The Most Promising Games of Fall 2009

Zombies, cars and thieves -- the crop of games coming this autumn has it all. Here's our guide to the titles we're most looking forward to.

The Most Promising Games of Fall 2009 // 'Borderlands' (Image courtesy of PC World)

'Borderlands' -- ETA Oct. 20
For: PS3, Windows, Xbox 360
Whether it actually "challenges all the conventions of modern shooters," or simply disguises them better than most, Gearbox Software's "Borderlands" is angling to upend your expectations. If "Diablo" and "Mad Max" were to have a baby, it would probably look like this game.
Imagine random levels, random creatures, random creature tactics and a massive arsenal of recombining weaponry, from revolvers that fire shotgun shells to rifles that spit rockets. Everything is tuned for speed, with online cooperative play that'll let up to four players drop in or out of missions and scour a post-apocalyptic alien planet for a legendary tech trove.
Along the way, you'll sign up for quests and upgrade character skills. All that's missing? Tina Turner and the Thunderdome.
Price: $60 ($50 for Windows version)

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The Most Promising Games of Fall 2009 // 'Modern Warfare 2' (Image courtesy of PC World)

'Modern Warfare 2' -- ETA: Nov. 10

For: PS3, Windows, Xbox 360

If I had to choose between Infinity Ward's "Modern Warfare" and competitor Retro Studios' "Metroid Prime," I'd go with "Metroid Prime." But, Activision's more-realistic-than-usual (but not very realistic) modern-era first-person shooter would still be up there.

The first "Modern Warfare" certainly sold like gangbusters, perhaps proving that we're finally burned out on games themed to World War II.

"Modern Warfare 2" brings more of the same, but tacks on dual-wield weapons, snowmobile races, Russian vistas, tons of new multiplayer features and the option to superheroically take on more than 50 enemies at once.

Silly or no, I predict that the sun won't go down before this game goes platinum. One warning: Don't fall for the Prestige Edition, which is priced over the moon at $150. I mean, an included pair of night-vision goggles? For real, Activision?

Price: $60

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The Most Promising Games of Fall 2009 // 'Left 4 Dead 2' (Image courtesy of PC World)

'Left 4 Dead 2' -- ETA: Nov. 17

For:Windows, Xbox 360

Heads exploding, bodies ripping open, swarms of bloody revenants scrambling over fences -- just another day in the office for developer Valve.

This sequel to last November's first-person multiplayer zombie-masher adds five new supersized campaigns and tweaks the rules just enough to justify its existence -- that is, if you're not one of the radicalized few who think that Valve is releasing this game too soon, or that the company owes players features that fall well outside the original's parameters.

Entitlement complex? People can grouse, but you'll want to judge this sequel on its own merits.

Price: $60 ($50 for Windows version)

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