What Are Your “Must-Haves” This Fall?

While reading through news sites like I do every morning I came across an article on CNN talking about 5 must-have videogames that are releasing this fall. I read through the list and while maybe I can agree with a couple I just don’t see how some of those games made it to the list.

I know every genre has diehard followers but even that doesn’t excuse games like Guitar Hero: Warriors Of Rock to be considered a must-have. And while the article I read deals with games releasing across multiple platforms, three of them will appear on the PS3. I think our system is finally coming into its own and becoming a major player in this “next generation” console market. What I want to focus on in this entry are the exciting games releasing this fall for the PS3.

Of course what PS3 list of must-have games would start any other way than with one of the most anticipated games for the system; Gran Turismo 5. The standard for simulation racing games, the Gran Turismo series has been the long standing leader to which other racing games are measured. This iteration launches with 1,000 cars and 20 locations featuring over 70 track variations. The big upgrade this time around however is damage to the vehicles (including the ability to roll cars) and weather changing effects. Polyphony Digital also got the NASCAR license and will also throw in Kart racing. All told, if you’re a racing fan, there is no reason not to have this gem when it releases on November 2nd.

Every year a new Call of Duty is released, and every year it sells like hotcakes. Call of Duty is a franchise that seems to keep picking up speed. According to the Call Of Duty wiki this game is set to take place from 1960-2010 and dealing with locations such as Vietnam and Cuba. Four iterations of this game have dealt with World War II and the other two have been set in modern times. Once again it seems like Call Of Duty is taking a new route featuring new locales and perhaps dealing with a war that not many other FPS games have addressed. Multiplayer is also getting some tweaks with the latest trailers revealing new methods of dispatching the enemy including remote controlled cars that can be detonated and maybe a new type of predator missile. Releasing on November 9th this game is sure to please for FPS fans.

Tom Clancy’s HAWX wasn’t a bad, it just wasn’t great. The sequel coming out on September 7th looks to improve on everything from the first game. Changes included are takeoffs, landings, and mid air refueling and the ability to man UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and do precision bombing runs. The Enhanced Reality System returns as well as four player co-op for all twenty one campaign missions. The resolution has been bumped for the GeoEye satellite imagery and the areas have been expanded to 3600 square miles. While this is yet to be seen as a must-have title, it will be the only way to get your dogfight on until the new Ace Combat soars in sometime next year (hopefully).

Assassin’s Creed is a series with a pretty big following. Starting out on the XBOX360 and finally making its way to the PS3 it’s a game that seems to get better and better. This time around we follow Ezio as he takes on the Templar Order in Rome. Ezio is able to take on recruits to be assassins and can deploy them aroudn the city or bring them along with him. As you advance the city of Rome changes and becomes more beautiful. This game has been viewed as more of an Assassin’s Creed II add-on but the biggest change is multiplayer. Finally people will be able to go online and battle it out. It’s a large game of cat and mouse. Each player selects a different class. Win the game starts you are given a “mark” (the player you need to seek out and assassinate). However you have been chosen as a mark by someone else which in turn means someone is looking for you. You get points based on how you kill your opponent and if you break cover or not. This game is sure to be huge and the multiplayer looks suspenseful and very fun. Look for this title on November 16th.

Even though there are many more titles coming out I am ending this with Little Big Planet 2. The first one amazed and charmed many; using a simple motto of “Play. Create. Share.” Little Big Planet added something new to the gaming community with complicated yet simple tools to literally create whatever you desired and share it with the world. It’s mascot, Sackboy, became a hit. With a huge community and 50,000+ levels being published weekly it is still a success. The picture above is part of my own experiences with friends just sitting around and having fun. The Japanese created tentacle porn and Media Molecule made it possible for us to recreate it in a virtual space. Little Big Planet 2 has many changes in store and features many new tools and styles to go even deeper than it’s beloved predecessor. A game the entire family can play together, this is definitely a must-have on November 16th.