Before I start my list, be forewarned that it might be biased towards certain genres. OK, I won’t lie, the games on the list will be mostly RPGs for the PS2 and strategy games for the PC. Don’t count on many games from other genres to make my list. That, of course, doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth checking out. Also, keep in mind that the games are ranked in no particular order. If I included ever interesting game in this list, this would be one freakin’ long post. Oh well, without further adieu, the rest of my post.

1) Supreme Commander

Platform: Please tell me that you already know this one…PC

Genre: RTS

Premise:(From website) Set in the 37th century, Supreme Commander signals the next evolution in the RTS genre by being the first strategy game to deliver a truly strategic and tactical experience. You direct one of three warring human factions, the Aeon Illuminate, the Cybran Nation or the United Earth Federation, as their Supreme Commander, the ultimate power on the battlefield.

Why I’m looking at this: Come on, you can’t say that Supreme Commander doesn’t look cool. Total Annihilation fanboys are practically raving about this game and I can see why. Not only does the game look amazing, but it seems to play just as well as it looks. I played the beta for it and although I suck miserably at it, it was pretty fun. This game downplays resource gathering, something I and what it seems many others hate about standard RTS’s, and focuses on combat. Plus, some of the units, like those laser shooting giant spider-bots, look awesome and very powerful.

2) Persona 3

Platform: PS2

Genre: RPG

Premise: (From IGN) In Persona 3, you play as a 17 year-old boy who’s just transferred schools. Immediately after entering his dormitory, he comes under attack of a mysterious Shadow enemy. With his unique ability to switch Personas rather than just summoning a single creature, he ends up becoming leader of a special extracurricular force attempting to defeat Shadow.

Why I’m looking at this: I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I’ve never played a Persona game before. Actually, the only MegaTen game I’ve played, including spin-offs, is Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne and I haven’t even beaten that one yet. Other than that, I like the idea of high school kids shooting themselves and becoming demons. Judging from teh trailer that I posted months ago, the music seems pretty good as do the visuals.

3) Spore

Platform: PC

Genre: Strategy, maybe?

Premise: Ha, I can do this one without the power of copypasta! In Spore, you design your own species and guide it through evolution. You take it from a tiny water swelling thing to a full sentient species. You eventually get the ability to destroy planets using spaceships.

Why I’m looking at this: This game is designed by Will Wright, ’nuff said.

4) Europa Universalis III

Platform: PC

Genre: Definitely hardcore strategy

Premise: You basically control everything about an European nation imaginable. From what the players say on the game’s forums, it’s one hardcore game.

Why I’m looking at this: I’ve always wanted to try a hardcore strategy game. This will be an excellent source for procrastinating on doing real work, like p-sets and the like.

5) Starfox: Shadows of Lylat

Platform: PC

Genre: Space shooter

Premise: Umm, it’s a Starfox game. That’s about all you need to know.

Why I’m looking at this: I remember playing Star Fox 64 as a kid. It was awesome. Since then, Nintendo hasn’t seem to be able to make another good Star Fox game. Plus, this is fan-made freeware, so no money lost for downloading it Besides, it looks pretty cool, too.

6) Ar Tonelico

Platform: PS2

Genre: RPG

Premise: (From IGN) Ar tonelico takes place in the world of Sol Shell, a small world consisting of nothing more than a single floating tower set between a sea of clouds above and plasma below. The story centers on Laina Barselt, an eighteen-year-old whose father governs Platina, a town located in the top floors of the tower. Laina is uninterested in politics, and instead seeks adventure in the army. The game has multiple heroines of a species known as Ravateel, who use magic to sing songs about the world. However, these performances cause pain for the performer, so they only perform for loved ones.

Why I’m looking at this: The number one reason I’m looking forward to this game is the character designs. To be honest, I had no idea what the game was about until I actually started writing this part of the post and thinking, “Wait, WTH is the plot of this game?” I’m still not sure about the plot, but I have faith in Gust.

I’m surprised by the lack of PS2 RPGs on this list. The ones listed, with few exceptions, seem to be the only 2007 RPGs announced thus far for the PS2. I’m sure by mid-year, there will be more announced (or I will cry). I was thinking of adding some MMO games, but then decided against it since I usually hate the MMO’s I play, anyway. A MMO space game by the name of Infinity looks cool. There is a combat beta out for it right now if you want to check it out. Ragnarök II looks kind of awesome, too, but that’s probably due to the art style in the game’s art (I have to find out who that artist is).