Please refer to this link : http://xbox360zombies.blogspot.com/2011/01/xbox360-gamelist-600with-artwork-on.html for the updated Xbox360 gamelist

With the release of the much-delayed MMORPG, DC Universe Online earlier this week, and the mindbogglingly awesome LittleBigPlanet 2 just two days away from the shelves, we knew it's that time of the year again. Time for us here at The Daily Zombies to bring out our undead crystal ball to look at thirteen of the most highly hyped and anticipated games amongst the promising lineups we have for 2011.

Click here for last year's list.

As usual, our list are obviously based on perceived anticipation and are, for the first time ever for your convenience, in a chronological order of the respective titles's scheduled release dates. In addition, we have imposed a "Brain Licking Potential Meter" as an indicator of our anticipation.

Without further ado, let's get on with the show.


Quarter 1 (Winter)
As usual, the start of the year kicks off with a bang or two, with major releases like Mass Effect 2 (the PlayStation 3 version), DC Universe Online, LittleBigPlanet 2, Dead Space 2, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, Dragon Age II, Crysis 2, and the launch of Nintendo 3DS in March.


1. LittleBigPlanet 2

Developed by: Media Molecule
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Platforms available on: PlayStation 3
Released Date: January 18th
Genre: Platformer, Multi-genre

It puts a smile in our face when we are faced with the predicament of putting something in the above "Genre" column for LittleBigPlanet 2, Media Molecule's batshit crazily awesome sequel to the wildly popular surprise hit of 2007, LittleBigPlanet.

Quite possibly one of the most insanely ambitious video game sequel ever, LittleBigPlanet 2 is perhaps also one of the most indescribable game ever, with its insanely awesome game creation mode that allows players to not only create game levels but entirely different new games themselves. We have earlier posted some of the most quirky creation from a two-player fighting game pitting Sony against Marvel and Capcom in a throwback at the upcoming Marvel vs. Capcom 3, to Sackboy in his very own Wolfenstein adventure, to even an emulated Windows XP OS.

Apart from the mind-boggling creation tools, let's not forget the original formula that earned LittleBigPlanet universal acclaim: A simple yet utterly charming platformer with a protagonist everybody loves, the impeccable Sackboy.

As a result of the recent delay, LittleBigPlanet 2 has parachuted into our 2011 list. Nevertheless, we have faith that the sequel will no doubt be a shoo-in for the contender for the Game of the Year, with rave reviews flooding in from all major gaming medias who have had the opportunity to preview the title.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



2. Dead Space 2

Developed by: Visceral Games
Published by: Electronic Arts
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: January 25th
Genre: Survival Horror, Third-Person Shooter

Here at The Daily Zombies, our unwavering interest in all things horror has been well-documented, and Survival Horror games come and go, Dead Space has been the most prominent title in current gaming culture.

Being big fans of Dead Space, we have been covering Dead Space 2, Visceral's upcoming sequel to the critically acclaimed Survival Horror third-person shooter, since the official announcement of the project in May, 2010. With Dead Space 2, players once again finds themselves stepping into the shoe of protagonist Isaac Clarke, deeply traumatized by his experiences with the mysterious "marker" aboard the Ishimura in his previous misadventure. Armed with a new and improved cool suit, Isaac, now residing in a densely populated space station dubbed the "Sprawl", takes on yet another demented ride filled with more intrigue and monstrosities, as an Necromorph infection approaches "Sprawl" for reasons unknown.

Apart from the single player story mode, Visceral has developed considerable efforts in further expanding the gameplay experience with the multiplayer mode. A closed multiplayer beta were conducted since September. Consisting of a 4 vs 4 setup, a team of humans, while trying to complete an objective, were pitted against another team of Necromorphs, who are tasked to stop the humans from achieving their goal.

Taking survival horror into yet another deliciously demented realm, Visceral Games promised to further bend the twisted fuck out of poor Isaac's mind-fucked skull, and that is a prospect that we, the Survival Horror fans can no doubt relishes in.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



3. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds

Developed by: Capcom
Published by: Capcom
Platforms available on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: February 5th
Genre: Fighting

A fighting game in our Top 13 Most Anticipated List? Do not doubt this entry, as this is, in many fighting game enthusiasts's minds, the most anticipated title ever. Truly a sequel more than a decade in the making, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds has left many fans waiting in despair throughout 2000s.

For those unfamiliar with the the Marvel vs. Capcom franchise, Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds is in fact the fifth installment in the wildly popular series.

