Games On Net :: General News: Coming Attractions

Coming Attractions - 05/10/09

By Matt Keller - Mon Oct 5, 2009 11:00am

We're into the big release season now, but the industry seems to have decided to skip this week. That is unless you like basketball or enhanced ports, in which case you'll probably want to check out NBA 2K10 and Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. If you're of a more creative mind, take a look at EA's two Spore Hero spinoffs and Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter, which are both hitting the Wii and DS.

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

05/10/2009

*Disney Sing It: Pop Hits* Platform: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Wii Developer: *Disney Interactive* Publisher: *Disney Interactive* RRP: $AU49.95 (PS2 standalone), $AU69.95 (Wii/PS3 standalone, PS2 w/ Microphones), $AU89.95 (Wii/PS3 w/ Microphones) Disney's rolling out their latest menagerie of multi-talented teen stars for another karaoke effort. It's designed to be a bit more accessible to younger audiences than SingStar and Rock Band, which is not only reflected in the track list, but the lack of difficulty as well.
*Scooby Doo: First Frights* Platform: Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Wii Developer: *Torus Games* Publisher: *Warner Bros. Interactive* RRP: $AU29.95 (PS2), $AU49.95 (DS), $AU69.95 (Wii) There's been a bit of resurgence in interest around the Scooby Doo franchise in the aftermath of the films. Zoinks, jinkies and all that. This game takes place shortly after the foundation of Mysteries Inc., where the crew are still children (but has nothing to do with the older A Pup Named Scooby Doo series). It's a fairly straightforward action platforming type game designed with the youngsters in mind, so adjust your expectations accordingly.
*South Park: Let's Go Tower Defence Play!* Platform: Xbox Live Arcade Developer: *Doublesix Games* Publisher: *Microsoft* RRP: TBC The new season of South Park starts this week in the USA, so there's no better time for Microsoft to roll out *South Park: Let's Go Tower Defence Play* onto XBLA. As the title suggests, there's a Tower Defence element to the game, but players are also active on the field in a sort-of Smash TV inspired fare. Up to four players can take control of the boys and their friends to protect the town against various evil entities like zombies, hippies and ginger kids. Hopefully it'll be better than the previous South Park games, but that's not exactly a difficult feat.
*Star Wars Clone Wars: Republic Heroes* Platform: Nintendo DS, PC, PlayStation 3, PSP, Wii, Xbox 360 Developer: *Krome Studios* Publisher: *LucasArts* RRP: $AU49.95 (DS, PC, PSP), $AU79.95 (Wii), $AU89.95 (PS3, 360) Krome's latest Star Wars outing is another adventure in the canon of the Clone Wars TV show, taking place between the first and second season. Story details are scarce, but the game involves playing as various Jedi and Clone troopers across thirty missions to stop a plot unhatched by bounty hunter Cad Bane and Skakoan Kul Teska. Hopefully Krome learnt a few lessons after last year's *Lightsaber Battles* game, and has produced something with higher quality action and a little depth.

08/10/2009

*Drawn to Life: The Next Chapter* Platform: Nintendo DS, Wii Developer: *5th Cell (DS), Planet Moon Studios (Wii)* Publisher: *THQ* RRP: $AU59.95 (DS), $AU69.95 (Wii) *Drawn to Life* was 5th Cell's first big hit on the DS back in 2007, so they're teaming up with THQ to take another crack at it. There are actually two versions of *The Next Chapter* hitting shelves – one from 5th Cell on the DS, and a Wii version from Planet Moon Studios, each of which focuses on different aspects of the game and fit together to tie into one cohesive story. Plenty of fun to be had for all ages.
*The Legendary Starfy* Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: *TOSE* Publisher: *Nintendo* RRP: $AU69.95 Despite having appeared in five games to date in Japan, Starfy is only just now making his debut in the western world. It's pretty basic platforming action and ever so easy but it's a lot of fun – more so if you've got a friend to play with, as the game only needs a single cart for wireless cooperative play. Not exactly up to the standard of Mario and co, but certainly a strong B level Nintendo platformer.
*NBA Live 10* Platform: PlayStation 3, PSP, Xbox 360 Developer: *EA Canada* Publisher: *EA Sports* RRP: $AU49.95 (PSP), $AU99.95 (PS3, 360) NBA Live has been playing catch up to NBA 2K for many years, but it has improved remarkably over the last few years. This year's main focus in on match atmosphere – they're trying to distinguish between regular season play and the NBA Finals, the crowd gets into the match a whole lot more, and player tendencies are recreated in painstaking detail. Hopefully the actual match engine has received a similar level of attention.
*Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2* Platform: PlayStation 3 Developer: *Team Ninja* Publisher: *Tecmo* RRP: $AU99.95 Ryo Hyabusa, the patron saint of video game frustration returns to the PlayStation 3 in *Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2, the updated version of last year's Xbox 360 hit, Ninja Gaiden II. Sigma 2* adds new playable characters in Ayami, Rachel and Momiji, online cooperative play, new large scale bosses and trophy support. Amusingly, *Sigma 2* reduces the gore level from the Xbox version, but allows “jiggling” of the female characters' breasts via the Sixaxis. PlayStation 3 – leading the way in meaningful gameplay innovation.
*Spore Hero* Platform: Wii Developer: *Maxis* Publisher: *Electronic Arts* RRP: $AU79.95 Remember *Spore? It was among 2008's biggest disappointments, but it sold well, so EA's not ready to let go of it yet. Instead, they're branching out and developing spin-off games that have something the original lacked – a point. Spore Hero* gets players to create a species before embarking on an epic quest to save their homeworld. EA's been pretty quiet on the game, so you'll probably want to try before you buy.
*Spore Hero Arena* Platform: Nintendo DS Developer: *Maxis* Publisher: *Electronic Arts* RRP: $AU49.95 *Spore Hero Arena* is a bit of a mix of *Spore* and Pokemon. Create your creature and take him around the universe in gladiatorial battles against other life forms. Defeat the local champions to gain new limbs and abilities to make your creature the baddest in the universe. Sounds fun, but we've not really seen much of it, so tread carefully.

09/10/2009

NBA 2K10
Platform: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 (Coming to Wii in late October)
Developer: Visual Concepts
Publisher: 2K Sports
RRP: $AU49.95 (PC), $AU99.95 (PS3, 360)

The king of video game basketball returns for another year with a whole slew of new features. Following on the success of EA's Be A Pro mode, 2K has introduced the My Player mode, where you create your own player and train yourself up to become an NBA Superstar. There's a ton of other refinements and adjustments, including the handy ability to save your match midway and return to it later, streaming of real world stats and news into the game, and the inclusion of the NBA Development League.

Next week, your wallet is screwed. Uncharted 2, Operation Flashpoint 2, Brutal Legend and Metroid Prime Trilogy – five utterly awesome looking games that you will definitely need to check out.