Quarter One Games of 2009 - January to April

New Years resolutions tend to fail after a month or two. Just look at gym memberships. But there are some aspiring goals that have us here at GotGame laughing our exercise-depraved butts off, such as playing less games. We got work to do, so stop joking around! It’s becoming a trend where everyone starts calling the new year the best gaming year ever, and it’s no surprise since evolving technology equals evolving games. We’re moving too fast, so hold your horses as we look to see if 2009 will start off with a bang. Our butts will appreciate it.

Mirror’s Edge

January 13

DICE made quite an impact with Mirror’s Edge back in November when it was released for consoles. Its slick art style and unique mechanics refreshed the whole first-person perspective in a way no one saw coming. Now, we’ll be able to experience it again for the PC with PhysX, when combined with the already energized feel of Mirror’s Edge’s gameplay, will create a more realistic experience that supposedly will knock our socks off. Interestingly enough, the system requirements don’t seem too bad. The Unreal Engine we’ve grown to love sure has grown quite a bit itself.

Red Faction: Guerrilla

January 27

Remember Red Faction I and II back in 2001 and 2003? Using the series’ exclusive Geo-Mod engine, THQ and Volition were able to craft two excellent first-person shooters where there was more than one way to open a door; blowing away the frame that carries it. This time around, the engine has been changed and with it, the perspective as well. Will the third-person view chip away much of the reputation that the previous installments have built? As long as we’ll still be able to wreak unequaled destruction, I think we’ll be dandy.

F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin

February 10

Dave Matthews, we understand what you’re saying. Following a critically-acclaimed title with shoddy ports and expansion packs would get anyone riled up. But we know you’re just putting more pressure on your studio to create the bonafide sequel we’ve been waiting for. F.E.A.R. 2 might not take away the “Most Unique Shooter” praise from Mirror’s Edge, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it became a contender for best shooter and took the crown for best story for the franchise’s second time.

The Sims 3

February 20

By now, we pretty much understand the popularity of The Sims. There’s something about control which sets our minds aflame. And as if you couldn’t improve the game with just a kajillian expansion packs, Maxis steps it up. But really, “Everyone can customize everything”? You don’t have to raise the bar. We’re happy just to get better fire animation.

Demigod

February 24

“Demigods from across the mortal world must wage war against one another in a bid to ascend to true godhood.” Wait, how did this slip past our radar? It’s being developed by the crew who brought us Supreme Commander no less! News of the upcoming RTS/RPG hybrid must have been buried underneath all that StarCraft II hype.

Dragon Age: Origins

March 24

So Bioware is making news about The Old Republic. But way before they created the Knights of the Old Republic series, there was Baldur’s Gate, which many gamers still remember fondly to this day. Heck, we wouldn’t be surprised if they were still playing it! That title took 1998 by storm, bagging Game of the Year awards left and right. Then they go and create Baldur’s Gate II, which currently ranks sixth on Metacritic’s best PC games list. Dragon Age: Origins is the spiritual successor to the series. Enough said.

We might not have mentioned all the games coming out this quarter, but these games are definitely ones to keep an eye on. Some other upcoming games had sketchy release dates, such as Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II, so we couldn’t exactly add it in. If there are any others that should have been on the list, let us know in the comments.