

Developer: Splash Damage

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: FPS

While a definitive release date for this game is still up in the air, we are still hopeful that this long awaited sci-fi multiplayer shooter will still be released sometime this winter for the PC. Developers Splash Damage and id Software and publisher Activision have expanded on id's Quake 2 and 4 universe to tell the tale of Earth's first fight with the alien Strogg in this multiplayer oriented fight of weapons, classes, vehicles and other features.

71. Left 4 Dead

Developer: Turtle Rock Studios

Release Date: August 2007

Genre: FPS

We love co-op games and lately there has been a trend toward putting in more co-op features in consoles and PC titles. Developer Turtle Rock Studios has worked with Valve on their Counter-Strike: Source game and now the developer is branching out on their own with their own Source engine game. Left 4 Dead is supposed to bring co-op game-play to an all new level as you and a party of friend team up to shoot a zombie horde. Will this game make this kind of game-play as popular as Counter-Strike's team mode? We sure hope so

72. Pirates of the Burning Sea

Developer: Flying Lab Software

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: MMO

Multi-Platformers

73. Bio Shock

Developer: Irrational Games

Release Date: August 21, 2007

Genre: FPS

Platforms: PS3, 360, PC

Bio Shock blends an extremely intelligent plot with highly immersive sounds and visuals, offers a number of intriguing game-play options, and, most importantly, understands that player choice is of great importance.

74. Blacksite: Area 51

Developer: Midway Austin

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: FPS

Platforms: PC, PS3, 360

75. Unreal Tournament 2007

Developer: Epic Games

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: FPS

Platforms: PC, PS3

The latest entry in the UT series will feature thundering visuals, enhanced MP and even more modifiability.

76. Medal of Honor: Airborne

Developer: EA LA

Release Date: August 31, 2007

Genre: FPS

Platforms: PC, 360, PS3

Airborne's most interesting aspect will be in the level design. The game will feature a number of varied scenarios for the player to overcome in any order.

77. GTA IV

Developer: Rockstar

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Action

Platforms: PS3, 360

Rockstar's massive open world crime action game franchise is one of the best ever for console titles and with the game's first next-gen entry we certainly expect a quantum leap in visuals, game-play and online play.

78. Turok

Developer: Propaganda Studios

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: FPS

Platforms: PS3, 360

In the next-gen Turok, enemies and animals will work in tandem to react realistically to the moves of the players. The inclusion of new weapons and amazing visuals isn't bad either.

79. Assassin's Creed

Developer: Ubisoft Montreal

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Stealth Based Action

Platforms: PC, PS3, 360

80. Burnout Paradise

Developer: Criterion

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Racing

Platforms: PS3, 360

81. Devil May Cry 4

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Action

Platforms: PC, PS3, 360

Handhelds

PSP

82. Dead Head Fred

Developer: Vicious Circle

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

83. Monsten Hunter Freedom 2

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

84. Silent Hill Origins

Developer: Konami

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

Last time I saw it, Origins looked great and was indeed a lot of fun to play. Expect to get shivered, quite literally, this September.

85.Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron

Developer: Rebellion

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: FPS

86. Syphon Filter: Logan's Shadow

Developer: Sony Bend

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Stealth Based Shooter

87. God of War: Chains of Olympus

Developer: Ready At Dawn

Release Date: December 2007

Genre: Action

88. Brain Age 2

Developer: Nintendo

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Puzzle

89. Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations

Developer: Capcom

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Adventure

90. Sonic Rush Adventure

Developer: Dimps

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Platformer

91. Donkey Kong Jungle Climber

Developer: Paon

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Platformer

PS2

92. Guitar Hero Encore: Rock The 80's

Developer: Harmonix

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Music

93. Hot Shots Tennis

Developer: Clap Hanz

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Sports

Hot Shots Tennis will most certainly retain the amusing flair that the franchise is known for. Fourteen amusing characters will face off on over ten unique courts, including beaches and parks.

94. Syphon Filter: Dark Mirror

Developer: Sony Bend

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

Absolutely everything from the PSP title should make an appearance in the PS2 edition of the game, including Gabe's numerous weapons, gadgets and globe trotting locations.

95. Wild Arms 5

Developer: Media Vision

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: RPG

Mobile

96. Project Gotham Racing

Developer: Glu Mobile

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Racing

Glu has a great reputation for developing solid experiences and from what I know, the 3D mobile edition of PGR is looking mighty promising.

97. Geometry Wars Evolved Mobile

Developer: Hardcore 3D

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Action

98. The Shroud

Developer: Hardcore 3D

Release Date: October 2007

Genre: Adventure

99. Sketcher

Developer: Zio

Release Date: November 2007

Genre: Action

100. Gunslinger

Developer: Punch Entertainment

Release Date: September 2007

Genre: Shooting

So there you have it. The fall season indeed promises to be bigger and better than ever. If everything goes according to plan and all the titles do meet their scheduled dates, the year of 2007 will go down as the most significant year in gaming history.