It’s rare for a sequel to be surrounded by even more uncertainty than the first game in a series, but Crysis 2 has managed to pull off just such a hat trick. For one, the game is having something of an identity crisis itself, attempting to walk the line – or gulf, really – between lowest-common-denominator console games and bleeding-edge PC titles. And how about the new setting? Concrete jungle though it may be, New York’s not exactly a tropical island.
 
Fortunately, you’ll have a chance to answer those burning questions without burning right through your paycheck. Through the relaunch of its MyCrysis service, Crytek’s confirmed that Crysis 2’s getting a beta test.  

“Looking to get your hands on Crysis 2 early? Now is your chance! Early registrations will be tracked, and our first wave of users will have a chance to win a key as and when the Crysis 2 beta takes place. All you need to do is sign up early and one day in the near future you may be receiving a mail with an invite to the game,” reads a post on MyCrysis.
 
Meanwhile, a recent trade press ad from EA carries word that the supersuit-centric shooter is gunning for an “autumn” release date. So, odds are, you can expect the beta test to take place sometime this summer.   

Years and years ago – probably long before any of you were born – Valve was known for this little series called Half-Life. Now, our memories are a bit hazy, but we think its story went something like this. Unfortunately, ever since the release of Half-Life 2: Episode Two, we’ve seen neither hide nor crowbar of Gordon Freeman. However, if a rumor from VG247 is anything to go on, Mr. Freeman could finally be rising and shining next week.

First, though, a little background info: Last week, Valve called off its E3 Portal 2 event and replaced it with a “surprise” that’ll take place sometime during E3. Five seconds later, the entire Internet decided Valve actually meant to say “Half-Life 2: Episode 3.” Except it didn’t. “It isn’t Episode 3,” said Valve head honcho Gabe Newell.

And he wasn’t lying. According to VG247’s source, Valve will instead draw back the curtain on Source Engine 2, which “may” be demonstrated running Half-Life 3. Not Episode 3. Just plain old “oh, so that’s why it took so long” 3.

And even if it’s not Half-Life 3, Source Engine 2 will probably be so beautiful and have such realistic facial movements that you’ll look in the mirror and wish God would’ve spent some more time mo-capping your expressions. So basically, it’s the difference between a win and a total blowout; either way, you come out on top.

Last year’s Red Faction: Guerilla was the best kind of pleasant surprise, literally blowing away our expectations with its go-anywhere, destroy-everything approach to sci-fi rebellion. The fact that the main character bore more than a passing resemblance to Jason Statham also didn’t hurt. The fact that he swung a two ton hammer around like it was made of paper mache, however, did. As in, it hurt enemies. A lot.

And now the game’s getting a sequel, which has us doing a thematically appropriate happy dance in the form of a modified (read: awful) version of the dance seen in M.C. Hammer’s “Hammer Time.” Due for release next March, Red Faction: Armageddon sees an ancient race of aliens drive humanity underground. Playing as Darius Mason, grandson of Jason Statham Alec Mason, you’ll lead a resistance movement against your spiky, toothy foes, reconstructing old technology and using something called a “Magnet Gun” as you go.

Exciting, right? Well, yes and no. Armageddon sounds like it’ll be more like the first two Red Faction games in many ways (underground mine setting, etc.), meaning it probably won’t follow the open-world format established by Guerrilla. Problem is, Guerrilla was at its best when you were driving cars through buildings, hammering foes like they were crooked nails, and just generally wreaking havoc. Take all that away and you have a set of barely above-average shooter levels.

Right now, THQ is describing Armageddon as a “shooter,” which – combined with the underground setting -- has us a bit worried. Hopefully our fears will be put to rest during next week’s E3 conference, but for now, why not watch the game’s trailer and judge for yourself? 

Sauron, you might want to grow another gigantic, flaming eyeball to watch your back, because you're about to make a bunch of brand new enemies. Why? Because this fall, anyone and everyone – graphics cards willing – will be able to play Lord of the Rings Online for the same price as developer Turbine's other wildly successful MMO, Dungeons & Dragons Online. Which is to say: absolutely nothing.

“Turbine’s Dungeons and Dragons Online: Eberron Unlimited was the world’s first truly premium free-to-play online game that ushered in a new era of choice for online gamers seeking quality entertainment,” said Jim Crowley, President and CEO of Turbine. “The popularity of DDO validated the extraordinary demand by gamers for quality entertainment they can experience at their own pace and within their budget. Extending free-to-play to LOTRO will offer another premium game to a broad spectrum of fans.”

Follwing in DDO's footsteps, Lord of the Rings Online will also allow players to get a little extra bang if they choose to part with a buck or two. The LOTRO Store will offer expansion packs, extra character customization options, and more, while the game's all-access VIP program will essentially function like subscription fees do right now.

Still though, you're getting close to the entirety of fairly fantastic fantasy MMO without spending a dime. You certainly won't see us complaining.