We're nearly half way through 2010 so what better time to sit back and have another look at what the year has had to offer so far. With many big releases, each deserves its own re-examination before the hysteria of the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) this week, and its subsequent announcements overshadowing previous releases in the media's attention.

            2010 has been a spectacular year for gaming so far, with many thankful of the release schedule panic caused by the launch of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2's late last year. While in any other year many games that haven't made it to this list would shine as strong contenders, 2010 has seen such a great line-up that even the likes of Bayonetta and the long-awaited Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell: Conviction fail to live-up to the standards of the strongest performers. The best of what's been so far can be found just below, in no particular order, and Electronic Theatre will keep you updated with everything else that's to come in 2010.

God of War III

            Amongst the most highly anticipated games of the year, God of War III proved itself to be one of the biggest games yet to launch on the PlayStation 3. Already a popular title, the God of War series has a loyal following and fans were Electronic Theatre Imagenot disappointed by the latest edition with the game staying true to tradition. It may not be innovative, but it improves upon a winning formula with the advantage of a new technical advancement and just as much spectacle.

            Our anti-hero Kratos' quest for revenge is still the main conceit of the story as he battles with Gods with the same the same gruesome vigour first seen five years ago in the original God of War. Players will revel in Kratos' elaborate combo combat designed to make you feel empowered and with a huge variety of enemies to defeat you'll soon discover God of War III is worth picking up purely for its uncanny ability to provide one big ego-trip.

Heavy Rain

            First revealed in 2006 back at E3, Heavy Rain generated a lot of interest. Its innovative conceit heralds a new era of interactive storytelling. The general plotline is established; however the player's interactions and decisions affect the outcome of certain situations along theElectronic Theatre Image way. There are four characters which the player assumes through out the game with the father of a missing boy, Ethan Mars, and the Private Detective, Scott Shelby being the most interesting.

            The story develops into a tangled murder investigation with each character embroiled in the plot. It is at times frustrating in scenes of particular tension when the player has to search for the trigger to the next scene and at others when a particular instinctive action is not available. However, Heavy Rain's shortfalls are more than compensated for by its brilliance. It is a different type of game that has never been done so well and though not to everyone's taste, has to be recognised for providing a truly engaging interactive experience.

ModNation Racers

            ModNation Racers carries LittleBigPlanet's Play, Create, Share ethos within the Kart Racer genre. Whilst the games conceit isn't entirely original it most definitely has a personality all of its own. Available both for PlayStation Portable (PSP) and PlayStation 3, the latter offers a far sturdier experience in terms of its races. Electronic Theatre ImageThe Career Mode and races alone offer a complete package, however the game is significantly enhanced by its creation aspect. Herethe PlayStation 3 excels over the PSP yet again with a suite of tools that offer the chance to incorporate far more imagination.

            One of the most enjoyable aspects of ModNation Racers is its track creation options. With the ability to generate almost every aspect from the track layering to the background the toolset is amongst one of the most robust ever seen. Not only that but players can challenge online friends to play on the tracks that they themselves have created. ModNation Racers is a charming game which is quite simply ground breaking and marks a step forward in videogames as it hands the creation over to the consumer.

BioShock 2

            Three years after BioShock's release, BioShock 2 returns to Rapture, the underwater city, with the same socio-political agenda. A venue with a life all of its own, Rapture is further explored in both the single-player and the multiplayer modes with anElectronic Theatre Image examination of two significant points in the series timeline. The single-player mode begins ten years on from where BioShock left off. Assuming the role of a sentient Big Daddy, the player is tasked with taking down Rapture's new commander, Sophia Lamb.

            In BioShock 2 players face a familiar moral dilemma, just as in BioShock, as to whether or not to rescue or harvest Little Sisters. An even greater dilemma comes with the three characters the player will meet, all of whom have wronged you in some way and whose fate lies with you. The repercussions of your decisions affect the outcome of your adventure. The Multiplayer mode is set prior to the eventsof the original game in anticipation of the beginning of Rapture's civil war. BioShock 2 is a thoroughly befitting sequence to the original that further develops an already captivating concept.

Mass Effect 2

Mass Effect 2 was released to huge anticipation, generated by an almost unanimous high regard for the original. Mass Effect was launched as the first part of a trilogy and its success warranted this to materialise. The sequel seamlessly allows the ability Electronic Theatre Imageto reinstate your former character into the action, allowing for events to unfurl as a result of your actions in Mass Effect. Pivotal moments from the first title now have a significant effect on how the sequel will develop.

