GameSlice: Behind the Scenes of the Computer and Video Game Industry

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Diablo II (Blizzard)

Blizzard's much awaited RPG is finally almost done

Now that the Diablo II beta test is in full swing (more comments on the actual game next week), it looks like this long-awaited release from Blizzard will arrive sometime this Spring. While Diablo II might not be the revolutionary step forward that Blizzard is promising with Warcraft 3, the team at Blizzard North has assiduously built an evolutionary game that gives Diablo fans a much requested sequel. With 5 character classes, including the mystical Sorceress and powerful Amazon woman, along with four new towns, Diablo II is sure to only help maintain Blizzard's reputation for being one of the best PC game developers.
Starlancer (Microsoft)

Digital Anvil's first game will see the light of day (or at least space) this Spring

Chris Roberts' Digital Anvil is finally ready to unveil its first game this Spring, Starlancer, a space simulator that just went gold last week and should be on store shelves later in April. Actually designed by Chris' brother Erin of Privateer fame, Starlancer brings epic space combat back to the PC after a noticeable absence in the past few years, with perhaps the exception of Volition's under appreciated Freespace series. This time out, countries from around the world including the U.S., China, Russian and Great Britain forge an alliance to battle for control of Earth and Mars.
The story is told in typical Roberts cinematic flair with over 25 minutes of in-game movies, this time all computer generated. The production values are high, and the entire game feels like the next level of the Wing Commander experience. Although the in-game graphic engine might not be quite up to par with Freespace 2's, the game will try to make up for any minor graphic shortfalls with 25 unique and dynamic missions. Although Chris Roberts' 2001 game Freelancer has received more press than its sister-product Starlancer (despite the fact it's coming out a year later), don't discount this game. If you're a fan of space combat, Starlancer is likely to deliver exactly what you expect.

Find out the final two games on the list >>>