Onyxmeth, here are my preview notes:
2009 TITLES
Alan Wake
TBA US / EU
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 Remedy, 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. Dig into a twisting and multi-layered story filled with suspense, engaging characters, and shocking revelations.
Battlestations: Pacific
05/12/09 US,
05/15/09 EU,
05/21/09 JP,
05/28/09 AU
Set in WWII, Battlestations: Pacific delivers intense, action-packed combat and strategic warfare on an extraordinary scale and features two distinctly different single player campaigns. As the Americans, the game picks up the story where Battlestations: Midway left off and allows players to fight their way from The Battle of Midway to Okinawa as they try to secure peace in the Pacific. As the Japanese however, players take control of the Imperial Japanese fleet and have the unique chance to fight at Pearl Harbor before attempting to change the course of history and take full control of the Pacific Ocean.
Halo 3: ODST
Q4 2009 US / EU,
Q4 2009 JP,
TBA 2009 AU
Halo 3: ODST's tale focuses on the legendary ODSTs or "Orbital Drop Shock Troopers" as they drop into the ruined city of New Mombasa, looking for clues behind the Covenant's catastrophic attack on the city.
The new campaign chapter predates the events that unfold in "Halo 3" and gives players a new perspective through the eyes of a new hero in the "Halo" universe. New multiplayer maps ensure that the award-winning Xbox LIVE experience of "Halo 3" continues to thrive.
Halo Wars
02/26/09 JP,
02/26/09 AU,
02/27/09 EU,
03/03/09 US
Halo Wars is the next big real-time strategy game from Ensemble Studios, creators of "Age of Empires." Designed exclusively for the Xbox 360, Halo Wars allows you to take charge of the human UNSC armies and see the Halo universe from a totally new perspective. Halo Wars takes place before Halo 1 during the UNSC's first deadly encounters with the Covenant. Players lead the crew of the UNSC's "Spirit of Fire" from initial skirmishes to an all out war against the evil Covenant.
Magna Carta 2
08/06/09 JP,
TBA US / EU
The follow-up to Korean developer Softmax's ancient fantasy RPG, expanding on the PC/PS2 original with this next-gen sequel
Ninja Blade
01/29/09 JP,
04/03/09 EU,
04/07/09 US
Ninja Blade is an action adventure game set within modern day Tokyo. Parasites known as alpha-worms have mysteriously appeared, unleashing a wave of human destruction as they rapidly spread east, reaching the shores of Tokyo. With the future of humankind hanging in the balance, an exclusive and elite team possessing highly specialized skills is formed to eliminate the enemy onslaught, and ultimately save mankind from complete obliteration.
Race Pro
02/17/09 US,
02/20/09 EU,
03/05/09 AU
Race Pro recreates a breathtaking reality giving gamers the ultimate racing simulation experience - with precision physics and handling, racers will feel every bend and burst of acceleration along with every emotion from pre-race tension in the pit lanes to the exhilaration of capturing the checker flag. Race Pro provides unrivalled realism and deep immersion into the racing world through ultra realistic car models and official FIA championships and tracks.
Risen
Q3 2009 US,
TBA JP / EU
An RPG project by Deep Silver and the Piranha Bytes. In the game, the protagonist finds himself shipwrecked after a storm and finds himself on a mysterious island. An active volcano dominates the scene. Ancient temple ruins recently have risen from the ground, and bizarre creatures infest the island.
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
02/19/09 JP,
02/19/09 AS,
02/23/09 US,
06/05/09 EU,
06/04/09 AU
STAR OCEAN: THE LAST HOPE continues the franchise's soaring space opera, blending science fiction with fantasy for a unique RPG experience. The refined gameplay features four party members and team-oriented combat, while maintaining the innovative real-time battle system that has become a trademark of the STAR OCEAN franchise. The year is S.D. 10. In the aftermath of World War III, humanity voyages into the stars in search of a new home - and a second chance. A prequel that combines sci-fi and fantasy elements, spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise's famous real-time battle system, including the amazing graphics and visual effects only possible on Xbox 360. Features CG movies by Visual Works, the cutting-edge studio whose previous work includes cut scenes for the acclaimed Final Fantasy RPG series.
The Precursors
TBA
In Precursors the players take on the role of a young fighter pilot who immediately becomes embroiled in a tumultuous war that will engulf the cosmos. Using an assortment of crushing weapons and perks, ranging from organic guns use to buggy driving, the player and his three teammates will set out to uncover a secret of ancient races that threatens the balance of powers in the galaxy.
