By LOU KESTEN
Associated Press Writer
Real news from the virtual world:
Most gamers spend the early part of the year catching up on software they couldn’t get around to during the holiday glut. Maybe you’ve been meaning to check out ‘‘Fallout 3’’ or ‘‘Fable II,’’ or dig in and finish up that ‘‘LittleBigPlanet’’ level you’ve been working on.
Take your time. You still have more than a month until the first major game of 2009 — Warner’s ‘‘F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin’’ — drops. After that, the deluge. Here are the games I’m waiting for this year.
• ‘‘Resident Evil 5’’ (Capcom, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3): Chris Redfield, hero of the original ‘‘RE,’’ goes to Africa to find the source of an infection that has wiped out most of the human race.
• ‘‘Brutal Legend’’ (Electronic Arts, 360, PS3): Jack Black provides the voice of Eddie Riggs, a roadie who dreams of being a rock god, in this adventure from ‘‘Psychonauts’’ mastermind Tim Schafer.
• Harmonix’s Beatles game (MTV, systems unknown): The creators of ‘‘Rock Band’’ are building this rhythm game based on the Fab Four’s career. Meanwhile, ‘‘Guitar Hero’’ fans will learn how much abuse their fingers can take with a Metallica edition (most systems).
• ‘‘Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars’’ (Rockstar, DS): Return to Liberty City in the first ‘‘GTA’’ title for Nintendo’s handheld. Also due soon: ‘‘The Lost and Damned,’’ a downloadable new chapter for last year’s ‘‘GTA IV.’’
• ‘‘Infamous’’ (Sony, PS3): Sucker Punch, the studio behind the delightful ‘‘Sly Cooper’’ series, lets you try on the leotard of an electricity-powered superhero — or is he a supervillain?
• ‘‘Prototype’’ (Sierra, 360, PS3): Alex, the amnesiac protagonist here, not only has superpowers, but can also change shapes and take on his enemies’ powers. Will he use them for good or eee-vil?
• ‘‘MadWorld’’ (Sega, Wii) and ‘‘Bayonetta’’ (Sega, 360, PS3): Platinum Games, the studio behind this pair, was formed by veterans of the cult classic ‘‘Okami.’’ So you know they’ll be stylish, and ‘‘MadWorld’’ promises to be the goriest Wii game yet.
Of course, there are plenty more sequels in the pipeline, including ‘‘Killzone 2’’ and ‘‘God of War III’’ (Sony, PS3), ‘‘Halo Wars’’ and ‘‘Halo 3: ODST’’ (Microsoft, 360), ‘‘Street Fighter IV’’ (Capcom, 360, PS3) and ‘‘Pokemon Platinum’’ (Nintendo, DS).
And this may be the year we finally see long-awaited games like Square Enix’s ‘‘Final Fantasy XIII,’’ Rockstar’s detective drama ‘‘L.A. Noire’’ or Microsoft’s psychological thriller ‘‘Alan Wake.’’ Even without them, the competition for your entertainment dollar will be intense.
AP-CS-01-05-09 0911EST
Meridian 360
Looking ahead to the big titles of 2009
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Coming Up
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'Hairspray' comes to the Temple Feb. 12
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2012 official Mississippi Tour Guide available
Start finding your True South with the 2012 Official Mississippi Tour Guide. Published by the Mississippi Development Authority’s Tourism Division in partnership with the Mississippi Tourism Association, the tour guide is a comprehensive handbook of Mississippi attractions, events, accommodations, restaurants, local contacts, maps, mileage charts and other travel information.
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Celebrate Mardi Gras
I would love to hear from you. Please send ideas, questions, or tips to lawhittle@bellsouth.net . Thank you! Here are some suggestions if you are planning a Mardi Gras Celebration.
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Meridian Mardi Gras rolls into downtown Saturday
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'Fox on the Fairway' cast announced
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The Pointer Sisters arrive Saturday
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SOPA ...What is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Say it again …
Anyone who uses a computer these days should know at least a little bit about the House and Senate proposals, SOPA and PIPA, which are desperately trying to be passed by the government as you read this. If not, put this paper down right now and go do a little research on how it may affect your internet accessibility, constitutional rights and future technological access as well as who is really behind it all.
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British actor to portray Christian writer C. S. Lewis
Renowned British actor David Payne will present his one man drama, “An Evening with C. S. Lewis” on Thursday, March 1 at 6:30 a.m. in the sanctuary of Highland Baptist Church in Meridian. Tickets are $5 for adults. Students are free. All seats are reserved. - More Meridian 360 Headlines
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