E3's Most Wanted -- Page #4

10. Fable Microsoft for the Xbox
The first nonsequel on the list is still one of the most anticipated RPGs in a long time, even if Fable has been keeping a low profile in recent months. As the hero, you?re something of a celebrity with a sword--everywhere you go, people know you, and your actions determine your level of fame. As you progress, your character changes: You?ll see signs of aging, you?ll acquire battle scars, and your appearance will match your evolving tendencies toward good or evil. Your reputation is what you make it, and the inhabitants in your world will respond accordingly.

The main thing to find out at E3 will be the fate of the multiplayer mode. Apparently, in an attempt to strengthen the single-player experience (and stick to the stated June ship date), there?s talk of it going away. We?ll know at the show.

9. Resident Evil 4 Capcom for the GameCube
For RE4, you can basically take everything you remember from last year?s E3 show and toss it--it?s null and void. Project leader Shinji Mikami has taken full control over the latest installment, and about the only thing left from the original is that Leon Kennedy is still the main character. Say goodbye to prerendered environments, too; this one?s in full 3D. Before E3, a brief preview was shown that revealed some of Leon?s new actions (kicking down doors, pistol-whipping enemies, jumping through windows) as he repelled angry villagers who ?aren?t zombies but aren?t humans either,? according to Mikami. If you seek solace on a rooftop, they?ll climb ladders (which you can tip over); scurry to a bell tower, and they?ll light the whole damned thing on fire. And this doesn?t even begin to cover the drivable vehicles or targeting of enemies by body part. The game will be presented in widescreen, and early visuals looked amazing; Major Mike is already foaming at the mouth. Assuming he doesn?t bite anyone at E3, expect a full report.

8. Kingdom Hearts II Square Enix U.S.A. for the PS2

The original Kingdom Hearts offered an unorthodox team-up of stars from Square RPGs and Disney animation. It paid off big-time, and once-skeptical gamers found themselves thrilled with the results. (Square didn?t mind either--over three million copies of the game flew off shelves.) The sequel has been confirmed. Main character Sora will be back, along with Donald and Goofy, and the story will pick up a year after the events of the first game, but little else has been announced. That sets up a stellar E3 debut, of course, which should hold a few keys to the new Kingdom.

7. Final Fantasy XII Square Enix U.S.A. for the PS2
The online-only Final Fantasy XI seems to have annoyed as many RPGers as it has excited. The expense of a hard drive combined with the expense of a broadband connection has caused a lot of players to say, ?Okay--so when?s the next real FF game coming out?? Probably in time for the holidays this year (earlier if you happen to visit Japan), but E3 should offer Americans the first balanced look at the game. Details have emerged at a snail?s pace, but here?s what?s known: The game?s director, Yasumi Matsuno, also -directed FF Tactics Advance, and that game?s Judge will play a prominent role, as will its races. The game?s heroes include: Ashe, the 19-year-old heir to the throne of Dalmaska turned freedom fighter; Vaan, a teen orphan who dreams of becoming an air pirate; the ?noble thief? -Balflear; and the rabbit-eared martial artist/warrior Fran. The game?s -engine will be fully 3D (you?ll be able to look around a full 360 -degrees), and an early screen showing your party battling a -Tyrannosaurus Rex only whets the appetite for what flights of fancy this installment holds. Save your pennies and hold your breath.

6. GoldenEye: Dr. No vs. Goldfinger EA Games for the PS2 and Xbox
GoldenEye is right up there with ?StarCraft,? ?EverQuest,? and ?PlayStation? as one of the most sacred compound words in all of gaming. So when EA announced it was using that semi-sacred name, well, gamers started paying attention. Not that EA?s done too poorly with the Bond franchise so far, but, well, come on--GoldenEye?s a legend. As you read this, N64s are still connected to TVs because of that game.

So how do you revive a legend without ruining a legacy? Very carefully--and with one heck of a twist, of course. Instead of donning the tuxedo of 007, you?ll actually play as a secret agent candidate who couldn?t cut the mustard and was summarily dismissed from MI6 for ?reckless brutality.? That makes him a perfect pupil for the likes of legendary Bond villain Auric Gold-finger (seen below). Re-envisioning the Bond universe from a villain?s point of view will give fans a whole new (first-person) perspective on what they already know and love. Talk about flipping the script.

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