Wondering what to play this month? Andrew Testerman has a list of the major upcoming titles to get you through August 2011. All dates are North American releases, unless otherwise stated.

August is here, and summer is coming to a close. The gaming landscape is as arid as ever, but even as we look forward to autumn and its big releases, there are still a few choice titles released this month worth getting excited about. Read on to find out what you should be playing during the winding-down days of summer.

2nd August

Kicking off the month is NIS America’s Bleach: Soul Resurrección, an action hack-and-slash based on the popular animé and manga series. Players control up to twenty-one characters from the series, including mainstays like Ichigo, Rukia, Uryu, and Toshiro, as they fight to kick the ever-loving crap out of the Arrancars. Soul Resurrección sports a combat system that borrows from crowd control-heavy titles like the Dynasty Warriors series, and also features an upgrade system based on the Sphere Grid in Final Fantasy X. Soul Resurrección uses stylish cel-shaded visuals to match the look of the show, and fans can expect both English and Japanese voices throughout.

9th August

This week, you can look forward to nothing. That’s right, there are absolutely no major game releases scheduled for release for the week beginning 9th August, 2011. If you’re still looking to get your game on for the week, you could always check out this year’s crop of Xbox Live Summer of Arcade titles, or perhaps content yourself with replaying some of 2011’s other noteworthy downloadable games. Either way, you won’t be getting anything new this week.

16th August

After being delayed at the eleventh hour, El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron is finally seeing a stateside release, with a European release soon to follow. We’ve since had time to go hands-on with El Shaddai and are more excited than ever to tear into this game when it finally drops. The art direction is miles above the average bronze-and-dirt-coloured next-gen title, and the combat is visceral and satisfying. In addition, El Shaddai also features several sidescrolling stages, which help break up the action. Very Japanese and very fun, we’re hoping that El Shaddai will benefit from its mid-August release.



Speaking of very Japanese, this week also sees the release of No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise, a port of Grasshopper Manufacture’s 2008 Wii cult classic. For those who don’t remember, gamers take control of Travis Touchdown, an otaku slacker whose goal is to become the number one assassin in the world. Using a light sab... erm, 'beam katana', he bought online, Travis must hunt down and kill a list of ten assassins in order to reach the top rung of the United Assassins Association. Heroes’ Paradise features upgraded HD visuals and PlayStation Move support, as well as more missions, side jobs, and various gameplay fixes from the Wii version. Gamers who missed out on No More Heroes on the Wii should book a one-way ticket to Santa Destroy, and fans of the first game should plan on a return trip.

23rd August

A prequel to Eidos’ much-loved, open-ended shooter-RPG, Deus Ex: Human Revolution promises to bring an even greater breadth of gameplay styles and options than ever before. Set twenty-five years before the events of Deus Ex, Human Revolution follows Adam Jensen, a private security officer forced to undergo drastic physical augmentations after an attack on his company left him incredibly injured. Human Revolution offers five gameplay types for players to mix and match: Combat, Stealth, Hacking, Exploration and Social. Players can choose to concentrate on one style for a focussed experience, or use a combination to craft their own experiences and solutions. Expect Deus Ex’s signature thematic blend of conspiracy theories and philosophical overtones as well. Gamers in love with taking ownership over how they play will want to give Deus Ex: Human Revolution their undivided attention.



Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked is the first major RPG for the 3DS, and judging from its predecessor’s pedigree for handheld role-playing, we’re hoping it’s not the last. Telling the story of the last seven days on earth, Devil Survivor Overclocked follows a group of Japanese teens as they attempt to discover and halt what is bringing about the world’s demise. Like previous games in the series, Devil Survivor Overclocked hopes to draw players in with its layered story and multiple endings, as well as its tactical, demon-focussed combat. Devil Survivor Overclocked is an enhanced port of 2009’s Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor, and adds more than just upgraded graphics; new voice work is added to the game’s proceedings, alongside an expanded epilogue similar to 2008’s Persona 3 FES. Devil Survivor Overclocked’s mix of modern, supernatural art direction and team-based tactical action should give handheld RPG fans a satisfying experience.

