New Releases for the X-BOX 360 for October 2009

Most years October is a time where gamers start to get a feel for the big Holiday season. Sure each month has its big games but most gamers know that November is when the titan titles typically reveal themselves. That is not the case this year for the X-Box 360. November might have the next Assassin's Creed, but October is no slim preview. October is its own blockbuster month. You have amazing sport games, RPGs and music games all coming to stores before Halloween. If you thought you would have to wait until November to get the next big thing, you were wrong. This is the guide to all the games of note coming out on the X-Box 360 in October.

October 6th: NBA 2K10 and NBA Live 10
(nba-live.easports.com) and (2ksports.com/games/nba2k10)

Yet again this year we have two big sports games coming out on the same day for a one on one showdown. Both will have big graphics but what big time 360 games don't these days. Live has an expansive franchise mode that connects with up to date information of the season as it happens. 2K10 also has live updates and an amazing overhaul of the AI so that each player really has their own unique feel. This year, like many others it would seem 2K10 is the way to go.

October 6th: Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising (www.codemasters.com/flashpoint)

A month cannot seem to pass without a new first person shooter out for the 360. October is no exception. Flashpoint Dragon Rising is a sequel to the X-Box 360 game Operation Flashpoint. This time around the name of the game is still the same, hyper realistic modern combat. This game has it all you could want in combat like tanks, big guns, sniper rifles and explosives. The game boast a play area that can cover hundreds of miles and it's just filled with detail. Also the game engine remembers what you do so that the building you blew up in Mission 4 stays blown up when you come back to it in Mission 6.

October 6th: Risen

Another game with stunning visuals is the action RPG Risen. In the game you play a hero washed up on an island dominated by an active volcano, strange ruins and brutal creatures. You take what weapons you can find and fight your way though this strange new world. The environments look amazing and while the game has a very simple feel to it the world itself suggest a lot of depth. I suspect this is going to be a very addictive action game, with enough RPG elements to keep the hardcore gamers happy.

October 6th: Star Wars: Clone Wars: Republic Heroes

Star Wars has never been shy about having a new video game on the market. It seems that fans can't get enough of light sabers, force chokes and space battles. This time around the game takes place in the stylized world of the Clone Wars TV show. This adventure that spans over 30 missions will act as a bridge between the first and second seasons with all new missions. In the game you can play as either a Jedi or a clone trooper.

October 13th: Brutal Legend (www.brutallegend.com)

It appears Playstation has lost another exclusive title as the hit game Brutal Legend comes to the X-Box 360 in the middle of October. The game stars Eddie Riggs (voiced by Jack Black) who is a roadie that gets transport to a rock and roll heavy mythic world where he must use his guitars as weapons in the humorous game that has a lot of depth. Playstation fans sure did seem to love this game not it's your chance to rock out.

October 13th: Dream Killer

Have you ever seen the movie The Cell? Have you ever wanted to walk around the surreal and disturbing landscapes of that film and shoot stuff? Well then Dream Killer is the game for you. In the game you play Alicia Drake, a psychologist with the ability to enter her patients dreams and battle the demons that haunt them. The game promises a dozen levels each one quite the head-trip.

October 13th: Magnacarta 2

While RPGs are still fairly viable in the game world they are not as huge as they were at the height of the Playstation 2. Yet one of the biggest hits for the X-Box 360 was Fallout 3 that reminded us how fun it could be to get lost in an epic role-playing adventure. The first Magnacarta was one of the big games from the heyday of classic RPGs. Now they have a next gen system with an all new storyline, a stunning setting and a battle system that promises a new twist combining turn based strategy with real time pacing.

October 20th Borderland

Speaking of Fallout, it's hard not to think of that successful post apocalyptic game when you hear about Gearbox's new effort Borderland. The game has a similar end of the world setting and combines action with RPG. It also has a system of mission that changes often and is new for each player. So why would someone buy this game when they still have Fallout expansions to explore? Well Borderland offers something new, an expansive system that allows for co-op mode where all your buddies can try to survive together.

October 20th FIFA Soccer 10 (fifa.easports.com/)

When it comes to the sport of soccer there is really only one choice in terms of video games and that's the FIFA franchise. Each year these guys come out with another great game that builds on what worked the years before while adding enough new features to make it seem fresh. As always the graphics look really fresh and the game is running smooth and fast.

October 20th WWE Smackdown Vs Raw 2010 (www.smackdownvsraw.com/ )

Another year and Smackdown and Raw still can't seem to settle their dispute in peace. Now they have asked ECW to join in on the party, meaning if you're a wrestling fan you will be very pleased towards the end of October. This time around the game has made new improvements to online play and given the play even more options to customize their invented fighters. This series is the best selling fighting game for a reason.

October 27th: DJ Hero (www.djhero.com)

By the end of October you might be worn out on music games considering both Guitar Hero 5 and Rock Band: Beatles Edition. DJ Hero may just seem like another music game, one of many trying to capture the magic from the big two series. Don't make the mistake of passing up this game because it is something very different. This time around you get your own turntable controller and get to mix over 100 tunes including many major hits. Not only do you get to play around with all new remixes of your favorite songs, but also you can make your own mixes. This is no simple add-on. This is a stand-alone experience not to be ignored.

October 27th: Forza Motorsports 3 (forzamotorsport.net)

For hardcore games that like to race it is hard not to get excited about a new Forza game. This series lets everybody explore the world of high performance cars driving really fast. The game has over 400 cars to drive around nearly 100 different tracks. All the tracks are based on real racing tracks or road courses through real cities. This is a massive new chapter in the series and a must have for racing fans.

October 27th: Tekken 6 (tekken.namco.com)

Speaking of must haves. If you are a fan of fighting games than you are well aware that the next Tekken game is coming soon. Not only is this one of prettiest fighting games ever made it is also one of the most massive. It has a roster of 40 fighters each with their own unique fighting style. Not only that is has more modes than I am able to list and a revamped create a fighter system that promises to be more expansive.

Grand Theft Auto 4: The Ballad of Gay Tony (www.rockstargames.com/theballadofgaytony)

Have you explored every corner of Liberty City and still want more action. Did The Lost and Damned just make you hungry for more? Well thankfully the Grand Theft Auto saga does not look to be ending any time soon. The new expansion coming out for the game is called The Ballad of Gay Tony. It throws in a little glitz and glam with the usual grit. Players take on the role of Luis Lopez who is the right hand man of the title character, club owner Gay Tony. The game looks like a whole lot of fun for fans of their GTA.

Sources
2ksports.com/games/nba2k10
nba-live.easports.com
www.codemasters.com/flashpoint
www.brutallegend.com
www.smackdownvsraw.com/
(fifa.easports.com/)
www.djhero.com
forzamotorsport.net
www.rockstargames.com/theballadofgaytony
tekken.namco.com