E3 2007: The Top 10 Showstoppers

9. The end of Metal Gear?

We've heard it before. Hideo Kojima, the revered creator of Metal Gear, wants to finish the series, retire anti-hero Solid Snake and move on to other projects. Years ago we thought Snake Eater might be the last chapter, but in 2006 we were blasted with the trailer for Metal Gear Solid 4, with Kojima in full form.

The question for people who don't follow the series is probably, 'OK, it's over. So what?' But for the gaming universe, the end of Metal Gear is akin to Marvel Comics announcing that the X-Men are done. Not only because both are fiercely loved by a devoted fanbase. No, Metal Gear and X-Men have a kinship that go beyond fandom. Both have a wide roster of singularly strange and frightening characters, and both series are constructed on a series of labyrinthine plot lines that take a reference manual to decode.

The density of Metal Gear's plot is what makes the potential final chapter so interesting. Kojima promised that Solid Snake's story would end and that all secrets would be revealed, answering all of the many lingering questions. That means a story that effectively began over twenty years ago might finally be wrapped up, leaving an empty space for a new bizarre mythology to preoccupy gamers.

With efforts leaning more towards storytelling than gameplay innovation, Hideo Kojima has arguably been lapped by Ubisoft and Tom Clancy in the stealth department, but the end of the series would be a great time for Kojima to unleash a last masterstroke of stealth and action. We can't wait to see what he comes up with.

10. And that's not all, folks...

The best part of E3 is the secret part, the behind-closed doors, hush-hush looks at games that won't be due out for at least a solid year. Sure, it's a lot of hype, but if your pulse doesn't quicken when you hear about these upcoming heavyweights, you might want to see a doctor. Keep an eye on:

WATCH FALLOUT TRAILER

Fallout 3

The architects of Oblivion resurrect a post-apocalyptic role-playing classic. Seek shelter - it's the bomb.

• Fallout 3 Product Page

WATCH RESIDENT EVIL 5 TRAILER

Resident Evil 5

Sometimes, all you need is a well-made trailer. And zombies. In Africa. We cannot wait.

• Fallout 3 Product Page

WATCH KILLZONE 2 TRAILER

Killzone 2

It's alive! And it looks awesome! But you won't get your hands on this first-person beauty until February.

• Killzone 2 Product Page

WATCH STARCRAFT II TRAILER

StarCraft II

After nearly blowing up Korea in May, the highly-anticipated strategy sequel barely made a peep at E3. Look out, BlizzCon.

• StarCraft II Product Page

Mario Kart Wii

Rev your engines - the world's finest kart racer graces the Wii along with a cool new wheel (wiil?) next year.

• Mario Kart Wii Product Page

WATCH LITTLEBIGPLANET TRAILER

LittleBigPlanet

Sony's bizarre platforming social experiment is adorable, addictive and undeniably brilliant.

• LittleBigPlanet Product Page

The Agency

Grab your decoder ring and go deep undercover with Sony Online's interesting spy MMO.

• The Agency Product Page

Infamous

Toe the line between superhero and super villain in this dark sandbox action game from the folks behind the terrific Sly Cooper games.

• Infamous Product Page

Silent Hill 5

We know very little about Konami's next frightfest, but we've been told that it's definitely crawling to consoles.

• Silent Hill 5 Product Page

WATCH STAR WARS TRAILER

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed

Want to harness the power of the Dark Side as Darth Vader's mysterious apprentice? So do we, but we'll all have to wait.

• Star Wars: The Force Unleashed Product Page