30th August

Developed by the creative mind behind 2005’s Black, Bodycount is a new FPS from Codemasters featuring fast-paced gameplay and big explosions. It takes some serious guts to release a new shooter IP in the console space, but Bodycount is hoping to distinguish itself from its genre compatriots; it applies a heavy focus on destructible environments, letting players tear through cover to get to tenacious opponents, and utilises a cover-lean mechanic for taking cover. Similar to People Can Fly’s Bulletstorm, Bodycount also emphasises chaining together combos of skillful kills, and players can purchase upgrades based on how well they perform during the level. For those curious about Bodycount, Gamer’s Guide to Life.com has an exclusive interview coming up in the next few weeks with the game's Art Director, complete with answers to the questions you wanted answering.



Annual sports games have a tough time staying ahead of the curve and delivering a solid, fresh experience year-in and year-out, but fans of the Madden NFL franchise will have plenty to be excited about with this year’s Madden NFL 12. Casting aside the focus on gimmicky additions, EA Tiberon is fixing legacy issues that have plagued the Madden series for years, like magnet tackles and catching. EA Tiberon is also overhauling the Franchise mode, which has gone several years now with few additions. Throw in a better, TV-style presentation and more small on-field details, and this looks like the Madden game football enthusiasts have been longing for.



PC gamers have had several hard months without a major release (but hey, those Steam sales helped tide you over, right?). August sees at least one title find its way onto store shelves. Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad is a Second World War FPS, but with so many modern military shooters being released, the 1942 Stalingrad setting seems more fresh than it once was.

Developer Ignition Entertainment is striving to make a more realistic shooter in the vein of Operation Flashpoint, with a lack of regenerating health and the addition of hyper-lethal bullets. Red Orchestra 2 focusses on the battles between Russia and Germany in 1942 and 1943, and it’s likely that the brutality of the Stalingrad battles will help this title earn every inch of its M rating. A challenging, focussed shooter at a budget price, Red Orchestra 2: Heroes of Stalingrad should satisfy Second World War history buffs and hardcore PC shooter fans alike.

Labels: 2011, Andrew Testerman, Feature, Releases, The Month Ahead

Spring is upon us, which means we can finally stow that nasty old snow shovel away for the next several months and pick up the Wiimote or DS a little more. Oh wait, I guess that grass isn’t going to cut itself. Crap. But, for those you who don’t have to worry about tedious Spring chores (lucky), there are some nice titles hitting the Wii in the next few months. I’m only diving into the Wii this time around because I was hard pressed to find any noteworthy games for the DS (besides Tetris Party Deluxe). I may need to delve a little bit deeper to find them, but please, if there’s one or more solid ones you know about coming in the next few months, let me know about it and I’ll put together an exclusive DS “On The Horizon” piece.

Now, onto the games…

Super Mario Galaxy 2

How can I start anywhere else than with the Big N’s mustachioed mascot in his big Wii sequel, Super Mario Galaxy 2? Once again you will launch yourself across the galaxy, this time travelling in your own starship, battling baddies on large and small planetoids, defying many laws of gravity, much like the first game of the series. And much like its predecessor, you will use features such as Pull Stars and reverse-gravity arrows to obtain stars in order to unlock new levels. The biggest inclusion would have to be the return of that lovable green dinosaur mount, Yoshi. As we can expect, Yoshi brings forth his usual tools such as his long and sticky tongue and the ability to power up by eating different fruits; some that make him quickly dash, inflate like a balloon, and even find secrets paths. Mario will also have a healthy new supply of power-ups, like Cloud Mario, Rock Mario, and a drill which allows you to tunnel through the ground. Don’t expect anything new as far as graphics quality or music, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing considering the first game was absolutely gorgeous to look at, and the orchestrated music was equally pleasant to listen to. Although this is a definite purchase for myself and any other Nintendophiliacs out there, I’m going to remain a bit sceptical. As fun as the game may be, and even though we’ve been told by Nintendo’s big boys that the game contains over 90% new content, right now it just doesn’t seem like enough of a break from the first game to keep it fresh. I hope the game proves me wrong, and you can definitely expect a review from me on this on. Super Mario Galaxy 2 will be released in Europe on June 11th and in the U.S. on May 27th.


