WIRED Staff
Culture

Slideshow: Games Close In on Citizen Kane

Perhaps you've noticed: The latest batch of video games on store shelves is really good. The game industry, having finally mastered technology storytelling, is experiencing its golden age. Let's hope it lasts for a while. By Suneel Ratan.
Image may contain Human and Person
Lethal Weapon.

See related story: Games Close In on Citizen Kane

Image may contain Human and Person
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is, in many ways, better than a movie. After all, the player gets to take the place of Mark Hamill or Natalie Portman as star of the show.
Image may contain Duel Human and Person
This year's Lord of the Rings game, due out in November, allows players to pick any of eight different characters, including hobbits Frodo and Sam, Gandalf the wizard, Aragorn, Gimli the dwarf and others.
Image may contain Human and Person

The Empire Strikes Back

.
Image may contain Human and Person
The game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing packs a lot of raw Hollywood star power. Pierce Brosnan supplies his likeness and voice as the super spy; Judi Dench voices spymaster M and John Cleese brings to life gadget guru Q. Actress Shannon Elizabeth and supermodel Heidi Klum are on board as Bond girls. Willem Dafoe even appears as the requisite arch-villain Diavolo.
Image may contain Human Person Screen Electronics Monitor and Display
The 3-D graphics in Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic make the experience immersive, and a gripping story line shapes itself in response to a wide range of player choices -- everything from gender to how conversations are conducted.