The Month Ahead - April 2012

The month of April sees releases decline slightly but still promises an eclectic range of titles for you to enjoy. Hopefully having less of a selection this month will allow your bank account to recover from March’s spending spree. That being said, these titles do look pretty tempting…

Kinect Star Wars

Developer(s): Terminal Reality

Publisher(s): LucasArts

Genre(s): Action

Mode(s): Single play, local co-op

Platform(s): Xbox 360

Release date(s): April 3, 2012

Kinect Star Wars is arguably the most anticipated title for the Kinect to date. With a console and limited edition Kinect designed around the game, it has successfully captured the imagination of budding Star Wars fans. 

The player is required to take the role of a Jedi within Kinect Star Wars. Several new characters are introduced throughout the game as you make progress.  Utilising the Kinect the player possesses the ability to throw objects with the Force or wield a lightsaber merely by using their hands. The player can use their body to control X-wing starfighters and podracers and can also utilise a voice component to make additional commands.

The events of Kinect Star Wars takes place during the prequel trilogy timeline of the Star Wars universe. It begins shortly after Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace and concludes during the events of Star Wars III: Revenge of the Sith. Settings from the original trilogy are included in the game such as planet Bespin featured in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. The player also gets the opportunity to fight Darth Vader in the game.

Prototype 2

Developer(s): Radical Entertainment

Publisher(s): Activision

Genre(s): Action

Mode(s): Single play

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Release date(s): April 24, 2012 (NA) April 27, 2012 (EU) (Playstation 3 & Xbox 360) July 24, 2012 (NA) (PC)

The protagonist in Prototype 2 is James Heller, an individual that holds Alex Mercer responsible for the deaths of his family members. Following his survival of a suicide mission and having the virus administered by Alex Mercer, Heller wishes to kill Mercer. Mercer is the game’s primary antagonist. Owing to the mutation of the virus, Heller does not completely resemble Mercer. The virus’ mutation has formed tendrils which makes Heller’s appearance a more organic and fluid look as opposed to Mercer’s black and red metallic coloration. 

The events within Prototype 2 take place 14 months after the events of Prototype.  Manhattan has been quarantined and cordoned off from the other boroughs of New York City. These boroughs have been divided into three categories, the Red, Yellow and Green zones. Each region symbolises how affected that segment of New York City is by the Blacklight virus. The Red zone is Manhattan which happens to be the home of Alex Mercer. Within this zone, the virus proceeds to grow unhindered.  The Yellow zone is a triage full of the poor and shanty towns. The Green zone highlights the non-infected area of New York City. Heller will have missions within each zone to complete. The difficulty of the mission will depend on which zone it resides within.

The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings (Console)

Developer(s): CD Projekt Red

Publisher(s): Namco Bandai

Genre(s): Role-playing game

Mode(s): Single play

Platform(s): Xbox 360

Release date(s): April 17, 2012 (INT)

Owing to the popularity of The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings on the PC, a decision has been made to transfer it to console to allow console gamers to delve into its splendour. The Witcher 2: Assassins of Kings allows the player to traverse various paths and storylines which include multiple endings. The player takes control of Geralt of Rivia, one of the few remaining witchers. Witchers are humans who are genetically enhanced to allow them to combat monsters from a young age. Each witcher possesses unique special powers. These range from alchemy, magic and sword handling. 

During the prologue, Geralt is interrogated within a prison in the kingdom of Temeria by Vernon Roche. He is the commander of a group of Temerian special forces by the name of the Blue Stripes. He is being interrogated regarding the assassination of the king of Temeria, King Foltest. Geralt recalls the events leading up to Foltest’s death, during which he acted as Foltest’s bodyguard. During an uprising against Foltest by noble families of Temeria, Foltest personally handles the battle to locate his illegitimate children, Anais and Boussy, who are being held captive by the rebels.  Once Foltest locates his children, he is assassinated by an assassin disguised as a blind monk, who proceeds to escape before Geralt has time to react. Temerian forces then locate Geralt and falsely accuse him of killing Foltest. After Geralt protesting his innocence, Roche decides to aid him in escaping prison.

With a slim selection of games being released, is this the calm before the storm in terms of the release calendar? We’ll have to wait and see. I thank you for reading and I hope you have a lovely month of gaming. Below is a list of other titles that are being released for you to contemplate purchasing.

Many thanks,

Hannah

List of releases: VGReleases

Sources: IGN, Gamespot, Wikipedia

The Month Ahead: March 2012

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

Sources: IGN, Gamespot, Wikipedia