Your Top 5 Favorite New IP/Franchises This Generation(7th) Of Consoles

[The 1 2 P]

Notice that I said new "IP/Franchises" and not "new games". Why? Because I don't want to see a bunch of established franchises from previous gens, otherwise I would have just titled it "favorite games this generation". Anyway, we are now in year 7 of this generation and theres most likely no more than two years left before all the new systems will be released. So now that this generation is just about over I want to know what have been your favorite new franchises. Every week someone is complaining that nothing new has come out this generation and the only things we get are sequels and fps/rpg hybrids. Well we do get alot of sequels, which has been true for every generation going way back to the Nes(3rd) generation. But theres also been a wealth of new IP every gen and this one is no different. So I'd like you to list your top 5 new IP/Franchises this generation. And I haven't forgotten about my PC brethren either. But first a few rules:

-New IP/Franchise means the game has had no previous entrys in any previous generations
-No direct spin-offs(such as FF XIII-2, Modern Warfare, etc)
-Any new IP from the 360, PS3 or Wii is fair game
-For handhelds, any game that was released on the DS systems(DS, DSi, DSi XL, etc) or PSP systems(1000, 2000, 3000, Go) are ok but the 3DS and Vita don't count because they are the newest generation of handhelds
-For PC any IP/Franchise that began/launched no earlier than November 22, 2005(when the 360 started this gen) is fair game
-For tablets, mobile, browser and any other OS games, the same rules for PC apply to these as well

Lets get started.

5. The Gunstringer(Kinect): This is one of the few Kinect core games that actually works and it's alot of fun too. I was debating about rather to choose this game or Kinect Sports but as much as I like Kinect Sports it's still just a bunch of mini games. The Gunstringer has a dedicated story and intuitive controls that fit well and don't make you feel like a spasm having wildman while violently swinging your arms around. I suppose it helps that you can actually play it sitting down. It also serves as proof that core games can be done correctly on Kinect, although I don't think that most developers got that memo yet.

4. Split/Second(Multiplatform): My favorite racing game has always been Burnout 3. I suppose it was a combination of the gameplay, the online community thru XBL and of course, taking people out. But like most things in life, things can usually evolve for the best. I was always proud of the various ways I could take people out in B3, rather it was running them into an oncoming bus or rear-ending them to make them flip into the air and crash land violently. But in Split Second theres no need for all of that. Why ram your nemesis when you can drop an incoming 747 airplane on their head? Theres no need to push them into oncoming traffic when you can send a derailed train headed in their direction. Those are just a few of the ways you can take people out in Split Second. It also has a nice sense of speed, not quite as fast as what Burnout has but fast enough to remind you that you are in fact still playing a video game. And did I mention there were boss battles against helicopters? Sadly there will be no sequel because Disney closed the studio down and has pretty much shuttered the franchise. But maybe someday they will have enough sense to sell it to another worthwhile developer.

3. Gears of War (360): Microsoft has a way of attracting hardcore shooter franchises and this one nearly rivals the Halo series. I didn't even play thru the first Gears game until 2009, which is 3 years after it initially came out. But once I played it I was hooked. And the multiplayer? Theres nothing more satisfying than chainsawing a mofo in half. And the second game took things even further with the inclusion of Horde mode, a mode that has become standard in most action games now adays. The third game has Beast mode and while it's ok I wish they would expand upon it more since it doesn't last even half as long as Horde. Anyway, we will no doubt continue to get sequels for this franchise from now on but it all started here in the 7th generation of consoles.

2. 1 Vs 100(360): Riddle me this: If you created the first successful ad-supported free-to-play console game would you A) keep it going or B) shut it down after two seasons? There is a right answer and then theres Microsoft's answer. No matter what bullshit they came up with for their corporate statement there was absolutely no good reason they should have canceled this game. This game has such wide spread appeal and like Tetris it was adored by both casual and hardcore gamers. Plus, Microsoft seems pretty obsessed with ads these days. 1 vs 100 already had the perfect format for it: we got an ad after every 10 questions. I could live with that but apparently Microsoft couldn't. Anyway, this was absolutely one of my favorite games and I would make my schedule around the live shows and specialty themed shows. I was even lucky enough to be in the mob once. This game had so much going for it and it would have been another extremely good selling point for Microsoft with casual/family gamers and Kinect owners, although I'd still use a controller while playing it for obvious reasons. I hope that one day Microsoft sees the error of their ways and brings this back, even if they have to buy the entire copyright/trademark.

