The Calendar
Alan Wake
PC, Xbox60
Releasedate: Unknown
Interesting Element: Free-roam Horror
Mr. Wake has trouble sleeping due to his missing fiancé. At a sleep clinic he uses his nightmares as inspiration for his new book, unfortunately those same nightmares will come to live and haunt the clinic. OR IS IT ALL A DREAM?! The game is promised to contain a free-roam enviroment. A very interesting approach into the genre. The long-awaited A.Wake has only recently begun to show some actual footage, so it could be quite a few sleepless nights until release.
Bioshock 2: Sea Of Dreams
PC, PS3, Xbox360
Releasedate: mid 2009
Interesting Element: Not Yet Known
Bioshock was an amazing game with a fantastic storyline and athmosphere. People saw money in it and now we get a sequel, another sequel and a movie. Just try to keep it on par with the original! Don’t milk the Big Daddy’s please. Not much is known about it so far, but there is an omnious teaser.
No official site yet
Cursed Mountain
Wii
Releasedate: Unspecified 2009
Interesting element: Motion sensitive fighting
Here’s a unique entry into the genre. You are looking for your brother who dissappeared during a mountainclimb. Locations include that mountain and an empty buddist monastry. Combat will be done by making symbols with the wiimote and nunchuk. All sounds very promising, but will it deliver the scares too?
Dead Space Extraction
Wii
Releasedate: Late 2009
Interesting Element: Might be best looking Wii horror game.
There’s little of note so far, but if the teaser is any indication of the ingame graphics, expect it to look gorgeous. Wii motion sensitive controls would be right at home in a Dead Space Universe, and if you are anything like me, you are just waiting for a reason to delve back into the world of the Necromorphs. If anything, just be glad this isn’t a downgraded port (I’m looking at you Alone In The Dark (5) Wii!).
Fallout 3 (DownLoadable Content)
Pc, Xbox360
Releasedates:
Operation Anchorage Pack: Released
The Pitt Pack: February
Broken Steel: March
The most epic 2008 release gets even bigger. As if the game wasn’t big enough. Operation Anchorage adds another mission taking place WAY before the events of Fallout 3. The Pitt gives a new location (among other things) and Broken Steel heightens the level cap to 30 (previously 20). Playstation 3 owners unfortunately get left out; it’s an exclusive deal with Microsoft. Odd though that the releasedates are all so close to eachother, you’d expect them to spread it out alittle.
Heavy Rain
PS3
Releasedate: Unspecified 2009
Interesting Element: Impressive Branching Storyline, Movie-esque Scenes
A game which looks increasingly more like a movie. Even sporting a movie-like poster now. From the ‘people’ who brought you Fahrenheit/Indigo Prophecy, this game is more of an interactive movie with game elements. Definitely an original take on the genre, we’ll see how this play out. It already looks fantastic.
Trailer
No Official Site Yet
I Am Alive
PC, PS3, Xbox360
Releasedate: Early 2009
Interesting Element: Little is known about it
No details have been released so far. Seems to take place in a derelict city. Maybe the idea is to profit from curiousity like they did with Cloverfield?
Left 4 Dead (DownLoadable Content)
Pc, Xbox360
Releasedate: Unspecified 2009
Interesting Element: New Bosses, New Stages, New Weapons
The recently released Left4Dead is a blast to play, but TurtleRock Studios believes it could be even greater. Writer Chet Faliszek says that new bosses, weapons and stages are coming up. It would certainly lengthen the single player experience.
No Trailer Yet
Official Site
LIT
Wii (Virtual Console)
Releasedate: Released (US), Unknown (EU & JP)
Interesting Element: Motioncontrols, interesting mechanics, cheap
Now this is something I’d personally like to see more of. Nintendo gives developpers a chance to create some offbeat (not for the entire family) franchises. Lit is a fresh take on the horror genre; using your wiimote to shine your way through the darkness, freeing the path for your character. Why do the other regions have to wait? Oh well, you can talk to the creators in the meantime…they’re over at GameFaqs.
Moon
Nintendo DS
Releasedate: Released (Us), Unknown (EU & JP)
Interesting Element: Handheld Horror, 3d enviroment, Touchscreen controls
From the same guys as Dementium: The Ward. The game takes place on the moon and will feature a firstperson view within fully 3d enviroments. It’s always great to see games like these being developped for handhelds. Handheld horror really needs to grow and titles like this will definitely open up the genre some more. Hopefully the JP and EU regions will get to see this title as well.
Project Zero IV: Mask Of The Lunar Eclipse
Wii
Releasedate: To Be Announced (US), February 6 (EU), Released (JP)
Interesting Element: Motionsensitve aiming
The fourth instalment in what many consider to be the epitome of survival horror. Why it moved to the Wii is anyone’s guess. Hopefully it will make good use of that wiimote. The story doesn’t seem particulary original so far, but the game will still be horrifying. Camera-battling just has that power.
Trailer
Official Site (Japanese)
Rainy Woods
Ps3, Xbox360
Releasedate: Late 2009/ Early 2010
Interesting element: TwinPeak-esque?
Rainy Woods is said to contain a large location which can be traversed on foot or by car and it will feature a day&night cycle. It’s release was pushed back because it looked too much like Twin Peaks. Why this is a problem is anyone’s guess, because there’s never been a Twin Peaks game. But perhaps some more originality would make the game even better.
Resident Evil 5
PS3, Xbox360
Releasedate: March 5 (JP), March 13 (US & EU)
Interesting Element: Unique Location, Co-op Campaign
Even though you basically have been killing ill humans since the beginning of the series, RE5 got quite some people in uproar because this time the game takes place in Africa. Ethical issues aside, the game looks beautiful, but unfortunately doesn’t look quite as innovative as RE4. There is a Co-op mode however, which will definitely bring something unique to the table.
Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles
Wii
Releasedate: Unknown
Interesting Elements: Co-op Zombie Shooter
After Umbrella Chronicles’s sales this really didn’t come as a surprise. Capcom, being precognitive, left RE2 out of the first game in order to make this game have a classic as well. My scenario predictions: RE2, RE:CV, RE4, RE Degeneration. There’s a promise to make the game scarier than it’s predecessor, which only delivered in it’s mini-game.
Resistance: Retribution
Psp
Releasedate: unspecified early 2009 (US), March 2009 (EU & JP)
Interesting Element: Gorgeous Actionpacked HorrorShooter
Another complimentary game the PSP is famous for. This one fits between the original and it’s sequel. How much horror is actually in it still has to be determined, but alien infections and conversions sound right up that alley. It would be the best looking handheld horror so far.
Sadness
Wii
Releasedate: Late 2009
Interesting Element: No displays, Hidden Autosaving
Ever wanted to protect your blind son during the a pre-WWII era? Perhaps one day you can. If Nibris ever decides to release this game, that is. The game will contain Eastern-European mythical creatures as enemies, while you guide your kin through dangerous situations. The developers promise a revolutionary system which would immerse players.
Silent Hill Homecoming
Pc, PS3, Xbox360
Releasedate: Released (US), February 27 (EU), To Be Announced (JP)
Interesting element: It’s Silent Hill!
Unlike number 3 (which Europe got first), they still has to wait for number 5, but will the wait be worth it? Fans claimed Silent Hill 4 strayed to much from the series and Origins was too much of a copy so the new developers really have to follow a thin line if they want to keep everyone happy. Luckily, this is a Silent Hill game, so it can’t be bad right? Right?
