Games On Net :: New Releases: Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions - 04/02/2009

By Matt Keller - Wed Feb 4, 2009 9:13pm

2009 has been a bit iffy so far, but that’s about to change as we creep into February. Chrono Trigger makes its PAL debut on the DS, only fourteen years after the original SNES release (and three months after everyone else), R-Type Dimensions storms onto Xbox Live Arcade to cause many an expletive and thrown controller and The Lord of the Rings Online ventures into the Mines of Moria for its first expansion.

Don’t forget to check out the full release schedule for the latest changes and information on upcoming games.

04/02/2009

*R-Type Dimensions* Platform: Xbox Live Arcade Developer: *Tozai* Publisher: *Microsoft* RRP: 1200 Microsoft Points ($AU19.80) Microsoft appears to have bumped *3 on 3: NHL Arcade* in favour of this remake of two of Irem’s much beloved (and tough-as-nails) arcade shooters, R-Type and R-Type II. The main attraction is meant to be the new HD facelift, but players do have the option to de-activate the fancy graphics to view the games in their late 80’s glory. Worth a look for shooter fans, but not for the faint of heart or easily frustrated.
*Tony Hawk’s Motion/Hue Pixel Painter* Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: *Creat Studio* Publisher: *Activision* RRP: $AU49.95 The latest Tony Hawk outing on the Nintendo DS is a compilation of two motion controlled games. The package includes Tony Hawk’s Motion, which has players competing in an array of mini-challenges in both skateboarding and snowboarding scenarios. The second game is Hue Pixel Painter, a motion controlled painting game which is remarkably similar to *de Blob*. The games require usage of a motion sensor which plugs into the GBA slot (bad luck, DSi owners). As nice as the idea sounds, the execution is greatly flawed, as the critical reception for the US release last year was rather nasty.

05/02/2009

*Chrono Trigger* Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: *Square Enix/TOSE* Publisher: *Square Enix* RRP: $AU69.95 A strong candidate for one of the best J-RPGs of all time, *Chrono Trigger* follows a group of time travelling youngsters who are on a quest to save the world. The game features a fantastic story, wonderful art and character design from Akira Toriyama, an amazing soundtrack and a brilliant battle system. This is the first time the game will have been officially released in the PAL territories, almost 14 years after its original release. *Chrono Trigger* is 2009’s first must-own game.
*Football Manager Live* Platform: PC Developer: *Sports Interactive* Publisher: *Sega* RRP: $AU69.95 (includes 4 month subscription) While it has already been available via digital distribution for a couple of weeks, *Football Manager Live* will make its way to store shelves this week for those who want to socialise while their life is dominated by spreadsheets, performance numbers and the transfer market. *Sports Interactive* describes it as a cross between Football Manager, fantasy football, an online auction site and a social network site – I’d call it a time vortex.
*Imagine: Fashion Party* Platform: Wii Developer: *Virtual Toys/Lexis Numerique* Publisher: *Ubisoft* RRP: $AU59.95 *Imagine: Fashion Party* lets you design clothes and make up ideas and have them rated by a panel of professional judges. This is accomplished through a series of mini-games that will have you using the nunchuck and Wii remote as scissors, hair brushes, makeup applicators and so on. Undoubtedly very few of the GON readers are going to be interested in doing hair and make-up, and the few that do will probably won’t care about Ubisoft’s extremely lax quality control and low production values.
*The Lord of the Rings: Mines of Moria* Platform: PC Developer: *Turbine* Publisher: *Codemasters* RRP: $AU49.95 The first retail expansion pack for *The Lord of the Rings Online* actually launched everywhere else back in November, so why it took so long to come down here is beyond me. The pack adds two new classes (Wardens and Rune-keepers), new legendary items, and more quests, which should keep fans of the Tolkien MMO satisfied for a bit longer.
*Saints Row 2* Platform: PC (Also on PlayStation 3, Xbox 360) Developer: *Volition Inc.* Publisher: *THQ* RRP: $AU79.95 (Special Edition $AU109.95. Initiation Pack $AU129.95) *THQ* and *Volition*’s crime-a-thon finally hits the PC in a somewhat crummy port. Set five years after the original game, players have to re-establish the 3rd Street Saints’ criminal empire in the city of Stilwater. Performance issues and gameplay glitches have a tendency to overshadow some of the game’s unadulterated fun. If you’re a PC-only gamer, check it out, otherwise go with the console version. Special Edition includes the game, an exclusive art book, double-sided map of Stilwater and a bullet shaped 1GB USB key. Initiation Pack (only available at EB) includes the Special Edition contents, along with a 3rd Street Saints basketball singlet, money clip, a Saints ID card and comes packed in a “Freckle Bitches” pizza box.
*SimAnimals* Platform: Nintendo DS, Wii Developer: *Electronic Arts* Publisher: *Electronic Arts* RRP: $AU49.95 (Nintendo DS), $AU79.95 (Wii) Take the basic formula from The Sims, but scrap the humans and bring in a bunch of animals and you’ve got *SimAnimals* in a nutshell. Create a habitat for your animals, shape their personalities by treating them well (or poorly), and get them to solve challenges and achieve goals to unlock new areas and abilities. Good clean fun, but looks like it could have used a little polish.

06/02/2009

Burnout Paradise: Party Pack
Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
Developer: Criterion Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
RRP: 800 Microsoft Points ($AU13.20)

The first paid downloadable content for Burnout Paradise hits this week. The Party Pack focuses on single console multiplayer that was popular in the series’ earlier outings. Up to 8 players can compete in a series of take-turns challenges, sort of like an offline Freeburn mode.This pack comes free with Burnout Paradise for the PC and Burnout Paradise: The Ultimate Box for Xbox 360 and PS3 – Aussies will have to wait until March 12th for the former, while the latter is only available in the UK and Asia.

09/02/2009

My Fitness Coach
Platform: Wii
Developer: responDesign
Publisher: Ubisoft
RRP: $AU49.95

Ubisoft sneakily re-releases responDesign’s Yourself! Fitness under its increasingly popular My Coach brand. The game’s purpose is to help you develop an exercise routine and fitness plan, which can be tailored to your needs. Interestingly enough, the game also allows you to incorporate outside equipment in your training, including a gym ball, hand weights and an exercise step. It doesn’t use the Wii Balance Board, however, so it seems a bit outdated in its capabilities.

11/02/2009

3 on 3 NHL Arcade
Platforms: Xbox Live Arcade (Coming soon to PlayStation Network)
Developer: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
RRP: 800 Microsoft Points ($AU13.20)

Microsoft appears to have bumped 3 on 3: NHL Arcade back a week in favour of R-Type this week, but it still looks like it should provide some over-the-top ice hockey action when it hits Xbox Live Arcade next Wednesday night. If its anywhere near as good as Midway’s little-known-but-totally-awesome 2 on 2 Open Ice Challenge (which was essentially NBA Jam’s hockey equivalent), then it should be a blast.

It seems like there is something for everyone this week, though Chrono Trigger and R-Type Dimensions stand head and shoulders above the rest. Next week is the start of the first quarter’s busy season, with the release of the highly anticipated first person shooter F.E.A.R. 2: Project Origin, the Wii’s arachnid fighter Deadly Creatures and Star Ocean: Second Revolution, the second of the popular RPG series to be remade on the PSP.