E3: The 12 must-see titles

God of War III (Sony, PS3): The latest title in Sony’s mega-successful mythological hack-‘em-up series will be its tentpole software offering at E3. Lead character Kratos wants revenge against the gods, and will get it with a devastating new weapon, The Cestus: a pair of battle gloves able to smash through rock… Photograph: PR

Dead Rising 2 (Capcom, PS3, Xbox 360): The original locked you in an abandoned shopping mall and asked you to pummel your way through the undead hordes with baseball bats, lawnmowers and shop window dummies. This time the action’s set in gambling paradise Fortune City, with new weapons and, apparently "tens of thousands" of zombified opponents. Let us at 'em… Photograph: PR

The Saboteur (EA, Pandemic, PC, PS3, Xbox 360): EA is showing off around 25 titles at the event, but this second world war stealth adventure is one of the most intriguing newcomers. Hang out with resistance fighters in occupied Paris, take out key enemies, and enjoy the sleazy nightlife. Call of Duty genetically spliced with GTA? Photograph: PR

Brutal Legend (EA, Double Fine Productions, PS3, Xbox 360): In a dimension where hellish heavy metal album art IS reality, only one fat roadie can defeat the forces of evil. Creator Tim "Monkey Island" Schafer is one of the industry’s funniest, most beloved veterans, and Jack Black is sure to revel in his lead voice acting role. Could be this year’s sleeper hit. Photograph: PR

Heavy Rain (Sony, Quantic Dream, PS3): It’s been on the radar for two years, but little is known about the visually incredible, "adult noir thriller" from French studio Quantic Dream. Director David Cage is promising an emotional narrative experience of true depth and open-ended freedom. The story engine is allegedly so adaptive you can kill the lead character and just keep on going as someone else. Zut alors… Photograph: PR

Silent Hill: Shattered Memories (Konami, PS2, PSP, Wii): Konami is promising to reboot its original psychological horror title in style with this first Wii appearance. Here, the Wiimote becomes a torch and a buzzing mobile phone as poor old Harry Mason stumbles through the cursed village. Expect surprises galore as the dev team fiendishly plays with veterans’ expectations… Photograph: PR

Bioshock 2 (2K Games, 2K Marin, PS3, Xbox 360): The original undersea first-person shooter was one of the finest narrative experiences the videogame industry has produced in a decade. No pressure, then, on the sequel, which is set 10 years later and puts you in control of one of the first game's monstrous Big Daddies. Hit the teaser site for info snippets then await the E3 revelations... Photograph: PR

Hideo Kojima's next project (Konami): For the past few days a teaser site has been counting down to a major announcement from Metal Gear Solid creator Hideo Kojima. Is it Metal Gear Solid 5? Is it something entirely new? A link on the page takes you to a video titled Mask. The internet is salivating... Photograph: PR

Dante's Inferno (EA, Visceral Games, PSP, PS3, Xbox 360): Surely one of the least likely tie-ins ever, this is a videogame interpretation of the epic poem. You control Dante as he battles his way through the nine circles of hell. Tons of demonic combat, a robust 3D engine (courtesy of EA's Dead Space technology) and no need to translate from the original medieval Italian! Photograph: PR

Assassin’s Creed II (Ubisoft, PC, PS3, Wii, Xbox 360): The opinion-dividing original was a hugely ambitious action adventure, boasting a convincing Holy Wars setting, housed within a futuristic plot of genetic memory stealing. This time the action follows a young noble in Renaissance Italy betrayed by rival ruling families. Expect another beautifully rendered historical world and lots or realistically animated acrobatics. Photograph: PR

Mass Effect 2 (EA, BioWare, PC): BioWare’s award-winning sci-fi adventure is back, promising a darker more expansive plot, and hopefully yet more ludicrously controversial intergalactic love scenes. Human forces have seemingly defeated the evil Saren, but there’s a nasty surprise waiting for them at the edge of the galaxy… Photograph: PR

Modern Warfare 2 (Activision, Infinity Ward, PC, PS3, Xbox 360): Set several years after the awesome original, this much anticipated shooter will sling us back into spec-ops action, fighting Russian ultra-nationalist terrorists with big, sexy real-world weapons. Expect the visuals, physics and multiplayer functionality to set the agenda for practically everything else. Photograph: PR