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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (360, PS3, PC)
• Publisher: Activision
• Developer: Activision
• Release Date: 11-10-2009
• Screenshots
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
Zip. We had an appointment but Activision wouldn't let us see it because we weren't on the awards panel. Nice.
• What We Think:
Bill: I think that's bullshit.

The Conduit (Wii)
• Publisher: Sega
• Developer: High Voltage
• Release Date: 6-23-2009
• Screenshots
• What We Saw:
We watched, and took part in some single play alien blasting as well as played some of the game's 12-person multiplayer.
• What We Think:
Brandon: The game looks absolutely stunning, Wii game or not, leading one to wonder why other developers can't wrangle such impressive visuals out of the Wii. The game sports 13 multiplayer modes as well as the ability to connect without Friends Codes, and support for Wii Speak. In addition, it will allow you to import console codes directly into the game, and will support the new “friend of a friend” feature of the Wii. The controls were impressively tight and the various weapons all provided wonderfully varied ways of taking out the alien scourge. Absolutely cannot wait for this game.
Mitch: The Conduit’s online multiplayer works great and it isn’t just because High Voltage nailed the easy-to-mess-up controls on Wii. Having access to three different weapon types – the military’s standard boomsticks, the high-tech gadgets used by a group known as The Trust, and alien bio-weapons – means you’ll need to keep track of which opponent is using what kind of weapon. It also means that there’s a diverse set of ways to kill your 11 opponents. It’s pretty simple stuff that I wasn’t expecting to enjoy as much as I did, but running around a Free for All arena with a bunch of rocket-launching enemies is just the chaotic multiplayer kick the Wii needs.
Bill: Best looking Wii game ever.

Cooking Mama 3 (DS)
• Publisher: Majesco
• Developer: Cooking Mama Limited
• Release Date: Holiday 2009
• What We Saw:
Mama will be starring in yet another minigame/cooking sim this holiday – and I was able to have a quick peek. My demo started with a tasty recipe for toasted marshmallows – everything looked very much in line with previous Cooking Mama titles. You complete steps in micro-minigame fashion, crafting yummy virtual dishes and scoring points for accuracy and technique. In number three, players will be able to shop for ingredients (which wasn’t in the demo, unfortunately) and you are still able to serve your cute little international friends.
• What We Think:
Danielle: It’s more Cooking Mama – and my lord, is Majesco milking this license or what? The original DS game (and to a large extent, the first Wii game as well) was awesome – it was fresh and new and very fun. Nowadays, cooking sims are all over the place, and Mama’s even been getting out and getting her green thumb on (Gardening Mama). It remains to be seen whether the food-shopping portion is innovative enough to warrant another look. Otherwise, Mama’s getting almost as tired as Guitar Hero – maybe she should look into starting her own band.

CrimeCraft (PC)
• Publisher: THQ
• Developer: Vogster
• Release Date: August 25, 2009
• Screenshots
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
Vogster wants you to know that CrimeCraft is not an MMO. It is a third-person shooter with MMO features, and from what I saw, Vogster has the right pitch. The world is established as a hub, from which players can accept missions with an extremely heavy focus on PvP (e.g. Kill 5 players with the LMG assault rifle). CrimeCraft is also not a place for loners, and gangs will have a sickening amount of options to craft a unique look in addition to exclusive items and recipes for crafting. Supposedly, player-levels and experience only provide characters with the option to purchase new gear, and combat is a skill-based affair in which a level 1 can take on a 50. I say “supposedly,” because the convention center’s bandwidth clogged, as it does near the end of every day, and I never got to see CrimeCraft’s combat in play.
• What We Think:
Brian: Until I can get my hands on CrimeCraft for a real demo, the game is little more than a collection of ideas, though I do like some of the things that I hear. I’ve grown tired of the “class X is overpowered” arguments that flood the forums of every MMO (I know, I know, not an MMO), so the notion of skill-based duels is right up my alley. As a longtime fan of the film The Warriors, I love the idea of making a uniform for my gang. I’ll be staying in tough with Vogster, so hopefully you can look forward to a preview in the near future.