Heroes of the Pacific

PS2/XB • Encore • December 2004 — Explosive aerial warfare goes online in this ambitious re-creation of WWII’s biggest Pacific theater skirmishes. The game supports an astonishing 300 planes onscreen at once, but the number of actual online human players will probably max out at around 12.

Rise of the Kansai

PS2 • Sony CEA • Spring 2005 — Cult-classic The Mark of Kri deservedly nets a sequel with Kansai—expect a doubly long quest, tons of new weapons, refinements to the cool 360-degree combat, a new playable character (Rau’s hottie sis, Tati), and, most shockingly, full online co-op gameplay.

Operation Flashpoint

XB • Codemasters • Fall 2004 — You want authenticity? The Xbox exclusive Operation Flashpoint is so real and tactical, its engine is actually used by developer Bohemia to create training simulations for the U.S. military. Xbox Live play lets you man tanks and pilot choppers in full-scale modern warfare.

Copyright © 2004 Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. Originally appearing in Electronic Gaming Monthly.