Halloween is over, and while the rest of the world focuses on the dysfunctional American electoral system, 2Old2Play is going to focus on getting its game on. If you're 2Old2Play, then you’re old enough to vote on Tuesday. Afterwards you should reward your participation in American politics by shopping for a new release at your favorite game boutique. This week we have the long-awaited sequel in the series that launched 2 consoles, cars driving in circles, Dragon balls, paper plumbers, we go back to Deponia, General Patton get his own game, and we visit Ragnarok...no, not that Ragnarok.
Microsoft
Halo 4
Halo was Microsoft’s launch title for the Xbox, and Halo 2 launched the Xbox 360. Halo 4 is going to launch the 2Old2Play Chicago LAN. Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to take advantage of the two days you will have with Halo 4 before the LAN to get familiar with the game. I would suggest taking those days off from work and buying a bottle of tequila, so you can practice drunk to simulate LAN playing conditions. Make a shot, take a shot. It releases exclusively for the Xbox 360, on November 6...at midnight. Some of you are already waiting in line for this...and that’s just sad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7dqtgkSWeQ
Sony
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
The newest Metal Gear was supposed to release Tuesday, but Master Chief scared Raiden off...we won’t see him until February.
Ragnarok Tactics
Unlike Ragnarok Online, this spin-off is more of a tactical RPG than anything. The nomenclature is misleading, as there are no Viking or Norse Gods apparent in any reference material I researched. Players customize and the develop their character through battle experience on a digitized grid, just like folks have been doing for decades, so nothing new there. What is new, however, is the Japanese apparent misinterpretation of Norse Mythology...so expect anything. Ragnarok Tactics his the PSP exclusively, on November 6.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbZaSta1JDg
Nintendo
Paper Mario: Sticker Star
The newest entry in the Paper Mario series has a bit of a sticky twist. Stickers are used as collectibles, interactive environmentals, and weapons. Collect stickers and add them to Mario’s sticky book of plumberly warfare. Different weapons work with different enemies, so a bit of tactical cleverness is required to progress. Paper Mario: Sticker Stars hits the Nintendo 3DS, on November 11. What is the deal with Nintendo and Sunday releases?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6X1GFntm08
PC
Deponia 2: Chaos on Deponia
The abrupt ending to Deponia left little doubt to Daedalic Entertainment’s sequel ambitions. The wisecracking protagonist, Rufus, has grown a bit wiser and is full of questions: will his luck ever improve, will he give up training torpedo dolphins, and of course, why did the last game have such a crappy ending? Can Rufus overcome his egocentric behavior, piece his girlfriend back together, and save Deponia from chaos? PC gamers can go back to Deponia for answers, for about $20, starting November 6.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WszI_y9nQS0
Multiplatform
NASCAR The Game: Inside Line
Three types of racers exist in the video game world: those who like cars, those who like car chases, and those who like driving in circles. NASCAR The Game: Inside Line, naturally, appeals to the circle-driving redneck in all of us. Faithful recreations of real-world NASCAR tracks, like The Brickyard, Texas Motor Speedway, and Talladega, are the shining stars in every NASCAR game, and Inside Line is no exception. The cars are essentially identical, so driving strategy and patience are the skills needed in the grueling world of mile and a half ovals and annoying crew chiefs. Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii players should drive cautiously to pick this one up, on November 6.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4cV4nFu8R8
Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection
The 2Old2Play HD Makeover Game of the Week is is Dragon Ball Z Budokai HD Collection. 23 Dragon Ball characters beat the shit out of each other, just like they did back in the day, except now they fight in high definition. A collector’s edition offers ridiculous extras, like the anime series and music, for a ridiculous price. I like to describe HD makeovers as better looking versions of games that I have been sick of for a long time. Xbox 360 and PS3 players can relive their childhood, in HD, starting November 6. I hand-picked the shittiest trailer I could find to punctuate my disdain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rlEpm7mDfHM
History: Legends of War Patton
Players assume the role of General George Patton just after the landing on Normandy Beach...sorry fellow gamers, that one has been done. Combining RTS and turn-based strategic elements is a novel approach by Maximum Games. The single player campaign develops over 35 strategic missions on the road to Berlin, and multiplayer features a head-to-head “Hotseat” mode. The History Channel branding insures that the cutscenes will be actual historical film clips. PS Vita, PS3, and Xbox 360 players have some very big shoes to fill, starting November 6.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCze9skbKIU
