Games are listed alphabetically
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Heavy Rain
Platform(s): PlayStation 3
Developer/Publisher: Quantic Dream/SCE
Estimated Release: TBA
The developers of Heavy Rain are the ones behind Fahrenheit, a classic adventure style game driven by exploration and quick-time events that started off really well when it came out in 2005. Unfortunately, the exciting premise fell away as it went from an intriguing murder mystery to a weird sci-fi experience. Aside from what looks like a fresh perspective on quick time events and a compelling story, we’re hoping that this love story/thriller doesn’t go down the same path.
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Killzone 2
Platform(s): PlayStation 3
Developer/Publisher: Guerilla Games / SCE
Estimated Release: February
During E3 2005, a massive debate erupted following the debut of the Killzone 2 trailer. Was something that good-looking pre-rendered CG or the true capability of the, then unreleased, PlayStation 3. As the release date closes in, this question will finally get an answer. However, from what we have seen so far, the trailer has not only been legitimised, it has been surpassed in every way imaginable. Alright, so the game looks pretty good, but let us not forget, that the original didn't really set the world on fire. It's all good to have a great looking game, but it needs to play just as well. At least the wait to find out will be over very soon.
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MadWorld
Platform(s): Wii
Developer/Publisher: platinumgames/SEGA
Release: March
When you've been playing a lot of games, you appreciate it when something 'different' comes out. As such, we're not only excited to be getting something as 'fresh' as MadWorld, but we're happy that we get to dust off the Wii for a real game and the fact that the game is coming completely unedited to Australia. For anyone who has seen the trailer and the copious amounts of dyed corn syrup will be relieved to hear this. In MadWorld a terrorist group known as 'The Organizers' have taken over the city and transformed it into the setting for a game show called Death Watch, where the city's citizens are being forced to fight for their lives against mysterious enemies, for a prize of $100 million. Sporting some gorgerously stylised visuals and a main protagonist with a chainsaw for an arm, we figure that we're in for a treat either way.
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Mafia 2
Platform(s): PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360 / PC
Developer/Publisher: 2K Czech/2K Games
Release: TBA
Grand Theft Auto has long been held as the industry standard for what an open-ended game should be. However, there was a PC game that came out in 2002, called Mafia, that had GTA beat in most areas. Set in the classical American gangster era in the 1930's, there wasn't as much reckless havoc as Rockstar's cash cow, but it had arguably one of the best stories ever told in a video game, much better shooting mechanics, realistic but fair driving mechanics and some great easter eggs. If Mafia II, now set in a 1950's post WWII America, can deliver half of the original, then we are in for an offer that we couldn't possibly refuse.
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Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!!
Platform(s): DS
Developer/Publisher: Nintendo
Release: TBA
Built off the fundmentals of the Paper Mario series, the Mario & Luigi RPG titles have so far spawned two releases. After what seems like an eternity, Nintendo are finally giving the plumber duo another go on the Nintendo DS in the tentatively titled Mario & Luigi RPG 3!!!. While details of the game are somewhat skimpy at the moment, we do know that Bowser will now be joining the party. The game will also feature two types of battle systems. The Bowser battle system has the DS turned sidways like a book, as well as the traditional battle system from previous games. Since going into space, we haven't seen too much of Nintendo's tubby plumber, so this is a good sign that he didn't get lost there.
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Patapon 2
Platform(s): PSP
Developer/Publisher: SCEI/SCE
Release: February
Thanks to a pseudo democratic vote, Patapon missed out on being out PSP game of 2008, even though it was the only one to receive a nine out of ten last year. However, this rythmic strategy game gets a second chance, with a sequel that's due out in the very near future. The story continues from the previous game where the cheery Patapon have set sail for new lands. Unfortunately, they are attacked by a kraken on the way, who easily defeats them and sends the Patapon washed ashore. In a strange new land against another tribe called the Kamepon. Now it is a battle to defeat the Kamepon and find out who is their true enemy. As well as this new story, the game will also feature a multiplayer more for up to four players, which will have four players defending eggs.
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Resident Evil 5
Platform(s): PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360
Developer/Publisher: Capcom
Release: March
After we spent what seemed like an eternity waiting for the game, Resident Evil 4 became the first game to recieve a perfect 10 on PALGN - so it's only natural that any list of anticipated games for 2009 will definitely include the highly anticipated follow-up, Resident Evil 5. Even though Lord Mikami is no longer at the helm, Resident Evil 5 looks just like its predecessor, only pumped on several different kinds of horse steroids. Chris Redfield returns with a new female protagonist, to explore some strange happenings in rural Africa. Be sure to look out for numerous shattered skulls, bone-chilling thrills and familiar faces. Oh, and you now have the option of playing with the new 'action' controls, as well as the refined classical controls from the predecessor.
