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Sunday, 31 August 2008
The floodgates open, the oasis is filled. Drink gamers, drink!
Spore
The newest game from Will Wright (Sim City, the Sims etc.) puts players in the position of God, and in control of the evo
lutionary process of creatures on a planet. The Spore Creature Creator was released a couple of months ago as a teaser for this game, and gained acclaim. This game should be good: detailed, challenging and original. This is the pick of the month for PC.
Platforms: PC, (separate title for DS: Spore Creatures)
Release Date: 05/09/08
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames
Building on the success of Mercenaries, EA are releasing this multi-platform sequel, which, again, puts the player in the body of a hired gun, working for the highest bidder. This game looks to have built satisfactorily on its predecessor, and if it's managed this successfully it should be a great game.
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS2, X360
Release Date: 05/09/08
Infinite Undiscovery
A new franchise is always nice in the midst of so many sequels. This is an action RPG, but team-based (like Might and Magic), except with a potentially better combat system (it's not turn-based, but real-time, like Fable, which I prefer). Bit of a Japanese style RPG, so if you like that kind of thing check it out. Personally I'll wait a bit.
Platforms: X360
Release Date: 05/09/08
S.T.A.L.K.E.R: Clear Sky
A prologue to the original Stalker game, this game is set a year prior, and features 8 of the original levels, along with 5 of its own. The only real difference to the gameplay as far as I can see is the possibility of fixing weapons. To be honest, although the original Stalker was a solid game, this looks like a bit of a cop-out, with only 10 hours of original storyline. Only get this if you're an avid Stalker fan.
Platforms: PC
Release Date: 05/09/08
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise
I wasn't under the impression this game had sold well enough first time round to warrant a second one. Personally I love Rare, but I didn't enjoy the first Viva Pinata, and probably wouldn't enjoy this. If you got addicted the original... then don't buy this either because you don't want to have to admit to having an addiction to this kind of game.
Platforms: X360 (DS: Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise)
Release Date: 05/09/08
TNA Impact: Total Nonstop Action Wrestling
Not a fan. But if you are, you'll probably love it.
Platforms: PS2, PS3, X360
Release Date: 12/09/08
NHL 09
See above description.
Platforms: PS3, X360
Release Date: 12/09/08
Supreme Commander
These games can be great fun. You basically take a massive army to planets in order to defeat one of the other two factions, blowing up as much shit as possible. This game allows a player to both view the battleground from the standard RTS position, and also go right down to ground level and issue units with invididual orders. 360 edition comes with bonus units.
Platforms: X360
Release Date: 12/09/08
Opoona
Despite the unfortunate choice of name, this game looks like one of the few original games on the market. Described as both a battling and 'lifestyle' rpg, this Wii title is designed by the developers of the Dragon Quest series. Could be good? Wait for the reviews, because it could end up like so many Wii games before it: the Nintendo Hall of Shame.
Platforms: Wii
Release Date: 12/09/08
Subbuteo
Grab a franchise, design a game, and voila you have a gold selling game. This Subbuteo title will probably be as boring as the 'watching paint dry' original. Mainly because it uses the 'official' Subbuteo rules, meaning no grabbing the player, running him into the ball and dragging them both down the pitch.
Platforms: DS
Release Date: 12/09/08
Crysis: Warhead
PC gamer's 2007 game of the year was Crysis. This new installment looks like an expansion, sounds like an expansion, costs like an expansion. But is in fact a standalone. New weapons, new story, new vehicles, upgraded AI and graphics. No major changes to the gameplay which makes it look to me a bit like a marketing technique to take some money and keep interest in the Crysis series before they bring out their next big title. And if I were you, I'd save your money and wait for that.
Platforms: X360
Release Date: 19/09/08
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed
Despite DW's disparraging review of the Demo, this Star Wars franchised game is still the biggest game coming out this month. For those of you that have been living in a cave (like Ben Kenobi) (or just don't like Star Wars, but have nothing better to do than read this), TFU takes place between episodes III and IV, and you play as Darth Vader's Secret Apprentice, hunting down Jedi. The gameplay centres around the four force powers Force push, grip, repulse and lightning, which you combine in order to create devestating (and just damn cool) combos. Despite being 
firmly and Action title, this game does also have reminders of RPG ideas, such as levelling up. I have high hopes for this game (but not for the graphics is they stay the same as they were on the Demo). This is my pick of the month for the 360 (I know I'll be buying it).
Platforms: X360, PS3, Wii, PS2, PSP, DS
Release Date: 19/09/08
PlayTV
A couple of months ago, something similar to this almost slipped under my radar for the Wii. These applications need to be watched because they can turn into something incredibly useful. This one turns your PS3 into a Sky+ box (without the Sky channels of course). It enables you to record, pause and rewind live television, and also provides you with freeview channels. A fantastic application if you don't have something similar already, and dead cheap at 70 quid. My pick for the PS3.
Platforms: PS3
Release Date: 19/09/08
Brothers In Arms 3: Hell's Highway
The latest in the highly successful Brothers In Arms series, which take the biggest battles in WWII and put them in your control. In Hell's Highway, you take control of a member of the 101st airborne in order to successfully carry out Operation Market Garden, a capture of two bridges after D-Day which failed for the Allies. This game should be a fantastic FPS, and great online play too. Pick for the PS3
Platforms: X360, PS3, PC (Wii: Brothers in Arms: Double Time)
Release Date: 26/09/08
Wario Land: Shake It!
An old formula revitalised and made new. This game takes the old 2D Wario ramblings and infuses them with the Wii remote. I've had a look at this and I've made the mistake of underestimating Wii games like this too much, and I think this has the potential to be a lot of fun. Fun, a concept that the game industry seems to be fast forgetting. Picked for the Wii!
Platforms: Wii
Release Date: 26/09/08
Rise of the Argonauts
Only on release for the PS3 this month, this is an epic scale RPG set in the ancient Greek era. Basically, if you liked the film 300, you should give this game a go. It's nothing particularly new, but it's attempting something on a scale that few RPGs dare to attempt.
Platforms: PS3 (X360 and PC next month)
Release Date: 26/09/08
SimCity Creator
I do enjoy the SimCity games, and this looks to be the most detailed yet, enabling you to 'draw' roads with your Wii remote. It appears to be fun, mixing old style retro gameplay with new stle technologies. A must for SimCity fans with Wiis, otherwise, steer clear.
Platforms: Wii, DS
Release Date: 26/09/08
Hell's Kitchen
Haha.
Platforms: DS, PC (Wii in November)
Release Date: 26/09/08
That's it for this month, but it's enough to be going on with, and then some. Whichever console you own, there's something for you on this list (unless you only own a Commodore). What does October hold? A football game, a music game, and a fabled game.
Labels: PC, PS3, The Month, Wii, Xbox360
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