While January was a slow month, with the only real notable release being Dead Space 2, 2011 still has plenty more in store.

So what games should you be keeping an eye out on?

* Titles are listed in order of—confirmed and expected—release date.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

Release Date: February 15, 2011

Marvel vs. Capcom 2: New Age of Heroes is one of the best and most popular fighting games of all time. It was released nearly a decade ago, and rabid fans still play the game regularly to this day.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will look to expand upon the success of the popular cross-over fighting series.

Using Capcom’s new game engine, the game is being given a makeover. New characters will be entering the fray along with old favorites.

Bulletstorm

Release Date: February 22, 2011

Bulletstorm is a rather unique first-person shooter. You get rewarded for creatively or deviously disposing of the opposition.

You can kick people, grab them with some sort of energy whip and pull off crazy combinations. The game is already catching flak for the way they depict violence. Which means it has plenty of potential to be a fun game.

It also has potential to breathe new life into the FPS genre.

Dragon Age 2

Release Date: March 8, 2011

Dragon Age: Origins was one of the deepest and most immersive RPG experiences in years. Of course, the company that happens to dominate the genre, Bioware, were the ones to develop it.

Dragon Age 2 will take place year’s after the events of Origins. It will tell the story of Hawke, the protagonist of the game, and his/her rise to champion.

Taking a few cues from Mass Effect, Dragon Age 2 will have a fully voiced character.

The graphics are better, combat is faster, and everything seems to have been improved. Dragon Age 2 is shaping up to be a more than worthy successor to Origins.

Crysis 2

Release Date: March 22, 2011

The original Crysis has long been the benchmark for PCs. The graphics and open world were unmatched in the first person shooter genre, and console gamers will finally get their first taste of the Nanosuit.

The Nanosuit abilities have been streamlined, and there should hopefully be some improvements to make things easier for you and hell for those ugly aliens.

New York is being invaded, and it’s up to you to use your superhero like abilities to take them down.

Of course, you can’t dip into the first-person shooter realm without a solid multiplayer, and Crysis 2 shows a lot of promise.

Hopefully the game lives up to the hype.

Portal 2

Release Date: April 18, 2011

The first Portal was a critical darling and a favorite of gamers everywhere. It has been over three years since the original was released, and people have been patiently waiting for its sequel.

Portal 2 takes place hundreds of years after the original. You’ll be assuming the role of Chell once again as you make your way through challenges that you are forced to navigate through by the murderous robot, GLaDOS.

There will also be co-op mode in Portal 2. Two robots, four portals. Imagine the possibilities.

L.A. Noire

Release Date: May 17, 2011

I could just say that Rockstar is releasing a new game, and that’s really reason enough to go out and buy it. However, that wouldn’t do justice to Rockstar’s L.A. Noire.

The major story arc has you pursuing a serial killer on the loose, and you’ll be tasked with finding and stopping him.

This open-world detective tale will force you to think on your feet like a detective. You’ll have to search and decipher clues, interrogate suspects and get down to the bottom of your case.

The facial animation is second to none, and L.A. Noire could very well be this year’s Red Dead Redemption.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Release Date: Q2 2011

Square Enix and Eidos are looking to revive the Deus Ex series with a prequel to the original.

In Human Revolution, you’ll be taking on the role of Adam Jenson, a cybernetically enhanced employee of Sarif Industries.

Players will have the option to upgrade a number of areas, and they will be given the freedom to approach any situation that’s best suited to their play style.

With a Blade Runner like feel, the game looks absolutely gorgeous. Hopefully the gameplay matches up to the visuals.

Batman: Arkham City [Editor’s Choice]

Release Date: Q3 2011

Rocksteady caught us all off guard with Batman: Arkham Asylum. They created and delivered one of the best games of 2010. They’ll look to build upon that success and the story line with the successor to Arkham Asylum.

After the destruction of the asylum, a section of Gotham is converted into a massive prison to house all the nut-jobs and felons. It will be Batman’s job to investigate and take down the various criminal factions occupying the expanded Arkham.

Now, we’ll have a much bigger playground to prowl, new villains to take down, and even the possibility of a co-op mode.

Hopefully, more details and a concrete release date are announced soon.

Gears of War 3 [Editor’s Choice]

Release Date: Q3 2011

If you own a Xbox, then Gears of War likely holds a special place in your heart.

The first two Gears of War titles are two of the best console exclusive games to ever make its way to the Xbox 360. The third and final installment should deliver no less.

Joining those pesky Locusts will be a new enemy, the Lambent. However, there will be some female Gears to give you a helping hand.

Best of all? Four player co-op.

One thing is for sure: Gears of War 3 will undoubtedly contend for Game of the Year.

Mass Effect 3 [Editor’s Choice]

Release Date: Q4 2011

While Mass Effect 3 will not be the last title in the brilliant universe created by Bioware, it will be an end to Commander Shepard’s story arc.

After investigating and hearing about the threat of a Reaper invasion in the first two games, we’ll get to see and battle against their invading army as we race to save Earth, humanity and the galaxy as we know it.

We can only hope that the inventory will be expanded, load times/screens will be faster, decisions will have a meaningful impact and that Bioware continues to do what they do best.

Notable Mentions of 2011

• Fight Night Champion
• Child of Eden
• Homefront
• Child of Eden
• MLB 2K11
• NBA 2K11
• L.A. Noire
• Duke Nukem Forever
• Red Faction: Armageddon
• Rage
• Forza Motorsport 4

As we close out 2010 and the plethora of games it delivered, we wanted to take a look back at some of our favorites. Compiling our staff’s votes, we assembled a top 10 list of the top games of 2010. While several of the winners were tabbed in our 2010 prediction article, a variety of newcomers and late releases made the list.

What does 2011 hold? Guess we’ll have to wait and see.

10. Dance Central

From the creators of Rock Band 3, Dance Central became a premiere Kinect launch title when announced at E3 in 2010.

9. Monday Night Combat

Part of the Summer of Arcade, Monday Night Combat became a quick-seller with its oddball first-person shooter multiplayer habits.

8. Call of Duty: Black Ops

The next iteration in the Call of Duty series, Black Ops broke world sales and preorder records when released in November.

7. Limbo

A simple 2-D side-scroller, Limbo’s simplicity won over millions of gamer’s hearts in the summer of 2010.

6.  Super Meat Boy

Another simplistically-designed title, Super Meat Boy fascinated arcade gamers with its boggling puzzles.

5. Bayonetta

Finding us in early 2010, Bayonetta came to us from a lesser-know studio (Platinum Games), and was met with staggering review scores across the board.

4. Alan Wake

Announced in 2005, Alan Wake finally saw the ‘light’ of day in 2010,  selling several million units.

3. Red Dead Redemption

Considered by some to be a ‘sleeper,’ Rockstar Games’ Red Dead Redemption took the gaming community by storm when released in May.

2. Mass Effect 2

Released nearly a year ago, few gamers forgot about Captain Shepard and his antics on and off the Normandy.

1. Halo: Reach

The final game in the Halo series, Halo: Reach presented gamers with a thorough, balanced, and excellent title that was well polished from the start, and was a fitting conclusion for the series.

The  recommendations in this guide are geared toward the Hardcore/Insanity difficulty.  Since almost all enemies have an extra layer of protection or two (Armor/Barrier/Shield), this takes into account which combinations are most effective at stripping away an enemies defense.  On the lower level difficulties, where you don’t need to worry about extra defensive layers, then feel free investing points into other abilities such as Pull, Throw, Cryo Blast, etc.  When you mainly only need to take into account enemy health, then that’s where classes such as the Adept and Vanguard, shine.

10 Useful Tips Before You Get Started

1. Miranda is the single most useful squadmate to have with you.  Her Passive Squad ability bonus to health and damage is rivaled by none.  Since she has both Warp and Overload, you’re also prepared for any defenses.
2. Grunt is a pure tank.  With twice as much health as any other squadmate, faster health regeneration and strong melee attacks, you couldn’t ask for a better team mate to dole out pain.  Grab him right after you get Mordin and Archangel.
3. As a bonus skill, Reave is a good replacement for Warp (Warp will be your best friend throughout the game) if you don’t have access to it.  However, Warp Ammo is the most versatile ammo power and a better option if you lack the firepower.
4. Try insanity only after you already beat the game on a lower difficulty level.  The starting Mineral, Credit and Advanced Training Ability will be immensely helpful.
5. When you start a mission, equip every gun with a special ammo type if you have one available.  This way you don’t have to worry about equipping the ammo during a firefight.
6. Concentrate on evolving your Passive Ability and Class exclusive power ASAP.
7. Pick your squadmates on particular missions to make up for your own weaknesses.  (Classes like the Adept are better suited for squadmates that augment your own biotic abilities instead of your lack of offensive options.) Thane/Garrus if you don’t have a sniper, Grunt if you don’t have a heavy hitter/tank, Samara if you need a biotic/crowd control specialist, etc.
8. If you’re on a second playthrough, you should have plenty of Element Zero available.  Don’t be afraid to respec your character for specific missions.
9. Do Tali’s recruitment mission ASAP so you can get the Tempest SMG and Geth Pulse Rifle.
10. .  Almost always go squad when evolving an ammo ability.  Bonuses to everyone in your squad is much better than just you having a more powerful ammo.  Especially since your teammates don’t run out of ammo.

* Spoilers ahead

*Squadmates will vary from mission to mission.  The recommended Squadmates are the ones I found most efficient at facing a variety of enemies and on the most difficult missions (i.e. Horizon, Collector Ship, etc.)

*The recommended builds listed for each character is assuming that you plan on maxing your Commander Shepard’s abilities out (At max level 30, 51 Total Squad points will be available for distribution).

ADEPT

Adept’s can go an entire fight without firing a single shot.  You have the ability to decimate enemies using only a combination of your powers.  Singularity is easily one of the best biotic abilities in the game.  Set the singularity at a chokepoint and watch as enemies get sucked right into it.  While you may have trouble in the early going, when your abilities have higher ranks, than this class creates chaos on the battlefield.  For the most part, pick squadmates that augment your own biotic powers.  There are, however, some missions that require you picking members that cover up your own weaknesses (i.e. Synthetic heavy missions.)

Recommended Squadmates: Thane & Jacob
Advanced Weapon Training: Assault Rifle – gives you an offensive punch with good range
Recommended Build:

ENGINEER

This class won’t do much damage on the battlefield.  The combat drones are useful distractions, especially when you have multiple drones fighting for you.  However, with limited offensive options, you’ll mostly be sitting back directing others.  However, this class is good for stripping away defenses, almost on par with the Sentinel.  So if you don’t mind letting your teammates do most of the killing, then take the Engineer.

Recommended Squadmates: Grunt & Thane
Advanced Weapon Training: Assault Rifle – gives you an offensive punch with good range
Recommended Build:

INFILTRATOR

This will also be referred to as the Ninja class.  If you like to silently stalk your enemies and believe in the motto, “One shot, one kill”, then this class was made for you.  The class power gives you Sniper zoom slowdown with a damage bonus.  This way you can sit back and lineup headshots.  Once you have Operative Assassin and Assassination cloak evolved, you’ll begin to understand why the Infiltrator is so deadly.

Recommended Squadmates: Grunt & Miranda
Advanced Weapon Training: Sniper – the Widow is the strongest gun in the game
Recommended Build:

SENTINEL

This is the most versatile and arguably the best class to use on Insanity. Having the powers necessary to strip away any type of enemy defense, it makes picking your squadmates that much easier.  The limited arsenal for the Sentinel means you should always have someone in your party with an Assault Rifle and Sniper.  With the Tech Armor, you’re basically a tank, so you can soak up a lot of damage when necessary.

Recommended Squadmates: Grunt & Thane/Garrus
Advanced Weapon Training: This depends on your playstyle.  Sniper if you like to sit back and let Tech Armor soak up damage while you line up headshots.  Shotgun if you want to get up close and personal.
Recommended Build:

SOLDIER

If you prefer to be the heavy hitter, then the Soldier will fulfill those needs.  Having access to all weapons (minus the SMG), you’re prepared to fight under any conditions.  Also, with a lot of health available, you can be the tank of the squad.  With the wide array of arsenal available, you’ll be directing your squad to take down protection while you go in and finish them off.  Playing as this class makes the game feel more like a straight up shooter.

Recommended Squadmates: Miranda & Thane/Zaeed
Advanced Weapon Training: Assault Rifle – Revenant is amazing for close-mid range combat
Recommended Build:

VANGUARD

This caters to a very specific type of player.  If you’re really aggressive and love to face enemies head on, then there’s no better class to use.  While there are plenty of risks involved playing with the Vanguard, I found it to be the most enjoyable class to use.  There’s nothing more rewarding than Charging into an enemy and then blasting him away with a shotgun.  Many will argue against using this class on Insanity, but a Heavy Charge coupled with the Claymore/Eviscerator shotgun can decimate even Geth Hunters in seconds.  You will also rely on melee attacks with the close proximity of enemies you put yourself into.  Put points into evolving heavy charge/champion ASAP.

Recommended Squadmates: Miranda & Thane/Garrus
Advanced Weapon Training: Assault Rifle – This way you can weaken enemies from a distance and then charge in and finish them off with the shotgun.  I liked the Eviscerator (which you get from the start if you downloaded the DLC) over the Claymore because of the larger thermal clip, range and near equivalent damage.
Recommended Build:

Release Dates

March 9th – Final Fantasy XIII and its Limited Edition Bundle

The 13th entry in a long-lasting series dating back to the late 80’s, a new protagonist and other enhancements are sure to make for one of the most successful RPG’s in 2010.

The Limited Edition contains: an Xbox 360 with Limited Edition Faceplates, a 250 GB Hard Drive, two wireless controllers, exclusive downloadable avatar unlocks, and Final Fantasy XIII.

April 13th – Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction

Co-op missions over Xbox LIVE, unique gameplay enhancements, and a suspenseful campaign and storyline have won Splinter Cell: Conviction the rights to be called one of the most anticipated games of the year.

May 3rd – Alan Wake

Following author Alan Wake in a town with more mysteries than answers, players will need to endure psychological horrors through a unique episodic campaign. Battling mind and darkness, players might want to reward themselves by pre-ordering either the Bright Falls Bonus Pack or the Limited Edition, both of which contain exclusive avatar unlocks, a “making of” video, and other goodies.

May 18th – Lost Planet 2

Set 10 years after the events of the first one, players will be able to fight through the hazardous world that is E.D.N. III with their own customizable characters. Whether playing alone or with up to 3 friends over Xbox LIVE, monstrous bosses, breathtaking environments, and the ever-present cold are sure to provide for some spectacular moments.

Pre-Release Extras

Halo: Reach – May 3rd – Public Multiplayer Beta Access beings for gamers that bought Halo 3: ODST through the ODST Game Disc.

Crackdown 2 – Pre-Ordering a copy of Crackdown 2 grants players a code which unlocks 4 exclusive suits of armor: Gold, Brushed, Red, and Blue Metal.

Dead Rising 2 – August – Downloadable game prologue Dead Rising 2: CASE ZERO.

Left 4 Dead 2: The Passing – Early Spring – Bringing the “casts” of Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2 together in one exciting adventure, expect to see a brand new co-op campaign, new arenas for Survival, Versus, and Scavenge modes, and the introduction of an all-new cooperative mode.

Noteworthy Appearances

Fable III – Thrusting players into the power struggle that engulfs Albinon, fans of the series have a lot to look forward to. With your canine companion, gamers must choose which alliances to forge and which to break in the battle to become ruler. But once that power is gained, what kind of leader will emerge from the ashes? In an ever-changing world, decisions will directly impact your kingdom and its citizens.

In chronological order of release date (Confirmed & Expected), hit the jump to see the list.

Mass Effect 2 [Editor’s Choice]

Release Date: January 26, 2010
Notes: If you played the first Mass Effect, then you should easily understand the hype behind the sequel.  However, if you were one of the few unfortunate ones to not have had the opportunity to play through it, then I’d suggest you get yourself a copy and finish it before the 26th rolls around.  With decisions made and the status of your character from the first carrying over to the second, starting from the very beginning of this epic tale becomes paramount.  Player saves from ME1 with a high level will gain a monetary boost and/or “additional research resources for use at the Normandy’s Tech Lab.”  Plus part of your Renegade/Paragon alignment will carry over.

Taking on the role of Commander Shepard once again, your are tasked with assembling a fierce and loyal crew of fighters to undertake a suicide mission centering on the mysterious disappearance of humans across the galaxy.  Featuring a new cast of warriors (Grunt, Jacob Taylor, Subject Zero, Miranda Lawson, Thane, Mordin, & Samara) and several new foes (Collectors, Abominations, Scions, & Batorians), expect to immerse yourself deeper into the vast world of Mass Effect.

The expansion of all the different classes has me prepared for several play throughs this time around.  Each class has seen a better balance of power with cooler looking abilities to boot.  Now all your biotic/tech powers will curve around objects to hit your targets instead of uselessly hitting objects that might be blocking its way.  You also get special weapons that do some serious damage against the heavily armored or larger foes.  I’ll be racking my brain over the choice of my first class up until the day of release.

Bioshock 2

Release Date: February 9, 2010
Notes: Bioshock enjoyed critical success when they introduced us to the world of Rapture.  The backbone of this horror survival game is the gritty tale of this underwater “utopia”.  Unique characters and combat certainly helped to differentiate this from your typical FPS, not to mention leaving you constantly on high alert as tension mounted with every turn.

For the sequel, Bioshock goes in a new direction.  Taking place 10 years after the events of the first, a considerable amount has changed in Rapture.  This time you will don the suit of a menacing Big Daddy as you roam the halls.  Throughout the campaign, you will be presented with moral choices that lead you down a path of good or evil.  For instance, you can adopt your very own Little Sister and escort her on an Adam hunt or you can harvest her instead.  You will also be given the option to punish or aid certain individuals throughout your stay.

Expect a dark world filled with with all sorts of new enemies to face off against.  The Big Sister’s will be replacing the Big Daddy’s as the enemy you hope to not run into.  They are quick, agile and very deadly.  To combat these more powerful enemy forces, you can now wield both a gun and a plasmid, making a number of devastating combinations for you to utilize.  Also, since you’ll be wearing the diving suit, you’ll of course be equipped with the huge arm drill to tear into opponents with.

Splinter Cell: Conviction [Editor’s Choice]

Release Date: February 23, 2010
Notes: The 5th installment in the Splinter Cell franchise looks to reinvent the stealth action wheel by introducing you to a different world as a rogue operative.  A series of delays has pushed the release date back much further than most would have liked.  Hopefully all the extra time spent to polish this title off is worth the wait.  If the previews of this title are anywhere near as good as they look, then Ubisoft has an instant hit on their hands.

Discovering the betrayal by the very organization he has dedicated himself to, Third Echelon, Sam goes renegade and looks to take matters into his own hands.  Focused on avenging the death of his daughter, Sam sets out as a man with nothing to lose.  You’ll start off as a destitute ex-spy, having to improvise to substitute the handy gadgets you were given as a member of Third Echelon.  For example, you may have to break off a car door mirror to take the place of the optical cable you were used to having in past versions.  Eventually you’ll work your way up the ladder and get your hands on some new toys.  The most interesting is the new Sonar goggles.  Taking a page from The Dark Knight, you can use these to map out the area around you, seeing through walls and objects to see patrols or different routes for you to take.

Mark and Execute is a key addition that really helps in making Sam Fischer feel more like the badass superspy he is portrayed as.  As a highly trained operative, one would assume you would be able to execute several people with quick, accurate headshots.  Implementing this feature does exactly that; you can now mark several guards and/or objects and quickly execute them with the press of a button.  Last position known is a nice addition as well.  When you are spotted by the enemy, you leave a ghost like trail that indicates where the guard thinks you are.  You can use this to your advantage by taking a different route to flank or get by your pursuer.  Interrogation takes a new turn with the ability to improvise using the environment around you.  The previews of this look fantastic as you can take your targets head and use it as a battering ram against a plethora of environmental elements surrounding you.

Included alongside the main storyline are 2 other game modes.  The first is a cooperative-only prologue that will feature 2 new characters.  One is an American agent, Archer, and the other is his Russian counterpart, Kestrel.  You will go through 4 different missions with the ultimate aim of finding and disabling stolen EMP warheads.  Building upon these maps while taking a different approach, Denial Ops is the nest game mode that uses 4 different gameplay types (Hunter, Infiltration, Last Stand and Face Off) and applies them to the 4 missions from the prologue along with 2 extra maps.

Alan Wake

Release Date: TBA Q2 [Expected: June 30, 2010]
Notes: Following in the footsteps of Splinter Cell, this is another title that has seen several delays push back its release a considerable amount of time.  First announced in 2005, to say this game has been a long time coming is an understatement.  With a tentative release date set for this summer, one can only hope that this date is final.

