Ben-DutkaWith the likes of Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception , Gears of War 3 , Resistance 3 , Mass Effect 3 , Killzone 3 , LittleBigPlanet 2 , Bioshock: Infinite , Dead Space 2 and Batman: Arkham City set to dominate headlines in 2011, we'd like to remind you of a few titles that might get overshadowed by the blockbusters, but should nevertheless remain on your radar.
The Last Guardian
Based on the style and nature of the game, which is both original and ambitious, and the fact that it might just release when the new Call of Duty arrives, Team ICO's project could easily get the cold shoulder. And you can bet you won't see much in the way of advertisement or promotion, so if it does hit store shelves for the holiday 2011 season, I'm afraid it'll just disappear. And that would be bad .
But it absolutely cannot and should not be ignored. In fact, if you're looking for something fresh and artistically amazing, this one should be at or near the top of your list.
L.A. Noire
It has been in the works for a while and although Rockstar has continued to treat the press to plenty of info and footage, a lot of gamers can only think about the next GTA. And although the game won't be all that similar to Heavy Rain in terms of gameplay, it does remind us of Quantic Dream's masterpiece in regards to the emphasis on storyline and character development. The setting is also quite compelling, and we can't wait to dive into the "noir" atmosphere.
The technology involved is also fairly impressive, as evidenced by the latest video below. Provided everything comes together, L.A. Noire should be one of the best games of 2011.
Twisted Metal
I think we should probably face up to facts: Twisted Metal has lost its blockbuster status, despite the hardcore fans who remember the days when TM was a mammoth title in the industry. Although it took the limelight at Sony's E3 press conference and we have no doubt many are anticipating the return of Sweettooth and Co., it could very well be overshadowed by other, "more modern" franchises. David Jaffe wants to bring back a time when video games were purely fun, and we figure that's admirable.
After all, as games become more complex, the intensity level rises, and we often need something that acts as a simple stress-reliever. Unless we miss our guess, Twisted Metal should fit the bill rather nicely.
Journey
thatgamecompany deserves your attention, if only because they've produced two of the best downloadable titles of the generation. Flower proved they can be both ambitious and highly creative at the same time, and Journey is shaping up to be even more ambitious and even more creative. The idea of interacting with other players as we progress through a mystifying wilderness is enticing; we must help each other, and we can't use our voices. It's difficult to explain exactly how the gameplay will work, but we're going to give the devs the benefit of the doubt.
Much like the case with The Last Guardian , this should appeal to most anyone who enjoys a sense of freshness; an interactive experience that can't really be compared to anything else.
SSX: Deadly Descents
I put this in the same category as Twisted Metal . Back in 2000, SSX was one of the biggest launch titles for the PS2 and if you check the reviews, it pulled down huge numbers. The following summer in 2001, Twisted Metal: Black dropped and hit big. So, nearly a decade has past since both franchises were at the top of their game (pun intended); SSX Tricky and other installments were great, but most fans agree the series went downhill (pun intended…again). So now, EA goes and announces SSX: Deadly Descents and there's a mixed reaction.
Some are like, "hell yeah!" while others are going, "eeeeh…I've got other things to play now." But if the developers get it right, this could be one of the most entertaining games of the year. Gotta love the downhill insanity!
