The Most Anticipated Games of 2010, Part 2: Platform Exclusives

January 17, 2010

Wii Exclusives A mightier Mouse Epic Mickey
(Fall 2010)

Disney's new platformer is part of an attempt by the entertainment giant to inject more personality into its iconic character. Mickey Mouse finds himself trapped in an alternate Disney universe known as the Cartoon Wasteland, inhabited by long-forgotten cartoon characters and attractions from Disney's past, including Walt Disney's very first creation, Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. But can Mickey save his new friends from a mysterious villain? Players will control the mischievous Mickey and use paint and paint thinner to reshape his world.

Metroid: Other M
(Fall 2010)

One of the most anticipated Wii releases of 2010 is this latest installment in the ongoing Metroid saga, although fans aren't quite sure what to expect. Sure, Metroid: Other M continues the story of bounty hunter heroine Samus Aran (chronologically, it takes place between the events of Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion), but it is the first Metroid game to be developed by Ninja Gaiden / Dead or Alive studio Team Ninja — leading to expectations of a harder edge and more violent battles. Also, the new title will combine both 3D and 2D gameplay — and may also include both first- and third-person action — while also featuring more plot and dialogue than prior releases.

Monster Hunter Tri [aka Monster Hunter 3 (tri-)]
(Apr. 6)

Capcom's third major installment in its Monster Hunter series lets players join hunting parties (either online or local) as they set out in search of a variety of beasts (many of them new) in land-based and underwater environments. The game is already a "monster" hit in Japan, and Wii owners should consider themselves lucky: the title was originally planned as a PS3 exclusive.

No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle
(Jan. 26)

This sequel to the 2008 action title No More Heroes — a rare M-rated game for the Wii — returns anti-hero Travis Touchdown, who has fallen to the lowest ranking in the United Assassins Association and must work his way back up. While not pursuing the main story, there are a ton of minigames and activities to keep players busy. Although the Wii MotionPlus will not be utilized (a shame, considering all of the swordplay involved), gameplay is said to be much improved over the previous version, while retaining a strong sense of humor. Oh, and it's as obscene as ever.

Red Steel 2
(Mar. 23)

The original Red Steel — a first-person shooter/swordfighter set in the Tokyo underworld — didn't exactly impress critics but nevertheless sold close to 1.2 million copies worldwide. This sequel aims to correct the flaws of its predecessor, and adding highly customizable Wii MotionPlus support is a good first step. (In fact, one version of the game will come bundled with the MotionPlus.) RS2 also offers a more stylized graphical presentation (compared to the original's more realistic look), and a new Wild West setting, although it lacks a multiplayer mode.

An unlikely sequel Sin & Punishment 2
(Early 2010)

Originally a Japan-only Nintendo 64 release, the third-person shooter Sin & Punishment proved to be an unexpectedly popular Wii Virtual Console download — so much so that a sequel was announced. Sin & Punishment 2 will take advantage of the Wii Remote's aiming capabilities, and the game will include online leaderboards.

Super Mario Galaxy 2
(Fall 2010)

One of the most inventive games created for the Wii platform, 2007's Super Mario Galaxy remains the best-reviewed Wii game of all time. So Nintendo's announcement at last year's E3 that a sequel would be coming in 2010 certainly caught the attention of gamers. But can Mario's second interstellar platformer live up to fans' impossibly high expectations? So far, the only clues come from just one short trailer (below), which hints that while there will certainly be some similarities to the previous game, there will also be some new elements (a rideable Yoshi, for one).

[Untitled Legend of Zelda sequel]
(TBD 2010)

While there aren't a lot of details about this forthcoming addition to the popular Legend of Zelda franchise (in fact, there isn't a single screenshot, or even a title), we do know that the game is being designed to work with the Wii MotionPlus controller, meaning full 1:1 swordfighting capabilities. Recent news reports confirm a 2010 release.

PC Exclusives APB
(Spring 2010)

A massively multiplayer online game from the creator of the original Grand Theft Auto and Crackdown, APB ("All Points Bulletin") has been in development for five years and is expected to finally go on sale this spring. Similar in some respects to the GTA series, the game asks players to choose one of two sides ("Criminals" or "Enforcement") who are in a perpetual battle for control of a fictitious city.

