Into the Crystal Ball; A Look at the Games of the (near) Future

     After reading Ribs epic prediction of Sam and Max 2010, I began to wonder about the future. What did it hold in store for us? With so many amazing games out there now, what can we expect from our favorite companies next? I decided to look into that.
     Starting with probably the best known video-game company in the world, Nintendo is putting on the finishing touches to Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers. Taking place one thousand years after the original Crystal Chronicles, this tale, made exclusively for the Nintendo Wii, tells the story of Layle. After technology had taken over magic died, and was only used by outcasts like Layle, called Crystal Bearers. The player will control the game through a motion-driven gameplay. Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers is rated Teen and will be released on December 26, 2009.
      Microsoft is working on one of the most anticipated sequels of the year; BioShock 2. Due to release on February 2, 2010 for the Xbox 360, the game begins ten years after the original BioShock. Along the Atlantic coast, a mysterious creature has been snatching little girls and returning them to the undersea city of Rapture.
     Being one of the most well known companies in the business, Electronic Arts will be putting out two new games that caught my attention. For the first time in its ten year history, Medal of Honor will be moving out of World War II and into the war in Afghanistan. Too make sure this game was absolutely perfect and precise, Electronic Arts worked with Tier 1 Operators from the U.S. Special Operations Community. Says Vice President and General Manager of Electronic Arts Los Angeles, “Medal of Honor promises to be an unforgettable entry in the modern shooter genre."
      Dead Space 2, the sequel to one of the world’s most popular games, follows Isaac Clarkes fight against the necromorphs. The player will experience zero gravity environments, meet new characters, and fight with new weapons. “Dead Space 2 is on target to deliver a jaw-dropping experience gamers won't soon forget," said Nick Earls, Senior Vice President and Group General Manager at Electronic Arts. Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer of Dead Space 2 added, “The infection continues to spread throughout space and our hero Isaac Clarke is the only person able to contain it. There are still loads of necromorphs that need killing! In Dead Space 2, not everything is exactly as it seems. Expect plot twists that will surprise you and a huge cast of twisted, disgusting monsters that are sure to scare the daylights out of you." Dead Space 2 will be released onto the PS3, Xbox 360, and PC. Both games will be released in 2010.
     LucasArts is working on Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, due to come out in 2010. LucasArts appears to be very quiet about this game, but what is known is that the player will play a very powerful Starkiller, Darth Vader’s secret apprentice. The game takes place between Star Wars: Episode IIIRevenge of the Sith and Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
      All of these games should be an excellent buy. I would recommend buying the prior games to the sequels to learn the story and see if you enjoy them. These are not the only game that these companies are working on; they were just the ones that caught my eye. I am no way affiliated with Nintendo, Microsoft, Electronic Arts, nor LucasArts.