The next generation platforms will offer new game technologies and directions for the genre to go in. Splinter Cell 4 (Double Agent) looks set to blast the genre in the face once more with fresh innovative content and a completely reworked gameplay mechanic for Sam's stealth. Only next Friday will truly tell if SC: DA has the formula right of course.

And looking to knock both Garrett and Sam off the top spot is Altair, the hero of Assassin's Creed - a next gen title for both PS3 and Xbox 360. Assassin's Creed promises an innovative one-hit one-kill combat system and a free-running dynamic for the sprawling open-ended (massive) game levels that are set in recreations of authentic Holy Cities and something known as social stealth, this is of course something that I'd like to see in the Hitman games, but Assassin's Creed really pushes the boundaries - making crowds an important part of the game's core experience.

Altair can melt in with certain groups, like some monks, and get closer to his target by adopting mannerisms that seem normal to guards and wary folk. With the Parkour (free-running) system the game takes on a new dimension, since for the first time, it won't just be key points in a level (like pipes and ledges) that you can climb (sorry Sam) but Altair will be able to grab onto any surface and do something with it, running across beams effortlessly and working out what the best way to approach a jump is.

It looks as though it's going to be interesting to see how much of Assassin's Creed influences games to come, especially Splinter Cell 5 (which is set to be Xbox 360 only) and another MGS title (that's sure to be on the cards after 4).

And talking of MGS 4 - that's shaping up quite nicely and promises to deliver the same kind of gameplay the fans know and love, details are still shrouded in secrecy for this game and the trailers have been pretty stunning.