He's got a complex Napoleon: Total War
(Feb. 23)

The latest installment in the popular Total War series of strategy games, Napoleon, as its name suggests, lets players fight some of the French general's most legendary battles — either as Napoleon Bonaparte, or as one of his opponents. The game includes three separate campaigns: two of his early successes from the late 18th century, plus Napoleon's final campaign, ending at Waterloo. Gameplay is similar to that of the well-received Empire: Total War, but graphics have been upgraded.

Star Trek Online
(Feb. 2)

Make it so. The heavily-anticipated Star Trek Online is the very first MMORPG set within the Star Trek universe (and we're talking the original Star Trek universe, not the JJ Abrams reimagining). STO's setting is the year 2409 — 30 years after the events depicted in Star Trek: Nemesis — and each player will have command of their own starship as a Starfleet or Klingon captain. You can be a Human, Andorian, Bajoran, Bolian, Vulcan or Ferengi (but, for some reason, not a Lurian), and your ongoing mission includes exploring strange new worlds, seeking out new life and new civilizations, and blasting them when necessary — the game features both ship-to-ship battles and away-team missions with ground combat. And blasting will definitely be necessary: not only are the Federation and Klingons warring again, but the Borg are back.

Is it here yet? StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty
(Spring 2010)

This mythical sequel to the acclaimed 1998 game StarCraft — one of the best-selling PC titles in history, and still played to this day — is a space-based real-time strategy game set during the 26th century. While the three races from the original game return, the Terrans are the focus here, while the Zerg and Protoss races will be the focus of two upcoming expansions: Heart of the Swarm and Legacy of the Void. Of course, Blizzard will first have to live up to its promise that Wings of Liberty will finally arrive this spring; the game has already achieved legendary status as "vaporware."

Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War II – Chaos Rising
(Spring 2010)

The first stand-alone expansion for real-time strategy game Dawn of War II is set one year after the events in its predecessor, and introduces the evil Chaos Space Marines into the mix (although players continue to operate as the Blood Ravens).

Pretty green World of Warcraft: Cataclysm
(Fall 2010)

The third expansion set for the massively popular MMORPG includes two new playable races — the green-skinned Goblins and the beastlike Worgens — and also features new and drastically redesigned zones, and an increase in the level cap (from 80 to 85). There's also a new ultimate baddie: Deathwing, the evil black dragon last seen in the mid-1990s game Warcraft II.

PSP Exclusive Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker
(May 25)

This PSP original (directed by Metal Gear series creator Hideo Kojima), is set in Costa Rica in 1974, where your team of mercenaries — led, as always, by Naked Snake — has been secretly tapped by the country's government to eliminate a heavily armed military force that poses a threat.

What do you think?

What games are you most looking forward to this year? Let us know in the comments section below.

Publisher: Sega

Developer: PlatinumGames

Genre(s): Action

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: M (Mature)

Release Date: January 5, 2010

Bayonetta is a stylish and cinematic action game directed by creator Hideki Kamiya. A member of an ancient witch clan and possessing powers beyond the comprehension of mere mortals, Bayonetta faces-off against countless ethereal enemies, many reaching epic proportions, in a game of 100% pure, unadulterated all-out action. Outlandish finishing moves are performed with balletic grace as Bayonetta flows from one fight to another. With over-the-top action taking place in stages that are a veritable theme park of exciting attractions, Bayonetta pushes the limits of the action genre, bringing to life its fast-paced, dynamic climax combat. [Sega]

Game Info

Publisher: Electronic Arts

Developer: Visceral Games

Genre(s): Action, Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: February 9, 2010

Summary

Dante's Inferno tells an adapted story that focuses on delivering a blockbuster 3rd person action game experience while bringing Alighieri's depiction of Hell to the medium. Players assume the role of Dante, who descends into Hell after returning home to find his beloved Beatrice murdered, with Lucifer seducing her soul into the underworld. Dante sets out on a rescue mission to save Beatrice, but he soon realizes he is also in Hell to face his own demons and ultimately to redeem himself. Players take Dante through nine unique circles of Hell as mapped out and described by Alighieri: limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, heresy, violence, fraud and treachery. Each circle showcases its own distinct look, with demons, monsters, damned and geography that are crafted straight from the poem's vivid descriptions. To take down the demons of Hell, Dante is outfitted with two primary weapons: the Scythe he takes from Death and the Holy Cross given to him by Beatrice, which has spiritual powers that will help Dante collect souls and spells from the creatures he defeats on his journey. The game also features a deep upgrade system so gamers can customize their abilities to their specific gameplay **** something they'll need as Dante comes face to face with Hell's fiercest beasts and bosses. If successful, Dante will be able to tame certain beasts, exacting their will and turning Hell's punishments back on itself. [Electronic Arts]