Twelve beautiful and detailed planets, a variety of space ships, flyers and other vehicles, and a host of weapons ranging from standard plasma rifles to bizarre spider cannons, are among the features that make The Precursors unique. The game blends role-playing engagement and dynamic FPS-style action in a completely open world. The thrill of exploring space, leading adventures on faraway planets and fighting in merciless wars between rival galactic empires makes for a compelling experience.
Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction
TBA US / EU
The adventures of Sam Fisher continue in the fifth entry of the stealth-based series. In this game, all of the rules have changed, as the storyline takes a dramatic turn that will reinvent the Splinter Cell franchise forever. Fisher can no longer rely on his trusted bag of tools and iconic goggles. He's gone beyond being a double agent. Now he's a fully fledged fugitive without the intel of 3rd Echelon or the support of his friends. This time around, Fisher is going to need more than just a dark corner to survive...
Experience original game play based on improvisation where your environment becomes your weapon. You need to react to changing situations and use the environment and the crowds around you to create diversions and deter your enemies.
Velvet Assassin
04/30/09 US,
05/08/09 EU,
05/21/09 AU
Inspired by the fascinating story and unbreakable spirit of British secret agent Violette Szabo, Velvet Assassin lets you take control of Violette Summer, a beautiful spy deep behind enemy lines during World War II. Intense stealth-action gameplay with a startling real-time lighting system and surreal visuals combine to produce an incredible gaming experience. Through third-person gameplay, sneak up on enemies and pull the pins from their belted grenades. Infiltrate a Gestapo prison and slip cyanide to your own men before the Germans make them talk. Slink through the shadows to finish off your unsuspecting enemies with a single, silent move. Through Violette's fever dreams, experience what she experienced. Walk where she walked. And kill those she killed.
Venetica
TBA
In the era of Venetica, Death walks among the living as a flesh & blood being, carrying out the deeds of an ancient council known by a few as Corpus. Each generation of the Corpus is set with the task of selecting the next predecessor of the bringer of death. Unfortunately, the most recent council had unwittingly selected a crafty necromancer who is determined on bringing death and destruction to the world.
This conniving imposter has managed to transform into an undead fiend, which no mortal man can kill. This power-crazed necromancer is hell-bent on destroying the reinstated Death and the council of Corpus. Only one person stands in his way, Scarlett, the daughter of Death.
Up to now she has known nothing of her origins, her powers and the capabilities that she possesses - now she is challenged to learn how to develop and use her powers to save her father and curse the necromancer and his henchmen to the eternal hereafter.
MMO TITLES
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures
TBA US / EU
In 'Conan' the players encounter a dark, lush, violent and sinful universe, presented in fantastic graphics and stunning 7.1 surround audio. In a world filled with cruel gods, mythical creatures, lost civilizations and a struggling human race, the mighty barbarian has finally seized the throne as king of Aquilonia. But Conan's rule is on the brink of chaos, spiraling towards the doom of ancient evils. In this twisted fantasy world, dark magic and brutal combat lurks around every corner, and each man and woman must carve their own unique destiny under Conan's reign. In the true vision of Robert E. Howard's dark universe, it's now time for you to become a messenger of death. In addition to incredible graphics and sound, the game will be filled with unique features like the "Real Combat" engine; a revolutionary new multi-point melee system which allows the players to swing their weapons where they direct it, in real-time! This easy to learn and fun melee system lets the players truly feel they are on the battlefield, and goes head-on against the formulaic nature of online RPG combat. In 'Conan' you can also, for the first time in an online RPG, create player-made battle formations where you can command NPC's and other players in combat, making for epic multiplayer battles. The multiplayer game also allow the players to form guilds and lay siege to enemy castles, letting their catapults sing their merry song of death as the enemy is crushed to a pulp.
APB
TBA US / EU
Developed by David Jones, creator on the Grand Theft Auto series, this APB is a massively multiplayer online game based in living, breathing cities replicated from famous locales all over the world. APB is a turf war involving two main factions -- the Squads, whose goal is to uphold the law, and the Gangs, who seek to break the law at all costs. Players will be able to choose their side -- the Gangs are all about graffiti, attitude, custom cars and earning cash any way they can.; the Squads stand for honor, teamwork, firepower and destroying the Gangs. APB provides the player with the complete customization options from their weapons, vehicles and clothes to their attitude, music and environment.
Champions Online
TBA US / EU
Earth's first and best line of defense is its heroes. For generations, brave men and women have answered the call to protect the world from the villains who threaten its safety and security. Led by The Champions, protectors of Millennium City, the world's heroes have launched a crusade for peace, security and justice. But they need allies. Defender is calling for a new generation of superheroes to fight in a war against evil that spans the globe -- and beyond.
