Hey everyone! The Alpha Jan here with the final entry in the E3 Expectations series for E3 2010. E3 will come to the masses this coming Tuesday to Thursday and I am excited to see what is going to drop. Now for me, I have taken notice, as well as everyone else in the industry when it comes to reviews and previews, that E3 2010 is loaded with a lot of sequels and prequels. There really isn’t a “brand new” game that just amazes with awe. Now I am sure it will be different when E3 takes place but as of now, there really isn’t a “brand new” game that is recognized to make everyone’s head turn. Instead, there are a lot of new games which are sequels and prequels from awesome series – some being the last game in the series such as the Gears of War Series or the Halo Series. Now to read the buzz from the other major companies when it comes to E3 2010, check out the older articles featuring Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo.

Now for this article, I write the big news of all the other part of the video game industry, the third-party developers and publishers. You can check the full list of games at any site but I’ll only cover the biggest games from buzz and fandom on this article. I will also go down the line in alphabetical order by company as well too. So without anymore interuption, this is the final article in E3 Expectations for 2010. Also take note that the games will not be as detailed as the games in the previous articles since there are a lot and if I were to detail them, it would make this article into a novella.

2K Games

Mafia II – The awaited sequel to the original game back on the last generation of consoles (Xbox, PS2), this game has finally been annouced and will be featured at E3. The game is mostly a period piece action/driving game with a decent story but had major issues that gave this game a very low rating. These issues are said to be fixed in the sequel. Will be released on both the PS3 and X360.

X-COM – The latest game in the series is actually a reboot of an old classic. The story is based around an FBI agent and an investigation that has to do with extraterrestrial activity and lifeforms. This investigation is actually a threat as well too and is the driving force for the reboot of this old classic. This game’s trailer is very interesting and entertaining to watch and the game will be featured at E3 with a release sometime in 2011 by what is known. Will be released on the X360 and PC.

505 Games

Naughty Bear – I seen a lot of videos for this game on IGN and what I know is you’re a very bad bear that tortures and kills the other happy bears. The videos have been given notice online for what it is and I really want to just try out this game because it seems to be a fun game on the basis of combining on something precieved socially as cute and adorable and putting it in a more adult themed situation kinda like Conker: Live and Reloaded or Raze’s Hell. Will be released on the X360.

Activision Blizzard

Call of Duty: Black Ops – The latest game in the Call of Duty Series is getting notice but is from the other company that does Call of Duty games that isn’t Infinity Ward. This game is the next in line from the other Activision subsidiary and will also be the second game by them. This pretty much will take notice if this subsidiary can keep up with the beautiful games like Infinity Ward or was it a one-time ordeal. This game also takes place with more stealth basics per se the Metal Gear Solid Series or Splinter Cell Series. Will be released on both the PS3 and X360.

DJ Hero 2 – The next installment in the breakout gaming musical game that saved the musical game series from nostalgia as in boredom. I own the first game and loved it and hope to see more mixes as well as more characters and more surprises in this game. A special test download is now available on the original DJ Hero in which you can play a couple of mixes in the upcoming sequel. Will be available on the PS3, X360, and Wii from what I know. Don’t know if they are planning to make a PS2 version like they did with the original.

Bethesda

Fallout: New Vegas – The newest installment in the Fallout Series. If you don’t know what the Fallout Series is about, it is the world in a post-apocalyptic chaotic world after nuclear fallout thus the title. Now this series will take you to what Las Vegas, Nevada looks like after all the nukes have gone array thus New Vegas. Will be released on X360, PS3, and PC.

Rage – The newest shooter by ID Software, the same company that brought timeless shooter series like the Wolfenstein Series, the Quake Series, and of course the Doom Series. This is the next big thing from this company and as always from this company, it is a shooter. Will be shown and previewed at E3 and will be released on the X360, PS3, and PC.