Produced and directed by Ryota Niitsuma, who had previously worked on the critically acclaimed fighter, Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars, Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will be featuring 3D characters fighting on a 2D plane, not unlike Street Fighter IV. However, the similarity between both titles ends there as Marvel vs. Capcom 3 will instead be running on an "advanced version" of MT Framework, the very same engine that powers the graphics of Lost Planet 2 and Resident Evil 5, an engine that has been called by Niitsuma as "the biggest engine that a fighting game has ever had under the hood".

Nonetheless, long-time fans can be relieved as the fast-paced fighting mechanics and the three-on-three tag team fighting gameplay would be on full-blown display, complete with a promised robust plot. In addition, the roster, containing a stellar 40 character (with 32 revealed thus far), has proven to be particularly intriguing, with long-awaited entries to the series like Thor and Albert Wesker (from the Resident Evil series), and quirky characters like Arthur (from Capcom's Ghosts 'n Goblins series) and M.O.D.O.K..

The age of arcade might have indeed came and gone, but with Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds, a title that is all about fan service, Capcom, along with Marvel promises to provide an innovative fighting game experience like no other.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution

Developed by: Eidos Montreal
Published by: Square Enix
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: March 8th
Genre: Action RPG

The next chapter in what was much touted as the "Best PC Game Of All Time" and multiple "Game Of The Year" award-winner, Deus Ex: Human Revolution has some incredibly enormous shoe to fill in.

A prequel to the original Deus Ex, the long-awaited next chapter is a prequel set in 2027, 25 years before the setting of the original. Developed by Eidos Montreal, the prequel combines both first person gameplay and third person viewpoint while executing instant-kill moves or utilizing the cover system, while the gameplay scheme also comprises RPG element.

The main protagonist in the prequel, Adam Jensen, was a private security officer with Sarif Industries who was forced to undergo both nanotechnological and biomechanical augmentations due to an attack on his company. However (and of course inevitably), he was unwittingly involved in conspiracies on the future of all mankind after the augmentation. With a a combination of cyberpunk and Renaissance aesthetics, the visual of the futuristic has proven to be promising, with players visiting five cities (including Detroit, Shanghai and Montreal) during the course of the game.

The trailers to the title that have been released have been well-received, impressing many doubters stuck with a bad taste of the series due to the sequels. While we all know the events in the game will most likely than not, lead to the formation of UNATCO from the original game, this is one intriguing trip fans of Action Adventure games shouldn't missed.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



5. Dragon Age II

Developed by: BioWare
Published by: Electronic Arts
Platform available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: March 8th
Genre: Role-Playing Game

Mark the date on the calendar. March 8th is proving to be one hell of a day with two major releases, the above mentioned Deus Ex: Human Revolution, and this one, Dragon Age II.

A bold departure from its well-reviewed predecessor, Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age II utilizes an all-new game engine and have more than a handful of new tricks this time round.

Focusing on the new main protagonist, Hawke, a Lothering refugee who is a survivor of the Blight, Dragon Age II takes place in the Free Marches in the same world as Dragon Age: Origins . While Hawke's race in Dragon Age II cannot be changed, his/her's appearance, gender and class are all fully customizable. During the course of the game, Hawke will rise to power in a tale spanning a decade as player writes the history of the world of Dragon Age, as opposed to the two years in its predecessor.

Meanwhile, fans of Dragon Age: Origins can rejoice as the choices they made in the game can be imported and reflected in the world of Dragon Age II. BioWare has went on the record, announcing that the combat system will be enhanced to be more action-driven and fast-paced.

Dragon Age: Origins has been regarded by many as the best RPG of 2009 with its non-linear framed narrative heavily based on the protagonist's choices. For fans of non-linear gaming, Dragon Age II is one title not to be missed.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



6. Dynasty Warriors 7

Developed by: Omega Force
Published by: Tecmo Koei
Platforms available on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: March 10th (Japan), March 22nd (US)
Genre: Hack and Slash, Action

Our affections in the upcoming sequel to the Tecmo Koei's best-selling, long-running hack-and-slash action adventure series, Dynasty Warriors, has been well-documented (here, and here) lately. With Dynasty Warriors 7, the series is reaching for an unprecedented peak in the series no one saw coming.

First unveiled at the 2010 Tokyo Game Show, the latest installment was officially revealed at the Koei Press Conference on October 26th, to feature improved graphics and gameplay, along with the support of stereoscopic 3D features and PlayStation Move support.