Champions Online is a superheroic MMO project by the creators of City of Heroes, designed to give players the power of total customization of their hero experience while they explore a vast universe of richly detailed 3D environments. The game features literally billions of character options allowing total customization, real-time action combat and of course the richly detailed Champions universe.
Huxley: The Dystopia
TBA US / EU
Huxley is a massively multiplayer online first-person shooting game (MMOFPS) developed by the H-Studio of global online entertainment company, WEBZEN Inc. Huxley takes place in a post-apocalyptic world where human beings have mutated and are divided into two opposing races, Sapiens and Alternative. At the center of the battle for survival is Lunarites, a promising new energy source that both sides seek to obtain. Forced to battle against one another for the continuance of each race, Sapiens and Alternatives are willing to do whatever it takes to wipe out the conflicting race and gain control of the world and its resources.
2010 + TITLES
Lost Planet 2
TBA JP / US / EU
Lost Planet 2 picks up 10 years since the events of the original adventure and the landscape has evolved dramatically. With the success of terraforming activities, the planet's ice has begun to melt, giving way to lush tropical jungles and other new environments. The story has advanced beyond Wayne Holden as players will now follow the exploits of their own customized snow pirates on their quest to seize control of E.D.N III. Players will move their heroes through different stories creating a truly unique and interactive experience. With this concept, gamers will have the opportunity to engage in the story in a more dynamic way as plot threads evolve from various perspectives.
In addition, the intense and action packed campaign mode comes with the ability to form teams of up to 4 players online to clear mission objectives with friends.
Mass Effect 2
Q1 2010 US,
TBA EU / JP
Conceived as a trilogy, the sequel to Mass Effect promises another epic intergalactic tale of planetary exploration, civil conflict, challenges of conscious, and perhaps even romantic entanglements. In this dark second chapter, Saren's evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, who are still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril...
2009 XBLA TITLES
Banjo -Tooie
04/29/09 US,
TBA EU / JP
Colossal, immense, and gigantic; beautiful, gorgeous, and grandiose -- these are the words one thinks of when describing Rare's 2000 follow-up adventure to Banjo-Kazooie. Keeping consistent with the attitude found in this title, Rare has wittily named it Banjo-Tooie. Explore eight giant worlds, solve puzzles and help game characters to unearth jiggys, play as Mumbo, a T-Rex, Submarine, Money-Van, Washing Machine, and more, and learn more than 40 new moves on the way.
Clover
TBA
An independent project designed using the XNA development suite.
Set in a medieval world ruled by a monarchy with a welfare state, Clover tells the story of Sam, an adolescent teenager. Recently orphaned after his lone parent mother died in a shock attack on the proud nation of Sanha, Clover follows Sam's journey of discovery as he explores the land and events surrounding his loss.
Clover is a plot-driven platformer in the style of classic titles such as Fantastic Dizzy that sees the player solve logical puzzles by collecting items, talking to a diverse cast of characters and exploring artistically realized environments. The game innovates on its predecessors with modern gameplay mechanics, such as unique and forgiving alternatives to player 'health' and 'death'.
Death Tank
02/18/09 US / EU / JP
Death Tank is a fast-paced action game that rewards quick reflexes and cunning strategy. Devastating weapons and unique items give your tank unlimited destructive power. Eight separate landscapes react to tank combat, altering their shape when hit and providing an ever-changing environment in which to play. Battle with up to four friends on the same console, against multiple A.I. opponents in single-player combat, or up to eight tanks simultaneously in the Death Tank arena via Xbox LIVE for exciting co-op or chaotic free-for-all play! Crisp graphics and amazing effects coupled with fast-paced game play makes each battle a visceral experience.
Deathsmiles
04/23/09 JP
TBA US / EU
DeathSmiles is a Shoot-'Em-Up game, developed and published by Cave, which was released in Japan in 2009.
Lode Runner
04/22/09 US / EU / JP
It's an all-new Lode Runner gold mine -- 3-D graphics, frenzied 2-D action, lodes of modes, 220 levels, multiplayer options, puzzles, a level editor and more! Run, climb, blast blocks, outsmart enemies and grab the gold on your own or with a partner. It's classic action with "lodes" of new twists. Battle up to three friends on Xbox LIVE in a frantic game of tag, where the first to die is the first to avenge ... as an enemy. Survive endlessly spawning foes to earn medals. Create devious levels to challenge the Community. For long-time fans or first-time runners, it's the mother lode.
