Most Anticipated Games of the Rest of 2010

The most anticipated games of the rest of 2010:
(In order of their release dates)

Metroid: Other M - August 31
This looks like it has the potential to be the best Metroid since Metroid Prime, which is actually saying a lot. Next week is coming in fast and if you haven't checked this game out yet I strongly suggest you do, because the combination of side scrolling, platforming, and first person action combines to create something very fun and unique.

Halo: Reach - September 14
The swan song to the franchise that brought the FPS to console, and the final one made by Bungie, the developer who created it. With an epic campaign, robust multiplayer, firefight, theater, custom games, and forge 2.0, this game has more to offer than any other FPS in terms of content and community features and is nearing its release date that all fans of the franchise are eagerly anticipating. Mark your calendars for September 14, because you won't want to miss the megaton of a game that is Halo: Reach.

Two Worlds 2 - October 5
It looks like TopWare Interactive may have righted their wrongs from the original with the second iteration of Two Worlds. If you were able to look past the wrongs of the original you would find that there were actually some really interesting and fun concepts hidden behind the large mess of technical and visual glitches. If TopWare is able to execute I wouldn't be surprised if this is one of the highest rated games to come out this fall. Keep this one on your radar.

Fallout: New Vegas - October 19
This may just be a giant expansion pack, but with another 150+ hours of glorious wasteland decision, destruction, and exploration you can't help but get excited about the sequel to 2008's RPG and Game of the Year.

Vanquish - October 19
Gears of War/Uncharted on steroids. I think that's all I need to say, but I am going to say more. With crisp visuals, epic battles, and ridiculously fast paced action, Vanquish looks like it may be 2010's sleeper hit. The only thing that may hold it back is the absence of multiplayer which I think was a big mistake the developers made. Nonetheless, Vanquish still looks like it will be a load of fun when it hits store shelves in October.

Fable III - October 26
Peter Molyneux may have the persistent problem of over-hyping his own games, but this time it looks like it may be warranted. With new, original ideas like the exclusion 2D menus and the leveling up of everything, not just you character, Fable III looks like it may be able to live up to the incredible amount of hype surrounding it this time around.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II - October 26
If you're like me, then you were able to look past the flaws of the original Force Unleashed and enjoy the extreme amounts of destruction you were dishing out as Star Killer. This time around, it looks like they have fixed the flaws of the original and built on the good that was there.

Gran Turismo 5 - November 2
Racing heaven is about to return for its fifth go around. What more can you ask for? (Maybe 1000 cars, a track editor, and kart racing?)

LittleBigPlanet 2 - November 16
The original LittleBigPlanet was one of the best new IPs of the last 5 years and boasted (essentially) infinite replay value by the way of user created levels. Not only does the sequel bring back all of the the awesomesauce from the original (including every user created level from the original) but it also adds the ability to make entire games. With the new tools you can make almost any genre of game and then add your own soundtrack and voice acting. It's sure to be one of the most blissful experiences gaming has to offer in 2010.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood - November 16
My original concerns of this game lacking in quality (since Assassin's Creed 2 came out just a year ago) are completely gone after seeing it at Gamescon. Not only is this a full blown sequel, but it looks like its going to be the best Assassin's Creed yet. With the new addition of multiplayer which works surprisingly well this Assassin's Creed looks like it will have much more replay value than the previous games in the franchise giving you all more reason to pick up a copy this November.

Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode I - December
The first true sequel to the beloved Sonic the Hedgehog series in over 16 years has the potential to be the best game in the franchise. Going back to its 2D roots and enhancing everything you loved from the original three, Sonic the Hedgehog 4 looks like it will be a wonderful trip down nostalgia lane when it becomes available later this year.

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If anyone is wondering why I excluded the games Call of Duty: Black Ops, Medal of Honor, Final Fantasy XIV Online, or Civilization V, it's because I either didn't think they deserved to be on this list, or it's because I haven't followed them closely enough to know if the warrant a spot on it.

Call of Duty: Black Ops and Medal of Honor are so similar to each other and every other war shooter that has come out in the past 3 years that it's hard to get excited for something you're already all too familiar with.

I've never been a fan of Final Fantasy so I haven't really followed XIV that much and wouldn't know whether or not it should be on this list, and I have never liked the RTS genre so I really don't know anything about Civilization V. I know some people are excited for these two games though so I though I would at least mention them.