Top 5 Most Anticipated PC Games of 2011-2012

Below I have listed my top five most anticipated pc games for the remainder of 2011 and into 2012. There is no specific methodology that I used to rate and rank the games that I am looking forward to. Just personal preference. For me, longevity is important. I want a game that I can play for years to come. Also, I find that a great sense of immersion is important. I want to feel like part of the story or the lore. Other than that, it's all about fun. Hopefully the five games
discussed below will deliver on all of these aspects.

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Take on the Role of Captain Titus, a veteran of many battles and member of the Ultramarines Chapter. A planet sized factory, supplying the Empire with much needed war machines has been invaded by a horde of Orks. Losing the planet is not an option. Captain Titus and a squad of Ultramarines are sent in to capture and hold key locations until reinforcements arrive.

• Fluid combat system allows players to switch from ranged to melee
• Earn FURY in combat which can be used to unleash devastating ranged or melee attacks

This game is a sort of wild card for me. I'm not usually big on 1st person/3rd person hybrid type games. However, I love the Warhammer 40k setting. The big question for me, is can this game capture the look and feel of the 40k universe? If so, and if the multi-players modes are compelling, then I can see myself putting in a good amount of hours on this title.

• Release Date: September 6th, 2011

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Heroes VI tells the story of the Griffin Dynasty. The five grown children of Duke Slava of Griffin will now lead different factions to battle. The five playable factions include: Haven, Inferno, Necropolis, Stronghold and Sanctuary.

• 5 playable factions
• Building, dwellings, mines and unique buildings to explore
• Reputation system allowing players to choose either the path of blood or the path of tears
• Minor artifacts, major artifacts and relics to collect
• Scores of creatures to do battle against

I absolutely loved the Heroes V set of games. The map layouts, the music, the tactical battles and challenging missions were engaging and a pleasure. I hope that Heroes VI will be more of the same. If so, I'll be building my kingdom and battling it out for hours to come.

• Release Date: September 8th, 2011

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The quirky charm and furious action of the original Torchlight is back, but this time with mulit-player! Torchlight, for those who don't know... is a hack and slash, loot fest, dungeon crawling adventure game. A wonderful clone of the Diablo series. In fact, the designers worked on Diablo, Diablo II, Mythos and Fate. The original was filled with fast paced action, creative art design and enough loot to satisfy even the greediest of players. The second installment should have the same great qualities, plus the ability to play with friends.

• Online co-op for free including a match-making peer to peer service
• Moddability with TorchEd the Torchlight editor
• Level randomization in an open game world
• Pets and Fishing
• Customizable characters
• New user interface
• Retirement system allows users to bestow benefits to new characters

I really, really, really wanted to love Torchlight. However, there was no multi-player. None at all. The lack of community left the game feeling empty for me. One of the main draws to a hack and slash dungeon crawler is being able to show off your loot and gear to other players. I could have seen myself playing the original Torchlight for years if only there was a little more meat on it's bones. Torchlight II's promise of co-op play and online community has me wondering how I'll be able to tear myself away from the game once it releases. It sounds like the added and improved features that Runic plans on implementing are just the thing that this franchise needs. For those who enjoy this type of genre, Torchlight II is going to be a, "must have."

• Release Date: July 2011 - game will be released as a digital download

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An immersive co-op RPG will have you exploring and defending the city of Neverwinter as it rises from the ashes of destruction. There will be epic stories and strategic gameplay, mixed with classic roleplaying. Users will be able to create their own adventures using easy to understand tools, and share these adventures with the world from within the game. Play with friends or lead AI-controlled henchmen in your search for glory and treasure. Become part of the the Dungeons and Dragons universe as you try to save the city of Neverwinter from destruction.

• Immersive co-op gameplay
• Challenging and complex adventures
• Build challenging levels and bring compelling quests to life using the Foundry editing tool
• Share your creations with other players, in-game
• The ability to lead AI-controlled henchmen

I am looking forward to Cryptic Studio's new take on the classic Dungeons and Dragons city of Neverwinter. Being a life long fan of the Dungeons and Dragons universe, and long time player of games such as; Baldur's Gate I and II, Neverwinter Nights I and II, and Dungeons and Dragons Online... it's a no-brainer that I'm going to give this one a try. I have high hopes for what Cryptic is trying to do. If the Foundry engine works as they plan, then the amount of user created content will be enormous. With that, and the variations of classes that the DnD experience can bring; the replayability of this game could be unmatched. I'm going to keep my fingers crossed. I really think Cryptic could have something special here, but game studios have a tendency to rush projects to completion too soon. If they take their time and focus on the true DnD feel they'll have a real winner here.

• Release Date: TBD (possible 4th qtr 2011)

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Two decades have passed since the world of Sanctuary was ravished by the forces of Diablo, Mephisto and Baal. Heroes of Sanctuary are called upon once again to defend the mortal world against the rising powers of the Burning Hells.

Big surprise, right? Of course not. This game is going to be awesome. I mean... call out of work for a week, game for 15 hours a day kind of awesome. I've already pre-warned my wife.

• Explore rich and varied settings
• Epic story line, filled with hordes of monsters and challenging bosses
• Fight as a Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Wizard, Monk or Demon Hunter - choose male or female
• Random scripted events and encounters throughout the game
• Battle.net updates to add exciting new features to the multi-player experience
• Team based PvP in an arena setting allows for competitive player vs player gameplay

What can I say? It's Diablo III. I've spent more time playing the Diablo series than any other series in pc gaming. With the addition of a pvp arena, possible auction house and updated Battle.net; Diablo III is going to have it all. There is something strangely soothing about mindlessly hacking hordes and hordes of creatures to bits, hoping for that one special drop. It's cathartic, and I'll be unwinding that way night after night for months and years to come after Blizzard releases this game. Something tells me that I won't be the only one.

• Release Date: When it's ready (Blizzard's normal response. Most likely 2012)

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