R-Type Dimensions
02/04/09 US / EU / JP
R-Type Dimensions combines the genre-defining coin-op classics R-Type and R-Type II, with a twist. Although classic gameplay remains untouched, R-Type Dimensions elevates the experience to greater heights with brand-new additions and enhancements. For the first time, R-Type Dimensions allows multiplayer co-op play locally or over Xbox LIVE for up to two players. Fight through all 14 Bydo-infested stages in the original 2-D or all-new 3-D graphics with the ability to swap back and forth between the two seamlessly. Strike down the evil Bydo Empire and save the earth in R-Type Dimensions.
The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai
04/01/09 US / EU / JP
The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai is a 2-D stylistic action platformer for Xbox LIVE Arcade showcasing fast action, deep gameplay, and a unique visual style. An undead samurai dishwasher in a dystopian universe is on a quest for revenge against the evil cyborg army. To dispatch hordes of zombies, cyborgs, and robots, the Dishwasher has at his fingertips a devastating array of attacks using ancient blades, disturbing machinery, and screen-obliterating Dish Magic. Compete with the rest of the world in a variety of speed run and high score challenges to become the most formidable Dishwasher yet!
The Maw
01/21/09 US / EU / JP
The pinnacle of alien evolution, Maw is a cowardly fat blob concerned mostly with snacking and lounging. He can, however, absorb the traits of anything he eats, is virtually indestructible, and can grow to unlimited size. If he wasn't a danger to all life in the universe, he'd make the perfect pet. In this action/adventure game, he's the best friend of our hero Frank, and only by working together can Maw eat their way to freedom.
Virtual On: Oratorio Tangram
04/29/09 US / EU / JP
A remake of the Dreamcast entry in Virtual-On, the renown mech combat game. Oratorio Tangram is an update to the original Virtual-On and features two new mechs and revised play mechanics. Although the arcade version saw limited distribution in the U.S., it was an instant classic on both sides of the Pacific.
Virtual-On Oratorio Tangram isn't the typical fighting game by any stretch of the imagination. You pilot a giant Gundam-like machine in a 3-D arena armed with three different weapons which can have altering effects depending on the situation their employed and the movement of your mecha.
2009 DOWNLOADABLE CONTENT
Fable II: Knothole Island
01/13/09 US / EU
Discover new quests, locations, characters and more in the premium Knothole Island download. Meet Gordon the submariner in the Bowerstone docks, where you'll be showered with unique gifts to entice you to the mysterious island. There you will embark on new adventures, fight new creatures and find Albion's rarest weapons, clothes and potions. You will also be able to check your standing in over 50 new Leaderboards on Lionhead.com. If you have the Knothole Island (Premium) pack and want to play co-op in any part of Albion, your co-op partner must have the Fable II Knothole Island (Free) or (Premium) pack. To enjoy the complete Knothole Island experience in co-op play, both players must download the Knothole Island (Premium) pack.
Fable II: See the Future
Q2 2009 US / EU
Fallout 3: Broken Steel
05/05/09 US / EU
Join the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel and rid the Capital Wasteland of the Enclave remnants once and for all. Continues the adventure past the main quest.
Fallout 3: Operation Anchorage
01/27/2009
Enter the simulation pod and embark on one of the greatest military campaigns of the Fallout universe - the liberation of Anchorage, Alaska from its Chinese Communist invaders.
Experience harrowing winter combat using Fallout 3's patented V.A.T.S. targeting system, and employ powerful new equipment like the Gauss Rifle, Chinese Stealth Armor, Winterized T-51b Power Armor, and more. Enlist today, soldier!
Fallout 3: The Pitt
03/24/2009 US / EU
Pittsburgh was once the industrial center of the pre-war world. The city was spared the horrors of nuclear fire, only to have its people infected by a nightmare plague of disease, infection, and mutation. Travel to the ruins of this industrial city, now called The Pitt, and discover a secret that could send shockwaves through the entire Wasteland. Battle vicious mutated Trogs, employ deadly new weapons like the AutoAxe and Infiltrator silenced assault rifle, and decide the fate of the infected slaves and slavers that call this city home. Only you can find the cure - but will you have the guts to use it?
GTAIV: The Lost and Damned
02/17/09 US / EU / JP
Continue to chase the American dream with the first downloadable expansion pack to the blockbuster fourth Grand Theft Auto franchise entry. Developed by series creator Rockstar North and set in Liberty City, The Lost and Damned features a new main character and plot that intersects with the storyline of Grand Theft Auto IV. Also in this expansion pack are new missions offering an entirely fresh way to explore Liberty City, new multiplayer modes, weapons and vehicles, and a diverse soundtrack with additional music -- all with the incredible production values that are the trademarks of Grand Theft Auto.
