100 PS3 Games of 2010 – Part 9
The penultimate decathlon.Published 29/12/2009 at 15:53 by Kovacs
100 PS3 Games Of 2010 – Addendum I [22]
100 PS3 Games of 2010 – Part 10 [37]
100 PS3 Games of 2010 – Part 8 [18]
Our penultimate collection of 2010 games, today we have an eclectic range of titles we’re sure you’ll find something to like. If not, there’s always tomorrow (or the last eight days for that matter).
Today’s update is a little special for this author, not because we’re nearly at the end of the series, but simply because it contains his most anticipated game of 2010. Let’s see if you can guess what it is.
Skate 3 – Developer: EA Black Box | Publisher: EA | Out: May 18th
Now that Tony Hawk has managed to pull off the perfect 1080-face-grind-to-total-commercial-death with his Ride misstep, skateboarding fans should be dusting themselves down and hoping their injuries will have healed in time for Black Box’s third edition in the popular Skate franchise.
Little is known about the new boarding extravaganza other than that there will be varying difficulty levels available for the more experienced of virtual riders. And no skateboard peripheral. Thankfully.
Spec Ops: The Line – Developer: Yager Development | Publisher: 2K Games | Out: 2011(!)
Considering the actual press release states that Spec Ops: The Line possibly may not see the light of day until 2011, we feel like dirty cheats for adding it to this list. There key word here is “may”, however, as there’s still a remote chance we’ll see it before the end of next year.
Spec Ops: The Line hit the gaming headlines recently when it transpired that the United Arab Emirates (where the game is set), were none too happy about their super-rich city Dubai possibly being shown in a negative light. UAE’s National Media Council will apparently review the game before deciding whether or not to ban Spec Ops: The Line outright.
We honestly don’t see the problem. Considering the events of the game feature a special ops team entering a Dubai destroyed by a cataclysmic sandstorm, we doubt you’ll be able to recognise a bloody thing.
Splatterhouse- Developer: Namco (formerly BottleRocket) | Publisher: Namco | Out: Q2 2010
More game politics, this time of the more he-said-she-said nature. Splatterhouse, a gorefest reboot of the old 1990’s series, was once under the guiding hands of BottleRocket Entertainment. Until Namco swooped in and took the game away due to “performance issues” that is. With no other game in developerment, BottleRock shut its doors last September with its owners resigned to creating a new studio from its ashes.
With the guys behind Afro Samurai now finishing off what BottleRocket started, Splatterhouse will make an appearance sometime next year. Probably without any crazy hairdos or Samuel L. Jackson. Though we can’t promise the latter. That man sure loves to work.
Split/Second – Developer: Black Rock Studio | Publisher: Disney | Out: TBC
With a long pedigree in racing titles (including last year’s Pure), Black Rock Studio will up the ante next year with the explosive Split/Second. Part Burnout, part volatile competitive racing reality TV show, Split/Second combines the blistering pace of street racing with the chaos of destroyable environments.
It’s a slight – but still relevant – twist on a well-trodden path. We can’t wait to unleash our vendettas on the competition as the world explodes around us in this stylistic racer.
Star Ocean – The Last Hope : International – Developer: tri-Ace | Publisher: SquareEnix | Out: February 12th
We could be petty and start banging the “thanks for the beta” drum now that Star Ocean 4 is no longer an Xbox 360 exclusive. We’re not that haughty, though, and instead we’ll just focus on the fact that the game is coming to the PS3 at all.
Nearly one year to the day (funny that) after its 360 debut, Star Ocean: The Last Hope gains the tag “International” (this despite the 360 version also launching internationally – go figure) along with new PS3 exclusive content and dual voice-overs (in Japanese and English along with other localised languages).
The new Star Ocean is actually a prequel to the popular (in Japan at least) RPG series. With a Metacritic score of 72% on the 360, we’re thinking this one is likely for fans of the genre only.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 – Developer: LucasArts | Publisher: LucasArts | Out: TBC
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. It promised much, with its fancy-pants Euphoria engine and Havoc driven physics, not to mention what DMM (Digital Molecular Matter) added to the mix when a Force wielder decided to smash things up with his mind. But it was all a little too much style over substance with the title rebuked for its frustrating and repetitive gameplay. But, hey, at least the story was good. In fact, most reviews of the game claimed the plot was more coherent and well-executed than Lucas’ prequels. (Not hard.)
Despite disbanding the team that made The Force Unleashed, Lucas Arts will return to the Jedi well with another tale of Starkiller in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2 next year.
Little is known of the plot (we’re assuming it still takes place between episodes III and IV; although Starkiller does appear a tad older in the teaser shown at the VGAs this month) or what new adventures the Dark Apprentice will get himself into. We’re assuming he’ll be throwing unwitting Stormtroopers about the place willy-nilly no matter what.
Irrespective of its quality, you can bet your last space-credit that, next year, The Force Unleashed 2 will sell like protocol droids in a room full of Hutts.
Starhawk (tentative) - Developer: Lightbox Interactive | Publisher: SCE | Out: May 29th (TBC)
Warhawk, Dylan Jobe’s much-adored multiplayer only showdown with an assortment of vehicles and options to unleash all forms of mayhem, finally sees a follow-up in the form of Lightbox Interactive’s secret title Starhawk – or whatever it ends it being called.
What we do know about the title is that, unlike Warhawk, it will have a single-player campaign. It will also double the carnage with support for 64 players online. Oh yeah, and it’s in space. Hence the possible title. That point is kinda important.
Super Street Fighter IV – Developer: Dimps/Capcom | Publisher: Capcom | Out: April 1st
With new moves, intros, and (most importantly) a roster of new characters, the only people who were surprised a Super version of Street Fighter IV was coming were those who bought the first version and thought they were getting the final edition.
The updated Super-Duper Hyper Alpha Ex (or whatever) version will see ten new characters added to the role-call from the likes of Adon (who starred in the first Street Fighter) and newcomer Juri, to fan faves T.Hawk, Dee Jay and Cody and Guy from Final Fight (returning from Street FIghter III).
Deemed too large and intrinsic to permit DLC – the return of the car beat-down bonus round obviously putting it over the edge – the Super Update will be marketed at a lower price-point.
The Agency – Developer: SOE Seattle | Publisher: SOE | Out: TBC
2010 definitely appears to be the year of the spy. Between Agent, Alpha Protocol and SOE’s The Agency, we’re going to be knee-deep in martinis and stunning women in a matter of a few short months. Guaranteed.
The Agency hopes to bring something different to the black-tie party, however. The third of SOE’s MMOs planned for a release next year (we’ve already covered Free Realms and DC Universe Online in previous articles), The Agency hopes to marry the seductive allure of espionage with the addictive nature of an MMO.
Featuring two factions of differing ideologies (high-tech versus blowing things up to get the job done), The Agency could be a surprise hit when it finally arrives – if it arrives – next year.
It’s been awhile since we’ve heard anything out of Seattle regarding the current status of The Agency. Already confirming at least once that the game hasn’t been cancelled, John Smedley, President of SOE, has reiterated that the team behind the title are “going full-bore towards it.”
The Last Guardian – Developer: Team Ico | Publisher: SCE | Out: TBC
Fumito Ueda has a reputation of creating the gaming equivalent to an artist’s masterworks. Ico, Shadow of the Colossus, and if lightning strikes thrice, The Last Guardian, his latest epic could be one of the biggest titles of 2010.
The footage shown at E3 (though previously leaked) is the stuff of legend and suggests we’re all going to be bawling our eyes out whenever we get the chance to play and complete the game. Depicting a strange bird-like rat creature and his boy companion, The Last Guardian looks to share some of its predecessor Ico’s attributes. Not that this is a bad thing. Ico was one of the best games to grace the PS2. With Shadow of the Colossus shortlisted to take the title altogether in my book. (I may have just given away the answer to the question that opened this piece.)
Despite Shuhei Yoshida, President of Worldwide Studios, calling Team Ico his Olympic Team (since it takes four years for them to make a game), it would appear that Ueda-san will break tradition and release The Last Guardian in 2010 – five years after his last offering.
Five years is a terribly long time to wait to play a new Fumito Ueda game if you ask us. Thankfully, the wait is nearly over.
-
Tomorrow sees the curtain fall on our mammoth ten-part series documenting some of the games of 2010 coming for the PS3. Tune in to see us give the series a massive send-off. Or we’ll just let it die, whimpering like a petrified animal. We haven’t really decided which yet.
Comments
Please note that all comments are the opinion of the individual author and not TheSixthAxis.
ColinR | 29/12/2009 15:58
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I’m looking forwqard to The Agency, Super Street Fighter IV and StarHawk. Thanks for these articles Kovacs. Now I know I’m gonna need to start saving a shi*load of money for next year.
Kovacs | 29/12/2009 16:06
Team TSA: Writer
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You’re welcome. And yes, the purpose of this series was to remind you all just how much money you are going to spend next year.
seedaripper1973 | 29/12/2009 16:07
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The last guardian is the ’stand out’ game there…canna friggin wait!
skibadee | 29/12/2009 18:42
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me too & the Agency.
deadwelsh | 29/12/2009 16:15
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Agency & Starhawk for me, not much else floating my boat from this list
retro_ | 29/12/2009 16:23
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The Last Guardian wins Round 9 by a country mile for me, not convinced it’ll topple SOTC as best Team ICO game but you never know.
hazelam | 29/12/2009 16:47
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maybe sell like Intergalactic Proton Powered Electrical Tentacled Advertising Droids would have been more apt for tfu2
certainly funnier
hazelam | 29/12/2009 16:49
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oh and i like the look of star ocean.
Kovacs | 29/12/2009 17:03
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I’m a geek.
But I’m not THAT much of a geek.
hazelam | 30/12/2009 10:57
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yeah, but everybody watches family guy don’t they?
if you’ve seen the blue harvest special, trust me, you’d remember it.
and if you haven’t you should.
how about the Wacky Waving Inflatable Arm Flailing Tube Man, you know that one surely?
“wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube manwacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube manwacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube manhi im al harrington president and CEO of al harrington’s waving waving inflatable arm flailing tube man imporium and warehousethanks to a shipping error i am now currently overstocked on wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube men and im passing the savings onto you!attract customers to your business, make a splash at your next presentation, keep grandma company, protect your crops, confuse your neighbours, african american? hail a cab, testify in church or just raise the roofwhatever your wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man needs are so come on over to al harringtons wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man emporium and warehouse, route 2 in weecapaug!”
Kovacs | 30/12/2009 14:09
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I do watch Family Guy though the reference didn’t spring to mind when I was writing that entry. *hangs head in shame*
DRCD1 | 29/12/2009 17:11
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So… has Lucasarts realised that Euphoria is the perfect engine to use w/ percise motion controls, or are they using pre-set combos once again. Ok that didn’t made much sense because wii doesn’t support Euphoria so they have to use pre-set combos to make sure the enemies react well, but if they use Gem/Natal on the PS3/X360, and make those controls precise (I move the controller up and down, I don’t want starkiller to twirl and do a backflip), the game would be awesome.
sesameseed | 29/12/2009 17:21
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The question is… will Ico & SOTC get a GOW style hd re-release to get the hype wagon rolling even faster? Hope so!
TSBonyman | 29/12/2009 19:50
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I would buy that.
TSBonyman | 29/12/2009 19:48
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The Last Guardian is the one for me here too ….. i’ve already picked it as GotY 2010
bunimomike | 29/12/2009 20:18
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The Agency and Split/Second have my attention but The Last Guardian already has a place in my heart. Such fondness even for a trailer and snippets of information. I simply cannot wait!
Timesh1993 | 29/12/2009 21:04
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Theres way too many games I want in 2010!
Good job I has a job!
iNsAnE_gAmInG | 29/12/2009 22:22
* Banned *
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Oh my god I CAN NOT WAIT for The Last Guardian! It looks so potentially epic and engaging, also Skate 3 should be good.
wedgehog | 29/12/2009 23:00
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Lots of games to look forward to there.
New profile pic
52pickup | 30/12/2009 09:55
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Glad i didn’t buy Street Fighter IV. Deffo picking up Super Street Fighter IV.
Dunks | 30/12/2009 10:19
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Only really the last guardian for me I think… maybe split second (if a demo pushes me into it)
paxpacis | 30/12/2009 12:01
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Is Starhawk really in production?.. I really love Warhawk so a the mention of Starhawk got my attention, but is there more proof somewhere?
(I mean other than this ofcourse: http://www.thesixthaxis.com/2009/09/21/starhawk-entering-next-phase/)
Kovacs | 30/12/2009 14:13
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Follow DylanJobe on Twitter. He offers the odd snippet there. Other than that, there has been a few reveals over the last year or so. Watch this space.
cc_star | 30/12/2009 14:44
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They’re working on it (whatever it ends up being called) and apparently it will be accessible to newcomers whilst keeping hardcore Warhawk players happy – That is straight from the horses mouth – Hopefully something will be announced before June’s E3 but I’m not holding out much hope.