Video Gaming Trends – Games We Will Play in 2009

Few days ago we bid a farewell to 2008, a year that brought us many hours of playing and video games enjoying, both on PC and consoles. However, according to the list of the games that have been confirmed and announced for 2009, last year seems just like an appetizer.
Check this article to see which trends will be followed and what games we’ll play in 2009.


Old Brands Strike Back

Some of the most important games from the past will have their comebacks in 2009. Certainly one of the most important is Resident Evil 5. The fifth installment in the best-selling survival horror series returns the favor in the form of cooperative gameplay. It’s been announced for March on two main consoles - Xbox 360 and PS3. Although there’s not much being revealed about this sequel, God of War III on PlayStation 3 will have dramatic appearance for sure. Sony Computer Entertainment announced it for October 1, 2009. Some other popular franchises that continue their existence in 2009 are Street Fighter IV, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Tekken 6 and Gran Turismo 5. Of course, they’ll be much more polished and perfected for nowadays’ standards.








Image: Resident Evil 5


Number Two

Four was number of year 2008. New Year, however, will be dominated by Number Two (sorry for the pun). Gamers should have played Gears of War 2 or Call of Duty: World at War by the time Killzone 2 hit the shelves. Announced for February, this is one of the most anticipated PS3 shooters in 2009. Killzone 2 introduces some cool new twists to multiplayer by allowing up to 32 players to customize the online experience with five different mission types. Also, year 2009 will bring Alma back in F.E.A.R. 2 – Project Origin, as well as sequel to one of the most popular games - Bioshock, which is announced for Q4 2009.








Image: Killzone2


MMOs Conquering the Consoles

The massively multiplayer online games will finally make an impact on PS3 this year, with Sony’s own game The Agency. Also, interesting title should be MAG: Massive Action Game, ambitious shooter from SOCOM creators, Zipper Interactive. There’s also a chance that DC Universe Online, another grand game from Sony Online Entertainment will be released this year, but 2010 is also mentioned, so don’t expect too much.








Image: The Agency


Comic Book Adaptations

Even if DC Universe Online stays in development during 2009, it won’t be a big loss, because some other great comic book adaptations have been announced for this year. First of them is Eidos’ Batman: Arkham Asylum that features a story by experienced DC scribe, Paul Dini, introducing Mark ‘The Skywalker’ Hamill voicing the Joker. Meanwhile, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, is being handled by veteran FPS expert Raven Studios, responsible for the classic Heretic and Hexen titles, as well as the decent X-Men Legends. There will be also Warner Bros’ Watchmen: The End is Nigh, an episodic adventure from Deadline Games that acts as a prequel to the film due out in March.









Image: Batman - Arkham Asylum


Grand Theft Nintendo

Combine the most popular game system in the world with one of the most successful game franchises and you’ve got the money. Grand Theft Auto makes its Nintendo DS debut in 3D action/adventure game called Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars, which makes use of the touch screen in unique ways. Aimed at the Mature-rated gamers, this original game could allure all who haven’t yet tried Nintendo’s cool portable to buy it.









Image: Grand Theft Auto Chinatown Wars


Hats and Machine Guns

If you’re by any way gangster fan, you’ll love 2009. This year will be full of gangster titles. Troubled publisher Midway is giving a weird hybrid of GTA adventure and poker simulation entitled This is Vegas. Same company also owns movie tie-in Wheelman, which could be this generation’s Driver. If that’s not enough, you’ll get the choice between Mafia 2 and LA Noire, 40’s and 50’s based game, created by Rockstar Games. EA is having own contender – sequel to Godfather, indeed based on the second movie.
So, if you still keep a hat and a machine gun in your closet, you’ll need them in 2009.








Image: LA Noire


Ambitious Epic Games

Action thrillers set in vast open-worlds are set to be a key feature of 2009, with hot ‘brands’ like Heroes or Jason Bourne providing plenty of inspiration. The most intriguing game is certainly Heavy Rain, the visually astonishing drama created by French studio Quantic Dream, which promises rich, emotional narrative and deep characterization. There will be also Sega’s Alpha Protocol, a modern day espionage RPG, by the makers of Fallout and Baldur’s Gate. There are two apocalyptic titles – survival horror/disaster movie crossover I Am Alive from Ubisoft and inFamous, from Sucker Punch, creators of Sly franchise, in which a common guy finds he has super powers after surviving huge explosion. Finally, you should check out for Prototype from Radical Entertainment, another big expectation for the following year.










Image: Heavy Rain