10 Upcoming and Most Anticipated Games of 2009 and 2010

The 2008-2009 gaming season proved to be one of the best in history with breakout hits like Mass Effect, BioShock, Assassin’s Creed and more so it would make sense to say that the 2009-2010 season will be the season of the sequels.  With everything from Mass Effect 2 to the long awaited Splinter cell sequel scheduled to come out within the next 12-18 months, it’s impossible not to be excited about the prospects.  However, there are a few unique titles that sneak onto the list of <<big announcer voice>> Most Anticipated Games of 2010!

So without further ado . . . .


Mass Effect 2


This sequel promises to revolutionize the way we play games with real heavy consequences for our actions.  Yes you will be able to play as Sheppard, your character from 2008 smash hit, and there will be repercussions from your actions or inactions in the first game but BioWare has also warned that if you die, you may lose everything.  They’re pretty tight lipped about what that all means at the moment but whatever it is doesn’t sound good for those OCD gamers (like me) who need their ducks in a row.  Also up BioWare’s collective sleeve is a new race, a new enemy that promises to be bigger and badder than Sovereign (hard to believe considering the self-aware machine was bent on the destruction of every single living organism in the known universe), and some new interpersonal twists and turns (nearly nude sex scenes anyone?)  Whatever the crew has in store, we’ve all been chaffing for it since the end credits of the prequel rolled.  Mass Effect 2 is scheduled for release in the first quarter 2010.


BioShock 2


Splicer wannabes around the world let out a collective groan when 2K announce last month (August) that they were pushing back the release of the much awaited sequel to the runaway hit BioShock.  There was much speculation about when the storyline would take place and fans had wondered if it were to be a prequel or a sequel and the answer is it’s a little bit of both.  While the actual gameplay takes place after the events in the first game, the character you will be playing is The O.B.D. (Original Big Daddy.)  So expect to be clomping around in those big heavy boots and helping out a lot of little sisters.  But 2K is pushing the boundaries as well with the introduction of Extra-Rapture transit (your big daddy will be able to bust out of the underwater tunnels and walk on the sea bed!) and the new Big Sisters (skinnier, faster, and more deadly version of the Daddies.)  Expect BioShock 2 in the first quarter 2010.


Assassin’s Creed 2


How can you make a game about a stealthy assassin any cooler?  How about sticking him in Renaissance Italy, making him a ladies’ man, and giving him all kinds of cool gadgets invented by Leonardo DaVinci?  Altair won’t be back in the sequel to Assassin’s Creed, though Desmond will, but Ezio will more than make up for the loss with a flying machine, a host of new weapons, new fighting abilities, and swimming lessons!  The storyline is pretty hush hush at the moment but no doubt developer Ubisoft learn what gamers didn’t like about the prequel (repetitive missions, no ending, and sometimes idiotic AI) and have rectified the situation.  Whatever the case, Assassin’s Creed 2 sure looks to be a visual stunner and will hopefully have a whole bunch of people flashing each other the ring-fingerless-hand signals.  Expect Assassin’s Creed 2 in quarter 4 2009.


Splinter Cell:  Conviction


When Ubisoft showed off footage of the then untitled Splinter Cell sequel a while back fans balked at the long-haired lackadaisical Sam Fisher.  In Double Agent we learn that his daughter has just been killed and the agency he’s spent his whole life working for basically sold him out but he seems to take the whole thing is stride and never really “turns to the dark side.”  Obviously fans were looking for something darker and a little more sinister from the man in black.  Ubisoft heard and took some extra time to go back to the drawing boards.  Sam’s back in Conviction with a fresh haircut and a whole new set of Rules Of Engagement.  Indeed, the gameplay for Conviction features a much more dynamic system than ever before and incorporates a tactical run-and-gun approach into the stealth action we all know and love.  The result is a fast paced, tense action game that will no doubt have us all on the edge of our seats.  Let me be one of the first to say it’s good to have you back Sam.  Look for Splinter Cell:  Conviction in quarter one 2010.


Starcraft 2


Starcraft is one of the few turn-based strategy games that has truly stood the test of time.  Whether it’s because of the epic sci-fi storyline, memorable characters, or cool “Adult” oriented graphics and sound bites it’s great to still run across Starcraft randomly on the internet every once in a while.  Now, 11 years after its release, a sequel stands on the brink of world domination.  You’ll be able to play as all your favorite races, Zerg, Protoss, or Terran, and will feel right at home with familiar characters as well as some excellent new units.  While some critics have nailed the graphics as being a little underdone for a title so long in development, nobody can knock the attention to detail.  One of the best parts about the original were the comic cut scenes and the sequel looks to be chock full of them (just have a gander at YouTube if you don’t believe me.)  This is one game that will be making my list this year.  Look for Starcraft 2 in quarter 2 2010.


Diablo 3


Can’t get enough grinding through dungeons?  You’re in luck—Diablo 3 is due out sometime next year.  This sequel to the epic adventure saga will no doubt have your wasting your days hacking and slashing to build up the skills and armory (or repertoire of sorcery) to take on some truly epic battles.  Let’s just hope that Blizzard learned that maybe having to visit the same dungeons fifteen times over does get a little boring even when the enemies get harder.


Scribblenauts


But it’s not all guns and guts.  One of the hottest titles of the season is actually being released on the Nintendo DS.  That’s right, the DS.  Ever since its preview release at E3, fanboys and hardcore gamers alike have been goo-goo for the unique puzzle solving title that puts players in a huge number of comic situations in which you have to use words to survive.  That’s right, you have to use your magical notebook to summon objects into the gaming environment which will help you get out of whatever jam you’re in.  One such scenario was shown live on G4TV’s X-play and included a Frankenstein-like laboratory and a monster from which you had to escape.  This title will definitely cater to the casual gamer but it looks to have enough depth to tempt even the “hardcore” diehards.  Scribblenauts streets in September 2009.


Alan Wake


Horror/adventure games used to be a dime-a-dozen.  The market became oversaturated and all of the crap scared the true gamers (and true game developers) away.  Microsoft Game Studios is hoping the bad taste has left our collective mouths and we’re ready for a game like Alan Wake.  Inspired by creepy Stephen King-style movies and authentic horror (not hack and slash gore fests) Alan Wake promises to bring some real cerebral thrills and chills as the titular character tries to unravel the twisted storyline to find out why his real life seems to imitates the horrific things he’s spelled out in his best-selling novel.  Alan Wake is set to take the gaming world by surprise in Quarter one 2010.


Rock Band Beatles


There’s really not a whole lot to be said about Rock Band the Beatles.  It’s Rock Band with epic Beatles music (45 tracks in all) and cool graphical renditions of the iconic Fab Four that will make you want to grow your hair out long and chill with an Octopus in his garden.  This is huge for both Rock Band Fanatics (I’m a Guitar Hero man myself) and Beatles fans alike (I prefer the Monkees, just to be contrary.)  The Beatles take the world by storm, again, in September 2009.


Star Wars: The Old Republic


This list wouldn’t be complete without a Star Wars game and thanks to the masters of the Force at BioWare (responsible for the widely popular Kotor series) for their entry, Star Wars:  The Old Republic.  Set thousands of years before the events in Episode One, the galaxy of Republic is a very different realm full of Jedi, Sith, bounty hunters, and everything in between.  The Massive Online Multiplayer platform promises to obliterate any feelings of regret one might harbor about purchasing Galaxies as we dunk ourselves in a pure Star Wars alternative to World of Warcraft.  The footage released at E3 this year lighted the internet on fire and is the game is even half as good, BioWare has another winner on their hands.  Look for Old Republic in 2010.