The mid-year release rush has run its course, so we’re now in for the infamous winter drought (or summer drought for our Northern Hemisphere friends). With the advent of digital download services, winter isn’t quite as cold as it used to be; HD console owners can look forward to the release of Battlefield 1943 tonight, while PC gamers can warm up with the first episode of Tales of Monkey Island, or a few of the LucasArtsclassics soon to be available through Steam.

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

08/07/2009

Battlefield 1943 Platform: PlayStation Network, Xbox Live Arcade (Coming to PC in September) Developer: DICE Publisher: Electronic Arts RRP: 1200 Microsoft Points ($AU19.80, XBLA), TBC (PSN) Battlefield 1943 is small scale game compared to all previous Battlefield outings, with only three playable classes and three maps (with a fourth being unlocked when the cumulative total of kills reaches 43 million). However, it’s only $20, and should contain the same level of high quality gameplay the series has delivered for the last 7 years. PC fans will unfortunately have to wait until September, which I am sure has ruffled a few feathers already.
Tales of Monkey Island Platform: PC (Coming soon to WiiWare) Developer: Telltale Games Publisher: LucasArts RRP: $US34.95 (for all five episodes) It’s been about eight years since Guybrush’s last adventure in the critically divisive Curse of Monkey Island, but after much prodding and complaining, LucasArts and Telltale Games are bringing the lovable miscreant back for a series of five episodic adventures. The latest adventure has Guybrush chasing the evil zombie pirate LeChuck, who has (once again) kidnapped Guybrush’s squeeze Elaine. Guybrush finds a special cutlass which can potentially finish LeChuck for good, but being the clumsy sod he is, he breaks the sword and everything goes pear-shaped. Certainly worth a look for fans of classic adventure games.

09/07/2009

Fuel Platform: PC (Also available on PS3, Xbox 360) Developer: Asobo Publisher: Codemasters RRP: $AU89.95 Atari stealth released the console version a couple of days early, so it ended up missing out on its Coming Attractions appearance. Nevertheless, the open world racing game with the “largest playable area” or something, according to Guinness World Records, hits the PC this week. Unfortunately, the game isn’t that impressive – what good is thousands of miles of open world if you don’t put much in it?
ICO Soccer Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: Artematica Entertainment Publisher: Black Bean Games RRP: $AU49.95 As amusing as it would be to see the adventures of Ico and Yorda in the Champions League, ICO Soccer has nothing to do with Sony’s beloved 2002 adventure. Rather, it looks like a cross between a regular football game and a management one, with all motions handled via touch screen. Could be interesting, but the lack of hype or media coverage to this point is something of a worry.
Moon Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: Renegade Kid Publisher: Mastiff RRP: $AU59.95 When I first played Metroid Prime Hunters on the DS back in 2005, I assumed that the DS would attract quite a few first person shooters, but it hasn’t. Moon is looking to fill that gap, and if the reaction from the American press is anything to go by, it does that quite well. The setting and story seem a bit average, but the technology is especially impressive for the DS – full 3D at 60 frames per second with a good level of detail. Check it out if you’re looking for something a little different to the DS’s usual fare.
Rygar: The Battle of Argus Platform: Wii Developer: Tecmo Publisher: Tecmo RRP: $AU49.95 If Rygar: The Battle of Argus seems a bit familiar to you, that’s probably due to the fact that it’s an enhanced port of the 2002 PlayStation 2 game, which in turn was an update to the much loved 80s arcade game. I’m not sure how this one has turned out, especially given that it relies heavily on motion control, but if it retains the basic qualities of the PS2 version, it should be pretty good.
Valhalla Knights 2 Platform: PSP Developer: K2 Network Inc Publisher: XSEED Games RRP: $AU49.95 Valhalla Knights was an odd beast; a J-RPG which featured the gameplay style and customisation of a Western RPG, but with the art design and grinding that define Japanese RPGs. It was, however, excruciatingly dull. Valhalla Knights 2 promises more of the same gameplay, with new co-operative play modes and a more engrossing story, which should hopefully make it a lot more entertaining than the original.
WSC Real 2008 Platform: Wii Developer: Blade Interactive Publisher: Deep Silver RRP: $AU69.95 When you think about sports video games, does snooker ever come to mind? Probably not, but that doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been an absolute ton of them over the last 25 years. WSC Real 2008 is hitting the Wii this week, which probably makes a lot of sense. If you’re not any good with a real pool cue, this might provide a good alternative, but I’d personally rather play the real thing.

Next week is another quiet one, but there’s a few things hitting shelves worth getting excited about. PC shooter fans are going to want to sink their teeth into ArmA II for some large scale military action (and parachuting dogs and cows!), while Wii gamers can look forward to The Conduit. If you’re the more non-violent sort, then I highly recommend getting a hold of The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition, an update to one of the best adventure games ever made which is hitting the PC and Xbox Live Arcade.