PC Games of Summer 2009
Have fun in the sun. We'll be inside with these hot summer games.
June 19, 2009 -
The weather is hot and the games are even hotter. IGN's Games of Summer is your guide to the biggest and best titles of the season. We've picked the games that have us most psyched for the season, from sports games to shooters and everything in between.
So grab a cool beverage, sit near the pool (but not too close) and check out our PC Games of Summer 2009. And make sure to hit the links below to see what's sizzling on other gaming platforms this season.
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ArmA II Release Date: June 30 Watch the ArmA II Trailer >> |
What It Is: A real-world military simulation set in a fictional ex-Soviet republic being invaded by Russia. You play as US Marines sent into the conflict and must deal with multiple factions as you fight on the ground and in the air.
Why It's Hot: Developer Bohemia Interactive made the classic Operation Flashpoint eight years ago, and ArmA II looks to bring the same kind of you-are-there experience with an upgraded graphics engine. Early videos of large-scale AI battles are stunning.
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Batman: Arkham Asylum Release Date: August 25 Watch the Batman Trailer >> |
What It Is: The Dark Knight faces his biggest threat to date as he faces off against super-villains in Arkham Asylum. Use the shadows and fear to foil The Joker's latest scheme of terror and chaos.
Why It's Hot: Batman stuck in Arkham while the inmates control the Asylum? This screams action from the moment that you start the game, and adding the voices from the animated series only improves the Gotham gameplay.
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Bionic Commando Release Date: July 28 Watch the Bionic Commando Trailer >> |
What It Is: The sequel to a gaming classic finally returns with Spencer pulled back into service against a new group of terrorists that threaten the world. With a new bionic arm and weapons, Bionic Commander swings back into action.
Why It's Hot: It's been too long since the first Bionic Commander, and this sequel delivers a worthy update to the action of the first game. The challenges and secrets also give you additional incentive to test your skils.
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Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood Release Date: June 30 Watch the Bound in Blood Trailer >> |
What It Is: The McCall brothers take over a prequel to 2007's western themed first person shooter as they go in search of gold and glory. New gunslinging mechanics and creative multiplayer modes round out the fast paced gameplay.
Why It's Hot: Packing an engaging story of two brothers cutting a bloody path across the Wild West, Bound in Blood should appeal to any action fan, even if they don't like westerns. Get ready to draw this summer.
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Champions Online Release Date: September Watch the Champions Online Trailer >> |
What It Is: A new, superhero MMO from the creators of City of Heroes and City of Villains. Champions Online is based on the pen-and-paper Champions RPG and will feature notable characters from the universe.
Why It's Hot: Cryptic learned a lot from it's the City of Heroes/Villains games, and Champions Online's intriguing blend of superhero creation and adventure looks good. It's also clad in a cell-shaded art style that makes it look like a comic book.
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CrimeCraft Release Date: August 25 Watch the CrimeCraft Trailer >> |
What It Is: A subscription-based, online persistent third-person shooter set in a near-future urban setting. You must compete in battles to accrue fame and fortune; the latter can be used to purchase new weapons, items, and skills.
Why It's Hot: The persistent shooter genre looks to be the next big thing in online games, and CrimeCraft will be one of the first to get there. It offers fast-paced, Counter-Strike-like gameplay and adds rewards for long-term play.
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East India Company Release Date: July 28 Watch the East India Company Trailer >> |
What It Is: Take control of one of eight colonial trading companies and bring the goods of the new world back to Europe. Diplomacy is useful, but conquering the sea and colonies will be key to your success.
Why It's Hot: Fighting pirates, capturing ports and declaring war on countries – it's all in a day's work for a trader in East India Company. Throw in trading goods and establishing your own empire, and you have a solid twist on historical strategy.
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Grand Adventures: Muzzled! Release Date: June 23 Watch the Muzzled! Trailer >> |
What It Is: The third and penultimate chapter in TellTale's episodic Wallace and Gromit adventure series. When a newcomer plans to build a dog shelter in Wallace and Gromit's town, all is not what it appears.
Why It's Hot: Because Wallace and Gromit are completely awesome and TellTale has done a great job capturing the look, feel, and humor of Aardman's dynamic duo. These basically feel like interactive Wallace & Gromit shorts.
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Hearts of Iron III Release Date: August 4 Watch the Hearts of Iron III Trailer >> |
What It Is: Paradox's comprehensive World War II strategy game is back with new features. At its core remains the ability to take control of any nation on Earth from the World War II era and chart your own course.
Why It's Hot: Like its predecessors, Hearts of Iron III is a game for those who like incredible amounts of detail and control. You're in charge of an entire nation and make economic, diplomatic, and military decisions.
