For the video gaming industry, 2010 looks to be the year of the sequel. Many of the top franchises are returning with brand new games that are sure to whet gamers’ appetites. Check out this list of the most anticipated video game sequels of 2010.
Castlevania Lords of Shadows (XBOX 360, PS3)—Described as a reboot to the Castlevania series, Lords of
Shadows is going to be a tricky balancing act. The developers have added many new elements to attract new fans while trying to keep a few classic elements so that old Castlevania fans aren’t alienated. Will it work and give the series a much-needed shot to the arm? Only time will tell.
Dead Rising 2 (XBOX 360, PS3, PC)—If the zombie apocalypse ever becomes a reality, Dead Rising 2 will give you all the training you need to survive it. In this sequel, you’ll once again be taking on scores of the undead in Fortune City (a Las Vegas clone). This looks to be survival horror at its bloody best.
Final Fantasy XIII (XBOX 360, PS3)—It seems that March will be the month when many of my friends disappear into the Final Fantasy world once again. There’s really not much you can say about Final Fantasy that hasn’t been said before, so expect another beautiful game from the series.
God of War III (PS3)—Topping many other “Most anticipated” lists, God of War III looks to be the game that PS3 fanboys can finally shove in XBOX 360 fanboys’ faces to say “The PS3 is more than a Blu-ray player!” Expect the gameplay to be similar to previous God of War titles, and enjoy the most beautiful graphics the series has seen yet.
Halo Reach (XBOX 360)—Okay, so it’s technically a prequel rather than a sequel, but Halo Reach still gets a spot on this list. In Halo Reach, you’ll be playing as the Lieutenant in the Battle of Reach. As with other Halo titles, this will be a first-person shooter. Halo Reach will be hitting store shelves in Fall 2010, just in time for Christmas.
Mass Effect 2 (XBOX 360, PC)—You won’t have to wait long to play this science fiction, RPG adventures as Mass Effect 2 is slated for release at the end of January. The combat system has received heavy upgrades to make fights smoother and better than in the first installment of the Mass Effect series. Welcome to the year 2183.
Sin and Punishment 2 (Wii)—N64 gamers might remember the original Sin and Punishment. In this sequel, players can now fly, taking this already over-the-top rail shooter to new heights. Good luck getting the top score!
Splinter Cell: Conviction (XBOX 360)—At one point, this game was scheduled to be released back in 2007. But the developers decided to scratch everything and go back to the drawing board to ensure this title is the best the series has seen to date. The game comes loaded with many new features, including real-time interrogation, the ability to vanish in a crowd, and much more.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)—The 3D worlds and the enemies you know from the first Super Mario Galaxy will all be coming back for this sequel. Now, you can also take Yoshi along for your journey to defeat Bowser Jr. Let’s get to the point: It’s another Mario game, so it’s sure to be fun and entertaining.
Which video game sequels are you most looking forward to in 2010? Share your thoughts in the replies.