1. Alan Wake(360): What do Time Magazine and The 1 2 P have in common? Besides both being world renowned and envied by others they also both chose Alan Wake as their 2010 game of the year. And it definitely deserved it. Sure it's kind of a shooter/survivor horror hybrid, except that you can play most of the game without killing anyone. You of course have to fight the bosses but you get enough non-lethal weapons where you can avoid most confrontations if you like. But what I really liked is the story. The tv episode format was nice but I kept playing because I wanted to see what happened next. The music, atmosphere and characters all kept me coming back for more. And like the good suspense thriller that it was, the ending was not all-inclusive. The follow-up side story added to the fiction and uped the action but one day hopefully a true follow up will come and finish the storyline once and for all....or at the very least expand upon it.

Honorable Mention

Shadow Complex(XBLA)--a nice homage to Metroidvania games
Heavy Rain(PS3)--a very unique game with an equally compelling intersecting story
Kinect Sports(Kinect)--it was fun for what it was
Stranglehold(Multiplatform)--it was Max Payne 3 before there was an official Max Payne 3
Crash Course(XBLA)--pretty much Ninja Warrior without the license and with avatars

[frogofdeath]

No particular order...

L.A. Noire - Not perfect, but still very enjoyable.
World of Goo - Superb, addicting, and a great, dark sense of humor.
Lost Winds (both games) - Motion controls done right.
Batman: Arkham City - Not a huge Batman fan, but this game is just fantastic.
Bonsai Barber - Simple, orgiastic gaming...

[The 1 2 P]

Batman: Arkham City - Not a huge Batman fan, but this game is just fantastic.

Arkham Asylum and City wouldn't count because they are from the main Batman franchise which has had video games forever. This is also why I couldn't name Modern Warfare(despite being one of my favorite series this gen) because it exist in the Call of Duty franchise.

[substantial_snake]

This is Actually a lot harder then I though it would be as many of my favorites this gen were from already established IPs, however I'll give it a try. Great topic.

Anyways in no particular order:

Valkyrie Chronicles: Interesting Mix of genera with turn-based stragety, RPG and third person shooter elements that all work and art style, characters and storyline were all exceptional. Its a shame the platform switch to PSP made it unlikely to getting another fully fledged sequel on any platform.

Uncharted: Solid series of third person shooters with heavy story and platforming. Its the best example of the industries AAA push towards cinematic experiences in gaming (weather you like that or not) and with 2 and 3 a plethora of multiplayer modes that take advantage of the unique acrobatic combat style of the series.

The World Ends With You: An RPG on the DS that actually makes fun use of the DS's unique capabilities. Dosen't hurt that the characters, storyline, and urban setting all worked well and I REALLY wanna see another one.

Dead Nation: Top down shooter in the same vein as NES Commando during a zombie apocalypse. This game gave me the most fun co-op mode I've played this generation, the atmosphere, graphics, upgrade system, and country based stat tracking system makes me pine for another entry to the series with 4 player co-op. Would of never found out about it too if it weren't for the PSN outage. lol

S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Series of very atmospheric FPS games set in the decaying ruins of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The most atmospheric game I've played and nothing has ever "sucked me in" like STALKER can, the game's suvival, bleeding, and gun mechanics (read: not every shot hits dead center reticle pending weapon type and condition) make it really a world onto itself that is easy to get lost in.

Special Mentions: (Mostly games that appeared on previous consoles but had a dramatic shift this generation..quite a few of those)

Killzone: Felt the first one on PS2 felt like it was too much for the console, however the two entries on PS3 have both been fantastic.
Riddick: Wasn't a huge fan of the movies but both Escape from Butchers Bay and Dark Athena are some of my favorite FPS games this generation, played both on the Dark Athena disc.
Persona 3/4: Although on the PS2 both were released in this timeframe and both were very different from their predecessors. Combination of dating/school sim/dungeon crawler/RPG mechanics somehow worked really well.
Metal Gear Acid Series: Although the idea of a card based spinoff to the MGS series sounded dumb they were both really fun games early in the PSP lifespan. I always felt like most of the hate was directed at the idea rather then the games.
Fallout 3/new Vegas: The IP was established in the mid nineties though both games couldn't play more differently to their predecessors.

Arkham Asylum and City wouldn't count because they are from the main Batman franchise which has had video games forever. This is also why I couldn't name Modern Warfare(despite being one of my favorite series this gen) because it exist in the Call of Duty franchise.

I think its fair to include, since from my understanding they establish a completely different batman cannon to anything else released, and is not a sequel to any particular series. I think your argument is a sound one but I would let it slide here.

