If there's one thing my childhood taught me, it's that video games are awesome. Whether you're technologically challenged or a seasoned veteran, a new semester at Hopkins shouldn't prevent you from enjoying the carnal pleasures of blasting aliens until 4 a.m.
Luckily for the 12 year-old in all of us, 2010 is bringing a variety of new and exciting games to satisfy our twitchy fingers. There are hundreds of video games set to be released this year, but two sequels - BioShock 2 and Halo: Reach - have the public on the edge of their AV Gamer Chairs.
When fans discovered that 2K Games was creating a sequel to the much-adored BioShock, a great deal of skepticism arose. How could the developer bring about a repeat performance when the original first-person shooter had become a classic overnight?
A few game trailers, press releases and screenshots later, though, any doubt was quickly replaced by anticipation. BioShock 2 returns the player to the underwater metropolis of Rapture, a dystopian society in which genetic material is harvested and used to grant gene junkies, known as "splicers," extraordinary powers.
This time around, though, you'll play as Project Delta, the first "Big Daddy," a genetically-enhanced human whose skin has been grafted into a massive diving suit.
The storyline picks up 10 years after the original game, and Rapture has found a new leader in Sofia Lamb, an ex-psychologist who believes in collective action and the power of community - so expect some dialogue with Marxist overtones. As far as gameplay, this sequel will certainly not disappoint.
The fact that one plays as "Big Daddy," for example, is an opportunity to explore the sea around Rapture, a completely new experience.
Additionally, the player can now use plasmids (such as fire and ice) and weapons simultaneously, a feature that will certainly add a whole new dimension to the game's action sequences. Perhaps the most exciting aspect of BioShock 2, though, is the first-ever multiplayer option.
The multiplayer portion will act as a prequel to the original game, and players will take the roles of splicers competing for genetic fuel.
As the player levels up, their avatar will change and transform, depending on how many plasmids are consumed. This interactive and innovative dynamic looks like it will make BioShock 2 just as outstanding as the first. The game hits shelves Feb. 9.
Although most gamers won't take seven months to finish the aforementioned game, September will offer a second epic serving: a new Halo game. When even a layperson hears the word "halo," it is more often associated with machine guns and earth-saving missions than with angels or churches.
Indeed, Halo: Combat Evolved and its sequels have become the go-to games for alien-blasting action. While recent installments bearing the franchise name, such as Halo Wars and Halo 3: ODST, have received lackluster reviews, developer Bungie hopes to return to Master Chief's glory days with Halo: Reach.
This feat may prove difficult, though, as Reach will not feature Halo's beloved protagonist. Players will enter the shoes of an unnamed Spartan in a squad entitled Noble Team. The story will be a prequel - those familiar with the history surrounding the games know that planet Reach served as a battleground for Human-Covenant conflict and was eventually destroyed.
To some degree, prequels are inherently limited, but Bungie representatives hope that Reach's story will more than compensate for this drawback.
Those involved in the development of Halo: Reach promise a campaign mode with plenty of drama, from heroism to tragedy, to their trademark dark sense of humor. The player will find himself thrown in the midst of the action with a variety of characters around him. The Noble Team will feature several unique team members, each with their own special attribute.
For example, one member of your team will specialize in sniping, while one will be designated for heavy combat. Since diferent gamers have different degrees of expertise, Reach will allow players to specialize in whichever area they enjoy the most.
While fans will inevitably miss the Chief, sources at Bungie guarantee that players will not be disappointed. The entire game engine is being overhauled and Reach will feature entirely interactive environments and luscious scenery.
The scale of the game will also be magnified: The number of enemies on screen will be double that of previous installments. The score has always been an integral part of Halo's success, and Reach promises to stick to the same formula of dark, brooding music interspersed with energetic, powerful themes.
The sum of these games will hopefully make 2010 a year to be remembered. With the recent release of Mass Effect 2 and the probable release of Starcraft II, this year certainly seems to be the year for button smashing.
So whenever MSE Library loses its charm or Orgo becomes too overwhelming, you can take a breather and get your video game on. You may lose your girlfriend, but when you're saving the Earth, who cares?