Metroid: Other M

Alright, just a quick teaser here about Metroid: Other M, the next game in the venerable series. Since it is technically coming out shortly after the Summer Solstice, I won’t dive into it here, but you can expect a thorough preview as we get closer to the release date. Until then, the official website has a couple of nice trailers for you to enjoy.


Tetris Party Deluxe

Let me move on then to another long running series, Tetris. You all know it, and most of you love it. Well, if you weren’t smart enough to download Tetris Party for the WiiWare, here’s your chance for redemption. A full-fledged disc/cartridge version of Tetris Party Deluxe is coming to the Wii and the DS, and includes all the wonderful game modes that made the WiiWare version a hit, along with even more to satiate your puzzling appetite. Add that to the full spectrum of Wii peripherals that can be used to play, and you can expect a solid solo or multiplayer experience. The Wii Speak, Mario Kart wheel, and the Balance Board are all used to make it the most versatile Tetris, or any game for that matter, available for the Wii. Remember using your bottom on the Balance Board to move around the Tetrominoes? Well it’s time to find that ass grove again. You will also be able to use the Wii Speak as a chatting (taunting) device when playing multiplayer matches. My biggest hope for this version is that Hudson and Tetris Online continue the success of the tournament they created back in December of 2008 and give us a stable mode to win prizes, or better yet a league would be killer. Sign me up! For the DS most of the game modes found on the Wii version (minus the ones that require a Wii peripheral) are also available for the DS. You can even chat in multiplayer using the microphone on the DS, so no heavy breathing… it’s a sign of weakness. Since Tetris began its legacy on a handheld, it only makes sense to bring it to the DS, and hails as one of the easiest games pick up and play, and one the best for those on-the-go gaming spurts (or long car rides). Both the Wii and DS versions are scheduled for a Q2 2010 release.


Trauma Team

Trauma Team, an installment from the Trauma Center series, will hit U.S. stores on May 18th with no European release date set, but probably to be expected late spring or early summer. Trauma Team keeps some similarities with the other games of the series, such as the Japanime art style and comic book presentation, along with the character intrigue and overblown plotlines. Oh yeah, and the medical procedures too. The difference this time around is that you are not confined to just performing surgeries. You’ll also get to work with endoscopy, orthopedics, forensics, first response, and diagnosis, all which come with different tools for you to use. Forensics and diagnosis will bring elements of CSI and House to the anime world, as you must use devices other than surgical tools in order to solve the murder or discover the medical condition. For these tasks, instead of the patient losing vitals for poor skills, there is a limit counter which racks up any mental mistakes you make and will fail the mission if you have too many brain lapses. For the most part the characters are all new and a mixed bag of backgrounds and attitudes, which plays well with the chaotic life that is medicine. I’m saddened that there is no mention of using the WiiMotion Plus peripheral for this game. While the motion controls in previous games of the series functioned well enough, there really are more boundaries you can cross with the WiiMotion Plus. That alone may get my thumbs down after I try the game.


Arc Rise Fantasia

Finally for the Wii is Arc Rise Fantasia, a new RPG game, yet containing elements that will make gamers think of Tales of Symphonia, the Star Ocean series, and the Dragon Quest series. Now I must admit that I am not a huge fan of Japanese-style RPG games, but the lack of classic turn-based RPGs for the Wii has given me the inkling to look a little closer at this one. The Meridian Empire which you explore promises to be an expansive and full of monsters to combat. The game boasts a large roster of playable characters, all with different aspirations, which will create many different engaging plotlines. You can expect to lose about 60 hours trying to complete the game, and that’s without doing any side quests. The battles are turn-based, which although some may label as outdated, I like to call refreshingly nostalgic. During a battle sequence, all the characters use the same AP gauge to carry out their movements and attacks. There are also various combos that can be chained together, adding a nice strategic element, which definitely need to be utilised in the later levels of the game. In typical fashion, you can also summon giant beasts to carry out massive attacks. So don’t expect to see any groundbreaking new features, but if you’re a fan of the tried and true turn-based formula, this one is definitely worth at least a rental. Arc Rise Fantasia is slated for Q2 2010 for Europe, and will hit American shelves on June 22nd.

