Most Anticipated Video Games of 2010
New Year, New Games
Some gamers (well, a lot of gamers) might say that 2009 was a bit of a disappointment when it comes down to truly exciting video game releases. That isn't to say that there were no good games last year, just very few that illicited a huge response from the gaming community before their release. Well, now 2010 is here and planning to change all of that. Many 2010 game releases have had gamers preordering since the middle of last year, and delays have been met with a collective groan of disappointment. Now they are only months away, and people who haven't preordered yet are scrambling to secure their copies of the most anticipated games of 2010.
Heavy Rain
Platforms: PlayStation 3
Release Date: February 23, 2010 in North America, February 24 in Europe, February 26 in the UK and Ireland
Genre: Immersive crime drama/thriller
Gameplay: Single Player
What to look forward to: Heavy Rain is the higly interactive follow up to Indigo Prophecy, also known as Fahrenheit outside of North America. Indigo Prophecy, a last generation game, was met with critical acclaim and noted for its interactive gameplay and realistic graphics. Making use of the PS3's enhanced graphics ability and other advancemnts in technology, Heavy Rain is sure to outdo its predecessor. The game, with its motion capture rendering and enhanced pixel shading, will surely shine an entirely new light onto what graphics can be. Aside from that, the gameplay itself is expected to be very immersive, and decisions made in the game can have drastic consequences down the line. You play as one of four individuals, each with their own motives for tracking down the "Origami Killer". There will also be several chapters of downloadable content, the first of which is available with some preorders. Stunning graphics and a gripping storyline make Heavy Rain one of the most anticipated games of the year.
Mass Effect 2
Platforms: Xbox 360, Windows PC
Release Date: January 26, 2010 in North America, January 29 in Europe
Genre: Action RPG
Gameplay: Single Player
What to look forward to: Mass Effect 2 is the most recent installment in the Mass Effect series, and if Heavy Rain will be a hit for PS3 then Mass Effect makes that list for Xbox 360 owners. Continuing the story of Commander Shepard, this futuristic action game adds new characters and locations to the platform that brought so much success with the original Mass Effect in 2007. Graphics have also recieved an update, and the game will be released as a special collectors edition as well. The success of the first game has left many fans waiting for a sequel, and that puts it alongside Heavy Rain as one of the anticipated games this year, although some existing reviews from those who have previewed the game claim that the storyline of the sequel isn't as developed as the original.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Platforms: Nintendo Wii
Release Date: TBA 2010
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay: Single Player, Two Player Co-op
What to look forward to: Many have grown up and fallen in love with Nintendo's mario series. This game is sure to satisfy those fans. A follow up to the challenging but addicting Super Mario Galaxy, the sequel was originally slated to be mostly previous content with a few tweaks and additions. However, as development went on the game developed into an entirely unique experience with some features borrowed from the previous game. The sequel is expected to be more challenging, with all new worlds and features including the ability to ride Yoshi. It is unkown if features from New Super Mario Bros. (namely the Superguide feature) will be imported to Super Mario Galaxy 2. Either way, the original Super Mario Galaxy is considered by many Wii owners to be a must have, and its sequel should be no different.
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows PC, Nintendo Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation Portable
Release Date: May 11, 2010
Genre: Action/Adventure
Gameplay: Single Player
What to look forward to: The Prince of Persia series has been a highly successful one, and this console-wide release has the potential to bring the Prince to entirely new audiences. While the release of the game takes place a few weeks before the movie adaptation of Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, the events of the game take place after those of the Sands of Time game. This places The Forgotten Sands before the events of Prince of Persia: Warrior Within. The wide range of consoles means that the gameplay will probably vary between them. Expect to see more immersive graphics for the PC, PS3 and 360 versions. The Wii and DS versions will be likely to make use of the consoles' interactive features. Regardless of your console preference, the game is expected to utilize popular features from the previous installments while adding a lot of all new content. With the game and movie releases being so close to each other, they will probably feed off of each others popularity and you can expect some satisfied moviegoers to go searching for this game.
Bioshock 2
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Windows PC
Release Date: February 9, 2010
Genre: First-person shooter, horror
Gameplay: Single Player, Multiplayer
What to look forward to: Bioshock is arguably one of the best games of the past few years, and Bioshock 2 intends to top its predecessor. Taking place ten years after the original, Bioshock 2 has players returning to the world of Rapture as Big Daddies. Those who have played the previous game must adjust to playing as one of the creatures that were once enemies. Expect great graphics, and endless hours of enjoyment with the several different multiplayer modes. PC Gamer rated the game 90% and said the game's writing is better "than pretty much anything else out there". With all the popularity of the original, gamers can only imagine what this new edition will bring to the table.
Plenty to Look Forward to...
Other games being released this year include Dark Void, Massive Action Game, ModNation Racers, Battlefiled Bad Company 2, No More Heroes 2, Dante's Inferno, Final Fantasy XIII, Red Dead Redemption, God of War III, and Max Payne 3. Gamers of any console will have no shortage of games to rejoice over. The already released title Bayonetta has given PS3 and Xbox 360 owners a preview of a whole new world of innovation for gaming this year. The gaming industry is starting off the new decade with a bang and even in these tough times, many gamers like myself will make some room in our wallets to splurge on 2010's great releases.