Capcom

Dead Rising 2 – More news on the upcoming sequel from the original years ago will be shown at E3. The big thing is the setting reminiscent of Las Vegas as well as the multiplayer reminiscent of the American Gladiators. This is also noted that the developer of this game will not be Capcom but by Blue Castle Games, a Canadian developer. There will be more information about this game that is set to release sometime in August of this year. Will be on the PS3, X360, and PC.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds - At long last, the awaited sequel to Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes and the next installment in the VS. Series by Capcom. This is a huge game for fans of the VS. Series have been waiting for this game for over a decade. I myself am one of those fans. The trailer was beautiful as well as the gameplay screencaps and vids. I am expecting more information on this game that will release next year around Spring 2011 on the PS3 and X360.

Okamiden – This is the official sequel to the hit game by Capcom titled Okami on the PS2 and later ported to the Wii. The setting is two months after the events in the first game and Issun, the guide who helped Amaturasu in the last game, is now helping the new wolf god – who is a baby wolf actually – named Chibiterasu as they answer a summons of help from Sakuya, the tree spirit from the first game. The world is now at peace so I don’t know exactly what this game will be like but I am thinking more on the lines of action adventure puzzles. This game is set to release only on the DS sometime this year or early next year.

Disney

Epic Mickey – The newest Disney game is a lot darker and a lot more creepier than the usual. I am so into it from what scenes I am watching and what is going on in the game in general. I really hope this will be something brand new and worthwhile and may also be the game that may turn heads at E3. This game so far will only be released on the Wii. Take note this is so far the darkest Mickey game to date. True there are games that have dark elements using Disney characters like the Kingdom Hearts Series but this one is directly from Disney.

Electronic Arts

APB: All Points Bulletin - The newest MMO made by the creator of the Grand Theft Auto Series, APB is the newest game that takes a huge world based off of our world and pits two sides, the criminals and the enforcers. So this is pretty much an MMO based on the enforcement such as polic and the criminals such as gangs. Which side you decide to take is totally up to you and is played in real time like other famous MMO games such as World of Warcraft or Warhammer. Will be released on the PC and rumored to be released on the X360 and PS3.

Bulletstorm – The newest shooter introduces and new type of gameplay called “kill by skill”. I don’t know much about it off the top of my head except that points are built up by the skill of a shot. This means that using outrageous guns and combat moves, the player will do a shot that will cause total mayhem and destruction. Think of the crash levels in the Burnout Series but used with combat. That is what this game will utilize. This game will be coming to the X360 and PS3.

Crysis 2 – The upcoming sequel from the original game as well as its parallel sequel, Crysis 2 will be finally showcased at E3. This is also the first game from developer Crytek that will use the CryEngine 3, the company’s developing engine. There are two major differences from this game from the sequel. First the setting is going to be in New York City compared to just being in a jungle setting. Next is the new nanosuit that was teased in a fake brochure. This game will drop on the X360, PS3, and PC sometime in the Fall.

Dead Space 2 – The sequel from the hit fear-inducing game on the PS3. The first game in the series brought back the fear into the survival horror series yet again. True Resident Evil 5 was an awesome game but the fear wasn’t really in it. Instead, it was a new type of shooter that gave you the type of fear of if you can overcome the odds during certain points of the game, not the type of fear you get from wondering what was around the corner. This is the sequel so this will be the series maker as in will this series be good or will it be another passing series? However, there have been series where the second game was terrible in general and the third game just brought back the series to glory. The Devil May Cry Series is a good example. Anyways, this game will drop on the PS3, X360, and PC sometime in 2011.

Rock Band 3 – The next game in the Rock Band Series is getting something new. First off, they are adding a brand new keyboard controller but this keyboard is going to have 26 keys thus it will be somewhat like playing a keyboard. It can also be played standard keyboard style or around the next like a keytar as they call it. There are also two new roles besides the keyboard which are supporting vocals to the lead vocals. Also, this game will be taking the use of a real electric guitar through a new type of gameplay called “Pro Mode” which allows players to play songs more realistically to how a rock band would play it. However, a lot of the pro mode add-ons were in response of the upcoming new game by Seven45 Studios where they are innovating the rock music genre when it comes to video games with true guitar playing.

