The world’s largest (or should that be loudest) video game convergence is done and dusted for another year. Join us as we round up the games and services announced during this year’s event.
Toy Soldiers developer Signal Studios has unveiled Ascend: New Gods for XBLA. This gritty looking fantasy action game will see you take on the role of a savage giant. The online component will allow you gatecrash fellow players’ games.
The Assassin’s Creed series already boasts a number of handheld spinoffs and the trend is set to continue. Ubisoft has announced Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation, a Vita exclusive in which female protagonist Aveline will battle Spanish occupiers in 18th century New Orleans.
Two years after Heavy Rain challenged accepted notions of what a game can be, Quantic Dream is preparing to do it all again with Beyond: Two Souls. Described by its publisher as an “interactive drama”, this PS3 game will boast the motion captured talents of Ellen Page.
Hungarian studio Neocore Games is working on a tactical RPG known as Broken Sea. In this nautically themed PC adventure, you’ll be called upon to investigate a series of attacks that just might hint at the return of a once mighty empire.
With gameplay reminiscent of Angry Birds (or 80s tabletop game Crossbows & Catapults) CastleStorm will challenge you to stave off your opponent’s advancing armies while attempting to topple his home base. This one is scheduled to arrive on XBLA later this year.
Konami is bringing its Castlevania series to 3DS. Featuring a blend of 2D and 3D gameplay, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate will see you take a number of roles throughout history as you struggle to overcome the vampire menace. Look for it in spring.
In addition to the aforementioned spinoff, Konami is preparing Castlevania: Lords of Shadow II for release on 360 and PS3. Proving that you can’t keep a good vampire down, series antagonist Dracula will rise from the grave yet again.
Harmonix is working on a new instalment of its high energy Kinect success story. When it arrives on 360, Dance Central 3 will bring with it more than 40 tracks (old and new) and support for up to eight players.
Move aligned shufflers aren’t being left out in the cold either. Sony is readying Dance Star Party 2 for the PS3. The game will feature tracks from a variety of artists including The Beach Boys (cool), The Wanted (who?) and Reel 2 Real (ugh).
If last year’s tropical getaway didn’t finish you off already, start packing your bags for another visit to the world’s worst holiday resort. Techland has commenced work on open world zombie sequel Dead Island: Riptide for PC and unspecified consoles.
Just as Isaac Clarke begins to put the necromorph nightmare behind him, EA and Visceral drag him out of retirement. Due for release on 360, PS3 and PC in February 2013, the snow covered Dead Space 3 will bring co-op to the series for the first time.
The bonkers tone of the WarioWare series is being revived for the Wii U in the form of Game & Wario (working title). This mini game collection will challenge you to employ your Wii U GamePad in variety of ways, including as a camera and a crossbow.
Erstwhile supporting cast members Baird and Cole get a chance to show off their action hero credentials in the 360 exclusive prequel Gears of War: Judgment. This time around Epic Games is entrusting its flagship series to subsidiary developer People Can Fly.
Logic dictates that if Dance Central 3 and DanceStar Party 2 aren’t enough to get you off the couch, you must be waiting for Ubisoft to announce Just Dance 4. This one is coming to 360, PS3 and Wii in October and will also be available for Wii U at launch.
Dancing may well be the new singing, but there are still plenty of games designed to exercise your vocal chords. Due in spring, Konami’s deliriously titled Karaoke Joysound will offer you access to more than 1000 songs via a subscription service.
Twisted Pixel has offered a glimpse of its first original project since being purchased by Microsoft. While the game remains something of a mystery, LocoCycle will apparently feature a motorbike with combat and cloaking technology.
