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An annual tradition here at the Black Panel, New Horizons provides you with a sneak peak at the year ahead. Entirely bereft of sequels and spin-offs, this article is devoted to the promise of new ideas, bold and inventive.
This is the first of two FINGERS CROSSED instalments of New Horizons. While we’re certainly hoping to see these titles on our shelves during 2011, the relevant publishers are yet to confirm this will be the case. With a little luck, The Black Panel won’t be covering too many of these games again in the 2012 edition of this feature.
When the divine champion of Capcom’s latest is betrayed by his fellow gods (you can’t trust anyone these days) he decides a little payback is in order. Ostensibly inspired by Chinese mythology, the visually striking ASURA’S WRATH also owes rather obvious debts to God of War and Dynasty Warriors. Expect fast paced third person combat against a veritable legion of foes, along with a range of spectacular quick time events. Asura’s Wrath is slated for release on 360 and PS3. REVIEW
Super Monkey Ball director Toshihiro Nagoshi is working on a futuristic squad based shooter for SEGA. Sadly, it appears that none of the lead roles in BINARY DOMAIN have been reserved for apes. Perhaps by way of compensation, you will be invited to mix it up with scores of rebellious robots on the streets of Tokyo. It won’t be long, however, before you begin to question the morality of your assignment. Binary Domain is coming to 360 and PS3. REVIEW
Demigod developer Gas Powered Games has commenced work on a new fantasy title. While the studio’s previous offering in the genre was heavily influenced by Warcraft III mod Defence of the Ancients, CHRIS TAYLOR’S KINGS AND CASTLES looks to be a more traditional RTS. The developer may be aiming to bring the game to “next generation consoles”, but as anyone who has suffered through an RTS without keyboard and mouse will tell you, the PC version of Kings and Castles will almost certainly be your best bet.
Though burdened with an increasingly ironic title, Ubisoft’s perennially delayed survival game I AM ALIVE remains a likely prospect. The action takes place in a Chicago devastated by earthquake. It will be up to you to rescue survivors even as others try to take advantage of the growing confusion. Original I Am Alive developer Darkworks has moved onto other projects, leaving it in the hands of Ubisoft Shanghai. The game is expected to be released on 360, PS3 and PC. REVIEW
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