Game Releases for the week of 9/18/05: The Pretty Big Week Edition.

[schild]

Yea, they wouldn't all fit up in the news box, and if you all prefer, I might start doing it this way and just put a link up in the box to these threads. Oh, and I'm not linking to Gamerankings anymore. Well, I might start linking there again, but not this time. This also gives me room to comment on the games. That said...

Advance Wars: Batallion Wars (GC):
I really would have liked to see this as a turnbased game just like the tiny variant, unfortunately Nintendo felt that wasn't necessary. So we get some sort of bastard child of an action game and a strategy game. I haven't played it and plan on picking it up in a few weeks, or at Fry's this week if it's on sale. From what I've heard it's a neat game, but it's no Advance Wars. Oh, as you'll see at Gamerankings, IGN already reviewed it - but I didn't read their review. So, uhm, whatever.

Dungeons and Dragons: Dragonshard (PC):
It's that D&D RTS. I didn't play the beta I got into, perhaps someone else knows more about it. Seems to be a reasonable enough clone of everything else out there though.

Fable: The Lost Chapters (PC):
You bought it once, now buy it again. You know you want to believe Molyneux managed to fix the broken bits. Well, I know I do. But I'll wait to get it at $19.99. Re-releasing at full price on the PC no less is just evil.

Frantix (PSP):
Apparently not very good. Or at least the buzz around PSP forums says so. But hey, at least there are PSP games coming out, right? Right.

Genji: Dawn of the Samurai (PS2):
I've played bits and pieces, it's a good game, but a short game. It's pretty much the only alternative you have to KOEI's offerings, and it's a strong one. It's also the first game out of Game Republic. So you could be the triple threat by sponsoring a new studio, fostering competition in a monopolized genre, and purchase a good game at mere 1st party prices ($39.99). I'll be picking this up on release day. Had it preordered for months.

Indigo Prophecy (Xbox/PS2/PC):
Having only played a little bit, I can comfortably say that this is the single most entertaining adventure game in years. If you have a hankering for any sort of adventure title, this is the one to pick up. Incredible production value (except for some of the faces, I hate some of the faces), a great story, and a superbly structured stories makes this one of the few games I'll actually complete this year. I mean fully complete, as in 100%.

Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (Xbox/PS2/GC):
Sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks, and sucks. Either buy the Spiderman or save your $50 for Dead or Alive 4 on the 360. This is the shadow of an actual fighting game.

Ninja Gaiden: Black (Xbox):
If you didn't play the original, buy it. If you have the original, trade it in and buy it.

Ultimate Spiderman (Everything Except the PSP):
I'm going to say this is worth the rental. I don't think it can provide more than 5-6 hours of entertainment. But I'm not a huge fan of Spiderman or GTA-style wandering, so ymmv, I was low on gas.

Katamari Damacy 2 (PS2):
Having imported it and beaten it twice and still having a preorder coming in this week, I can say this is worth getting without any thought whatsoever. In fact, you might be a bad person if you don't buy it. Even if you don't own a PS2.

XMen Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (Xbox/PS2/GC/PC):
More of the EXACT same... this is a good thing.

[Nija]

xmen legends 2 is going to have 4 player xbox live coop. I think i'm going to get the PC version though, cause it also has 4 player coop.

Coop = good.

[sinij]

Indigo Prophecy (Xbox/PS2/PC):

Going to give this title a try if it runs well on PC, that is if raving console retards that pass as a sales people at my local EB have it in stock or at least can master enough rudimentary tribe intelligence to order it. Store near where I live seem to go 90% used consoles and console titles - anything else gets small corner shelf space. Fucktards that work(?)/live there seem to lose all interest in helping me when after number of rejected “buy this amazing used console/console game title" mating calls I tell them that I don't own a TV or console and don't plan purchase any this millennia.

Console is the mark of the devil! You all going to burn in electrical cord fire hell.

