by: John Olin

February 22, 2006

10. Dead Rising
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: Summer
Why it made the cut: Why are you asking? Can you not see that guy is on top of a truck with a sword ready to ruin the day of hundreds of zombies because they ruined his? Capcom has been known for borrowing ideas from zombie and horror flicks, and with Dead Rising they shamelessly go even further, taking a basic concept like “Dawn of the Dead” and running with it. What ensues is you trying to cut, mow, hammer, plow, and body slam your way through hordes of brain-dead miscreants. The game should have something for horror, and action fans alike.



9. Prey
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Human Head Studios/ 3D Realms
Release Date: Late Spring/Summer
Why it made the cut: Using the Doom 3 Engine better than anything out there yet, the game’s presentation is just as over the top as the premise. In the game you play a reluctant defender of Earth, a gun-totting Native American! Look at the screen above—imagine that thing just popping out from around the corner and scaring the hell out of you! Plenty of smooth, and exciting firefights are sure to happen, and that is why we are keeping a sharp eye out on this one.



8. Ninety-Nine Nights
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Q Entertainment
Release Date: Spring (Japan)
Why it made the cut: Imagine if Dynasty Warriors series was multiplied by a hundred, the visuals were turned all the way up to “a masterpiece” and you had intense fighting all the way through. Add some stellar magic, and a fantastic story and then you have what will definitely be a very Japanese flavored 360 title, which is hopefully also coming to United States.


7. Splinter Cell: Double Agent (360/Xbox)
Publisher: UbiSoft
Developer: UbiSoft Montreal
Release Date: Fall
Why it made the cut: I think every year we have a Splinter Cell on the list, but every year the game continuously raises the bar for the stealth-action genre. In the next itineration of the series we see Sam Fisher infiltrating the enemy from within, becoming what he despises most. The Xbox version of the game is sure to please those gamers out there who are holding out on buying an Xbox 360. Better yet however, the Xbox 360 version of the game promises to have content exclusive to the system, with better visuals, sound, multiplayer, and single-player options.



6. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Red Storm
Release Date: March 7
Why it made the cut: This isn't just a good looking Ghost Recon 2; GRAW is a whole new take on the Ghost Recon series. It provides you with a truly immersive single-player adventure. Throw in a massive Xbox Live experience, including co-op play and this will certainly make for one hell of a 360 game.