Please support Game Informer. Print magazine subscriptions are less than $2 per issue
Small Talk: What’s Hot On The Horizon
All the Christmas lights are out, the egg nog has been drunk, and all the used wrapping paper has been stuffed into the fireplace. The holidays are practically over, and that means yesterday’s hot game is tomorrow’s old news. The New Year is all about looking forward. What is 2010 going to mean for you? We know what it means to us; lots of quality game time. Here is what the GI crew is most excited for in the coming months.
Ben: Two of the games I'm looking forward to most are Mass Effect 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction, but one of the games that has recently popped onto my radar is Red Dead Redemption. I loved Gun, but felt like the whole experience was undercooked. Still, the idea of setting an open-world game in the Wild West is brilliant. Red Dead looks like the perfect way for me to live out my Cowboy fantasies, without having to experience certain annoyances like sleeping on the ground or, you know, getting shot at. If anyone can capture the adventure and romance of the old west and put it in a game, I'm sure it's Rockstar. Of course, I’m also excited for Final Fantasy XIII, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Dead Rising 2, the Last Guardian, Star Craft II, and The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom. Just thinking about all these awesome games is starting to give me a panic attack.
Annette: Red Dead Redemption looks very appealing and I trust Rockstar can do no wrong with this title based on what I've seen of it so far. I'm also really looking forward to FFXIII. It's been a while since we've had a solid JRPG so come March all my other games will be put on hold so I can give it the time it deserves. Other games I expect will destroy my bank account (and social life) include Bayonetta (she's my hero), Heavy Rain and BioShock 2. I've spent a considerable amount of time with BioShock 2 and have enjoyed the improved gameplay mechanics so far. I'm just really curious as to how the narrative will play out. I can't wait to find out.
Tim: I could not be more excited for Mega Man 10. I believe that game means the continuation of the retro renaissance, which has graced our consoles over the last couple years. I absolutely adore Mega Man 9, so I'm obviously pumped for the opportunity to die repeatedly while getting catchy, 8-bit tunes stuck in my head. Beyond that I've been enjoying Bayonetta thoroughly, and it would easily fall in my top 10 games of 2009 if not for it officially releasing next month. Other than that I'm really crossing my fingers for Super Mario Galaxy 2 next year. I just finished my Luigi playthrough in the first game and it's unbelievable how fun that game remains. 2010 is going to be mind-blowing. Also, Last Guardian, Final Fantasy XIII, Dead Rising 2, and Mass Effect 2.
Jeff M: Wow, Tim is anticipating a Mega Man game. Shocker.
Bryan: My 2010 must-plays so far: Bayonetta, Mass Effect 2, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Heavy Rain, God of War III, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker, Halo: Reach, Lost Planet 2, BioShock 2, Final Fantasy XIII, Metroid: Other M, and Sin and Punishment 2.
Dan: I played the God of War III demo again today, and I don't think there's anything on the radar that I want more than that. Replaying the first two in the GOW Collection only has me more excited. Outside of Kratos-related titles, I'm looking forward to Bayonetta after playing a few hours and watching Annette and Joe review it. While Super Mario Galaxy 2 almost looks like a "more of the same" situation, I couldn't be more alright with that. The original was the best 3D platformer of all time in my opinion, and more of that can only be a good thing. My excitement for Heavy Rain went up substantially after playing several stages of the preview build, and I definitely have high hopes. These games alongside promising titles like Dead Rising 2, Split Second, Metroid: Other M, and the new Zelda should ensure a great 2010.
Jeff M: I'm a big fan of Mass Effect, and I've been enjoying our import copy of FFXIII, but my most anticipated game of next year is Red Dead Redemption, hands down. I love the GTA series, and Red Dead is just the stylistic curveball Rockstar's formula needs to remain fresh. The rural landscape, spaghetti western vibe, and myriad new mechanics make it a day one purchase for me.
Meagan: I still need to polish off some of the best games from 2009 before I can dive into next year's offerings. That being said, I can't wait to get my hands on Bayonetta, Final Fantasy XIII, Heavy Rain, God of War III, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition, Super Mario Galaxy 2 and BioShock 2. I am sure there are more than I'm forgetting, but my plate is already overflowing. Goodbye social life.
Jeff C: Looking at next year's lineup, I'm somewhat relieved that Mass Effect 2 and Final Fantasy XIII aren't on my must-play list. With those potential time sinks out of the way, it frees up space for games like Splinter Cell: Conviction, Heavy Rain and God of War III. Jeez. Maybe I should just copy Meagan's list. She did forget (or ignore) one of my most anticipated releases, though: Dead Rising 2. The cheesy multiplayer is a blast, and I can't wait to slice crowds of zombies in half on my chainsaw-enhanced motorcycle. I'm also really looking forward to Battlefield: Bad Company 2 and Red Dead Redemption, though I'm not going to follow buckaroo Ben's lead and admit to having "Cowboy fantasies."
Ben: Your turn. There are a lot of games slated for 2010, which ones are you most excited about?
I’d like to ask you to support Game Informer’s continued coverage of games with a subscription. For less than two dollars per issue, we mail you a full year of 10 print magazines, each with cover stories and preview features filled with exclusive details about the most exciting upcoming games. We profile and interview game creators. We look back on the rich history of gaming, and we celebrate what’s next.
Here on the website, we offer much of our content for free, including game reviews, daily news, videos, event coverage, and more – all with minimal ads.
We do so with a small editorial team, alongside contributing paid writers from around the world – over 65 individuals from 9 countries around the world, just in the last couple of years.
It’s not possible without support.
In a time when game makers and games coverage have faced hard struggles and layoffs, the future of this 30+ year magazine and community is at risk. Our new standalone magazine subscription is the number one way you can keep us alive – and we believe you’ll get a pretty fantastic gaming magazine in your mailbox every few weeks for your trouble.
Thank you.
