This week’s “Most Anticipated” series is coming to a close, and last but certainly not least comes the PC list. While some people say that PC gaming is dying, the list of games coming out this year (most of them exclusive) suggest that the PC is doing just fine as a viable gaming platform.
Anthony and I recently chatted about what games we’re most looking forward to for this upcoming year, and also about how Anthony is totally going to destroy Chad Concelmo when they have their epic volcano fight. Chad totally punches like a girl anyway.
Hit the jump to see what games we’re most excited about.
5. The Sims 3
So, everyone has a few guilty pleasure games, andThe Simsis one of mine. A lot of people criticize the series for being “too casual”, but that doesn’t matter because I think it’s a ton of fun. Looking at what’s been released so far, it appears that there are going to be a ridiculous amount of customization options and the characters look pretty lifelike, so your fantasies of creating a Paris Hilton look-alike and locking her in a closet until she wets herself can finally be realized. Even if you play the game without being a total pervert, there should be enough stuff to do to keep you occupied for a long, long time.
4. Machinarium
I’m a sucker for adventure games. Having grown up onKing’s Quest,Indiana Jones, andMonkey Island, the lack of new adventure titles has been extremely disappointing.Machinariumalmost slipped under my radar until I saw Chad’s post on it back in October. Gorgeous artwork, solid adventure gaming, and the crew responsible forSamorost– how could you not be pumped for this game?
3. Starcraft II
Anyone who had a PC back in the late 90s has probably playedStarcraft. Hell, the original game is still wildly popular, and there’s a good reason why.Starcraftis still one of the best RTS games ever created, and there’s no reason to think the sequel will be any different. While I’m disappointed that they’re going to be releasing a separate game for each race’s campaign, the excitement I’ll get from finally getting my hands on a newStarcraftgame will more than make up for it.
2. Black Mesa
The originalHalf Lifeis one of my favorite shooters of all time, yet I have to admit that I was fairly disappointed withHalf Life: Source. It was a nice upgrade, but it didn’t really take advantage of what the Source enginge was capable of, and everyone knew it could be better. Thankfully, a group of modders is taking matters into their own hands. Sure,Black Mesaisn’t a game, it’s just a Source mod, but it’s going to give the game a really nice new coat of paint, and who doesn’t want to playHalf Lifeall over again? Oh, did I mention it’s free?
1. Diablo 3
Ah,Diablo III. For those of you that know me well, having this be my number 1 shouldn’t be a surprise at all. Countless hours of my life have been lost toDiabloandDiablo II, and I’m anxiously awaiting the day I can throw away what little free time I have left toDiablo III. I don’t care that there are rainbows in the game, I don’t care that it’s bright, and I don’t care that it kind of looks likeWorld of Warcraft. I just want to beat the shit out of skeletons and pick up tons and tons of items. Of course, there’s a caveat since TECHNICALLY the game hasn’t been announced yet, and it MIGHT come out in 2010. However, the general consensus seems to be that it will be out in late ’09, and I HAVE FAITH.
- Darkest of Days
I don’t know much aboutDarkest of Daysother than its premise: something akin toBlack Hawk Downmixed withDoctor Who, you play a soldier who keeps time travelling to different wars in different time periods. Armed with only the technology of the time, you’ll find yourself fighting through WWI for a few levels before being suddenly transported into the American Civil War. The lack of concrete information thus far makes me skeptical, but if the game is even as half as cool as its premise, shooter fans could be in for one heck of a ride.
4. Blueberry Garden
I will be completely honest: I haveno goddamn ideawhatBlueberry Gardenis about. In fact, I only have two concrete things to base my excitement off: the game’s wonderfully unique visual style, and the fact that it won “Best Innovation” at the Swedish Game Awards 2008. Still, there’s something to be said for a game whose trailer is so utterly confusing yet irresistably charming that, despite having absolutely no idea what was going on, I really wanted to play it.
- Wallace and Gromit’s Grand Adventures
Telltale’s episodic adventure series have been pretty hit (Sam and Max) and miss (most of theStrong Badepisodes), but I have a hard time imagining how anyone could screw up something as potentially charming as a Wallce and Gromit episodic game. There’s not a human being on the planet (with a soul) who doesn’t love Wallace and Gromit, and the duo’s adorably goofy inventions and enemies could fit quite well into a typical adventure game structure. Basically, as long as Wallace eats cheese at some point, I’ll be happy.
2. Mafia II
The firstMafiaremains one of my favorite PC games of the 90’s, and one of the cooler sandbox games I’ve played in my lifetime. Dripping with badass gangstery style, the firstMafiagame handled the balance between linear story and nonlinear world better than mostGrand Theft Autogames. ThoughMafia IIis obviously a multiplatform release, it’d feel like a betrayal of my roots to get it on anything other than the PC.
1. Armed Assault II
Forget every game Tom Clancy ever affixed his name to —Operation Flashpointis one the greatest military shooters ever made. Period. Brutally realistic yet intuitive and fun,Flashpointwas suspenseful and immersive as hell. That said, don’t pay any mind toOperation Flashpoint 2, also coming out in 2009: all the dudes who madethe originalOpForhave moved onto theArmed Assaultseries, whose second installment drops sometime this year. If you’re sick of regenerating health meters and indestructible vehicles,Armed Assault IIcould be the change in pace you’ve been looking for.
We also asked other editors and community members what they were most looking forward to on the PC this year. Here’s what some of you had to say:
Jordan “Grim” Devore:Alan Wake, Starcraft II, Zeno Clash, Demigod, Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II
Fronz:Zeno Clash, Mafia II, Machinarium, Diablo III, Dragon Age: Origins
bloodylip:New Left 4 Dead maps, The Chronicles of Spellborn, Rage, Champions Online, Bioshock 2
ScottyG:Ghostbusters, Half Life 2: Episode 3, Alan Wake, Zeno Clash, New Left 4 Dead maps and legitimate server browser
BigPopaGamer:Starcraft II, Dawn of War II, Bioshock 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Highlander
What are the rest of you looking forward to in 2009?
