Gaming's most mature and open-ended platform continues to amuse and confuse gamers of all types. Though the allure of more stable hardware and the potential profits of mass market design have seen many publishers and developers shift their efforts to the various consoles, the PC continues to push the boundaries of innovation and presentation in the industry. Some might take issue with that statement, particularly given how many times the number '2' shows up in the list of titles we're most looking forward to this year, but when you're talking about sequels to some of the greatest games of the last few years, complaining about a sequel is ridiculous.

2010 has something to offer every PC gamer, from deep RPGs to frantic shooters to a number of exclusive strategy and MMO games. Some merely extend the enjoyment of last year's best games, like Empire Total War or Dragon Age: Origins. Others resurrect dormant franchises such as StarCraft or Aliens vs. Predator. And while there's no shortage of sequels this year, we also have the opportunity to see a few new games, most notably THQ's Metro 2033.

Digital publishing has strengthened the independent scene as well, giving designers with great ideas a way to avoid the compromises and constraints that sometimes come from working with major publishers. These titles generally don't enjoy much pre-release visibility, but you can always count on at least a few surprises coming our way and catching on every bit as much as Plants vs. Zombies or Crayon Physics Deluxe did in 2009.

But there are a number of big titles we're not going to see in 2010. EA dropped another investor call bombshell by announcing that BioWare's Star Wars: The Old Republic won't be out until 2011. The same is true of Blizzard's hotly anticipated Diablo III and, presumably, the other two titles in the StarCraft II trilogy. You also won't find ArenaNet's Guild Wars 2 on this list, because that's been pushed back too. Still, with all the good games coming out, and the possibility of an Old Republic beta, there's plenty for PC gamers to be happy about.

Overview: Taking players to the planet BG-386, Aliens vs. Predator tells the story of human colonists that discover an alien pyramid and unknowingly release the deadly creatures trapped inside. The game features unique single player campaigns from the perspective of all three races, with a plot that ties the three species together. The game also features three-way online multiplayer, where you can hunt opponents as any of the three classes in a brutal deathmatch across the planet's surface and through claustrophobic corridors.

Why it's Hot: The first AVP was a tense, action packed experience where death seemed to be around every corner – particularly for humans. This year's Aliens vs. Predator should be just as terrifying. Rebellion has spent a ton of time recreating the agile motions of the Xenomorph, the stealthy strikes of the Predators and the brute firepower of the Marines. With the same team that developed the 1999 game, the new Aliens vs. Predator should offer the familiar – but always enjoyable -- experience of overwhelming odds and deadly extraterrestrial opponents. - Jeff Haynes

Overview: The sequel to Ubisoft Monteal's exciting action game ups the ante in almost every respect. Players will once again delve into a past life as a skilled assassin, this time taking in the unique sights and sounds of Renaissance Italy. As Ezio, son of a prominent family caught up in a confusing and challenging controversy, players will have to negotiate the rooftops of Florence and the canals of Venice seeking vengeance while avoiding exposure. The appeal of the core gameplay is as strong as ever and a host of improvements make the game much more enjoyable than its predecessor.

Why It's Hot: This game is pretty remarkable and, along with last year's Batman Arkham Asylum, proves that you can make great action games that don't skimp on combat or story and, best of all, still work for the PC. Whether Italy is more appealing than the Holy Land is largely a matter of taste, but the decision to focus more on action set pieces and less on repetitive mini-missions clearly makes the sequel the better game. Yes, you can sit on a bench here, but you don't have to. - Steve Butts

Overview: B Company returns in EA's second offering of the newly revitalized Battlefield world. Combing through dense jungles, war-torn villages and ice-capped mountaintops, players will take to the field in the industry's biggest vehicular warfare title to date. All new multiplayer modes debut, bringing back not only the gold rush mode from the original Bad Company, but also a more traditional take on Battlefield warfare.

Why It's Hot: As a huge fan of tactical military games, Bad Company is a highly anticipated shooter for yours truly. Mixing in deeper destruction, refined controls (that proved to be all the rage during my time with the pre-release build) and a huge scale of warfare, Bad Company is looking to be on the right track. The first game was a good starting point, EA's revitalization of 1943 was a gigantic success on XBLA, and Bad Company 2 is setting itself up to be a must-play FPS this year. Plus, blowing crap up is fun. - Steve Butts

Overview: The underwater world of Rapture was the setting for one of the best modern games. Then things changed. The sequel was announced, but no longer was Irrational Games handling development. Instead, BioShock 2 was handed to newly formed 2K Marin, which included a few staff members that had traveled over from Boston, where Irrational is based. The new game takes place roughly 10 years after the original and follows along with a new story. You play as a Big Daddy this time and come across a range of new weapons, abilities, and enemies. Now you can have weapons and plasmids at the ready simultaneously, allowing you to dish out punishment more rapidly, and more effectively combat some of the deadlier foes walking around.