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Resistance Retribution
Platform(s): PSP
Developer/Publisher: Sony Bend/SCE
Release: March
Entering the FPS market is a tough job, particularly with the competition at hand. However, Insomniac have done well so far with their Resistance titles, even though the PlayStation 3 is not as hotly contested as the Xbox 360 or PC in this genre. Sony Bend are now charged with bringing the filler game to the PlayStation Portable. Set in-between Resistance: Fall of Man and Resistance 2, former British Royal Marine James Grayson has been recruited by a European resistance group to take on the Chimera in Western Europe. The game will focus on cover-based shooting to cater for the PSPs limitations and will feature an online mode for up to eight players.
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Sin and Punishment 2
Platform(s): Wii
Developer/Publisher: Treasure/Nintendo
Release: Oct-Dec
Sin and Punishment famously came out at the end of the Nintendo 64 lifecycle and was only ever released in Japan. Despite not being a particularly long game, it was touted as a classic shooter from Treasure, a company that knows its shooters pretty well. The game finally saw a release outside of Japan on the Wii's Virtual Console in 2007. Even though we don't know much about the sequel, we do know that it has been exists and will be released in all territories this time around. And there aren't too many rail-shooters around these days so it will be good to check this one out.
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Starcraft 2
Platform(s): PC
Developer/Publisher: Blizzard Activision
Release: TBA
There was a collective cry of excitement from the nation of Korea when Starcraft 2 was announced, though strategy fans in general are looking forward to what is the sequel to one of the most popular and most played strategy games ever made. The Terran, Protos and Zerg are all on their way back, with each campaign apparently being released separately. Unfortunately, neither the pricing or release plans are known at this stage. However, multiplayer will be available from day one, so check out you TV guides for the inaugural Starcraft 2 competition. Oh sorry, that only applies to Koreans.
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Street Fighter 4
Platform(s): PlayStation 3 / Xbox 360 / PC
Developer/Publisher: Capcom
Release: February
Just about anyone who has ever picked up a gaming controller or popped a coin into an arcade machine will have played Street Fighter II. After 10,000 or so remakes and a Street Fighter III or three somewhere in between, the series will finally see the fourth title released. The game will feature a host of the old favourites, as well as some new faces and an intriguing new style that's just so different to anything else out there. Not to mention there really aren't that many fighting games out there these days, so any new ones are certainly appreciated. Sure, the hard of the hardcore fighting fans may argue that the third edition was the one to follow, but we can't help but be curious to how Street Fighter 4 will turn out. After all, we grew up playing it.
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The Conduit
Platform(s): Wii
Developer/Publisher: High Voltage Software/SEGA
Release: TBA
Despite falling short of its lofty promises, Red Steel did quite well on the Wii, so it has been surprising that hardly any other developers have jumped on the bandwagon. This looks to change with the release of The Conduit, a futuristic shooter designed from the ground-up for the Wii. The storyline focuses on an alien invasion of Washington, D.C. The aliens use portal-like devices (conduits), to deploy their forces throughout the city. The main character (Mr. Ford) is tasked with finding out why these aliens are attacking, while destroying as many as he can along the way. The controls are inspired by Metroid Prime 3: Corruption and the game will feature the pre-requisite online multiplayer mode.
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Uncharted 2
Platform(s): PlayStation 3
Developer/Publisher: Naughty Dog/SCE
Release: October-December
When it comes to turnovers and technical prowess with their games, Naughty Dog are amongst the most proficient developers in the business. This, as well as the fact that Uncharted: Drake's Fortune was amongst the first system sellers and genuinely great games on the PlayStation 3, has us excited for Uncharted 2. While not too much is actually known about the game, we will almost certainly be reprising the role of Nathan Drake, the fictional son of the famous English explorer, Sir Francis Drake. A sure enough, Nathan has probably found another legendary treasure and got himself into some more trouble with black-market dealers, pirates and the supernatural and don't forget the stop-and-pop gunplay and even the Prince of Persia style platfroming. A little less of the supernatural would definitely be appreciated this time though.
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So there you have it. While there may be many more games up for release this year, we couldn't have possibly fit them all here. Feel free to discuss these in our forums, as well as some of the other games that you may be looking forward to playing in 2009.
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