If you’ve been dormant the last month and haven’t ventured out to your local electronic store since you finished your Christmas shopping, then you should know that you haven’t missed much in terms of video games. January was a slow month with only a few key releases spread out throughout, but there wasn’t much that made waves. February 2009 looks to turn the tides and with the slew of titles readied for release, it looks like there will be enough to hold people over until the huge March releases currently set for retail.
Out of all the releases this month we would like to know your top three choices, please put them in the comments section below or by clicking here to head over to our forums where you can discuss this feature article at length.
February 10th:
F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin
For the gamers that are itching to play the next big shooter on the 360, their wait will be coming to an end as Monolith Productions and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment unleash F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin on the Xbox 360. So in a few short days, you better be ready to take it to Alma once more or else fear her wrath.
Onechanbara: Bikini Samurai Squad
Released over years ago in Japan, D3 Publisher is localizing this high-concept action game that pits bikini clad women against zombies. So if you want to slice through waves of waves of the undead, while all the while wearing zilch, then Onechanbara may be right up your alley.
X-Blades
Already having released in Russia under the alias Oniblade, X-Blades is finally on its way to the U.S. Published by SouthPeak Interactive, X-Blades hopes to find its niche with action fans as it features a scantily clad female lead character named Ayumi. The lack of hack and slash titles on the Xbox 360 will help X-Blades stand out in a genre in dire need of games.
Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection
Having over 40 games in this collection, Sega is gearing up to provide gamers dozens of reason to play their favorite titles from yesteryear. From Alex Kidd to Shining Force, Sonic’s Ultimate Genesis Collection is has a robust list of titles to choose from that’ll help you remember why the ‘80’s and ‘90’s were entertaining.
February 17th:
Disney Sing It: High School Musical 3: Senior Year
If you’re ready to sing your heart out, then look no further to Disney’s Sing It series. Having already released a title last fall, Disney is hoping to continue to attract the younglings to their karaoke game with the High School Musical license attached.
GTA IV: The Lost and Damned
Majority of gamers already know if they’re going to buy this hyped download content from Rockstar Games. It was a controversial business decision for Microsoft and Rockstar to sign exclusivity for the DLC to Xbox Live, but that shouldn’t stop gamers from buying and enjoying the world of Grand Theft Auto IV all over again.
Race Pro
Race fans will have their first racer of the year in the form of Race Pro developed by SimBin. Strictly a simulation racer, – and not to mention exclusive to the Xbox 360 – hardcore racing fans will love the ultra-realistic details the development team has put into Race Pro. If their GTR series on the PC is any evidence of what to expect, then we should be in for one thrilling ride in a few short weeks.
Street Fighter IV
Quite possibly the biggest game of the month, Street Fighter IV is finally releasing to the masses on the consoles after seeing its arcade release last summer. Having already put in two weeks in with the console version, it’s guaranteed that gamers will fall in love with this classic franchise all over again.
February 24th:
Star Ocean: The Last Hope
Exclusive to the Xbox 360 (as of this writing), Star Ocean: The Last Hope is the first gigantic role-playing release game to release in 2009. Already an established series, Star Ocean is set to the world in fire as Square-Enix continues attempting to attract the Western audience to their gaming portfolio.
50 Cent: Blood on the Sand
Originally dropped by Activison, THQ swooped in and saved this title from extinction. If 50 Cent isn’t your rapper of choice, then Lloyd Banks, DJ Whoo Kid, and Tony Yayo make appearances as selectable characters. Can 50 Cent save the Middle East? Or will he just become a street rat like Aladdin?
Shellshock 2: Blood Trails
As a sequel to Shellshock: Nam ’67, Eidos is ready to show gamers another journey during the Vietnam War. While it may be “just another FPS” releasing, gamers should take notice as many developers have steered away from the Vietnam War as of late while Eidos and Rebellion Developments are out to prove that they can perfect the genre.
Stoked
As the Xbox 360’s fourth exclusive title in the month of February alone, Stoked is a challenging snowboarding game. Having seen the decline of extreme sports titles this generation of video games, Stoked is a welcomed addition to the Xbox 360 game catalogue.
February 26th:
Prince of Persia: Epilogue
Delivering new areas to explore along with exciting moves, breath-taking maneuvers, more difficult enemies, and powers for Elika to use, Prince of Persia: Epilogue is bound to enthuse gamers wanting more action from their favorite acrobatic prince.
Well, if February doesn’t seem too enticing, then March isn’t too far around the corner with gargantuan releases of Halo Wars and Resident Evil 5. Even if those aren’t eye-appealing, then maybe Ninja Blade or Wanted: Weapons of Fate are attracting enough to cap off the first three months of 2009
