PS3 sleeper hit of 2009

Blorge writes:

"The PS3 had a stellar video game lineup in 2008, but with 2009 in full swing many PS3 gamers will probably be wondering what new game will blind-side them this year. There are many big name sequels coming out this year that will obviously sell millions. However, I will take a look at the one game that I think will be the sleeper hit on the PS3."

[Cajun Chicken]

Hmm, the game mechanic sounds interesting and sounds like it will seperate it from Gears of War...but is it enough?

[thereapersson]

heh, I wrote my comment below without seeing yours first, but it looks like we are thinking on the same level when it comes to this title.

[HighDefinition]

Infamous.

[Karum]

I think infamous is getting too much coverage to be a sleeper hit tbh.

Looking forward to that game though!!!

[liquidsnake]

I have to agree with HighDefinition. I really don't think Infamous is getting the attention it deserves. I mean christ even my sister knew about MGS4 and LBP and now she knows that KZ s coming. But I think Infamous is going to be a sleeper hit.

[thereapersson]

wrong reply, thanks to N4G's bugginess

[Karum]

Actually after thinking about it a little, infamous is really only getting attention from those of us that really follow the industry news so yeah it could well be a sleeper hit.

I retract previous statement.

I think prototype could be a bit of a sleeper hit too

[HighDefinition]

Eventually, everyone sees it my way.

LOL.

BTW, w/ Prototype, I wish the would have just made Hulk Ultimate Destruction 2 instead.

[MorganX]

Looks like a more promising PS3 alternative to the Gears franchise than KillZone or Resistance. We'll see...

[MONOLITHICIDE]

is that what the game is going to look like because it looks awesome

[Mozilla89]

I was thinking of Infamous too, we don't really know much about the game and I've only read one hands on preview (which was very positive). Anyways Quantum Theory is definitely a sleeper but is it gonna be a hit? Also is this game to the PS3 exclusively?

[Ju]

Its PS3 exclusive. I'd like to know how far out Quantum is. I hope it won't be out to soon. Same again this year, else. To many games coming.

I just saw the PAX infamous game play. This game pretty much dwarfs GTA IV. Open world how it should have been implemented in the first place. I am looking forward to this one.

I'm good with shooters for now, so I hope Quantum can live up to its own hype and find a release time slot which is not to crowded.

[thereapersson]

Quantum Theory looks promising, and it seems to do enough to differentiate itself from Gears of War, even if they share some of the core gameplay mechanics. The twisted alien environments are an interesting change of pace, too.

Here's hoping the upcoming previews for this game that will surface later this year are favorable.

[MURKERR]

lol, reaper i think this game is way to similar to gears in some respects,i hope it can seperate itself from being simply a 'gears clone'

i think the sleeper hit will be 'infamous'

[thereapersson]

Yeah, you're right. Infamous looks way more interesting, although this "Quantum Theory" deserves a little attention too.

To be fair, however, you can also say that games like Kill.Switch and WinBack - two PS2 titles - gave rise to what is the core gameplay mechanic that Gears of War uses. I think if a game utilizes something well, and does it in a fresh enough manner, that's what's important. Look at Killzone 2 - it takes the best from Call of Duty 4 and Team Fortress 2, mixes it with the vastness and detail of the Killzone universe for an amazing package. It's not that the game borrows existing ideas, rather, it does it in such a way that the game can feel ultimately compelling, while managing to stand out from its peers.

Just my .02 on the matter, though.

[MURKERR]

i said never again,but from previews and reviews i have fallen again,this could well be the fps to beat from now on amazing amazing game

[thereapersson]

Hah, yeah I think we all fell for the GTA hype in one way or another. The only bad part is while I didn't feel let down after each previous release in the series, GTA IV just didn't feel enthralling enough for me to get very far.

I think Killzone 2 will be different simply because it's seemingly going to right everything that the first game did wrong. That's what I'm mostly looking to when I get hyped over the title; all the other great stuff is just icing on the cake.

[RememberThe357]

You are getting a well deserved bubble for your 2.2 comment.

Video games are a constantly evolving medium. Devs are constantly borrowing from past games, trying to improve them, then add a little something small to set their game apart from the pack.

To use Killzone 2 as an example. The cover system, if done right, could become something we'll end up seeing in other games down the road. It's a small aspect of the over all game, but it could have a very interesting impact on gameplay.

The fact that Killzone 3 is taking from previous titles and improving on those mechanics is a very good example of your point.

[SaiyanFury]

The game is being produced by Keisuke Kikuchi, the brilliant mind behind the Fatal Frame games on the PS2. That alone should garner it's attention on the PS3.

[SuperM]

This game has a totally different feel then Gears. Except for perhaps some of the game mechanics it doesnt look like Gears. Id actually wish it looked more like gears, then id have more hope for this game. But lets wait and see.

[PotNoodle]

No it doesn't!

1) There is nothing in killzone 2 that is like CoD4
2) Killzone 2 has been in development since before CoD4 probably even started.

But you're right about TF2, yet i'd say they improve on it with customization.

I was in the online beta and couldn't find any similarities to CoD4.

