Lincolnista the guide to Lincoln, UK.

Gaming season is offically open!

Thursday, 26th August 2010 Written by: Tenacious T

The summer gaming drought is coming to an end and we take a look at what the biggest and best things coming over the horizon are as open season for gamers comes round the corner…

Let’s face it summer was not a good one for the video games lover. Not since Red Dead Redemption have we seen anything to break the swell of poor to average at best games on all platforms. Yes there were some minor exceptions such as FIFA World Cup which obviously had a time limit of playability on it and a few arcade games that had some appeal most notably a remake of Risk available on the Xbox live arcade, but everything is about to change as the new gaming season beckons. Yes September is around the corner and with it comes the end of the games drought and the releases of some of the best games to hit the shelves this year and we at Lincolnista give you our top 5 anticipated hits of the new gaming season.

5. Mafia 2 – Release date 27th August
Available on: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Coming in a little before the start of season Mafia 2 looks to be everything the first Mafia game was and more. Set from 1943 – 1951 in the fictional town of Empire Bay which is a cross between San Francisco and New York, Mafia 2 tells the tale of Vito Scaletta – a WWII veteran who ends up joining the world of organised crime. A GTA style open world game which will have you re-living your favourite gangster films ala the Godfather with what looks to be an enthralling and engaging game world Mafia 2 looks set to be one of the gaming hits of the year.

4. FIFA 2011 – Release date 1st October
Available on: All Platforms
This is pretty much money in the bank for EA and for good reason. It’s the 18th version of the game and FIFA 11 with the new personality plus feature looks to be the best football game in history improving on the superb FIFA 10 from last year. Each player will feel different; you will really notice the difference between a Premiership and a league 2 player. In fact it is so detailed that each player will have 36 attributes and 57 player traits to see a more realistic and impressive database. For the first time ever on the 360 and PS3 you will be able to play as the goal keeper in be a pro mode. A mention goes out to Stevenage who make their first appearance in the franchise after promotion to the football league (and meet Lincoln September 25th). Look out for the demo available on 15th September.

3. Fallout: New Vegas – Release date 22nd August
Available on: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
For a post apocalyptic world New Vegas is about as flashy as it gets. Fallout: New Vegas is set 3 years after Fallout 3 although it is not a direct sequel to the game. A new experience from its predecessor as the New Vegas strip is a fully functioning city. No more cowering in the wreckage of Megaton for you. No this is Fallout on a whole new level. For one there’s the new ‘hardcore mode’ which delivers more realism and intensity to the game. You don’t instantly heal, you get hungry, thirsty, and tired. You really do have to survive. The ever popular VATS system has been improved too melee weapons will have special animations such as the ‘Fore’ golf club attack… I’ll leave that to your imagination. All in all New Vegas looks set to be an improvement of Fallout 3 and is defiantly going to be a contender for game of the year.

2. Halo Reach – Release date 14th September
Available on: Xbox 360
With a campaign that looks to be the best yet and a multiplayer mode which makes the mind boggle; Halo Reach is definitely going to be a top seller of 2010. What looks like Bungies farewell to the Halo series it doesn’t look set to disappoint. Players will assume the role of Noble 6, a super soldier engaged in combat with the covenant. New abilities including the power lock, active camo, and most intriguingly the jet pack, all of which will be available in the multi player mode which will include an improved levelling up system and of course brand new maps. Halo Reach will be undoubtedly one of the best games come out this year and will be one of the most played online games. A must buy for any gamer. 

1. Dead Rising 2 – Release date 24th September
Available on:  Xbox 360, PS3, PC
4 years after the original and in at number 1 comes Dead Rising 2. Frank West is out and Chuck Greene is in as he fights of hordes and hordes of endless zombies. The original zombie killer saw a maximum of 700 of the walking dead on screen at any one time. This time that number has gone up to a mind blowing 7000 zombies all gunning for you. How to combat this problem? Well this game allows the player to manufacture sinister weapons like ‘Dynameat’-  a stick of Dynamite taped to a piece of meat or the ‘Paddlesaw’ – 2 chainsaws taped to a kayak. There will be an online multiplayer mode although Capcom has kept what that will actually be kept tight to its chest. Set 5 years after the original Dead Rising game in Las Vegas Chuck Greene is hunting the cure to the zombie virus for his daughter. The old game mechanics of psychopaths and people to save remains as you battle against the clock to save everyone. Look for Dead Rising: Case Zero – an Xbox 360 exclusive download coming August 31st and costing 400msp which will develop the plot between the first and second game and act as a sort of demo for the new title. This game really is a must buy for anyone who has suffered from the summer gaming drought as I have.

So there you have it – the 5 must have games of the new gaming season. A must buy for any hardcore gamer. That’s not to mention Kinect coming to Xbox 360 which hasn’t even been mentioned amongst a minefield of great releases not making the top 5. One thing is for sure: those of you who have suffered from the summer games drought will soon have your consoles overflowing with new titles ready to be played over and over again.

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