[stray]

I'm so caught up in WoW atm.  I keep forgetting about everything else.

[schild]

Store near where I live seem to go 90% used consoles and console titles - anything else gets small corner shelf space.

That's because PC Gaming is being sustained by Blizzard (as in WoW) and EA (as in The Sims). I'd say they account for roughly 80% of the reason you can still even buy PC games at a gaming store that isn't CompUSA or Best Buy.

Edit: I take that back, Valve too.

[HaemishM]

Edit: I take that back, Valve too.

Not for long.

[penfold]

Ive got a Dawn of War Winter Assault pre-order arriving soon as its out Friday (stuff usually released on Fridays in the EU but gets posted out midweek), the following week see's my pre-loaded DoD:Source go live, and Ive just noticed Soul Calibur 3 and Shadow of the Collossus are out on the 1/10 too.

[Pococurante]

This was written back in January but a good article nonetheless.

I wasn't surprised to read the following analysis - what a lot of you think is a sea change is simply increased maturation of an industry.  PC games are not going away, they stratifying to a demographic with more disposable income.  Walking away from this demographic is mindless no matter how many cell phone games one thinks one can sell.

But other factors may be at play. The PC game data don't take into account revenue generated by online games, such as Sony's EverQuest. Such games often charge a subscription -- or sell online advertising -- and represent the direction in which PC games are heading, said one industry executive, who asked to remain anonymous. Even packaged PC titles are increasingly including online hooks.

"The shelf space for PC games has been shrinking," the executive said. "It's not necessarily because people are bored with PC games. It's because PC games are evolving."
 
Likewise, Pachter said that the decline may have to do more with a drop-off in sales of low-priced PC titles than it does with top-of-the-line offerings. If this is the case, "that's probably a good thing," he said.

[penfold]

WOW and other long term subscription games must hit the market hard, I know the afk-since-last-year types in my clan irc channel just arent playing anything else. They arent playing consoles either, all the mmog'ers tend to play a game exclusively. (boring bastards)

[Bunk]

What, you're not going to mention the release of the latest Sims 2 expansion? (it may have been last week)

[schild]

What, you're not going to mention the release of the latest Sims 2 expansion? (it may have been last week)

Correct. I go by actual release date. It's not easy but mostly compiled from my own preorders and retail site averages. For example, colossus was pushed back just last week until October. And Meh on That.

[Viin]

Does anyone have a preference for how the games are sorted on the list? I'd kinda like to see them sorted by platform.

As much as I enjoy seeing Gamecube games come out, I don't actually own one so ....




Don't hurt me!

[schild]

Alphabetical order is how I'd always been doing it. Sometimes I mess up. I can do it by console from now on, doesn't matter to me.

[Viin]

If everyone is fine with alphabetical then I'm down with that. Just seeing if anyone else had an opinion.

I tend to read the platform before even reading the title, so I can keep doing that. :)

Thanks for doing this every week!


PS - Can you do it for DVD releases too?  :-D

[schild]

No to DVDs. I plan on becoming a human RSS feed. I'm going to start making a news post like this games post every day or so once I get into a rhythm with how I read the news.

Also, some weeks over 100 DVDs are released. I...just...no.

[Trippy]

No to DVDs. I plan on becoming a human RSS feed. I'm going to start making a news post like this games post every day or so once I get into a rhythm with how I read the news.

Also, some weeks over 100 DVDs are released. I...just...no.

It's easy enough to visit Amazon's New & Future Releases page to see what's coming out on DVD every week.

[Murgos]

Eh?  Just stick em in the DB however you get them and spit em back out sorted by Console, Title and Date.  Or am I missing something?

[schild]

Databases are some sort of newfangled tech right? I dun understand that sort of bleeding edge shit.

Really though, DVD releases are rarely delayed and you can get the release information from hundreds and hundreds of sites.

