This month, I wanted to share some titles of sequels to be released in the near future. The game I’m most looking forward to is Guild Wars 2 by developer ArenaNet. While its release date is currently “when it’s ready,” it’s probably safe to anticipate its arrival before the end of the year. Guild Wars 2 is a Mass Multiplayer Online game (MMO) without a monthly fee. Guild Wars 2 stands out from the competition due to a variety of features. One of these features is the “dynamic event.” Dynamic events are game-changing interactions which occur between the players and the environment. ArenaNet also plans on eliminating level grinding and fetch quests in order to make a more enjoyable

experience.
Another game I’m looking forward to is Batman: Arkham City, which is being developed by Rocksteady Studios and set to release this October. The game’s prequel, Arkham Asylum, successfully managed to bring the DC comic character to a game. The combat was extremely satisfying and the game’s story and environment were spot on. Arkham City plans to have a more open world, allowing more opportunities for exploration. The developers also plan to keep the formula from the first game relatively intact; however, they want to add more depth to the game play through new gadgets and moves. While the game will not have multiplayer capabilities, I hope that it will live up to its predecessor’s reputation.
I’m also anticipating the arrival of two new Zelda games by Nintendo. The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D for the 3DS is going to be released on June 19. This remake of arguably one of the best games of all time will come with updated graphics as well as a harder difficulty setting. I’m also looking forward to the Wii exclusive, The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword. This game plans on making use of the Wii Motion Plus accessory for the Wii, allowing 1:1 control of your sword using the Wii Remote. I hope this new mechanic adds depth to the series, and that they come up with new innovative ideas.
Other sequels I’m looking forward to include Battlefield 3, Mass Effect 3, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Diablo 3, and BioShock: Infinite. While sequels often don’t quite capture the same awesomeness as their predecessors, when a developer does the job right, he or she can create a new, better experience based on the successful concept of a previous game. I look forward to playing these sequels in the future and hearing more about them at the annual E3 conference (Electronic Entertainment Expo) held in Los Angeles this June.