Since its inception a decade ago with the release in Japan as Shin Sangoku Musou (named in other countries as Dynasty Warriors 2, a fact that led to the ongoing discrepancy in title numbers), Koei (now Tecmo Koei)'s best-selling, long-running hack-and-slash action adventure series has been basically spinning the same tune with its respective installments, concluding the great olden tales of the Three Kingdom era with the demise of the legendary advisor, Zhuge Liang, at the Battle of Wuzhang Plains.

With this new entry in the series, the Jin (晉) Kingdom, a new faction other than the classic three (namely the Wei (魏), Shu (蜀), and Wu (吳)) will be added, as the chronicles of the Three Kingdom tales finally move forward to an actual conclusive stage chronicled in the history and the famous Chinese novel, Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the franchise is based on. Yes, the eventual victor of the Three Kingdom is here.

Heh, you can be well-assured that this is one title you can safely expect not to be up on anybody's list of most anticipated games for 2011. But that fact does not take anything away from this guilty pleasure that has gotten bigger and better with this upcoming installment.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



7. Crysis 2

Developed by: Crytek Frankfurt & Crytek UK
Published by: Electronic Arts
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: March 22nd
Genre: First-Person Shooter

While Crysis will forever be remembered for being a benchmark of epic, next-generation graphics, its intense, fast-paced gameplay, realistic AIs, and a truly stunning open world are also part of the reason for the amazing gaming experience. With Crysis 2, it is only right that we can expect nothing less.

With Crytek remarking the combat being "catastrophically beautiful", the sequel is highly expected by the gaming industry to surpass the original game graphically, with the new gaming engine, CryEngine 3. Also remarkable would be the fact that this will also be the franchise's first foray into cross-platform gaming.

As with Crysis and its spin-off title, Crysis Warhead, Crytek will be employing the combo of top-notch First-Person Shooting and the free-form sandbox gaming on Crysis 2, albeit with a major twist: The battleground. Taking a major departure from the fictional tropical Lingshan Islands in Philippines, players will find themselves fighting in the literal concrete jungle of New York.

Set three years after the original Crysis in New York City, which has since been evacuated due to alien infestation while many other major cities across the world have been destroyed, players will be stepping in the Nanosuit of Nomad, the supersoldier who is the protagonist of the original Crysis, to fight Crynet Systems, the makers of the Nanosuit, and the aliens who are rampant all over the city.

As a result of the first Crysis's exclusivity for PC, many console gamers were unable to enjoy the gorgeous adventure. With the cross-platform release of Crysis 2, prepare to be stunned by the sheer spectacle that is the CryEngine 3 game engine.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



Quarter 2 (Spring)
The invasion of Nintendo 3DS should continue with packs of releases while we see some cool releases the likes of Rockstar's L.A. Noire and the much-awaited ICO & Shadow of the Colossus Collection for the PlayStation 3.


8. L.A. Noire

Developed by: Team Bondi
Published by: Rockstar Games
Platforms available on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: Spring
Genre: Sandbox, Mystery

It's sex, crime, and all that jazz, grim and gritty film noir-style.

Developed by Team Bondi and published by Rockstar Games, L.A. Noire, is an innovative take on the sandbox gameplay, deeply rooted in the stark black and white elements of film noir, both in terms of plot development and game aesthetics.

Set in "a perfectly re-created Los Angeles" of the late 1940s, players will be taking the role of Detective Cole Phelps, who is involved in investigations over a series of murders. Voiced by TV's "Mad Men"'s Aaron Staton, players can expect unique gameplay of a detective aspect, such as interrogation and clue-finding, in a post-war Los Angeles, circa 1940s. A much-reported unique feature of the game would be the facial-capture technology developed by Team Bondi's sister company, Depth Analysis. Judging from the trailer, the hype is only too true.

Rockstar Games has consistently rocked us with their amazing titles. In L.A. Noire, it is safe for us to expect nothing less.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



Quarter 3 (Summer)
Arguably, the industry's lull season, as we see the launch of major First-Person Shooters like Rage and Resistance 3, while the release of Star Wars: The Old Republic during this period remain to be something unconfirmed.


9. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Developed by: BioWare
Published by: Electronic Arts
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows
Released Date: Summer
Genre: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG)

Yes, unconfirmed as it might be, we are compelled to pick the likely release of the biggest MMORPG (Sorry, DC Universe Online) as one of our most anticipated titles.

First announced on October 2008, the wait for Star Wars: The Old Republic (TOR), the upcoming massively multiplayer online role-playing game(MMORPG) is almost killing for all the raging Jedi/Sith wannabe everywhere.

