I’m a dog person. Always have been with two exceptions. One was the dog that followed me home as I was delivering papers, growling and barking at me the whole way. The other was a dog that lived behind the house I grew up in. He was a gorgeous German Shepherd, but he was also an old police dog that seemed to relish scaring the living bejesus out of anyone that passed through the alley by his fence.
What does that have to do with this weeks crop of games? Well, if you are asking that question then you need to keep reading! Don’t worry, it’s a short list this week so it won’t take you long.
Watch Dogs
Release Date: May 27th, 2014
Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, WiiU, Xbox 360,Xbox One
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHcdgbzZe_A[width=650,height=366]
This week belongs to Watch Dogs. You have waited an extended period of time to play as a thug, hacker, information freedom fighter. Snowden, if he grew up on the wrong side of the tracks. I know you are excited. I can almost taste your anticipation, but I going to wait on the verdict. Watch Dogs looks cool, but I can’t help making some comparisons to Batman...just without all the bat gadgets and likely Bat’s sticky “no kill” policy. Out for revenge for family? Check! Set in Chicago, aka Gotham? Check! Has access to the city’s infrastructure and can manipulate to his will? Check! Watch Dogs is intriguing and I can’t wait to see what the reviews are like.
Mario Kart 8
Release Date: May 30th, 2014
Platform: WiiU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mU7tXqYplA8[width=650,height=366]
Mario Kart 8. I hate that blue shell: pure unadulterated hate. We have all been there. In first place and racing towards the finish line when you hear the warning. You hope beyond all hope that you can make it across the line in time. Head down, thumb on the gas and repeating a phrase like “please” or “come on” over and over and over. Then you see it, flying over your head right before it hits. The resulting explosion knocks you and your kart ass over teakettle while you watch 3,4,5 or more karts cross the line that looks to be within arms reach. Shit! You recover and sheepishly cross the finish line while the other characters seemingly mock your failure. I bet it was Yoshi. That dino always has a smug look on his face. Play again? Damn straight! How can Mario Kart be so frustrating and fun at the same time?
Final Fantasy III
Release Date: May 27th, 2014
Platform: PC
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cySEm8V2R3Y[width=650,height=366]
Released in 1990 and now retooled, optimized and better than ever! It may have taken 24 years but Final Fantasy III is releasing on on Steam for the PC. No emulators needed! There is something to be said for stories in the FF series. Especially the early ones. I was never a fan, but I had friends who were and who still have a soft spot in their heart for those games. This release is for them.
Word on the street is we might see Iittle Dew release on the WiiU this week and the creepy Slender: The Arrival may find its way to the Xbox 360. There are also a few releases for the Vita, such as Monster Monpiece, The Sly Collection, and Mind Zero. Those of you with Vita’s may be interested.
