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 Interplay
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Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance
Snowblind Studios takes over the development work from Black Isle in this PS2 port of the popular RPG. But here's a twist: The game actually looks better on the PS2 than in its PC origins. The game has several Diablo-like qualities, but that's not a bad thing. Lighting and destruction effects will give this the visual pop that we've all been expecting from the PS2 for the past six months.
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Baldur's Gate II: Throne of Bhaal
With the staggering success of Baldur's Gate II: Shadows of Amn, you knew there'd be an expansion pack. Interplay comes through with new locations, high-level spells and new characters in the Forgotten Realms world. Interplay's calling this the "ultimate conclusion of the Baldur's Gate legend." Anyone want to bet we still see Baldur's Gate III at some point?
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Galleon
Once a PS2 title, Galleon is now an Xbox exclusive. As Rhama Sabrier, you'll explore six unique lands that are populted with monsters, slave lords and (natch) damsels in distress. The game looks like it will go toe-to-toe with EA's Pirates of Skull Cove (for the PS2). Given EA's confidence in that title, it should shape up to be an interesting battle.
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Giants: Citizen Kabuto
The big guy, the half-naked chick and their short little friends make the trek over to the PS2. The game's the same - and that's good news. Everyone deserves the chance to give this one a try.
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Hostile Waters: Antaeus Rising
The success rate of blended genre games is on the upswing, but still not very good. Deus Ex gave the practice some traction, but without some spectacular gameplay, it's still an uphill climb. With its fusion of third person action and overhead RTS, Hostile Waters has the odds stacked against it. The biggest problem with the game is there doesn't seem to be anything really new about it. Vehicle control is reminiscent of Battlezone. And the story, a futuristic war for control, is one we've seen a dozen times. The game's not necessarily a bad one, it just didn't get our juices pumping.
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Hunter: The Reckoning
Activision gave you the chance to walk the earth as one of White Wolf's vampires. Now Interplay is giving you the chance to stake them. This Xbox title casts you as one of four Buffy wannabes, hunting out the undead in modern society. Each of the lead characters has a different supernatural ability to help them spot and stake any of 30 different types of demons. The environments are appropriately ghoulish, ranging from cemeteries and prison execution chambers to a creepy train station. Multiplayer co-op support for up to four people, with the difficulty level increasing as you add players. Your arsenal will include swords, shotguns and flamethrowers. What? No stakes?!
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Neverwinter Nights
Consider the pedigree of Black Isle Studios for just a moment: Baldur's Gate, Baldur's Gate II, Icewind Dale, Planescape: Torment, Fallout. If we even tried to pretend we weren't on pins and needles about Neverwinter Nights, our noses would stretch further than the Brooklyn Bridge. Yeah, yeah, the game's set in a fully 3-D AD&D universe and populated by a plethora of character classes and monsters. That's swell. What has us squirming in our seats is the ability to be a Dungeon Master.
Yep, this time around you can shape the multiplayer experience as you see fit. Host players and have them play your adventure, truly bringing the pen, paper and dice hit home. This time, though, your imagination gets to truly come alive. Arguably the most anticipated RPG of the year, it will be powered by brand-spankin'-new 3-D engine called Omen only makes things better. The bad news? It's gonna be the end of the year before we're able to get our hands on it.
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RLH (Run Like Hell)
Interplay's not a company well known for scaring the bejesus out of people. And the PlayStation 2 isn't exactly known as a gaming machine that specializes in that. That's what makes RLH so intriguing. Forget Resident Evil scary. The idea here is to recreate the suspense of Half-Life, System Shock II or Undying in the console world. As Nick (voiced by Aliens' Lance Henriksen), you're a captain aboard the Forsetti space station, whose life goes to hell in a handbasket fast after an alien species invades the outpost. Interplay's discouraging comparisons to the Aliens films (undoubtedly because of the competing Aliens vs. Predator 2), but if you've seen the movies, you're going to have a sense of deja vu here. That's not a bad thing. The films were masters of the suspense genre. And RLH could be the first grown up game for the PlayStation 2.
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Rubu Tribe
Interplay has established a reputation as risk takers - and they're not backing down now. Rubu Tribe could be the most unique game to hit the PS2 yet. You'll control Muku, the leader of a tribe of creatures known as the Rubu, who along with the gargantuan Uut that carries their village, embark on a journey to a sacred and mystical place. The game has shades of Oddworld, in that it's filled with unique creatures and masterfully blends action and adventure. Keep an eye on this one. Between Rubu Tribe and RLH, Interplay may have a long, prosperous future on the PS2.
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Star Trek: Shattered Universe
Now this could be a Star Trek title that rocks. Set in the alternate "Mirror, Mirror" universe, Shattered Universe is an action-shooter that keeps you running. Even better? It's not Kirk or Picard running the show this time! It's Captain Sulu! You'll battle former friends and find some rather strange allies. This one's a kick in the pants, kids.
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Starfleet Command: Orion Pirates
Though officially an add-on to Starfleet Command 2, Orion Pirates is blissfully a stand-alone product, letting anyone give it a try. You'll focus on eight new pirate cartels this time around, each with some wicked new weapons (including one cartel that has allied itself with monsters). The downside: You won't get to play any of the races you know from the series with this pack, or ones that showed promise in SFC2, such as the Mirak and ISC. Not exactly a must have title, but if you liked the first two installments of this series, you're gonna have a blast with this one.
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Torn
All we really need to say to pique your interest in this game are three little words: Black Isle Software. The minds behind Baldurs Gate, Fallout and most of the other great RPGs of the past five years are venturing into new territory with this new 3-D saga, which also features real-time combat. Set in the fantasy kingdom of Orislane in western Agathe, Torn takes a page from Deus Ex's book in offering multiple solutions to problems. You can fight your way out, negotiate or try guile. The Fallout rule system is the basis for the game, which should make it easy to learn. You'll make your own items, rather than picking from a limited catalog and you'll have four realms of magic from which to choose spells. Don't want to spend that much time creating your alternate persona? Pre-generated characters will be available for those who want to jump right into questing. Top it off with the LithTech 3.0 and how can you not be excited? Torn may be one of the most open games we've seen in the industry's history. Multiple story arcs and non-linear gameplay help make it a RPG fan's wet dream. If you thought Black Isle couldn't get any better, boy do they have a surprise in store for you!
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