Top 5 games to watch out for in 2010

I’m finding that 2010 is whizzing along at a brisk pace and for the most part, I’ve just been left in its wake with my mouth wide open.  Not anymore.  I’m currently working my way through finishing off the achievements for existing games such as inFamous, Burnout Paradise and Assassin’s Creed II.  But there’s something missing.  What’s next?

And so, I turned my mind to the upcoming games that are due to hit us this year.  I’ve not picked any favourites, but rather games that are all unique and special in some way.  Let’s take a look, shall we?

My pick

1) MAG (Massive Action Game) [PS3 Only]

To kick off this list, you can’t get more unique than a game that can support up to 256 players at once in online multiplayer.  MAG is available now, but time will tell if this innovative genre has legs.  Warhawk blazed the trail and SOCOM: Confrontation took the combat to the ground, but Zipper Interactive might have truly combined the best of both worlds to create a slice of gaming heaven.  The question on my lips is whether people are going to be bothered enough to ditch the sublime Modern Warfare 2?  I suspect not.

2) Halo: Reach [Xbox 360 Only]

After the damp squib that was Halo 3: ODST, Halo fans are hoping that the swan song for the franchise will go out with a bang.  The Halo series pretty much defined online multiplayer gaming for Xbox Live and has been one of the most successful online franchise of this generation.  Whatever your thoughts are on FPS games or online multiplayer, Halo is, and will remain a big deal for this year.

3) Heavy Rain [PS3 Only]

Ok, enough of first-person shooters.  Let’s take a look at an interesting concept for a game:  Heavy Rain is described as a ‘dark, film-noir thriller’.  This continues the increasing trend of publishing more mature games.  Games consoles aren’t just for kids.  However the developers behind Heavy Rain wouldn’t really call what they’re creating a ‘game’.  It’s looking like it going to be more like an interactive movie.  Whatever genres you prefer, Heavy Rain should make a refreshing change of pace.

4) Alan Wake [Xbox 360 Only]

Contrasting perfectly with Heavy Rain is Alan Wake by the same people behind the Max Payne series.  Whilst sharing the same deep story elements with Heavy Rain, it looks like Alan Wake is going to have some proper gameplay underpinning it.  Whether it’s even fair to be comparing these two games against each other is something that only time will tell.  Alan Wake is supposed to present itself as an episodic TV series with the game being perhaps just the first series.  Also, with the developers being inspired by shows such as Lost and writers such as Stephen king, gamers should be in for a treat with this one.

5) DC Universe Online [PS3, PC]

Sony is aiming to bring a fully-featured MMO to its console but whilst trying to avoid the all-too-common pitfalls: high monthly subscription fees, stagnant content and repetitive gameplay.  Not much is known at this point though, considering the game has been penciled in for a release early this year.  Yet with a rich IP to pick  and choose from, and the intention to make the game as exciting and accessible as possible, this one could yet be a winner.

So there you have it

That’s my list done and dusted but to be fair, there were plenty of other games to choose from, such as BioShock 2, Gran Turismo 5, Battlefield: Bad Company 2, and Metal Gear Solid: Peacewalker to name a few.  They didn’t make the cut this time, but they are no less worthy.  Have you got any games that you’re keeping an eye out for this year?