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 Electronic Arts
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| From the Floor |
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Agent Under Fire
Goodbye The World Is Not Enough. Hello Agent Under Fire. Last year's center stage E3 game for EA has bit the dust, but risen again as this first person shooter, using the Quake III engine. Added in this incarnation, though, are driving missions (which will fill roughly one-third of the game's 10 missions). This all sounds a little weird, until you learn that Agent is a PS2 exclusive title (as opposed to TWINE's PC base). You'll, of course, don the pressed tux of James Bond, who's pitted against a terrorist organization named Malpraved in this original story (a nice step away from the world of repurposing movies into games). Agent makes fantastic use of the Quake engine - and things are very, very early in the development process. Given EA's dubious history with the Bond license, we're still a little leery, but so far it looks to be more than making up for past mistakes.
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Aliens: Colonial Marines
Another Fox Interactive title that has found a home at EA. A:CM enlists you as a solider fighting - and trying to uncover the origin of - the bugs that Ripley just can't get rid of. Using smart guns with auto tracking ammo, pulse rifles, flame-throwers and grenades, you'll do your best to rid your PS2 of the acid-blooded nasties. It's due this fall.
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Anno 1503
When a strategy game sets sales records in Europe, it's not hard to guess that it will head to America at some point in some form. Sunflowers held those bragging rights with Anno 1602 - and the sequel was sharp enough to catch EA's eye. The game's pretty much the same this time around: You'll settle and manage a European colony in the 16th century. Combat is a factor, but the meat of the game is trading and diplomacy. The chief difference this time is the game's visual appeal, which has been significantly beefed up. Resolutions are sharper - and water effects are very well done. The question is: How will Anno stand out with so many other strategy titles due this year?
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Cel Damage
Cartoons + vehicular combat = about what you'd expect. Published in partnership with Pseudo Interactive, the game will feature 10 levels based on four different
cartoon themes and 36 different weapon power-ups.
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Command & Conquer: Renegade
Like a lot of E3 veterans, Renegade has gone through a lot of changes since it first splashed onto the scene. Originally a third-person game, it has shifted over to a first-person perspective (with third-person as an option, but not the preferred one). Instead of playing either as the allies or the Brotherhood of Nod, you're now stuck as the good guy. And the length of gameplay isn't as long as many had hoped. The graphics are still breathtaking, but have lost some of their sheen as we've seen what's on the horizon. Renegade has never been about innovation and it's starting to show.
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Earth and Beyond
While most developers think RPG when they think massively multiplayer, the folks at Westwood tend to have their heads in the stars. Using elements from both Privateer and Elite, Earth and Beyond is a massively multiplayer game set in deep space - with you sitting in the pilot's seat. Choose from an enormous variety of trades, including trader, warrior or cargo hauler. Your ship reflects your character type and is fully customizable. In a twist on traditional persistent world gaming, there are ways to advance besides combat (a nice touch for capitalists and pacifists). Tasks take anywhere from 30 minutes to several weeks to complete. And when Westwood says massively multiplayer, they ain't kidding. Earth and Beyond will reportedly offer support for up to 10,000 simultaneous players. Even for a company that's been in the multiplayer business since the beginning (Red Alert was one of the first titles to really take advantage of the online world), that's a shockingly ambitious goal. Toss in a gorgeous 3-D engine and it's all shaping up to be a unique experience. Look for a complete report later in the show.
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Freedom Force
EA grabs publishing rights to this hotly anticipated superhero RPG. The story's right out of a pulp comic: Evil aliens try to take over earth. A mysterious "Energy X" turns a group of one-time criminals into superheros. With its 3-D engine and destructible environments, though, Freedom Force has the chops to be one of the year's most enjoyable surprises. Need more to convince you? The mind behind System Shock 2 has his hands deep in this one. Some 20 heroes and sidekicks (you gotta have sidekicks!) will battle the supervillains. The characters are goofy enough to win you over - and the story's captivating. At long last, the superhero gaming curse looks to have been broken!
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Harry Potter & The Sorcerer's Stone
Yep, you will see this title on next generation machines, but not immediately. To tie in with the Warner Brothers picture, EA's first Harry Potter game will find its way to the PC (as well as the PlayStation One, Game Boy Advance and Game Boy Color - all of which are on display this year). Look for a tie-in with the film. It's all a tease, though, for the next-gen Potter titles, which hit the PS2, Xbox and Gamecube in the fall of 2002. The game's an action/adventure staple, as you would probably expect. Don't expect to be able to kill off Hogwart's favorite student, though, no matter how badly you screw things up. The PC version starts you on Privet Drive, living with Harry's gawd-awful relatives, working his way to Hogwarts, where the fun really starts. You'll visit Diagon Alley. And, yes, you'll square off against Lord Voldemort (excuse us... He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named). And, most importantly, expect to get some time in on the Quidditch field! You'll assume Harry's role as the seeker, zipping around on your broom to catch the snitch.
Granted, the Harry Potter license isn't one that hard-core gamers are drooling over, but the books can be a lot more fun than skeptics would lead you to believe. And EA's taking care to ensure it makes good use of the license. Developers have taken pains to ensure that details are peppered throughout the game to help immerse the player in the game, no matter how old that player might be.
