Now loading: 2010

By Joe Dwyer     1/14/10 6:00pm

Last year was all about sequels: Games like Left 4 Dead 2, Uncharted 2, Assassin's Creed 2 and Modern Warfare 2 exploded sales figures and garnered loads of critical acclaim. But that's all old hat now, right? A new year means new games to look forward to, so I've picked out the top games of 2010 that will have you rushing to Gamestop to trade in all your old crap for the latest and greatest. Mass Effect 2

(Xbox 360, PC)

Jan. 26

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Continuing the sequel theme established in 2009, Mass Effect 2 is the highly-anticipated follow-up to 2007's Mass Effect. This time around, Commander Shepard is assembling a new crew to journey into the dangerous Terminus system and confront a newfound galactic threat.

I'll keep plot details to a minimum, mainly so I don't have to research them and ruin the game for myself, but suffice it to say that if you loved Mass Effect, you'll definitely want to pick up Mass Effect 2. The combat system has been reworked to be less of a hassle and more intuitive, and players can expect more of the compelling writing and dialogue that developer Bioware has become known for. If you've never played the original Mass Effect, it's dirt cheap by now, having sold more than 1.6 million copies, so grab it on Amazon.

Bioshock 2

(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

Feb. 9

Not content to let a great game like Bioshock stand on its own legs, 2K Games has decided to give the game the franchise treatment and milk it for a sequel. The original was spellbindingly fantastic, leading players through the underwater dystopia of Rapture, dripping with Ayn Rand-ish undertones and filled with creepy, degenerated residents. The atmosphere of the game and its remarkable art-deco styling creates an environment unlike anything that had been seen in a game before.

With Bioshock 2, developers 2K Marin and 2K Australia will return players to Rapture as one of the original Big Daddies, complete with rotating drill arm and plasmid powers. Bioshock 2 will also feature an additional multiplayer component, being developed separately from the main game by Digital Extremes, which will actually add to and continue the Bioshock storyline outside of the single-player experience.

Heavy Rain

(PlayStation 3)

Feb. 23

In development since 2006, Heavy Rain is French developer Quantic Dream's stab at making "a very dark film-noir thriller with mature themes," according to game director David Cage. The game follows a group of people trying to unravel the mystery behind a serial killer known as "The Origami Killer." The game will play out akin to an interactive movie, with contextual controls appearing from time to time to allow the player to control the character's actions.

Heavy Rain is generating a lot of buzz for its heavy moral choices woven into the plot, its multiple endings and the fact that dying doesn't result in a "game over." Instead, the game will transfer its perspective to another character in the story and the remaining plot will incorporate the last character's death. Definitely keep this game on your radar.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC)

March 2

If Modern Warfare 2 fired the first salvo in the first-person shooter war, EA and DICE, looking to unseat developer Infinity Ward, have returned fire with Bad Company 2, the latest iteration in the long-running Battlefield franchise. Featuring 15 different types of land, sea and air vehicles, over 40 highly-customizable guns, massive fully-destructible environments and (gasp!) support for dedicated servers and party chat in games, Bad Company 2 looks poised to topple Modern Warfare 2 off the first-person shooter throne. No Javelin glitch here, friends.

God of War III

(PlayStation 3)

March

Ah, Kratos. How we've missed you. The epic story of revenge and betrayal between Kratos, the Titans and the gods of Olympus is all set to be wrapped up in the epic conclusion to the God of War saga. Boasting better visuals, more interactive environments and combat on a scale unlike anything you've ever seen, God of War III certainly looks like it will be the action game of the year.

Red Dead Redemption

(Xbox 360, PlayStation 3)

April 27

Rockstar Games, the kings of open world, sandbox-style gaming, are turning their talents from the mean streets of Liberty City to the lawless wilds of the Old West in Red Dead Redemption, the sequel to 2004's Red Dead Revolver on PlayStation 2.

Set at the beginning of the 20th century, the game allows players to don the spurs of reformed outlaw John Marston as he tracks down his former partner in crime across the wide-open Western frontier. The critically-acclaimed Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE) that powered Grand Theft Auto IV is also featured in this title, so expect the same realistic physics throughout the game. Also expect plenty of action, violence and trademark Rockstar wit to color this Wild West tall tale.

Duke Nukem Forever

(Unknown)

"When It's Done"

Hey, I can dream, can't I? As they say, "Always bet on Duke." Seriously though, keep your eyes peeled for a trio of Duke Nukem games coming out sometime this year for the PlayStation Portable and Nintendo DS handheld systems. Apogee CEO Scott Miller has said, "The next few years should see a strong resurgence in Duke." If I may counter with another Duke-ism, Mr. Miller (cracks knuckles): "Whaddya waiting for? Christmas?

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