A Look at 2010 in Gaming

The Xbox was relatively quiet in 2009. Sure, it got blockbuster exclusives like Forza Motorsport 3 and Halo 3: ODST as well as super hit multiplatform titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but by and large, as far as the 360's game library goes, this was indisputably its worst year on the market.

All that looks set to change next year, though. The 2010 lineup of the 360 is arguably going to be its best ever.

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XBOX 360:

Like I did with the PS3 yesterday, we are today going to have an in-depth look at the upcoming games for the Xbox 360, as it continues on its quest to become this generation's definitive hardcore gaming experience.

BAYONETTA:

Bayonetta is Sega's entry into the action genre, and is much akin to games like Devil May Cry and God of War, what with it being directed by the same person who directed Devil May Cry. But Bayonetta achieved something which none of these other games could- it scored a perfect 40/40 in Famitsu (at least the 360 version did). Bayonetta is definitely a must have for all PS3 and Xbox 360 owners.

MASS EFFECT 2:

Arguably the best series exclusive to the 360, Mass Effect is set to receive its first sequel next year. Continuing the story where BioWare's transcendental masterpiece left off, Mass Effect 2 promises to fix all the niggles and problems that plagued the first game. And, going by BioWare's record on the Xbox 360, we can be pretty sure that they'll make good on their promise to provide us with the best Role Playing experience on Microsoft's console.

BIOSHOCK 2:

Bioshock is said to be, by many, the best game of this generation. After the success that Bioshock gathered on the 360, PS3 and PC, it is no big surprise that 2K Interactive will be releasing a sequel, along with a Special Edition version. Bioshock 2 will be releasing February next year, and with all the hype that has been surrounding it, and after the critical and commercial acclaim that the first game met with, this one is sure to be one of the biggest hits of next year.

DANTE'S INFERNO:

Created by Visceral Games, the developers of the acclaimed title Dead Space, Dante's Inferno is another action game releasing next year. With a story concentrating mainly on Hell and hellish monsters, and a protagonist named Dante, it is akin to Devil May Cry in many ways. With the graphics that this game has and the stylish combat it promises to feature, Dante's Inferno is sure to become one of the highest selling games of 2010.

TOM CLANCY'S SPLINTER CELL: CONVICTION:

It's taken forever to come, and it's undergone many facelifts, but it spears now that the time has finally come when we will be able to experience Ubisoft's freshets take on the stealth action genre. This game wowed us all at E3 earlier this year, and we can be pretty sure that the effect the end product has on us all will be no different.

FINAL FANTASY XIII:

The release of any title with the name "Final Fantasy" in its name is bound to be a highly anticipated occasion in gaming. The same is bound to happen to Final Fantasy XII. Looking to radically change the series with many new gameplay mechanics, an all new epic story and an even better presentation $tyle FFXIII, a game which has been due for release for longer than any of us can remember, promises to be the defining RPG experience. Final Fantasy XIII will certainly be a contender for GOTY 2010.

DEAD RISING 2:

Dead Rising was probably the first 'next-gen' game ever, as it incorporated all features the next gen consoles had to offer. Dead Rising 2, this time releasing on both the platforms (X360 and PS3), promises to take the formula of the original game and make it all the better. Capcom has never disappointed us, so we can surely expect Dead Rising 2 to be one heck of a game.

ALAN WAKE:

Remedy will go all guns blazing and provide us with a double doze of their trademark stylish action with Max Payne 3 and Alan Wake next year. And while the former is the sequel to a widely loved niche series, it is Alan Wake that will really define Remedy's talents as a developer. Alan Wake has been in development for nearly six years now, but the wait is now almost over- Alan Wake hits stores next year and we will finally know if the long, often torturous, wait was ultimately worth it.

MAX PAYNE 3:

It's been forever since Max Payne 2 was released. But our long wait for the next instalment in the stylish series seems set to end next year (finally!!!). Max Payne 3 places us in the roll of a much older and consequently more mature (if that's even possible) Max and it places emphasis on the stylish run and gun gameplay that the series has come to be known for. Not much else is known about the title at the present, but we can be pretty sure that it'll be awesome when it does come.

CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW:

Konami's Castlevania series is one of gaming's oldest franchises but it's fast losing its relevance today. Unfortunately, Castlevania could not survive the transition to 3D. The series repeated forays into 3D gaming have ranged from the pretty good (the N64 games) to the absolutely pathetic (PS2 ones). In fact, the only reason the series survives today is because of the continued 2D side-scrolling instalments. All that seems set to change next year, though. With Kojima taking the helm of a new 3D Castlevania game, which seems to be modelled heavily on God of War, we can be pretty sure that the next Castlevania game will be an unforgettable one. For good, or for bad? We'll have to wait to find out.

