Games On Net :: New Releases: Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions - 01/04/2009

By Matt Keller - Wed Apr 1, 2009 6:30pm

The release schedule has settled down a lot coming into April, but the effect seems to be a distinct reduction in the number of lower quality games. This week’s highlights include the bloody platforming romp The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai for Xbox Live Arcade, the continued bullet bending adventures of Wesley Gibson in Wanted: Weapons of Fate and a Nintendo DS RPG triple threat in the form of Disgaea DS, Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time and Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume.

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

01/04/2009

*The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai* Platform: Xbox Live Arcade Developer: *Ska Software* Publisher: *Microsoft* RRP: 800 Microsoft Points ($AU13.20) James Silva’s bloody 2D platformer has been a long time coming - it was teased with a 2 week trial at last year’s GDC, and was allegedly “coming soon” – but thanks to Microsoft’s Days of Arcade promotion, we can all get our samurai chopping, guitar-controller co-op happening later today. You heard that right - cooperative play requires the second player to use a guitar. How that works exactly is beyond us right now, but we’ll be definitely grabbing this one tonight.
*Monsters vs. Aliens* Platform: Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii Developer: *Beenox Studios* Publisher: *Activision* RRP: $AU29.95 (PC), $AU49.95 (DS), $AU59.95 (PS2), $AU69.95 (Wii), $AU79.95 (PS3, Xbox 360) Another Dreamworks CG animated feature hits theatres tomorrow, so Activision’s churned out an all platforms video game tie in. Don’t expect anything more than a straightforward action/platform romp – this one’s just for kids (and achievement whores).
*Wanted: Weapons of Fate* Platform: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Developer: *Grin* Publisher: *Warner Bros. Interactive* RRP: $89.95 (PC), $AU99.95 (PS3, Xbox 360) Warner Bros. adaptation of the assassin-centric comic was a big hit in the middle of last year, but for some reason or another, they didn’t have a video game tie-in. They’ve decided to correct that with *Wanted: Weapons of Fate* which takes place after the feature film. It’s got all of your fancy bullet time and curving stuff, but the demo seemed to show that it might be a bit of an acquired taste, and early impressions of the final version suggest that it is extremely short. Perhaps it’ll be best served as a rental.

02/04/2009

*Afro Samurai* Platform: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Developer: *Namco Bandai* Publisher: *Namco Bandai* RRP: $AU109.95 Samuel L. Jackson plays Samuel L. Jackson as a samurai in this adaptation of a popular anime OVA which also starred Samuel L. Jackson. It’s a fairly basic brawler with a neat art style, but reviews from the American release suggested that it’s painfully average, so only Afro Samurai’s most dedicated fans need apply.
*Castlevania Judgment* Platform: Wii Developer: *Konami* Publisher: *Konami* RRP: $AU69.95 Koji Igarashi once again proves that his team is utterly hopeless outside of the 2D action sphere with a canon-busting fighting game featuring Castlevania’s finest heroes doing the one on one fighting thing. Might provide brief moments of comedic value, but there’s nothing worthwhile here, not even for the Castlevania OCD crowd. Stick to what you know, guys – especially since *Order of Ecclesia* rocked so hard.
*Disgaea DS* Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: *Nippon Ichi Software* Publisher: *Nippon Ichi Software* RRP: $AU69.95 The DS RPG barrage continues with *Disgaea DS* which is essentially a direct port of *Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness* for PSP, which in turn was an enhanced port of *Disgaea: Hour of Darkness*. You’ll find that it’s a pretty damn awesome strategy RPG, but I wouldn’t grab it if you already have the PSP release.
*Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time* Platform: Nintendo DS, Wii Developer: *Square Enix* Publisher: *Square Enix* RRP: $AU69.95 (DS), $AU89.95 (Wii) Square’s latest multiplayer action-RPG romp is being released simultaneously on the DS and Wii. The caveat is that the Wii version has essentially been ported up from the DS, so it looks like crap and has a really clumsy interface, yet costs $20 more. Stick with the DS version, get a few friends together (locally or online), and a good time should be had by all.
*Pro Evolution Soccer 2009* Platform: Wii (Also on PC, PS2, PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: *Konami* Publisher: *Konami* RRP: $AU99.95 Konami has been extremely lazy with anything related to its Pro Evolution Soccer franchise with one big exception – the Wii version of *Pro Evolution Soccer 2008*. A revolutionary new play style breathed new life into the game, and took a lot of people by surprise. Expect the 2009 game to fall in line with the rest of the franchise’s approach to updates, but know that there’s still a high quality game at the core.
*Tenchu: Shadow Assasins* Platform: PSP Developer: *From Software* Publisher: *Ubisoft Entertainment* RRP: $AU69.95 Ubisoft’s release of the PSP version of the recently released Wii stealth ‘em up has been playing the release date equivalent of musical chairs – so if it’s not out this week, don’t blame me. The latest Tenchu is apparently something of a return to form – I guess this is the version to get if you prefer a more orthodox control solution.

03/04/2009

Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume
Platform: Nintendo DS
Developer: tri-Ace
Publisher: Square Enix
RRP: $AU69.95

The third instalment of the Valkyrie Profile series draws the curtain on a two month barrage of high quality RPGs on the Nintendo DS. High quality art and sprites are accompanied by a rather intriguing battle system and deep story, so no self-respecting DS owning RPG fan should be without it.

April continues at its subdued pace next week with new releases including the multiplatform mob boss simulator The Godfather II, the continued desecration of an iconic point-and-click adventure franchise in Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust and the much anticipated Tales of Valor expansion pack for Company of Heroes.