Game Info:

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Developer: Media Molecule

Genre(s): Action

Players: 4

ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)

Release Date: October 28, 2008

Summary

In LittleBigPlanet Players meet on a blue and green planet scattered with individual plots – and use their character's amazing abilities to play, create and share what they build with other gamers throughout the world via the Playstation Network. The LittleBigPlanet experience starts with players learning about their character's powers to interact physically with the environment. There are places to explore, creative resources to collect and puzzles to solve – all requiring a combination of brains and collaborative teamwork. As soon as players begin their creative skills will grow and they will soon be ready to start creating and modifying their surroundings – the first step to sharing them with the whole community.Characters have the power to move anything in this glued and stitched-together 3D landscape; they have the power to design, shape and build both objects and entire locations for others to view and play. There's no complicated level editor; all of these skills can be learned by simply playing the game. Creativity is part of the gameplay experience and playing is part of the creative experience. Players can make their world as open or as secretive to explore as they like. When it's ready, they can invite anyone within the LittleBigPlanet community to come and explore their patch – or can go and explore everybody else's.

Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment

Developer: Quantic Dream

Genre(s): Adventure

Players: 1

ESRB Rating: RP (Rating Pending)

Release Date: February 16, 2010

Summary

How Far Will You Go To Save Someone You Love? Experience a gripping psychological thriller filled with innumerable twists and turns, where choices and actions can result in dramatic consequences. Spanning four days of mystery and suspense, the hunt is on for a murderer known only as the Origami Killer - named after his macabre calling card of leaving behind folded paper shapes at crime scenes. Four characters, each following their own leads and with their own motives, must take part in a desperate attempt to prevent the killer from claiming a new victim. [Sony]

Pants on the ground
Pants on the ground
Lookin' like a fool with you pants on the ground
Gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways, pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat looking like a fool
Walking down town with yo pants on the ground
get it up!!
HEY! got your pants off the ground
lookin like a fool, walkin talking
with you pants on the ground
get it up
hey get them pants off the ground
Lookin' like a fool with you pants on the ground
Gold in your mouth
Hat turned sideways, pants hit the ground
Call yourself a cool cat looking like a fool
Lookin' like a fool with you pants on the ground
(repeat)

Pants on the Ground Record Deal

Pants on the Ground record deal? The 62-year-old General Larry Platt of Atlanta, Georgia did a short cut to fame, with his Pants on the Ground rap. Of course there is no need for me to tell you about what Pants on the Ground is all about because we all know about it. What I am telling you now is that there is a rumor that a Pants on the Ground record deal is now being offered to Platt. Aside from that, Platt has made an appearance on The View. If you are meant to be popular, there is no stopping it, look at Platt, he did a short cut to fame.

Already a memorable year BioShock 2, due Feb. 9

2010 has already proven to be a singular year in the videogame world. With so many triple-A titles fleeing from the 2009 holiday season to stay clear of Modern Warfare 2's massive wake, the first few months of this year have an unusually star-studded feel to them. Traditionally a wastebin of average publisher inventory and delayed second-rate titles, the first two weeks of January have already seen the release of such critical gems as Bayonetta (90 on 360), Darksiders (84 on PS3), and Army of Two: The 40th Day (77 on 360), with highly anticipated Mass Effect 2 (9.5 from Official Xbox Magazine) hitting the shelves at the end of the month.

Also worth noting is the fact that the Xbox 360 is hitting its stride now that it is into its fifth year of existence, and the Playstation 3 and Wii are both in their fourth years (with no next-gen console announcements on the horizon), meaning developers are extremely familiar with the platforms and how to create and optimize games for them — enabling these creative teams to truly push their boundaries.

Finally, there is the theory that every three years, the gaming industry puts out a group of uniquely outstanding games. Three years ago, we played such groundbreaking titles as Bioshock, Halo 3, Resident Evil 4, Super Mario Galaxy, Uncharted, Rock Band, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, to name just a few. And three years before that, in 2004, we were graced with the such critical faves as Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, Halo 2, Half-Life 2, World of Warcraft, Ninja Gaiden, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and Far Cry. Coincidence? Probably. But competition among the consoles and publishers has never been more fierce, and 2010's still-growing list of releases is already impressive.

Not yet convinced? Below, we provide more reasons to start saving your money, as we preview the hottest titles expected to arrive over the next 12 months. We start with cross-platform games …

Multi-Platform Titles Which side are you on? Aliens vs. Predator
PC, 360, PS3 (Feb. 16)

This first-person shooter from the developer of the original Aliens vs. Predator game (that was back in 1999; there have been many sequels since) features creatures from the Aliens and Predator movies. An attempt to reboot the game franchise, AvP is divided into three campaigns (one for each species, including the Colonial Marines), and features a variety of solo and multiplayer modes.

Battlefield: Bad Company 2
PC, 360, PS3 (Mar. 2)

EA's sequel to its 2008 game Battlefield: Bad Company has fans of the series hoping that this new installment might surpass the similar multiplayer shooter Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 — one of the best-reviewed games of recent years. Customizable weapon selection and more destruction (take down entire buildings!) are some of new features in BF:BC2, which will include desert, mountain and jungle terrain.

Recommends

Artwork: Chip TaylorIt's rare that a top-ten list--or more precisely, a bottom-ten list--leads to philosophical questions. But that's exactly what happened when my editor asked me to write about the worst video games ever. As I started to think about particularly atrocious games I'd played over the past quarter-century or so, I realized that each one was bad for an entirely different set of reasons.

So what, precisely, makes a game terrible? To help answer that vital question, I turned to the game fans at PC World, as well as to my family and friends, and even a few enemies. They responded with multiple answers, as well as scads of nominees for our list of the all-time worst.

Some titles had rotten game play. Some were a waste of considerable potential. Others led you to question the very reason for their existence, or at least what their creators were smoking. The worst of the worst managed to fit into two or more of these categories.

After sifting through the nominees and reliving memories of games that I'd long since suppressed [Note to my editor: Please see the therapy bills attached to my expense report], I came up with ten clunkers that span the range of different kinds of bad, plus an additional seven dishonorable mentions. The list includes games from 1976 straight through to the modern era--no platform, it seems, is immune to crumminess. (Keep that in mind when you drop a few hundred bucks on an Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or Wii.)

I ranked the ten worst games using a complex, highly scientific series of factors, looking for lousy playability, crude aesthetics, executive or developer cluelessness, half-baked concepts, and overall negative impact on humanity; I also considered how many unprintable comments I received about a particular title. Hold your nose: Here comes the number one stinker.

Endoraia

- Chapter I -

The Orphanage

'Jaiden, wake up! Breakfast is in ten minutes,' a distant voice echoed, from what seemed like miles away. The curtain in his window was forced to one side, as sunlight penetrated the small room. Hardly noticing Jaiden rolled to the other side and pulled the blanket over his head to shield himself.
'I said wake up, damn it!' the voice now snarled angrily as he received a sharp blow to the top of the head.
'All right, allright! I'm up! You happy?!' Jaiden replied angrily as he sat up in bed, 'How is anyone supposed to be able to sleep when you're making all this racket, Dom?'
'Well -,' Dominic replied with the flicker of a smile playing across his face, '- you're not supposed to, that's the general idea! It's already nine and you're running late for your meeting today!'
Scowling, Jaiden's face darkened as he started to realize what day it was. He eyed the chair to the right side of his bed, hesitantly, but sure enough, there lay the old ragged suit he was supposed to wear for today's interview. He threw his legs out of the bed and onto the cold tiles, barely suppressing a shudder, as he looked around his small room.
It was not very big, about ten by six feet and very simple in its design and content. The wooden walls were painted in a dark marine blue and the ceiling was white. Notable objects in the room were scarce, containing a bedside table with a small lamp upon it, a two-foot cupboard for his clothes, his body sized mirror, a small heater and a sink for washing.
Getting up, slowly, he walked to the sink and turned on the hot water. It felt warm and soothing to the touch, as he formed a bowl with his hands and splashed it across his face. Slightly refreshed, now wiping his face with a towel, he turned to face Dominic.
'Do I really have to?' he asked, with a note of plea in his voice.
Dominic smiled more warmly, as he noticed the tone in which Jaiden spoke. 'Yes, you have to. You know that. You all do. Even, if you don't want to. You should be happy that this might finally be the day!'
Fat chance, Jaiden thought as he stood up to put on his suit, No one ever picks me. It's been like this for the last fourteen years, so why would it change today? It's not like I even want it to. Looking into his body sized mirror, he started buttoning his white shirt, finding solace in his negative chain of thought.
'I know what you're thinking,' Dominic suddenly uttered, the smile on his face gone and a look of disapproval replacing it. 'That no one is going to choose you, right? It's like this with you every time Jaiden! You need to be on your best behaviour and don't think like that. You know you can't stay here forever.'
Eyeing Dominic's reflection in the mirror, Jaiden's spirits plummeted. He knew, as he had for the past four years, that he would eventually have to leave. But this was still the only home he had ever known. After his birth, his parents had suddenly disappeared leaving him alone to fend for himself at five weeks old. Had it not been for a neighbour complaining over the constant crying, to the police, no one would probably ever have found him. He would have died. But, alas, this was not his fate. The leading officer had dropped him off at his would-be home, where he had now lived these past fourteen years.
They had taken him in, fed him and cared for him. Or at least, as much as they could, considering he was not the only child in the mansion. For the first decade of his time there, Jaiden had had a proper upbringing with all that followed. He had laughed, played games, learned, cried and fought with the other children, that is, until the vast majority of them at some point, were taken away. During some instances though, starting at ten years old, Jaiden had realized that he was different from the other children. Before this realization though, he had speculated and asked questions. When was it his turn? Why had no one picked him yet? Questions the faculty were reluctant to answer. In time, after certain events, Jaiden concluded that he would probably never be chosen. Not like this.
Discarding these thoughts, smiling ironically at himself, now flattening his hair, Jaiden thought back on the most prominent of such occasions;

