Street Fighter IV (Capcom)
Can we hurry it up with this damn game already? "Street Fighter IV" has been available as an arcade coin-op since the summer, but we're supposed to get home releases for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 by February. The trailers suggest that "Street Fighter IV" will be no joke, and I for one look forward to seeing it blow every other fighting game out of the water.
Resident Evil 5 (Capcom)
Here's another game I wish had come out yesterday. The new "Resident Evil" will be set in Africa, and it's supposed to take an approach similar to what we saw in the excellent "Resident Evil 4," which marked a notable departure from previous titles. With, reportedly, more of a concentration on action and visuals, "Resident Evil 5" looks poised to be a huge hit. Early glimpses of gameplay and design have left fans salivating. This is something we've all been waiting for -- a next-gen RE with balls. Coming in March, Lord willing.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Rockstar Games)
There's a lot to be said for the Nintendo DS. It’s probably the best handheld system ever to come out, and it's got all the best games. Graphically it's inferior to the PSP, but it makes up for it on metrics of playability and awesomeness. "Chinatown Wars" is coming to put "Grand Theft Auto" mayhem in the palm of your hand; the new game will take place in the Liberty City of "Grand Theft Auto IV." The game will use cel shading, bringing a dynamic new look to the DS. Look for this one in March.
Highlander: The Game (Eidos Interactive)
We finally get a game based on the epic "Highlander" franchise about immortal, blood-feudin' warriors, though it seems the game won't feature series lead Connor or fan-favorite Duncan. Instead, we'll get Owen MacLeod, an Immortal on a sworn quest to defeat his enemy of several millennia. The game seems pretty straightforward: lots of hacking and slashing, not so much with the decapitation (at least for yourself, or so you hope). Nerds will rejoice for this one, and let's be honest, they'll buy it even if it's not all that great. "Highlander" has been around in one form or another since 1986, longer than some of these kids have been alive; it commands hella brand loyalty. Coming probably in late March.
Batman: Arkham Asylum (Eidos Interactive)
Jeez, a Batman game that actually looks good? It's about frigging time. "The Dark Knight" left audiences hungry for more from the world of Bat, and "Arkham Asylum" will have to do until Chris Nolan gets off the fence about whether he's making a third movie. "Arkham Asylum" carries a writing credit from Paul Dini, who's been elbow-deep in the franchise before as a writer on "Batman: The Animated Series." The game is said to emphasize the detective side of Batman's character; you'll have to solve crimes with clues and forensic evidence, not just by punching people (though one imagines that aspect will not go unexplored). Slated for May 1, though it's probably too early to say for sure.
Halo Wars (Microsoft Game Studios)
I'm not much of a "Halo" fan, but I am a real-time strategy buff, and I think this game actually looks interesting. Some might fairly wonder whether "Halo" is a game that lends itself to an RTS adaptation, but I'm optimistic. The fundamentals are already present: maps, weapons, enemies and heroes. Keep your eyes peeled for this one; it should arrive in early March.
Mass Effect 2 (Electronic Arts)
They've been talking up this second chapter in a purported "Mass Effect" trilogy ever since the original game dropped in November 2007. The details are sketchy at best, but the sequel appears to take place right after the events of "Mass Effect," and it's been reported that you should keep your game files from the first game because they'll be used for this one. That’s a pretty interesting little twist, and it would make perfect sense for you to keep your stats and your character. I don't have a date for this one, but you'll hear about it as soon as I do.
Bioshock 2 (2K Games)
The ending of "BioShock," one of the best games of all time, left ample room for a sequel, and now it's on its way. The makers had better tread carefully here, because the first "BioShock" was so well thought out, and I wouldn't want to see the franchise get watered down with an inferior installment. Still, designer Ken Levine announced his team's intentions to "swing for the fences" with the sequel in an interview in August, and if anyone can make a good dystopic first-person shooter, it's these guys. This should be out by the 2009 holiday season.
Final Fantasy XIII (Square Enix)
I don't actually know for sure that this game will come out in 2009, but a man can hope. It's been in development for quite some time; by this point, it's hard to see how it could live up to the hype, or indeed to the standards set by the transcendent "Final Fantasy XII." The new game is set for release on both PS3 and Xbox 360; the PS3 version is said to be a bit more in-depth because of all they can cram onto the format. I have a feeling this next-gen RPG will be breaking all kinds of records. Look for it in 2009, or maybe sometime later.
Ghostbusters: The Video Game (Atari)
This game has gotten jerked around a bit. It was in production limbo for a while; it got taken off pre-order and now it's back. Dan Aykroyd said in a recent interview that he considers the game basically "Ghostbusters III." The original movie cast will return to voice the game, and Aykroyd and Harold Ramis share writing credits. The release seems to have been held off until June 2009 to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the original film. If this game were stock, I'd buy a hundred shares -- who's not going to pick this up? Only people who don't love "Ghostbusters," which is nobody.
