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Top Games of 2010 December 31, 2009 Jacob Vandy |
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Summary: Because multiple blockbuster games were pushed back from Q4'09 to 2010, the next few months should be pretty busy for gamers. Games like Splinter Cell Conviction, Battlefield Bad Company 2, Supreme Commander 2, Mass Effect 2, and BioShock 2 are all expected within the first 3 months of 2010. Hopefully next year we'll also see the debut of games like id Software's RAGE and StarCraft 2. Join us as Vandy highlights some of the most anticipated games of next year in this article!
 Introduction | Page:: ( 1 / 4 ) |
As 2009 draws to a close, it comes time to turn our gaze forward to the new year. As such, I've compiled this list of games that I'll be keeping an eye on, in hopes that some of you are made aware of something you might like. Be sure to share your thoughts on these games and any that I missed in the comments section.
Dark Void
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Who: Capcom
What: Action
When: January 17th
Why: Parallel universes, aerial/cover-based/melee combat, become a rocketeer and save the world
Mass Effect 2
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Who: Bioware
What: RPG
When: January 26th
Why: Combat improvements, save game carry-over from ME1, bold story progression
Global Agenda
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Who: Hi-Rez Studios
What: MMO
When: February 1st
Why: Huge persistent world map w/ territories to conquer by player-formed agencies, futuristic weaponry, ninja-types
Star Trek Online
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Who: Cryptic Studios
What: MMORPG
When: February 2nd
Why: Captain your own ship, explore uncharted systems, do battle in space or on foot
STALKER: Call of Pripyat
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Who: GSC Game World
What: FPS
When: February 2nd
Why: New areas to explore, less linearity, harder to survive and scavenging is sparse, improved AI
Bioshock 2
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Who: 2K Games
What: FPS
When: February 9th
Why: Return to Rapture, become a more agile and powerful Big Daddy, pimp Little Sisters, fight Big Sisters
Aliens vs. Predator
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Who: Rebellion Developments
What: FPS
When: February 16th
Why: 10 years in the making, same storyline through the eyes of 3 very different races, brutal combat
Splinter Cell: Conviction
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Who: Ubisoft
What: Action, third-person shooter
When: February 23rd
Why: Sam Fisher's gone rogue, new strategic mechanics, real-time interrogation, overall more Jack Bauer-ish
Napoleon: Total War
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Who: The Creative Assembly
What: RTS, TBS
When: February 26th
Why: 2 story campaigns based on Napoleon's exploits, online multiplayer modes, better AI & physics
| March 2010 and beyond | Page:: ( 2 / 4 ) |
Battlefield: Bad Company 2
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Who: EA DICE
What: FPS
When: March 2nd
Why: Next-gen of Battlefield goodness, intense infantry and vehicle combat, destructible environments, enhanced PC features, MW2 killer
Supreme Commander 2
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Who: Gas Powered Games
What: RTS
When: March 2nd
Why: Streamlined economy, improved AI/pathfinding, enhancements to unit upgrades, optimizations for better performance with tons of units
Command & Conquer 4: Tiberian Twilight
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Who: EA
What: RTS
When: March 16th
Why: Conclusion of Kane's story, RPG elements, streamlined action, 80 units between GDI and Nod
Assassin’s Creed 2
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Who: Ubisoft
What: Action/Adventure
When: March 16th
Why: Nonlinear open-world, more complex combat, larger variety of missions, basically better than the first in every way
Metro 2033
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Who: 4A Games
What: FPS
When: March 16th
Why: Based on Russian novel about nuclear holocaust survivors living in subways underground, STALKER meets Fallout 3
Just Cause 2
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Who: Avalanche Studios
What: Action/Adventure
When: March 23rd
Why: Sandbox environment, fully upgradeable weapons and vehicles, grappling hook/parachute combo used for travel, hijacking vehicles, and more
APB
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Who: Realtime Worlds
What: MMO
When: March
Why: Huge open world game of cops vs. robbers, masterminded by creator of Grand Theft Auto
Mafia 2
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Who: 2K Games
What: Action/Adventure - Q1
When: May 3rd
Why: Become a made man and compete with rival families over 10 square miles of open game world
| Vague estimates | Page:: ( 3 / 4 ) |
Natural Selection 2
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Who: Unknown Worlds Entertainment
What: FPS
When: Early '10
Why: Long-awaited, stand-alone sequel to the best multiplayer mod for Half-life ever
Alpha Protocol
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Who: Obsidian Entertainment
What: Action RPG
When: Spring '10
Why: "The first modern-day spy RPG," unique dialogue system, decisions impact game world
Brink
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Who: Splash Damage
What: FPS
When: Fall '10
Why: Story mode can be done in up to 8-player co-op, free-running a la Mirror's Edge, dynamic mission objectives
Medal of Honor
Who: EA
What: FPS
When: Fall '10
Why: Rebooting the series, takes place in modern-day Afghanistan, you play as an uber-elite soldier
Max Payne 3
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Who: Rockstar
What: Action
When: Late '10
Why: Not being made by original devs Remedy Entertainment, aims to recreate dark noir feel of first games and continuing tradition of stylized gunplay
| No announcement made | Page:: ( 4 / 4 ) |
Deus Ex 3
Who: Eidos
What: RPG
When: TBA
Why: Prequel to classic open-world FPS/RPG, augment your abilities with mechanical implants, advanced enemy squad AI
Starcraft 2: Wings of Liberty
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Who: Blizzard
What: RTS
When: TBA
Why: Terran campaign is first of three parts to sequel of legendary game, new/upgraded units, aims to replace original as competitive RTS of choice
Star Wars: The Old Republic
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Who: Bioware
What: MMORPG
When: TBA
Why: Emulate any character from the movies you want via 8 character classes, story to be more important and coherent than in most MMOs, build relationships with NPC companions
Final Fantasy XIV
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What: MMORPG
When: TBA
Why: Organic character class evolution, job system with emphasis on weapons and skills instead of experience points and leveling, more modern and sci-fi rather than strictly fantasy
Black Mesa: Source
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Who: Independent mod team
What: FPS
When: TBA
Why: A mod so promising it deserves to be mentioned, seeks to faithfully re-create Half-life using the full capabilities of the Source engine, puts HL:S to shame
Huxley
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Who: Webzen Games Inc.
What: MMOFPS
When: TBA
Why: Using the Unreal Engine 3, will help fill the barren niche of MMO shooters if it ever comes out
RAGE
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Who: id Software
What: FPS
When: TBA
Why: Post-apocalyptic adventure, emphasis on driving, uses new engine and could span three dual-layer DVDs
Half-Life 2: Episode 3
Who: Valve
What: FPS
When: TBA
Why: Very little is known, my guess is they're retooling Source to work with DX10 and/or DX11