The PSP is still looking for a killer app, and God of War: Chains of Olympus is probably not it - even though the game will definitely appeal to the hardcore players. While it will never catch the DS, PSP hardware sales are decent; software sales not so much. As for the Wii, Super Smash Brothers Brawl is probably the most highly anticipated just as Xbox 360 owners may be looking forward to Too Human. Meanwhile, the PS3 should see Little Big Planet as well as the launch of Home. All of these titles pale in comparison to GTA IV and MGS 4, however, not only in terms of interest but in importance to the publishers and developers.
Just as Halo 3 was the most anticipated game of 2007, GTA IV is certainly the most anticipated game of 2008. Publisher Take-Two doesn't have much riding on the outcome - other than the future of the entire company. Bioshock not withstanding, the company hasn't had much luck establishing new franchises outside of GTA. They can only get by on notoriety (thanks Manhunt 2) for so long.
Unfortunately for Rockstar, and for Take-Two, the world has changed since GTA III was released for the PS2 nearly seven years ago. Open world/sandbox gameplay is commonplace, and although no one has quite surpassed GTA, some (Crackdown, Saint's Row) have come close. Take-Two should be able to sell nearly a million copies of GTA IV across all platforms on the name alone, even if reviewers don't fancy the game, but if the programmers have trouble coming to grips with current hardware, or if they haven't fixed the perceived flaws of the prior games, the wheels may come off the franchise.
Right behind GTA IV in terms of importance for 2008 is Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots. For reasons which are beyond me, this franchise still has a fanatical following, despite awkward camera angles and convoluted plot lines.
For reasons also beyond me - seeing as how Microsoft would likely throw bags of money their way - Konami has chosen to release MGS 4 as a PlayStation 3 exclusive (for the time being). I don't think that the game is mainstream enough to be a system seller, so the question becomes whether or not the installed base of the PS3 is large enough for Konami to earn a return on their investment. That's even assuming the programmers have a handle on Sony's current console.
By Mark Androvich - Games Industry