Most Anticipated Games of 2010 from The Girl Gamer

As we leave 2009 behind we look forward to a brand new year full of new possibilities and new videogames. While there are tons of new titles announced for this year, these are the games that have caught my eye as the ones to pre-order.

Bayonetta – Sega, Platinum Games
Xbox 360 and Playstation 3

This over the top action game is like Devil May Cry on acid. Throw in the fact this game has a sexy heroine with super hair powers and guns in her shoes, and you have probably the weirdest and most intriguing game of the year. Best of all, you don’t have to wait to experience this title cause it’s available on store shelves now.

BioShock 2 – 2k Games
Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and PC

Even though I know the experience of playing BioShock 2 will never be as amazing as the first BioShock, I still can’t wait to get my hands on the sequel in February. New features in the sequel include a multiplayer mode, the new Big Sisters and the ability to work with the Little Sisters.

God of War III – SCEA, Santa Monica Studios
Playstation 3

Kratos will be back. God of War III will pick up right after the events of God of War II with Kratos working with Gaia to destroy Olympus. Those wanting to experience the game now, can check out the demo which is available when you buy the God of War collection on Playstation 3.

Final Fantasy XIII – Square Enix
Xbox 360 and Playstation 3

Finally the wait will be over and Final Fantasy fans will be able to play the 13th instalment in the official Final Fantasy series after such a long development process. This will mark the first time the official series has appeared on the Xbox 360. I personally can’t wait to dive into the world of Pulse with its newest hero, Lightning and her resistance group, Team Nora.

Fable III – Microsoft Studios, Lionhead Studios
Xbox 360

After an amazing comeback with Fable 2 in 2008, Lionhead Studios plans to wow us again in 2010 with Fable 3 in late November. The story will have a new hero defending the kingdom against an evil tyrant and then having to take on the crown themselves in the second half of the game.

Alan Wake – Microsoft Studios, Remedy Entertainment
Xbox 360

This psychological thriller follows Alan Wake, a writer who hasn’t written anything in months as he goes on vacation with his wife. Once they arrive in the sleepy town of Bright Falls, she disappears and Wake finds himself trapped in a nightmare story he swears he knows word for word, even though he hasn’t written it yet.

Okamiden: Chiisaki Taiyo – Capcom
Nintendo DS

After Clover Studios was shut down, Okami fans were afraid they would never see another instalment in the series but lucky for us, Capcom has continued the franchise with Okamiden: Chiisaki Taiyo on the Nintendo DS. The demons have returned to Nippon and Chibiterasu, the son of Amaterasu has been summoned along with his celestial brush to silence them forever.

Super Mario Galaxy 2 – Nintendo
Nintendo Wii

This could possibly be the year of the Nintendo hardcore fan with so many of the major franchises coming out with titles this year. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be hitting the Nintendo Wii this year with Mario finally sharing the spotlight with his old pal, Yoshi. Also look for Sin and Punishment 2 and Metroid: Other M on the Wii this year.

New Legend of Zelda Title – Nintendo
Nintendo Wii

Not much is known about the storyline of the future Legend of Zelda title but Nintendo places the release date for the game sometime in late 2010. The only thing we have seen from the game so far is a piece of artwork which shows Link with a shield and no sword, and him standing with a mysterious figure that shares common features similar to the Master Sword. [Update: When I wrote this, Nintendo hadn't announce the delay on this title.]

Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell: Conviction – Ubisoft, Ubisoft Montreal
Xbox 360 and PC

After seeing a stellar demo of Splinter Cell: Conviction at the Xbox Holiday Preview Event, I knew right off this would be the game to look for in the New Year. Due for release in February, Conviction follows Sam Fisher as he goes on the war path to find the men responsible for the death of his daughter but he is no longer with the Third Echelon and they are hunting him now.

StarCraft II – Blizzard Studios
PC

This is going to be a huge year for Blizzard – though... with an online legion of World of Warcraft players so big that they could start their own nation, when isn’t it Blizzard’s year. StarCraft II, a sequel that fans have been waiting for since the first game came out in 1998, is finally going to be hitting computers everywhere this year. On top of this amazing event, WoW will also be seeing a new expansion called Cataclysm and there’s always hope that Diablo 3 will be announced for the end of the year. Blizzard will definitely be rolling in the cash this year.

On top of these giant titles, I’m also keen on Halo: Reach, I Am Alive, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep, Death Spank, Lost Planet 2, Dante’s Inferno, Dark Void, Epic Mickey, Darksiders, Mass Effect 2, The Last Guardian and Star Wars: The Old Republic MMO; all amazing titles that have been announced for 2010. This year is full of great games just waiting for us to play the heck out of them and I for one can't wait to jump into the newest January titles I’ve already begun picking up. Expect reviews on these games and more this year from The Girl Gamer.