Best New IPs this Generation(Part 2/2)

If you’ve been following us here on GB lately then you might have gone through the first part of this article where we posted what we thought were the best(20-11) new IPs this generation. This is the second part where we will post the top 10 new IPs in our view. Now as we already told you in the first part that these games were ranked on the basis of four different scales i.e. review scores, sales, innovation and overall impact on gaming(review scores being the top priority), so same rules apply here too. Now here we go with the remaining 10 games.

10. Infamous

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Sucker Punch
Release Date: May 26, 2009
Genre: Third-Person Action
Meta Score: 85
Innovation: 85
Impact: 80
Sales: 0.9M+

Infamous was released not so far ago from the creators of the award-winning Sly Cooper series, Sucker Punch brings you Infamous, the first open-world action/adventure title by SCEA for the PS3. It showed all the characteristics of the next big Playstation franchise. It was compared with prototype all the time leading to its release but it managed to create a space of its own and proved to be more critically acclaimed than prototype in the end. It all starts from a massive explosion leveling everything and everyone in its path. At the center of the blast crater a lone man stands up unharmed with incredible powers. Players experience what happens when a real person suddenly starts developing super powers. Infamous lets you experience fame and/or infamy and battle powerful, iconic villains, all the while giving you the feeling of becoming a modern day superhero.

9. Resistance

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Insomniac Games
Release Date: November 13, 2006
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Meta Score: 86
Innovation: 80
Impact: 80
Sales: 5.6M+

Resistance launched back on PS3 release and since had a sequel too. Developed by Insomniac Games, in Resistance: Fall of Man, the U.S. and Britain band together in a last effort to save Europe and Asia from a horrific species, Chimera, of unknown origin, propagating a virus that converts other life forms into more Chimera is overrunning all of Europe. Resistance: Fall of Man draws players into a deep, frightening story. In addition to an epic single player campaign, the game features a great online gameplay.

8. Left 4 Dead

Published by: Electronic Arts / Valve
Developed by: Certain Affinity/Valve
Release Date: November 17, 2008
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Meta Score: 89
Innovation: 80
Impact: 85
Sales: 2.8M+

Left 4 Dead was custom made solely with online gameplay in mind and it proved to be a master stroke. Theme of the game is…Fight together…or die alone. A new strain of the rabies virus emerges and spreads through the human population. The pandemic’s victims become disfigured, wildly violent psychopaths, attacking the uninfected on sight. You are also trapped in a city crawling with thousands of the Infected. You must fight your way along with other survivors to safety or die alone. A co-operative multiplayer action game from the well known makers of “Counter-Strike,” Left 4 Dead is built on most advanced version of the Source Engine.

7. Assassin’s Creed

Published by: Ubisoft
Developed by: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: November 13, 2007
Genre: Action
Meta Score: 81
Innovation: 85
Impact: 90
Sales: 8.4M+

Assassin’s Creed developed by Ubisoft Montreal, redefined the action genre. Though criticized for its repetitive gameplay, Assassin’s Creed managed great deal of success in sales. The story takes place in September 2012, following Desmond Miles, a bartender kidnapped by a laboratory conducting research into genetic memory. By the sessions conducted on Miles, the player learns he is a descendant of Altaïr Ibn La-Ahad. As the story progresses you unravel various truths and realities which you never see coming. Everything is presented in a slick and elegant manner.

6. Mass Effect

Published by: Microsoft
Developed by: BioWare
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Genre: RPG
Meta Score: 91
Innovation: 85
Impact: 90
Sales: 2.4M+

Mass Effect was a highly anticipated rpg by Bioware. Mass Effect delivered an immersive, story-driven gameplay experience which was presented in a cinematic style. It used extraordinary levels of visual fidelity. Players play as elite human Spectre agent, Commander Shepard, entrusted with keeping law and order in the galaxy. As they discover and explore the uncharted edges of the galaxy, they learn the truth that the universe they know is about to come to a violent end and that they are the only being who can stop it.

