Most Wanted Games of 2006

4: Duke Nukem Forever

Who makes it: 3D Realms

When is it out: According to 3D Realms: "The release date of this game is 'When it's done'. Anything else, and we mean anything else is someone's speculation. There is no date. We don't know any date. If you have a friend who claims they have 'inside info', or there's some game news site, or some computer store at the mall who claims they know - they do not. They are making it up. There is no date. Period.”

Why is it good: Firstly, Duke Nukem is one of the coolest names in the gaming world. He has big guns, big cajones, more muscles than Arnie and lots of girls dressed in very little. Also, and this only a small factor, this game has been in development for nine years. Yes, you read right, that is nine whole years. Okay, there have been a few problems and hitches along the way but any game that has had that much time expended on it is surely going to be something special. Surely?

I know we know very little about the game and so some of you may be wondering why it is so high up, but it is here with good reason. The game has got to come out soon and when it does, I have a feeling it will blow us away. So many attempts to make the game have been plagued by failure that it says to me the developers are trying to do something special… Well that or they are just entirely rubbish.

What could go wrong? Need I really say what could go wrong? Really?

3: Caesar IV

Who makes it: Tilted Mill

When is it out: Autumn 2006

Why is it good: Caesar III, released in 1998, was absolutely fantastic. It took the city management genre to a new level with pleasant cartoon-styled graphics, irresistible city options and an addictive style. Seven years later, we have the crisp looking Caesar IV on the horizon. For those who didn’t play the other games in the series, expect something far in advance of the seemingly endless trawl of city management games that have been dished up in the last few years. Expect to build beautiful, functional and efficient cities with our favourite ancient civilization providing the backdrop.

The game has spent a couple of years in development and has a team that is hugely experienced. For all those with aspirations of becoming Caesar, one day this will be the game for you in 2006. Expect it, like its older brothers, to be massive.

What could go wrong? With no playable demo released and very little news having come out, the main concern is that it won’t have done enough to expand the genre. However, every game released in the series so far has exceeded expectation and with the developers seeming very excited about this one, I wouldn’t expect it to under perform when it is released later this year.