So that’s the list for the next few months, some worth a little coin to try out, and some that definitely need to be picked up and placed alongside your great collection. I’ll be keeping eye out for any surprises that may come out of this year’s E3, and hope to bring you a jam-packed summer edition of “On The Horizon”.

Sean

Labels: JRPG, Link List, Metroid: Other M, Nintendo, On The Horizon, Releases, Sean Engemann, Tetris, Wii

Another holiday season has passed, and with it came the expected slew of high profile titles, thrust upon us by big developers with flashy advertisements. Their fantasy - that we got stingy with shopping for family and friends, and instead put our money in their deep pockets. And since most gamers are easily swayed, it worked. As far as Wii and DS are concerned, Nintendo racked up a hefty Christmas bonus, with great sales from New Super Mario Bros. Wii and Wii Fit Plus, as well as Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story and The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks for the DS.

And now… the lull.

The start of a new year is often flaccid when it comes to marquis titles. But never fear, as I have found a few noteworthy games to look forward to in the coming months, and even some possible hidden gems.

Let’s start with No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle - sequel to the cult hit by designer Goichi Suda, creator of the unforgettable killer7 for the GameCube. In NMH2, you will once again take control of Travis Touchdown, who rejoins the UAA after a 3 year withdrawal and a significant drop in rank. According to Suda51, many improvements have been made for the sequel, from new combat moves and better use of the environment, to a wider array of katanas, such as dual wield katanas, and the “Giant Beam Katana”. Control of Travis’ new hog will also be smoother, and a larger amount of side-quests and bosses will integrate much better into the storyline than they did in the first game. No More Heroes 2 will release in North America on January 26th, with a European release currently only listed as early 2010. Europeans rejoice however, for the game is expected to be released in both a mild and “extreme” format, finally allowing the massive bloodshed to smear across your screen.

The next notable game is also by publisher Ubisoft, and another sequel, however this one has been completely renovated. The announcement of Red Steel 2 was met with heavy criticism, considering the first game of the series was highly anticipated and poorly received after being released alongside the Wii. Most people were expecting more sword control and a better storyline, but were left severely wanting. Red Steel 2 hopes to rekindle the fire in gamers to wield the Wii Remote as a blade, since Ubi have promised that it will utilise the Wii MotionPlus accessory: now every slight movement of your Wii Remote will be mirrored in the game to allow unhindered freedom and fluidity to your thrusts and slashes. The story itself is also completely different. Don’t expect to be battling through the ranks of the Yakuza in order to save your kidnapped girlfriend. This time, the scene is a “desert-bound, high tech metropolis”, and you play as the sole survivor of a clan called “The Protectors”, out to avenge the deaths of your clan members. The graphics have had a complete facelift, with the more realistic style being replaced with cell-shading, giving the game that comic book feel (think Borderlands). Sadly, gone is the blood, as developers are trying to simmer the rating in order to make the game available to a broader audience. Red Steel 2 will also not support any multiplayer function, as the focus of development is to bring a solid single player story to gamers. Red Steel 2 is set to be released in late March for both European and North American audiences.

A couple of potential sleeper hits you may want to keep your eyes on, now. Sky Crawlers: Innocent Aces - coming out January 14th in North America, and sometime in February for Europe - joins the rare genre of flight combat games for the Wii. While confusing motion controls may be scrapped by most gamers for a more traditional analogue control, the smooth gameplay and fast action dog fights are sure to attract some gamers, especially fans of the Ace Combat series. For those fighting game enthusiasts out there, Capcom is releasing (not surprisingly) another game in the ‘Versus’ series, this one titled Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars. The game sports a cast of over 25 playable characters, including Capcom icons such as Ryu, Chun-Li, Mega Man and Viewtiful Joe, as well as members of the Tatsunoko cartoon series including Ken the Eagle, Karas and Gold Lightan. What separates this version from previous ‘Versus’ iterations is the blend of 2D and 3D graphic styles, giving both a classic feel with a modern flavour. Look for Tatsunoko vs. Capcom: Ultimate All-Stars in stores on January 26th and January 29th in North America and Europe, respectively.

