Game Releases
for the Week of 10/22-10/28
That bastard Monki is somewhere in the Caribbean, and where am I? Freakin' Maryland, writing another list of games released this week. Not too much stands out this time, sorry to report: we've got a multiplayer superhero action game, an anticipated FPS on the PSP, and a bunch of PC expansion packs. Next week looks a tad better, with a port of F.E.A.R. to the 360, a new Need for Speed, and, oh yeah, FFXII.
Xbox 360
10/24 Cars - Released back in June for the various other consoles and handhelds, it got decent reviews but this open-world mission-based driving game lacked any real features that made it stand apart. Not much out there about the new 360 edition, which presumably features the same gameplay but with beefed up visuals.
10/25 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - Building on the success of X-Men Legends and its sequel comes this new version from the same developer, which is essentially the same idea as the previous game, except expanded with more playable characters, bringing the total up to an impressive 140. There's a lot of new features that encourage team-based gameplay as well.. for instance, if you play with the same group of buddies, you can give your group a name and logo. With a new emphasis on destructible environments, especially on the 360 version, fans of this genre will no doubt be happy with this upgrade.
10/25 Phantasy Star Universe - Sega's long running massively multiplayer RPG hits the 360, with the same hack-and-slash, repetitive gameplay PSO fans know and love. The plot of PSU takes place in a different uh, universe, and it boasts some new features, including dual wielding of weapons, vehicles, and the ability to change your player class for a fee.
PSP
10/24 Ace Combat X: Skies of Deception - The franchise that began way back in 1992 on the PlayStation makes its way to the PSP, bringing the same brand of arcade-ish jet fighting to the handheld. With dozens of missions and tight flight mechanics, this game is already garnering some very good early reviews.
10/24 Medal of Honor: Heroes - EA's series that started bad, then got good, then got Ok, then got bad again, heads to the PSP for another shot this week, putting you in the role of the same soldier player's controlled in the first MOH game. The track record of PSP FPS games has not been good, but EA is betting tweaked controls, speedy graphics, and online modes will lead FPS fans in their direction.
10/25 ATV Offroad Fury Pro - The next in Climax Studios' ongoing ATV series (the last version appeared on the PSP in 2005), this variation features 60 tracks, some of which are from previous games, and a unique feature that lets owners of ATV Offroad Fury 4 for the PS2 (due out next week) swap content back and forth between the portable version.
10/25 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - See the 360 description.
10/25 Dynasty Warriors Vol. 2 - Officially something like the 17th version of Dynasty Warriors, Koei is confusing things substantially by calling this Vol. 2, a reference to the fact this is the second version for the PSP (the first was generally regarded as one of the poorest versions in its long history). With more levels and a new system that changes difficulty levels depending on how you're doing, its still pretty much the same basic hack-and-slash gameplay Dynasty Warriors fans have been accustomed to for years.
10/25 Snoopy vs. the Red Baron - Charles Shultz' beloved characters turn into deadly killing machines as you control Snoopy in a standard arcadey flight action game with simple controls for kids. 50 missions and colorful, cartooney graphics should keep the brats busy.
10/25 Capcom Classics Collection Reloaded - Another bunch of your favorite (and a bunch more you've never heard of) Capcom arcade titles head to the PSP.. The impressive lists includes: 1942, 1943, 1943 Kai, Pirate Ship Higemaru, SFII Champion Edition, SFII Hyper Fighting, Ghosts 'N Goblins, Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts, Gun Smoke, Commando, Mercs, Attack of the Savage Bees, Volgus, Son Son, Knights of the Round, The King of Dragons, and Eco Fighters. With many of the titles supporting multiplayer, and others WiFi play over the Internet, for 25 bucks, what you've got here is a steal o' a deal!
10/25 Reel Fishing - Long running, but generally terrible (see this very amusing 1.4 review of the PlayStation original) fishing game, makes its first mark on the PSP with this version, boasting a wide range of fishing spots, 100 varieties of tackle, and 25 fish.
DS
10/24 Magical Starsign - RPG fans who recognize the name Brownie Brown (a development house made up of many ex-Square staffers) will be interested to note this game is the sequel to the cult-hit never-released-in-US GBA title Magical Vacation. At its core a traditional RPG with an emphasis on characters and story, it also features a few actioney elements, such as using a timing-based system for attacks.
10/25 Tony Hawk's Downhill Jam - Probably most anticipated on the upcoming Wii, the DS version of the latest incarnation of the Tony Hawk series nevertheless builds on the success of the previous DS title, Sk8land, with the same graphics engine and controls. A few new online modes are thrown in as well as a during-game chat mode that lets you send 5-sec profanity-laden sound bites to other players via Wifi.
10/25 Nacho Libre - The only video game adaptation of the movie is for the DS only, a wrestling game in the grand tradition of WWF Wrestlemania for the Genesis. A few minigames are thrown in as well.
10/25 Over the Hedge: Hammy Goes Nuts - The second original Over the Hedge title this year, this title centers around Hammy, the squirrel from the film.
10/25 Scurge: Hive - Some heavy doses of Metroid inspired action here, as you take on a female bounty hunter hunting aliens. But few un-inspired tweaks to the successful Metroid formula (including an isometric perspective), and controls that are anything but intuitive are making some early reviewers of this title squirm.
10/25 Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island - A synergistic conglomeration of some of Nickelodeon's franchises, the DS title features 10 playable characters and side-scrolling 2D action.
