Most anticipated games of 2009

If you’re planning to spend the entire winter season in-doors, playing games, have a look at some of the major titles to be released in Q1 2009. Whether you fancy button-bashing arcade fighting in “Street Fighter IV”, kickflippin’, ollie-poppin’, truck-grinding mayhem in “Skate 2″ or blasting alien scumbags in “Killzone 2″, check out our list of our most anticipated games of Q1 2009:

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin (PS3/X360/PC)

“Featuring enhanced enemy AI and weapons, as well as new locations and powers, Project Origin resumes the gripping tale of suspense, action and horror that begun in F.E.A.R. Beginning shortly before the ending of the first game, a Special Forces squad is on a routinemission when the city of Auburn is rocked by a supernatural explosion. Alma has unleashed her wrath upon the city.”

F.E.A.R. 2

After “F.E.A.R.” scared the hell out of us with it’s black-haired ghost girls and creepy scenery back in 2005, we can hardly wait for “F.E.A.R. 2″ to arrive.

US release: 10-Feb-2009

Halo Wars (X360)

““Halo Wars” is a strategy game based on the legendary “Halo” universe. In campaign mode, players will command the armies of the UNSC warship “Spirit of Fire,” consisting of familiar and new UNSC units in its initial encounters against the Covenant, an alien coalition threatening to obliterate mankind. “Halo Wars” will immerse gamers in an early period of the storied “Halo” universe, allowing them to experience events leading up to the first “Halo” title for Xbox.

With the guidance of Serina, a spirited artificial intelligence (AI) persona, gamers will direct legions of UNSC soldiers, Warthogs, Scorpions and more, each group having its own strengths and uses in battle. Adventurous commanders can also call upon ancient Forerunner technology, if they are fortunate enough to find it hidden throughout the battlefield.

Covenant forces are also waiting for players to lead them into battle in multiplayer skirmishes via the New Xbox Experience. Call upon an arsenal of new and familiar Covenant units such as Grunts, Elites, Ghosts and even Scarabs to defeat foes on the battlefield. Strategic-minded players who react well under pressure will emerge victorious.”

Halo Wars

We love the “Halo”-series and we see no reason why “Halo Wars” shouldn’t be amazing. Even though Master Chief is nowhere to be found in this game, the screens look promising enough for us to predict an upcoming Xbox Live hit!

US release: 24-Feb-2009

Skate 2 (PS3/X360)

“It’s been 5 long years since your “mysterious” disappearance from the skate scene, and in your absence things most definitely have changed. A mega-corporation has changed the face of city - now it’s up to you to fight back and help re-build the skate scene in New San Vanelona.”

Skate 2

We have to admit, it took us some time to get used to the controls in the first “Skate”, but when we first got the hang of it; we were hooked! Get your Dickies on and tighten your trucks; “Skate 2″ is released in less than a month!

US release: 21-Jan-2009

Red Faction: Guerrilla (PS3/X360/PC)

“Set 50 years after the climactic events of the original Red Faction, Red Faction: Guerrilla allows players to take the role of an insurgent fighter with the newly re-established Red Faction movement as they battle for liberation from the oppressive Earth Defense Force. Red Faction: Guerrilla re-defines the limits of destruction-based game-play with a huge open-world, fast-paced guerrilla-style combat, and true physics-based destruction.”

Red Faction: Guerrilla

Remember “Red Faction”? The game where you could blow up just about everything? Yeah, I’m sure you do and we’re sure there will be plenty of stuff to blow up in “Red Faction: Guerrilla” as well.

US release: 27-Jan-2009

Street Fighter IV (PS3/X360/PC)

“Street Fighter IV features a mix of returning favorites such as Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li and Guile along with new characters created for this game, such as Crimson Viper, Abel, El Fuerte, and Rufus. Characters and environments are rendered in stylized 3D, while the game is played in the classic Street Fighter 2D perspective with additional 3D camera flourishes. Six-button controls for the game return, with a host of new special moves and features integrated into the input system. Mixing classic genre-defining game mechanics the franchise is known and loved for with all-new, never-before-seen gameplay systems, Street Fighter IV brings a brand new fighting game to fans the world over. With the inclusion of Capcom’s latest advancements in new generation technology, Street Fighter IV promises to deliver an extraordinary experience that will re-introduce the world to the time-honored art of virtual martial arts.”

Street Fighter IV

After seeing just about every screenshot and gameplay video released for this game, we have to say that; we .. can’t .. wait! Capcom has promised to keep the original look and feel of the brilliant “Street Fighter”-series, while the graphics and gameplay looks better than ever! If you haven’t already ordered an arcade stick for your PC or console; you’re not a real Street Fighter.

US release: 17-Feb-2009

Killzone 2 (PS3)

“Throughout the campaign, players will encounter lifelike and adaptable artificial intelligence (A.I.) from enemies as well as fellow soldiers, destructible environments, and stunningly detailed scenery. Additionally, players will be tasked with utilizing a host of new weapons and vehicles in the war to stop the Helghast. Featuring an extensive single-player campaign and thrilling multi-player mode, Killzone 2 delivers a host of new gameplay elements and an intense storyline that will once again drive gamers to join the ranks of the ISA and fight the Helghast…this time on the enemy’s home planet.

Two years after the Helghast assault on Vekta, the ISA is taking the fight to the enemy’s home world of Helghan. The ISA goal is direct: capture the Helghast leader, Emperor Visari, and bring the Helghast war machine to a halt. Assuming the role of Sev, a battle-hardened veteran and a member of the special forces unit known as the Legion, players will lead a group of highly trained soldiers on a mission to take out the Helghast threat. For Sev and his squad, the invasion of Helghan is just the beginning. Tasked with securing Pyrrhus, the Capital City, the team quickly discovers that the Helghast are a formidable enemy on their home planet. Not only have they adjusted to the planet’s hostile conditions, they have also harnessed a source of power they can now use against the ISA. Sev discovers his squad isn’t just fighting enemy forces – their fiercest opponent may be the planet itself.”

Killzone 2

Besides “Little Big Planet”, “Resistance 2″ and “Metal Gear Solid 4″; - this is the reason you want to own a PS3! The graphics are promised to be amazing (I’ve even heard it’s better than “Gears of War 2″) and the gameplay looks great as well. Let’s freeze ourselves down until February 2009 (..and miss “Skate 2″? Hell no!).

US release: 24-Feb-2009

Resident Evil 5 (PS3/X360)

“The biohazard threat has not ended: Just when it seemed that the menace of Resident Evil had been destroyed, along comes a new terror to send shivers down player’s spines. Chris Redfield, returning Resident Evil hero, has followed the path of the evil literally around the globe. After joining a new organization, Chris heads to Africa where the latest bioterrorism threat is literally transforming the people and animals of the city into mindless, maddened creatures. Chris must take on the challenge of discovering the truth behind this evil plot. In Resident Evil 5, Capcom will teach players to fear the daylight as much as they have feared shadow in previous games.

Co-producer and series veterans Jun Takeuchi (Lost Planet) and Masachicka Kawata (Resident Evil 4 Wii Edition, Resident Evil: Umbrella Chronicles) unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation in Resident Evil 5, the sequel to one of the highest-rated videogames in history, according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com. Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, Resident Evil 5 is certain to bring new fans to the series. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and world of Resident Evil will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.”

Resident Evil 5

The extremely talented Masachicka Kawata and Jun Takeuchi is about to launch the next title in the “Resident Evil”-series. We expect it to be gruesome, scary, shocking.. and awesome!

US release: 10-Mar-2009