Remedy is creating a new chapter in the horror survival genre.  Using a TV show style episode arc to lay out its story, you take on the role of Alan Wake, a best selling writer.  Set in the town of Bright Falls, you explore this small town as you search for your missing wife.  As you embark on this hunt, a novel you have no recollection of writing, begins to unfold before your very eyes.

Light plays a crucial role in this game.  During the day, you can interact with the people of Bright Falls.  However, when the sun goes down, the “dark forces” come out to play.  These unseen forces stick to the shadows.  You’ll be equipped with a flash light and pistol to combat these creatures of the night.  Since your flashlight runs with a limited capacity, you have to find points where some sort of light is available in order to fight off or hold these lurking enemies at bay.

This dark, rich world of Bright Falls figures to be the main drawing power of this game.  Already seen as being part of a bigger story, a sequel will depend on the success this game enjoys.  Having made the first game will certainly aid in cutting down development cost/time for a second go around.

Alpha Protocol

Release Date: June 30, 2010
Notes: You may be noticing a theme here; delayed games are all the rage in 2010.  Like all the other games on the delayed list, this game is very ambitious in scope.  It was only a matter of time before a RPG that takes place in world of espionage was released.  Being the first, Alpha Protocol certainly has its hands full as expectations run high.

You will be filling the shoes of American Spy, Michael Thornton.  After a mission takes a turn for the worse, you are cut off and given a “Burn Notice”.  With the US government on your tail, you call on an Alpha Protocol to operate as an undercover agent in order to unveil a conspiracy.

Safe houses are your secure locations that will be spread out in various cities around the globe.  These home bases are pivotal to the game.  You communicate with your handler here in order to advance the storyline and setup different missions.  Through your safehouse computer you can access your email (gives way to optional missions, contacts, etc.) and the Clearinghouse, which is basically the Black Market.   A weapons locker is also setup in each of your safehouses.  It is here that you will customize and tailor your arsenal and armor for specific missions.

The dialogue system runs in real time, giving you a limited amount of time to choose a response.  They take 3 different personality responses and have named them appropriately (the JB’s: James Bond, Jason Bourne and Jack Bauer).

Character and weapon customization are extremely deep here.  You will be able to level your character up using a number of different abilities (Sabotage, hacking, Martial Arts, etc.).  Weapon customization takes a similar route with the option to add on a large number of different accessories (think weapon customization in COD:MW2).

Halo: Reach [Editor’s Choice]

Release Date: TBA Q3, 2010 [Expected: September 26th, 2010]
Notes: Anytime Bungie is readying a Halo release, loyal fans everywhere wait on their every word.  While details are still a bit sketchy about this release, just the announcement of a new Halo title has their fanboys giddy with excitement.  It is also enough to earn a spot on our most anticipated list.

The trailer doesn’t showcase much in terms of gameplay, but it gives you an idea of where the story will take you.  Donning the Spartan armor once again, the 4th and final (announced) Halo game looks to deliver and go out with a bang.  Squad based combat, introduced in ODST, looks to make a comeback with the confirmation of multiple Spartan warriors.

Medal of Honor

Release Date: September 30, 2010
Notes: Taking a cue from the massive success enjoyed by the Call of Duty franchise, Medal of Honor is going modern.  While there is still a lot unknown, particularly what types of new gameplay elements are available, the trailer from the 2009 VGA shows a lot of promise for the direction this franchise is headed.

EA has dedicated a large team to this release, having EA LA develop the single player while Battlefield developer veterans DICE will be handling the multiplayer side of this title.  DICE certainly has the pedigree to pull off a massive and successful multiplayer mode, which is a requisite in the FPS genre.  You can definitely expect vehicles to be a part of the multiplayer, which may be the make or break factor in determining if this can have any sort of staying power.

Taking place in Afghanistan, EA promises to have a “best-in-class single-player campaign” inspired by “real events”.  The development was aided by real life Special Ops soldiers to create an authentic modern war experience.  Focusing on Tier 1 Operators, basically the best of the best, MoH looks to tell the tale of this elite group.  They’ll certainly need a polished title as they’ll be competing against the juggernaut that is CoD.