Currently in development by BioWare Austin and a supplemental team at BioWare Edmonton, the title has been regularly mentioned in the "most anticipated games list" for years. Marking BioWare's first foray into the MMORPG market, Star Wars: The Old Republic is widely expected to be the title to take MMORPG to the next level.

Set 300 years after the events of the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games and more than 3,500 years before the events in the Star Wars films, the game takes place shortly after the establishment of a tenuous peace between the re-emergent Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic. A massive range of playable races has been confirmed, with Chiss, Human, Miraluka, Mirialan, Rattataki, Sith Pureblood, Twi'lek and Zabrak being those announced thus far. A total of eight classes have also been confirmed: the Bounty Hunter, Sith Warrior, Imperial Agent, and Sith Inquisitor for the Sith Empire; and the Trooper, Smuggler, Jedi Knight, and Jedi Consular for the Galactic Republic.

While Star Trek Online has been lackluster, the concept of a MMORPG of a popular licence of a space opera the likes of Star Wars continues to be enticing.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



Quarter 4 (Fall/Holiday)
The year comes to an end with the final quarter as we see major releases like Mass Effect 3, Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception and The Elder Scrolls V. And hopefully, Batman: Arkham City, and Gears of War 3.


10. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Developed by: Naughty Dog
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms available on: PlayStation 3
Released Date: November 1st
Genre: Action Adventure, Platformer,
Third-Person Shooter

Nathan Drake, the hero of the most critically acclaimed game of 2009, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, is back. Nathan Drake, the hero of the most critically acclaimed game of 2009, Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, is back.

With the third entry in Naughty Dog's Uncharted series, Drake's Deception takes the series into yet another uncharted realm: Stereoscopic 3D.

Drawing inspiration from the life of T.E. Lawrence's days as an archaeologist in the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, the idea of a desert setting serves to fulfill Naughty Dog’s desire to take on the challenge of conceiving and building out gameplay scenarios within a desert locale with the difficulties of animating the fluid landscape.

Apart from the promise on delivering an "interactive cinematic experience", Naughty Dog co-president Evan Wells has confirmed that the well-received online multiplayer and co-op capabilities will continue to be perfected, with more details to be announced in the coming months. Meanwhile, improved innovations like "enhanced backward climbing" and "the ability to fight multiple baddies at once" will be included.

The latest installment in one of the best action adventure series in a while featuring the best adventurer since Indiana Jones in The Last Crusade (yes, as in NOT The abysmal Kingdom of the Crystal Skull). What gives?



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



11. Batman: Arkham City

Developed by: Rocksteady Studios
Published by: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment/DC Entertainment
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: Fall
Genre: Action Adventure, Stealth

The Dark Knight returns in this highly anticipated sequel to 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum, named as the "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game" in the Guinness World Records, and more importantly, the "Game Of The Year" by The Daily Zombies.

Officially announced during the 2009 Spike Video Game Awards, the wait for Batman: Arkham City has been feverish for many a gamer.

Taking place one year after the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum, the sequel will have players taking Batman into Arkham City, the "the new maximum security 'home' for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds". With Quincy Sharp, the former warden of Arkham Asylum, taking the credits for stopping the Joker in the first game, he was subsequently installed as the mayor of Gotham City. Due to events from Batman: Arkham Asylum, neither Arkham nor Blackgate Prison are capable of their respective functions of holding inmates. As a result, Sharp took out an enormous section of the slums of Gotham and arms the perimeter with private military contractors from a group called "Tyger", to create "Arkham City".

Described by voice actor Kevin Conroy, who will be reprising his role as Batman, to be "really, really dark", the sequel spots an elaborate roster of the Dark Knight's infamous Rogue's Gallery, featuring everyone from Joker (voiced by Mark Hamill, in a last voice-acting stint as Clown Prince of Crime), the Riddler (voiced by Wally Wingert), Mr. Freeze (voiced by Maurice LaMarche), Talia al Ghul (voiced by Stana Katic), as well as Two-Face, Catwoman, Victor Zsasz, Calendar Man, to Harley Quinn.

As mentioned earlier, Batman: Arkham Asylum was voted as the "Game Of The Year" by The Daily Zombies. With the upcoming sequel, the stakes are higher and thus we expect it every bit the better.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



12. Gears of War 3

Developed by: Epic Games
Published by: Microsoft Game Studios
Platforms available on: Xbox 360
Released Date: Fall
Genre: Third-Person shooter

The Gears of War trilogy finally comes full circle with the release of the much-anticipated Gears of War 3.

First unveiled on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon by Cliff Bleszinski, the design director of Epic Games, in 2009, Gears of War 3 was originally due for an April 2011 release before being pushed for November release.