'There he is! Get him!' A boy's voice roared from across the courtyard to the tree, under which Jaiden was sitting.
Composed of a big square lawn, having a fountain surrounded by benches in the middle, and small tiled paths across the grass, the courtyard provided the perfect place to relax in the summer. Situated behind the mansion, with a path on either side of it, leading towards the entrance and a hedge running along the outer walls, this beautiful location helped to deflect from the fact that the grounds were surrounded by a ten-foot metal fence. In the south-eastern corner stood the giant oak which had provided Jaiden with a place to sit in the summer, for as long as he had been able to read. He was ploughing through a book about the ancient animals, Dinosaurs, which had once inhabited the planet. How they fascinated him, these big reptilian creatures. Diverting his attention from his book, curious as to what all the ruckus was about, Jaiden looked up. He then realized that this boy, whom he identified as Simon, was pointing at him and that four other children were heading his way, hefting small rocks and wearing disconcerting smiles upon their faces. A shock of immediate horror went through Jaiden.
Simon was two years older than him and fairly big for his own age. He had a stone cold face and an air of sadness about him. When he or none of his friends were around, the other children usually referred to him as a depressed gorilla, because of his broad shoulders and long arms. All monkey resemblance aside though; he was tall, big and strong. Jaiden had seen him lift up a boy by the throat, with one hand, only to throw him two feet into the air. Things had changed since he had come to the Orphanage. No one played outside anymore.
But why's he pointing at me? he thought to himself as he stood up and closed his book. Ransacking his brains for any offence he might have caused, he paused to look down at his own scrawny body and tallness. Not exactly much of a threat.
He knew that Simon and his five goons, 'The Rats', some of which were just as bad as their leader, usually only beat up the ones trespassing on their so-called territory or annoyed them. They were unusually cruel to these victims. Thus, with no desire to stand there waiting to find out the cause of a possible beating, Jaiden dropped his book and darted across the courtyard.
'Stop or we'll shoot!' one of the boys yelled at Jaiden, as he ran.
Yeah right - thought Jaiden as he looked over his shoulder to see them aiming at him while running, - Like you weren't going to fire them at me no matter what I did. Running straight ahead, taking the path around the house, farthest from the gang, Jaiden would try to reach the safety of the insides. He turned left around the corner of the big mansion's outer wall, as he heard stones impact where he had been moments before. Feeling slightly out of breath, he caught sight of the front entrance to the mansion. Having only one entrance or exit was not exactly beneficial in this particular situation. Though, as he got closer, Jaiden slowed, feeling the elation of safety course through his body.
I might not be much of a fighter, but at least I'm fa-.
Jaiden's knees impacted with the ground just before his stomach hit the surface and the forward momentum forced his face downward.
What the hell? he thought, as the smell of freshly mown grass and dirt reached his nostrils. Trying to stand up again, recovering from the momentary shock, Jaiden felt a sharp pain rise in his left leg. Out of breath and struggling to get up he used his arms as support on the ground, finally managing to stand as he tried to locate the source of his abrupt fall. With a slight limp he turned around, only to find the sixth member of Simon's gang, Paul, facing him with a sluggish grin playing across his round face. Jaiden's attention was diverted to the stick in his right hand.
So he hit me in the hollow of my knee.
Just standing there, looking at Jaiden, Paul finally opened his mouth, pointed to his left and said, 'Hah! I got you good there, didn't I? We thought you might run, so I hid in the hedge there, waiting for you to run by!'
'Good plan,' Jaiden answered in mock admiration.
'The others are coming now.'
'I can't wait.'
