The 30 most anticipated video games of 2010 (photos)
It's time to look ahead and search out the most anticipated games of 2010. Our list nearly doubles 2009's, so there is a lot to get excited about.
David Carnoy
Executive Editor David Carnoy has been a leading member of CNET's Reviews team since 2000. He covers the gamut of gadgets and is a notable reviewer of mobile accessories and portable audio products, including headphones and speakers. He's also an e-reader and e-publishing expert as well as the author of the novels Knife Music, The Big Exit and Lucidity. All the titles are available as Kindle, iBooks, Kobo e-books and audiobooks.
Jeff is CNET Editor at Large and a host for CNET video. He's regularly featured on CBS and CBSN. He founded the site's longest-running podcast, The 404 Show, which ran for 10 years. He's currently featured on Giant Bomb's Giant Beastcast podcast and has an unhealthy obsession with ice hockey and pinball.
Dark Void has you battling an alien race after a trip to the Bermuda Triangle takes you to another dimension. With the help of Nikola Tesla, you'll unleash new technology and weapons to aid you in battle.
Developer: Capcom Release date: January 19, 2010
2 of 30
Mass Effect 2 (Xbox 360, PC)
Mass Effect 2 continues the story of Commander Shepard in the 22nd century in this role-playing game. New characters, locations, and improved graphics await you in the follow-up to the award-winning original.
Developer: BioWare Release date: January 26, 2010
3 of 30
MAG (PS3)
MAG (Massive Action Game) will allow for up to 256 simultaneous players online, the most of any home console game ever.
Developer: Zipper Interactive Release date: January 26, 2010
4 of 30
Bayonetta (Xbox 360, PS3)
Bayonetta is an over-the-top action game that features a female heroine who draws her supernatural powers from her hair. We promise you've never played anything like Bayonetta before.
Developer: Platinum Games Release date: January 2010
5 of 30
No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle (Wii)
Travis Touchdown returns in the bizarre and eccentric action-adventure game built specifically for the Nintendo Wii.
Star Trek Online is a massively multiplayer online game that immerses you into the world ofStar Trek. Now you can explore the galaxy, defend your bases and ships,and play as your favorite characters from the Star Trek TV show.
Developer: Cryptic Studios Release date: February 2, 2010
7 of 30
BioShock 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
BioShock 2 takes us back to Rapture once again where 10 years have passed and the city continues to decay. New splicers and another immersive storyline make this one of 2010's most anticipated.
Developer: 2K Marin Release date: February 9, 2010
8 of 30
Dante's Inferno (Xbox 360, PS3, PSP)
Based on the classic poem of the same name, players will guide Dante on a brutal adventure through the nine circles of Hell.
Developer: Visceral Games Release Date: Feb. 9, 2010
9 of 30
Splinter Cell: Conviction (Xbox 360)
Sam Fisher is back in a brand-new adventure, but this time it's personal. In Splinter Cell: Conviction, Sam is determined to smoke out his daughter's killer, but gets tangled in a conspiracy while trying to do so.
Developer: Ubisoft Montreal Release date: February 23, 2010
10 of 30
Lost Planet 2 (Xbox 360, PS3)
Lost Planet 2 continues the story 10 years after the events of the first game where the snow has melted, giving way to a lush jungle environment.
Developer: Capcom Release Date: Feb. 23, 2010
11 of 30
Final Fantasy XIII (Xbox 360, PS3)
Final Fantasy XIII is the latest in a franchise that stretches decades across the gaming world. This game marks the first time the series will appear on an Xbox 360.
Developer: Square Enix Release date: March 9, 2010
12 of 30
God of War III (PS3)
God of War III is the first game in the franchise on the PlayStation 3. Eye-popping graphics, new weapons, new capabilities, and an improved quick-time system highlight Kratos' new adventure.
