While the month of January may have been great for games, solely for Mass Effect 2, February is shaping up to be 10x better with games such as Heavy Rain, BioShock 2 and Dante’s Inferno. Be sure to check out our honorable mentions for a few games that may have slipped under your radar.
S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat
February 2, 2010
PC
The sequel to 2007’s Shadow of Chernobyl arrives this February. Call of Pripyat has players traverse through ‘the Zone’ and investigate a crash sites caused by a failed military mission, though you might have to pay a bit more attention to both the health of yourself and your guns, since weapons that get continued use will eventually become damaged if not maintained. Fortunately, if you ever get tired of the basic loadout, or just want more stuff, you can always talk with traders who are scattered throughout the Zone. While Call of Pripyant will have some pretty awesome visuals, it will also support older versions of DirectX, all the way down to DirectX 8 to be precise.
Star Trek Online
February 2, 2010
PC
While initial impressions on the beta are somewhat-mixed, it’s unlikely Star Trek Online will simply pass under the radar. If you’ve ever fantasized about commanding your own USS Enterprise with thousands of other pilots, here’s your chance. However, combat isn’t limited to space. Star Trek Online will also give players the ability to beam down to planets and practice their phaser abilities on one another.
BioShock 2
February 9, 2010
Xbox 360 | PlayStation 3| PC
BioShock 2 really doesn’t need a description. It’s BioShock 2. However, those expecting just another BioShock are in for a surprise. In case you haven’t heard by now, in BioShock 2 you’ll be controlling a Big Daddy this time, who has a lovely case of amnesia. Players will scour the city of Rapture, set 10 years after the first game, in an attempt to reunite with the Little Sister he was once paired with. However, after finding out what Rapture’s leader Sofia Lamb has in store for the city, things take an interesting turn. Oh yeah, BioShock 2 will also feature multiplayer.
Dante’s Inferno
February 9, 2010
Xbox 360 | PlayStation 3 | PSP
Dante’s Inferno, published by EA, is loosely based on Inferno, the first book of Dante Alighieri’s epic poem The Divine Comedy. Similar to God of War, the game will feature both light and heavy attacks, along with magic. Your weapon of choice? A scythe, stolen from Death itself. While the game caused a bit of controversy last year (thanks in part to EA themselves), there’s little doubt it’ll cause a splash upon release.
Aliens vs. Predator
February 16, 2010
Xbox 360 | PlayStation 3 | PC
A remake from the 1999 game of the same name, Aliens vs. Predator looks to be what Rebellion Developments originally wanted to do over 10 years ago, but just couldn’t due to the technology back then. Instead of giving players just one role to play as throughout the game, players can choose to be either a Colonial Marine, Alien or Predator, the latter of the two being the main focus of the game (obviously). Don’t expect this to be an average run-and-gun type game, either. With new species comes new tactics, such as the ability to cloak yourself as a Predator, while Aliens will require a more “personal” tactic.
Heavy Rain
February 23, 2010
PlayStation 3
Heavy Rain is already on most gamers’ radars, mainly for boasting some amazing graphics and unique narrative structure, along with quick time events for chase and combat sequences. We’ve seen videos where a decision based solely on what you choose can decide whether an event has a happy or bloody ending, something you don’t see a whole lot of these days. What’s also interesting is the game’s control scheme. Instead of the usual “press X to jump” layout, you’ll use the PlayStation 3’s triggers much like you would in a racing game. By pressing harder or softer on the trigger, you control the speed of your character. The left analog stick controls your character’s head and direction you move. But the biggest thing Heavy Rain has going for it is the storyline itself.
“Heavy Rain is about normal people who have landed in extraordinary situations,” explains David Cage, director of Heavy Rain. “I wanted a much more personal story. The first thing that came to my mind, as a father of two little boys, was that the main theme should simply be a father’s love for his son. This is not a game about saving the princess or the world. Its purely about a father’s love. The main story will revolve around four different characters, and we’re putting the spotlight on their perceptions. The question ‘what is good and what is evil’ is the key here, that will be just a matter of viewpoint…I believe heavily in moral choices, I’m going to use them A LOT. They’re not about being good or bad, but about finding the right balance.”
Honorable Mentions
Global Agenda
February 1, 2010
PC
White Knight Chronicles
February 2, 2010
PlayStation 3
SOCOM: U.S. Navy SEALs Fireteam Bravo 3
February 16, 2010
PSP
Napolean: Total War
February 23, 2010
PC