New titles on show at E3

Football games in particular are hard to imagine without the fairly traditional controller on the upcoming releases front, FIFA 10 is heading in the right direction if reports are to be believed.

The demand from gamers is always for improved gameplay above anything else. The key secondary issues (for me and many others) are how rewarding the likes of competitions, transfers and squad assembly are.

Good news then, that the vast majority of effort in FIFA 10 have reportedly been focussed on improving on field play with off field management also being given a high priority.

Basically, they are promising more realistic match results and transfers off the field, and improved AI match-situation reading on it.

An innovative and much improved ‘Be A Pro’ feature – a highly appealing area with tons of potential - is also rumoured though nothing concrete has yet been revealed.

Though there were literally dozens on show at E3 in Los Angeles, among the hot games were No More Heroes 2, Halo: Reach, Metal Gear Solid 4: Peace Walker. Most of these games are due in 2010.

The seems to be lots of sequels on offer, which is perhaps not the best sign in terms of there being enough risk taking and innovation in the industry.

Of the non-sequels, Alan Wake (2010) is an interesting looking title that on the face it will be a cross between ‘The Da Vinci Code’ and ‘Stranger Than Fiction’ while ‘The Saboteur’ should appeal to the multitudes who enjoy the WWII backdrop. The trailer show a stunningly rendered 1940s Paris and with gameplay set to be based on brains – not unlike Metal Gear – it could prove one to watch.

Brendan Cole