As panic started to take over Jaiden's mind, the five other Rats came hurrying towards the two. What was he going to do? The gang placed themselves in a circle with Jaiden and Simon in the middle.
'You, hah, shouldn't have, hah, run from us!' Simon panted violently, his brows furrowed and his face contorted with rage '- now you're gonna get it!'
'What have I done?' Asked Jaiden as his voice cracked, making him realize how fearful he sounded.
'What makes you think you've done anything?'
'If I haven't done anything, then why've you chased me all the way round the house? What do you want?'
Simon took a step towards Jaiden as he raised a fist to chest level, 'I wanna kick your ass.'
Looking up at the giant before him, Jaiden had never felt so scared in his entire life. Slowly a terrifying thought formed in his head;
I'm going to die... I'm going to die... I'm going to die!
He felt it through his entire body. The fear engulfed him like a, hungry python tightening its grip. He was shaking and his fingers were tingling because of this, and the adrenaline being released into his system. Jaiden thought of the other kids Simon had beaten two weeks ago. Albert had spotted a black eye and bended rib, whilst James had shown up at the nurses' office with a broken nose and a big wound over his eyebrow - four stitches. When asked what had happened, Jaiden knew the two boys had said that they had fought each other instead of explaining about Simon. That's how scared they were.
With his mind lingering on those two, Jaiden came to the realization that he was not going to die. He was just going to get beaten up. Not that that was a much more satisfying outcome. Gathering the rest of his remaining, but rapidly weakening, courage he managed to ask another question;
'But if I haven't done anything, why do want to beat me up?'
At this question the Rats actually started laughing. So hard, that they had trouble stopping again. Finally as the laughter turned into chuckles, Simon answered him.
'Because you're a freak.'
There was no mistaking the tone in his voice as he uttered these words. It was a mixture of hate and loathing. The look in Simon's eyes had changed as well. It was no longer anger that dominated his features. It was a leering in his eyes and a taunting smile, more threatening than a look of rage.
The words struck Jaiden like a bullet, making him recoil a step backwards. The circle tightened around him.
'I'm not a freak,' said Jaiden, uncertainty and astonishment creeping into his voice. 'Why'd you say that? I'm just like you.'
'You're nothing like us!' Simon replied through gritted teeth. 'You don't see any of us, walking around looking like that!'
'Like what?'
'Like that, you idiot!' said Simon as he pointed towards Jaiden. 'Why do you think you're still in this place, huh? Nobody wants to adopt an ugly freak like you! Haven't you realized that yet? You've been here for ten years now haven't you? What were you expecting to happen to you? Most of us are taken away within half a year. But not you, you're still here. Aren't you? Freak.' The gang started laughing again.
It took Jaiden several seconds to process what Simon just said. He had never thought about that before, but now that it was mentioned he recognized the truth in the words. He was not like the other children. Why had he never thought about that? He had always been different. Something, now that he thought about it, which was always apparent when playing with the other kids. They distanced themselves from him. A sort of fear of the unknown, marked by Jaiden's appearance. When they were not playing, the other boys rarely even talked to him in the first place. In cla s s he always worked alone. The faculty were quick to dismiss him too. They probably thought of him as a freak as well.
While these thoughts passed through Jaiden's mind, the laughter around him stopped.
'What's with the silence, freak? Did it just dawn on you how right I am?'
'Don't call me a freak,' muttered Jaiden, looking down into the ground, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists. anger replacing fear, aided and worsened by the sudden realization of truth in Simon's words.

Follow the development on: http://endoraia.blogspot.com/

p.s. if my eglish teacher saw me now!