It’s the New Year, which means it’s time to take a look at what gaming goodies await us. It turns out that 2010 was a stellar year for gaming in terms of quality titles, so it will be interesting to see if 2011 can match up or even exceed expectations.
Child of Eden (release Xbox 360, PS3 – Q1 2011)
The spiritual successor of classic Dreamcast title, Rez, Child of Eden could be the making of Kinect. It takes the trance-like core of the original gameplay and puts you in the middle of the action, thanks to Kinect’s controller-free gaming.
Like Rez, Child of Eden is a rhythm action shooter with you playing as a woman trying to escape from a wireframe machine. Although it will work with a normal Xbox controller, who wouldn’t want to play it on Kinect and swim through digital fireflies or fly alongside mysterious bioluminescent creatures. This one could unite Kinect with the core gamers.
The Last Guardian (PS3 – Q4 2011)
The Last Guardian is the latest title from Team Ico, the developers behind Ico and Shadow of the Colossus. Now you know me and my penchant for arty and Japanese. Well Team Ico always combines the best of these, in their haunting and beautiful games, and The Last Guardian looks like no exception.
In true Team Ico style, the game places a young boy at the centre of the action. He is trying to escape from a Gormenghast-style, crumbling castle. The boy frees a feathered creature, which looks something like a griffin and the game is about their growing relationship. Together, they must try to escape and that’s about it, but as far as I’m concerned, it’s enough.
It looks like a bumper year for PS3, as the Sony machine, continues to be the console of choice when it comes to art house gaming that pushes the boundaries. Journey is the latest from thatgamecompany, the developers behind flOw and Flower, both critical hits on PSN.
Featuring the team’s trademark minimalism, the game features a mysterious, robed character, who roams a sprawling desert, punctuated by strange stone towers and bridges. This is eerie, ethereal gaming and promises a new type of online gaming that sees you meet other players along the way. Looking at the trailer, this title looks beautiful and brings a welcome breath of fresh, serene air into the world of gaming.
Deus Ex: Human Revolution (PC, PS3, Xbox 360 – 01.04.11)
For something a little more conventional, I’m turning to the latest Deus Ex. There’s not enough cyberpunk around these days and judging by the trailer, Human Revolution is channeling the power of Blade Runner, which is more than enough reason to play it.
However, I am worried by the hint of MGS-style gameplay, but it could be just due to the build used in the trailer. I’m willing to withhold judgment and give this one a go, as it looks amazing and promises lashings of narrative-driven gaming.
L.A. Noire (PS3, Xbox 360 – Spring 2011)
Talking of narrative; nobody does it like Rockstar. And this time, Rockstar is going noire, which just happens to be one of my favorite genres of movie. Think L.A. Confidential, then add Rockstar and voice acting from one of the Mad Men cast and I’m thinking this could be pant-wettingly good.
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3, Xbox 360 – 11.11.11)
It’s the next Oblivion. Do I really need to say more?
Mass Effect 3 (PC, PS3, Xbox 360 – Q4 2011)
Apparently, it’s going to be big on the epic, feature enhanced RPG side with more combat options. Added to this, we’re promised a killer ending. It sounds to me like BioWare is focusing on the minor gripes fans had with ME2 and kicking them into touch. For the last time, I have another ME to look forward to and with good reason because when this team says "epic" we know they don’t mess.
All in all, it’s so far, so good for 2011.