Becoming IronAdam

Training, working, life, family, pets – they all take up MOST of a fully employed triathletes time. In addition to thinking of my family and pets as fun time, I also need an escape from reality for my personal “me” time. That escape is video games.

And I’m not talking Wii video games. I own a PS3, 360, and Wii. Fortunately, I have a Mac, so I don’t get caught up in the PC game hype, and I consider myself lucky. I know, I know. It sounds foolish or crazy to own all three systems, but it allows me to have a system for both TVs in case others want to use a particular TV somewhere. Plus, there are a lot of exclusives to both systems that make a dual system worthwhile.

And let’s be real: I spent $3k per bike on two bikes, $1k on tri equipment I most likely don’t really need. For $1k, I could have all three systems and a new game for each. And that’s why I love video games. For dollar for dollar entertainment, there isn’t a better value. Plus, video games have really stepped it up with the next gen consoles. My girlfriend can attest – it’s really like being part of a movie. The games have actors, acting voices, storylines, often perfectly unravel a story into actual gameplay, and even have alternate endings based on decisions you make in the games.

Yes, I’m hooked. My “me” time is spent playing video games, and I will probably do this with my son when I’m 50. I’m into all genres, and I often get games just to appreciate the graphics and story lines, even if I don’t finish them.

With that introduction, I want to roll off my most anticipated games for 2010. There are so many good ones coming out, and it will take a lot of will power to resist buying all of these at once. I already have 5-6 games sitting on my shelves that I haven’t played that I could get for 50% less than I paid, but I’ll get to them, I promise.The basis for this is a PS3 magazine, so I may be missing some 360 exclusives (Crackdown included below). Check out IGN for more details on any of these games.

Shooters

1. Mag – Huge multiplayer with huge strategy of trying to defend or attack
2. Lost Planet 2 – giant monster/dinosaur things. Yup, that’s all I need
3. Singularity – changing items right in front of you +/- 60 years. Yup, control of time. Another thing that is all I need.
4. Max Payne 3 – slow motion shooting. So fun! matrix style
5. Bioshock 2 – first one was one of the best games I’ve ever played. Great story, cool graphics. Underwater cities with a bunch of psychopaths. I’m in!

Action

1. Crackdown 2 – if you ever played the original, you’d know why. Favorite 360 game to date
2. God of War III – sequel to the best game series. It looks amazing
3. Enslaved – only because it was by the people who did Heavenly Sword, which was an incredible early PS3 game
4. Bayonnetta – already pre-ordered. Devil May Cry makers take action to another level. Witch with guns in shoes wearing a tight outfit. Sold!
5. Dante’s Inferno – God of War’esque with dead things in hell. Sold!
6. Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – finally, a Castlevania game to look forward to. One of my favorites on the original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System). Shadow of Collossus’esque!

Adventure

1. Heavy Rain – I love storylines, and this one is all about the storyline! Drama, detective work, serial killer – it’s gonna be INCREDIBLE! 4-5 years in the making
2. Last Guardian – Next up in the ICO series (Shadow of Collosus). I’m a sucker for emotional video games! I hate when animals die, but I’m down
3. Just Cause 2 – grapple gun and creative kills. Sold!
4. Red Dead Redemption – open world in wild wild west from creators of Grand Theft Auto. I think I’m in here too.
5. I Am Alive – giant earthquake destroys city and u are left to survive and water is the biggest commodity. SOLD!

RPG / Sports

Not a huge RPG fan, so it will have to be incredible to sell me. White Knight Chronicles may do the trick. For sports, since I bought the sports games this year, I’ll skip next year. Not enough improvement year to year to get me to purchase. Debating on FIFA 2010, and since I haven’t had Tiger Woods golf since last year, maybe next year’s. Split second does look like a game that is worth getting. A fun arcade style racing game like burnout.

Oh!!! And how could I forget ModNation Racers. Simple game like Little Big Planet, but you can design your own race tracks and share online. Seems like an advanced Mario Kart. I can’t wait for this one.

Maybes

1. Army of Two: The 40th day – If the co-op is really that good, I’ll get it
2. Aliens vs. Predators – I was hooked on predators when Arnold did the original. I’m always willing to try anything in the series since.
3. Inversion – anti-gravity gun. That would be fun to use
4. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 – will take a lot of good reviews to get me over the edge on this one. Too many other good games
5. Darksiders – Cuz they say it’s gonna be bad ass. I’m doubtful
6. Dark Void – they say the flying and killing is a fun combo. We’ll see
7. Dead Rising 2 – only if it’s less dull than the original. But creatively killing zombies. Usually a sell for me!