The Most Anticipated PC Titles of 2005

Pariah
Publisher: Groove Games
Developer: Digital Extremes
Genre: Action
Release Date: 03/04/2005

This'll be one high-tech battlefield. Still bloody though.

I still cannot prove my Chaos Theory...

Well, we finally get a game with a precisely set release date. Though I know this can sometimes get out of control (hey, I am not telling any names!), this is still something I really love to see. You think I am getting too soft? You should see my dad (Actually, he and I are dating now -Ed) Anyway...

The Unreal Tournament 2004 developer Digital Extremes has been working on Pariah for more than two years in secrecy. What they had in mind was a fabulous-looking FPS with great multiplayer and a map editor that should satisfy the needs of even the most demanding players. While we're on the subject of multiplayer, it is worth mentioning that Pariah will feature some "classic" as well as some original multiplayer modes. Apart from deathmatch and capture-the-flag, Front-Line Assault and Siege will also be included in the game.

As for the map editing tool, the Unreal-engine based editor is going to be included with the game. It is possible to choose six map themes and manually transform the terrain, then edit the map by adding buildings and bases. After the player is done with this simple process, he will be able to inspect the map he'd made with a quick walkthrough. (Hey, I don't remember putting this hole here... Oh CRAAAAAAAP!")

In the single player mode, the player will be placed in the role of a military doctor who gets an assignment to transport a woman with a virus that turns people into monkeys. OK, I'm joking about the monkey part, but that would make a great Donkey Kong shooter, don't you think so? Anyway, in the game, you will be able to switch from the doctor to that shameless disease-carrier, and your job will be to discover and trace the origins of the mysterious disease that may not turn people into monkeys, but I wish to God THAT it were so.

While doing so, you will be able to do some first-person shooting, as well drive various vehicles. The shooting part should be very interesting as the enemy borrows parts of its AI from Unreal's bots. Apart from that, the game will be able to boast with an innovative player upgrade (you guessed right - from humans to monkeys!), as well as with large, beautifully designed outdoor settings. March is not that far away, folks.

Operation Flashpoint 2
Publisher: Codemasters
Developer: Bohemia Interactive
Genre: Action
Release Date: 07/03/2005

You would be surprised to find out how many people still live in the time of the WWII - mentally, that is. In that sense, it's really a shame WWII-based games are so scarce on the market. Imagine this completely new and original genre of WWII or even Vietnam-based shooters. I bet millions of gamers would give their right arm and sacrifice it to the Great Fat Devourer if they could only get a chance to play a game like that.

In the lack of such games, however, we will be forced to drench our thirst with the sequel of the popular Cold War-based shooter, Operation Flashpoint. Although this FPS allows you to engage in fight on several continents, taking you to Southeast Asia, Central Europe and Africa, the story will feature fictional events that are only remotely based on the actual ones. If you're disappointed for not being able to play a Vietnam-based shooter, don't be - the story of the game takes place in the mid-seventies, at the time of the actual Vietnam war. What's that? You're crying? Awww...

Operation Flashpoint 2 is going to show us some quality warfare, set in a wide range of different missions. While a tactical approach is a very important feature in the game, the player will get a chance to fight solo or with the help of their teammates. The game features controllable vehicles and aircraft, but in many ways, this game is going to be quite similar to the original. Except from being able to command large squads and create your own scenarios using the built-in mission editor, the details on this game are still very scarce.

As Operation Flashpoint 2 promises to be a worthy sequel to the excellent Operation Flashpoint, I can however forgive it for not being a WWII shooter. God, how I wish there was a publisher out there with enough insight to release some intense, heavily scripted WWII shooters.

F.E.A.R.
Publisher: VU Games
Developer: Monolith Productions
Genre: Action
Release Date: 2005

Kids, lunchtime is getting close. So I'm actually thinking of cutting the long story short (too late for that -Ed) and leaving you with the list of the nine most-anticipated games scheduled for release sometime in 2005. But F.E.A.R. is threatening to be an outstanding game in every sense of that word, so I'll be merciful and lose a few words on that statement alone.

First, it is impossible not to notice the impressive looks of this gory and violent FPS that takes you to a multi-billion dollar aerospace compound. As a paramilitary force infiltrates the compound the Special Forces are sent in to settle things, but the radio communications are out and the members of the team are now on their own. Should I mention you are among those lucky bastards whose goal is to eliminate the paramilitary force? I always thought that the stories of people who joined the Navy after having a wild night were nothing but a myth - now I know they weren't. Well, what can I say - next time you'll know better. Right?

Fear not for F.E.A.R. will feature gallons and gallons of blood, as well as many scenes of violence. Judging from your general taste, you sick puppies, does this title need a better recommendation? Monolith warns us it's not all about blood: the game will require you to think and often take a more tactical approach. F.E.A.R. will throw some intelligent monsters at you (like Oprah -Ed), but you will also be granted tons of guns in order to be ready for such encounters. I guess we could expect a large arsenal of weapons, which should go brilliantly with the announced high-level AI.

In terms of the already highly praised graphics, F.E.A.R. will boast with the now standard next-gen features such as per-pixel lightning and normal mapping, as well as with a realistic physics system and a great narrative. What else? You'll get to ride shotgun during some frantic car chases and experience helicopter crashes in real time, and in the rare moments of rest, you will be able to nibble on a pizza while... Oh! Sorry, duty calls. The pizza delivery boy is here. Over and out. (What a way to end this mammoth feature. The type of classy closing word you can only get on ActionTrip. -Ed)