[The 1 2 P]

Special Mentions: (Mostly games that appeared on previous consoles but had a dramatic shift this generation..quite a few of those)

Killzone: Felt the first one on PS2 felt like it was too much for the console, however the two entries on PS3 have both been fantastic.
Riddick: Wasn't a huge fan of the movies but both Escape from Butchers Bay and Dark Athena are some of my favorite FPS games this generation, played both on the Dark Athena disc.
Persona 3/4: Although on the PS2 both were released in this timeframe and both were very different from their predecessors. Combination of dating/school sim/dungeon crawler/RPG mechanics somehow worked really well.
Metal Gear Acid Series: Although the idea of a card based spinoff to the MGS series sounded dumb they were both really fun games early in the PSP lifespan. I always felt like most of the hate was directed at the idea rather then the games.
Fallout 3/new Vegas: The IP was established in the mid nineties though both games couldn't play more differently to their predecessors.

Like you said all of those games are from existing franchises from previous generations and thus are all exempt.

I think its fair to include, since from my understanding they establish a completely different batman cannon to anything else released, and is not a sequel to any particular series. I think your argument is a sound one but I would let it slide here.

Although Arkham is a new franchise(I believe Arkham World will be the next title) this gen it's based on an existing franchise and thus doesn't apply to the structure of this list. I should probably change the word "new" to "original" in the title to not confuse anyone. But you obviously know what I mean because your list of 5 fits the parameters perfectly and I enjoyed reading your reasons for why you like each one.

[G-Boobie]

1) Valkyria Chronicles
2) Dead/Demon's Souls
3) Assassin's Creed
4) Uncharted
5) Dead Space

[jonebone]

I really haven't sample too many new franchises from this generation. But of those I have, these were definitely some of my favorites:

Deadrising
Dragon Age (2nd one was a let down though)
Assassin's Creed

[substantial_snake]

Like you said all of those games are from existing franchises from previous generations and thus are all exempt.



Although Arkham is a new franchise(I believe Arkham World will be the next title) this gen it's based on an existing franchise and thus doesn't apply to the structure of this list. I should probably change the word "new" to "original" in the title to not confuse anyone. But you obviously know what I mean because your list of 5 fits the parameters perfectly and I enjoyed reading your reasons for why you like each one.

Like I said its your thread.

There are a ton of franchises I would like to play from this generation but either havent gotten around to or have been too expensive to interest me at the time of release, things like Bayonetta, Catherine, Assassins Creed, EDF, Dark Siders, Binary Domain, World in Conflict, etc. However in the spirit of this thread i'll revise my honorable mentions list.

Honerable Mentions:
Borderlands: Diablo-style loot grinding with FPS shooter gameplay and RPG. Only held back by a cock-tease ending and crap performance on PS3 with more then two players. (at least in my case)
Mirrors Edge: Linear FPS with emphasis on parkour-style platforming. It had a fun gamepley mechanic that was held back by the linear nature of the game, think it would work much better in an openworld or at least multiple offer multiple paths.
Sins of a Solar Empire: A space based 4x style strategy game. It did everything really well in a modern release and want to see more of it in this now nich genera.
Resistance: A series of corridor based FPS games. The artstyle and setting of this series is both really good with the Chimera looking truly alien in the 50's era world they created. Holds over a lot of older FPS conventions with a combination health pack and regen system in the first and third title while also allowing you to carry all of the weapons in the game at once, again in the first and third titles. Can't help but think that something is always holding the series back from being great though I can't put my finger on it.
DEFCON: A nuclear war simulator/strategy game. It managed to shock me in the way that only the original Missile Command did as a child. There is nothing quite like reaching the end of the game, watching the missiles arc, and seeing the while flashes while the death tolls start to pop up over major population centers. Its both fun to play and very depressing at the same time.

[Nebagram]

Loads of great franchises mentioned so far, here's my top 5-

Mirror's Edge- amazed this has only come up once so far. Both in this thread and in number of games. A great concept, unique gameplay and a sympathetic main character are very rare nowadays. On the subject...

Uncharted- gameplay from tomb raider, concept from Indiana jones and a dick of a main character. And yet, the games are some of the most exciting I've played over the last five years. Too many games aspire to be cinematic at the cost of gameplay, uncharted is one of very few that achieve it.

Bioshock- obviously.

Mass effect- obviously. Again.

And finally... Littlebigplanet. Any place that rewards and encourages creativity... With the voice of Stephen Fry... Is a place I want to be.

Oh, and if it counts, portal trumps any of the above.