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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Keith Stuart

The 15 biggest games of winter 2011

15 big games winter 2011: Resistance 3
Resistance 3 (PS3; 9 September)
The third part in the alien invasion shooter series follows hero soldier Joseph Capelli as he battles across ‘50s America to defeat the evil Chimera forces. Word is, this is the most robust and exciting title in the trilogy.
15 big games winter 2011: F1 2011
F1 2011 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 23 September)
Last year, UK publisher Codemasters made an excellent first attempt at an F1 simulation, and will surely build on its success with this follow-up, sporting all the cars, circuits and drivers from the current season.
15 big games winter 2011: Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3 (Xbox 360; 20 September)
One of the defining Xbox exclusives comes to an apparent end here, as Marcus Fenix and his ragtag bunch of muscle-bound space marines make a last desperate stand against rampaging Locust and Lambent hordes. The crunching multiplayer and co-op modes will be a key attraction.
15 big games winter 2011: Fifa 12
Fifa 12 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 30 September)
EA Sports is promising a range of major improvements to its now dominant footie sim, including a new player physics engine, intricate ball control and a more realistic defending system. With all the official leagues, players and competitions, together with fresh social networking features, it’s a typically lush, comprehensive package.
15 big games winter 2011: Ico Shadow Colossus
Ico and Shadow of the Colossus (PS3; 30 September)
Two of the greatest PlayStation 2 games ever made, repackaged in glorious HD. If you missed these thoughtful and emotional adventures first time round, there’s little excuse not to snap them up now – especially with Team Ico’s long-awaited third title, The Last Guardian, still at least a year away.
15 big games winter 2011: Rage
Rage (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 7 October)
The creators of Doom and Quake return with a post-apocalyptic adventure mixing first-person shoot-‘em-up action with offroad driving. Legendary developer id may have had its position in the FPS limelight stolen by the likes of Valve, Bungie and EA Dice, but this should still be a rollicking blaster.
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15 big games winter 2011: Dark Souls
Dark Souls (PS3/Xbox 360; 7 October)
The follow-up to 2009’s challenging and innovative role-playing adventure, Demon’s Souls, is set to increase the difficulty level, as well as the size and scope of the challenge. Hack your way through a landscape of looming citadels, collecting weapons, customising your character and discovering messages left by other players.
15 big games winter 2011: Forza Motorsport 4
Forza Motorsport 4 (Xbox 360; 14 October)
The Xbox answer to Gran Turismo returns, sporting astonishing visuals, picturesque circuits and a selection of high-end cars that’ll have petrolheads slavering uncontrollably. Kinect support means you’ll be able to get out of your vehicle and walk around it, admiring its curves. If you’re into that sort of thing.
15 big games winter 2011: PES 12
PES 12 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 14 October)
Konami’s long-running Fifa rival is once again growing in strength after a dismal start to the PS3 era. PES 12 boasts beautifully fluid animation and a slick, stylised approach to the sport, reminiscent of its roots as the International Superstar Soccer series.
15 big games winter 2011: Batman: Arkham City
Batman: Arkham City (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 21 October)
The Dark Knight returns after 2009’s convincingly gritty and wildly enjoyable Arkham Asylum. This time, our hero is battling the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler and Mr Freeze in a vast prison complex. And you get to play as the sultry Catwoman.
15 big games winter 2011: Battlefield 3
Battlefield 3 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 28 October)
Electronic Arts has made no secret of the fact that it’s coming after Call of Duty with this painstakingly authentic military shooter. Promising best-in-class multiplayer and bleeding edge visuals, it’s been dominating big video game events such as E3 and Gamescom this year.
15 big games winter 2011: Uncharted 3
Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception (PS3; 2 November)
The immensely popular action adventure will be a winter highlight for many, with charming hero Nathan Drake in search of a legendary lost city in the Arabian Desert. Expect a barrage of cinematic set-pieces in far-flung locations – as well as a dash of romance. Pure escapism.
15 big games winter 2011: CoD: Modern Warfare 3
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 8 November)
Last year’s Call of Duty: Black Ops became one of the biggest titles of all time, so far shifting an estimated 18m copies. Can MW3 top that? Well, it offers a similar recipe of globe-trotting action blockbuster entertainment mixed with masses of multiplayer longevity. But with Battlefield 3 in the running, is world domination assured?
15 big games winter 2011: Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 11 November)
Promising more than 200 hours of gameplay, a vast landscape to explore and masses of character customisation options, this immense role-playing epic is set to deliver one hell of an adventure. Start this one in November and no one’s going to see you again until next spring.
15 big games winter 2011: Assassin's Creed Rev
Assassin's Creed: Revelations (PC/PS3/Xbox 360; 15 November)
The fourth major outing for Ubisoft’s history-spanning romp will be the last to star dashing Renaissance hitman Ezio, while original lead character Altair also gets his story concluded in dramatic style. Plus, the game is bound to end with a few hints about Assassin’s Creed 3.
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