10/25 Star Trek: Tactical Assault - See game of the week, below.
10/25 Touch Detective - Cutesey graphics abound in this point-and-click adventure, as you muddle your way through the same variety of item-based puzzles that give a good indication why adventure games died so horribly.
10/25 Konductra - Developed by newcomer oeFun, the concept of this title, yet another block-based puzzler, is one of "conductors". At first glace, the gameplay is definitely not obvious, even in videos, but it involves placing blocks to form connections with the sides of the level. When these connections are made, blocks of the same color disappear. Described as including elements of Polarium and, of course, Tetris, even though it doesn't look like much, early word is its yet another slick puzzler for the DS.
Xbox
10/23 Reservoir Dogs - For no apparent reason, here comes a game based on Quentin Tarantino's classic film, and I'd be awfully surprised if this game turns out to be good. A standard action/shooting game with driving elements, it features Hitman-ish choices as to how to approach the levels, from guns-blazing, to taking hostages, to stealthy and professional.
10/25 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent - The console versions are trailing the impressive 360 variety by a week, but nevertheless feature the same gameplay and signature Sam Fisher gameplay. Cheaper, too.
10/25 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - See the 360 description.
PS2
10/22 Reservoir Dogs - See the Xbox description.
10/24 Disney's Kim Possible: What's the Switch? - Kim comes to the PS2 in her first console game (a previous title was released on the DS last year to poor reviews). This title is 3D action game with a cell shaded look.
10/25 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - See the 360 description.
10/25 .Hack//G.U. Vol. 1-Rebirth - The next in the interesting series of RPG's that has a plot which revolves around a MMORPG without actually being a MMORPG, the new "G.U." series is set 7 years after the original. Fans will find the same RPG gameplay as in the original series, with a few tweaks -- you can now connect to the fictional MMO anywhere thanks to your handy VR helmet, and the developers promise the new game is larger than the previous 4 combined.
10/25 Phantasy Star Universe - See the 360 description.
10/25 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent - See the Xbox description.
10/25 Snoopy vs. the Red Baron - See the Xbox description.
10/25 Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island - See the DS description.
GC
10/25 Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island - See the DS description.
10/25 Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Double Agent - See the Xbox description.
PC
10/23 Half-Life 2 Holiday 2006 Collection DVD-ROM - An impressive collection of Gordon Freeman games for anyone who wants to complete their collection or introduce someone to Valve's seminal FPS series. Includes Half Life 1, Half Life 2, Half Life 2 Episode 1, and Counter Strike: Source.
10/23 Unreal Anthology - And if you're more of an Unreal fan, check out this compilation, which includes Unreal, Unreal II: The Awakening, Unreal Tournament, and Unreal Tournament 2004.
10/24 Dark Messiah of Might and Magic - The mighty Might and Magic franchise lumbers on with its 10th major game (not counting the various spin-offs) since its inception way back in the Apple II era. This time developed by giant software house Ubisoft and using the Source engine popularized by Half Life 2, Dark Messiah is an action RPG in the style of the recent Oblivion. Using the first person point of view, the Might and Magic series has always emphasized character creation and leveling, and fans will find similar features here. (Also available in a Limited Edition)
10/24 F.E.A.R. : Extraction Point Expansion Pack - A 6-8 hour expansion pack for the original hit, this title picks up at the end of the first game and continues the same style of slow-mo FPS gameplay.
10/24 Phantasy Star Universe - See the 360 description.
10/24 Star Wars: Empire at War - Forces of Corruption Expansion - Add-on pack for the popular RTS set in the Star Wars universe, this one tells the story of the Rebel's destroying the Death Star from the Underworld's perspective.
10/24 Guild Wars: Nightfall - Continuing the expansion pack theme, this is a add-on pack for the popular online RPG Guild Wars. Features new professions, 350 new spells, and new enemy types.
GBA
10/25 Nicktoons: Battle for Volcano Island - See the DS description.
10/25 Scurge: Hive - See the DS description.
10/25 Juka and the Monophonic Menace - For once, an original GBA game not based on a Cartoon Network or Nick tv show! This is a cartooney game for kids with a strong Zelda influence: you'll be collecting ingredients, mixing potions, and battling enemies.
10/25 Marvel: Ultimate Alliance - See the 360 description.
10/25 Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause - Guide Tim Allen around the cops and to his dealer to procure 1.4 pounds of cocaine. Actually, no idea about this game. My money's on side-scrolling 2D actioner.
10/25 Suite Life of Zack & Cody: Tipton Caper - Game based on a Disney Channel tv show about two brats who live in a hotel.
10/25 Mazes of Fate - Developed by Argentinan-based software house (and newcomer) Sabarasa Entertainment, this is an RPG with a promised 50 levels of dungeon action.
Game of the Week:
Star Trek: Tactical Assault, DS, 10/22
Set during the original series, Trek fans will no doubt be gleefully be Hailing and Red Alert-ing as either the Klingons or the Federation in this tactical strategy/action game by well known developer Bethesda. Designers have attempted to get the whole "giant starship fighting other giant starships" feel that Star Trek is known for down pat, which means a heavy emphasis on strategy: heading straight in with guns blasting is generally not logical, no matter how good your Kirk impression, so careful planning and targeting other ship's weak points will be rewarded. With 15 missions and multiplayer in there as well (though no Wifi unfortunately), it seems Bethesda is aiming for a unique gameplay element which should have Trek fans salivating.
Game I'm Playing:
