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THE MILLENNIUM'S BIGGEST GAMES

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Warcraft 3

Blizzard is looking to reinvent the wheel with Warcraft 3

Developer: Blizzard

Being Blizzard's second game on the list, Warcraft 3 is the company's attempt to re-invent real time strategy games with a genre they are calling "role playing strategy." Developers have long attempted to figure out a way to implement 3D into a RTS game, and so far most of the attempts have failed to attract much attention. I give points to Blizzard for taking the successful Warcraft franchise into full 3D, which is no doubt quite a risk. Although I haven't had a chance to sit down and play it yet, based on the information and screenshots released it looks like Blizzard is going to give Westwood a run for its money with this game.
Anachronox

Anachronox could just be the best futuristic-themed game of 2000

Developer: Ion Storm
Publisher: Eidos

Despite all the attention Daikatana has received over the years, the two games I'm most excited about from Ion Storm are Warren Spector's Deus Ex and Tom Hall's Anachronox. I decided to pick Anachronox for this list because I think it's the most under appreciated of the two, but I must say Deus Ex also warrants much attention from gamers in 2000. Nevertheless, Anachronox looks like the ultimate high-tech RPG, mixing the Matix's futuristic technology with a Final Fantasy-esque combat system. Featuring a number of massive worlds and the power of the Quake 2 engine, if everything comes together, I fully expect Anachronox to ruffle a lot of feathers when it arrives in 2000. It might just be able to single-handedly reinvigorate the PC RPG genre.
Conclusion
Overall, I think 2000 is going to be an exciting year for gaming...that is if every game on this list doesn't slip into 2001!

Have a very safe and happy holiday season. The Gist list will return on January 4, 2000. Happy New Year!

Geoff Keighley
Editor-in-Chief, GameSlice