Halo (Bungy PC preview)

By PETER ELEY

It's that time of year when the video game industry virtually shuts down and migrates to the annual E3 convention in the United States, where they showcase their upcoming titles for the more retail-friendly half of the year.

One of the big drawcards at the convention, held last week, was the unveiling of Halo for the PC. Halo, of course, is an Xbox-only title and just about the best game for that platform.

Set in a futuristic world, the player takes on the role of a cyber marine whose ship crash-lands on the planet Halo. He has to fight aliens and zombies in a race to destroy a superweapon that could destroy the universe.

The plot isn't overly original, but the game's twists and turns, brilliant graphics and sheer excitement make it a winner.

The PC version will be released this winter, and Microsoft say the graphics will be at least as good as the Xbox version on systems with high-end hardware.

There will also be strong multiplayer support, and new maps, vehicles and weapons.

On a less-violent track, Microsoft also unveiled Train Simulator 2, a game that well, simulates driving trains.

Wannabe Casey Jones will be able to take trains on painstakingly recreated routes such as Pennsylvania's Horseshoe Curve, or Germany's Deutsche Bahn AC with trains ranging from 200-tonne modern diesels to the fire-breathing steam behemoths from the first half of last century.

Also on show were clips from the latest expansion pack to EA's smash wargame, Battlefield 1942. Secret Weapons of World War II deals with projects such as the German's V2 rockets, which also swung the tide back in the Nazis' favour as these forerunners of ICBMs pounded London in the later stages of the war. Another campaign will take players into the Eagle's Nest, Hitler's secret mountain hideaway.

Other EA games on show included Medal of Honour Rising Sun, which takes the World War II classic into the Pacific theatre. It starts with the raid on Pearl Harbor and moves on through ten missions, including Guadalcanal, the invasion of Singapore and the River Kwai.

SimCity 4 gets an expansion pack, Rush Hour. It will be interesting to see how EA makes that a fun experience. The Sims gets an upgrade, The Sims 2, and the original game gets an add-on, Bustin' Out.

Players can also expect to see new Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, James Bond and Need for Speed titles.

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