Find out which games are on our watch list for the second half of the year.

August 1, 2008 - Is this another epic year in the making? Last fall saw an unprecedented number of AAA titles hit store shelves. Bioshock, Mass Effect, Call of Duty 4 and Halo 3 were all stunning achievements. But can the second half of '08 compete with such a knockout lineup? That remains to be seen. Judging by the list of anticipated titles we've assembled, it looks as if the next five months should be paradise for gamers.

At the start of the year, IGN editors listed their Top 10 Most Anticipated Games of 2008. Now that we've seen almost all of this year's titles at E3, some of those opinions have changed. We're revisiting the list, with our own picks for the top must-have titles from now through the end of '08.

 

Hil's Post-E3 Most Anticipated Games of 2008

10) Dead Space Genre: Action Developer: EA Redwood Shores Publisher: Electronic Arts Why?: I'm not sure how many more times I have to say it, but Dead Space is one worth watching. Each time I see Dead Space -- and every time I play it -- I want it just a little bit more. This moody survival horror shooter has cool enemies and cooler weapons. And how many games let you blow aliens in half in zero g? That Dead Space is only #10 on my list is a testament to the number of great games coming in the second half of '08.

9) Shaun White Snowboarding Genre: Sports Developer: Black Box Publisher: Electronic Arts Why?: It's been several years since Xbox gamers had a worthwhile snowboarding game. Finally, those who dig games in the mold of 1080° and Amped have a new snow-swept title to play this winter. Shaun White Snowboarding is a realistic action sports game with four wide-open mountains -- all of which are online arenas for you and your friends at all times. I have been dying for another great snowboarding game and SWS has all the makings of continuing the tradition set by 1080° Snowboarding a decade ago.

8) Portal: Still Alive Genre: Puzzle Developer: Valve Publisher: Microsoft Why?: Portal was the smash hit portion of Valve's Orange Box, released in '07. So it was not a shock to learn that Valve was working on a sequel. What was surprising, however, was Microsoft's announcement that it would release what amounts to a 1.5 version of Portal on XBLA with additional content. Little else is known about the new Portal. It has been reported that I want this very badly and am willing to pay up to 1200 Microsoft Points ($15) for the chance to play more Portal.

7) Rock Band 2 Genre: Music Developer: Harmonix Publisher: MTV Games Why?: Despite the opinion of one Mr. Erik Brudvig, Rock Band 2 is not just the original with more songs. There's actually quite a bit being added this year, including an extensive series of challenges. These challenges, which are updated daily, recognize the DLC you own and the types of songs you like playing. You will be challenged in the areas that matter most to you. Did I mention that GNR is debuting a song from their (never happening) next album? That's hot.

6) Fable II Genre: Role-Playing Game Developer: Lionhead Studios Publisher: Microsoft Why?: Peter Molyneux is famous for delivering on half the things he promises. With Fable II, he's been wise to only promise things he could show working in the game. So the many proclamations of Mr. Molyneux appear as if they will happen for Fable II. If, in fact, that is the case, then Fable II is going to be a stellar RPG for a system still suffering from a dearth in the genre. While Fallout 3 may have all the hype for RPG of the year, don't count out a strong showing from Fable II.

5) Bionic Commando Rearmed Genre: Platformer Developer: GRIN Publisher: Capcom Why?: Bionic Commando Rearmed may just change the way people view classic remakes. Though the levels are almost identical to the NES original (now two decades old), everything about BCR feels fresh. It doesn't hurt that the visuals are among the best yet for an XBLA game. Or that there are some new weapons added to your arsenal. Oh, and let's not forget that there's a whole new level that's been added to the game, making the final battle a real kick in the ass (but in a good way).

4) Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Genre: Platformer Developer: Rare Publisher: Microsoft Why?: Nintendo fans have long awaited the return of Banjo-Kazooie. Those fans will need to buy Xbox 360s -- and accept that Rare is going way outside the box for its new platformer. I'm not sure why there is such a backlash against Banjo 3 from our readers, but they are all nuts. This game is going to be awesome. From the vehicle creation to the fun single-player challenges to the inventive worlds to addictive multiplayer -- Nuts & Bolts has all the right pieces.

3) Gears of War 2 Genre: Third-Person Shooter Developer: Epic Games Publisher: Microsoft Why?: The original Gears of War was a technical marvel and a fun game, but in many ways it was more style than substance. The sequel gets props for adding more story depth, multiplayer bots and the awesome Horde game mode. Few need convincing that Gears 2 is a day one purchase. The game looks awesome, plays better than the original, has mortars and meat shields, and Brumak riding. What more could you need? How about a replica Lancer (you'll shoot your eye out)? 'Nuff said.