5. Dead Space

Published by: Electronic Arts
Developed by: EA Redwood Shores Studio
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Genre: Third-Person Action Adventure
Meta Score: 89
Innovation: 90
Impact: 90
Sales: 1.8M+

Dead Space was a sleeper hit of 2008. Everyone was expecting a very good game out of dead space judging from all the previews and stuff but on its release it surprised everyone with quality it offered and exceeded everyone’s expectations. The Dead Space experience is all about surviving in its sci-fi world through strategic dismemberment. You are never truly safe in Dead Space. Engineer Isaac Clarke is your main character, sent to repair the Ishimura’s communications array, but he arrives to find a living nightmare. Clarke’s repair mission becomes one of survival as he fights not just to save himself, but to return the artifact to the planet.

4. LittleBigPlanet

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Media Molecule
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Genre: Platformer
Meta Score: 95
Innovation: 95
Impact: 90
Sales: 2.4M+

LittleBigPlanet was hands down the most innovative high risk title released this generation thus far. It created a new genre of its own i.e. Play. Create. Share. The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their powers and interact physically with the environment. There are places to explore, creative resources to collect and puzzles to solve requiring a combination of collaborative teamwork. Players creative skills grow and you soon start creating and modifying surroundings and start sharing them with the whole community. Level editor is simple and easy to use. All in all LBP provides an evironment of creativity never before seen in a game.

3. Uncharted

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Naughty Dog Software
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Genre: Third-Person Action Adventure
Meta Score: 88
Innovation: 85
Impact: 85
Sales: 2.6M+

Original Uncharted in our opinion was one of the most under-rated game ever. Uncharted offered amazing gameplay combined with outstanding story and jaw-dropping visulas. Uncharted released at the right time giving a kick-start PS3 needed at that time. One of the high point of Uncharted was its story and the way it was told. Nathan Drake, modern-day fortune hunter, goes on an exploration for the fabled treasure of El Dorado, leading to the discovery of a forgotten island. Nathan becomes stranded on the island and hunted by mercenaries. Drake and his companions fight to survive as they begin to unravel the terrible secrets hidden on the Island. .

2. Bioshock

Published by: 2K Games
Developed by: 2K Boston
Release Date: August 21, 2007
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Meta Score: 96
Innovation: 90
Impact: 90
Sales: 3.1M+

Bioshock released back in 2007 in midst of higher level of anticipation among gamer of all types, and it didn’t let down either. Bioshock proved to be a new milestone in FPS genre and gave a new angle to how we play a FPS. Bioshock was a obvious choice for a second place on our chart. BioShock creates a living, unique and unpredictable FPS experience. After your plane crashes into icy uncharted waters, you discover a rusted bathysphere and descend into Rapture, a city hidden beneath the sea. Take control of your world by hacking mechanical devices, commandeering security turrets and crafting unique items critical to your very survival. You can upgrade your weapons with ionic gels, explosives and toxins or can genetically modify your body through dozens of Plasmid Stations scattered throughout the city. And Make meaningful choices and mature decisions.

1. Gears of War

Published by: Microsoft
Developed by: Epic Games
Release Date: November 7, 2006
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Meta Score: 94
Innovation: 85
Impact: 95
Sales: 12M+

Gears of War arguably defined this generation of gaming and raised the bar for visuals with never before seen graphics. With over 12 million sales between 2 titles and critical acclaim all around, Gears of War enjoyed enormous success since it first released and topping our chart here shouldn’t be surprise for anyone. Gears of War blends tactical action with survival horror. Gamers are thrusted into a deep and harrowing story epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet. Marcus Fenix, the main hero, and his fire team as they face the onslaught of merciless warrior fiends. To survive, you can suppress your enemy with blindfire, take cover in interactive environments, or use weapons and teammates to unleash hell on the enemies.

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