Recently here at TheKoalition.com we had two articles by Gary A. Swaby and Donnie B. respectively claiming that in 2009 there system of choice would be successful. There is no doubt that success for both system simultaneously is very possible. But I pose the question. Is 2009 going to do the same thing you did to that girl you met in the club last weekend?

“OVER Promise and UNDER Perform!”

2009 definitely is not short on overly hyped Titles. These titles for the PS3 include God Of War 3, Infamous, Killzone 2, Heavy Rain, White Knight Chronicles, and Uncharted 2. While the Xbox 360 titles include Alan Wake, APB, Halo Wars, and Halo 3 ODST. As I look at these titles for both systems I notice a familiar thing from both lineups. That familiarity has to do with there not being many proven titles on those list at all.

On both of these lists God of War 3 is the only title I would go as far as to say is an highly anticipated game that deserves the hype because of its accomplishments from the previous titles. God of War 3 was announced at E3 2008, we saw the first game play footage at the Spike 2008 VGA awards, and we are expecting it to be released in 2009. Yeah right! Hold your horses guys. You might want to expect this game in 2010. I’m just saying don’t be surprised when you are back slapped across the face with the inevitable GAME DELAY!

Heavy Rain looks fantastic. I’m sure it will be a great game, but this game will not sell units and will not appeal to the masses. Heavy Rain is close in resemblance to Indigo Prophecy. If you played that game, you loved it. But most of us didn’t play it and the same will go for Heavy Rain. The game just doesn’t have the “IT” factor.

Killzone 1 was an underachieving game the first go around. Yes, all the Killzone 2 screens we’ve been looking at for the last decade look great. Yes, the videos we’ve been looking at for the last half decade look great. But will the game deliver and make up for where the first game fell off? I hope so, but I am not sold yet!

As far as the two Halo titles, yes Halo is a proven franchise in the 1st person shooter realm, but a Real-time Strategy Halo? Let’s be honest do you truly believe that the Halo story is good enough to warrant a Real-time Strategy game? Sure the notion is interesting, but so was “Tom Clancy’s Endwar”. By the way have you seen anyone on your friends list playing that lately? I didn’t think so! As for Halo 3 ODST, I’m anxiously awaiting the chance to play as a UNSC Orbital Drop Shock Trooper. What? No Master Chief Petty Officer Spartan John-117! Nah none of that! ODST will differ by more than just a character model. No more Master Chief Means no more 7’0 Tall gaudy armored 1000 pound SPARTAN II genetic project with guns blazing cause I’m a super human that’s too big and bad to show my obviously deranged disproportional face. So picture someone like your nerdy friend you went to band camp with that just enrolled in the army reserves after a couple pushups and crunches. You’ll be playing with that guy. So that means watch your health and add the use of stealth elements to a Halo game. Just because a franchise is huge that doesn’t necessarily equate to huge games when crossing over to new genres and new directions.

This leads me to Alan Wake. Is it real or is it fantasy? The “Psychological action thriller” from the makers of Max Payne. And what else do we know about this title? Why is it billed to be such a great game? I don’t know you tell me. I guess because its been in development for so long. So was “Too Human” and we all seen how that turned out.

All these games definitely have the potential to be bangers in 2009. But will they deliver, that is the question. I’m not saying that 2009 will be as dull as a box of rocks, but I just wanted to put that doubt in your head. So the next chick you bring home from the club maybe you will, “UNDER promise and OVER perform.”

Written By Randy Ledet Jr.

What's good world! This "The 7 Dawg", CEO of TheKoalition.com. I'm from Louisiana reppin "The Southern University". I'm a huge sports gamer so hit me up on Xbox Live "The 7 Dawg" or on my PSN "The7Dawg" Roo to the Ques and I'm gone alright alright!!

1. Money, Ca$h, NPD’s – March 2009
2. Will we see ‘Eight Days’ and ‘The Getaway’ this year?
3. February 2009 NPD Results
4. The Xbox 360 Will Dominate In 2009
5. What Are Your 2009 Gaming Predictions?

1. A.B. Frasier says:

   January 12, 2009 at 5:11 pm

   09 has potential to be worse than 2008…alot of people are hyped for killzone and uncharted in the same way they were for mgs4 and lbp. as far as 360 there are no groundbreaking titles even announced if they exists. 09 will be zzzzz’s

   Reply
2. bpoole says:

   January 12, 2009 at 11:59 pm

   I gotta admit i’m looking forward to titles like Heavy Rain and Alan Wake. I could care less about that Halo Wars bullshit.

   Reply
3. Master_Cheif says:

   January 13, 2009 at 5:19 am

   The PS3 is guaranteed to have a good year. With so many exclusives, even if half don’t live up to expectations(which I doubt), there will be plenty of good ones. Also Sony is yet to reveal plenty of others they are working on(Team ICO game, Twisted Metal, Jak and Daxter, Racket and Clank.), any of which could come out this year.

   The Xbox360’s line up is smaller, and if you don’t like Halo, your out of luck. More Downloadable Content though. Microsoft must have some games hidden behind closed doors.

   Needless to say I’m more excited about PS3’s line up. And anyone who thinks 2009’s line up is disappointing probably doesn’t play/own a PS3.

   Reply
4. Tikyle says:

   January 13, 2009 at 6:24 am

   COD6 Modern Warfare
   RE5

   All the 360 needs is another A+ title and the year will be good enough. Nothing will touch 2007 though so we should just enough ‘09 for what it will be.

   Reply