This is certainly going to be one of the more interesting Big Three features we've done, simply because many of you will automatically be thinking 'but GTA: IV is out, why would I buy anything else?'.

And to an extent, you'd be right.

The GTA effect means that many publishers are not releasing titles in early May as there is really no point in competing with 'the big one'. But that doesn't mean May can't offer us three great titles to pick up or rent later in the month.

Here's the rundown on the Big Three for May. Remember, the Big Three is based on UK and European titles that will launch in May only...

1. Haze [pre-order] [pre-rent]

With a confirmed release date finally in our hands, it's time to revisit a former Big Three title. Yes, back when we thought Haze would hit the streets in time for Christmas, it was one of the games we thought you should spend your hard earned cash on.

Although a few months have passed by since then, our opinion hasn't changed. In fact, we're even more certain about this game then we were back in 2007. Why?

After being invited up to London to get a sneak preview of the co-op and multiplayer modes that Haze has to offer, we can tell you that the gameplay is sublime. The multiplayer mode is as good as any FPS we've been playing to death recently (CoD4, if you hadn't worked that out).

In terms of the single-player campaign, Haze is a game that dares to treat us like the adults we are, with political themes that resonate well against the current world climate despte being set in a sci-fi future.

We will have a lot more to say about Haze before it launches, but I promise you this is one game you definitely should pick up in May - in between GTA fixes, of course!

2. Race Driver: GRID [pre-order] [pre-rent]

When we got hands-on with this new racing game from Codemasters we must admit to having mixed reactions.

On the first hand, it is as good as any of the TOCA series that Codemasters did so well with on the PS2. The action is fast and furious, it looks fantastic (especially the race replays) and sounds wonderful. For an 'arcade racer', as opposed to the simulation tag GT5: Prologue enjoys, you really can't beat it.

On the other hand you may have noticed we're big fans of Burnout Paradise here at PS3 Attitude, and we can't help but think that everything Race Driver: GRID has to offer can also be had in Paradise City, only with more race-type variety, better crashes and ridiculous stunts.

There is no denying that Race Driver: GRID is a polished game that delivers more on the out-and-out racing scene than Burnout, and it certainly does a 100% better job than games such as the recent Need for Speed effort.

For me personally, this is more a 'rent' than a 'buy' title, but that's just because I'm still into Burnout in a big way. You may be less of a 'gimmick racing' fan and more an 'arcade racer' purist, in which case Race Driver: GRID is worthy of your attention.

3. Enemy Territory: Quake Wars [pre-order]

You didn't really think we'd put Top Spin 3 or Iron Man in the Big Three, did you? So that means that we only really had one choice left as May is certainly a sparse release month.

Does that mean Quake Wars doesn't deserve to be here? Certainly not.

Firstly, for those of you comparing it to Haze, here's a few statements:

Is it another FPS? Yes.
Is it another FPS that has asymmetric teams? Yes.
Is it another FPS that has asymmetric teams and various vehicles to control? Yes.

But it does have one thing that the other FPS in this month's Big Three hasn't, and that is the Quake universe.

The follow up to Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, Quake Wars really acts as a prequel to Quake II and that alone will have series fans clamouring for the release of this game.

Already out on the PC since Autumn 2007, Quake Wars has done universally well in reviews. In our opinion, it doesn't play as well as Haze or have the interest level of that new IP, but Quake devotees will certainly enjoy the latest foray into the franchise that has sold over 4 million copies.

Labels: Big Three, Haze, news, Playstation 3, PS3, Quake, Racedriver