With greater emphasis on spectacle, assuming the role of Ben Sheppard breathes new life into the familiar. The combat is a vast improvement over its predecessor and many seemingly minor changes add up to a significant advancement on game-play. Perhaps the most significant addition is that of the Cerberus Network, an in-game download portal for downloadable content (DLC) which extends an already expansive game. Not only is Mass Effect 2 stunningly attractive, it is progressive yet still nostalgic and ultimately all you could hope for from a sequel.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle stands apart from the average Wii release in its visual designs and adult themes. From Rising Star Games and the hugely popular team at Grasshopper Electronic Theatre ImageManufacture, the action game is of great significance purely, though not exclusively, because of its rarity. Despite being a sequel No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle rearranges the formula of the original, No More Heroes, considerably. The city of Santa Destroy is no longer free-roaming, with new destinations chosen on a map and the player being transported there immediately.

            The ultimate goal of the game guides the player through a regular series of gameplay scenarios: Stage Fight, Ranker Fight and consequence. The combat is fluid with many combinations accessible. There are numerous distractions during the game, such as watching TV shows and 2D mini-games, not to mention a thumping rock soundtrack with the likesof The Clash and Joy Division to punctuate the action. No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle creates an utterly mad, unconventional universe which is also hugely compelling and unfailingly addictive.

Super Street Fighter IV

            Following the tradition of the series history, Super Street Fighter IV was released a year on from Street Fighter IV with new improved content, more characters and new arenas making it well worth the purchase, especially considering Capcom Electronic Theatre Imageopted for a budget price. Ten new characters are added to a line-up of familiar faces, and every character is available from the start including the widely publicised Juri, whose aerial assaults have been inspired by Taekwondo and are a welcomeaddition to the combat.

            In addition to the new characters, the online play has received a significant overhaul. Whilst the Arcade, Versus, Training and Challenge modes return with only minor alterations, the online play adds three newoptions on disc with more as downloadable content (DLC). These three options include Endless battle involving opponent after opponent allowing the winner to stay in play as long as their winning streak continues. Graphical the quality is on a par with Street Fighter IV, though the new characters are remarkably well-animated and constitute towards a new-improved complete package.

Red Dead Redemption

            Rockstar Games latest offering Red Dead Redemption is the sequel to the commercially successful yet not nearly as critically acclaimed, Red Dead Revolver. The launch of Red Dead Redemption was highly anticipated, andeditorcommentaryblip.JPG far from disappointing, the game improved upon the original by a significant margin. The story follows the travels of John Marston, a former outlaw, whose task is to track down his former gang members. The main draw of the game is its combat and gunplay to which significant attention has been paid. The gunfights allow players to take cover, blindfire, free aim and target specific people and are particularly sophisticated.

            Made by the same developers as Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption possesses the same level of attention to creating atmosphere. The complicated storyline does not detract from the magnificent scenery and meticulously designed set pieces. With a vast open environment to explore, mostly on horseback, that captures the essence of the militant Wild West, and with stunning visuals and graphics, players can not help but be absorbed by the comprehensive world presented to them.  

Super Mario Galaxy 2

            Few could have missed the media hype surrounding the launch of Super Mario Galaxy in 2007 and the critical acclaim it received. Super Mario Galaxy 2 followed this year and not only matched its predecessor but surpassed it in many ways. The familiar characters of the world-renowned Platform game Electronic Theatre Imagehave become synonymous with quality entertainment and can almost sell a title on their own. The plot is dispensable but sets the scene for the magical world that the characters inhabit.

            Players can jump from planet to planet in the colourful galaxies whilst collecting Star Bits with a similar array of special power-ups and Launch Stars as seen in Super Mario Galaxy. The sequel is bolder and more exploratory than its predecessor in terms of the level designs and makes the most of the Wii's graphic capabilities. For many, the series is noteworthy purely for the affection they may feel for the characters but Super Mario Galaxy 2 is more than just nostalgic, it is an enjoyable comprehensive package that stands alone as a noteworthy piece of entertainment.   

Battlefield: Bad Company 2

            A squad based first-person shooter Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a direct sequel to Battlefield: Bad Company. In the single player campaign the squads aim is to secure a dangerous weapon codenamed The Black Weapon. Equally as valuable to the title is the multiplayer game modes which have clearly been devoted Electronic Theatre Imagemuch time and attention in their development. In Conquest players must capture flags, whilst in Rush players must defend or destroy M-COM stations. Squad Rush involves a squad of four players versus another four and the fourth mode, Onslaught, involves a squad of four players against AI. Each mode is unique and features a worthwhile achievement/reward system including experience points and a dog tag system.

            Battlefield: Bad Company 2 is a clear improvement on the original and features a particularly well developed multiplayer and on-line mode. The game-play in both single-player and multiplayer has been touted as being exhilarating and thoughtful with superb, live-like visuals.