Developer: SCEA Release date: March 2010
13 of 30
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360, PS3)
Take on the role of outlaw John Marston and battle through the old west in this gun-slinging, bank robbing, train hijacking adventure.
Developer: Rockstar Games Release date: April 27, 2010
14 of 30
Alan Wake (Xbox 360)
Alan Wake is a psychological thriller that tells the story of an author who is haunted by a small north-western town after his wife mysteriously vanishes.
Developer: Remedy Entertainment Release date: Q1 2010
15 of 30
Red Steel 2 (Wii)
The follow up to Red Steel will require Wii MotionPlus and promises a more precise 1:1 control scheme. Sleek cell-shaded graphics and a new storyline hope to improve on the original in every way.
Developer: Ubisoft Paris Release Date: Q1 2010
16 of 30
Heavy Rain (PS3)
Heavy Rain will attempt to take storytelling in videogames to a brand-new level. With real-life character emotions, the title promises to suck you in like nothing else before.
Developer: Quantic Dream Release date: Q1 2010
17 of 30
Sin and Punishment 2 (Wii)
This new sequel blends intuitive Wii Remote pointing controls with the shooting and sword-swinging game play that made the original an instant classic.
Developer: Treasure Release date: Q1 2010
18 of 30
Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker (PSP)
The Metal Gear Solid saga continues, this time on the Sony PSP. Peace Walker is a direct sequel to Metal Gear Solid 3.
Developer: Kojima Productions Release date: May 25, 2010
19 of 30
Prince of Persia: The Forgotten Sands (Xbox 360, PS3, DS)
To coincide with the release of the major motion picture, The Forgotten Sands will continue the story after the original Sands of Time game.
Developer: Ubisoft Release date: May 2010
20 of 30
Starcraft II (PC)
After years of delays, Starcraft II will hit 2010 in the form of three separate chapters.
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Release date: Q2 2010
21 of 30
Metroid: Other M (Wii)
Metroid: Other M is a 2D/3D hybrid game separate from the Metroid Prime series. The game takes place between the events of Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion and features first and third-person action.
Developer: Team Ninja Release date: 2010
22 of 30
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii)
Nintendo announced Super Mario Galaxy 2 at the company's E3 2009 news conference, so we're hoping to see the game by Christmas 2010.
Developer: Nintendo Release date: 2010
23 of 30
I Am Alive (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
There aren't many details surrounding I Am Alive, but we do know that you'll assume the role of a character who survives a massive city-wide disaster.
Developer: Ubisoft Shanghai Release date: 2010
24 of 30
Mafia II (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Mafia II once again thrusts players into the seedy underbelly of organized crime, with the action taking place this time in 1940s and 50s. It's been a while since the original game, so expect improvements from every angle.
Developer: 2K Czech Release date: 2010
25 of 30
Gran Turismo 5 (PS3)
After what seems like a never-ending tirade of delays, the Sony flagship racing simulator will finally grace the PlayStation 3 in 2010.
Developer: Polyphony Digital Release date: 2010
26 of 30
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow (Xbox 360, PS3)
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow marks the first Castlevania game for the current generation consoles.
Developer: Mercury Steam Release date: 2010
27 of 30
Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
Set in the Knights of the Old Republic universe, Star Wars: The Old Republic will offer a massively multiplayer online role-playing experience for the PC.
Developer: BioWare, LucasArts Release date: 2010
28 of 30
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (PC)
One of the most popular online role-playing games gets an expansion pack in the form of new zones, two new races, and increased level cap.
Developer: Blizzard Entertainment Release date: 2010
29 of 30
Max Payne 3 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
After several years out of the gaming spotlight, Max Payne will return in 2010 with the third installment in the franchise from Rockstar Games.
Developer: Rockstar Games Release date: 2010
30 of 30
ModNation Racers (PS3)
ModNation Racers combines character customization with go-cart track design, allowing you to build your own courses. Best described as Sim City meets LittleBigPlanet, we've got ModNation Racers on our radar.