[thereapersson]

Hey, thanks a lot for your positive comments. I'm just tired of reviewers like EDGE constantly claiming that every single game that gets released needs to accomplish something innovative and revolutionary in the game world for it to be deemed worthy of their praise. My point above is really what needs to be considered, because when we experience something unique or innovative in a game, I'm sure every one of us would like to see it used in other titles in different ways. At the same time though, we would also like for those games in question to do something more, furthering the development of a particular genre.

It's in this that Killzone 2 manages to excel in its delivery, because it uses the gameplay systems that people already know and love, and elevates them to a whole other level of immersion and streamlined action.

@ Deathrow:

The badge and class system, as well as the leveling and rank system was made popular in Call of Duty 4. That's mainly what I was referring to.

EDIT:

It appears my reply went to the wrong post, therefore using my last bubble, so I have to post this here.

----------------------------- ------------------------------- ----

Yes, I know that in COD: 4 they're not called badges. They're perks, but they give you special abilities when you utilize them. The same with the badges in Killzone 2, though as my point above illustrates, Killzone 2 does things just different enough to feel like a new gameplay addition.

--------

Killzone 2 "badges":

Rifleman:

The default multiplayer characteristics assigned when no primary badge is selected. A secondary badge may still be added. Riflemen can start with most weapons, except for the specialized ones.

Engineer:

*Primary badge ability: Sets up an automated turret which targets the enemy.
*Secondary badge ability: Repairs ammunition dispensers, mounted guns, and automated turrets.

Medic:

*Primary badge ability: Revives downed team mates.
*Secondary badge ability: Throws a health pack, which can be picked up by other players.

Scout:

* Primary badge ability: Uses a cloaking suit to become near-invisible.
* Secondary badge ability: Tags all on-screen enemy players with a hidden marker, which broadcasts their coordinates to team mates.

Assault:

*Primary badge ability: Dons heavy armour twice as strong as normal.
*Secondary badge ability: Temporarily boosts running speed.

Tactician:

*Primary badge ability: Throws a coloured smoke grenade, which serves as a spawn point.
*Secondary badge ability: Requests air support from a sentry bot which targets the enemy.

Saboteur:

*Primary badge ability: Assumes the disguise of a randomly selected enemy player.
*Secondary badge ability: Throws a sticky, proximity-activated C-4 charge.

[PotNoodle]

in the badge class system either, care to explain?

[meepmoopmeep]

i like the art direction so far.
it looks like it can be the sleeper hit this year.

[TheColbertinator]

Quantum Theory? No friggin way.

[GiantEnemyLobster]

A sleeper flop. It will just suck so bad, no one will buy it, and no one will care.

[Karum]

I like the trailer, it looks promising.

So what if it's compared to Gears of War, like others said if it takes gameplay elements and puts its own spin on them and does it well then I'm happy. All anyone should care about is whether or not it is fun.

The "living tower" and it's influence on the cover system will be a huge factor in whether this game succeeeds in being fun or not imo. Hopefully it does because the more great games the better.

Oh and that big punch he delivers right at the end looks like it could be an interesting mechanic, kinda like the devil Bringer in DMC4, not with the same abilities just that maybe a gauntlet with some kind of ability or something.

[Bazookajoe_83]

I dont mind if it takes part from gears, i mean gears was a really good game. It would bother me alot more if it would take the camera angles from too human.

[agmsd]

Wow... I didn't know this game was developed by the famous Fatal Frame developer "Keisuke Kikuchi"!. It's definitely a first day buy form me now.

[thereapersson]

Who knows? It could turn out to be a "horror-action-third-pers on-shooter"...

I am keeping my eye on this one, that's for sure. I hope it turns out good, because if it does I want to support Tecmo's risky financial decision to make this a PS3 exclusive by buying it.

[Mc187]

But I am wary of asuming that the creators previous game pedigree should make you want it more.
Example: "Hell yeah a new exclusive FPS by the guys that made Timesplitters! I'll bet it's awesome!"
I think if we learned anything it is not who makes the game but how well the game is made in the end and we should wait and see my friends.

[Faztkiller]

why?

[mll09]

How is the cover system unique anymore?

It's been used enough now for it to drop the "unique" title.

[Karum]

It's unique in that the walls you use to take cover are alive and could mess you up.

Pretty sure that hasn't been done before and is thus, unique.

[pippoppow]

Hope this turns out great and becomes a sleeper hit.

[ThatCanadianGuy]

I agree.Demon souls is my pick for sleeper hit in 09.

From that last trailer i seen the game is looking really,really good.

[Hot_tea]

..in game?

[Bazookajoe_83]

Gears of war with a little more fantasy/anime touch, could be really good :-)

[yog-sothot]

Imo, another exclusive PS3 game that could maybe be a sleeper hit (I don't mean it will be great, or that I will buy it, but it could be a million seller) is... EyePet from London Studio. It depends on the price of the PS3 when it's released and on the way Sony market the game. I really wonder how it will perform.

