By Lorin Baumgarten
Once again, this week, I had the wonderful opportunity to guest host on EpicBattleCry (thanks for being gone DK), and as you can imagine, it was a good time. But, as my weekly column is generally a response to topics discussed on the podcast – and I expressed my opinions on the show itself – I am left with a bit of a conundrum with regard to the old weekly column. So I thought I would take this opportunity to meander outside the confines of the show. Today I would like to reflect on how good it is to be a gamer (again) and to talk about the next 12 weeks in gaming. It is important to stop and look around once in a while and gather perspective. As many issues as we may have with certain aspects of the gaming industry, it’s easy to see how right now is an amazing time for gamers. The fall schedule is packed this year with a veritable cornucopia of high quality games, starting two weeks ago with Mafia II and continuing through to November 16th with Little Big Planet 2 and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. There is no shortage of great games this autumn and I thought I would share with you the thirteen games that are releasing in twelve weeks that are on my list to play, the two sleepers I think you shouldn’t miss, and then to solicit from you what you are most looking forward to. Let’s get to it, shall we?
As I mentioned above, the first game that I see as the start of the fall season of game releases is Mafia II. It is also one of the games that I consider a “sleeper” and I think it is worth checking out, despite the mediocre reviews it is receiving. I mentioned it as my BattleCry on Episode 88 of EpicBattleCry, so I won’t be too redundant, but it does bear mentioning. I consider this game a bit of a sleeper specifically because it is not getting much love from the press. But despite this lack of critical praise, I would highly recommend you check it out (I have already finished it and wish I had time to play it again). Just don’t go in expecting an open world game a-la GTA IV. Think of Mafia II as more of a linear story with a big, beautiful world for you to drive around in as you head to the story bits. And a beautiful world it is, expertly designed and filled with wonderful atmosphere. The music is awesome and the voice acting is top notch. I won’t drone on about it, but if you look beyond the review scores, I think you will find a game that is well worth your attention.
Now let’s take a look at the list of games that follows Mafia II as the season moves on (in chronological order). First is Spider Man: Shattered Dimensions. That one is at the house waiting to be played. Not top on my list, but I am curious and hopeful that it will be a fun romp The following there is Halo: Reach. I am not a big Halo guy (ODST was actually my favorite so far), but Bungie’s Halo swan song just might have the makings of being an epic game. Dead Rising 2 was next for me, until I played Dead Rising 2: Case 0. After two hours with that game I realized that with all of the great gaming coming down the pike, $5 worth of Dead Rising was more than enough. I really didn’t enjoy Case 0 very much, so off my list it came. Next comes October 5th, one of my most anticipated days of the season. October 5th will see the release of Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow and Enslaved: Odyssey to the West. I got my hands on Castlevaniaat E3 this year and it looked phenomenal! I have never played a Castlevania game before, but I am very excited about this game. But also on October 5th comes my second “sleeper” of the fall season (and one of my most anticipated games): Enslaved: Odyssey to the West.
I had heard the name Enslaved over the last year or so, but for whatever reason this game was completely off my radar. About two weeks ago I started watching trailers for this game (no idea why) and I became quickly obsessed. IGN has said that Enslaved can easily rub shoulders with Uncharted 2 and Destructoid named Enslaved their Game of Show at GamesCom 2010 in Europe. Enslaved is being developed by Ninja Theory, the folks behind Heavenly Sword, and is heavily story focused with the team trying to really make an emotional connection between the player and the game. According to those who have gotten their hands on Enslaved already, it is working. Head over to GameTrailers and check out the videos on this game. It looks like it may be one not to miss.
Moving on, in addition to the two games releasing on October 5th, five more game releases over the next three weeks makes a total of seven high-end games in 4 weeks. That’s just crazy! The games that follow Castlevania and Enslaved are Medal of Honor (I am interested in the single player campaign), Fallout: New Vegas, Vanquish, Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2, and Fable III. I am pretty sure that that represents a total of 1 million hours of gameplay. Of those five games, Star Wars and Fable III are the most interesting to me. But we will see what I actually have time for.
But the madness doesn’t end there. There are still a few smaller titles left. You know, little games like Call Of Duty: Black Ops, Little Big Planet 2, and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood all come out within seven days of each other. Back in June, Assassin’s Creed was tops on my list because of the incredible multiplayer that I had the chance to play at E3 (trust me – it is awesome). Now I fear that I may not get it on launch day because of all of the incredible games that are coming out before it. Likewise, COD: Black Ops was a game I wasn’t interested in just a few months ago. But with all of the videos we have been seeing lately, Treyarch has me intrigued by the new entry into the series. As for LBP 2 – well I have already pre-ordered the Limited Edition complete with Sackboy plushie and bookends.
