Happy Memorial Day week to everyone! This week is full of games and a heap of DLC. This week has consoles covered in DiRT, a MMO with an evil United Nations, some SEGA games brought back from the dead, and a What Were They Smoking?! game that may actually looks fun!
Multiplatform Releases
DiRT Showdown (PS3, XBOX360) - This latest version of the popular racing series takes a different direction from DiRT 4. Showdown is a bit more arcadey and the majority of gameplay focuses on multiplayer. Includes racing events, demolition derby, and “Hoonigan” events which focuses on exploration and stunts. [$59.99]
Playstation 3 Releases
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland - Japanese Role Playing Game is the thirteenth of the Atelier series and the third of the Arland series. [$49.99]
PC Releases
End Of Nations - Massive multiplayer online strategy game developed by Trion Worlds and Petroglyph Games. The story comes from a far away planet called Earth, where financial turmoil has caused governmental instability and anarchy. As if that sounds unrealistic, this organization called The United Nations takes over and renames itself the Order of Nations. Meanwhile two other factions are fighting for power as well as to overthrow the Order of Nations. Players have full control of their strategy, units, abilities and companies as they choose which side to be associated. The best part... it’s free to play! [Free!!]
Max Payne 3 - It has been eight years, but Max Payne is back! Wait... didn’t he come back a few weeks ago? Yes he did, but this time he’s back for the PC! The story of this third person shooter follows in Brazil, as Max tries to overcome his troubled past. Game includes new shooting mechanics and for the first time a full multiplayer mode. [$59.99]
Playstation Vita Releases
Resistance: Burning Skies - Vita gets a whole new adventure of the Resistance series. This one was written by William C Dietz, who wrote Resistance: The Gathering Storm and Resistance: A Hole In The Sky. Not to be confused with Resistance: There’s a hole in my bucket! (not a real book, don’t look for it).This game takes place in 1951 during the Chimeran invasion of the East Coast. The main character is New Jersey firefighter Tom Riley. This game is also the first first person shooter on a portable console to use dual analog sticks. Eight player multiplayer is included over six maps and three modes of play. [$39.99]
Arcade and DLC Releases
99 Seconds (DSi Ware) - An “avoid the objects” game... and that’s the industry name for this kind of game. If you can guess how long the time limit is before the game is over, you get a cookie. There are time bonuses you can get along the way, but those don’t count.
Batman: Arkham City - Harley Quinn’s Revenge (PC, PS3, XBOX360) New DLC story for Batman: Arkham City. Harley Quinn is the villain and she wants revenge on Batman. Also included are moments where you play as Robin. [$10.00]
Mad Riders (XBOX Live Arcade) - ATV racing game developed by Ubisoft. Perform stunts and race on 45 different tracks. Includes a multiplayer drop-in system and three different multiplayer modes. [$10.00]
Prototype 2- Excessive Force Pack (PS3, XBOX360) - DLC includes a grenade launcher, new force multiplier powers, and four new skins. [$4.99]
Pure Chess (PSNetwork, Vita) - For those of you that like to play chess, but moving around pieces is too tiring, this may be your game! Includes three different chess sets, three locations, and three tournaments to participate in. Game also includes 100 chess puzzles and also gives you ELO and Tournament ratings. [TBD]
SEGA Vintage Collection: Golden Axe (XBOX Live Arcade) - Includes all three Golden Axe games.
SEGA Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage (XBOX Live Arcade) - Includes all three Streets of Rage games.
The Binding of Isaac: The Wrath of the Lamb (PC, Mac) - Latest DLC for this dungeon crawler includes alternate floors, new enemies and bosses, and a new item system. [$2.99]
What Were They Smoking?!
And now for the Memorial Day Week edition of the What Were They Smoking?! Award. I’m going to be nice this week and give this award to what may actually be a pretty fun game. This week the award goes to Retro City Rampage for Playstation Vita. This game is an open world genre game with a twist. The first twist is that it is a parody of the open world genre. The main character is simply known as “THE PLAYER” and create as much carnage as you can against the “EVIL GOOD GUYS”. The second twist is that the entire game is made in 8-bit blocky glory. If this weren’t enough, it brings back many gaming moments from the 1980’s, as well as some television and pop culture references. I’m not sure what this game was smoking, but I want whatever it is!! [$14.99]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNMFiwoOT-c