Besides, the article says "There are many great games coming out on the PS3 that will probably sell millions such as: Killzone 2, God of War III, Uncharted 2, Infamous, Heavy Rain and Twisted Metal. ". Even though I am personnaly very excited for ALL those games, I don't know if Heavy Rain will be a commercial success. It looks like a niche game... If it's great, it might sell anyway, but probably not millions of copies. For example it seems that Valkyria Chronicles keeps selling in a decent way, thanks to the good reviews... Hopefully, it will end up 500.000+ seller so Sega gives us a sequel

[mastiffchild]

I possibly would've passed up on VC and was wavering 'cos of all the great december/november games that were out but the great reviews(normally I'd just do my own research)made me way more curious and I'm really glad they did -it's an incredibly, and deceptively so, deep game(with the real individuality of your team).
On topic, I love Fatal Frame games(am even looking forward to this years release of FF4 for the Wii which looks really good)and can't see Kikuci putting his name to something poor. IDK if any similarities to Gears matter as on PS3 there are no pure 3rd person shooters(socom in just online and Uncharted is more than a shooter)right now. Gears begs, borrows and steals(Killswitch,Resi4 anyone?)from all over in any case and still manages to be a great series(just waiting for 2 to come to PC and hopefully with fixed online too)so why shouldn't Quantum Theory do just as well on PS3? I think the article has a big point with the field relatively clear for this game on PS3 and a good lead designer-it's got a great chance and doesn't look shabby either. If the co-op is both splitscreen and online(and works) they could have a real hit on their hands and it hasn't got the hype going like most games yet so sleeper hit may be about right. Looks intetresting and I hope it gets better 'cos I'd like a no brainer 3rd person romp on the big black box.

[Gambit07]

I don't think EyePet will be a sleeper hit, because it will be heavily marketed, which I'm guessing, when it comes out during the holiday '09.

[yojoe26]

I have high hopes this game will rock, but something inside me always makes me apprehensive when I see a game that only shows CG trailors so close to release. Well, I guess the release date could actually be alot further off than I think, but in order for me to deem this sleeper hit worthy I'm gonna have to see some gameplay trailors. I agree with the statement that infamous seems most sleeper hit likely at this point. I also think that the article is mistaken about Twisted Metal coming this year. As far as I know Jaffe just said that he met with Sony a couple of weeks ago about the new game and he mentioned that a release date would probably be set for 2010. Not to mention I don't think it has ever been announced what this secret game is so Twisted Metal could be even further off than we think. Twisted Metal is probably my favorite franchise of all time, and my appetite for it has never been filled as there have only been like 3 good ones (four if you count Twisted Metal Head-on. I am so ready for that game...

[moses]

Any other PS3 game will be better then this, and we know it. Just look at the bland gameplay they're shooting for, and the crap they've released already. I don't care if it's alpha, it shouldn't look that sloppy.

[caladbolg777]

Gears and Gears II were bland and they did just fine.

But I agree, this game doesn't get me the least bit excited.

[Mutley416]

I don`t know how people can look ahead when there so many things to play right now.

[Graphics Whore]

It look's interesting, need more detailed info however, I heard from Alpha testers the game has its own feel so I'm kinda excited to get my own hands on it.

[DNAgent]

Quantum Theory will be a hit, it won't be a sleeper hit. A sleeper hit would be something like Dark Void.

[SAiOSiN]

I have a bad feeling about this game.

[Spike47]

after the Killzone 2 release. Infamous is one game I would love to get Day 1.

[Gambit07]

I'm betting Sony will run TV ads for Infamous.

[MiztaToungueTwista]

there is none :P

[Freak of Nature]

The hype will grow for Infamous...

Uncharted 2 and the next ratchet games will get full blown coverage.

RE5,GOW3 and Killzone are far beyond sleeper's...

When ICO gets here I think thier will be lots of Buzz...

I think that Beyond good and evil 2 (Multi plat) will be one of two big sleeper hits...

And as mentioned above Demon souls....But even these games may start generating lots of hype/buzz in the Months leading into their release dates...

[interrergator]

where is silent hill 5 didnt they say they were makin another one

[AriesFury]

For it to be a hit at all, Sony really needs to advertise the heck out of this game.

Sony really have been lacking with advertising their games lately.

[xlg]

N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360 N4G IS BIAS AGAINST XBOX360

[topgeareasy]

What about Gametrailers

[magqcc7]

This game looks fuccn amazing. When does this beauty come out. Gears of Who.

[XxFISHERxX]

I'll wait to see it looks like another one of the typical PS3 CGI tech viewing demo's.... I will wait to see actual gameplay... If is like the video it will be kick ass.

[PS360PCROCKS]

In the most un-racist way possible I just don't see a asian developer pulling this game off without making it just weird somewhere along the line. Art styles, characters, cut-scenes everything is just different in asian made games. Like seriously what's going to set this game apart, with GOW you fight alien creatures. In this game, what giant crabs, Tarantulas and werewolves? Lol they just use crazy stuff.

[smurfie4]

I think Infamous will be the sleeper hit of 09.

[Matpan]

Looks like an anime gears... looks nice too. Let´s see what fresh air it breathes into the gameplay area