Ghostbusters
Are the original busters too old to make Ghostbusters 3? Probably. But we have the closest thing to a direct sequel in this June-released next gen game, out now for all platforms. The reviews are in, and it has gotten pretty favorable feedback with the major complaint being that it is a bit stiff in certain areas. All that aside, you cannot beat the fact that the entire original cast has lent their voices and likenesses to the game, leading Dan Akroyd himself to declare this game to be Ghostbusters 3.
Fight Night Round 4
Holy Gawd! When Fight Night 3 dropped for the next gen systems we all had to pick up our jaws off the floor. Fight Night 4 promises to be all that and a bag of chips, especially with an all-new career mode, a near 50-man roster, and the inclusion of Iron Mike Tyson. I would bet the bank that this will be one of the finest boxing games you have ever played.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
Could this be the Batman game that we have always wanted? I sure hope so. While previous Dark Knight endeavors have left a bad taste in our mouths, Arkham Asylum promises to be the whole package. It supposedly combines complete stealth with straight up, break-your-face action to deliver a true Batman experience. The PS3 version will even let you play as the Joker. I have a feeling this one will end up being a nice immersive experience, sure to keep us busy for hours.
The Conduit
We don’t see many applause-worthy Wii games coming out too often. So far the biggest release in 2009 has been Punchout. The Conduit looks to be the first in what I hope is a debut of more mature-themed Wii games. This is a first-person, sci-fi shooter in which the main character faces a Washington D.C. affected by a virulent outbreak. Hey, if you can bring some solid action to the Wii, I’m all for it.
The Beatles: Rock Band
Who doesn’t like going to their friend’s house to play hours and hours of Rock Band? No one, that’s who! It sort of feels like the music simulation games are starting to fall off the radar. The Beatles: Rock Band may be just the thing to keep the genre afloat for at least a little while longer. The game will include a whopping 45 master tracks and additional downloadable content, and it will basically have the most gorgeous fake guitar to date in a Gretch Duo Jet. And the game also comes with a Hofner bass ala Paul McCartney.
Forza Motorsport 3
When Forza 2 came out, it was the closest thing to Gran Turismo that 360 owners could latch onto. The game completely delivered on all fronts from graphics to gameplay to all the amazing cars within the game. Forza 2 was a surprise hit and became a best seller immediately. Forza 3 promises to deliver on a bigger scale with new features, including more than 400 cars, 100 tracks, a driver car cam, and rewind capability. The game even has a car rollover feature for those big wrecks. Check this out come October.
Left 4 Dead 2
Do you like killing zombies? Who doesn’t! L4D2 picks up where Left 4 Dead, well, left off…sort of. The nation is in the midst of a zombie pandemic, and you can play as one of four survivors. You kill, avoid, and destroy all kinds of plague carriers. The big difference between 2 and 1 is that the new installment is set in the South and is sure to deliver more enemies and surprises. We would be in for a treat if the game sticks to the pseudo-cinema storylines for each mission.
Bioshock 2
Bioshock was such a great game. It took you to a morbid and mysterious undersea world that got more chaotic as you progressed, with a top-notch that really drew you into the saga. The sequel actually centers around the first Big Daddy, who was the prototype for the rest of them. The game also supposedly takes place ten years after the original where a Little Sister grew up and became a Big Sister—who took over Rapture and made a mess of things. I’m completely sold on this, and you should be, too. It comes out late October.
Tekken 6
Fighting games have made a huge comeback in the last year or so. We had Soul Caliber 4, Mortal Kombat DC, and the stellar Street Fighter 4. The Tekken series has always been one handled with love and a true fan favorite, and Tekken 6 is looking to tear it up for us one more time. There are reportedly 42 playable characters—more than any other in the franchise. There will be new battle modes, breakable stages, larger fighting areas, and a create-a-character mode. This installment takes place right after Tekken 5. The main story centers around Jin, Kazuya, and a bounty that has been put on Jin’s head. Tekken 6 is set to drop in October.
Modern Warfare 2
The first Modern Warfare completely blew our minds. MW2 will definitely do the same. Following the same storyline as the first (albeit a few years later) you find yourself in the midst of an international war on terror. The repercussions from the first game wind up in MW2, and it’s up to you to set things right. The missions will take you from Russia to the Middle East to Brazil. Details are scant right now, but the multi-player mode is sure to be stepped up a notch. There is also a Special Forces Co-op mode similar to the Mile High Club from MW1. Be on the lookout for this one at the end of the year.
Rich Stambolian is a writer/photographer based in Queens, NY. He's a pretty swell guy—just look at some of his pictures at rsphotolab.com.