CRYSIS 2:

The sequel to Crytek's 2007 graphical wonder, Crysis 2 is now appearing on the severely underpowered consoles as well. You can trust Crytek, though, to max out the potential of the 360. We don't know much else about this game at the present, but we can all rest assured that Crysis 2 will not disappoint.

FABLE III:

Peter Molyneux is known to talk big, and make a lot of empty boasts, but it is also universally accepted that his end products do not disappoint. The Fable series, in particular, while never fully reaching its true potential, has continued to entertain and enthral tons of gamers on the Xbox consoles. Now the third instalment in the series is set to hit the 360 next year, and it promises to be the most radical instalment so far. Let's wait and watch if Molyneux actually delivers on his promises this time!

CRACKDOWN 2:

Crackdown 2 is the sequel to Microsoft's 2007 surprise hit. The sequel looks set to remove all the cons of the first game while simultaneously trying to retain what the original was about. While not much else is known about the game apart from the trailer that premiered at E3 earlier this year, we can be sure that Crackdown 2 will be one of next year's highlights for the 360.

HALO: REACH

The Halo juggernaut shows no signs of stopping. After two successful games this year, Microsoft looks set to delve deep into the series' mythos and set the stage for the events that later happen in the main Halo trilogy. While we have absolutely no information about this game whatsoever, we know one very important thing that assures us all that this game will truly be one of next year's best- it's Halo. And Halo never disappoints.

MORE TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Darksiders

Dark Void

Lost Planet 2

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Just Cause 2

Red Dead Redemption

Mafia II

Super Street Fighter IV

Blue Dragon 2

Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days

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That is all for the Xbox 360. Which games are you looking forward to the most? Tell me via your comments.

Check back tomorrow for the Wii's lineup of 2010.

I have decided to do a feature where we will be having a look at all the games coming on all the platforms next year, one by one. Today, we will have a look at the PS3, and all the games it is getting in 2010 that might interest us.

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PS3:

2009 has been the year of the PS3 out and out. Releases upon releases like Uncharted 2, Demon's Souls, Ratchet and Clank Future: A Crack in Time, Killzone 2, inFamous and many more, along with tons of other multiplatform games, are what made the PS3 shine this year.

And the PS3 shows no signs of stopping. With more exclusives like The Last Guardian, God of War III, Agent and multiplies like Bayonetta, Dante's Inferno and Lost Planet 2 releasing on the PS3 in 2010, it seems as if the PS3 is on its way to become the console with the best library this generation.

BAYONETTA:

Bayonetta is Sega's entry into the action genre, and is much akin to games like Devil May Cry and God of War, what with it being directed by the same person who directed Devil May Cry. But Bayonetta achieved something which none of these other games could- it scored a perfect 40/40 in Famitsu (at least the 360 version did). Bayonetta is definitely a must have for all PS3 and Xbox 360 owners.

MAG:

MAG is a dream come true for all those who love shooters. With an involving online experience, and some personalized touches provided by gameplay mechanics such as character creation and as such, MAG is definitely the shooter all PS3 owners have been looking forward to. Releasing in January 2010, MAG is sure to grab thousands of eyeballs, and sell like peanuts.

BIOSHOCK 2:

Bioshock is said to be, by many, the best game of this generation. After the success that Bioshock gathered on the 360, PS3 and PC, it is no big surprise that 2K Interactive will be releasing a sequel, along with a Special Edition version. Bioshock 2 will be releasing February next year, and with all the hype that has been surrounding it, and after the critical and commercial acclaim that the first game met with, this one is sure to be one of the biggest hits of next year.

DANTE'S INFERNO:

Created by Visceral Games, the developers of the acclaimed title Dead Space, Dante's Inferno is another action game releasing next year. With a story concentrating mainly on Hell and hellish monsters, and a protagonist named Dante, it is akin to Devil May Cry in many ways. With the graphics that this game has and the stylish combat it promises to feature, Dante's Inferno is sure to become one of the highest selling games of 2010.

HEAVY RAIN:

Heavy Rain, SCEA's much anticipated title slated for release next year, is known mainly for its quick time event based gameplay and its beautiful and awe-striking graphics. With a very stylistic presentation $tyle Heavy Rain promises to take interactive storytelling to an all new level. Most definitely, Heavy Rain is a must buy for all PS3 owners.

FINAL FANTASY XIII:

The release of any title with the name "Final Fantasy" in its name is bound to be a highly anticipated occasion in gaming. The same is bound to happen to Final Fantasy XII. Looking to radically change the series with many new gameplay mechanics, an all new epic story and an even better presentation $tyle FFXIII, a game which has been due for release for longer than any of us can remember, promises to be the defining RPG experience. Final Fantasy XIII will certainly be a contender for GOTY 2010.