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Majestic
Hands down the most divisive game of the year. Some call Neil Young's thriller invasive, due to its use of Instant Messenger, email and your home phone, should you choose to allow it. Others (including us) call it the most inventive piece of gameplay the industry has seen in years. It's natural to fear change - and as gameplay moves away from the traditional desktop setting, that's going to worry some people. But approach Majestic with an open mind and you'll discover a game that truly sucks you in - in a way Half-Life, System Shock and Deus Ex never could. You're not a third party pretending to be the main character. You ARE the main character. And the line between what's real and what's part of the game is as clear as you want to make it. The pay-per-play model is smart from a corporate sense, too. Trust us, this is a game you definitely want to try - and since the first episode's free, you have nothing to lose. Know how the Xbox and GameCube are making noise that they're the next generation? Bull. Welcome to the real future of gaming.
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Medal of Honor: Allied Assault
One of the Playstation's most treasured series is heading to the PC, and it's looking a whole lot prettier. Using the Quake 3 engine, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault casts you as a soldier during some of World War II's most ferocious battles, including North Africa and Normandy. Characters are incredibly detailed with accurate WWII uniforms - and authentic weapons including the sniper rifle and the explosive sticky bomb. You'll also be able to ride in a tank and take the shotgun/sniper position inside a military jeep. The game's a long one, with more than 20 missions - each with several levels. Comparisons have been made to the gritty realism of Saving Private Ryan - and there's good reason for that. The game's as realistic as it can get and still be entertaining. Action fans: Make room on your hard drive. You're not going to want to miss this one. (And you Xbox owners? You'll get your shot at the game - and several bonus levels - next spring.)
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Motor City Online
You've dreamed about it at countless red-lights: Tearing down the street at a blazing speed, zipping past your opponent, who's nothing more than a blur in the corner of your eye, then a fading dot in your rear-view mirror. Of course, try to do that in the real world and you'll rack up more points on your license than a New York cabbie! Motor City Online will take you as close as you can get, though. This one's a lot more involved than most racing games, though. And rather than the speed demons you see on the road today, it's set in the "golden age" of driving - the years when Mustangs and GTOs ruled the road. Feeling particularly cocky? Bet your pink slip! If you win, you'll add your opponent's car to your fleet. Lose and you'll be thumbing a ride back to your garage, where you'll have to fix up an old beater and trade parts with other players to create your next speed demon. Couple all of this with an awesome 3D engine and real world physics and you've got something that can appeal to both car racing purists and armchair amateurs.
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Pirates of Skull Cove
EA brass might be more excited about this game than any other. For the past two years they've crowed about Westwood's entry into the PS2 market to analysts and any media who will listen. (The game's also coming to Xbox next spring.) It's not hard to see why. First off, the game's a visual splendor. More importantly, though, it offers tons of gameplay. You can choose one of two storylines in this simulation - or you could opt to play the game in a Privateer mode, setting sail and plundering until your heart's content! In Story mode, you'll play the part of Katerina de Leon, the restless daughter of a governor, who hits the water for the adventure of a lifetime, using her sea-smarts to forge alliances, deal with enemies, and uncover betrayal. You'll have a fleet of ships to choose from. And the game's score compliments the fine graphics. Don't be surprised if this is the biggest sea-faring hit since Sid Meyer's Pirates.
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Sid Meyer's Golf
Ok, granted, this wasn't what anyone was expecting. Still, when two of the industry's greatest creative minds - Sid Meyer and Will Wright - put their heads together, you can't automatically reject the idea, no matter how silly it might sound. Imagine SimCoaster on the links and you've got a pretty good idea of what you'll see here. The goal is to take a municipal golf course and - by adding clubhouses, rebuilding courses, etc. - convert it to a swanky country club. Honest. The twist? You'll have a chance to test your course designs when your Sims challenge you to a round. Look for it this fall.
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Simpsons Road Rage
Video games haven't really captured the heart of Homer, Bart and crew yet, so this Fox Interactive title (published by EA) has a big hill to climb. Race through the streets of Springfield as a cabbie, fighting for passengers. You might scoff, but the chance to drive around as "Mr. Plow" holds an odd appeal for us. For PS2 and Xbox.
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The Sims Online
The online world's getting a bit crowded these days, but if anyone can break through, it's The Sims. The smash hit (which still tops sales charts one year after its release) lets you slip into your favorite Sims's shoes and develop your online land however you'd like. You can build a house, a club, a museum. It's entirely up to you. Build a network of friends to enhance your power, wealth, reputation and social standing. There's a lot of talk about "online communities" these days, but The Sims Online is the closest we've seen to there actually being one. Hardcore gamers may sniff at it, but if anything is going to get the rest of the world into online gaming, this could be it.
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Simsville
One part The Sims, one part SimCity, the latest in Maxis' hit line of titles lets you experience Will Wright's world in startling 3-D. You'll create and control a hometown for your odd-speaking friends, constructing homes and businesses - letting you explore and influence their lives. Respond to their needs and personalities by constructing businesses, providing city services and
hosting town events. The fun comes with the type of town you create. SLum or metropolis, it's up to you! The game is a nice breakaway from the leash you may have felt you were on with The Sims. The freedom is exhilarating. The 3-D takes a while to get used to, but it's the next logical step in the maturation of the series. It's due later this year, but we suspect it'll be 2002 before Sims fans get their next big fix.
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