Games, however, you cannot. You can get a rough estimate of a week/month/season a game will be released, but more often than not, they're wrong. So I take some pleasure in finding out when somethings being released and commenting on it if I've played it (which is the case with most releases that aren't obvious total shit. Though I have played some of that too...i.e. Red Ninja or Saga Unlimited).

Or maybe it'd be best to make one huge list for the frontpage and constantly fix dates as their changed. Something comprehensive, sorted by date, and maybe even some sort of self-hype meter. I don't know. Work in progress and all that.

[Aenovae]

Gamespot pretty much already does this for us.

Just click on New Releases on the left side of the main page.

http://www.gamespot.com/newthisweek/date/20050918.html

The only real downside is that there's no crap filter.

For those of you with extra money lying around, signing up to Gamespot Complete lets you track games and sort your personal list by release date.  This single feature is what got me to sign up.  I got tired of manually updating an excel file of upcoming games I cared about.

[HaemishM]

This was written back in January but a good article nonetheless.

I wasn't surprised to read the following analysis - what a lot of you think is a sea change is simply increased maturation of an industry.  PC games are not going away, they stratifying to a demographic with more disposable income.  Walking away from this demographic is mindless no matter how many cell phone games one thinks one can sell.

But other factors may be at play. The PC game data don't take into account revenue generated by online games, such as Sony's EverQuest. Such games often charge a subscription -- or sell online advertising -- and represent the direction in which PC games are heading, said one industry executive, who asked to remain anonymous. Even packaged PC titles are increasingly including online hooks.

"The shelf space for PC games has been shrinking," the executive said. "It's not necessarily because people are bored with PC games. It's because PC games are evolving."
 
Likewise, Pachter said that the decline may have to do more with a drop-off in sales of low-priced PC titles than it does with top-of-the-line offerings. If this is the case, "that's probably a good thing," he said.

Right up until the console manufacturers figure out how to put those MMOG's on consoles, at which point it'll be even more profitable to make a console MMOG than a PC MMOG, with less support issues for hardware. Then what?

[Pococurante]

"Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together - mass hysteria."

[Morfiend]

Indigo Prophecy (Xbox/PS2/PC):
Having only played a little bit, I can comfortably say that this is the single most entertaining adventure game in years. If you have a hankering for any sort of adventure title, this is the one to pick up. Incredible production value (except for some of the faces, I hate some of the faces), a great story, and a superbly structured stories makes this one of the few games I'll actually complete this year. I mean fully complete, as in 100%.

Can you elaborate on the controll scheme and such. Is this Zelda like controlls, or first person like controlls? I would like a good adventure game for my Xbox, but if I have to aim with the stupid thumbstick, i will get it for my PC instead.

[Llava]

Marvel Nemesis: Rise of the Imperfects (Xbox/PS2/GC):
Sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks, sucks, and sucks. Either buy the Spiderman or save your $50 for Dead or Alive 4 on the 360. This is the shadow of an actual fighting game.

Plus, this is their Storm.



Because she always fights in her bikini underwear.

[schild]

Gamespot pretty much already does this for us.

And they also rarely update it when something is changed at the last minute.

Can you elaborate on the controll scheme and such. Is this Zelda like controlls, or first person like controlls? I would like a good adventure game for my Xbox, but if I have to aim with the stupid thumbstick, i will get it for my PC instead.

You walk around with the left analog stick, look around with the right analog stick. When you walk up to something, you engage in conversation or whatever and then it's a weird reaction time system, where there's 1-4 options at the top of the screen, where you can slap the right analog stick in a direction to advance the conversation. The rest of the game seems to play out via reaction tests in cutscenes (PRESS THE ANALOG STICK DOWN QUICK!, like RE4) or a trigger endurance test. It's not a "hard game" but it's got a LOT going for it. The story is heads above most other recent releases. And that's what is important with an adventure title.

[Aenovae]

Gamespot pretty much already does this for us.

And they also rarely update it when something is changed at the last minute.