2) Fallout 3 Genre: Role-Playing Game Developer: Bethesda Softworks Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Why?: Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion sucked away 100 hours of my life. And that game was buggy and had a terrible main story. Yet I loved it. After a half hour with Fallout 3, I can assure you that it plays much, much better than Oblivion. And it looks great. The VAS system, which allows you to target individual body parts, is a (literal) blast. As long as Bethesda can deliver on a central story that's as engrossing as the world it's created, Fallout 3 will be a definite contender for Game of the Year.

1) Prince of Persia Genre: Platformer Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Publisher: Ubisoft Why?: The newest iteration of the Prince of Persia franchise harkens back to the original game. Rather than surrounding players with enemies, all of your battles are one-on-one affairs. This allows for intense (and cinematic) combat where one well-placed hit can end your life. Of course, combat is only a small part of Prince of Persia. The real star is wall running and platform jumping, which perform smoothly and look stylish. There really is no bigger gift than to have Prince of Persia come out this winter.

Other Games Worth Noting: This is a year chock full of goodness. So much so that it's really impossible to include every great game in a list capped at ten. Other games that I am eagerly awaiting include Viva Piñata: Trouble in Paradise, NHL 09, Last Remnant, Castle Crashers, and Guitar Hero World Tour. And, if it comes out this year, there's no way I could pass up a chance to play Grand Theft Auto IV episodic content. That would be a grand way to end the year. It certainly beats the way I ended '07: Sans pants and knee deep in the mashed potatoes.

10) Castle Crashers Genre: Action Developer: The Behemoth Publisher: Microsoft Why?: The folks who made Alien Hominid are bringing their zany art style to yet another XBLA release in the form of Castle Crashers. It's an action game in the vein of the classic Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and X-Men arcade games but with RPG elements to push things beyond what we've seen prior. The action is fast and it stays varied as you level up your character's attributes. This one has been a long time coming, but it looks like it'll be well worth the wait.

9) Too Human Genre: Action Adventure Developer: Silicon Knights Publisher: Microsoft Why?: Too Human could very well hold the record for being developed on the most platforms throughout its life. It began on the original PlayStation and will soon find its permanent home on Xbox 360. With a deep storyline rooted in Norse mythology, RPG elements that have an eye for action, and co-op play throughout the campaign, it seems as though Denis Dyack's latest is poised for success. Now we'll just have to wait and see if the gaming public agrees.

8) Madden NFL 09 Genre: Sports (football) Developer: Tiburon Publisher: EA Sports Why?: Every year Madden releases and every year there's an outcry from the community saying, "they didn't change anything!" Well, it's football, people, get over it. This year's Madden packs a number of requisite changes including a Madden Test and auto-scaling difficulty to go along with refined animations and a revamped presentation style. Football season is nearly upon us, and, like it or not, this is the only game in town. Be thankful that it's actually pretty damn good.

7) Saints Row 2 Genre: Action Developer: Volition Publisher: THQ Why?: People love to hate on Saints Row for being a GTA knockoff. And it is. But it replaces the GTA formula of delivering a dramatic storyline and characters with a brand of action that is totally over-the-top. Not to mention the fact that it's pretty fun. Saints Row may not be reinventing the wheel, but it does enough things differently from the competition to warrant any action fan's attention.

) 6) Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts Genre: Platformer Developer: Rare Publisher: Microsoft Why?: Those who think the platformer is dead are about to be proven dead wrong thanks to Rare's latest. While it is true that you'll spend most of your time traversing land on a vehicle, this is still very much a platforming adventure. Banjo and his faithful friend are back up to their old collecting habits as they venture across massive worlds, making use of the inventive vehicle creator as they go. It's fun, funny and the number of vehicles that you can create is staggering. Fun for all ages!

5) Mirror's Edge Genre: First-Person Action Adventure Developer: DICE Publisher: Electronic Arts Why?: Games that take a genre and turn it on its head always catch my eye. Sometimes the change works and sometimes it doesn't. Thankfully Mirror's Edge seems to be putting all its ducks in a row as it nears release later in the year. The feeling of leaping and sliding under objects is fantastically immersive and the clouded storyline leaves plenty of room for drama and intrigue to transpire. The combat still needs to be ironed out, but the toughest hill to climb seems to have already been tackled with ease.