Why it's Hot: There are a few specific things I think work better in the sequel, particularly the research and the way Little Sisters are dealt with. Instead of simply snapping photos, now the camera has a basic video function. Start the camera before you start attacking and it'll record the conflict and grade you based on performance, a system that lets you research without slowing down the action. The Little Sister mechanic has also been changed. Since you're playing as a Big Daddy, you get the option to adopt the girls and walk around with them as they harvest Adam from corpses, adding a new dimension to one of the more peculiar and twisted relationships in videogames. Even with a number of improvements, will Rapture still be as interesting a place the second time through? - Charles Onyett

Overview: The final installment of the Kane saga in the Command and Conquer Tiberian series is also destined to be the most far-flung from the previous games in the series. Whereas C&C was always about ensuring the total destruction of your opponent, Tiberian Twilight has gone the way of Dawn of War, and players are now tasked with controlling strategic locations, in order to gather points long enough to win a match. Base building and resource management are also being heavily de-emphasized, with tiberium being harvested at predetermined nodes with player-built constructions a la the oil derricks in previous C&C games.

Why it's Hot: Ever since Command and Conquer popularized the real-time strategy genre in 1995, the series has had a loyal following. Despite a few games in the series that were mediocre at best, the story has always been compelling (if a little cheesy). Graphically, Tiberian Twilight will definitely rival even the prettiest strategy games on the market, and with a large volume of units (and plenty of upgrades for them), has the potential for some very fun multiplayer action. Whether the change in the play-dynamic will be loved or loathed will really depend on just how balanced and smooth individual matches are. - Nick Kolan

Overview: The latest downloadable content pack from BioWare brings players back to the site of Ostagar, where Ferelden's king was slain and the Grey Warden order nearly fell. Discovering a survivor of the conflict, players must seek their revenge and try to recover the armor and weaponry of King Cailan. Players also discover the lost agenda of the king, and fight their way behind enemy lines in an attempt to reclaim the infamous site.

Why it's Hot: While the release of Return to Ostagar has stumbled a bit before its release, returning to that memorable battlefield has to appeal to any Dragon Age fan. After all, Ostagar was where you became a Grey Warden, and it's a pivotal turning point for your character regardless of their selected origin. The chance to recover Cailan's gear, as well as potentially fulfill his wishes for the kingdom, is a nice tribute to the fallen ruler. Plus, who can resist the chance to kill a couple hundred Darkspawn? - Jeff Haynes

Overview: The first expansion pack for Dragon Age: Origins, Awakening takes players to a new section of Ferelden, where they'll uncover a new threat – a more intelligent and dangerous breed of Darkspawn, plus even scarier monsters, like the Inferno Golem and Spectral Dragon. Players can import their characters from Dragon Age, or experience this adventure through the eyes of a new Grey Warden. Awakening will also raise the level cap of characters and provide new abilities, spells and other traits to make your heroes even more legendary.

Why it's Hot: Less than six months after release, BioWare is offering fans of the Grey Wardens a full expansion that significantly extends gameplay. Not only will you be able to import your character, but you can re-customize them with new abilities and specializations to prepare yourself for the new enemies you'll face. The pack adds in five new party members, as well as a hefty new level cap that should make your heroes incredibly powerful. If they live up to their promises that this expansion will be longer than some retail games, Bioware should deliver an even larger replayable experience. - Jeff Haynes

Overview: The 14th installment in the most widely known RPG series, and the 2nd online Final Fantasy. Few details about the game have been revealed, although some broader features are known. There are currently five known races that look like a blend between the FFXI and FFXII characters. Players will not be restricted to a single class or profession – instead, their skills are dependent on the gear they have equipped. There will also be a system of items that allows players to break certain rules, like talking to opposing factions. It'll be available on both PC and Playstation 3 when it eventually launches at some point this year.

Why it's Hot: Final Fantasy XI was extremely successful in Japan, and didn't do too badly in the western market either. It's been about nine years since FFXI first launched, and since then, the MMO market has become extremely competitive. Graphics and game mechanics have improved by leaps and bounds, and JRPG fans are hungry for a new, state-of-the-art MMO. Square-Enix is also one of the world's most successful developers, and they are one of the few companies who can financially back a project for as long as it takes to polish a game as large as MMOs typically are. - Nick Kolan