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Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition
• Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
• Developer: 343 Industries
• Release Date: November 15 2011
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
Behind closed doors Microsoft was showing off the new Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Edition, which takes the classic gameplay of the original Halo game and spruces it up with an entirely remastered high-definition experience. With a dedicated HD/classic visuals toggle players will be able to flip between the original and remastered visuals at any moment during the gameplay. In addition, new multiplayer levels will be included for the included Halo: Reach multiplayer experience, allowing for cross-game multiplayer with a full feature set.
• What We Think:
  Justin: It seems like with every new decade the pinnacle properties that define generations get their due revamps. As we head into the 10th anniversary of the franchise that defined the Xbox platform, it makes sense that it gets a treatment that brings it into the modern age of gaming. By the looks of things, the classic gameplay in every sense is being preserved, while the enhanced visuals ensure the game will be enjoyed by a new wave of discerning audiences. There's room in this game for new and old fans alike, and at a $39.99 it's inviting to both sets of players.

Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns (3DS)
• Publisher: Natsume
• Developer: Natsume
• Release Date: TBD 2011
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
We farmed. In THREEEEE DEEEEE!
• What We Think:
Mitch Harvest Moon: Back to Nature is easily one of my favorite games ever. It consumed me. I haven’t played a Harvest Moon game as seriously since, but I like the premise behind Two Towns enough that I may give it a chance. Maybe I’m desperate to get usage out of my 3DS. Either way, I liked what I saw of this—two towns feud over which has the better cooking, and you show up to unite them by basically putting them to shame and winning all their cooking competitions. Planting seeds, finding recipes, tending to animals, and building a house and raising a family all return for yet another game that is decidedly Harvest Moon. It’s new people, a new look (Kokohana is an Eastern themed village; Bluebell is European inspired; and the world between ‘em is a treasure-rich forest.), and exactly what I remember playing 10 years ago. Sure, why not?

Heroes of Ruin (3DS)
• Publisher: Square Enix
• Developer: N-Space
• Release Date: Early 2012
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
I had some hands on time with the title as well as a chance to talk to a Square Enix rep about the game. The game is a four player, online action RPG with full drop-in/drop-out co-op, the first of its kind on the 3DS. Characters have the usual mix of light, heavy and super moves as they move through the dynamically created dungeons. The dungeons aren't random so much as built as you play and the game will take into account how well you've been doing when deciding how to build the dungeon. There will be full StreetPass and SpotPass integration with StreetPass used to trade unwanted gear with other players and SpotPass used to deliver new items, quests and challenges to players every day for a year after the game's release. Also, a community site, developed specifically for the 3DS browser, will go online when the game launches, so that you can use it as a reference while playing the game.
• What We Think:
  Brandon: For something that's not coming out until next year, the game looks really good and plays very smoothly. I didn't get a chance to see both of the character classes on display, so I don't know how differently they play but the ranged character I did play was very responsive. The level of post-release support Square is planning for this game is truly insane and I honestly can't think of a game that has been supported in this manner before. That alone is enough for me to be interested and that's not counting the four player co-op. Square has made some of my favorite DS RPG's, so I'm really excited about this one.

Hitman: Absolution (360, PS3, PC)
• Publisher: Square/Enix
• Developer: Io Interactive
• Release Date: 2012
• Trailer
• What We Saw:
The developers at Io Interactive demoed a level in which Agent 47 is corned by police in an abandoned library in Chicago. He kills a few with his bare hands, a power cord, and a marble bust before finally taking one hostage to escape to the rooftop. There he evades a helicopter, disguises himself as a cop, breaks into the apartment of some stoners, uses a bong to kill two cops, and then works his way to the lobby, where he uses a donut to slip past a heavily armed SWAT team and then disappears into the crowded city streets. Although the demo shows that this looks like the same basic gameplay you've seen in the Hitman games all along, it also shows that developer Io is in fine form when it comes to setting up exciting, subversive, and dramatic situations.
• What We Think:
  Tom: I expect that Hitman: Absolution will be every bit as potentially tedious and frustrating as the previous games. But what a fantastic demo! It's also worth nothing that Io has come a long way with their latest game, Kane and Lynch 2. Given that games utterly unique style, and this fantastic demo for Hitman: Absolution, I want to play whatever these guys are making.
  Todd: I've not played any of the Hitman games, but I might have to make the leap after seeing this demo. Yes, it is gorgeous, but I really had to appreciate the full experience that IO Interactive is bringing to the table: The sound, the graphics, the character abilities, all came together in a satisfying way. I was extremely uncomfortable watching Agent 47 flat out murder a bunch of Chicago cops who were just there doing their job, but at the same time that's a testament to the wonderful job the game did of setting up the scene and humanizing the people in it. These weren't a bunch of faceless automatons in blue uniforms. These guys bantered and bickered and apologized for screwing up. Seeing some of them snuffed out one-by-one should be difficult to watch and it should be difficult for the player to avoid doing it. So long as they can, though, I'm interested in seeing what the rest of Absolution has to offer.