Gamertell

Sam Fisher is poised to go all stealth action on our bank accounts, as Ubisoft has announced a February 23, 2010, release date for Splinter Cell: Conviction. Fans of the series can be forgiven if they’re a little bit skeptical. This game has already been postponed so many times even Link and Zelda are calling Sam Fisher a tease. Conviction was initially scheduled for a November 2007 release.

Ubisoft Montreal had announced a release date sometime during the holiday season of 2009 but pushed it back to 2010. I’m not sure I’ll believe it’s out until I have it in my stealthy little hands. This installment in the bestselling series is even more anticipated as the stealthy gameplay is getting an overhaul. In previous games, protagonist Sam Fisher was all about not getting caught. While Fisher can still be plenty sneaky, previous demos and trailers show he is going to be popping off headshots and beating guys senseless in urinals. Comparisons to 24’s Jack Bauer have already been drawn and seem appropriate. The plot of the game involves someone killing Fisher’s daughter, explaining his serious anger issues and the subsequent amping up of the series’ action.

The announcement is also making for a very exciting, if expensive, February 2010. Bioshock 2 is coming February 9, helping February 2010 to look like a month-long holiday season. (Note that Bioshock 2 was initially planned for a late 2009 release as well.) Not only are gamers looking forward to this, publisher Take-Two Interactive needs big numbers to show their stockholders after financial problems.

Sega’s Aliens vs. Predator franchise reboot is also slated for February 2010. This is the long, long awaited follow up to the PC shooter from 1999 that people are still playing today. Sega promises playability for Aliens, Predators and the Colonial Marines in single-player campaigns and multiplayer. AvP is part of a series of games Aliens universe games including an equally oft-delayed FPS called Aliens:Colonial Marines.

The Nintendo DS has an exciting sequel on tap for February 16, 2010, with Ace Attorney Investigations. This game features Miles Edgeworth, who at different times has been series hero Phoenix Wright’s rival and ally. This sequel in the popular courtroom saga promises new techniques for deduction and interrogation. February’s pretty jam packed and I know I’m asking for cash and game store gift cards for Valentine’s Day.

Read [USA Today Game Hunters] Also Read [Destructoid]