The cycle of game releases always has ups and downs, highs and lows. Months will go by without any games hitting my radar and then – bang zoom! – all of sudden there are five great games hitting the shelves on the same day. The summer of 2011 might be a bit slow but as soon as August and September come around, a flood of awesome titles are going to hit the shelves. From twitchy military shooters to fantastically dense RPGs to frantic action games, this year’s games give you the chance to be a hero or a villain.
To prepare you for the wealth of games coming your way, The Escapist Staff has compiled all of our coverage of these super-anticipated games in one place. Here you can check out the latest trailer for Modern Warfare 3 or the latest preview of Skyrim. You can check the release date for Batman: Arkham City or see the latest screens for The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
The grid below is organized by release date, with the earliest games listed first. Take a look at some of the titles that the game industry has to offer in 2011.
Note: We realize that the handy links in the grid below won’t function for some Publisher’s Club members, but you should be able to scroll down to read the previews you want. Use the pretty pictures below as a guide to some of the games we can look forward to in the final months of 2011.
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Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
The prequel to the popular RPG Deus Ex, Deus Ex: Human Revolution focuses on combat, multiple-choice gameplay, and story. It follows Adam Jensen, a former security officer who has been mechanically augmented after being severely injured. Allistair Pinsof watched an exclusive demo of the game and came away generally pleased with the game’s graphics and use of multiple solutions during gameplay.
Unlike previous Revolution demos, the alternate paths in this mission were less obvious and restrictive, requiring the player to have certain upgrades in order to use a shortcut. At one point in the mission, Jensen discovered a drop in the ventilation system that he could follow down in order to get to a security booth. With the Icarus Landing System augment, he is able to slide down the shaft without taking damage from the drop. Without it, he would have to find another way in or fight security guards directly.
Along with expanding your inventory, you can spend Piraxis points on augments that will help you navigate hazardous areas. One area was had an electric field, preventing intruders from entering. With the right augment, Jensen could step right through it but without it, it provided a platforming obstacle course. Augments are not always flashy, some are just practical. Later in the demo, Jensen needed to reach the floor above him, surrounded by security, in order to proceed. By augmenting his arm strength, he repositioned a convenience machine and used it as a platform to jump on to and reach the balcony above.
Game: Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Release Date: August 23, 2011
Genre: Action
Developer: Eidos Montreal
Publisher: Square Enix
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Dead Island
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
The next zombie franchise made a splash with its time-bending trailer released around GDC, but the developers were quick to say that Dead Island would be more like your typical survival game. But that doesn’t mean it won’t accomplish its goal of scaring the pants of players and getting their blood pumping.
The combat and focus on melee weapons is similar to Dead Rising.From the first encounter on, the fights against the game’s undead are horrifying. The way they latch on you to made me squirm. They grab a hold and nibble on you, until you shake them off with the triggers.
The island’s open environment occasionally offers multiple paths to get to a location. The scale is more reminiscent of Far Cry than Fallout 3, but there is plenty of fun to be had by exploring and seeing what you can get away with in the game world. The game’s excellent mini-map keeps the player from feeling lost in Dead Island‘s large and dangerous world. It curves and redirects you to your objective, as you explore and walk along new paths.
Game: Dead Island
Genre: Action
Developer: Techland
Publisher: Deep Silver
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Resistance 3
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Platform: PS3
Set four years after the event of the previous game, Resistance 3 puts players back into the combat boots of Joseph Capelli as he treks across a Chimera-infested landscape in the hopes of dealing one final blow to the invading forces. The game features a new weapon upgrade system, online and offline cooperative modes and is also compatible with the PlayStation Move.
The level Sony allowed us to play was a small fenced-off yard with a couple of buildings, one of them multi-level, and a bunch of obstacles with cover such as abandoned cars. It was basically an arena fight with Chimera pouring in from all ends and the player having to defend his position and squad. Air transports dropped Chimera off on rooftops, and also climbed in over fences. They weren’t overly tough, but they were relentless.
I could use two different weapons in the demo, an assault rifle type and a powerful magnum type, in addition to grenades and melee. Taking down Chimera made them explode with blood, especially after nailing a headshot with the magnum. Meleeing up close isn’t recommended, as the Chimera are pretty damn ugly, but it works. The level felt a lot like what we’ve seen from Resistance in the past, with constant streams of enemies and you wondering how much longer you’ll have to survive against them.
Game: Resistance 3
Release Date: September 6, 2011
Genre: Shooter
Developer: Insomniac Games
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform(s): PS3
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Gears of War 3
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Platform: Xbox 360
The next entry in Epic Games’ critically acclaimed series, Gears of War 3 promises an extensive single-player campaign continuing the story of Marcus Fenix and his team as they struggle to survive against a new enemy that’s out to destroy human and locust alike. Gears of War 3 will also feature co-operative modes for up to four players, a first for the series, and Beast Mode, where players take on the role of the Locusts and battle against the COG.
The Silverback mechs, previously shown in the Horde mode presentation during Microsoft’s conference, will also make a couple appearances in the campaign. Marcus and company aren’t the most agile characters, so it’s surprising to see that the Silverbacks are responsive and fast, unlike most mechs in games. The Silverbacks are equipped with a turret, but they can also be used as deployable cover when unoccupied.
Game: Gears of War 3
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Genre: Shooter
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Platform(s): Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Dark Souls
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Demon’s Souls was known primarily for its brutal (unforgiving, unrelenting) difficulty and grim world, and any successor will need to maintain a similar level of intense cruelty if it’s to be respected as worthwhile. Thankfully, Dark Souls appears to do just that, giving tighter control to the player in order to make the combat even more challenging this time around.
The first thing you’ll notice about Dark Souls are the controls that have been slightly tweaked. The original had sluggish controls that could be mastered once the timing is memorized, but combat feels much more intuitive in Dark Souls. Movement, strong attacks, rolls and parrying all feel more responsive. Good thing too, because this sequel’s combat encounters are harder than anything in the previous game.
Graphically, the game looks identical to Demon’s Souls but the scale of the world is much larger. Everything in the player’s sight can now be explored, from distant towers to caverns. There is no confirmation whether the hub world of the original will return, but the new addition of bonfires will help players survive a long journey. Bonfires are essentially check points that heal you and replenish your potions. However, you are limited in the number of bonfires you can ignite unless you sacrifice souls (xp) you’ve collected. You’ll find these checkpoints throughout areas, but the game still retains its challenge. Replenishing at a bonfire not only requires extensive backtracking, but it also respawns all of the enemies you just defeated.
In the E3 demo, Namco – the series’ new publisher – showed off the new Pyromancer class. With a focus on fire-based magic, the Pyromancer is skilled at taking down larger enemies from a distance. The Pyromancer also has the ability to summon more enemies into other players’ games, showing up as red versions of demons in their games. This makes the Pyromancer griefers’ class of choice. From Software are still balancing the game, figuring out ways to inconvenience the caster as well.
Game: Dark Souls
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: From Software
Publisher: Namco Bandai
Platform(s): PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK)
Rage
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, iOS
First announced in August of 2007, id Software’s Rage is finally hitting consoles and computers this fall. Years after an asteroid impact devastates the planet, players find themselves in a post-apocalyptic world filled with bandits, mutants, and heavily-armed dune buggies.
There’s even more variety in the game’s racing modes. Much like Borderlands, Rage seems to have one foot in the shooter genre and another in the racing genre. But unlike Borderlands, id’s game includes lots of scripted racing objectives. I played through the Dusty 8 Rocket Race, a four-person competition where the racers are armed with homing rockets, shields, and nitro boosts. Far from being a novelty, this part of the game is good enough to stand on its own. The controls for the cars are solid and this race was short enough that I was able to play it through several times. The basics will be familiar to anyone who’s played a standard cart racer: The players race around the track, grabbing weapon pick ups and basically shooting the crap out of each other. E-brakes and shortcuts make the driving interesting, while the homing rockets ensure that you don’t get too caught up in lining up the perfect shots.
Game: Rage
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: Shooter
Developer: id Software
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360, iOS
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Twisted Metal
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Platform: PS3
Twisted Metal, the latest game in the Twisted Metal franchise, was announced to a great deal of fanfare at Sony’s E3 2010 press conference and was available in two demos at this year’s E3. Like previous games in the series, Twisted Metal focuses on vehicle combat with both multiplayer and single player modes. Steve Butts played both a free-for-all deathmatch, similar to previous Twisted Metal games, and the new Nuke the Base mode.
The giant robot flies around the level, launching vicious attacks at the player. To beat her, you’ll need to track down the nearby faction leaders, who can be spotted driving around the level in red limousines. The leaders have their own guards, so you’ll have a hard time taking them out but, once you do, you can drag the leader behind your car to a nearby missile truck. An opening in the back of the truck reveals geared jaws and massive flames, and you’ve got to sacrifice the leader here in order to launch the missiles.
After the second hit, Iron Maiden goes crazy, vomiting out baby heads left and right as you pour fire into her. Your regular weapons are good enough now that your second missile has reduced her shields, but you’ve got a few more phases to go before she’s completely defeated and the clown-prostitute finally gets what’s coming to her.
Game: Twisted Metal
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Genre: Driving
Developer: Eat Sleep Play
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform(s): PS3
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Batman: Arkham City
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC, Wii U
Batman: Arkham Asylum took the gaming world by surprise by delivering a nearly flawless, AAA title based on a licensed character, going so far as to win the 2009 Game of the Year award here at The Escapist. The sequel, Arkham City, is an even more ambitious title, expanding the game’s freedom and allowing the player to explore Gotham City, a locale five times larger than the previous game. Given their track record, Rocksteady Studios has the means to come through on their claims, and their preview supports it.
Starting with a close shot of a large sign for Arkham Asylum, the camera slowly pulls back to reveal the enormity of Gotham City. The cluttered chaos of the city is apparent right away and this opening shot says more with its muted color palette and lighting than any voice over ever could. It also says a great deal about scale as the camera closes in on a barely distinguishable caped figure crouched atop a gargoyle outside the Gotham City Police Department. He stares off the right, to Arkham Asylum out in Gotham Harbor and then leaps into the air to glide across the city.
This is going to be good.
Not only can Batman glide as he could in the previous game, but he can also perform a power dive by gathering his cape around him and falling towards the street. Even better, he can use the grapple gun now to launch himself up into the air. Get good enough at it and you can traverse the entire city without once touching the ground. But there’s more on Batman’s mind than just getting to and from well-known sites like Crime Alley or the Courthouse.
You’ll alternate between two stories in Arkham City. As Batman, you’re on a quest to recapture the inmates who escaped at the end of the last game. But as Catwoman, you’re more than content to use the chaos and confusion in the city to advance your own interests. In this case, Catwoman is on the hunt for Hugo Strange’s vault, which is rumored to contain all the valuables confiscated from the Arkham inmates.
Game: Batman: Arkham City
Release Date: October 18, 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Battlefield 3
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Five years and six Battlefield games after the release of Battlefield 2, Battlefield 3 was announced earlier this year. Like previous games in the series, Battlefield 3 focuses on realistic gameplay, high graphical fidelity, and team cooperation. Steve Butts played the first hands-on demo and appreciated DICE’s work to rebalance the class system in the new game.
With them out of the way, our planes come in low and fast and smash the barrier leading to the Paris Metro. Heading underground through the tunnels and trains of the Paris subway system, there’s plenty of opportunity for even more close-in fighting, which is perfect for a light machinegun fan like myself. The platforms are connected by short passageways, which, along with the trains themselves, provide plenty of opportunity to sneak up on someone. As we move past the ticket counter, we emerge into the streets again where we assault the Russian’s final position. This final phase of the battle takes place with the forces fighting across a narrow city street, where there’s very little place to hide.
Though you can still customize your kits and weapons, the developers have made some key changes to the overall class system in Battlefield 3. First, the medic and assault classes have been merged. The reasoning was based on two key features: first, the assault guys were doing most of the dying and, second, the medics weren’t designed to fight as close to the front lines as the assault guys. With the old system, assault guys would die waiting for medics to come up to the point of contact with the enemy. Now, assault players will have their own health packs and paddles and can rescue each other as they go down.
Game: Battlefield 3
Release Date: October 25, 2011
Genre: Shooter
Developer: EA Digital Illusions CE
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Uncharted 3
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Platform: PS3
Quip-spouting pulp-action everyman Nathan Drake is returning again for Uncharted 3. Returning with him will be the co-op campaign, which now includes a persistent perk mode as well as tying the storyline into the single-player campaign more heavily, and competitive multiplayer, which now has character customization, increased awards, and other additions to the mode to make it even more enjoyable than the previous entries.