Fable III

Release Date: TBA Q4, 2010
Notes: Taking place approximately 50 years after the events of Fable II, you take on the role of a character whose parent(s) has fallen victim to the injustice of a tyrant king.  (A bit of a spoiler) After laboring to overthrow this evil king, you will eventually take his crown and become the new ruler.  With a kingdom to oversee, the decisions you make will have far reaching consequences.  The most important will be when a foreign nation threatens your own.  How you react to such a threat will play a pivotal role.

Like Mass Effect, your character save from Fable II will carry over.  Your parent in III will be your character from II.  How exactly this import will have an effect on this new world has yet to be seen.

Peter Molyneux has confirmed that Project Natal will be a part of Fable III.  However, the manner in which they’ll implement it is still unknown.

Hardware: Project Natal

Release Date: TBA Q4, 2010
Notes: This is Microsoft’s prized new development and potentially the most universally anticipated release of 2010.  Unless Nintendo has something up its sleeve, this could be the project that kills the Wii.

Project Natal looks to significantly extend the life of the Xbox 360.  Instead of relying on just a controller, Project Natal focuses on using full body movement to power your games.  Couple that with the power of Xbox 360 graphics and you no longer have any reason to waste your time with the Wii.

Just thinking about boxing in Fight Night Round 4 has me ready to buy this when it’s released.  Hopefully when it comes out, it supports a wide array of games.  For now, we can only hope that Microsoft is able to successfully pull this off, because this new hardware is ambitious on a scope not yet seen before.

Notable Mentions:

• Bayonetta
• Darksiders
• Army of Two: The 40th Day
• Dante’s Inferno
• Aliens Vs Predator
• Lost Planet 2
• Final Fantasy XIII
• Just Cause 2
• Battlefield: Bad Company 2
• Dead Rising 2
• Red Dead Redemption
• Madden NFL 11
• Brink
• Max Payne 3
• Crackdown 2
• Rage

Part 1: The heavy hitters, the must-have Games of the holiday season

Part 2: The toys, all the custom accessories for you to own

Click through the jump to see the list.

THE GAMES

TITLE: Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
RELEASE DATE:  November 11, 2009
GENRE:                       First Person Shooter

NOTES: This may have been the single most anticipated title in the history of gaming.  Never have I seen so much hype.  Coming on the heels of the success of COD 4: Modern Warfare, the bar was set unfathomably high for Infinity Ward.  They deliver in nearly every aspect (minus some glaring plot holes in the campaign).  If you or someone you know has been holding out on this game for some reason,  please do yourself or them a huge favor and get them a copy of this game.  I’m not sure what else I have to say, this broke nearly every entertainment release in sales figures across all mediums.  The title alone speaks for itself.

TITLE:                        Assassin’s Creed II
RELEASE DATE:  November 17, 2009
GENRE:                      Action-Adventure

NOTES: Parkour style movement has become the fad in all action-adventure games these days.  The first iteration of Assassin’s Creed, however, was the first to throw you into a huge, immersive environment and give you unprecedented control and freedom of your character… as he went on a killing spree.  This time around you’ll see a higher level of polish from top to bottom.  More toys, weapons, moves and tricks to aid you in taking out your targets.  Definitely a candidate for Game of the Year.

TITLE:                        Left 4 Dead 2
RELEASE DATE:  November 17, 2009
GENRE:                       First Person Shooter

NOTES: A lot has been made over the quick release of a second title in this series.  While there are those that will tell you more DLC packs should have been released prior to this game, I beg to differ.  The polish on this game far surpasses that of the original.  An addictive game that brings new meaning to co-op play.  There are plenty of new weapons and zombie types to fulfill your fantasy of destroying hordes of flesh eating undead.

TITLE:                        Borderlands
RELEASE DATE:  September 25, 2009
GENRE:                       First Person Shooter

NOTES: With a DLC already out (The Zombie Island of Dr. Ned), a good sign for the strong support this title will garner, expect many more to come.  Strong gameplay and customization will leave you with hours of hands on time.  Never has it been more fun to be a mercenary.

TITLE:                          Forza Motorsport 3
RELEASE DATE:   October 27th, 2009
GENRE:                         Racing Simulation

NOTES: This series is the pinnacle of racing in the 360 World.  I can confidently say this is the best racing game I have ever played (and I’ve played through dozens).  A massive collection of cars to race coupled with the most realistic simulation to date make this a must buy for gearheads.

