It’s beginning to look alot like Christmas. Well, not really, but the holiday release schedule is almost upon us! The upcoming weeks feature a number of hotly anticipated releases and the transition into the long awaited next generation of gaming. I don’t know about the rest of the gaming community but I am certainly looking forward to the next few months. It’s an exciting time to be a gamer, isn’t it? This week’s new releases feature an HD remake of a Nintendo classic, the return of the preeminent hoops franchise, a new F1 racer and a couple of 3DS RPG’s.
Coming out this week
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl (3DS)
Atlus’ latest RPG drops on October 1st on the 3DS. The game features two modes-Story and Classic. Play as the Highlander in Story Mode or create a party of up to five characters from nine different classes in Classic Mode. Fans can expect another notoriously, ahem, “challenging” game. Taking dungeon crawling to a whole new level, players must draw their own maps on the 3DS’ bottom screen as they progress if they hope to successfully navigate the game’s dungeons. As if that wasn’t tough enough, party selection is crucial to success as the game progresses. Failure to select party members that complement each other’s skills is costly. If notoriously challenging RPG’s are your forte, this game is for you.
F1 2013 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC)
Codemasters latest racer races into stores on October 4th. Two versions of F1 2013 will be released: F1 2013: Standard Edition and F1 2013: Classic Edition. The Standard Edition features all the drivers, cars and circuits from the 2013 season and includes remodelled handling, tyre changes and updated rules. Splurge on the Classic Edition and get yourself content from both the 80’s and 90’s as well as the classic circuits Imola and Estoril. I’m not quite sure what any of that means but I am sure that SarcasmoJones is most likely salivating profusely as he reads this.
NBA 2K14 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC, iOS)
Dribbling on to current generation consoles on October 1st, 2K Sport’s blockbuster hoops franchise NBA 2K14 returns featuring King James as its cover athlete. The game features improvements to the Assist Pass and Shot Stick functions. Assist Pass allows cross court and no look passes while Shot Stick allows more precise dribbling. Other features include the addition of Euroleague teams and a new mode entitled Lebron: Path to Greatness. Path to Greatness allows you to take control of Lebron’s future. Keep him with the Heat to continue the dynasty or banish him to the lowly Bobcats-it’s your choice.
Rain (PS3)
Releasing on PSN on October 1st, the puzzle platformer Rain puts you in the shoes of a lost little boy. When he sees a little girl’s silhouette outside in a downpour, he steps outside to search for her and steps into an invisible world-becoming invisible himself-that reveals itself only when it rains. Characters are invisible unless standing in the rain and must make use of cover to avoid the baddies that the rain brings with it. If you enjoy atmospheric games, check out Rain.
Rune Factory 4 (3DS)
RPG Rune Factory 4 is the series first foray on the 3DS. Publisher XSEED touts several new gameplay features such as “new romance options, male/female character selection at the beginning of the game and endless farming, crafting and cooking opportunities. Players can become a Selphian prince or princess, manage the village, explore the countryside with townsfolk, or tame monsters in the wild to aid them in battle or help out in the fields.” If you enjoy Japanese RPG’s you can pick up Rune Factory 4 on October 1st.
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (WiiU)
The GameCube classic from 10 years ago returns fully remastered in cel shaded 1080p. New features include using the GamePad controller to instantly access game maps and manage inventory items without having to pause the game, the addition of Hero Mode-which doubles enemy damage and limits health regeneration to drinking potions, visiting fairy fountains and earning new heart pieces or containers-and the addition of a new “Swift Sail” that reduces travel time by half. Set sail with this classic on October 4th.