While demoing Uncharted 3’s co-op campaign, Naughty Dog consistently referred to it as a cooperative “adventure” rather than mode – and for good reason. The mode returns with new additions, including some unique to the mode and others shared with competitive multiplayer and single player. Co-op also features its own booster (perk) system that you unlock as you earn money in the co-op campaign. While the character roles in the co-op campaign will still be fixed and mission specific, there is much more variety in how to approach combat.
The co-op level I demoed took place in a massive, worn-down brick castle. It starts off with Drake, Sully and Elena swimming through the sewers. Once safety is reached, the group is immediately ambushed and set on a series of firefights that take place in different locations. Even when players are positioned in the same area for a while, the goals and strategic points are constantly shifting. A player may decide to take a sniping vantage point one minute and then run head-on into the action with a shotgun, the next – the environments are large and complex, making each a reasonable approach. Though, mission goals often force players not to stay dormant for long. In the mission I played, goals switched back-and-forth between “get to this point,” “defend this point, and “capture the gold shiny thing.”
The co-op demo ended with three helicopters arriving out of nowhere with their bright lights positioned on Drake and crew. Like a great episode of TV, it left me wondering what will happen next. And, like a great demo, it left me wanting to play it again and again.
Game: Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception
Release Date: November 1, 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Naughty Dog
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platform(s): PS3
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
The mega-hit Modern Warfare line, spawned from the Call of Duty series, is back again with Modern Warfare 3. It features the action-packed but highly scripted campaign of the earlier games while keeping their focus on the multiplayer content, and a new addition to the lineup, Survival Mode, means this game – like its predecessors – will likely keep many consoles running and many people sleepless.
Modern Warfare 3 is louder, bigger and filled with more explosions than any Call of Duty before it. Shocking, I know. While the two missions presented at the show offered different setups and locations, they both culminated in absolute mayhem and bombast that has become the hallmark of the series.
In addition to co-op missions, Spec Ops will include a new Survival mode in MW3. At first glance, it seems like a basic Gears of War-esque horde mode. You and one partner kill waves of enemies, and try to survive as enemies increase in number and difficulty. By including elements of Nazi Zombies and multiplayer, Survival is elevated above your average horde mode and has the potential be the most addictive CoD mode yet.
It’s a combination of everything that makes MW multiplayer great, funneled into a challenging horde mode. If every level is as well designed as the one I played, this mode could really be a time suck – a perfect game for those who want to zone out to a podcast and hardcore players that want to set a new record on a map.
Read the full preview of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 here.
Game: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3
Release Date: November 8, 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games, Raven Software
Publisher: Activision
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Skyrim is one of the most highly-anticipated titles the year. One needs go no further than the series’ devoted fan base to see why – the appeal of an open-world epic fantasy RPG is widespread, and Bethesda is working hard to make Skyrim the most immersive and flexible of the Elder Scrolls saga thus far. From deeper skill selection and more versatile combat to more dangerous and dynamic enemies, it looks as though Bethesda is going to hit their mark.
Rather than restrict you to a specific kind of character or class, the game lets you fight however you like simply by choosing what you’d like each hand to do. You can do sword and shield, dual wield two one-handed weapons, hold a magical staff in one hand and an axe in the other, have a spell ready in one and a different spell in the other, or the same spell in both to increase its power – the options are plentiful and easy to swap out at will.
Skills have, thankfully, also benefited from a revamp, and now every skill you use counts towards your leveling, even if you use it sparingly. There’s also a perk tree for every skill, which creates even more options for customization.
The part of the demo that I found the most interesting – besides the dragons that kept popping up – was the new shout mechanic. Your character is Dovahkiin – Dragonborn – and can use the shout ability because it’s dragon magic. Each shout has three words to it that increase that shout’s power. You can find new words on word walls; you can also absorb the souls of dead dragons to learn new shouts. We saw a few different shouts, including Fire Breath, which lets you breath fire as dragons do, and Storm Call, which brings down bolts of lightning.
