5 Most Anticipated Games of E3 2010

The Electronic Entertainment Expo, usually called E3, is a massive annual gaming convention. This is where upcoming video games and console generations are typically unveiled, to the delight of gamers everywhere. E3 is where new consoles are typically announced and get their first demos. Many video game publishers wait specifically for this convention to announce their new titles amid the hype. There's always something exciting delivered at E3, and the 2010 convention was no exception.

Among the big announcements at this year's E3 convention involved gaming's move towards 3D technology. With Nintendo's latest incarnation of their mega-hit handheld DS console, the 3DS, and Microsoft's Kinect technology for Xbox, video games will be moving into uncharted territory in the next few years. Apart from all the 3D hype, 2010 was largely a year of sequels. Among the sequels featured at E3 this year were Fable III, DJ Hero 3, and the follow-up to 2007's smash hit Portal.

A few of my favorites from E3 2010 were also sequels, but there are a few other games that I'm really looking forward to. Here are my top 5 most anticipated games from E3 2010:

Civilization V

One of the games I'm most hyped about is Sid Meier's Civilization V. 2K Games' award-winning "God game" franchise looks to be expanding on the same great game we've all been playing for...well, decades now. Somehow, despite the same objective in every release, the Civilization franchise never gets stale. For the uninitiated, Civilization is a turn-based strategy game in which you play as the head of a civilization. The object? Take over the world.

Among the new developments is the introduction of the hexagon-shaped tiles, replacing our old friend the square. This leads to a more realistic terrain throughout the game, offering up unique new battle and building conditions. Also new in this version is the advent of winning conditions that aren't focused on fighting or out-teching the snot out of your enemies. Civilization V will mark the first time in the franchise that social policy has an effect on winning conditions. Civ 5 is due out for the PC on September 21, 2010, and is already available for pre-order.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Next up is Star Wars: The Old Republic, or SWTOR as the kids call it. This is a PC-based MMORPG from Bioware, set in the Star Wars universe. I've been waiting for this game for about 5 years, ever since the last Star Wars RPG (Star Wars Galaxies) went under - no thanks to Sony Online Entertainment (SOE).

This game promises to be what SWG fans have been waiting for, but still has tons of appeal for gamers who aren't familiar with the universe from a gaming perspective. This game takes place some 3,000 years before Darth Vader's rise to power, in the centuries following the setting of Knights of the Old Republic. Players will have the opportunity to play as Jedi or Sith, as well as a number of other player classes within the Star Wars universe. If Bioware pulls this off, they'll have a veritable army of players clamoring to make this game a success. If not, it'll be dismissed as just another Star Wars title that almost made it. As for me, I'm hoping for the former.

Final Fantasy XIV

Another favorite franchise, the latest Final Fantasy game got some E3 coverage. Following in the footsteps of FFXI (also known as Final Fantasy XI Online), FFXIV will be an MMORPG. The game just entered its second phase of alpha testing, with beta reportedly being available later this year.

There are some similarities between XI and XIV, as was to be expected. An online game doesn't hold onto a community for the better part of a decade (like FFXI, which was released in 2002) without doing something right. This is evident in the playable races - the hulking Roegadyn of FFXIV are similar in stature to FFXI's Galka, for example. Another holdover from FFXI is the split of 3 city-state factions - though in the new world of Eorzea, these won't be Bastok, Windurst and San d'Oria of Vana'diel. The game will also follow the same subscription model as FFXI, at $12.99 per month. The PC release is currently slated for September 30, 2010, though I wouldn't be surprised to see this date pushed back as the game is still in alpha testing.

Brink

Something interesting is cooking over at Bethesda Softworks. Brink is a futuristic FPS, set in a rusty post-apocalyptic landscape that hearkens back to Fallout. Brink offers single, co-op and multiplayer gameplay, which is a bit different from your standard FPS fare. An interesting feature is the character customization, which is rarely even a thought in FPS games. Many multiplayer games that offer character customization are also very slow to load due to the unique character features. In an FPS that might just be the kiss of death, so I hope Bethesda's got that feature worked out. Another cool feature is the game's use of parkour, which should be very interesting in multiplayer mode.

The game takes place in The Ark, a city that floats above the Earth (which has been flooded). The game features several player classes, not unlike Team Fortress 2. Brink's co-op mode supports up to 8 players, who can play through a story mode or turn their team online for multiplayer combat. Brink is scheduled for a spring 2011 release on PC, PS3 and Xbox 360.

End of Nations

End of Nations is a new MMORTS...that's right, MMORTS. This game looks massive. End of Nations is being developed by Petroglyph games and is slated for release sometime in 2011. This game is set right here on Earth in the not-so-distant future, working under the pretense of a collapsed world in the wake of the recent financial crises. An evil hierarchy known as the Order of Nations sprang up from the ashes and threatened to dominate the world. This is where you come in, as one of a number of groups fighting against the tyrannical Order.

End of Nations has already picked up some serious accolades, winning awards at E3 2010 and getting some additional nominations. It seems I'm not the only one with my eye on this title's development. Look for this game on PC sometime next year, and keep your eye on their official website for updates.

For the full listing of the games discussed at E3, 2010, check out IGN's list.