2007 was the best year ever for the videogame industry, proving beyond any doubt that gaming is a central part of our culture and no longer a fringe hobby. Unfortunately, we find ourselves in the No Release Zone, that special time of year when absolutely nothing new is released, forcing most of us to revisit old games. On the upside, this period is almost over and new releases will once again be flowing onto store shelves within the next few weeks.

What follows is a list of some of the better games headed to the Xbox 360 in 2008, complete with a tentative release date that, if history is any indication, will undoubtedly change.

Burnout Paradise – January 22

Criterion revisit their popular Burnout franchise, but this time you'll find some notable differences and enhancements, not the least of which is a massive city that stands as your virtual playground. With deep gameplay and sandbox elements, Burnout should prove to a huge hit with gamers, but also stands to lose some fans with its open-ended aesthetic. Some people just like to be told what to do, but Burnout Paradise puts the onus on you to devise the fun.

Devil May Cry 4 – Feb 2

Capcom will finally unleash Devil May Cry for the Xbox 360 in February, something should make every action fan extremely happy. If you've never played a Devil May Cry game then have no fear. All you need to know is this: you fight demonic enemies using guns, swords and tons of other weapons in a fast-paced environment that oozes graphical awesomeness.

Frontlines: Fuels of War – Feb 12

Frontlines may have a tough time finding an audience, as its base is probably too busy playing Call of Duty 4, but there are good indications that Frontlines may be a solid title. It happens to be developed by Kaos Studios, formerly known as Trauma Studios, who's popular mod for Battlefield 1942 was called Desert Combat, the best mod since Counter-Strike.