10.Operation Flashpoint 2

Developer/Publisher: Codemasters

While Codemasters has a number of PC games on their list this year including the action-RPG Rise of the Argonauts and the action game Damnation, it's the sequel to their military action-sim game that has us the most excited. Part of the reason is to see how the game really looks in comparison to the "screenshots" that have previously been released (some has stated these are actually renders rather than in-game visuals). What we do know is that Codemasters has taken on the development of OpFlash 2 personally (the original game was made by Bohemia Interactive who have since moved onto their own military action game ArmA: Armed Assault). We have heard that this title is supposed to be highly realistic and not just a run-and-gun shooter a la the Call of Duty series. Will Operation Flashpoint 2 be the next level in military action games? We hope to get some answers at E3 next week.

9. Dragon Age: Origins

Developer: Bioware Publisher Electronic Arts

Way back in 2004, Bioware, still an independent developer, showed an early build of their fantasy-RPG Dragon Age to a select few journalists at E3 (back when E3 was full of massive booths and booth babes). The game looked like a true continuation of what Bioware had accomplished with their Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights titles. Since then the game has fallen into a cone of silence (with a cover story for the now defunct Games For Windows magazine being the sole exception). Now it appears that we will finally be able to see Dragon Age in action after all this time at E3 next week. All we know at the moment is that it's still a fantasy RPG, it will have support for mod tools, and that it has a new title Dragon Age: Origins. Since this is Bioware we are talking about our interest is already peaked but will the reveal live up to the four years of waiting? And will the game be a PC exclusive as it was first announced four years ago? We will soon see.
8. Spore
Developer EA Maxis Publisher: Electronic Arts

You have most likely fooled around with either the free or paid version of the Spore Creature Creator but in just a couple of months you will be able to play the entire game. Will Wright, the creator of Sim City and The Sims, has been working on Spore for a long time and many have already called it the PC game to beat. However, there are still some unanswered questions about the game. While we know we can design pretty much any creature we want, how will the evolution of that creature from single cell organism to a full space civilization work in the game itself. Will it just be a series of mini-games to get to that point or will it be something more? And how will the much hyped ability to import other player creatures in the game work and will it work well? There's a lot riding on Spore but it's hard to bet against Wright and his ability to create games that attract a bigger audience than most PC titles. While the game isn't technically a PC exclusive (there will be versions for the Mac, the DS and even the iPhone) it's clearly the PC platform that's the main focus for Spore. We will hopefully see how the entire game works at E3 next week.

7. Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3

Developer EALA Publisher Electronic Arts

After the sales success of Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars, Electronic Arts clearly wanted to get more C&C products to gamers. While we will have to wait a little longer before their tactical shooter Tiberium is fully revealed (it will not be at E3 next week) this fall will see the release of C&C: Red Alert 3, the next game in the off-shoot RTS series set in an alternate timeline where the Soviet Union didn't collapse. Expect some wild and crazy looking units, a new Asian faction, and some terrifically campy full-motion cut-scenes to in the the full game. C&C Red Alert 3 may be coming to the Xbox 360 as well but the PC version is sure to be the lead development platform for the game which is why we are excited to see it in action at E3 next week.

6. Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War II (PC Exclusive)

Developer Relic Publisher THQ

One of the best sci-fi RTS titles in recent years was the original Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War which brought Games Workshop's tabletop war game to full 3D life thanks to the experienced hands at developer Relic Entertainment. The game spawned a number of stand alone expansion pack, all of which got great reviews and solid sales. Now Relic and publisher THQ are preparing to give gamers the true sequel to Dawn of War, using the advanced engine that was first developed for Relic's acclaimed WWII RTS game Company of Heroes. Not much else is know about Dawn of War II but we expect to see lots of orcs and lots of blood. It should be front and center at E3 next week and should also be one of the biggest PC exclusive titles at the show.


On Friday: This is it. We reveal our top five picks for our most anticipated PC games of E3 2008, including two PC exclusive titles, a cool new MMO, a long awaited RPG, and a sequel that's not really a sequel (and that's all the clues you should need).

Check out part 5 of our feature article right now