But in terms of new games, I've been watching development on the following with some interest -
Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion - due out end of November
I didn't play it's predecessor Morrowind, but was a great fan of Daggerfall - possibly the greatest RPG ever (Baldur's Gate not withstanding), so this one should be well worth trying as an immense single player RPG.
Age of Empires 3 - Due out 4th November
After UO, Age of Empires 2 was the game I played the most.
Lots of us are keenly looking forward to this one, and I understand some of the naughtier chaps are testing the PIR8 version already
though of course we will need original copies to play online against random tards - LOL NO GAY KOREA NO RUSH TIL ALL R IMPURIALIrth Online - Due out 1st November
http://www.irthonline.com/
The closest game to UO that I have ever heard of.
I've beta tested this a bit and can conclude that it has potential, but it's ultimate downfall may well be the fact that WoW has the MMORPG market nicely secured at present stiffling anything that dares to compete.
None the less, it can be best described as UO with semi-modern graphics (They look ugly), larger landmass, minus the PKing but with more emphasis on Factions.
Darkfall Online - Beta testing around the corner, potential release in spring 2006
www.darkfallonline.com
Not a lot needs to be said that hasn't already been said about this game.
Despite what I wrote about Irth Online, this game won't suffer due to lack of players - it won't be competing with WoW, but will have it's own niche market of PvPrs. It's downfall may be due to the constant failure to release the game (Already several years behind schedule) and the lack of any major sponsor.
X3: Reunion - Due out 28th October
I played the original X: Beyond the frontier, and that game was superb, though a bit limited in scope. I didn't get to play the followup unfortunately.
Those of us lucky enough to have enjoyed Elite back in the day will appreciate this style of space trading/exploration game the most. It has taken the original concept of Elite and expanded it hugely.
Quake 4 - Should be out around now
I don't do FPS games. Simple logic: FPS gamers = 12 year old losers.
However, all the I-C youngsters I associate with (In a good way of course) demand that I play something called Day of Disaster with them, and my refusal to cooperate has led to tensions.
To alleviate this I shall try Quake 4 as my first steps into FPS since Duke Nukem 3D (Shake it Baby).
Can't say if this will be a good thing
Civilization 4 - Due Out 28th October
Not sure how this one expands from it's predecessor, but all Civ games are worth playing.
Remember kids, buy the originals, otherwise the software industry dies a painful death, and you'll be forced to read Enyd Blyton books as entertainment.
