Reality Pump has gone on record of saying that the GRACE engine has been designed specifically for cooperation with consoles (unlike the first), and that the combat system has been overhauled to be more enjoyable and to engage the gamer at a higher level. Whether or not Two Worlds II delivers on these promises is yet to be seen, but we think that RPG fans should definitely keep looking out for this sequel. It does have the opportunity of releasing in a slow time in gaming (Spring), so it may provide a short gaming fix that we all need sometimes.

#6: Split/Second

Developed by Black Rock Studio.

Published by Disney Interactive.

Check out our Screenshots here.

I know that when I first heard about Split/Second, I noticed it was being published by Disney Interactive and couldn’t help but feel a little puzzled. Obviously growing up as a kid watching Simba take revenge, it’s hard to think of Disney as a video games publisher rather than a movie conglomerate, but the times are different. Thankfully, Disney is smart enough to have Black Rock Studio in its pockets allowing gamers to be completely satisfied with the product they purchase.

As many of you know, Black Rock Studio’s last release, PURE, was quite the excellent off road racer. Not only that, but I claimed after E3 2008 that it was a better overall product than MotorStorm 2 (despite the fanboys tearing me apart for it). However, once the title was released, despite mediocre sales, gamers who truly gave the game a shot were pleasantly surprised with their purchases. Fast forward two years later and we’re sitting in a similar situation. Black Rock Studio is now preparing to launch Split/Second into the world and the only thing I can think of now is the terrible movie “Death Race,” starring the completely ass-kicking Jason Statham.

It’s hard to take a game seriously when it reminds you of a mediocre pile of garbage like Death Race, but you have to give the benefit of the doubt to a company like Black Rock because they’ve delivered so many times before. Split/Second is based around the idea that people would enjoy a reality TV show where buildings are blown up, planes crash and cars have to drive through the wreckage untouched. It’s not exactly a bad idea and though people aren’t being killed (from what I can tell, plus it’s a Disney game), it shouldn’t detract from the fact that the game is likely to have a great driving system like GRiD or the Need for Speed franchise. Racing enthusiasts are definitely going to mark down this Spring in their calendars, because missing out on a diamond in the rough like this can hurt.

#5: Blur

Developed by Bizarre Creations.

Published by Activision.

Check out our Screenshots here.

Hold up. Don’t panic guys, I know this isn’t Call of Duty or Guitar Hero. Its ok, the world isn’t ending. That’s right — Activision is releasing a new IP to the public instead of the same rehash of Tony Hawk that we’ve been playing for the past 12 years. I know we’ve been particularly tough on Activision in the past, but we think the company may have the right footing finally trying to deliver something new to its audiences. Sure, the arcade racing scene isn’t exactly thin with competition and Need for Speed in the past certainly destroyed all incoming opponents, but with NFS change to a more simulation style of game, Blur may just slide in unnoticed and unharmed.

Blur revolves around the social networking theme in-game and players receive commands as to what needs to be done through emails and parody channels like Inner Tube (YouTube). Gamers must than earn player points to upgrade their vehicles and take down the rest of the competition around them. The plot isn’t exactly groundbreaking and nobody is going to write home about it, but it’s a racer and it’s what we’ve come to expect from a game such as this. However, despite the storyline being entirely unoriginal, we’re going to go out on a limb and predict that Blur ends up a very fun social racer that anyone can pick up and play.