The PC Spotlight 1.29.09: 2009 is Going to Kick Major Rock (Part 2)

Posted by Chris Vicari on 01.29.2009

In part two of why 2009 is going to rock the house with the PC Spotlight, Chris Vicari highlights four games that will probably fall below many people's radar.

Welcome to week two of the multi-part 2009 hot release series with the PC Spotlight. This week focuses on games that have a good chance of falling below the radar of many PC gamers out there. I've got the whole gamut of gaming this week along with several mods as well. Just like last week, I'll find some awesome videos showing off why they are mentioned in the column. Let's get to it.

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Section 8
First up on the list this week is a game developed by TimeGate Studios, known for their award-winning Kohan series and the F.E.A.R Extraction Point expansion. Derived from the U.S. military discharge regulation for being mentally unfit for service, Section 8 is a futuristic first-person shooter based on the Unreal 3 engine, featuring a squad of elite infantry volunteering for near-suicidal missions in a time of war. The story behind Section 8 is centered on two warring factions: the Arm of Orion and the EDF. The Arm of Orion is the group bent on taking over, and the EDF is tasked to stop them. Section 8 is the prized eighth armored infantry division of the EDF. The game looks particular promising because of several noteworthy features and TimeGate's aim to mix up the FPS formula.

With the little information available from several previews and the game's Web site, Section 8 features a unique 'burn in' spawning mechanism that allows players to spawn anywhere they'd like on the map. A 'DCM' feature also creates dynamic missions objectives on maps. According to the Section 8 Web site, the game gives players the opportunity to dynamically alter the flow of combat, by employing tactical assets and on-demand vehicle deliveries. Perhaps the game will include some strategy and squad-based elements as well then. Judging by the official trailer, Section 8 also employs the shield system pioneered by the Halo series.

There hasn't been much released about the game's singleplayer campaign, but as for Section 8's multiplayer experience, TimeGate is trying to buff it to a mirror shine. Similar to the Battlefield series, Section 8 contains different character classes to fulfill particular roles. Each will have a unique set of gear and more can be acquired through in-game success. Gameplay puts a heavy emphasis on vehicular combat, and Section 8's method of earning the various tanks and transports players can pilot is based on a monetary system. Money to purchase vehicles is earned by killing enemy players and capturing command points or other strategic structures. Similar to how players spawn, by being airdropped into the atmosphere, vehicles also follow suite and don't just magically appear on the battlefield.

Beta signups are currently available at Fileplanet.com and the first playtests are expected to start before summer 2009. Basically, we've got a little while before we can play the game.

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Beyond Good and Evil 2
Beyond Good and Evil is back, and the sci-fi action-adventure sequel to the 2003 award-winning release of the same name is coming this year to a PC near you. Similar to the first installment, Beyond Good and Evil 2 combines elements of an action-adventure game with those of a stealth-based game. Nothing has been uttered about the gameplay, but I'm just going to assume that Jade, the protagonist of the series, will once again beat enemies with her Daï-jo combat staff, while also sneaking about to avoid confrontation. Her trusty camera I'm sure will make a return as well.

As for the games setting and story, it's all been fairly hush-hush as well, but in an interview with Jex Video Magazine, Michael Ancel, the lead designer, did say, "[Beyond Good & Evil 2 will] be in continuity with the first game, with a big variety of levels, lots of emotion in the gameplay, and characters we care about. This time we are dealing with planet's future, and the relationship with animals..." To avoid the commericial of the predecessor, Beyond Good and Evil will be created to appeal more to casual games than the original game, according to Ubisoft CEO, Yves Guillemot. Regardless of however the game turns out, I'm looking forward to its release as I had a blast with the original.

Below is the old trailer that came out a year or so ago, no other video has come out since.

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Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim
The charming and unique fantasy real-time strategy game series from Paradox Interactive, originally from Infogrames, is almost here, and this latest installment finally makes the jump into the beautiful realm of 3D graphics, 9 years after its predecessor. Titled Majesty 2: The Fantasy Kingdom Sim, the genre-combining game features the same aspects which made the first game and its expansion so memorable.

In this series, players don't construct units, micromanage troops, and wage war. Here, base-building is comparable to other RTS, but every unit is completely autonomous, subject to the whims of their own wants and needs. The player, called the Sovereign, is strictly limited to constructing and enhancing buildings, hiring heroes from guilds, and offering rewards to complete various tasks. Everything else is done through goading the hero populace into doing the things you want. Want a particular part of the map explored or a certain monster taken out? Simply place a sizeable reward on the table and the deed will be taken care of. Running low on cash? Set up a shop or tavern to get heroes to spend some of their precious coin.

Like the original, we'll see some of the same classes again such as warriors, wizards, and thieves, along with plenty of new ones thrown into the mix as well, although they have yet to be announced. What's particularly cool is that each individual hero has their own unique inventory and gear, and as they quest, they can find magical artifacts and acquire money to buy better items. Majesty successfully combines the better aspects of several genres.

While the game may seem boring on paper, since the player mainly handles base building and setting up rewards, there's plenty to do and your kingdom becomes fairly sizeable. Not to mention ordering people around is certainly enough entertainment in itself. When Majesty 2 was first announced last April, developers were shooting for a Q1 2009 release. Hopefully they'll be able to make that deadline.

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Jumpgate Evolution
If MMOs are your fancy and you're looking for something slightly refreshing, Jumpgate Evolution, the upcoming space-based MMO from Codemasters, may just be right up your alley. Featuring more accessible and easier gameplay than EVE: Online, Evolution might be the answer casual players are looking for. Differing from most MMOs on the market, Evolution provides twitch-based combat, forcing players to depend upon their own talents to decide the outcome of a battle, over in-game skills and abilities. Another drastic change is the removal of all classes, enabling players to assume any role they desire. All players have to do is buy the proper ship that fits a particular duty and then acquire the license to fly it. That's all.

Several other notable features include:
Taken from Web site and game's Wikipedia

• Joystick and peripheral support
• Large-scale player vs. player combat
• Three Playable Nations, all at war with each other
• Random mission generator à la Anarchy Online

No info has been released about possible trade skills or how the in-game economy will be managed as of yet. Those who are interested in signing up for the beta need only to follow the link above and fill out a form. Good luck and hope you get in. If Evolution can be just as good as its predecessor if not better, we may be looking at one helluva entertaining game. Twitch-based combat is fairly unexplored territory for the genre and I'm interested to see how it all turns out. Hopefully hacks and exceedingly cheap tactics don't ruin the day though.



Thanks for reading and stay tuned for part three next week with bigger releases