Red Dead Redemption
The same guys who brought you the open-world masterpiece Grand Theft Auto 4 are pushing the envelope once again by trying to tame the Wild West. Rockstar Games has a reputation of creating the most realistic and enormous open-world games in the industry. The intriguing story line is built around memorable characters and events. There is also a morality meter that changes how the people of the frontier view you. If you rob a bank or kill the local sheriff, they might round up a posse for a lynching. On the other hand, if you decide to go kill some outlaws then the world responds to your presence more favorably. It’s also possible to earn some money by lassoing them to the ground and returning them alive. (Putting a bullet or two in them to slow them down is purely optional.) The turn-of-the-century armory of repeating Winchester rifles, six-shooters and shotguns, will all be at your disposal. This game is turning out to be a lot more than Grand Theft Auto with a slick western paint job. Red Dead Redemption has the makings of a unique game with a look and game-play feel authentic to that era in American history.
10 out of 10 Be there at midnight when it’s released!
Mass Effect 2
The original Mass Effect played more like an interactive movie than a standard video game, bridging the divide between the two media seamlessly close. The player was able to direct conversations along by choosing different responses to what other character were asking them. Those choices had a direct effect on how the story would play out and what would happen to your character and how many high fives you got in your dorm room. Did you really convince that blue alien chick to have sex with you? Dude! Mass Effect 2 is looking absolutely stunning and developer BioWare claims to have improved the motion capture, added more polygons to the characters and improved the combat system. If you played the previous game, your character can be uploaded and your previous choices will affect the outcome of the sequel.
8 out of 10 Replay on this is great with multiple story endings!
Metal Gear Solid Rising
Highly-famed developer Hideo Kojima finally confirmed what fans of the Xbox 360 console have long hoped for: The Metal Gear Solid franchise is coming to Microsoft’s gaming device. Titled Metal Gear Solid Rising, the new game will follow the adventures of the ninja Raiden, with Kojima offering very few other details. The Metal Gear franchise has always been secretive about the release dates, but the games are the work of a visionary genius. The last game in the series, Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots, was a PS3 exclusive, but visually one of the best games ever made.
8 out of 10 Kojima knows no wrong!
UFC Undisputed 2010
UFC 2010 Undisputed is an explosive fighting game detailing the action, intensity and attitude of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Featuring authentic, real-life fighters and comprehensive UFC atmosphere, including an extensive roster of the best mixed martial arts fighters in the world, players will push the envelope with a powerful new game engine and put their best fighting disciplines to the test in the world famous Octagon.
10 out of 10 Dana White’s endorsement is enough for us!
BioShock 2
The first Bioshock was a narrative-driven shooter that managed to balance a deeply interesting art style and game-play into a cohesive package. The story was well-crafted into the settings and slowly peeled back the horrors that fell on the underwater utopia named “Rapture.” The highlight of the game-play was the innovative system of using genetics to slowly turn your character into the ultimate weapon to escape the underwater nightmare. The sequel allows gamers to experience the world from an entirely different perspective by putting them in the shoes of one of the most feared and misunderstood enemies of the first title, the “Big Daddy.”
8 out of 10 Gripping storyline and gorgeous graphics!
Prince of Persia Forgotten Sands
Visiting his brother’s kingdom following his adventure in Azad, the Prince finds the royal palace under siege from a mighty army bent on its destruction. When the decision is made to use the ancient power of the Sand in a desperate gamble to save the kingdom from total annihilation, the Prince will embark on an epic adventure in which he will learn to bear the mantle of true leadership and discover that great power often comes with a great cost.
8 out of 10 Will coincide with 2010 movie release!
God of War III
Set in the realm of Greek mythology, God of War III, for the last time, puts Kratos at the center of the carnage and destruction as he seeks revenge against the Gods who have betrayed him. A single-player game, this final chapter allows players to take on the climatic role of the ex-Spartan warrior, Kratos, as he treads through the intimidating heights of Mt. Olympus and the dark depths of Hell once more to seek revenge on his betrayers. Armed with double-chained blades, Kratos must take on mythology’s darkest creatures while solving intricate puzzles throughout his merciless quest to destroy Olympus.
10 out of 10 Kratos is the F’ing the Best!
Star Wars:The Old Republic
We all know how addictive World of Warcraft is, but injecting that type of game with Star Wars lore could cause people to completely lose touch with reality. What we’ve seen of Star Wars: The Old Republic has only scratched the surface of what’s in store for massively multiplayer online fans. In addition to choosing a profession from what LucasArts refers to as “a variety of classic Star Wars roles,” your character will also be able to pursue an education in the mysterious ways of the Force, either as a Jedi padawan learning the Light Side, or as a Sith apprentice, learning the ways of the Dark Side.
8 out of 10 Go outside now before this releases!
WoW: Cataclysm
The latest expansion to the popular World of Warcraft was announced and for many fans of the MMORPG, players were eager to find out additional details about the Worgen and the Goblins, two new playable races that will be added. The story follows an ancient evil that lies dormant within Deepholm, the domain of earth in the Elemental Plane. As the Horde and Alliance race to the epicenter of the cataclysm, the kingdoms of Azeroth will witness seismic shifts in power, the kindling of a war of the elements and the emergence of unlikely heroes who will rise up to protect their scarred and broken world from utter devastation.
10 out of 10 World of Warcraft has never failed to deliver!
Final Fantasy XIII
In FINAL FANTASY XIII, you will embark on a journey through the cityworld of Cocoon and the outerworld of Pulse. Along the way, you will encounter diverse allies who will fight alongside you, execute powerful attacks with weapons and magic and summon the enigmatic Eidolons with an evolved Active Time Battle system. Experience seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and in-game cinematics.
8 out of 10 The biggest title in the first half of 2010!
Alan Wake
Fill the shoes of one Alan Wake, a man who makes his living from the terror of others as a best-selling suspense novelist. Trapped in the deceptively peaceful Washington town of Bright Falls, where he came to escape the trauma of losing his fiancée, Alan must piece together a mystery to prevent himself from being trapped inside a nightmarish world forever. An intense psychological thriller from the creators of Max Payne, Alan Wake looks to raise the bar for future games, creating a true cinematic experience. Explore an expansive world filled with missions, unique puzzles, intense combat, and horrifying enemies.
8 out of 10 Remedy + Microsoft = HIT!
Gran Turismo 5
Gran Turismo 5 takes the series to a whole new level. A first for the franchise, the game supports online racing and features over 950 cars, over 20 courses, 70 variations, the newest hybrid cars and electric cars, a new physics engine, a new in-cockpit view, HD support and much more. Gran Turismo will feature both a single player and split-screen two-player arcade mode. GT Mode includes world map, my garage, car dealer, tuning shop, championship race, and license test. Online support includes open lobby, text/voice chat, private room, online photo album, online replay album, and export of replays to YouTube.
10 out of 10 Rub it in their face on YouTube!
Halo:Reach
A prequel to the original Halo, Halo: Reach follows a SPARTAN squad as they fight the Covenant on a besieged fortress world. The big wigs at Microsoft are keeping a tight lid on the details surrounding this blockbuster title, but it will be out this year. The story is rumored to be the explanation of the rise and fall the SPARTAN program. Two things are always certain for Halo titles. One: they will sell a butt-load of copies. Two: it will be a great game with an addictive multiplayer.
8 out of 10 Spartans never die, they go M.I.A.!
