With the release of the next generation consoles imminent (and already partially complete), many gamers may have taken their thumbs off the pulse of current generation games to concentrate on next-gen buzz. However, this may be a bit premature, as taking a second to put your ear to the ground will reveal a looming thundering, signaling some high-profile, current-gen releases that are slated for release soon. Developers and console manufacturers are still devoted to producing quality titles, and so rushing out to grab an Xbox 360 or a PS3 might not be immediately pressing.

From the studios of Level 5 (the same cadre of developers that brought us the Dark Cloud games), comes a new PS2 RPG offering titled Rogue Galaxy. This game has just recently been released in Japan to critical acclaim, and looks to ship to our fair shores sometime next year. Hope you can appreciate the opera, because the word on this game reeks of nothing but epic, engaging space opera of the highest order.

The game follows the exploits of one Jester Rogue, a plucky, puerile, pirate poser possessing a penchant for peregrination (phew!), and chronicles his adventures on his way to the final frontier (or as it's usually called, outer space), and his desire to join the ranks of those scurvy scalawags known as space pirates (who, despite the change of venue, bear a striking resemblance to their nautical brethren). The game utilizes a rather innovative take on the cel-shaded look, and approximates an anime series with impressive results. As is becoming the standard in many RPGs, combat is conducted in real-time, and there is a seamless transition from world exploration into the battles. While details are sketchy at this point, the battle system promises to have much depth, as you'll have to customize the abilities of your team (up to 2 additional teammates can join you in battle), and coordinate your own short-ranged, long-ranged, and special attacks as Jester Rogue. This is arguably one of the most highly touted and anticipated RPG titles released for the PS2, and one that gamers need to watch out for in the coming months.

Square/Enix was able to engender massive quantums of intrigue at their E3 presentation last year, where they displayed a bevy of Final Fantasy-related titles that were in development for the Playstation 2. One of these was the Final Fantasy-themed Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII, which has had FFVII die hards and RPG gamers similarly enraptured since the announcement of this title a couple of years ago. This game stars as its protagonist the enigmatic and tortured hero Vincent Valentine, and his titular weapon of choice (a triple-barrelled pistol, because two barrels just aren't good enough).

The real draw of this game that has caught the attention of many, is its notable departure from standard Final Fantasy gameplay. The developers at Square/Enix have instead decided to give their throngs of fans an FF game with stealth elements and gun combat (joy!). The prospect of a game like this is enough to send many a fanboy into a total state of euphoria, this gamer included. Of further interest to fans is the story arc of Dirge of Cerberus, which takes place after the events in the movie Advent Children, which should reach North America before the game's release. Even for those not familiar with the Final Fantasy VII universe, you would still do well to take your Pentazemin and train your laser sight steadily upon the impending release, as this game should prove to stand out as one of the better action games the Playstation has to offer.

Rounding out the list of top current-generation prospects to watch out for is a new first-person shooter that allows you to wield the fearsome puissance of a TIVO in your time suit. The game, with the rather germane title of Timeshift, is being developed for the Xbox (and also the PC simultaneously) and features the self-proclaimed 'chrononaut' Michael Swift. Swift is from the year 2007 (sweet, we'll have time travel technology in no time!), and has to conduct a confidential mission in the year 1911. As Ashton Cutcher's big screen experiences have shown us, mucking up the past tends to have an often inconvenient and terrible consequence for the present (or would it be the future?...). Swift's foray into the past is no exception, and he returns to 2007 to find the world under the tyrannous grip of a man named Krone.

It is at this point, Swift is charged with the mission to go back and fix the nefarious deeds leading to the bleak present, and he'll do so while housed in the confines of his time suit. Many time manipulation staples are presented here, such as the ability to slow down time (for some bullet-time effect) to dodge incoming fire, as well as stop, and rewind time (and it should be noted that just as all you have wished at one time or another you could fast forward through live TV...you still can't do that in this game). The quality of the game which developers have highly touted thus far is how the time powers will figure in to the puzzle-solving aspect. Supposedly, you will have the ability to perform such actions as shooting a bridge from below, hopping on the rubble you created, and then rewinding to a kinder, gentler time before the bridge became the victim of your weaponry. As with any good FPS game worth its salt, there's also likely to be a few guys who get shot. All in all, Timeshift has the potential to use the tools common to the time-altering genre, and present a fresh perspective via a wild FPS ride.

So, as I've said, it's not quite time to pronounce the current generation consoles dead, as several new, highly-anticipated titles will be released next year for the PS2 and Xbox. I know that I will certainly be keeping close watch over these release dates.