Best New IPs this Generation(Part 1/2)

We have probably just passed halfway through this generation but already have been fortunate enough to witness some of most original games ever made. So we thought to list down some of the best new IPs that were made during current generation. Now we’ve ranked these games on four different scales i.e. review scores, sales, innovation and overall impact on gaming. Games scoring good overall on all four scales(review scores being top priority) have been better placed on the list. With bit of explaining done, lets get down to the list with one thing in mind, this lists consists of Top 20 IPs so the article has been divided in two parts. Here is the first part of the article listing games from 20-11.

20. Mirror’s Edge

Published by: Electronic Arts
Developed by: DICE Sweden (Digital Illusions)
Release Date: November 11, 2008
Genre: First-Person Action Adventure
Meta Score: 80
Innovation: 85
Impact: 75
Sales: 1.4M+

In a city where information is heavily monitored, agile couriers called runners transport sensitive data away from prying eyes. In this seemingly utopian paradise, a crime has been committed, your sister has been framed and now you are being hunted. You are a runner called faith – and this innovative first-person action-adventure is your story. Flow is what keeps you running, what keeps you alive. Mirror’s Edge delivers you straight into the shoes of this unique heroine as she traverses the vertigo-inducing cityscape, engaging in intense combat and fast paced chases. With a never before seen sense of movement and perspective, you will be drawn into Faith’s world. A world that is visceral, immediate, and very dangerous. Live or die? Soar or plummet? One thing is certain: in this city you will learn how to run.

19. Wii Sports

Published by: Nintendo
Developed by: Nintendo
Release Date: November 19, 2006
Genre: Sports Compilation
Meta Score: 80
Innovation: 85
Impact: 85
Sales: 47.5M+

Tennis (1-4 players): Players grab the controller like a racket and swing – the game will register forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, slices, spin and power depending on how fast the user swings and at what angle. Don’t worry about moving around the court to get to the ball – the game automatically moves players into position. Baseball (1-2 players): Grip the controller like a bat and swat fastballs out of the park in a home run derby. Timing and bat speed will make all the difference between going yard and whiffing, so keep an eye on the ball and swing for the fences. In the two-player game, one player pitches and the other bats. Golf (1 player): Step up to the tee, hold the controller like a golf club and swing naturally to smack the ball onto the green. The harder players swing the club, the farther the ball will fly, so be sure to take some practice swings before going for the pin. After reaching the green, line up putts carefully, practice the stroke and try to hole out.

18. Shadow Complex

Published by: Microsoft Game Studios
Developed by: Chair Entertainment
Release Date: August 19, 2009
Genre: Shooter
Meta Score: 88
Innovation: 90
Impact: 90
Sales: 250K+

The next evolution in downloadable games, Shadow Complex marries the quality and depth of a full retail title, the stunning visuals of Epic Games’ industry-leading Unreal Engine 3, and a classic side-scroller. Set in the world of Orson Scott Card’s best-selling novel, Empire, Shadow Complex introduces a compelling universe in which you collect items and power-ups and evolve your character into a force of destruction.

17. Skate

Published by: Electronic Arts
Developed by: Black Box
Release Date: September 24, 2007
Genre: Extreme Sports(other)
Meta Score: 85
Innovation: 80
Impact: 80
Sales: 2.03M+

SKATE delivers the feel of skating through innovative controls, authentic cameras and a fully reactive skateboarding city. The game features professional skaters such as Danny Way and PJ Ladd, as well as a reactive city and relevant in-game cameras. SKATE’s unique control scheme captures the true feel of skating versus the typical button mashing gameplay of past skating games.

16. Motorstorm

Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Developed by: Evolution Studios
Release Date: March 6, 2007
Genre: Racing
Meta Score: 82
Innovation: 75
Impact: 80
Sales: 4.2M+

Welcome to MotorStorm, the world’s most brutal off-road racing event where the goal is to win at all costs. Choose from seven vehicle types, from high-flying dirt bikes to powerful big rigs, and destroy anything that gets in your way in a no-holds barred sprint to the finish. Try and survive. Real-Time Deforming Terrain: The terrain literally gets torn up with each passing vehicle, causing each lap to be different. Advanced particle effects cause debris and muck to “stick” to each vehicle. Vehicular Combat and Damage: Destroy anything that gets in your way. Smash your opponents and view spectacular Hollywood-style crash sequences. Take the Race Online: Intense head-to-head off-road racing. Challenge the competition over voice chat. AI opponents simulate human traits, like showing off, attacking, taunting, and doing whatever it takes to win.