4) Dead Space Genre: Action Developer: EA Redwood Shores Publisher: Electronic Arts Why?: Dead Space is a universe rich with backstory. By the time the game launches you'll be able to read a graphic novel which leads up to the events of an animated feature film which then lead up to the game itself. Players take control of Isaac as he tries to rid the vessel known as the Ishimura of its alien infestation. Luckily, Isaac has that massive engineering armor on. If not, chances are he'd find himself covered in entrails, bile and other bodily fluids. If you haven't guessed, enemies in Dead Space are quite juicy.

3) Fable 2 Genre: Action RPG Developer: Lionhead Studios Publisher: Microsoft Why?: This is going to be the greatest game ever released on a disc. Sorry, I got lost in Molyneux Mode. If there's one thing Peter Molyneux, Fable extraordinaire at Lionehead, can do it's sell his games. Every major feature of Fable 2 -- combat, the dog, and co-op -- has been talked about, now the only thing that's left is for gamers to get their hands on it for themselves. The toughest sale of all. Judging from the scope that the rest of the game is trying to tackle, my guess is that RPG fans won't be disappointed.

2) Fallout 3 Genre: RPG Developer: Bethesda Softworks Publisher: Bethesda Softworks Why?: Going into this past E3 I wasn't all that excited for the spiritual successor to Oblivion. Having now gotten a bit of hands-on time for myself, this one is a must-buy. The apocalyptic landscape sets the stage perfectly for the action that ensues and with a more streamlined progression system players should get the same amount of gameplay as with Elder Scrolls IV while never feeling lost or off-course. Supposing the story comes together like we think it will, Fallout 3 could another trophy on Bethesda's mantel.

1) Gears of War 2 Genre: Action Developer: Epic Games Publisher: Microsoft Why?: Sequels are a scary thing. Both for developers and gamers alike. Gamers expect too much from sequels and those who create them can have a tendency to rest on their laurels. Luckily, from my time with Gears 2, I can say that Cliff Bleszinski's latest concoction pushes the enveloped enough while still delivering gameplay that feels different from the original. Toss in a story that is supposed to put the first game's to shame and Gears of War 2 is without a doubt my most anticipated game for the rest of the year.

Other Games Worth Noting: With only ten spots available, games had to be left on the cutting room floor. Still, that doesn't mean that they won't be worth your hard-earned sixty bucks. EA Sports is bringing back its perennial hockey all-star with NHL 09, the successor to our sports game of the year for 2007. Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway might have gotten pushed back by a month or so, but that doesn't mean I'm any less excited to be thrown into its dramatic war torn world. Rounding out my list is Far Cry 2, Left 4 Dead and Call of Duty: World at War. Call me violent, go ahead. Now if only I worked on the PC Team so I could include Spore.

4 Exclusives... Can't wait for all four... Gears 2, Portal 2, Banjo 3, and Fable II...

I'm also looking forward to Viva Pinata 2, Warhammer, Too Human, The Last Remnant, and Infinite Undiscovery more then many of those.

This year is gonna destroy my wallet. Add some more to the 360's attach ratio.

my most anticipated is banjo kazzoie

No Tales of Vesperia love. That hurts me.

I know why the 360 attach ratio is so high. Cause guys like me have 25 games on their profile, and 15 games in their cubbord that they are trying to get around to playing, lol.

Just look at the crap I gotta buy soon.

FFXIII
Fire Emblem DS
Dragonquest V, Dragonquest IX
tales of vespiria
infinite undiscovery
the last remnant
star ocean 4
too human(I think this game might turn out bad, but I hope not)
F.E.A.R. 2 Origins
Streetfighter 4
MK vs DC
fallout 3
fable 2
Zoids
Marvel 2
Sacred 2
Cry On
RE5
Tos2
Fragile
Diablo 3
Prototype
dead space
Alan Wake
mirror's edge
new prince of persia
Force unleashed
Madworld
Bayonetta
Miles Edgeworth: Ace Prosecutor

Not to mention games I've missed cause I was/am broke.

Everyone talks about attach rates of 7 being high, and I got one of like 100 for my 360, lol. It's just a few consumers raising it for everyone.

Edit: There's a lot I didn't list, cause I just forgot, like Guitar Hero IV and MAYBE Banjo, but those are just the games I'll probably buy for full price.

Edit 2: I also forgot fracture, and didn't list PS3 exclusives cause my brother has my PS3, so he can buy those himself, lol.

^so many awesome games are being released

I'll simply add this to what Zen wrote: It's a damn fine time to be a gamer!