2011 is looking like it could be a truly amazing year for gaming, and with excellent titles like Dead Space 2 and L.A. Noire already released I'm starting to plan what to buy during the second half of the year. This is not a definate list, but it at least helps me keep track of what to keep my eyes open for when it starts getting colder outside. I'll sort the list by release dates, which may or may not be accurate for all regions since I'm from Sweden myself. I'm getting my release dates from Amazon UK.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution (August 23rd in US / August 26th in EU)
I'm going to be totally honest: I never played any of the old Deus Ex games when they were released in 2000 and 2003. I heard great things about them, and by all accounts they should be right up my alley. I even have them in my Steam library! The trailers for Human Revolution look absolutly amazing, and I've also heard mostly great things from the die hard fans who played the recently leaked Beta build of the game. The only thing I can complain about so far is the so-so voice acting presented in the trailers, but hopefully that won't ruin the experience when playing.
 
Final Fantasy XIII-2 (??? in US / September 9th in EU)
Final Fantasy XIII was a game I really wanted to like, and to some extent I also did. Square Enix have promised that they have listened to the complaints and changed a whole lot to this wierdly named sequel tie-in. Let's just hope it's not riddled with awkward J-Pop and dressing up girls like a certain other -2 title. My expectations are slim at the moment, but I'm hoping this will be the grand return the Final Fantasy franchise needs.
 
Dead Island (September 6th in US / September 9th in EU)
I love zombie games, and I keep on loving them even while most seem to steer away from them. Dead Island seems like a mix of Far Cry and Dead Rising. Big paradise island up for exploring while combining weapons to smash skulls in, but without the goofy side from Dead Rising. My expectations are soaring high, I just hope that they won't focus too much on online co-op or multiplayer mayhem.
 
Gears of War 3 (September 20th in US / September 20th in EU)
What would a must-buy-list for X360 be without the latest Gears of War title? I'm even one of those oddballs who never even play the much praised multiplayer in the GoW franchise, but rather love the single player experience they bring. I know that some love to hate on the franchise for various reasons (some will probably even comment on it here), but I don't need to defend my interest in these games to anyone. Either way it's the end of the franchise, and I hope they go out with a bang.
 
Dark Souls (October 4th in US / October 4th in EU)
I'm one of the poor souls who never got a PS3 so I could never enjoy Demon's Souls like everyone else apparently did. Imagine then my joy when they announced that the sequel (I'm sorry; "spiritual successor") was going to be released to both major platforms. What I've seen so far from Dark Souls seems really awesome, especially how the huge world can be explored and seen from afar. One of the titles I'm looking forward to the most this year, I just hope I won't be slaughtered too much.
 
RAGE (October 4th in US / October 4th in EU)
ID Software have made some truly great games over the years, that's no surprise to anyone. This new title, which seems like a mix of Borderlands and Carmageddon, have all the things I seem to want from a game: exploration, RPG-elements, shooting, post-apocalyptic world, and good gameplay. John Carmack promises 60 FPS on consoles with their new engine, which looks like it's kicking ass. I just hope it's not a linear experience but rather more of a sandbox feel to it.
 
Dead Rising 2: Off the Record (October 11th in US / October 14th in EU)
One of the biggest reasons to me buying a X360 back in the day was because of the first Dead Rising. The franchise nowadays is one of my favorites, so even if some claim this is another cash-in for Capcom I still can't help to be excited for it. It's also budget priced which is always a nice thing. There are some minor annoyances that I hope they fix, and also that they include a survival mode that they for some reason didn't in Dead Rising 2.
 
Batman: Arkham City (October 18th in US / October 21st in EU)
Oh boy oh boy oh boy, the sequel to the best game of 2009. Trailers and screenshots have so far been looking amazing in every way. And they've been talking about the big size of the city and more of a sandbox feeling than the previous game. This could truly be game of the year 2011 if they deliver everything they have promised. Of course, there's one other title that's the big rival for that award...
 
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (November 11th in US / November 11th in EU)
Holy fucking shit. Words can't describe how much I want this game. I'm in constant fear that my girlfriend and dog will leave me to rot in my apartment after this game is released. I honestly don't know what to say about Skyrim that express in a well-put form how much I want it. If this title for some reason won't live up to my expectations I will burn my X360 and never trust Bethesda again.
 
Assassin's Creed: Revelations (November ?? in US / November 15th in EU)
I liked the first Assassin's Creed. I loved Assassin's Creed 2. I still haven't played Brotherhood, but apparently that's even better. Hopefully they keep the trend going and make Revelations live up to everyone's expectations. Mine are somewhat low at the moment, since I would rather see an Assassin's Creed 3 with some new people and settings.
 
Saints Row: The Third (November 15th in US / November 18th in EU)
I suppose there are two types of people: those who hate Saints Row 2 but love GTA IV, and those who love Saints Row 2 but hate GTA IV. Oh wait, there're also those who love both titles in different ways. I'm that type of person, but I must admit that Saints Row 2 win in many categories against its nemesis GTA IV. The trailers have been just as goofy as you can expect from a Saints Row game, and I have faith that THQ can deliver what they promise.
 
So there you have it folks, my must-buy-list for X360 the upcoming months. I'm sure there are a lot of more games I haven't mentioned, but these titles are the ones I have already pre-ordered or at least will do so soon. In many ways one can wonder how 2012 possibly can top this, but then again we'll get Mass Effect 3, Bioshock Infinite, XCOM, and many more that year. It sure feels good to be in love with games every now and then.
 
Thanks for reading, feel free to troll, flame, or praise me!