DS owners have less to look forward to in the coming months. While a few lightly anticipated RPG games are making their way to the handheld, only Dawn of Heroes is currently marked for a European release, and currently only listed as later in the year. Therefore I may touch on that game in a future On The Horizon segment. For fans of point and click adventures, Ace Attorney Investigations: Miles Edgeworth is probably the most anticipated game in a sea of mediocre-at-best titles coming soon. Fans of the series can look forward to more forensic and courthouse tools, with a new slew of crimes for Miles, long time friend and rival of Phoenix Wright, to tackle.

If you’re a fan of the venerable Pokémon brand, it’s time to get your nostalgia on. Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver are set to be released early this spring. The games are enhanced remakes of Pokémon Gold and Silver, originally released on the Game Boy. While no new catchable Pokémon are mentioned, the game will have a couple new features and mini-games which utilise the DS touch screen. Also, the game comes packed with a Pokéwalker, a pedometer accessory that connects to the DS and can (virtually) hold a Pokémon to increase its attributes.

Unfortunately, that’s pretty much it for the DS.

My recommendations, if you’re looking to cut a swath of destruction with your Wii Remote, the aforementioned Wii games should fulfil that desire. As for the DS, I would suggest picking up Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story or The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks if you didn’t already get them for Christmas, and take a nice slow time completing them, since nothing looks respectable on the horizon for the DS.

Sean

Labels: DS, Feature, Releases, Sean, Sean Engemann, Wii

Sony sure has been full of announcements these past few months. A new slimmer, cheaper PS3; the UMDless PSPGo; Firmware 3.0 and a tidal wave of PS1 classics hitting the Playstation Store were just some of the videogame goodies which Sony has been feeding its fans. What more could a Sony fan ask for? How about some classic God of War, HD style? Our wish, Sony's command.

That's right boys and girls, Sony has announced that, due to repeated fan requests, the now-classic God of War and God of War II will be slicing and dicing a PS3 system near you this holiday season. The collection will be coming in a shiny new Blu-Ray Disc and will feature remastered graphics, with the series' famous gore and brutality now set to shock and amaze at 720p resolution.

Pretty new graphics don't cut it for you? Well, the Gods of Olympus have come prepared for you non-believers, and they offer you the almighty Trophies. I'm thinking killing your way through games 1 and 2 of the franchise should be a bit more fun when you get an extra trophy for ripping that Medusa's head off.

At $39.99, this collection is looking like a pretty sweet deal for franchise fans, who just can't wait to get their hands on God of War III next March. And for those of you who haven't experienced two of the best games the PS2 ever offered, this might be nothing short of a must buy.

No official release date yet, but we'll make sure to keep you posted. In the meantime, let us know what you think of this collection in the comments section. Gift from the Sony Gods? Or a collosal rip-off?

Joey

Labels: God of War, Joey Núñez, Releases, Sony

Ahoy there loyal readers. Its August 25th, 2009, a date which I, for one, am perosnally psyched about. Why, you ask? Well, today two incredible games which we have been following closely here at GGTL finally are ready to see the light of day (or the darkness inside my consoles to be more precise). If you've been following us, you'll know which games I'm talking about: Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3, 360); and Dissidia: Final Fantasy (PSP).

We know more than a few of you have been looking forward to these titles so we just wanted to go ahead and give you the heads up. PS3 owners getting Batman: Arkham Asylum will be pleased to know that free DLC for the title is already available. Fancy playing through a few challenge missions as the Crowned Prince of Crime, the Joker himself? Well, you can. Check out the PSN store and get your free download*.

