next »

[Rhea Thomas]

Microsoft's "Halo 3" has been dominating video game headlines since the past few months. With the sales said to be touching $170 million on the opening day itself, the game marked an historic debut that outdid the final Harry Potter novel and the film "Spiderman 3."

In fact, some analysts expect "Halo 3" sales to give Microsoft an edge in the video game console battle with Sony's playstation 3 and Nintendo's Wii.

However, if you thought that Halo 3 was the only hot game released this season, you got it wrong. The first half of 2007 saw some major titles hitting the shelves, which though may not have created the noise matching Halo 3, but they surely beckon the avid video gamers. Here are some titles from major publishers that have been released.

[Rhea Thomas]

One of the quirkiest games this year, "Eternal Sonata" is a Japanese-style role-playing game set in the fantastical fevered dreams of a dying Chopin, who fights to save a young girl from evil.

In his final hours, he experiences a fantastical dream where he encounters a young girl facing a terrible destiny and the boy who will fight to save her. On the border between dreams and reality, Chopin discovers the light that shines in all of us in this enduring tale of good and evil, love and betrayal.

What's Hot: Interesting combat system combines turn-based and real-time elements. Enjoy amazing, high-definition, and high quality textures that truly deliver an awesome next-generation experience.

Listen as world-renowned pianist Stanislav Bunin performs Chopin's original compositions, which is a key element in the environment and story of Eternal Sonata.

What's Not: May be too easy for role-playing die-hards.

Platform: XBox 360

Publisher: Namco Bandai

[Rhea Thomas]

Players take the form of a woman wielding a god's blade to save her people from destruction. Heavenly Sword is a tale of revenge that sees Nariko, a fiery red-haired heroine, embark on a quest to avenge an invading King and his army.

The story builds around the ancient Heavenly Sword, which once belonged to a powerful deity. It can never be wielded by a mortal without it slowly but inevitably draining his life-force.

When the invading King destroys the warrior clan that guards the Heavenly Sword, the clan leader’s daughter, Nariko, takes up the sword in a desperate fight for survival.

What's Hot: Critics are raving about the game's lush graphics, epic feel and stylish martial arts moves that let players' stake out waves of enemies.

What's Not: Recent previews have said the game needs to run more smoothly, and there are some who see it as a rip-off of Sony's hit "God of War" series.

Platform: Sony PS3

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

[Rhea Thomas]

Experience the thrill of white-knuckle aerial combat with hundreds of enemy fighters, bone-crunching armored assaults and high-intensity infantry combat in a massive, all-out war fought on both ground and in sky.

During battle, players can take command of the most advanced war machine in the fleet, WarHawk, capable of aerobatic dogfights at high speeds and hovering over ground troops providing tactical support.

Players continue the battle on foot with an arsenal of weaponry including rifles, flame throwers, grenades and more. Players can also gain access to an array of ground vehicles including jeeps mounted with weapons, tanks and specialty transports.

What's Hot: PS3 fans finally get an exclusive title worth bragging about. Download the game over the PlayStation Network and save $20 in the process.

What's Not: Online-only play may limit appeal.

Platform: Sony PS3

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

[Rhea Thomas]

Lair casts players as a dragon-riding warrior saving their kingdom from invasion. In a world ravaged by endless conflicts and natural disasters, a call for peace turns into a bloodbath of betrayal and deceit.

Playing as a warrior riding a voracious dragon trained for deadly aerial and ground combat, and capable of scorching, clawing and smashing thousands of enemies, gamers must defeat countless armies to save a civilization.

Together, the gamer and the beast will attempt to change the destiny of a world on the brink of extinction.

What's Hot: Players can scorch their enemies from the air with fire breath or crush them like bugs under your claws. Reviewers are raving that the gorgeous visuals give the game a cinematic feeling.

What's Not: Apart from the admittedly cool dragons, one may wonder if "Lair" has enough depth to hold players' interest? Doubts are also been raised whether using Sony's motion-sensing controller to steer the dragons will turn out to be as effective as traditional thumbstick controls.

Platform: Sony PS3

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

[Rhea Thomas]

Step into the boots of Boyd Travers, Private First Class of the 82nd Airborne Division and engage in battles across Europe. From rocky beginnings in Sicily to war-winning triumphs in Germany, each mission begins behind enemy lines, with an intense and fully interactive airdrop.

Players are required to pick their landing site at the start of a battle instead of starting at a fixed point like in most shooting games. And this ability to determine their own starting point dramatically changes the way each mission plays out.

Players can view the entire operation from the air, and then control their parachute to choose their landing spot. On the ground, gather their senses and assess the terrain. A wide variety of authentic, customisable weapons are available at players' disposal, each with distinct characteristics.

What's Hot: Authentic visuals and sound will appeal to fans of historic military games. Fight on the ground or on rooftops, balconies, towers, ruins, and natural formations in a variety of environments authentic to the European theater of war.

What's Not: Yet another entrant in the crowded World War II genre.

Platform: XBox 360, PS3 and PC

Publisher: Electronic Arts