Did you ever get the sense at the end of last year that there weren’t as many AAA gotta have titles released as has been the custom of years past? Wondered where all of the games were that you were supposed to be playing in 2009?
As every gamer knows, this is typically the time of year where we can all relax and catch up on our backlogs, aka the pile of shame, that we’ve added even more games to during the holiday season. I hope you all were able to catch up very quickly because the AAA games are coming over the course of the next 3 months. This is what last fall should have looked like had it not been for Modern Warfare 2. There is just one problem. We no longer have an excuse to get other people to purchase all of this gaming goodness for us since Christmas has come and gone. Everyone has to figure out a way to get the games they want on their own or coerce someone into getting them for you. You might want to be a little more loving this Valentine’s Day! 
What follows is a rundown of significant titles that are coming in the following months, so if you want to see why you, your wallet, your family, and anyone who is used to seeing you, even for a minute, in the outside world should be worried, follow the link….
(Release dates shown are subject to change)
January
January started off innocently enough with Bayonetta being released to both critical and public acclaim. Darksiders provided a nice diversion for those that were burned out on Borderlands or Dragon Age. The month ends with a bang as all of the big 3 have eagerly awaited titles hitting store shelves.
Mass Effect 2 hits store shelves to continue the story of Shephard and his crew as they face a new threat.
MAG will try to deliver on it’s promise of being the first massive multiplayer first person shooter.
No More Heroes 2 is the sequel to one of the more popular M-Rated games to appear on the Wii.
Dark Void - 360 – PS3 – PC - January 19th
Mass Effect 2 - 360 – PC - January 26th
MAG - PS3 - January 26th
Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All Stars - Wii – January 26th
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - Wii - January 26th
February
February keeps the momentum rolling as no less than 3 titles will be released across the 3 major platforms and the PC. This would be a good month to get your taxes done.
Bioshock 2 puts a new spin on the first one’s story. Early reviews suggest this is as good, if not better in some ways, than the first.
Dante’s Inferno has an uphill climb as it tries to cut out a slice of the God of War pie. This is the same studio that brought us Dead Space so I’m hoping they can pull it off.
Star Trek Online - PC - February 2nd
The Sims 3: High End Loft Stuff - PC - February 2nd
Dante’s Inferno - 360 – PS3 – February 9th
Bioshock 2 - 360 – PS3 – PC – February 9th
Shiren the Wanderer - Wii - February 9th
Super Monkey Ball Step & Roll - Wii - February 9th
Aliens vs. Predator - 360 – PS3 – February 16th
Dynasty Warriors: Strikeforce - 360 – PS3 – February 16th
Everquest 2: Sentinels Fate - PC – February 16th
Endless Ocean: Blue World - Wii – February 22nd
Heavy Rain - PS3 – February 23rd
Napoleon: Total War - PC - February 23rd
March
March is the reason that I told you to get your taxes done in February because even if you only game on 1 system there is going to be something for you.
The Bad Company sequel arrives sporting a multiplayer component developed by DICE (the original creators of the Battlefield series).
The Final Fantasy series makes it’s first appearance on the 360, day and date with the PS3 version.
The best baseball game on the planet, MLB 10: The Show, will be arriving at the very beginning of the month for PS3 owners (sorry 360 baseball fans, no baseball game for you, unless you call the atrocity that is MLB 2k a baseball game).
God of War 3, the supposed swan song to this action packed series, makes it’s much anticipated debut on the PS3.
Red Steel 2 will hopefully correct the thins that went wrong with the first to fulfill the promise of the original on the Wii.
RTS fans should be excited by new entries of two of the best strategy games, Supreme Commander 2 and Command and Conquer 4.
MLB 10: The Show - PS3 – March 2nd
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 - 360 – PS3 – PC - March 2nd
Supreme Commander - PC – 360 - March 2nd
Final Fantasy XIII - 360 – PS3 – March 9th
Calling - Wii - March 9th
Resonance of Fate - 360 – PS3 – March 9th
God of War 3 - PS3 – March 16th
Dragon Age Origins: Awakening - 360 – PS3 – PC – March 16th
Command & Conquer 4 - PC – March 16th
Fragile Dreams: Farewell Ruins of the Moon - Wii - March 16th
Ninety-Nine Nights 2 - 360 – March 16th
Assassin’s Creed 2 - PC - March 16th
Red Steel 2 - Wii - March 23rd
Just Cause 2 - 360 – PS3 – PC – March 23rd
Warhammer 40K Dawn of War 2: Chaos Rising - PC - March 30th
Sakura Wars: So Long, My Love - Wii - March 31st
Hmm yes. I had tunnel vision on only one game in these three months but it definitely. I think my wallet is no longer crying but rather coughing and wheezing from lack of nutrition. With such a great start to 2010 it makes you wonder what will the fall hold in store?
Will it be bigger and better or like the ol’ expression goes “…in like a lion…out like a lamb” and just fizzle out the new year as we sing auld lang syne. I’m crossing my fingers it will be an excellent year, maybe hopefully one of the best we’ve seen in a while.
Final Fantasy and Mass Effect are already pre ordered but now I see a couple others I might have to get. Supreme Commander 2 and Command and Conquer.
Ah…The joys of game budgeting. For me, February is going to be the hardest month for games I’m interested in.
No More Heroes 2, Endless Ocean: Blue World, God of War III. That’s my Q1. Gotta get Dante’s Inferno and maybe Darksiders during the summer lull I guess or wait for the eventual Amazon Christmas fire sales and get ‘em cheap.
I’ve been itching to play some RTS and Kane in the Command and Conquer pic is whispering sweet nothings to me…hard to resist that baldy.
I not as hot on some of these titles, for me the end of 09 was much worse. I’m getting FFXIII for sure. Probably will rent Dante’s Inferno, MLB10. Never was into Mass Effect or Bioshock. I know, I’m crazy.
Good job on the article layout!
Thanks for the comments!
As for myself, I will be picking up Mass Effect 2, Bioshock 2, MLB 10, God of War 3, Supreme Commander 2, and Command and Conquer 4 for sure. I’ll wait and see what the word of mouth is for all of the other games.
I’m looking to get Mass Effect 2 Bioshock 2, God of War 3, Red Steel 2. Although I wont D1C any of them mainly because the originals of the first 3 listed are in my pile of shame which I will finish before I pick up the individual sequels, and I want to see if red steel 2 is any good before I get it.
I’m still on the fence about Mass Effect 2. I think I will end up getting it. There is a lot coming out. I think I might have to wait till review scores come out, and then make my decisions.