Introduction

All these games are in various stages of completion. Some are ready to go gold, others are in alpha stages, so its difficult to compare them, but I have made an attempt to do so by rating my impression of their graphics, gameplay and interface based on watching or playing with them for a few minutes. By the time some of these games go gold I'm sure they will have improved and will deserve higher scores, as more features are added and they are all-around polished. It is extra difficult to rate the graphics since every game would have looked awesome by last years standards.

Neverwinter Nights

Game Info
Developer: Bioware
Publisher: Atari
Platform: PC/Mac
Release Date: Summer?
Who showed the game: Jay Watamaniuk and team

There has been a ton said about this game and they really didn't tell us any great new secrets. But, they did set up a lan with a Dungeon Master and let 6 of us party together. It only took the mage a few seconds to start practicing his spells...on the rest of us. We managed to survive a few mishaps and finish the scenario Bioware had set up for us. I think we all did pretty well considering we didn't have access to a manual and were only getting a few pointers from Jay. After an hour, they had to turn off the power, rip us out of the chairs and toss us out of their booth. There were a few hiccups and minor issues, but no major bugs or crashes that we saw. No doubt, this game is going to be a huge hit.
Graphics: 9
Gameplay: 10
Interface: 8

Sea Dogs 2

Game Info
Developer: Akella
Publisher: Bethesda
Platform: PC/XBox
Release Date: before Christmas
Who Showed the game: Joel Breton

It was impossible to get into E3 without seeing an Sea Dogs 2 poster. Last year Bethesda wallpapered the show with Morrowind posters. It was obvious after just a few minutes that SD2 gained more from Bethesda's Morrowind experience than just advertising. You can play as either a man or woman. Both characters have different back stories and whichever one you decide to play, you will run into the other character in the game on occasion. There is an actual crew on the decks now. There are whales, dolphins and sharks in the water. You can get hit by cyclones and lightning strikes. The water and ships look better than ever. Your crew fights along side you now as the battle rages across the deck. You also get pistols to back up your sword. They have added a random quest generator that makes quests based on your current skill levels. There will also be an editor and plug-ins will follow the release. It just gets better and better. I can't wait to get my hands on this one.
Graphics: 9
Gameplay: 9
Interface: 9

Shadowbane

Game Info
Developer: Wolfpack Studios
Publisher: UbiSoft
Platform: PC/Mac
Release Date: Fall
Who Showed the game: Sam Johnson

Shadowbane is looking pretty good. It's taking the MMORPG from a slightly different angle. The focus is on player vs. player, with monsters just being something to fight on the side for exp and loot. Gather together a clan and build your own city and stock it with trainers and smiths, or take over someone elses city if you think you can. It was really something watching the walls of a city get blasted in a siege and the city ending in flames. Some of the races are male only, and some of the classes are female only. The interface is highly customizable. Move, resize, change transparancy, change color (millions) on just about anything. Drag spell icons anywhere for easy casting. Set macros to any quick key.
Graphics: 9
Gameplay: 8
Interface: 10

Mistmare

Game Info
Developer/Publisher: Arxel Tribe
Platform: PC
Release Date: November (October for Europe)
Who Showed the game: Fabien Dupontroue

This is one of the better looking games I have seen that uses the Lithtech engine. It is set in an alternate timeline, with the year being 1996. In the 14th century, the church discovered magic and a mysterious barrier appeared splitting Europe in half. On one side magic flourished while on the other side technology marches forward. The game world is pretty much finished, but they are still working on the interface. While I doubt this game will be in the running for game of the year, I have little doubt that I will buy it when it comes out.
Graphics: 8
Gameplay: 7
Interface: 7

Related Links:
E3 2002 Archangel Gallery
E3 2002 Gothic 2 Gallery
E3 2002 Mistmare Gallery

E3 Building and Entrace:

Gothic 2 Booth:

Shadowbane Booth:

Archangel Booth:

Arx Fatalis Booth:

Neverwinter Nights Booth:

Sea Dogs 2 Booth: