Since the beginning of 2012, the volume of games being
released has been increasing to a slight degree. March sees a massive influx in
releases and a drastic change of pace for us gamers. We find ourselves in that
arduous situation once more where we must choose from an array of tantalising
games. Are you slightly unsure which titles you should purchase from this
bountiful release schedule? I’ll be taking a brief look at some of the titles
which may aid you in determining the ideal releases for you!
SSX
Developer(s): EA Canada
Publisher(s): EA Sports
Genre(s): Sports
Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s): February 28, 2012 (NA) March 1, 2012 (NZ
and AU) March 2, 2012 (EU) March 15, 2012 (JP)
Avid gamers worldwide have been anxious for the release of
this highly anticipated title. It was first revealed under the working title of
SSX: Deadly Descents during the Spike
Video Game Awards in 2010.
In SSX, the player
takes control of an individual to snowboard down various real-life mountains.
Examples of where these mountains reside are the Himalayas and the Antarctic.
This is the first game within the SSX series
to utilise real-life locations as opposed to fictional courses. The game allows
the player to utilise helicopters and wingsuits during their snowboarding
experience. SSX also includes
avalanches as you attempt to traverse the snowy landscapes.
The level design within SSX
has altered slightly from previous releases in the franchise. It features
greater open world gameplay and fewer invisible walls and barriers, which
allows the player to experience more freedom when playing the game. SSX utilises the combo system to allow
for the generation of trick points for completing various tricks and moves. The
game features an eclectic range of music from the likes of Run-D.M.C to the Two
Door Cinema Club.
Mass Effect 3
Developer(s): BioWare
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre(s): Role-playing game
Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer
Platform(s): PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s): March 6, 2012 (NA) March 8, 2012 (AU) March
9, 2012 (EU) March 15, 2012 (JP)
Mass Effect 3 will
mark the final chapter of the renowned trilogy, which will complete the story
of Commander Shepard. The decisions made during Mass Effect 1 and 2 will directly affect the gameplay within Mass Effect 3. Upon importing your
character, appearance and class can be altered. The character creator featured
in Mass Effect 3 will include more
features and hair-styles than previously available in Mass Effect 2.
The game will showcase tweaks to the combat system and cover
system. The inclusion of instant melee kills and more conventional grenades
will also be present in Mass Effect 3.
A four player multiplayer co-op experience will also be included in the game.
Upon completion of the game, the player will be granted to a New Game+ option
which allows them to continue playing following the end of the main plotline.
It also presents the opportunity to start the story again with their finished
Shepard and collect items they may not have retrieved in their first
playthrough.
Street Fighter X
Tekken
Developer(s): Capcom
Publisher(s): Capcom
Genre(s): Fighting
Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer
Platform(s): PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s): March 6, 2012 (NA) March 8, 2012 (JP) March
9, 2012 (EU)
Street Fighter X
Tekken is an upcoming crossover fighting game. The game will include
characters from the Street Fighter
and Tekken series. The gameplay will
be based on the 2D gameplay featured within Street
Fighter as opposed to the Tekken series.
The game incorporates elements such as Super Combos and EX Attacks from Street Fighter IV.
Players are required to select two fighters from the Street Fighter and Tekken series when preparing for combat. Both sets of characters
will be controlled utilising the Street
Fighter 6-button system, however, the Tekken
characters possess the ability to perform Tekken
style combos utilising the primary four buttons in a similar manner to the Tekken 4-button system. As the fight progresses, a three sectioned
meter known as the Cross Gauge will fill up with power. Depending on how much
power has been amassed, it grants the player the ability to perform various
techniques and moves such as EX Attacks, Cancels and Super Arts.
The Sims 3:
Showtime
Developer(s): The Sims Studio
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre(s): Life simulation game
Mode(s): Single play
Platform(s): PC
Release date(s): March 6, 2012 (NA) March 9, 2012 (EU)
The Sims 3: Showtime
is the sixth expansion pack of The Sims 3
series. The introduction of SimPort allows individuals to send performers
on tour to perform shows within their friends’ towns. The player can also invite
your friends to send their Sims to perform for them which also grants them the
ability to customise the venue with props, lights and special effects. The
player can throw items at performers if they wish such as lettuce or flowers.
Choosing not to utilise the SimPort option will not alter of
hinder gameplay with any interactions that do not require SimPort. Using
SimPort allows the player to unlock props, costumes and backgrounds for their Sims.
Sims who visited a player’s town will default to the traits, clothes and
objects that they possess in their game. Players have the ability to converse
with one another via messaging whilst their Sims performed in other towns.
Silent Hill:
Downpour
Developer(s): Vatra Games
Publisher(s): Konami Digital Entertainment
Genre(s): Survival horror
Mode(s): Single play
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s): March 13, 2012 (INT)
Silent Hill: Downpour
will be the eighth instalment in the Silent
Hill series. The protagonist is a prisoner by the name of Murphy Pendleton
who is stranded in Silent Hill, after
the prison transport vehicle he was on-board careers off a road. The plot
within Downpour will focus primarily
on Murphy and unrelated to the previous instalments of the series. The events
of Downpour will take place in the
southeastern region of Silent Hill,
which until this release has never been explored in past instalments of Silent Hill.
The protagonist will have access to few firearms and various
breakable melee weapons in Silent Hill:
Downpour. It is only possible to carry one single melee weapon at a time in
the game. Downpour will include side-quests
that will alter depending on the individual’s playing style. Buildings that
were featured in past instalments of Silent Hill such as the hospital and school
will not be included in Downpour. The
element of water plays a fundamental role in this title, with torrential rain
being featured.
Resident Evil:
Operation Racoon City
Developer(s): Slant Six Games
Publisher(s): Capcom
Genre(s): Action
Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer
Platform(s): PC, Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Release date(s):
March 20, 2012 (NA) March 22, 2012 (AU) March 23, 2012 (EU) April 26,
2012 (JP) (Playstation 3 & Xbox 360) May 18, 2012 (EU & NA) (PC)
The plot of Resident
Evil: ORC will take place during the events of Resident Evil 2 and Resident
Evil 3: Nemesis. The game is set
within Racoon City where the
residents have transformed into zombies following an outbreak of the T-virus, a
biological weapon developed by the pharmaceutical company Umbrella. The player
will take the role of either an officer of the Umbrella Security Service (USS)
or the United States Special Operations Force. Each side is assigned with their
own individual task to complete. The members of the USS are assigned the task
of destroying evidence regarding Umbrella’s illegal activities, including
eliminating survivors of the outbreak. The Special Operations team is assigned
with the task of exposing the actions of the company. Resident Evil: ORC will require the player to make ‘what-if’
decisions throughout the game.
There are twelve playable characters in Resident Evil: ORC,
with six characters for each team. Alongside the single player mode, the game
also includes a four-player co-op experience which pits the USS against the US
Special Operations task force.
With such a tremendous selection of games being released in
March, the pockets of gamers are going to be stretched to full capacity.
Hopefully this brief look at a handful of titles being released will aid you in
making a decision regarding which ones you should purchase. I’ve also included
a list of other titles being released which may capture your interest. I’d like
to thank you for taking the time to read this article.
Many thanks,
Hannah
List of releases: VGReleases
I have SSX and it's such a great game. It's the best sports game I've played since the old PES games. Like the rest of the planet I'll be picking up Mass Effect 3. I Am Alive will probably get downloaded and I'll probably check out Ninja Gaiden 3, SF X Tekken, RE: ORC, Asura's Wrath, Journey and Shoot Many Robots. Yeah I'd say it's going to be a great month.
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