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Best of E3 2012

Alas, there weren't any signs of the next-gen Xbox or PlayStation at this year's E3 - but fret not because there was still plenty on show to tempt us into spending yet more hours hunched in front of our tellies, causing pile-ups, roasting Redcoats and possessing, erm, murderous rodents:

Watch Dogs

What's It On? PC, Xbox 360 & PS3
None of us were expecting it so we shouldn't have been surprised when Ubisoft's new IP duly brought the roof down at E3 with a 10-minute gameplay walkthrough of its astonishing third-person open world game. Players stalk the streets, able to manipulate and hack into all things 'connected' - from traffic lights and surveillance cameras to the personal details of city residents - with the aim of taking down the bad guys (whoever they may be...). With gorgeous graphics, incredible detailing and some genuinely original gameplay, this looks like a grown-up cyberpunk action thriller to die for.
When's It Out? 2013

Quick Mention: Xbox 360-exclusive Forza Horizon promises open-world racing mated to the outstanding physics and handling of the world-class racing series.

Dishonored

What's It On? PC, Xbox 360 & PS3
This game's fresh, original setting sees you taking on the role of a betrayed assassin in a striking steampunk world. Labelling it as a 'stealth-based first-person shooter' doesn't quite cover it though because the amazing variety of tools and ways of offing the enemy is like nothing you've quite seen before. From possessing rats to stopping time and teleporting, the imaginative scope of Dishonored's gameplay means a title stinking rich with nefarious ways to murder and maim.
When's It Out? 12th October

Quick Mention: Go mental on a tropical island in the first-person sequel, Far Cry 3, whose trailer raised eyebrows at E3 because of its explosive, violent and explicit content. But based on the series' previous form, we know this latest entry will have the gaming chops to back up the sensationalism... fingers crossed.

Assassin's Creed III

What's It On? PC, Xbox 360 & PS3
Out goes moody Ezio and in slips, err, moody Connor, a Native American with a mission to rip the scalps off the British army and Templars infesting the 18th Century US frontier. What this means for fans of the series is a distinct change in location and action with our killer hunting wildlife, slicing up wolves, leaping from tree to tree (as well as buildings) and clambering up cliff faces to toast enemy bases. Incredibly, the action demoed at E3 looked even more fluid than in previous franchise outings, and with its new setting, mechanics and hero, Assassin's Creed III could well be the best entry yet.
When's It Out? October

Quick Mention: Naughty Dog's post-apocalyptic thriller, The Last Of Us for the PS3 continues to show huge promise, boasting fantastic visuals and story-lead gameplay that features some seriously brutal action.

Don't worry, Nintendo fans, we haven't forgotten you! We'll be focusing on the Nintendo Wii U games revealed at E3 next week.