Decisions, Decisions: A Look At Forthcoming Releases
If the release calendar over at GamePlay is anything to go by, September is going to be a very difficult month for myself in the decisions department. Looking at my wish list, September alone has 7 titles out which I’m desperate to drop some cash on and invest some serious time into.
Fortunately I can’t jump from one game to another without completing whatever I started, so I won’t find my bank balance taking too much of a hammering. I am, however, completely stumped as to what I should buy.
Infinite Undiscovery
Being an RPG nut I downloaded the trailer of Infinite Undiscovery when it first appeared on Marketplace. Visually it looks epic, but no longer subscribing to any gaming magazines I’m quite out of touch as to how it’s been shaping up. No doubt the usual criticisms shall be made; ‘cliché story, irritating characters, bad dialogue’, but I’m not looking for an RPG to reinvent the wheel, I just get a kick out of exploring such an expansive Universe. However, I’ve not long finished Lost Odyssey (which any RPG loving 360 owner should buy), and whenever I wrap up an RPG I’m always in the mood for something lighter.
Splinter Cell: Conviction
I’ve only ever played one Splinter Cell game (Double Agent), and I’m definitely not a dab hand at the stealth genre, plus the direction the new Splinter Cell game has taken looks entirely different to what the franchise is all about. Regardless, I do like my Tom Clancy games, and I enjoyed playing as Sam Fisher before. I’ll be waiting to see how this pans out, but if the reviews are commendable then it’s definitely a potential purchase.
Looks like this game won’t be coming out next month after all. It’s been dropped back to a 2009-2010 release date.
Silent Hill: Homecoming
I don’t think the Xbox 360 has a great selection of horror games – it’s definitely a genre we’ve been sorely lacking, but one I’ve been greatly anticipating more of. Aside from the Condemned series, what other horror games are there? The last Silent Hill game I played was many years ago on the original Playstation, but I remember absolutely loving the atmosphere emitted from the game’s environment. Hopefully Homecoming can do the same thing and provide a few much needed scares.
Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise
I’ve received messages on Xbox Live before from people wondering why I play Viva Pinata. It’s a kids game, after all *rolls eyes* Actually, given the chance I have no doubt that everyone and anyone can enjoy Viva Pinata. It’s as complex as you want to make it, so while Microsoft marketed it as a kids games, adults can have just as much fun with it, if not more. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Trouble in Paradise doesn’t change the formula of the original too much. More Pinatas and a wider variety of items to decorate your garden with would be great.
Brothers In Arms: Hells Highway
I love WWII shooters. I’m probably the only person who has yet to grow sick of them. I am, however, a Brothers in Arms virgin, but I’ve heard great things about the previous games. Plus, the few trailers and hands-on videos I’ve seen make it look like a really promising addition. Apparently, and you can correct me if I’m wrong, Brothers In Arms relies heavily on the interaction between squad mates giving it a tactical element. I love tactical shooters therefore Brothers In Arms, with its WWII setting, sounds right up my street.
But There’s More!
Feel free to have a look at the rest of my September wish list. I’ve still got Condemned 2 to start, and I do have every intention of finally buying Grand Theft Auto 4, not to mention the Bourne game has been luring me in lately. It says a lot when someone who games as much as I do doesn’t have nearly enough time to play all the games they want.
What would you suggest I buy out of my desired games? Are you having the same problem as I am? I’m actually wishing there was a longer gaming drought…
Tags: Brothers In Arms: Hells Highway, Condemned 2: Bloodshot, Infinite Undiscovery, Lost Odyssey, Silent Hill: Homecoming, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Tom Clancy, Viva Pinata, Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise
This is where I, Ashley Baxter, blog about gaming. At the moment my primary console is the Xbox 360, so expect the topic of conversation to revolve around that.
July 28th, 2008 at 11:44 am
It’s funny, as a PC gamer I have no decisions to make at all. Come September 5th, I will be playing Spore!
July 28th, 2008 at 12:59 pm
SPORE it shall be
And Diablo3 we´ll hail afterwards.( well 2009…) Left4 Dead should come out in abou 100days too.
Btw - sorry being one more of those PC-Gamer-Trolls.
July 28th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
I don’t miss being a PC gamer in the least. Not only are you paying out the most for hardware, etc. but you have the fewest games to choose from. Sounds like a lose lose to me.
Since I own all 3 consoles, my list is about 3 times the length of yours. But honestly, I’ll be playing most on the my Xbox 360, as usual. The only game on my list for Wii is Wii Fit, which I’m still yet to see on a shelf. The PS3 only has a couple, with Little Big Planet at the top of the list. I’ll be playing Spore as well, on my Mac though.
Like you Ashley, I’ve got Brothers in Arms near the top of my list. I played the first game a couple times through, but never completed the second. In any case, it’s an entirely different experience, and I’m sure you’ll like it. You’re placed in situations where you actually feel bad if you command your troops to do something only to have them mowed down. They yell at you too, “Get us out of here! We’re taking heavy fire!” Great stuff! I’m really looking forward to it.
At the very top of my list though, is The Force Unleashed. I loves me some Star Wars, and the concept and story behind that game is everything I could have asked for. Hopefully it can live up to my expectations.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
I was looking at the release calendar last night actually and I’m actually slightly disappointed. There doesn’t seem to be any games that I’m genuinely excited about. If I had to pick one game from your wishlist it would probably be Brothers in Arms, although I haven’t had any previous experience with the series. I am looking forward to Spore and I’m cautiously optimistic about Mirror’s Edge but overall there’s nothing that really grabs my attention.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:53 pm
Only today I walked into Gamestation and after approximately 2 minutes walked right back out empty handed. Nothing is grabbing my attention at the moment so it’s back to whoring some more points out of PGR4, COD2, and RSV.
