January 2010 saw the release of the highly anticipated Mass Effect 2, which started the year off with one of the most successful games ever made; which showed in many game of the year lists. This set the scene for a year with some amazing releases which were surprisingly spread out, which kept the year rolling through very nicely. This year looks set to see this continue with a line up that would make any lover of any genre smile.
The releases for 2011 are again dominated by sequels and rinse-and-repeat game titles and styles; however more original titles are slated for this year than the last. The year kicks off with two very highly anticipated sequels in Little Big Planet 2 and Dead Space 2. I have had the opportunity to play some of the at-the-time unfinished Dead Space 2 game in November last year and trust me this is everything that you have been waiting for. Graphically it’s a big improvement on what was already a great looking game (for its time). The sounds has also been given a huge overhaul, this is what really made the first title such a scary success.
Further into the year, February is turning up the heat as Epic and EA team up with BulletStorm, which falls on the same day as Guerrilla’s Killzone 3. Big competition for a new title, I guess Epic is very confident.
March; and we are only into the third month, and the its hotter than a Brazilian summer. Slated for the 8th we have Homefront, Dragon Age 2 and Dues Ex: Humon Revolution.
2011 sure is looking like a bumper year; I can see another mortgage coming on.
Fear 3, Portal 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic and Metal Gear Solid: Rising makes a show in the middle section of the year. All of these are sequels and although more polish will been seen from the last one I have not seen anything original about these titles. I am not trying to demean either one of them, however I am posing the question, have game developer’s lost the ability to think outside of the current stories and pre-existing characters? Where has the creativity gone?
The business end of the year is looking crazy!! Within the final 3 or 4 months some of the most expected titles of the year hit, and in quick succession. Rage, Socom 4, Uncharted 3, Elders Scroll 5, Forza 4 and Gears Of War 3. OMG!!
Other titles that are dated for release in 2011 include Brink, Diablo 3, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Max Pain, Guild Wars 2, Torchlight 2, Bionic Commander 2 and even Duke Nukem Forever.
What ever your taste is a big game release should be just around the corner in 2011. Stay tuned to Drop Bear Gaming for reviews of each of the games as they drop throughout the year. And don’t waste any money because you’re going to need it.
