Thirty Most Wanted of 2009: #30 to #16

2008 may not have quite been the best year for gaming ever, but it was undoubtedly a strong performance by the industry. A wealth of high-rated titles came out, especially during the fall when gamers were ridiculously spoiled by their choices. There are those who doubt 2009 can live up to its predecessor’s mighty legacy, but we here at TheGameReviews have faith in our young annum. After all, the PS3 is finally settling into its stride, the 360 is looking to broaden its horizons and the Wii aims to build upon its runaway success. There’s also a stack of games coming out for the PC, DS, PSP and 2009’s new challenger, the iPhone. We’re unashamedly excited, and now we’re going to declare the thirty best reasons you should be excited about this year too. We present to you the first part of TheGameReviews’ thirty most wanted of 2009, from #30 all the way up to the halfway point of #16.

We’ve only gone with games we think are going to come out in 2009, so don’t ready the fanboy cannons just because Mass Effect 2, Diablo III et al aren’t on the list.

#30: Lord Of The Rings: Conquest (PS3/360/PC/DS) 
Developer: Pandemic Studios Publisher: EA Release Date: 15 Jan 09 
Most Likely To: Be considered inferior by misguided LARPers.  
 
Pandemic Studios have done something simple but inspired. They’ve taken the vastly popular Star Wars: Battlefront series and transplanted it onto another beloved universe, namely that of JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth. Could this be the Lord of the Rings game that does justice to its source? With great-looking combat, 16-player skirmishes drawing from years of developer experience and the choice of playing as either good or evil, it’s probably the one with the best chance yet.

#29: Wii Sports Resort (Wii) 
Developer & Publisher: Nintendo Release Date: Q2 09 
Most Likely To: Sell more than the highest number you can think of.

There’s a strong chance that you’re completely uninterested in Wii Sports Resort, but there are plenty of folk who are thrilled by the sequel to the highest-selling video game of all time. Wii Sports may be undeserving of such an accolade, but it’s still fine, trouble-free fun and we’re excited about getting our hands on the bundled Motion Plus. Also, kendo looks kind of cool. Maybe.

#28: Flower (PS3 PSN) 
Developer: thatgamecompany Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Release Date: TBA 
Most Likely To: Make you wonder why you ever killed a space marine.

Flower and fl0w creator Jenova Chen recently described his latest project as “haiku gaming” but we think it may actually be closer to Zen gaming. Players will guide a flower petal using the Sixaxis, sending it on its windy way to collect other petals and reinvigorate the landscape with color and beauty. It’s simplistic yet ambitious and it’s idyllically gorgeous. In a year full of sequels centred around whose violence is the most brutal, Flower stands out as a new IP that will take players away from all that and let them meditate as it soothes their weary minds.