I didn’t realise there was so much good stuff coming out soon, but it’s welcome news. I’d never even heard about a sequel VP game, so I’m *really* excited about that! You know how much I loved the first one (spot on with your comments on it *not* being just a kid’s game - possibly the most stressed I’ve been with a game!), so I’ll definitely buy this unless they ruin it. Is it Rare though? Something tells me they loaned/sold the rights to someone else?
Beyond that, how amazing does Infinite Undiscovery look? If it’s even half as good as LO I’ll but whiling my way through another 100+ hours I imagine. And I’ve always been a big Silent Hill fan so I’ll wait for reviews on that.
I’m really liking Matt’s comments on Brothers in Arms, which have perhaps changed my view on *yet another* WWII shooter. That sounds intriguing, I’ll have to check it out.
July 28th, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Andy, no chance of you picking up a console at any point?
I’ve yet to play any video games on my Mac, but everyone is talking about Spore, so we’ll see…
Xenon, don’t apologise! I personally can’t imagine ever getting into PC gaming - just the cost of maintenance on top of playing where I work during the day is enough to put me off. I like to veg out on the sofa while playing video games.
Matt, Brothers in Arms sounds like it could be amazing, and I definitely can’t wait to finally get to play it after hearing a lot about it. Along with Fable 2, it’s one of the games I’m leaning more so towards buying.
The Force Unleashed… Well, I’m not the biggest Star Wars fan admittedly (only watching the earlier movies to get my Harrison Ford fix!), and I have somewhat of an intense dislike towards sci-fi stuff, which is why I’ve yet to take the plunge and buy Mass Effect :p But I can see what’s so appealing about The Force Unleashed to a Star Wars fan.
July 28th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
Eek, completely missed two comments!
Andy, I too am cautiously optimistic about Mirrors Edge - that’s the best way to describe it. I’ve had a lot of experiences in the past where I’ve been let down by games generating a lot of hype and buzz (Gears of War, Oblivion). Now I reserve my judgement until I see how friends react when playing it, and I also wipe clean any expectations so I’m hopefully left pleasantly surprised!
Loud, you’ll be glad to know the VP sequel is made by Rare! So looks like we’ll both be having relatively high hopes for it. Infinite Undiscovery is a game that I am without a shadow of doubt buying, even if the (unreliable JRPG) reviews pan out to be mediocre. I just don’t know when as I like to dedicate a lot of time to my RPGs, plus, like I said, I’ve not long finished LO. I like to slot a mindless shooter in between my RPGs!
July 28th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
@Andy/Rockers: What is Mirror’s Edge?
@Rockers: We both know what the reviews will say about IU, as they usualy wheel out the usual stuff when a JRPG comes along. I think we talked about this whe LO came out, the very flaws they were deducting points for are the reasons we love the game! And those very reasons were the reasons Andy hates JRPG’s. Love ‘em or hate ‘em I guess!
Also, downside to playing games on your Mac - you’ll really miss achievements! Unless it’s a Microsoft game, but would that whole Microsoft gaming network thingamy work on a Mac? Me no know, I’m a Mac noob. Bye!
July 28th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
@Matt Brett: LittleBigPlanet is on my radar, but I don’t think it’s releasing till later. I’m definately looking forward to Star Wars: The Force Unleased though!
I think I’ll definatelu pick up some platinum games though, like MotorStorm and Ratchet & Clank. Yes, I’m cheap!
July 29th, 2008 at 10:00 am
Loud78, Mirror’s Edge is a first person action-adventure game that’s generating a lot of interest. You should go to GameTrailers and watch what they have available. I haven’t really seen another game that looks like this. There’s a huge emphasis on fluid movement - just watch the trailer and you’ll see what I mean. It looks pretty cool.
Los Havros, you’re not cheap… You’re a student!
July 29th, 2008 at 11:54 am
I’m quite excited about Trouble in Paradise, the wife and I have just got back into playing VP again and we’ve managed to get to Level 49. The use of the vision camera will be really interesting in the new game.
I can’t wait for Fable II either that game will be really good fun!
After that though it’s all nappies and baby stuff for me
July 29th, 2008 at 3:18 pm
Dave, that’s right. At some point down the line you’ll have little to no time left for gaming
Better fit a lot of it in beforehand then.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:30 pm
@Dave/Ash, don’t believe it, I have a 2 year old and I still make plenty of time for gaming and always have done (you should know this Ash!). Obviously your priorities change but your life doesn’t need to be completely overhauled. I wish you well with the birth!
July 31st, 2008 at 2:35 pm
Top of my list would be Force Unleashed, the game footage has been awesome and as Matt said, I love me some Star Wars. I also plan to get Lego Batman, Rock Band 2, and Viva Pinata. Plus Ghostbusters is the following month. I plan to check out Mirrors Edge at least as it looks interesting.
I’m a fan of Splinter Cell and have been for awhile and still pissed on the delays. The original release day was November 2007 and has been pushed back many times now to 09-10. Was really wanting this to be the year it came out.
August 2nd, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Just though of something else you should add to your list, Battlefield: Bad Company
August 3rd, 2008 at 9:57 pm
James, the Lego games would only really appeal to me if I had someone to play co-op with, and I don’t even mean over Xbox Live, but rather in the same room. I would probably pick up Indiana Jones over Batman, though.
Andy, I would have given Bad Company more of a look in had I not had so many games on the go at the moment. Like I said, I wish there was a longer gaming drought.