This Spring should be interesting with a few of our titles showing up around that time and it’ll truly come down to the battle between Split/Second and Blur for racer dominance over the Spring timespan. Who are you betting your money on?

#4: Alpha Protocol

Developed by Obsidian Entertainment.

Published by SEGA.

We’ve all seen Mass Effect, right? Well, that’s the biggest thing drowning Alpha Protocol out of the gaming scene. Alpha Protocol is basically Mass Effect set in a different reality. In other words, it’s a shooter with roleplaying game elements. Oddly enough, this game may steal a crowd of its own as some gamers aren’t into the Science Fiction on offer through Mass Effect and the soon-to-be released Mass Effect 2, allowing Alpha Protocol to rest comfortable in a niche market with enough sales for a sequel of its own.

The story behind Alpha Protocol is definitely played out to the brim. We’ve all seen movies where the government betrays one of its own and it’s up to that one man to prove his innocence and he’ll do anything to do it. Don’t worry, this isn’t the Bourne trilogy or Shooter or anything else, it’s its own standalone title. Despite those similarities (Hollywood is repetitive anyways), Alpha Protocol does have a solid opportunity with a Spring appearance.

By the time Spring rolls around, many of us will have played through Mass Effect 2-3 times and should be looking for a new RPG/Shooter fix. With Alpha Protocol releasing right around that time, it’s an obvious choice to pick up and continue our addiction. This is the only surviving hope that this new IP truly has, because quite frankly, with all of the delays, I think a lot of gamers are growing tired of waiting for this title to finally hit retail shelves. It’s now or never for Obsidian Entertainment.

#3: Singularity

Developed by Raven Software.

Published by Activision.

Don’t fake a heart attack. It’s great news that Activision is branching out with two new IPs on our list. Singularity is shaping up to be a unique concept that is destined to fail but will be a great niche title anyways. I know a lot of people don’t share my love for Dark Sector, but I think Singularity is going to fall into that same groove. The groove where a decent chunk appreciate everything the game is trying to offer, but still isn’t exactly a game worthy of AAA status. That’s fine though, it’s all about how you spend your money and if you enjoy what you get out of it.

As some of you may know, Singularity revolves around the TMD (Time Manipulation Device). While this device is extremely powerful, considering it controls time, it also has the ability to freeze objects in time, change where they occur in time, and age people rapidly enough to turn them into piles of dust. Sounds like a lot of fun, right? Well, it should be. Oh, in case you were wondering, yes, Russians do play the bad guys in this game as well.

To be honest, this is a game I’m looking forward to. I know it’s clouded by God of War III, MLB 10: The Show, and ModNation Racers, but I think this shooter is releasing at the perfect time (way before Halo Reach) and will allow shooter fans to get a short term fix before the Holiday season. That’s always a good thing and hopefully it works out. Keep an eye out for this one!

#2: Dark Void

Developed by Airtight Games.

Published by Capcom.

Check out our Screenshots here.

Dark Void takes us deep inside the Bermuda Triangle like no game before it and introduces players to a new mechanic that allows for a vertical cover system. While many upcoming games will try to duplicate the VCS, I can tell you from first-hand experience that Dark Void does a great job utilizing the vertical system of play. Jumping from platform to platform while controlling your booster pack (like Rocketeer), you can take down your enemies one by one while climbing to your destination. It’s a nice touch to the shooter genre that hasn’t really been perfected or done before.

While this game may appeal to superhero fans who like Iron Man, it is probably going to get lost in the mix of solid January releases (Bayonetta, Darksides, Army of Two, Mass Effect 2, etc). The premise behind the game of being lost inside the Bermuda Triangle and meeting Nikola Tesla though, is something to look forward to. Not only will you be able to fight enemies on land, but you’ll be taking on these alien life forms in the air as well. Oh, for those Grand Theft Auto fans, yes, you can car jack an alien in this game with fury.