Now that I’m starting to finish some of the games I got for the holidays, I’m turning my thoughts to all the sweet, sweet, life-sustaining games coming out this year. Here’s a look at the game releases I’m most anticipating for the first half of 2011. I’ll cover the rest of the year next week.

Dead Space 2
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: 1/25
There’s already a severe lack of good space horror games, so it’s uncool to make us wait this long for the next full installment of Dead Space. Based on the trailer, it looks like it’ll be worth the wait.

Bulletstorm
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: 2/22
This game has some insanely over-the-top action, plus you get rewarded for how ridiculously convoluted your kills are.

Killzone 3
Platforms: PS3
Release date: 2/22
Another installment in one of the PS3’s most popular series. Looks like a bigger, more intense version of Killzone 2.

Dragon Age II
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: 3/8
I need to be regularly supplied with new RPGs, and Dragon Age II should be coming along at just the right time. You generally can’t go wrong with a Bioware RPG.

Crysis 2
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: 3/8
Although the first Crysis received a lot of critical acclaim, I felt it didn’t live up to the promises and hype surrounding it. In the sequel, the action moves from the jungle to a city environment. I’ll be interested to see how that plays out, as well as how the game stacks up to any pre-release hype.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: March 2011
Deus Ex changed the way we think of first-person shooters, and is still one of my favorite games of all time. Add in the fact that it’s been eight years since we’ve seen a Deus Ex game, and this is by far my most anticipated game of 2011. NERD EXCITEMENT!

L.A. Noire
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: 4/5
A film noir detective story always seemed like the perfect setting and plot for a video game. This one has been in the works since 2003 and features some fancy new lighting and facial expression technology, so if it actually releases this year, I have big expectations.

Mortal Kombat
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: April 2011
I’m not really into fighters all that much, but I’ll make an exception for this 2D throwback.

Red Faction: Armageddon
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3
Release date: May 2011
Red Faction: Guerrilla had a unique concept and gameplay, and was just a lot of fun to play. The sequel moves much of the action underground, and also features some really cool-sounding new weapons.

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