2010 has been an epic year in gaming, both in releases and announcements. The release of the two gaming peripherals known as the Xbox Kinect (formerly Project Natal) and the Playstation Move has rocked the industry, and developers are now scampering to adapt to the coming technological race. But what of the PC?
Most people claim that PC gaming is dying, but some are optimistic (like me). MMOs are not the only things to expect for the Keyboard and Mouse toting rig, and this list will prove it. Here’s the top ten PC games to definitely watch out for this coming 2011, so you’d better hang on to your seats!
10. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher/Developer: CD Projekt RED
Release Date: May 17, 2011
The Witcher 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the hit 2007 action RPG of the same name by Polish development studio CD Projekt RED. It continues the story of Geralt of Rivia, a “Witcher” or monster hunter as he embarks on a new hack-and-slash quest across the realms. Much has yet to be revealed regarding the sequel’s plot, but the new engine and graphics look stunning.
9. Portal 2
Genre: Puzzle FPS
Publisher/Developer: Valve Interactive
Release Date: April 21, 2011
The cake may be a lie, but this one definitely isn’t. Valve’s hit puzzle shooter Portal returns with a sequel, and it seems that GLADOS has decided to produce robots for its tests. The teaser trailers show a curious cooperative system of solving portal puzzles, so you’d better find a buddy that likes Portal.
8. Crysis 2
Genre: Action FPS
Publisher/Developer: Crytek
Release Date: March 22, 2011
The acclaimed systems benchmarking game Crysis returns with a vengeance in Crysis 2, and from the looks of it, this sequel will again attempt to make your rig cry.
The graphics are extreme, the gameplay is intense, and the nanosuits are simply to die for. The game also showcases developer Crytek’s new Cryware 2 engine, and it certainly does not disappoint. This game may be affordable to most, but it’ll take a beast of a system to run it in full specs. Make sure you’re up to par.
7. Blade And Soul
Genre: MMO RPG
Publisher/Developer: NCSoft
Release Date: Q4 2011
Announced way back in late 2008, MMO masters NCsoft is preparing to release Blade and Soul, a lavishly designed martial arts MMO developed using the Cryware engine this coming year. With eye-popping character designs created by Hyung Tae Kim of Magna Carta fame, this eyecandy of a game is a deserving entry in the top ten things to watch out for.
6. Guild Wars 2
Genre: MMO RPG
Publisher/Developer: ArenaNet
Release Date: TBA (2011)
Guild Wars was a MMO that set new standards in the MMO industry with its PVP centric, non-grinding systems. ArenaNet pushes the limits of design further with this sequel with a full set of features such as community-controlled quests and player to player ability combinations.
The question in the minds of the fans, however, is not whether the sequel can keep in par with the original. Rather, will it still employ the same pay once then free forever system that made the first such a big hit?รย
5. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Genre: MMO RPG
Publisher/Developer: Bioware
Release Date: Q3/Q4 2011
Early in 2010, the gaming community was rocked by a certain announcement: Bioware, one of the leading RPG developers in the world, is creating a Star Wars MMO. A few trailers were released after that, and we are drooling for more.
New systems such as an on-the-fly customization mechanic and a choice between light side and dark side character types are but a few of the many things that the game promises to deliver to the market, making it definitely to watch for.
4. Batman: Arkham City
Genre: 3rd Person Action Adventure
Publisher/Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Release Date: Q3 2011
The Caped Crusader returns for another crime-fighting, mystery solving, tactical sneaking round this 2011 with Batman: Arkham City, the sequel to the 2009 hit beat-em-up game of the same name. Quincy Sharp (the warden of Arkham Asylum) has decided to expand his territory, creating an Alcatraz-like Arkham City near Gotham’s borders. As always, all hell breaks loose and only the Dark Knight can restore things back to normal.
The old cast returns in this game, along with a few newcomers: Batman’s old flame Selina Kyle in the guise of the femme fatale Cat Woman, the schizophrenic Harvey Dent in his Two Face persona, and a dangerous adversary known as Hugo Strange, a mad criminal mastermind and the only one who knows the Batman’s true identity. Will we get to ride around in that sexy Batmobile in this game? Stay tuned!
3. Diablo 3
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher/Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Release Date: Q4 2011
The king of delays and teasers return to torment us rabid fans once more with Diablo 3, Blizzard’s extremely anticipated follow-up to their 2000 action RPG of the same name. Videos have been shown, screenshots have been both released and leaked, and character profiles have been discussed, but a release date has yet to be announced. When will you release us from the torment, Blizzard? WHEN?
2. Mass Effect 3
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher/Developer: Bioware
Release Date: Q4 2011
Shortly before the release of Mass Effect 2, developer Bioware announced that the series will be a trilogy. They didn’t take long to release a follow-up as teaser trailers of Mass Effect 3 hit the net a few weeks ago.
It seems that Commander Shepard is once again called to battle as the Reapers lay waste to what seems to be London. Will the crew of the Normandy end this alien threat once and for all, or will humanity perish? Only time will tell.
1. Dragon Age 2
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher/Developer: Bioware
Release Date: March 8, 2011
Fanboys rejoice: the sequel to the absolutely ravishing RPG of 2009 has finally been given a release date! Dragon Age 2 tells the story of Hawke, a survivor of the Blight, as he rises to power and fight the evils of the darkspawn amidst the Free Marches.
Is he the last Grey Warden? What is that weapon he’s using? Why can he use magic? Is he half darkspawn? Will we be seeing Morrigan again? Will we hear the words ENCHANTMENT! once more? All these questions will be answered soon, dear reader, as we wait patiently the release of this game amidst the Fade.
The release dates posted above are subject to change depending on the decision of their respective developers.
