Welcome to 2010, the year that will see the release of many games that were too scared to release in 2009. It’s going to be a big year for gaming. In fact, it’s going to be a huge first quarter. And while things will really start to pick up in Februrary and March, we do have a handful of quality new releases this month too.
Starting things off is Platinum Games’ very well reviewed Bayonetta. The game is already in India and on course for a Day 1 release on Xbox 360 and PS3 for Rs 2,499. It’s been getting great reviews everywhere, including a perfect 40/40 in Famitsu and a 9.5/10 from IGN (for the Xbox 360 version at least). Look for Bayonetta in stores on January 8.
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Closely following Bayonetta, is Vigil Games and THQ’s equally impressive Darksiders, an exciting mix of puzzle-solving, exploration, and hack-n-slash action for Xbox 360 and PS3 (with a PC version to follow a few months later). Darksiders too has been getting some impressive reviews, including 9/10 from IGN and 8/10 from Eurogamer. The game should be in stores a few days after Bayonetta (around 10th January) at an MRP of Rs 2,499.
Salem and Rios return this month for the sequel to EA’s testosterone-fuelled co-op shooter Army Of Two. Army Of Two: The 40th Day is due out on January 15 on Xbox 360 and PS3. While the PS3 version will be priced at Rs 2,499, with all the drama around Xbox 360 EA games, we still have no clue on the price of the 360 version. There is also a simultaneous PSP release at Rs 1,499, and rather than a half assed port, the PSP version is quite different from the home console versions and sports a top-down view as opposed to the third-person perspective.
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Capcom and Airtight Games’ Dark Void is due for release this month as well. Part third-person shooter and part jetpack flight combat, there hasn’t been a whole lot of buzz around this one, so we’re not quite sure what to expect from it. But we’ll have our review out soon enough to help you make up your minds. Dark Void should be in stores on January 19 on Xbox 360 and PS3 for Rs 3,499.
The last notable new release of January is also one of the biggest releases of the year. Mass Effect 2, the sequel to Bioware’s critically acclaimed 2007 action RPG is finally heading to stores on January 29. Both standard and collector’s editions of the game will be available on PC and Xbox 360, but with so much uncertainty around pricing, all we can say for sure is the PC standard edition will cost Rs 999. For everything else, we’ll just have to wait and see.
So there it is; five top releases to kick off 2010. Think of this as the calm before the storm because February onwards, the new releases will come flying in from all directions. Until then, we’ll leave you with this little update – IVG’s 2008 Game of the Year Metal Gear Solid 4: The Guns of the Patriots, which was until now priced at Rs 3,499, is now available at just Rs 1,799. A must buy for all PS3 owners.