Game: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Release Date: November 11, 2011
Genre: RPG
Developer: Bethesda Game Studios
Publisher: Bethesda Softworks
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Ezio returns for his last adventure in the new Assassin’s Creed: Revelations with a variety of new tools, weapons, and a location set in the more culturally-varied Constantinople. The historically-influenced death-dealing acrobat has become even deadlier in this latest edition, and will have a greater variety of vicious explosives this time around.
We are reaching the end of our journey with Ezio and Altaire, but from the looks of things, they’re going out with a bang. I mean that literally. Revelations is exploring their love for explosives. The range of explosives are a’plenty in this iteration, expanding your arsenal by allowing you to rig your own explosives, for both offensive and defensive purposes. Smoke bombs will hide you from pursuers until you escape, or sneak within the smoke, using your eagle sense to see your enemies, and to dispatch them. Splinter bombs…well, they’ll kill everybody.
My favorite new item was the Hookblade, which is exactly what it sounds like. A hooked blade allows you to climb buildings quickly, and zip line from one building to the next using available ropes. If at any point there is an enemy below you on your line, you can drop from the rope, mid-zip, and pounce suddenly, ferociously, like the wrath of God.
The demo for Revelations takes place in Constantinople and is more culturally diverse than the previous titles. Where we’ve been used to the Italian, this society will be peppered with Greek, Turkish, Jewish, Gypsy and Romani. The environment is rich and vibrant, and wide open. There were intense cinematic instances in the single player demo that played in linear action sequences on rails. I was, however, reassured that 95% of the game will be in an open world environment.
Read the full preview of Assassin’s Creed: Revelations here.
Game: Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Publisher: Ubisoft
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
Saints Row: The Third
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
The third title in a sandbox series known for its propensity to take things to extremes, Saints Row: The Third first debuted at the Spike Video Game Awards last year. Like previous entries in the series, Saints Row: The Third will focus on over-the-top action sequences, character customization, and player access to a wide range of vehicles.
The first portion of the demo was a simple sandbox demonstration to show some of the additions and improvements the developers have made to the game. As always, there’s plenty of customization to be made, although I didn’t see the character creation screen. Instead, I got a look at one of the in-game shops at which new outfits can be purchased. Your character’s style is really up to you – dress like a pimp, or a spaceman, or even go naked, because really, why not?
After suiting up, the Saint started beating on random people on the street with a few melee weapons, like a giant purple dildo (yes, you read that right) and boxing gloves that made those on the receiving end of punches explode. Then the demonstrator hopped in a car to show off the tighter driving physics and vehicle variety; in just a few minutes, we saw a fancy car, a jet, and even a tank, which launched a mini-game with an objective of causing $150,000 worth of damage in about three minutes.
Game: Saints Row: The Third
Release Date: November 15, 2011
Genre: Shooter
Developer: Volition
Publisher: THQ
Platform(s): PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Release Date: November 18, 2011
Platform: Wii
The Legend of Zelda series is a venerable one, and as such, each new entry is held to a very high set of standards. Every game so far (excepting the CD-i ones) has been critically well-received, and it appears that Skyward Sword, which makes use of the Wii’s MotionPlus to enable more accurate maneuvering, will raise the bar yet again.
The first part of the demo was Bird Racing. In this segment I was Link, not yet garbed in his trusty green tunic, vying for a trophy and the adoration of a casually dressed Zelda in a bird racing competition. Running off edge of a cliff of a mountain already in the sky and landing surely onto my trusty bird friend was exhilarating, and seamless.
Mechanically, the control system, and the battle system are very similar to those in Twilight Princess. The trigger on the Wii remote contains your items, which in the demo were the crossbow, boomerang, bomb and beetle. The C button draws the item, and launches the bombs and beetles. To draw your bow, you hold C down, and pull back on the nunchuck, aim with the Wii remote, and release the C button to fire. Sword play is no longer simple as a slight wave in any direction to swing your sword. Now, your movements with the remote are directly translated on-screen. Slice side to side or up and down, or jab forward to stab. The familiar spider foe is dispatched by shooting his web with an arrow, then knocking him on end with an upward slice, and finishing him off with a jab to the sweet spot on his belly.
Read the full preview of The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword here.
Game: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword
Release Date: Winter 2011
Genre: Action Adventure
Developer: Nintendo EAD
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform(s): Wii
Available from: Amazon(US), GameStop(US), Amazon(UK), Play.com(UK)
