On The Horizon...

Here is a list of games that are to be released later this year, that I think deserve some attention.

• Diablo II - As if you couldn't guess. After Episode I, this is the next thing I am anticipating with slavering jaws. With five new character classes, and four new worlds to explore, this game is gonna kick some RPG ass. Hopefully it will arrive in stores on time in September.
• Soulbringer - This is yet another RPG from Interplay. They are on a roll I think: Fallout, its sequel, BG, then Planescape. The details on this one are vague, but its definitely one to watch out for.
• STAR WARS: Force Commander - Another Star Wars RTS game, except this time, (hopefully) it won't fall flat on its face like Rebellion. This game will allow players to use roughly 50 of the ground-based vehicles that appeared in the SW Trilogy. Overall nice looking game that takes advantage of 3D acceleration.
• STAR WARS EPISODE I: Obi-Wan - This game is a bit of a stretch, since LucasArts says it will be out by the holidays, but it looks more like it will be out by early 2000. The gameplay is similar in style to Jedi Knight from what I hear, where you can blast battle droids and use force-abilities. I've only seen screenshots of the cutscenes, and I can't really tell if Mr. MacGregor was involved. I hope they got a good likeness or that game will be a little lacking, in my opinion.
• Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine - FINALLY! Hopefully later this year we'll all be treated to a 3rd person action game starring everyone's favorite adventuring archaeologist. It's about time someone put Lara Croft in her place.
• Vampire: The Masquerade - A little late, ASC Games latched onto White Wolf's RPG franchise. Looks to be an interesting game, and since I played the original pen&paper RPG, this is a game I'm looking forward to. Set in two different time periods, medieval and modern. Let's hope ASC can pull it off.
• Werewolf: The Apocolypse: The Heart of Gaia - Super long title...I wonder if I got it right? This is another game (from a different company, go figure) based on a White Wolf RPG. It looks AWESOME. The transformation sequences look really cool. This game is gonna be action packed...but can your system handle it? From what I hear the system requirements are gonna be really high.
• The Wheel of Time - I heard about this game when I first started reading the series of books last fall. From what I saw, this game is kind of a mix between an action FPS and an RPG, and beautifully done. Since I was impressed by the storyline in RJ's books (to a point), I have a feeling this will be one to look out for.
• Driver - A hard game to judge. The title lacks pizazz, but the gameplay looks awesome. You're basically the getaway driver for a gang of thieves. Looks like it has a great physics model for some realistic chases (or crashes, depending on how good you are).
• Half-Life: Opposing Force - The first official add on. You get to play as a marine this time, blowing up the Black Mesa installation from a different P.O.V. Looks VERY cool, and should be here by November.
• Tom Clancy's Rogue Spear - Since I've started playing Rainbow Six, I looked back at the June issue of PC Gamer with their feature on this game. It sounds fantastic. They worked out a LOT of bugs, made the terrorists smarter, more weapons, and the coolest of all: 747 Takedown, a mission where you have to regain control of a Jumbo Jet. This game sounds like it will surpass the original.
• Thief 2 - I caught word of this one at Gamespot. The release is set for the first quarter of 2000, which isn't that far away. By far the biggest revelation about this game is the addition of multiplayer. It will be interesting to see how Looking Glass pulls this one off.

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