I really like looking at these lists of games to remind myself how freakin’ good it is to be a gamer right now. So let’s review. Thirteen games in twelve weeks:
Mafia II
Spider Man: Shattered Dimensions
Halo: Reach
Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow
Enslaved: Odyssey to the West
Medal of Honor
Fallout: New Vegas
Vanquish
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
Fable III
Call Of Duty: Black Ops
Little Big Planet 2
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Added up, that would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 hours of gameplay and would run me roughly $780 if I were to buy them all (which, of course, I am not). Is there such a thing as too much of a good thing??? Hmmm. But it doesn’t stop there! Scheduled for release between January 1 and April 30, 2011 are Portal 2, Killzone 3, Dragon Age 2, Bulletstorm, Ghost Recon: Future Soldier, Crysis 2, Dead Space 2, Gears of War 3, and Deus Ex: Human Revolution. Did I mention that it is a good time to be a gamer?
I am sure I left out some good games, like NHL 11 (because I am boycotting the game due to the EA Online Pass crap). But what’s on your list? What games did I miss? What is your most anticipated game of the holiday season? Share your thoughts below and get your wallets ready – it’s game time!
Ah man so much to choose from so little money
WHAT ABOUT GRAN TURISMO 5 THAT’S GOTTA BE ON THE LIST
I’ve got the majority of the list on pre-order. Not sure when I’ll get time to play them all though! Enslaved seems to have been getting a bit more buzz in the last couple of weeks. Like Lorin, this wasn’t on my radar but I’ve been checking it out. Wonder if there’s any chance of a demo?
I will defenitly support the companies and series I like. I will get Halo, Vanquish, COD, and ACB. Plus ther will be others to watch. And lets not forget Epic Mickey(when it comes out).
Ya im gona go broke this fall but im one of the lucky ones that will actually have a good enough budget to get the ones i want. COD: BO, Fallout New Vegas, Star Wars: Force Unleashed 2 and of course the one not listed the one and only Gran Turismo 5.
out of all 22 of those games listed only 7 of them are on my radar for the next 6 months to get. So, my gaming bill will be much lower than most people this year. LOL.
A lot of good games coming out. I’m not the preorder/day-one type, but I will most likely buy or rent a number of them in due time.
However, a game that I absolutely will be picking up right away is Vanquish. I knew just from watching the videos that the dynamic gameplay, and frantic pace was going to be right up my alley. Playing the demo cemented that faith for me.
The dialogue and plot hint at some potential cheesiness, but if the rest of the game is half as fun as the demo, I couldn’t care less.
“IGN has said that Enslaved can easily rub shoulders with Uncharted 2″
lol… enslaved looks good, and it will be a good game… just like heavenly sword… its still a good game for the ps3… however to compare it to U2 is a bit to optimistic…
It’s good to be a gamer!
Your article made me think about something – we as gamers are very quick to decry the lack of original IPs these days, and perhaps rightfully so. Of all the games you mentioned, I think 3 are original IPs.
But what I came to realize reading your article however, is – So? So what if there are tons of sequels constantly being churned out? With a list like that, do we really have anything at all to be upset about? Boo hoo, we have to play another Assassin’s Creed game, this time with innovative multiplayer? The horror! A Castlevania reboot and more Fallout? However shall we cope?
I really liked the fact that your article didn’t fall back on this tired argument, and instead encapsulated the joy one feels at having a hobby to which some of the most creative people in the world are constantly adding. Great read, Lorin.
worst thing that could happen is GT5 and BlackOps coming out almost the same time
I most likeley will get Fallout: New Vegas, Call Of Duty: Black Ops, LittleBigPlanet 2, and Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. And I might get Castlevania: Lords Of Shadow, and The Last Guardian if they are good.
The problem is early next year Im going to want to get Mass Effect 2 on PS3, Portal 2, Crysis 2, Killzone 3, Infamous 2, Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and Dead Space!
I NEED MORE CASH!
“that would be somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 hours of gameplay and would run me roughly $780″
*ahem* monster hunter Tri gave me about 250 hours, and I have still not “finished” the game (though you could say im close depending on how you define being “done”). The game only cost me 60$ with the controller bundle… Im just saying it sounds like your getting ripped off, lol.
No but really, I think there are plenty of great games coming out, my biggest one (despite my concerns on its about the way the series is going) is assassins creed: brotherhood, and the multiplayer is definitely one of the most awesome part of the game. (partly due to the fact that it eliminates a lot of the issue I had with AC2)
Im still not completely sold on Halo, Im not a huge shooter fan but reach looks pretty cool, I think Im perfectly content with battlefeild though, which a thoroughly enjoy as opposed to MW2 which a thought was only decent.
Enslaved and Vanquished are both really high on my radar of games to watch. both look like they will provide unique and fun experience and I cant wait to see if they are as fun as they look.
Castlevania I hope doesnt rip off god of war SO much (im all for it taking a few elements, just hope it can still be its own game), but it still is really high on my too watch list.
I didnt get the first LittleBigPlanet, but I am really looking forward to picking LBP2 becuase I rgrett not picking up the fisrt game but I might as well wait for the new one
I feel like Im missing something, perhaps im thinking of some holiday releases like epic mickey, but I think I covered enough upcoming games for now.
Only one i want this year is black ops, i already pre ordered MOH….when’s Brink comin out? Sigh…I’m such a FPS whore….
Fuck Halo