Crysis 2 ---> Fallout: New Vegas
Release date: TBA - Genre: FPS
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Marking the second title in the planned trilogy, Crysis 2 will make its way to consoles and is the first game to use the new CryEngine 3 development engine. The game is supposed to take place four years after Crysis, when aliens invade New York City. It will feature a redesigned Nanosuit, and there is talk of a revamped jungle. Apart from that, details are scant – but if Crysis 2 is anything like its predecessor, you should start saving for a new GPU now.
Release date: January 19 - Genre: Third-Person Shooter, Platformer
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
After crashing a flying boat in the Bermuda Triangle, cargo pilot William Augustus Grey is teleported to a parallel universe where he encounters other humans (Survivors) and a hostile alien race (The Watchers). Teaming up with other Survivors – among who is scientist Nikola Tesla – Grey makes a bid to return home.
Dark Void is a third-person shooter that blends Gears of War-inspired cover tactics and flight mechanics (via acquired hover and jet packs). The game is one of the first of this list to make it to retail, hitting U.S. shelves on January 19.
Release date: April 2010 - Genre: Sandbox Survival Horror, RPG
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Set a few years after Dead Rising in the Las Vegas-like Fortune City, players control Chuck Greene as he slaughters hordes of zombies and embarks on missions. While the gameplay will remain similar to the original, Dead Rising 2 boasts many improvements.
The maximum onscreen zombie-count has jumped from 800 to roughly 6,000, and the game will contain more weapons, missions (the photography mechanic isn't present though), and a "more interesting" protagonist.
Release date: TBA - Genre: FPS, RPG
Platforms: PC
Deus Ex 3 is a prequel to the blockbuster Deus Ex, which is set in 2027, before the development of nanotechnological augmentations. The story follows Adam Jensen, a private security officer for a biomechanical company that is raided by a government black ops group.
Mentioned augmentations include the ability to punch through walls and octopus-like tentacles that can be used to slow your descent when leaping off buildings. The conspiracy begins in Shanghai and spans five other metropolises, such as Detroit and Montreal, and will lead to the formation of UNATCO (United Nations Anti-Terrorist Coalition) from the original game.
The game also incorporates a regenerating health model, upgradeable and customizable weapons, and the stealth mechanics will rely on a cover system rather than shadows.
Release date: TBA - Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: PC
We'll admit upfront that there's virtually no chance Diablo III will launch this year, but since it lacks an official release date we'll at least entertain the idea. The game takes place in Sanctuary, twenty years after the events of Diablo II. Like its forerunner (and the recent hit Torchlight), Diablo III combines dungeon roaming with hack and slash action, and will introduce several new dimensions to the gameplay.
Unlike most potion heavy titles in the genre, players will collect orbs from fallen enemies to regenerate health. There will be five character classes (and you'll actually be able to select your gender), including the Barbarian, Witch Doctor, Wizard, Monk, and the fifth has yet to be revealed. Diablo III will also take advantage of the revamped Battle.net, which is planned to roll out alongside StarCraft II.
Release date: TBA - Genre: Action RPG
Platforms: PC, Xbox 360, PS3
Bethesda announced Fallout: New Vegas during a company event in London last year, and although it's due in 2010, very little is known about the game. It takes place in whatever is left of post-apocalyptic Las Vegas, and is independent of previous Fallout titles. Despite that, Hines noted that it will offer the same RPG experience as Fallout 3.