Of honorable mention for you Fallout fans (for I know you are many), today also marks the release date for the second Add-on Pack for PC and Xbox 360: "Broken Steel and Point Lookout".

So go on, stop wondering why August 25th has decided to become an awesome day for releases, and just enjoy it. I know I will.

Joey

* We are unsure whether this applies to SCEE territories - it may only be available in North America at the current time.

Labels: Joey Núñez, Releases

Yep, that’s right: the Warhawk-esque latest from EA’s DICE Studio has taken off, heading fast to battle over the Pacific. The latest in the Battlefield franchise, Battlefield 1943, is now available to buy in digital download format from either the Xbox LIVE Marketplace at 1200MS points. PlayStation Network users will have to wait a little longer, however, as the release will not be present on the store until tomorrow’s update of the PlayStation Store, but when the Store has been updated the game will be available to download at a price of £9.99 ($14.99, €12,99). Those not quite ready to part with their points or pocket money just yet can also test-drive the game, as a demo version will be released alongside the full release.

Set in the Pacific Theatre during the Second World War, Battlefield 1943 throws gamers into the action and experience of war with an FPS viewpoint and four classic WWII maps: Wake Island, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima and Coral Sea.

“We are excited to witness the intense battles that are going to take place on these tropical Pacific Theatre maps, ripping them to shreds and leaving nothing but debris behind,” says 1943’s producer, Gordon Van Dyke. “Reliving these classic maps with the DICE Frostbite engine’s destruction capabilities and full FPS gameplay ups the ante on what can be done in downloadable games.”

The Coral Sea Map will be unlocked as part of a worldwide challenge to rack up 43 million kills across both online networks. The official countdown begins on July 10, 2009 at 19:43 GMT.

We’ll leave you with the trailer for Battlefield 1943. Keep your eyes on GGTL for hands-on demo impressions.



Linford

Labels: 360, Battlefield, BF1943, Linford Butler, PlayStation Store, PS3, PSN, Releases

It's nearly the end of 2008, and the gaming world seems to be accepting that without debate. So it seems with Atari; they've recently released their early 2009 EU lineup. The full list is below.

Labels: Atari, Lineup, Releases

Labels: Playstation Home, PSN, Releases, Update

Activision has announced that there will indeed be a Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Guitar Hero 5 and new Tony Hawk game.

More when it comes in.

Matt

Labels: Activision, Matthew, Matthew Meadows, Releases

EU Games
Sega Superstar Tennis
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2

North American Games
Condemned 2: Bloodshot
Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds
Sega Superstars Tennis
Karaoke Revolution: American Idol Encore
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2

Asian Games
Armored Core: For Answer
Blazing Angels 2: Secret Missions of WWII
Rainbow Six: Vegas 2
Army of Two

The only decent looking game in the EU seems to be Rainbow Six: Vegas 2, but the USA gamers might want to buy Condemned 2: Bloodshot or Hot Shots Golf: Out of Bounds.

Matt

Labels: Matthew Meadows, Releases

Quite a few new games out today.

• Army of Two
• MX vs ATV: Untamed
• BlackSite
• Battle for the Pacific (The History Channel)
• Dynasty Warriors 6

Got Army of Two on pre-order so hopefully be getting it today or Saturday.

Gr1mmy

Labels: Releases

EU
Unreal Tournament III
FIFA Street 3

USA
The Club
Dynasty Warriors 6
FIFA Street 3

Asia
FIFA Street 3
Burnout Paradise
Lost Planet

The biggest game release seems to be a globalised unveiling of FIFA Street 3, but I doubt I will buy it. Unreal Tournament III is a possibility in the UK however.

Labels: Matthew Meadows, Releases

USA
Conflict: Denied Ops

EU
NBA 08

Asia
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008

No decent looking games then...

Matt

Labels: Matthew Meadows, Releases

There are a few games being released this February, a couple of which I might buy.

USA
Devil May Cry 4

Europe
NFL Tour
Turok
The Club
Devil May Cry 4

Asia
Transformers: The Game (Don’t have a clue why they get it so late)

(release dates may change)

Gr1mmy

Labels: Releases