Felt a bit out of the loop throughout the month of January? Missed out on some of the biggest news stories of the year so far, or just fancy a reminder of the last month? Then the Monster Month Recap is ideal for you.
Game Releases
Whilst January’s games releases mostly consisted of titles that were delayed (therefore narrowly missing out on a pre-Christmas release), this hasn’t particularly meant that they were poorer titles, with the month of January often deemed as a dry spot for gaming. In fact, two of this month’s releases have already been deemed contenders for Game of the Year:
9th – 14th:
Bayonetta
Release Date: 9th January 2010 :: Achievements :: Trophies :: Review
A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless angelic enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With magnificent over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat.
Darksiders
Release Date: 9th January 2010 :: Achievements :: Trophies :: Review
Penned by legendary comic book artist Joe Madureira (X-Men, Battle Chasers, The Ultimates), Darksiders: Wrath of War is set in a Post-Apocalyptic demon-ravaged world where evil forces have prematurely brought about the end of the time. Originally sent to oversee the destruction of Earth, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse have been betrayed by their master, stripped of their powers and cast down to Earth. Players take on the role of WAR – the first of the Four Horsemen – as he embarks on a brutal quest of vengeance and revenge against the forces that betrayed him with the help of his phantom steed RUIN. Darksiders: Wrath of War features open-world exploration, a deep combat system and a huge arsenal of modern and mythical weapons.
15th – 21st:
Army of Two The 40th Day
Release Date: 15th January 2010 :: Achievements :: Trophies :: Review
The ultimate two-man private military team of Salem and Rios return in Army of Two: The 40th Day for Xbox 360, where they must survive and prevail in a city under siege. EA Montreal is once again leading the next evolution in co-op shooter games offering a fresh, innovative and fluid co-op experience with a deep arsenal of customizable weapons so players can team up with their friends online for the fight of their lives.
Vancouver 2010
Release Date: 15th January 2010 :: Achievements :: Trophies :: Review Coming Soon
Compete in four spectacular venues where you can take center-stage at Vancouver 2010. In Vancouver 2010: The Official Video Game of the Winter Olympic Games for Xbox 360, SEGA will capture what makes the Olympic Games special by absorbing the adrenaline rush and the athletic drama of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games into a videogame. Vancouver 2010 will feature uncanny realism with fully rendered models of the actual Olympic arenas where competitions take place as well as the surrounding cityscape of Vancouver Canada. Players will strive for national pride as over 20 countries are represented in Vancouver 2010 with 14 different sporting events to participate in. Players will also have the ability to compete against others online and compare scores on online leader boards; truly capturing the international competitive spirit of the Winter Olympic Games.
22nd – 28th:
Dark Void
Release Date: 22nd January 2010 :: Achievements :: Trophies
Dark Void is a new sci-fi action-adventure game that combines an adrenaline-fuelled blend of aerial and on-foot combat set in a parallel universe called “The Void”. Players will take on the role of Will; a pilot dropped into incredible circumstances. While on a routine air cargo flight his plane crashes in the Bermuda triangle leading him to be trapped in the Void. This unlikely hero soon finds himself swept into a desperate struggle for survival at the head of a group called The Survivors. Caught in the Void, these resistance fighters are battling to hold off a mysterious alien race that plans to threaten Earth.
Assassin’s Creed 2: Sequence 12: Battle of Forli
Release Date: 28th January 2010 :: Achievements
Assassin’s Creed II Sequence 12: Battle of Forli expands the AC2 experience by delivering a missing piece of the storyline. Join Machiavelli and Caterina Sforza to defend Forli from the Orsi Brothers. Accomplish a daring rescue and prevent the Piece of Eden from falling into the hands of the Templars. Uncover new depths to the historical conspiracy by gaining access to six challenging new memories. Pilot Leonardo’s flying machine across Romagna.
29th – 31st:
Mass Effect 2
Release Date: 29th January 2010 :: Achievements :: Review
Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360 is a masterful science-fiction adventure set in a vast universe filled with dangerous alien life forms and mysterious uncharted planets. In this dark second chapter, Saren’s evil army of Geth soldiers has just been defeated, and humans, still struggling to make their mark on the galactic stage, are now faced with an even greater peril… Once again stepping into the role of the heroic Commander Shepard, gamers in Mass Effect 2 for Xbox 360 will command their crew on a suicide mission in space. Players will strategically select each member of their squad, all of whom have a direct impact on the direction of the story and the squad’s chances for survival. Players will select from a motley cast of characters including the newly revealed ‘Grunt’ – a blood-hungry Krogan.
MAG
Release Date: 29th January 2010 :: Trophies :: Review Coming Soon
MAG lets you battle with up to 256 players, with users divided into 8-player squads, with 4 squads forming a platoon, and 4 platoons forming a company. Each squad is led by a player who has advanced through the game’s ranking system. Character statistics and development also increase with frequent gameplay. The players most advanced in rank are able to either direct the battle or participate directly in combat. Basic battles take place within ongoing, faction-based campaigns to encourage the player to actively play. Play amongst large landscapes, featuring tactics such as air strikes and parachuting, and a variety of vehicles, from tanks and APCs to airplanes. Players are able to customize their face, voice, and armor of their characters, as well as what weapons and kit they carry into battle.
News
Whilst January was a big month for new game releases, this wasn’t necessarily the case for this month’s biggest news stories, most of which concerned downloadable content details for some of last year’s biggest titles. Here are the top five:
- Borderlands levels up
- Project Natal due Christmas 2010
- New Halo Reach Intel
- Splinter Cell: Conviction Delayed
- Modern Warfare 2 DLC to be ‘360 exclusive’
Next Month
Whilst January has come to an end, there’s still more to look forward to next month. The long-awaited Heavy Rain finally releases in February, arriving on the PlayStation 3 on the 26th February. Here are just a few of the titles to look out for next month*:
Dante’s Inferno – 5th February 2010
Bioshock 2 – 9th February 2010
Alien vs. Predator – 19th February 2010
Heavy Rain – 26th February 2010
Sonic and SEGA All-Star Racing – 26th February 2010
*All stated release dates are subject to change.
Stay tuned to Console Monster throughout February for all the latest news, reviews, previews, articles, achievements, trophies and more.