Konami

Metal Gear Solid: Rising - The newest game in the Metal Gear Solid Series is coming to both the PS3 and X360. Not the “answering game” the recent PSP release was, this game will be based on the character Raiden who was from Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty. It seems this game can play a little bit from the popularity of INFamous since there is a new type of gameplay known as “lightning bolt action” and it replaces the “tactical espionage action”. The release date of this game is still TBA and there is no year tacked on to it. However, it will be coming to the PS3, X360, and PC.

N3: Nighty-Nine Nights 2 – The long-awaited sequel from the X360 launch title is finally coming. The biggest difference is this game is rumored to be multi-platform which includes the PS3. From the screencaps and news, there won’t be a lot of emphasis on the darker tone of the game. Also, it is unknown if any of the characters from the original game will be back in this sequel. The game is known to be released on the X360 and rumored on the PS3 on June 29, 2010. As for the PS3 release rumor, that will become either fact or fiction after E3 since the date for this game is coming up very quickly.

Lucas Arts

Star Wars: Old Republic – This is the newest MMO game coming out by Lucas Arts and it has been awhile since there was an Old Republic-ish game by this company. The last time I remembered such beauty was on the original Xbox and that is way overdue now. From what I know, this game is updating a lot of the graphics and also balancing issues. There were four different classes you can be and the ones that used the light sabers were way overpowered. This balancing issue has been fixed in this game. This game will be only coming to the PC.

Sega

Conduit 2 – The sequel to the surprise hit shooter for the Wii, this game is said to be the shooter that will fix all the problems the original had as well as improve on all that was great about the first game. Since this shooter was first off on the Wii, it may not have got the same credentials as the other shooters on the other more powerful systems in general but for what it was, this game was top notch with can excellent story and excellent gameplay. Also this game will feature multiplayer up to four players. The sequel is said to drop sometime in Fall 2010 on the Wii.

Seven45 Studios

PowerGig: Rise of the SixString – The newest competitor when it comes to the rock music game genre, Seven45 Studios is differentiating themselves from both Activision and EA by doing one simple thing: incorporating the true use of an electric guitar. I already mentioned that with EA’s Rock Band 3 they are going to have pro mode which uses pro controllers such as the guitar will now have a button on each fret and you gotta press the right button in sequence to the fret. With this game however, its not just fret but by string thus multiplying the possible combinations by six. In other words, this is like playing a real guitar. Will this make the game somewhat hard? Maybe. Maybe it’s a new way of teaching kids how to play the guitar. Nevertheless, this game looks interesting on the direction it is taking. This game will drop on both PS3 and X360 sometime in the third quarter of 2010.

Square Enix

Final Fantasy XIV – The next installment in the ongoing series. What is funny is that XIII is still not that established here in the United States and already there is talk about XIV. Anyways, this game is only known that it is a MMORPG which means that this game could be an “online only” title just like the Final Fantasy XI was. This game may get more emphasis though because MMOs have become so popular over the last few years with the decline of the economy and such games where the price is fixed but the output and value is extremely high per se WoW. This game is still a TBA but has already been released in Japan. It will drop on the PC and PS3 due to the fact it is online gameplay. Now the question is if it is online ONLY or there will be a campaign mode.

Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light – The newest game in the Lara Croft Series and this is the first game that won’t have the “Tomb Raider” tagline with it. Instread this game will be the first of many online downloadable games featuring Lara Croft and is based off of isometric gaming per se this game will be a lot like an RPG. You’ll either play as Lara Croft or a 2000 year old Mayan soldier named Totec and you’ll work together to stop the evil spirit Xolotl by getting the mirror of smoke. Think of the Lara Croft version of Ico. This game will be released on the PSN, Xbox Live, and PC sometime in the 2010 third quarter.

THQ

de Blog: The Underground – The sequel from the biggest surprise on the Wii back in 2008, de Blob. So far, not much is really known about this game but is set to be released in the Spring of 2011. Also to note, this game will also be available on the PS3 and X360 as well as the Wii and DS thus making this game the first game within this series to be multiplatform.

