5. DC Universe Online

Developer/Publisher: Sony Online Entertainment

It would seem like a perfect setting for an MMO but it's taken this long for Sony Online to finally reveal the first details on DC Universe Online, which will give players a way to not just play as a super hero but play in the massive universe populated by Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the other super heroes and villains of the DC lineup of comic books. One of the big pluses of this game is that the art design is being supervised by legendary comic book artist (and MMO gamer himself) Jim Lee and his Wildstorm Studios. That should mean that the look of the game will stay true to what fans of DC Comics are used to. Sony Online will likely develop the game for the PS3 as well but we expect the PC to be the lead platform for the title We still have a lot of unanswered questions about DC Universe Online but we hope to get answers for at least some of them at Sony Online's booth during E3 next week.

4. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky (PC Exclusive)

Developer: GSC GameWorld Publisher Deep Silver

GSC GameWorld took several years to release S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Shadow of Chernobyl but it finally did ship to stores in March 2007 via publisher THQ. Thankfully the developer isn't taking nearly as much time to release the next game in the post-apocalypse first person shooter series. S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky's storyline takes place prior to the events in the first game as you explore some of the areas in the first title as well as all new environments. While the game may be a prequel it will certain take advantage of new Direct X10 supported graphical features while will make S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Clear Sky one of the best looking games in 2008. Publisher Deep Silver is making its US debut with this title and as a PC exclusive is certainly will be one to watch at E3 next week.

3 Fallout 3

Developer/Publisher: Bethesda Softworks

The first two Fallout RPG titles from Interplay are still considered to be among the best games of all time, PC or otherwise. The mix of satirical humor with some deep gameplay created a cult following for the games that continues to this day. Now Bethesda Softworks has got full ownership of the Fallout franchise (although Interplay still has the rights to make a Fallout MMO title) and they are only a few months away from releasing Fallout 3. Unlike the first two games, Fallout 3 is a first person RPG similar to Bethsoft's last two games in their Elder Scrolls series. Set in a blasted Washington DC, Fallout 3 promises to combine the theme and the humor in the classic games with Bethsoft's work in creating a deep and immersive gameplay experience. Oh, and there will be mutants. That's important. While Bethsoft plans to release the game for the PS3 and Xbox 360 as well, they have always supported the PC platform well, especially when it comes to mod tools and downloadable content and we expect the same to be true for Fallout 3 as well.

2. Crysis Warhead (PC Exclusive)

Developer: Crytek Publisher: Electronic Arts

There wasn't a PC game that was most highly anticipated in 2007 than Crysis, the sci-fi first person shooter from original Far Cry developer Crytek. The final result was something of a mixed bag; it had an excellent single player campaign but few played the game online in multiplayer and the system requirements were very high. Now Crytek is returning to the island with Crysis Warhead, a new stand alone continuation that let's us control another member of Nomad Squad on the same island at the same time as the first game. While the game is expected to have a slightly shorter single player experience we are expected to see new monsters, use new weapons and items and generally get a solid experience. Crysis Warhead is also supposed to have some kind of new maps and multiplayer modes which they are calling Crysis Wars. Perhaps most importantly, Crytek is promising that while the game will look as good as the original it will be able to run well on slower PC game rigs. Will Crysis Warhead fix the issues that perhaps hampered the original. We should see for ourselves at E3 next week.


1. Far Cry 2

Developer/Publisher: Ubisoft

There were a lot of worthy PC games that are likely to be shown next week at E3. Ultimately, the one game that we are most looking forward to seeing is one that, while it will be released for consoles, will certainly be a title that we think will look and run great on our PCs. Despite the name, Far Cry 2 isn't related at all to the original Crytek title. Ubisoft basically decided to take on the franchise on their own with this new game, which is set in an open world environment in Africa as your character is going after a rather nasty arms dealer. The in-house graphics engine Far Cry 2 is using is already generated a ton of buzz thanks to its use of huge outdoor environments, dynamic weather effects, procedural damage of vegetation and more. Will the gameplay match the graphical goodness. This is the big question and one we hope to solve at E3 next week.


On Saturday: We aren't done yet. We will give a list of honorable mentions, wild cards and rumors of other games that might be shown at E3 next week.

Check out part 6 of our feature article now.