TITLE:                         Grand Theft Auto: Episodes From Liberty City
RELEASE DATE:   October 29, 2009
GENRE:                        Action-Adventure

NOTES: This will most likely end up being the best bargain of this holiday season.  You will get ’The Lost and Damned’ along with ’The Ballad of Gay Tony’ expansions for the retail price of $39.99 (even cheaper at places like Amazon).  Each title is a stand-alone, with hours of gameplay in the violent playground that is Liberty City.  If you own or have played GTA IV, this is the perfect expansion pack to send you off from the world of Liberty City, as the next GTA (whenever that is) will move on to another locale.

TITLE:                        NBA 2K10
RELEASE DATE:  October 6, 2009
GENRE:                       Basketball Simulation

NOTES: My personal favorite, I highly recommend this to any ballers out there.  Don’t bother with NBA Live, this is the King of the basketball world.  By far the most realistic and immersive basketball experience to hit the consoles.  Signature style, NBA Today and the ease of access to online matchmaking keep this game at the top.

TITLE:                         Dragon Age: Origins
RELEASE DATE:  November 3, 2009
GENRE:                       Role Playing Game

NOTES: Well, Bioware has done it once again.  Known for their impressive RPG’s, they take a step back from space and go back in time to bring you this epic fantasy tale.  With a deep combat system and unforgettable world, you’ll spend hours entrenched in the game.  Multiple play throughs are encouraged giving you some of the best bang for your buck.

TITLE:                        Batman: Arkham Asylum
RELEASE DATE:  August 25, 2009
GENRE:                       Action-Adventure

NOTES: If Assassin’s Creed 2 is candidate 1A for Game of the Year, then Batman: Arkham Asylum would be 1B.  An original story along with a great combat  and predator system make this a title worthy of the Bat mantle.  With the recent announcement of the next Batman game (release date TBA, likely 2011), now is the time to get this game to see what all the hype is about.

TITLE:                        DJ Hero
RELEASE DATE:  October 27, 2009
GENRE:                       Music

NOTES: The next evolution in the rhythm based music genre.  Get on your 1’s and 2’s and be prepared to cut, mix, scratch and break.  All the custom mixes are top notch as they are done by some of the best DJs.

THE ACCESSORIES

ITEM: Modern Warfare 2 Combat Controller Camo

NOTES: Don’t let the pretty glowing LEDs and digital camo finish distract you.  This Modern Warfare themed controller is more than just looks.  It also has programmable buttons on the backside.  Now you don’t have to worry about taking your thumbs off the joysticks as you line up a headshot.

ITEM: Mad Catz Modern Warfare 2 Throat Communicator

NOTES: If you play in a noisy environment, this mic is the perfect solution to all the unnecessary noise blaring through your teammates headphones.  This assures all extra noise is kept out and only the sound of your sweet voice comes through their headsets.

ITEM: Xbox Dragon Controller + Headset (Wal-Mart exclusive)

NOTES: With a slick dragon themed design, this set will certainly spruce up those bland controllers Microsoft stuck you with.  Some nice eye candy to look at while you wait for that load screen to finish.

ITEM: Logitech Harmony Advanced Universal Remote for Xbox 360

NOTES: These remotes are fantastic to have around.  If you require several remotes just to get your Xbox/TV setup and on, say hello to your new best friend.  With a few simple steps to set it up, you can power and control all your devices with this swiss army knife of remotes.

ITEM: Modern Warfare Themed Xbox Console

NOTES: As you can see, there’s been one constant throughout this gift guide.  Modern Warfare is a game for the ages.  Those of you that are hardcore addicts will want to get your hands on this custom console.

ITEM: Ear Force X41 Headset

NOTES: If you’re an audiophile or just want clear, surround sound then this headset was made for you.  Now you don’t need to worry about a nagging significant other or parent.  Just pop these cans over your head and get ready for interruption free gaming.

ITEM: Xbox Wireless N Network Adapter

NOTES: Tired of lag?  Well if you’re on a wireless home N Network, then you need this adapter to get online.  Enjoy faster, lag free gaming.

ITEM: XCM Black Light Cases (http://www.xcm.cc/360.htm)

NOTES: Tired of your boring case?  Of course you are.  That’s where XCM comes in.  They have a slew of different case mods to turn your console into some sweet eye candy.  Make sure to check them out, they have a variety of mods that come in a bunch of different colors.