15. Dead Rising

Published by: Capcom
Developed by: Capcom
Release Date: August 8, 2006
Genre: Third-Person Action
Meta Score: 85
Innovation: 80
Impact: 75
Sales: 1.8M+

Frank West is a freelance photojournalist on the hunt for the scoop of a lifetime. He travels to a small suburban town in pursuit of a hot lead, only to find that it’s been overrun with zombies. What a way to start an assignment. Frank heads for the local shopping mall, assuming that he’ll be safe there, but the zombies have taken over the place. Now it’s up to you to help Frank survive this onslaught of the undead, using everything you can find in the mall to help fight off the bloodthirsty mob and search for the truth behind this horrendous epidemic. With an open, free environment, you’ll be able to explore plenty of areas both inside and outside the mall. Zombies come in never-ending waves, so be prepared to use the endless supply of vehicles, makeshift weapons and more against these former humans. A real-time system means that key events happen at certain times, so you need to pay attention. You can even use Frank’s photojournalistic skills to capture the mayhem on film for posterity — if anyone is left, that is.

14. Grid

Published by: Codemasters
Developed by: Codemasters
Release Date: June 3, 2008
Genre: Racing
Meta Score: 87
Innovation: 80
Impact: 80
Sales: 1.6M+

GRID takes players to dramatic and beautifully realized race locations over three continents to compete in an unprecedented variety of racing events. Packed with the most powerful race cars – new and classic, circuit and drift – players will compete to conquer the most prestigious official race tracks and championships then beyond to compete in challenging city-based competitions, and then on through to road events and urban street races.

13. Portal

Published by: Electronic Arts / Valve
Developed by: Valve
Release Date: October 9, 2007
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Meta Score: 90
Innovation: 90
Impact: 85
Sales: 1.5M+

Portal is a new single player game from Valve. The game is designed to change the way players approach, manipulate, and surmise the possibilities in a given environment: players must solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to maneuvering objects, and themselves, through space.

12. Crysis

Published by: Electronic Arts
Developed by: Crytek Studios
Release Date: November 16, 2007
Genre: First-Person Shooter
Meta Score: 91
Innovation: 80
Impact: 85
Sales: 1.4M+

Earth, 2019: A colossal asteroid crashes down to Earth. The North Korean Government quickly seals off the island chain, claiming the mysteries of the asteroid for themselves. The United States responds by dispatching an elite team of Delta Force Operators to recon the situation and report back to the Pentagon. Amid rising tensions between the US and North Koreans, the asteroid suddenly bursts open, revealing a massive, 2km high alien ship. The ship generates an immense force sphere, freezing a vast portion of the island and drastically altering the global weather system. The invasion of Earth has begun. The two rival nations unite to stop the aliens and save mankind. The newly formed alliance fights epic battles against the marauding Aliens. With hope rapidly fading, the player must lead a crack squad through lush tropical jungle, harsh frozen landscapes, and finally into the heart of the alien ship itself for the ultimate Zero G encounter with the aliens. Crysis offers players a highly immersive FPS experience in which they will have to adapt their tactics, weaponry, armour and gameplay style to survive and defeat the alien invasion.

11. Rock Band

Published by: MTV Games
Developed by: Harmonix
Release Date: November 20, 2007
Genre: Music
Meta Score: 92
Innovation: 75
Impact: 80
Sales: 13M+

Rock Band allows gamers to perform music from the world’s biggest rock artists with their friends as a virtual band using drum, bass/lead guitar and microphone peripherals, in addition to offering deep online connectivity. Built on unprecedented deals with the world’s biggest record labels and music publishers, the music featured in Rock Band spans all genres of rock and includes many of the master recordings from the biggest songs and artists of all time.

Stay tuned here for the second part of this article soon!!! Till then try and guess the remaining 10 games in comments section.

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