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Jumpgate Evolution Release Date: September Watch the Jumpgate Evolution Trailer >> |
What It Is: NetDevil returns to its Jumpgate universe with this follow-up MMO. Follow your own path as you explore a huge galaxy full of other players and adventures, and upgrade and customize your ship along the way.
Why It's Hot: The idea in this game is scale; you can participate in huge dogfights with around 150 players. There's also a great sense of wonder as you zip around space, weaving through asteroid fields and gazing at huge stations.
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League of Legends: Clash of Fates Release Date: July 22 Watch the League of Legends Trailer >> |
What It Is: Based off of the popular DotA mod, League of Legends tosses players into a battle arena where each side is tasked with destroying the opposing team's base and turrets with a party of reinforcements.
Why It's Hot: Packed with a colorful cast of avatars with their own skills and abilities, League of Legends is one of those games that is easy to get into and more addictive to play with each battle you enter.
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Majesty 2 Release Date: August 4 Watch the Majesty 2 Trailer >> |
What It Is: A sequel to a kingdom building sim, Majesty 2 provides new rewards for your heroes as they explore and defend the land in your name. A large campaign with side missions and multiplayer helps round out the strategy game.
Why It's Hot: It's been almost ten years since the first Majesty game, and while many elements from the first game have been retained, the improvements should appeal to any Majesty fan eager to rule their lands.
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Overlord II Release Date: June 23 Watch the Overlord II Trailer >> |
What It Is: A sequel to the 2007 adventure game, Overlord II provides a new Overlord and world for players to conquer with their band of minions. Create your own evil empire with this hilarious game.
Why It's Hot: The first game was hilarious, and Overlord II should easily follow in its footsteps. There's larger battles, more comedy with minions and a new land to rule. Being bad has never been so good.
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Red Faction: Guerrilla Release Date: August 25 Watch the Red Faction Guerrilla Trailer >> |
What It Is: The third title in the franchise, players become a freedom fighter trying to liberate Mars from the Earth Defense Force. Wreak havoc on the red planet with this third person open world action game.
Why It's Hot: The largest advantage to Red Faction Guerrilla is the destruction based gameplay, which specifically highlights how much chaos and wreckage you can cause in the pursuit of freedom from oppression. Strike a blow for Mars!
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Section 8 Release Date: August 25 Watch the Section 8 Trailer >> |
What It Is: Take on insane missions as part of an elite squad of soldiers in powered armor. This first person shooter allows you to modify the battlefield during conflicts with tactics and new equipment on the fly.
Why It's Hot: Suicide missions aren't things you want to take on, but Section 8 introduces you to warriors that gladly plummet from orbit to get their mission done. Grab a gun and a suit of armor and prove yourself, soldier.
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Street Fighter IV Release Date: June 30 Watch the Street Fighter IV Trailer >> |
What It Is: The fourth entry in the acclaimed series, Street Fighter IV hosts 26 brawlers trying to prove themselves as the best in the world. Packed with new special moves and a new art style, Street Fighter IV is a knockout.
Why It's Hot: Seriously, if you need info about how awesome Street Fighter IV is, you've been living under a rock. This is the fighting game that fans have been waiting years for, and it's coming to the PC – practice your Shoryukens now.
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Tale of Monkey Island, Episode 1 Release Date: July 7 Learn More About The Monkeys >> |
What It Is: Episodic adventure specialist TellTale surprised everyone by announcing a collaboration with LucasArts to bring the classic Monkey Island adventure series back. This is the first of five planned episodes.
Why It's Hot: The Monkey Island series is legendary for adventure gamers, combining clever puzzles with outstanding wit and humor in a colorful and memorable setting. Many TellTale developers are ex-LucasArts adventure vets, so expect something amazing.
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Tropico 3 Release Date: September 1 Watch the Tropico 3 Trailer >> |
What It Is: Take over the control of a banana republic in this new installment of the popular strategy franchise. Set during the Cold War, enforce your will on your island nation in this tongue in cheek title.
Why It's Hot: The previous Tropico games have given you control of buccaneers and a tropical paradise's tourism trade, but now it skewers the Cold War. Humorous challenges for your military and economy should be expected.
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Wolfenstein Release Date: August 4 Watch the Wolfenstein Trailer >> |
What It Is: The granddaddy of all first-person shooters is back. Take control of Allied commando B.J. Blazkowicz once more as he battles the Nazis for control of a mysterious energy source known as Black Sun.
Why It's Hot: Wolfenstein marks the return of the series after many years of absence. Raven has historically done great work, and it's working in close collaboration with id on this one. Cross fingers, shooter fans.p>
