6. Assassin’s Creed 2 - After playing Assassin’s Creed, I realized that while it wasn’t the best title possible I saw a great deal of potential therein. Thankfully, Ubisoft is giving it another go when they bring out the sequel this year. Instead of taking place during the Crusades it will show off Italy during the Renaissance period, which is ground for excellent narrative as it was a rebirth of enlightenment. After all, once I found out that Leonardo da Vinci would be in the game in some capacity, my interest was peaked. Gameplay video only made me more ravenous as the new character; Ezio began to do things I only dreamed Altair would be capable of when I saw the first trailers for the original. Here’s hoping that Assassin’s Creed 2 is finally what gamers wanted when Assassin’s Creed was released.
5. Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising - Realistic military simulations are not up many people’s alleys, but then again not many look as fun as Dragon Rising. If you played the original, I’ll say this right now; you’ll love what you’re going to get out the game. Taking place on an island where Russian, Chinese and United States forces clash for control of resources, the player assumes control of a member of a US Marine fire team and the game basically lets you go from there. Chocked full of realistic weapons and vehicles along with tactics that all have a unique military feeling to them makes this title feel like a true to life military sim. However, it doesn’t stop there as hardcore difficulty drops you into the game with nothing but your map, weapon and hoping that you can call a medic quickly enough if you get shot before you bleed out. While the design team from the original has little to do with this iteration, it has all of the best qualities that made the first great. So, come October, I think this title will, without a doubt, keep me very busy.
4. Brutal Legend - Tim Schafer is without a doubt one of the greatest players in the video game industry. If anyone knows how to write funny into a title, I’d expect it to be a Schafer game. Throwing Jack Black into the mix has only made a game that is based off the cover of metal albums only serves to make this game stand out as being pure unadulterated awesome. Despite issues with Activision following Bobby Kotick infamously stating that they’d be dropping any franchise that couldn’t be exploited on a yearly basis and then subsequently attempting to sue Schafer to block the release of Brutal Legend when it seemed like EA would be publishing a title that stood to be extremely popular just goes to show you that certain games don’t get the love they deserve before they release. Anyway, the game follows a roadie, armed with his axe and guitar, on his journey through the mythical land of metal when hair bands ruled the Earth. Casting several headline figures from the music industry, such as Ozzy, Rob Halford, Lita Ford and last but not least Tim Curry in the role of "Doviculus, Emperor of the Tainted Coil", which is so epic I just uttered it audibly. Overall, I’m left to wonder who would be foolish enough to publish this game as it has the potential to be a runaway success. I’ll be happily turning it up to eleven when Brutal Legend hits shelves Rocktober 13.
This feature top 10 list continues on the next page, please click below to find out our final 3 choices.
