29 Games To Look For In 2009

Written by Jason Fanelli  on January 09, 2009

Special: And 29 bonus titles too.

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2008 was a terrific year for gaming. From Devil May Cry 4 in January to Prince of Persia in December, last year was chock full of great games and great times. As we look back at those we've played, we should also look forward to 2009, where the line-up is already looking to be just as good, if not better, than '08. So with that said, here are 29 Games To Look For In 2009 courtesy of Gaming Target:

DS

Dragon Quest IX: Protectors of the Sky
DS owners may also be getting a DQV remake in 2009, but Dragon Quest IX will be the one to play. A true sequel in Square Enix's other long-standing RPG franchise, Dragon Quest is known for great turn-based RPG action with a little bit of Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball Z, Chrono Trigger) art to boot. This time though, Square Enix is adding muiltplayer compatibility, a first for the Dragon Quest franchise. Character creation and a job system will bring a customization element into the otherwise familiar turn-based fighting system as well. Any RPG fan should be salivating for this.

Moon
An ambitious title from Renegade Kid (Dementium: The Ward), Moon takes place on the surface of, well, the moon in the year 2058. What makes Moon unique is that it's an FPS on the DS, territory that not many other developers have ventured into. Call of Duty 4's DS iteration was alright, nothing special, but hopefully Moon will be a shining example of quality FPS on Nintendo's handheld. This is being touted as a game for the hardcore crowd, so if you're one of those gamers and you're looking for something new to bring around town, Moon will be a good choice.



Suikoden Tierkreis
Suikoden is another long running RPG series, but this will mark the first foray on the DS (or any non-Sony console since the Saturn version of Suikoden 1). This, like DQIX, will be turn-based combat at its finest, with the possibility of tandem attacks as well. However, I should warn fans of the Suikoden series, the duel and war modes you've grown so fond of will not be making it onto the DS. However, that should not make you stray from what should be one of the best RPG experiences on the system. If you're planning on Dragon Quest IX, Suikoden is a smart choice as well.

PSP

Dissidia: Final Fantasy
Final Fantasy in a fighting game. Square tried this once before with Ehrgeiz, but not many like to talk about it. Dissidia could change the perspective on FF fighting, with an interesting battle system and characters from every FF imaginable, even the MMO Final Fantasy XI. Expect a lot of Final Fantasy fan service as well, including cameos by popular FF characters and possibly a surprise playable character or two. If you own a PSP and like Final Fantasy, count on carrying this game around with you wherever you go.

PC

The Sims 3
The Sims franchise has been providing fun gaming to teenage girls and little kids since the Wii was even thought of, and this winter the third installment will be unleashed upon the world. Sims 3 will focus more on moods and personality than the other games, which will enable players to make their Sims more real than ever. Not only that, but Will Wright and company are promising some of the most in-depth customization options ever, from the way your Sim looks to the way the entire town looks. If you really need more convincing, here's Gaming Target's own Kyle Williams with a preview.

Star Wars: The Old Republic
Bioware's first venture into MMO territory builds off one of their first major successes. Star Wars fans have been giddy ever since the game was first announced, and the possibilities are endless. The MMO will be taking gamers back into the Old Republic timeline they visited in the Xbox games, and judging by the quality of those games, this one should be excellent as well. This could be the one to seriously contend with the monster that is World of Warcraft.

Keep going for PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 and multiplatform picks.