FPS Games at E3 - Poll

By: Frag-girlie

May 27, 2001

During the third week of May, E3 2001 becomes the epicenter of the interactive entertainment universe. More than 62,000 retailers, developers, investors, distributors and media representatives from across the U.S. and over 100 other countries come together for a three day interactive entertainment extravaganza. In short, E3 is the one event that addresses all the business needs of the video and computer game industry. That's why 81% of attendees rate E3 as one of the most important shows they attend.

With all the game showings at E3 this year, we asked our readers this question in our latest poll: "In the midst of E3, what title are you most anxiously awaiting?" Here are some short descriptions of each game included in our poll.

Medal of Honor

In Medal of Honor, you portray Lt. Jimmy Paterson, a Medal of Honor nominee in the Air Transport Corps and fresh recruit into the recently formed Office of Strategic Services (OSS). Colonel Hargrove, the man who offered you the role of OSS agent, assigns you your missions. These missions are dangerous, but they are crucial to the Allied war efforts against Nazi Germany. Your aeronautical engineering background will prove invaluable, as will your pilot's reflexes and expertise in a variety of weapons. The war in Europe has raged on long enough. It's time you help bring an end to it.

Return to Castle Wolfenstein

Return to Castle Wolfenstein puts you back in the combat boots of Captain William J. "B.J." Blazkowicz, a Nazi-fighter and super-agent. Much like last time, this game pits you against the super-villain, Himmler, who believes he is the reincarnation of a rather nasty god. This unpleasant fellow is trying to use a blend of black occult magic and unrestrained scientific experiments to create an army of Nazi super-soldiers. As B.J. Blazkowicz, you try to use all your cunning and guns (lots of guns) to battle the Nazis and do your best to stall their rush for world domination.

Duke Nukem Forever

At the end of Duke Nukem 3D, Duke had just defeated (or so he thought) the last alien at a large football stadium. However, things are not always what they seem. It appears Duke Nukem's original evil nemesis Doctor Proton, who Duke had thought he rid the world from in Duke Nukem I and II, is not really dead. He is back once again, and this time he's taken over Area 51 and other various places around Nevada. Using alien artifacts from Area 51, Proton has contacted aliens from near and far to be drafted into his legion. Will he succeed in taking over the world this time? Not if Duke Nukem can help it.

Soldier of Fortune 2

The sequel will throw you right back in shoes of John Mullins, the mercenary military "consultant" from the first game. This time around, Raven, the developers, are trying to create levels so that players can take multiple approaches to completing levels from the run and gun mentality to stealthy assassin type action. You'll find accurate reproductions of actual weapons and missions taken from international hotspots including Prague, Colombia, Hong Kong and Kamchatka during the course of the game.

Aliens vs. Predator II

Shortly after the destruction of Hadley's Hope an expedition, led by a man named Eisenberg, visits the Derelict spacecraft. Unfortunately, his entire team gets wiped out, but he manages to survive, and extracts some existing data from the alien vessel. From the data he learns of a planet similar to LV-426, called LV-1201. There he discovers an Alien Hive and sets up a research facility. However, the Colonial Marines are called in to investigate when they lose contact with the research center. And with the planet where the facility is on being prime hunting ground for Predators, you can be sure that they will show up on safari.

Jedi Knight -- Dark Forces II

In Dark Forces, Kyle Katarn, a young mercenary successfully infiltrated the Empire. Jedi Knight: Dark Forces II continues the story of Katarn as he embarks on a quest into his past and learns the mysterious ways of the Jedi. With this knowledge he must stop seven Dark Jedi from unlocking the powers of a hidden Jedi burial ground. This task forces Katarn to decide his destiny. If he chooses the Dark side, he will come into enormous power. If he chooses the Light side, he faces seemingly insurmountable evil. Whatever path Katarn chooses will change the face of the galaxy forever.

Red Faction

You assume the role of Parker, a worker toiling in mines run by the Ultor Corporation far beneath the surface of Mars. The miners are suffering from inhuman living conditions and a strange, deadly disease called the Plague that is suddenly sweeping through their ranks. The miners' anger and resentment are ready to boil over, and Parker provides the spark that starts a rebellion against Ultor. Parker's goal is to stay alive long enough to bring down Ultor and solve the mystery of the Plague. This journey takes him from gritty subterranean mines to Ultor's pristine science and nanotech labs to the surface of Mars and even onto satellites orbiting high above the planet.

PlanetSide

Military conglomerates in the future battle each other to gain control of continents. PlanetSide is a first-person massively multiplayer action title where it's up to you make sure the constantly shifting balance of power shifts in favor of your side. Fill whatever role you feel is needed to advance your side's cause (strike enemy territory alone or with comrades, or defend regions from the enemy). Tailor your character with skills and abilities and rise through the ranks.

Global Operations

Global Operations is designed to feel completely realistic through the use of parametric skeletal animation; highly detailed character models, objects, and environments; and dynamic weather effects. The multiplayer game features a wide variety of mission objectives, including bomb defusing, territory control, hostage rescue, base destruction, assassination, VIP escort, and assault/defend. The missions will take place in 16 different real-world locations based on actual armed conflicts. Players assume the roles of more than 30 types of characters based on real-world groups, including terrorist organizations, special forces, peacekeeping troops, guerilla fighters, and rebel groups, and they can customize their characters with seven skill specialties.

Here is a screenshot of the results from the poll we ran for just over a week:

My personal favorite is Medal of Honor so I agree with all those who voted that way. From what I have seen of this game, it is incredibly realistic. I have even read articles that described it at "startlingly" realistic. 

All of the games look like they'll be fun to play and an enjoyment to watch, so you really can't go wrong no matter which game you choose.  Now all we have to do is sit back and patiently wait for them to be released . . .