2010 was a great year for console gaming.
A extremely solid lineup of multi-platform titles was complemented by strong exclusive titles for both PS3 and Xbox marking 2010 as the most solid year for quality titles on record.
So as the year winds down, time to look forward to 2011's most anticipated titles, and here's my most wanted list:
Rage
Post-Apocolyptia from the iD Software- the guys who invented the FPS?! What's not to like? Think Fallout if it were a heavily action oriented FPS with better graphics... and vehicles! Might not be the freshest setting, but when done right it's one we can't have enough of- mutants, wastelands and all forms of human depravity and deviance on display for you to aim a gun at! Bring it on!
Killzone 3
What can I say about this game that hasn't been said already? Starting right from where KZ2 left off, your stranded on Helghan, the ISA army is crushed and the Helghast are in disarray with the death of their leader. It's Sony's next-to-release big note exclusive title, and if the multiplayer beta is anything to go by, it's going to wipe the floor with its predecessor- and probably a lot of other online FPS titles. Sony exclusives have seemed nearly bullet proof this gen and have become synonymous with quality, so expect big things.
LA Noire
Rockstar set to continue to develop their mastery of all things open world and story driven with a post-war American cop story. Who didn't love GTAIV and Red Dead: Redemption? Well expect something along those lines- except this time your enforcing the law, not breaking it. Add to this all the perks of being a detective, as well as Rockstar's amazing ability to create some of gaming's most absorbing environments and you've got a sure fire winner.
Gears of War 3
Gears is my favourite 360 franchise, and I can't help but be excited for the 3rd installment. This series, along with Halo, defines the Xbox, and why? Because it's downright awesome! TPS on steriods, Gears 3 promises to go above and beyond the past two titles in every way, and I can't wait. Big alpha males with massive guns fighting butch muscle hunk aliens resulting in insane brutality- it'll be like a testosterone injection straight to the gonads!
inFamous 2
The first one was great, and the second looks better. Taking cues from the developers of the acclaimed Uncharted series, developers Sucker Punch want to raise the bar for PS3 exclusives, and here's hoping they do (if it gets any higher?)! Free running open world action mixed with electroshock super powers sound good enough for you? It's every geeks wet dream to be Cole, and it's mine to own this game already!
Batman: Arkham City
Arkham Asylum was perhaps the most surprisingly good game of 2009, so the 2011 follow up of Arkham City looks to further develop a successful formula for the caped crusader. From what we know, Arkham City is a lawless walled city where all of Gotham's psychos are dumped to fend for themselves. The Joker seems to have yet another plan up his sleeve, and Batman has to foil it... yet again. Showing the Unreal engine still has guts, Arkham City promises to be the same updated twist on the classic Arcade beat-em-up that the last game was, and I say the more the merrier.
Dead Space 2
Dead Space was perhaps the scariest game I've ever played. In fact, it was the scariest entertainment I've ever experienced. Many times I got too scared to even play it- but the quality of its narrative kept me coming back. Dead Space 2 promises more scares, more twists, and more opportunities to explore an incredibly interesting universe created by EA's Visceral Studios where a strange religious death cult seems to be at the centre of a conspiracy to enable an alien life form to prosper from the their own carcasses- and of those innocents caught in the middle! It's a cool plot line and borrows from many great horror and sci-fi flicks, so look out for this one!
So there we have it, my picks for the most anticipated titles of 2011. What do you guys think? Anything missing? Happy to discuss below!
The review embargo for Hellblade 2 appears to lift on the same date as the launch of the game, just an hour before it's available.
Reviews dont usually spoil its usually the players that get it early spoils it
Like all other games being reviewed before launch day ?
This game will disappoint many players. Ninja Theory’s last game
A well written review normally won't spoil anything though.
Come on, we all know it's usually not a good sign when the review embargo lifts on launch day. Doesn't mean to say the game is going to be bad or anything, but it does often point to a lack of confidence.
That's not a good sign.
Review codes have been sent out as of 8 hours ago (according to Tom Henderson on X) so at least they aren't withholding those... But you'd think with confidence they'd want positive reviews to get buzz going online the weekend before release.
... But if they're expecting mid reviews, yeah sure lift that embargo when most people are asleep.
MS might be withholding review codes from more critical reviewers to inflate the launch window Metascore. Just like they did with Starfield.
Zero marketing and embargo lifts when the game launches?
No confidence from team Xbox.
Digital Foundry : Bethesda's Starfield was generally a well-regarded RPG, but the game's 30fps target on consoles was the subject of some controversy. The game's massive scope arguably justified that 30fps refresh rate, with only high-end PCs capable of hitting 60fps and higher, but now Bethesda has changed course and opened the floodgates on Xbox Series X consoles following significant optimisation work. Players can now independently select performance and visuals modes at arbitrary frame-rates. How exactly do these new combinations fare, and is 60fps really a possibility after it was explicitly ruled out before?
An inside look at Assassin's Creed Shadows, Ubisoft's ambitious open world Japan where your every move is affected by weather, season, and lighting systems.
ZOMG Uncharted 3 just announced after I wrote this... definitely belongs there!
i would add Motorstorm, Last Gurrdian, Yakuza 4, Socom 4, Twisted Metal, R@CA4O and Resistance 3... all those are pretty much a garauntee except R3 and TM
Please let deadspace 2 continue the greatness of the first game, hope MP doesnt ruin the isolation like it did with RE. LA Noire looks intriguing also.
actually sony's closest big exclusive isnt KZ3 (which is in february)
LBP will release in january
but good list of titles anyway
Urgh. I detest DeadSpace.
It works as an action game, but I didn't find it all that scary or original.
Dismembering was cool and the atmospheric audio was there but I just didn't feel the horror for some reason.
Deus Ex:HR and Portal2 probably take the cake in terms of anticipation.
DeusEx probably not that deserving of it since it's mostly popular due to the name, hopefully the developers deliver.
At least the trailers are mouth-watering:
http://www.youtube.com/watc...