The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Xbox 360/ PS3/ PC - Bethesda Game Studios (Bethesda Softworks)
If this list was in order, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim would earn top honors. I'm a sucker for exploration in games and I'm a bit embarrassed to admit to the number of hours I spent roaming Oblivion's massive game world. Skyrim looks poised to offer just as much land to explore, this time through the dragon-inhabited land of Skyrim, which lies in northern Tamriel.
Skyrim sticks to the open world gameplay found in Oblivion, though Bethesda is tossing in a few major changes. The first is the removal of the class system. Rather than choosing a class before you begin playing the game (which, if you think about it, is kind of a silly idea anyway), you instead develop your character as you play. Rather than leveling in a traditional sense, you'll level individual skills, earning access to a series of branching, skill-specific abilities.
Another change is the new Radiant Story system, which "replaces" the Radiant A.I. found in previous games. Similar to previous games, NPCs will "do their own thing," though now Bethesda is promising more interaction with their environments. The new system will also offer randomly-generated encounters, leading to side-quests built specifically for your character.
Nothing else to say other than I'm completely buzzed about getting the chance to cover Skyrim this year. Expect excited Tweets.
Saints Row The Third
Xbox 360/ PS3/ PC - Volition (THQ)
Second only to the hours spent roaming Tamriel are the hours I've lost causing mayhem in Stillwater. The Saints Row series has lead to some of my most cherished gaming memories, so I'm excited to see what new ones I'll make with Saints Row The Third.
I thought Saints Row 2 was a better sequel to GTA: San Andreas than GTA 4, so I expect plenty more over-the-top, "GTA by Michael Bay" antics... and I'm sure Volition will deliver. You'll still play as a player-created character, who is unceremoniously dropped into the city of Steelport. This time you're going up against Phillipe Loren, the leader of an international crime organization called The Syndicate. Storylines still weave between the three factions as they battle for control of Steelport. Now, however, gaining Respect will not only open new missions and territories, but new perks for your character.
THQ also recently announced a new initiative called "Initiation Station," which allows players to upload and download characters. As someone who spends just as much time customizing my character as I do playing the game, I appreciate this sort of thing.
