Genre: Action
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Epic Games
Release Date: TBA

Microsoft's theme for E3 2006 was to show off all of its big titles in playable form, and when it comes down to big titles, they don't get any bigger than Gears of War. Last year, we got an early look at one of the single-player levels, but this year, we got to see a much more complete version of the single-player mode. We also got the chance to go hands-on with one of the multiplayer modes.

The madness all started off when Cliff Bleszinski from Epic

Genre: Action/Platform
Publisher: Sega
Developer: Backbone Entertainment
Release Date: Fall 2006

Wouldn't you know it? The people who loved the 2.5D action of Sonic Rush (which includes yours truly) are about to be thrown another bone: Sonic Rivals is coming to the PSP. For those wondering what it's like, picture non-stop servings of the two-player versus mode zone-races in Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Now imagine the aggression turned up a notch, and there you go.

Sonic, Shadow, Silver and Knuckles the Echidna will each be getting their own storylines, and will participate in one-on-one races through

Get the Hard Truck Apocalypse: Rise of Clans trailer off WP (145mb)

Clans have risen. The remains of humanity gather in cities forming tribes that work and fight together to survive.

Become part of one of these clans in the apocalyptic world of the first official add-on of Hard Truck Apocalypse. Developed by Buka Entertainment and Targem Studio, this add-on standalone brings what media & consumers were demanding… Multiplayer mode!! Play over Internet or in a local network with many friends in savage truck battles in this futuristic like Mad Max world.

Create a clan or join one already created,

Genre: Survival Horror
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Konami
Release Date: Winter 2006

I’m excited about Silent Hill: Origins for a whole host of reasons. I’m a rather embarrassingly large Silent Hill fanboy, for one thing. More importantly, if Konami manages to follow halfway through on their claims at E3, we’ll finally see a 3D game on the PSP that isn’t saddled with an awkward-ass control setup that requires yet lacks a second thumbstick.

That said, Origins was only present at E3 in the form of a remarkably vague trailer, and offered no gameplay to speak of. Thus, everything I’m

Genre : FPS
Publisher: Eidos
Developer: Rocksteady
Release Date: Jun 13, 2006

We first saw Urban Chaos at E3 2005, when it was named Roll Call. Since then, it's seen a name change, but the general themes remain intact: it's a police-based first-person shooter with a focus on ... well, on not dying. It's not squad-based, it's not particularly tactical; it's more about time limits, action-based bonus objectives, popping gangbangers' heads like zits with a shotgun, escorting NPCs to a given objective, and getting set on fire 53 times in rapid succession.

In single-player mode, you are

Genre: Stealth Action
Publisher: Ubisoft
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal
Release Date: September 2006

There are tons of Splinter Cell games, or at least it feels that way. Somehow, Ubisoft can keep a new one hitting every 18 months (or so) and still leave the gameplay feeling fresh and fans satisfied. The upcoming Splinter Cell: Double Agent seems to be no exception to this general rule. Plenty of what goes on in the story and gameplay should feel familiar to fans of the Splinter Cell titles, but there are also some striking differences from previous entries in the

Genre: Stealth/Action
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Kojima Productions
Release Date: Winter 2006/07

Since the PSP launched, fans have been clamoring for a Metal Gear on the go.

We have not gotten one.

We have, instead, gotten a smattering of card-based games carrying the Metal Gear name, and while they're supposedly not half-bad, it's still to the dismay of many interested in the franchise. Fortunately, Konami's finally giving so many of the fans what they want. Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops is exactly what it sounds like – a full-fledged action-based Metal Gear for the PSP.

Genre: Action-Adventure
Publisher: 2K Games
Developer: Starbreeze Studios
Release Date: Q1 2007

A Gangster Darkly

The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay arrived to a surprisingly loud chorus of acclaim, escaping the curse of being tied to a disappointing film and distinguishing itself as more than just another shooter. It looked good, folks liked it, and it did more for the Riddick franchise than the over-stuffed, big-screen tale of Necromongers gone wild.

The crew that pulled that off, Starbreeze Studios, have set their sites on another mythology now, bringing a next-gen adaptation of Top Cow Productions' The Darkness

Genre: FPS
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Splash Damage
Release Date: Q3 2006

Enemy Territory: Quake Wars is exactly what the current FPS genre needs to set a new precedent for what is possible in online multiplayer gameplay. Online FPS gaming has fallen into a rut lately, with Battlefield 2 being the only really notable game in recent memory. Their vehicle-centric sandbox style of play may be entertaining for some gamers, but many other players are clamoring for a more direct, goal-oriented action FPS. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars promises to be everything those gamers are looking for and more.

Splash

Get the Mobile Suit Gundam: Crossfire Trailer off WP (27mb)

Nine months have passed since Zeon forces invaded the Earth. At the brink of annihilation, the Earth Federation Forces are mobilizing to launch a massive counter assault against the occupying forces. Now, it is time to choose your side! Join the Federation Army to repel the invaders from the Earth or pledge your alliance to Zeon and claim the Earth to free humanity from the Earth’s gravity! Powered by the PS3, Mobile Suit Gundam: CROSSFIRE throws you into the midst of futuristic war zones brought to life in ultra realistic