With the third installment of the series, players will be introduced with three playable female characters: Samantha Byrne, Anya Stroud, and Bernadette Mataki, as well as Jace Stratton, a battle-hardened soldier. More importantly, Clayton Carmine, the brother of Anthony and Benjamin from the previous two games, will also be appearing in the sequel. Bleszinski has went on the record to indicate that the game will "answer the majority of the questions that players have about the history of the world and what's going on".

A new multiplayer mode known as the "Beast mode" will be introduced on the sequel. The opposite of the Horde Mode in Gears of War 2, players will get the opportunity to play as Locust to attack the COG members, with tokens earned that allows the player to upgrade their character to a stronger class of Locust. Horde Mode, as well as some of the original multiplayer modes will also be returning in the sequel with a twist.

Right beside the Halo series, the Gears of War franchise has won multiple awards and spawned many merchandises from books, graphic novels to a planned film adaptation. With Gears of War 3 completing the trilogy, expect Epic Games to go out with a big bang.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



13. Mass Effect 3

Developed by: BioWare
Published by: Electronic Arts
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Released Date: Fall
Genre: Action RPG

For the first time ever, the final chapter of the best-selling Sci-Fi action RPG trilogy, Mass Effect, hits all platforms simultaneously.

So yes you can say goodbye to the hit series's former console exclusivity once and for all, as Mass Effect 3, officially announced at the 2010 Spike Video Game Awards, will be be released simultaneously on Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360 and the PlayStation 3. Meaning a double dose of Mass Effect for PlayStation owners this year with the release of Mass Effect 2 in January.

BioWare has been incredibly prolific in recent years, and more importantly, exremely effective in that, with critically acclaimed titles like Mass Effect 2, and Dragon Age: Origins. Despite the credentials, one has got to wonder how they gonna pull three massive titles in 2011: Star Wars: The Old Republic, Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age II.

With BioWare confirming that the battle will hit home here in Mother Earth in this final chapter of the Mass Effect saga, expect Commander Shepard and his merry men to go out with a blaze of glory in a final battle against the the Reaper.

The Mass Effect series has been well-known for its compelling gameplay and engaging storyline, edging out even RPG mainstay like Final Fantasy XIII last year with its second installment. Expect a worthy ending to a great series with this one.



Brain Licking Potential Meter:



-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


As per our usual tradition, we conclude this list with a "Lucky Seven To-Watch-For List" to round up the angle. While it remains a matter of fact that we are not bearing as much anticipation in the below games as compared to the thirteen listed above, they sure as hell have the potential to outdo those above. Bear in mind, our very own "Game of the Year 2010", Red Dead Redemption, belonged here last year.


1. DC Universe Online
Developed by: Sony Online Entertainment
Published by: Sony Computer EntertainmentSony Computer Entertainment
Platforms available on: PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows
Release Date: January 11th
Genre: Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG)


2. Ōkamiden
Developed by: Capcom
Published by: Capcom
Platforms available on: Nintendo DS
Released Date: March 5th
Genre: Action Adventure


3. Portal 2
Developed by: Valve Corporation
Published by: Valve Corporation
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Mac OS X
Released Date: April 20th
Genre: First Person Puzzle


4. F.E.A.R. 3 AKA F.3.A.R.
Developed by: Day 1 Studios
Published by: Warner Bros. Interactive
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, OnLive
Released Date: May
Genre: First-Person Shooter, Survival Horror


5. Team ICO Collection
Developed by: Team Ico
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Platforms available on: Playstation 3
Released Date: Spring
Genre: Action Adventure, Puzzle


6. Diablo III
Developed by: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms available on: Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
Released Date: Fall
Genre: Action RPG, Hack and Slash


7. The Last Guardian
Developed by: Team Ico
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment America
Platforms available on: Playstation 3
Released Date: Fall
Genre: Action Adventure, Puzzle


A recap of the list:

1. LittleBigPlanet 2
Release Date: January 18th

2. Dead Space 2
Release Date: January 25th

3. Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds
Release Date: February 5th

4. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Release Date: March 8th

5. Dragon Age II
Release Date: March 8th

6. Dynasty Warriors 7
Release Date: March 10th

7. Crysis 2
Release Date: March 22nd

8. L.A. Noire
Released Date: Spring

9. Star Wars: The Old Republic
Release Date: Summer

10. Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
Release Date: November 1st

11. Batman: Arkham City
Release Date: Fall

12. Gears of War 3
Release Date: Fall

13. Mass Effect 3
Release Date: Fall