Ten video games to keep an eye on in 2010

The year 2009 was a momentous year for video games. A few highlights include the return of a Mario Bros. side-scrolling adventure, a Rock Band game completely dedicated to The Beatles, and a Batman game that few could imagine was possible. It's clear the momentum is carrying over into 2010. Without further ado, here are just 10 of the top video games to keep an eye out for in 2010.

1. Mass Effect 2 (XBOX360, PC) - Release: Jan. 26 Publisher: Electronic Arts, Developer: Bioware

The game production professionals that created this game looked to build on its predecessor in every way. There seems to be more influence on ethical conflict within the story, while the game play has been enhanced to feel more like a typical shooter, rather than just a role-playing game. Some minor tweaking to the few issues of the original game is needed to make "Mass Effect 2" great.

2. BioShock 2 (Xbox360, PS3, PC) - Release: Feb. 9 Publisher: 2k Games, Developer: 2k Marin

"BioShock 2" takes place 10 years after the events of the original game. This time around, you'll be exploring the dystopia Rapture as the original Big Daddy. Along with the plasmids, tonics and weapons from the original game, you'll be able to use the drill and rivet gun seen on all Big Daddies. With the original Big Daddy having no recollection of the events the last 10 years, you can be sure to expect a familiar yet new experience within Rapture.

3. Heavy Rain (PS3) Release: Feb. 23 Publisher: SCEA, Developer: Quantic Dream

For those looking for a little more drama in their video games, "Heavy Rain" will deliver the goods. Focusing heavily on the tough decisions and events humans go through in everyday life, "Heavy Rain" hopes to create an ethos hardly seen in video games. "Heavy Rain" also will feature a unique system in which a player's actions will affect the story. No matter what the player does in the game there will be a subsequent reaction.

4. Final Fantasy XIII (PS3, XBOX360) - Release: March 3 Publisher: Square Enix, Developer: Square Enix

"Final Fantasy XIII" marks a return to the old of sorts for SquareEnix. Unlike recent Final Fantasies that featured a real-time battle system, "XIII" reverts back to a version of the active-time battle system. More strategy is involved in the fighting, as players will be able to string attacks together into combos.

5. God of War III (PS3) Release: March 16 Publisher: SCEA, Developer: SCEA Santa Monica

Kratos brings his personal vendetta against the gods of Olympus to the PS3 for the first time. "God of War III" is the final game in the trilogy and takes place immediately after the second game. Kratos will have new techniques and weapons including the Cestus (a lion headed set of gauntlets) to help him in his battle against the gods.

6. Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) Release: May 23 Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Nintendo

Mario makes his second appearance on a new Wii title in as many years. Unlike last year's side-scrolling game, "Super Mario Galaxy 2" continues with the original Galaxy game's free 3-D format. Not much is known about "Super Mario Galaxy 2" except that Yoshi will be making an appearance.

7. Alan Wake (XBOX360) Release: May 28 Publisher: Microsoft, Developer: Remedy

It's been nearly six years in production, but "Alan Wake" will finally be on the market in 2010. Very little is known about this psychological thriller except that light will play a key role. Flares, flashlights and other light-emitting objects will be used to create safe spots amid "The Darkness." Fortunately, "Alan Wake" comes to us from the same developer responsible for the first two Max Payne games.

8. Metroid: Other M (Wii) - Release: June 27 Publisher: Nintendo, Developer: Team Ninja

"Other M" deviates a bit from recent Metroid titles in that it will involve more third-person perspective than first. While the first person perspective will be used when firing at enemies, the third-person view will be used for all other movements. "Other M" also marks the first collaboration between Nintendo and Team Ninja (the game production studio that brought us the Dead or Alive and Ninja Gaiden series).

9. Halo: Reach (Xbox360) - Release: TBA 2010 Publisher: Microsoft, Developer: Bungie

"Halo: Reach" will act as a prequel to the original "Halo," and once again the player will assume control of a Spartan solider. In fact, "Reach" features entire squads of Spartans. With Microsoft taking over Halo duties, Reach could end up being Bungie's last Halo game. If that's the case, expect Bungie to pull out all the stops in their last project with the Halo universe they created back in 2001.

10. StarCraft 2: Wings of Liberty (PC) Release: TBA 2010 Publisher: Blizzard, Developer: Blizzard

It's been nearly 12 years since "StarCraft" was first released, and many people to this day are still playing it. After years of speculation, Blizzard is finally releasing "StarCraft 2." Blizzard plans on breaking the story up through three separate games with the first being Wings of Liberty which will focus on the Terans. While there will only be one race's story in Wings of Liberty, there will be a full multiplayer mode featuring all races.

Information in this article was provided by IADT - Seattle. Contact IADT - Seattle today if you're interested in developing marketable knowledge and career-relevant skills with a game production degree program. (IADT - Seattle does not guarantee employment or salary.)

Courtesy of ARAcontent