For those not familiar, the much anticipated Final Fantasy XIII is finally lands state-side on March 9th, 2010. Japanese are already tearing the game apart and its just not fair! I mean seriously, February is already looking to be the longest month of the year for me. Thank God that there are plenty of options to make it through!

Idea 1: Embrace your inner demons.
This is actually a great idea because we have three great new choices: Bayonetta, Darksiders, and Dante's Inferno. I've gone hands on with all three demos and could easily kill time playing any of them. Darksiders was by far my favorite, combining Metroid/Zelda style exploration with some atypical demon & angel destruction. The best comparison to this game is actually the later installments from Legacy of Kain. Bayonetta and Dante's Inferno weren't quite my style, although both reminded me a lot of Devil May Cry. Bayonetta may be one of the weirdest games ever with its hair-based attacks and summons.


All three games are worth at least checking out the demo, while Bayonetta may end up being the best reviewed of the three. Dante's Inferno is very M-Rated. I mean extremely mature. Even its demo was decidedly M-Rated. I knew the game was going to be dark and disturbing, but it surpassed even my depraved expectations. The dude has literally sewn a tapestry of evil into his own flesh and it is the second major video game that I can recall with actual nudity. That's right, there is depicted nudity in the demo! EA pulled no punches with this one.

Bayonetta & Darksiders are available now on both the PlayStation 3 & Xbox360.
Dante's Inferno releases 2/05 in Europe and 2/09 in NA on the PlayStation 3, PSP & Xbox 360. You can play demos for all three from the Xbox Live Arcade or PlayStation Network.

Idea 2: Put on your Halo.
Halo: Reach may not be releasing until Fall or Winter of 2010, but there is still plenty of fresh Halo to be had. I recently picked up Halo: ODST and Halo Wars and had a great time playing both. Each is available now on the Xbox 360 and have interesting stories and characters. I won't lie and say they are up to same caliber as Halo: Combat Evolved or Halo 3, but they are worthy plays.

Halo: ODST features almost the entire male cast of Serenity/Firefly as part of an Orbital Drop Shock Troopers aka Helljumpers squad. [Author's Note: I'm not gay, but I totally would do Nathan Fillion] It has some great noir elements and while the campaign may be short, it is worth the price tag for the second disk. The amazing second disk contains the complete Halo 3 multiplayer package. Every single map, including the paid for ones! That alone is worth the price tag for many people.


Halo Wars is a spin off the Halo series and dropped the normal first person shooter genre for a real time strategy engine. There are tons of new units for both the Covenant, Flood, and USNC as well as playable Spartans. Playing with a squad of Spartans is definitely one of the most memorable aspects of this game. Sadly RTS games just don't play as well on consoles as people would hope.

Halo Legends may not be a game, but it definitely is a must watch for Halo-series fans. The DVD was produced by five Japanese anime power houses: Bones, Casio Entertainment, Production I.G., Studio 4°C, and Toei Animation. Each of the seven short stories possesses unique styles and visuals that capture particular elements of the Halo universe. I caught a couple when they previewed on Xbox Live through Halo Waypoint. I was impressed and plan on snagging this or at least renting it ASAP. It releases February 9, 2010.


Idea 3: Explore the Stars
BioWare's Mass Effect 2 droped onto PC and Xbox360 1/26/2010. The continued adventures of Commander Shepard promise to build on the original and really expand how you explore outer space. Oh, when I say build on the original I mean that literally. You can import your Mass Effect saved games into Mass Effect 2 and instantly change much of the universe. Characters you met in the original will retain elements of your prior encounters with them. Whether it be a big thank you for the gracious help you once bestowed upon them or the scorn of their children for killing their beloved father. Mass Effect 2 should easily carry you through an entire month as you save/terrorize the stars once again.


Idea 4: Would you kindly come back to Rapture?
2/09/2010 also brings the highly anticipated BioShock 2 back to the surface. BioShock 2 takes place 10 years after the original and this time, things are a lot different. You pretty much play the entire game as the original Big Daddy investigating why young girls across the Atlantic seaboard have started to disappear. BioShock 2 also introduces the super speedy, even deadlier Big Sisters. The biggest new thing though? Multiplayer. You get to load up as a crazed splicer and proceed to tear apart your fellow lunatics. The real question everyone wants an answer to though is whether or not BioShock 2 lives up to same level as the original game.


Idea 5: Remember the Awesome!
There is a new Vandal Hearts. That sentence either just floored you or you've never played the PlayStation era tactical RPG. Vandal Hearts 1 & 2 were both great games that I love and cherish. Vandal Hearts: Flames of Judgment will finally continue the legacy in download form. Flames of Judgment hit the market on both the Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network 1/20/2010.


Idea 6: Boldly go where plenty of other nerds have already gone.
The much anticipated (really?) Star Trek Online game goes live 2/2/2010 (NA) and 2/5/2010 (EU). I for one am kind of scared of this idea. Even though I haven't had time to try out the beta, I'm familiar with the quality of work that Perpetual Entertainment has done with their previous titles. Even though Cryptic Studios took over development in 2008, I instinctively want to question the quality. I have a feeling people that want to play this game are already planning on it and probably can speak a few words in Klingon.


I for one am hanging up my MMORPG playing until Bethseda gets an Elder Scrolls or Fallout one going. I have been drawn somewhat into Final Fantasy XIV the more I hear about it, but that won't be in beta before FFXIII rolls out. So until March 9th, I'll be counting the days by finishing up my exploration of the DC Wasteands in Fallout 3 and then picking up BioShock 2 and perhaps Darksiders if I have the time.