So when I was at E3, I noticed a trend about the games I was most excited about- almost all were sequels or trilogies of my popular franchises. With all the great games coming our way, I thought it was odd that out of the years I have been gaming most of my favorites are only on their second or third installment. Sure, there are some games that are on their 5-6th installments even though their names suggest else wise, like: Splinter Cell Convection & Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, but really most of the best games either are new franchises started within the last few years or franchises that for some reason haven’t made the sequels in a long time.

Anyway, the back to my epiphany: this year pay attention to the 2’s & 3’s in the names because you won’t be disappointed! Titles to keep an eye out for include Killzone 2, Starcraft 2, God of War 3, Diablo 3, Sims 3 and Red Steel 2. While these are only a sampling of the sequels coming, I also have three favorites coming up within the next year that you won’t want to miss.

Here are my top three of my favorite sequels I got to see at E3 this year:

ASSASSIN’S CREED II: Assume the role of another Ancestor of Desmond Miles & Altaïr- a young nobleman-turned assassin named Ezio Auditore di Firenze. Take control as he seeks his revenge on the rival families that attacked his family, in the year of our lord 1486.

Walk, run, swim and fly on machines. left by your famous friend Leonardo da Vinci, as you battle your way against other famous enemies and controlling families of the Renaissance Era. Now you will be using duel blades and other weapons that will provide you with a multitude of new ways to combat and finish your enemies.  A whole new assassin, a whole new story, and new improved game play!

E3 Take: I think I pooped my pants! Seriously, the graphic’s look outstanding and the new fighting techniques ramped me up
!(I’ll have a V-blog on this soon, but even I couldn’t get them to let me film me playing ><)

BIOSHOCK 2: It’s ten years later and towns around the world have been reporting kidnappings of young girls, who we find out is one of the Little Sisters from the earlier game who has modified herself to be like the Big Daddies and is now the ruler of the underwater city of Rapture. She now wants to make other little sisters just like her, in order to maintain power. 

Become the first Rapture created Big Daddy, who possess superior speed and intelligence, and use your rivet guns and drill against your enemies, such as other Big Daddy’s and Big Sisters, as you choose to harvest or “adopt” the little sisters you find along the way.

E3 Take: Non Applicable
(Apparently 2K Games were the sheriff’s in town, because even though I had an all access pass they wouldn’t let me in to see the game on my short break. You had to have an appointment, and I about had a hissy fit! Don’t you know who I think I am?)

MASS EFFECT 2: Keep the story going from the first Mass Effect as the decisions and conversations you made continue to influence the next one via your saved files.  Reacquaint yourself with the characters you loved and potentially had sex with before (if you didn’t kill them) and use the same character you spent so much time on in the first game to explore even more the darkest reaches of space. Suicide to save mankind? Maybe, maybe not. But I’m sure going to have a blast doing it!

E3 Take: NO FING WAY! This game blew me away with the graphics and the idea that my characters and relationships will be reused. THAT’S Innovation!
(Thank you to the dev/marketing guy that actually took the time to give us a complete walk-through of the game. Bioware is now my new favorite developer after Ubisoft)

Seriously, who needs new games when you got so many killer franchises. Start saving up now kids!