Devil May Cry |
With the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 now in their seventh and eighth years of existence, they've been around far longer than previous console generations. Maybe it's not surprising that most of the winter's games for these aging systems are sequels and reboots — but considering how good some of them look, that may not be a bad thing.
1. DmC: Devil May Cry:: Capcom's classic action series gets a makeover, courtesy of the Western studio Ninja Theory. Not a major departure, DmC still features the heroics of main character Dante, whose fast-paced combat style seamlessly transitions from swordplay to shooting. :: Out January 15 :: For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
2. Dead Space 3:: EA's stomach-churning horror series adds an intriguing wrinkle for its third outing: drop-in, drop-out cooperative play in which the experience may change depending on whether players are controlling the usual hero, Isaac Clarke, or newcomer Sergeant John Carver. :: Out February 5 :: For Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC
3. Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time:: After an eight-year layoff, the world's greatest raccoon thief is back for a new heist. For the first time, Sly creator Sucker Punch isn't at the helm. Instead, development duties are being overseen by Sanzaru Games, the studio that produced the high-definition Sly remakes for the PlayStation 3. :: Out February 5 :: For PlayStation 3 and PS Vita
4. Aliens: Colonial Marines:: Gearbox Studios aims to deliver the definitive Aliens experience for gamers. A campaign written in part by writers from the Battlestar Galactica TV series is tantalizing, but the really exciting part is a competitive multiplayer mode that pits USCMC grunts against playable xenomorphs. :: Out February 12 :: For Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC
5. Crysis 3:: Crytek continues to make PC owners weep in despair when they read the system requirements, but fortunately Crysis 3 will also be available on consoles. The action is still set in New York City, and you still wear a kickass super-suit, but now you can shoot a bow and arrow, so that's something. :: Out February 19 :: For Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, and PC
6. Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance:: It's nice to see a series change things up, but who could have expected this? Revengeance eschews stealth in favor of high-speed hack-and-slash gameplay. It was developed by Platinum Games, whose credentials aren't in doubt (they made Bayonetta), but is it really Metal Gear? :: Out February 19 :: For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
Rayman Legends |
7. Rayman Legends:: The sequel to 2011's well-received Rayman Origins is available exclusively for Wii U. With painterly graphics, four-player multiplayer, and devious-looking level design, Legends looks like another winner. :: Out February 26 :: For Wii U
8. Tomb Raider:: I've lost track of how many times Tomb Raider has been rebooted, but the latest has my attention. It aims to tell the story of how Lara Croft became a hard-nosed tomb raider. The premise sounds a little like Uncharted — Lara's plane crashes on a tropical island — but turnabout is fair play. :: Out March 5 :: For Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3
