Features// 2011 Hit List: The Sequels

If you thought 2010 was a good year for games, you’d better put an extra pair of pants on. 2011 is here and it’s going to kick our backsides into another dimension. A flood of blockbuster sequels, killer apps, creative re-imaginations and straight-up gaming carnage awaits us - and we don’t even know every title that’s going to come out yet!

With so many games to consider, it’s difficult to prioritise exactly what games you should look forward to and what you should try out. Luckily we’re here to help you wet those pants over a good many of these upcoming titles.

Introducing SPOnG’s 2011 Recommendations… in three parts. Sure, it’s a bit overkill, but then 2011 is a totally overkill year, so shush. This part highlights 20 of the biggest blockbuster sequels that will be landing in the next twelve months. If you didn’t want these games before, you’re going to after we’ve taken a stroll past them. In order of release:

LittleBigPlanet 2 (PS3) - 21st January
Media Molecule’s innovative ‘Play. Create. Share’ mantra has undoubtedly been one of the most exciting gameplay propositions of recent years. If you’ve not read our review of LittleBigPlanet 2 to understand why this is the first must-have title of 2011, I highly suggest you do so now. The scope has been broadened so far that it is now possible to create entirely different game types to the usual platforming action - throw in vehicles, tools like the Grabbinator, AI Sackbots and the general creativity of existing LBP fans, and you have a title that gives back multiples of whatever you want to put into it. Sheer genius.

Dead Space 2 (PS3, 360, PC, Mac) - 28th January
Hands up those of you who were scared shitless when playing through the original Dead Space. If you didn’t put your hand up, you’re lying. Truth is, the claustrophobic space horror provided some of the scariest and creepiest gaming moments in recent years. The sequel promises more shocks and scares, but ditches the corridors for the vastness of space. The constant worry of air supply and the ability to impale all kinds of freakishly-limbed mutants to dismember is enough to make us quiver already!

Test Drive Unlimited 2 (PS3, 360, PC) - 11th February
Racing enthusiasts have been waiting for this one for a long time. The first TDU game landed on the Xbox 360 way back in 2006. Five years later, the game that introduced us to the concept of open-world driving returns with a bunch of improvements that more than makes up for the time its been away. As you drive around, you’ll be able to check friends as they compete in challenges and even team up with some new players. One of the biggest perks of the original was in simply driving around the absolutely colossal island in-between races. We can’t wait to waste many more hours (that we don’t have) enjoying the new virtual landscape.

Marvel vs Capcom 3 (PS3, 360) - 18th February
This is quite possibly the most eagerly anticipated fighting game of the year. The series has proved to be a fantastic brawler that allowed players of any skill to simply jump in and take control of their favourite superheroes while utter chaos takes place on screen. This third iteration maintains the three-on-three tag team battle system, but does away with the traditional button layout and replaces it with low, medium, high attack buttons and an ‘Exchange’ move to launch opponents in the air and execute tag combos. Viewtiful Joe, Super-Skrull, Amaterasu, Deadpool, Chris Redfield and Thor are among the fresh faces you’ll be able to pummel come February. We’ll see you on the fighting ground.

Killzone 3 (PS3) - 25th February
Killzone 2 was a brilliant technical showcase for the PS3 at the time, and for this upcoming sequel Guerrilla Games is continuing to go all out on the graphical side. Toxic wastelands, artic environments and jungles are just some of the teased areas we’ll end up fighting through, along with jetpacks and portable WMDs to boot! Guerrilla is promising levels that are ten times bigger than the ones found in Killzone 2, more intricate multiplayer maps and - if you were happy to pay the premium for one of those 3DTVs - Stereoscopic support as well. This may end up being the technical benchmark for which all other PS3 games will be judged, and that’s why it should be on your wish list for 2011.