Best of E3 2006 Awards

Best Role-Playing Game

For games focused on character development, stat-based combat, dungeon crawling, and dialogue.

• Best Shooter
• Best Role-Playing Game
• Best Online Multiplayer Game
• Best Racing Game
• Best Massively Multiplayer Game
• Best Strategy Game
• Best Action/Adventure Game
• Best Original Game
• Special Mentions

Winner: Mass Effect

Best Role-Playing Game: Mass Effect (Microsoft Game Studios)

After seeing Mass Effect's facial animation technology, we knew we'd found the best RPG at E3. Watching the game's main character, Commander Shepard, threaten a bartender really brought home the game's sophistication. Every emotion was clearly visible on his face, and the conversation's direction could be influenced with just a flick of the controller's analog stick.

Not enough for you? How about KOTOR-meets-Star-Control space exploration, complete with stars, planets, space stations, and derelict ships to investigate? Bioware is even promising to expand the game with downloadable additions after it's on sale.

The combat marks it also something special, blending action elements with role-playing-like character development. The tactical squad combat plays out more like a Rainbow Six shooter than a staid, uninvolving turn-based RPG, and it even uses real-world physics simulation to spice up its environments. >>>More info

Runner-ups

Hellgate: London: Although Diablo 3 wasn't on show after all, Hellgate London looked so good it hardly mattered. >>>More info

Titan Quest: Hack and slash your way around ancient Egypt, Greece, and Asia in this fine-looking action-RPG from Iron Lore. >>>More info

D&D Tactics: The PSP is the perfect platform for this very promising turn-based RPG, based on the D&D 3.5 edition rule-set. >>>More info