Games HOT SPOT - Upcoming Games

Final Fantasy XIII

The latest in the series that put Japanese role-playing games on the world map, Final Fantasy XIII is being put together by the same team responsible for the much loved Final Fantasy VII, VIII and X titles.

It's also the first Final Fantasy to be created for the newest generation of consoles - both the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 - meaning that the entire experience is getting a complete visual overhaul. Final Fantasy games have always featured stunningly designed worlds to explore and Final Fantasy XIII looks to raise the bar once again.

Not much has been revealed about the plot so as to keep the experience fresh, but what is known is that you play as a group of people set to disrupt a society which has created its own utopia and created a whole underclass of people on the world of Pulse. Two lead characters have been also been announced: the female heroine Lightning and the bandana-wearing bikie known as Snow. Characters in Final Fantasy XIII have been designed by Tetsuya Nomura, the artistic talent behind a host of Final Fantasy games, Kingdom Hearts, the Final Fantasy VII movie Advent Children and most recently the DS RPG The World End With You.

As for gameplay innovation, FFXIII include some of the advancements to the series found in FFXII. Gone are random battle encounters, with nearby enemies being visible on screen at all times. The Active Time Battle system - where commands are issued in combat while the fight continues around you - will return, although it's been said that this will work differently from previous Final Fantasy games.

Final Fantasy XIII is actually the flagship title in a three-part game series called the Fabula Nova Crystallis Final Fantasy XIII project. The other two titles - Final Fantasy Versus XIII for PS3 and Final Fantasy Agito XIII for PSP - are both stand - alone titles, although they are set in the same game world as Final Fantasy XIII. None are related to each other in regards to story, and while Versus and Agito are more action-oriented, Final Fantasy XIII is the next proper game in the Final Fantasy series and will offer a more traditional Final Fantasy experience.

Read more game news & reviews at Gameplayer.com.au

Killzone 2

Killzone on PlayStation 2 featured some of the most insidious looking enemies ever in a first-person shooter: soldiers of the Helghast Empire's war machine. Dressed in dark battle armour withNazi - style helmets hiding piercing red - orange goggles, the Helghast forces were a truly terrifying opponent to battle against. Now that the game has made the transition to the HD capabilities of the PS3, these soldiers are looking as menacing as ever. Killzone 2 features some of the best graphics yet to be found on a home console.

Killzone 2 follows on from where the first game concluded - this time however, on the home world of the Helghast Empire of Helgan. Playing as Sergeant Thomas "Sev" Sechenko of the Interplanetary Strategic Alliance (ISA) forces, the fight's been taken to the heart of the Helghast with nothing less than its leader's head - Emperor Visari - as the prize. The ISA soon discover that it's not going to be a straightforward assault: the Helghast has a number of advantages on its own planet, least of all the planet itself. The ISA will have to overcome environmental dangers like lighting storm attacks as well as the muzzles of the Helghast if they are to succeed.

The game will feature large open levels to explore and play through on the way to capturing the Helshast's emperor. Killzone 2 utilises a "lean and peak" play mechanic, allowing players to use cover as for protection while they launch counterattacks - all from the first-person perspective. As well as a host of exotic weaponry, Killzone 2 also features a host of vehicles which can be commandeered in the battle against the Helghast.

Multiplayer has also been given plenty of attention, allowing battles of up to 32 players online over the PlayStation Network. A number of multiplayer game types will be included, with support for multiplayer clans who can earn currency during play to spend on special features. And while unconfirmed, there's speculation that Killzone 2 will feature a co-operative play mode as well.

Read more game news & reviews at Gameplayer.com.au

F.E.A.R.2 – Project Origin

Combing strong gun-based shooting action with the best that the horror genre has to offer (including plenty of hair-raising moments of pure terror), the original F.E.A.R. was a fantastic gaming experience.

Featuring telepathically controlled clone soldiers and a megalomaniacal genetically engineered psychic at their helm (now there’s an ominous partnership if there ever was one), the game centred on a very creepy young girl in a red dress. Where she went, death and destruction followed.

 Throw in cutting-edge graphics and stunning level design, and you had a game that was just dripping with supernatural atmosphere.  Not many shooters have you at the negotiating end of a rocket launcher yet still quaking in your boots.

And the sequel F.E.A.R.2 – Project Origin continues where the original left off. Playing as Delta Force squad member Michael Becket, you’re sent in to arrest one of the main antagonists behind the events of F.E.A.R. It’s not too long before you discover you’ve some paranormal powers of your own and will play a pivotal role in the ensuing drama.

With an updated graphics engine and larger, more open level design, F.E.A.R.2 is looking better than ever. And just as thrilling as well.

Read more game news & reviews at Gameplayer.com.au