S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was one of the better games of 2007. The THQ-published game melded RPG elements with FPS combat and wrapped it in an interesting, if at times obtuse, story. Developer GSC Gameworld is churning out a follow-up, due sometime in the first quarter. S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky is a prequel to the events in Shadow of Chernobyl, so expect some of the same environments (albeit with upgraded visuals, thanks to DirectX 10 support). Also look for AI upgrades and more open-ended gameplay which pits various factions against each other for control of territory (a familiar theme these days). S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl was fun but could have used more polish, and GSC Gameworld has the opportunity to fine-tune the gameplay in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Sky.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Clear Skies is a prequel to the 2007 FPS-RPG hybrid
Techland's other title slated for a 2008 release is the mercenary FPS Warhound
Developer Techland, creators of Call of Juarez, are busy these days, with a few projects on the table. One of them is Warhound, a shooter which casts the player as a for-hire mercenary who roams the globe as his employers dictate. Techland were one of the first developers to release a DirectX 10-capable game, and Warhound is said to once again make heavy use of DirectX 10 features. Techland have yet to secure a publisher for the game, but it seems plausible that the shooter will find a ride to store shelves sometime in 2008.
Another promising game without a publisher is the innovative Saboteur, developed by the very capable Pandemic Studios. Targeted for a 2008 release, Saboteur is a World War II game of a different breed. Set in Paris, the game features Irish race car driver Sean Devlin as its main character. Devlin, based loosely on a real-life war hero, stages a one-man uprising against the German presence in Paris. Gameplay is heavy on exploration, and features interaction with NPCs and plenty of stealth sequences. Most striking is the game's use of color: the game world is initially black-and-white, but color returns as areas of the city are liberated from the Germans. Saboteur looks to have the potential to bring World War II games out of the familiar tactical shooter mold and into the territory of stealth action.
Pandemic Studio's Saboteur makes use of color as a key game mechanic
Sneaking up for a stealth kill in WWII action game Saboteur
Stage-rushing publishers Gamecock have a number of projects in the queue, and one is very similar to Pandemic's Saboteur. Sabotage, developed by Replay Studios, uses real-life British secret agent Violet Szabo as inspiration for its main character, Violet Summer. Summer's task is to assist in infiltrating and disrupting the Nazi party. Though the premise is different than that of Saboteur, it will be interesting to see how the two games are positioned as they hit stores later in the year. Early screenshots hint toward the promise of Sabotage, but it's too early to effectively compare the two games.
Gamecock is also teaming up with developer Spark Unlimited on Legendary: The Box, an Unreal Engine 3-powered FPS. The premise: Pandora's Box is opened in New York City, and all means of evil is unleashed upon the city. Featuring "three-way" combat between the player, citizens of New York and creatures, and the game relies on its AI to form dynamic combat scenarios with a mix of opponents. We'll know how this concept plans out in the second half of 2008 when Legendary: The Box is released.
The main character in Gamecock's Sabotage is based on a real-life WWII spy
New publisher Gamecock is hoping for a hit with FPS Legendary: The Box
The shooter releases of 2008 can be wrapped up with two games from completely different realms of the FPS universe. Running With Scissors, the developers who push the boundaries of taste in video gaming, are bringing another Postal game to market. Despite reviews that panned the game, Postal 2 must have seen decent sales, as Postal 3 is due for a 2008 release. It's sure to feature all manner of disgusting weapons and not-appropriate-for-children scenarios, and will likely delight disenfranchised teenagers everywhere. Saving me from closing out this category with a game that features copious references to bodily functions, Electronic Arts announced just days ago Tiberium, an FPS set in the Command & Conquer universe. Under development at Electronic Arts' Los Angeles studio, the game is promised to be is a squad-based tactical shooter with a plot involving an alien invasion and - surprise! - tiberium. Let's hope that it's worthy of a better reception than 2002's Command & Conquer: Renegade.
A weapon fashioned from a feral dog? Yup, it's Postal 3
Command & Conquer-themed FPS Tiberium will almost certainly be a hit
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