I think you're incorrect here.  Gamespot's release date database is linked with Electronics Boutique (note the Buy This Game button), so their listed dates are the same as ebgames.com.

[schild]

I think you're incorrect here.  Gamespot's release date database is linked with Electronics Boutique (note the Buy This Game button), so their listed dates are the same as ebgames.com.

I thought that at first too. But it seems their dates don't change in tune with eachother. A lot of EBGames stuff has exact release days - even if their wrong, while Gamespot has nebulous shit like "September 05" etc. More recently, when EBGames moved Shadow of the Colossus to it's new release day, Gamespot had it as coming out at the original date. What I'm getting at is that they are completely independent of eachother.

[schild]

In addition to Indigo Prophecy, I picked up We  Katamari and Genji.

Genji is very short. I'm on the final stage after 6:52. The gameplay is VERY crisp (as in Ninja Gaiden / Nightshade crisp), the graphics are some of the best on the PS2 (right behind God of War) - with some of the snow covered stages being superb), and the sounds are very well done. I'm pretty happy with the purchase as it was $39 instead of the normal $50. If you're into that whole Japanese mythology/history thing and enjoy kicking some shit around as a Samurai, I see no reason this shouldn't be purchased. Even the story interested me enough to keep going. After God of War, an interesting story is hard to do. This one's not great, but passable.

Being my second time through Katamari, all I can say is that this game is a no brainer. Buy it. Love it. Buy it for your friends.

[Murgos]

If you're into that whole Japanese mythology/history thing and enjoy kicking some shit around as a Samurai, I see no reason this shouldn't be purchased. Even the story interested me enough to keep going.

I read the book (The Tale of Gengi).  I seriously doubt the game is anywhere near that story.  From what I recall it was mostly about the trial and tribulations of a minor noble, distantly related to the emperor, while at court and was centered mostly on his romatic asperations and making sure he had a fashionable outfit to wear.

[Fargull]

I will be getting Dungeons and Dragons: Dragonshard (PC) when it hits.  Will toss up my thoughts after I get some playtime.

Suprisingly I am enjoying COH and the darkerside right now.  EQII lost what luster it had and WOW is fun, but getting exceptionally boring.

[Miasma]

For those who like the Myst series of games you should know that the last one they are making was released this week too.  Myst V: End of Ages.

[schild]

If you're into that whole Japanese mythology/history thing and enjoy kicking some shit around as a Samurai, I see no reason this shouldn't be purchased. Even the story interested me enough to keep going.

I read the book (The Tale of Gengi).  I seriously doubt the game is anywhere near that story.  From what I recall it was mostly about the trial and tribulations of a minor noble, distantly related to the emperor, while at court and was centered mostly on his romatic asperations and making sure he had a fashionable outfit to wear.

I've read the book also, and there are reasons I didn't mention it.

[Glazius]

If you're into that whole Japanese mythology/history thing and enjoy kicking some shit around as a Samurai, I see no reason this shouldn't be purchased. Even the story interested me enough to keep going.

I read the book (The Tale of Gengi).  I seriously doubt the game is anywhere near that story.  From what I recall it was mostly about the trial and tribulations of a minor noble, distantly related to the emperor, while at court and was centered mostly on his romatic asperations and making sure he had a fashionable outfit to wear.

I've read the book also, and there are reasons I didn't mention it.

Suffice to say there are _reasons_ the "Genji Glove" lets you equip two weapons at once.

--GF

[Cheddar]

If anyone gets Advance Wars for the DS please let us know how it goes.  If it is as good as the first two I will buy a DS ASAP. 

[schild]

If anyone gets Advance Wars for the DS please let us know how it goes.  If it is as good as the first two I will buy a DS ASAP. 

Poke.

[Cheddar]

I did a search and did not find anything, nor did I see any reviews.  Obviously I require more coffee this afternoon.  Thank you for bearing with me!