UFC Undisputed – UFC has been getting more and more attention as of late even becoming a good competitor towards both boxing and professional wrestling. I myself find this sport awesome because it is all in good sport and not to be taken grudgingly. I saw the gameplay of this game and I am impressed and maybe it is because I do love UFC but I am interested in this game. Also the gameplay is such a huge improvement on prior installments within the UFC franchise and will also be the first game by THQ to utilize the online code. Will drop on the PS3 and X360 sometime later this year.

Ubisoft

Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood – The next game in the Assassin’s Creed Series. I don’t know how this will stack up to the Assassin’s Creed 2 which was the game that even those who didn’t like the first game loved but it is interesting to see what may be. This game however is a direct sequel to the second game on the major consoles and the plot takes place shortly after the end of Assassin’s Creed 2. You’ll play as Ezio again but this time there will be multiplayer which is the big deal with this game. A multiplayer mission with this type of gameplay may be something worth noting. It will release on both the PS3 and X360 later on this year.

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Future Soldier – The newest installment in the Ghost Recon Series and moving away from the Advanced Warfighter tagline, this game is said as it exactly says it is going to be. Not much is known about the gameplay or the story but there is a trailer out that shows elements of a futuristic kind mixed in with realistic warfighting such as invisibility, attack drones, and shoulder mounted rocket launchers. Pretty much, the Ghosts have all become human versions of predators and maybe that is why this game was originally known as Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Predator. Get it? Anyways, this game was pushed back a lot and was originally set for a 2009 to 2010 release but is now set for a March 2011 release. It will drop on the PS3 and X360.

Tom Clancy’s HAWX 2 – The sequel to the first game is setup just like the first in an arcade style flight simulator. The new game is set in the Middle East and the story goes about with Russian nuclear weapons. This game is said to fix the problems from the first game as well as being pushed on promotion since many people did not know about the first HAWX game as well. This game will drop on the PS3, X360, PC, and Wii sometime in the third or fourth quarter of 2010.

Warner Bros.

F.E.A.R. 3 - The next installment in this shooter is set to have both co-op and improved cover system. The game takes place significantly after the events of the second game for now the character Alma is a fully grown woman. There is not much known on the story but there are three trailers out on this game. I am expecting more information about this game at E3 as well as how the gameplay will be. This game will drop on the PS3, X360, and PC on October 20, 2010.

Super Scribblenauts – When the original came out last year at the E3 2009, everyone was psyched because it was the “big surprise” of E3 then. However, once released, there were major issues to address though it was a good game. The limit of the imagination was what caused the problem for everyone thought you could just write a word and the item would appear but a las it was not so. Super Scribblenauts fixes that and will now utilize more options for this game such as adding detail to words. For example, instead of “fridge” you can now write “spiked fridge” and you’ll get a fridge with spikes. This game will drop on the DS in the Fall of 2010.

Mortal Kombat (2010) – In recognition to the movie pitch trailer, this is the game that will be in company of it. The game is still done in 3D but has ditched the 3D fighting style and goes back to the sidescrolling 2D fighting roots. A lot of the trailer is just revised old stages and characters but have made sure to improve on gameplay and details. Also the fatalities are now back to old school gore and satisfaction unlike the fatality combo system that nobody really cared about on the game prior to that MK crossover with DC. This game is really new so a release date and what systems this game will be one is still unknown but more will be shown at E3.

Valve

Portal 2 – This is a huge game coming up from Valve Studios, the makers of the Half-Life Series. This game is a first person shooter and will continue to use the portal puzzle system that made the first game so popular. The only other game I can think of that had such an in-depth use of making the stage a puzzle on all grounds was the game Prey back in the day. There won’t be much known about this game since it will only be shown at a special introductive showing on Monday before E3 officially begins and showing is only be invitation. This game however is set to drop on the X360, PC, and PS3.

E3 2010 is coming up fast and will take place in San Francisco, CA this coming Tuesday to Thursday. There are plenty of other games to be featured as well but the above are the ones getting the most buzz and noise in the video game industry as well as the fandom on the boards and communities. I will keep up with the news throughout the week of E3 on what is announced and officialized here on Console Alliance News so check back as much as you can for updated coverage on E3 2010.