GOD OF WAR III:

God of War is, arguably, the biggest franchise in gaming today and is set to receive its final chapter next year, along with a Special Ultimate Edition. Building upon the foundation laid very successfully by the PS2 and PSP games, God of War III looks bigger, better and grander than any other game ever made in every way. So what, ultimately, will happen to Kratos? Will he be able to avenge his loved ones and kill Zeus, the King of Olympus, once and for all? Well, we'll just have to wait till March next year, when the final chapter of God of War will finally be released.

GRAN TURISMO 5:

Gran Turismo 5 is the fifth entry (duh) into the famed series. Gran Turismo 5: Prologue was a disappointment, but fans are hopeful that the real version of the game will be nothing like that, and that it'll actually live up to the reputation and the prestige of the series. Forza Motorsport 3 claimed the throne of the best racer this year, but Sony promises to go all guns blazing with GT5 next year, and reclaim the throne it deserves.

DEAD RISING 2:

Dead Rising was probably the first 'next-gen' game ever, as it incorporated all features the next gen consoles had to offer. Dead Rising 2, this time releasing on both the platforms (X360 and PS3), promises to take the formula of the original game and make it all the better. Capcom has never disappointed us, so we can surely expect Dead Rising 2 to be one heck of a game.

MODNATION RACERS:

Even the might of Gran Turismo cannot really counter Nintendo's venerable Mario Kart racing franchise. However, Sony seems to be taking a second shot at the kart racing next year with ModNation Racers. An unholy mix of Mario Kart and LittleBigPlanet, ModNation Racers will allow placer to create their own tracks, karts and character models and share them online with friends, all the while retaining the mayhem and chaos that Mario Kart is known for. Truly it seems as if all gamers will get the best of both worlds.

3D DOT GAME HEROES:

Another Atlus published games that shot to fame overnight, 3D Dot Game Heroes is Atlus' spastic tribute to the Legend of Zelda series, and it shows. From the graphics and the music, to the sound effects and to the gameplay and its overall structure, 3D Dot Heroes invokes the NES/SNES Zelda adventures. I don't think anybody's complaining, though. After all, we all get to play Zelda now, don't we?

MAX PAYNE 3:

It's been forever since Max Payne 2 was released. But our long wait for the next instalment in the stylish series seems set to end next year (finally!!!). Max Payne 3 places us in the roll of a much older and consequently more mature (if that's even possible) Max and it places emphasis on the stylish run and gun gameplay that the series has come to be known for. Not much else is known about the title at the present, but we can be pretty sure that it'll be awesome when it does come.

CASTLEVANIA: LORDS OF SHADOW:

Konami's Castlevania series is one of gaming's oldest franchises but it's fast losing its relevance today. Unfortunately, Castlevania could not survive the transition to 3D. The series repeated forays into 3D gaming have ranged from the pretty good (the N64 games) to the absolutely pathetic (PS2 ones). In fact, the only reason the series survives today is because of the continued 2D side-scrolling instalments. All that seems set to change next year, though. With Kojima taking the helm of a new 3D Castlevania game, which seems to be modelled heavily on God of War, we can be pretty sure that the next Castlevania game will be an unforgettable one. For good, or for bad? We'll have to wait to find out.

FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE:

So yeah, this was one of the biggest surprises at E3 09. However, our excitement kind of vanished away when we learnt that the fourteenth Final Fantasy game would, in fact, be online. After the less than stellar Final Fantasy XI, Square has promised that FFXIV shall be equipped to rival current MMO king, World of Warcraft. Are these just empty promises though? We'll find out next year.

THE LAST GUARDIAN:

When Team ICO announces a game, you can be pretty sure they'll have something special in store. The Last Guardian, the spiritual sequel to PS2 masterpiece Shadow of the Colossus, seems all set to take emotional narration in video games to the next level. Next to no details are known at the moment. But hell, we can look forward to this game based purely on its pedigree and its lineage.

MORE TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

Darksiders

Lost Planet 2

Super Street Fighter IV

Red Dead Redemption

White Knight Chronicles

Agent

Quantum Theory

Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days

Mafia II

Just Cause 2

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

Star Ocean: The Last Hope

Crysis 2

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That is all for the PS3. Which games are you looking forward to the most? Tell me via your comments.

Check back tomorrow for the Xbox 360's lineup of 2010.

I posted another review, guys. This time, it's Elder Scrolls IV: blivion. Check it out here and tell me how you liked it via your comments. Also, please recommend this review as helpful/unhelpful.

NOTE: This review has been posted in the Reviewers Union also.

Cheers!