October looks to be an extremely promising month with copious amounts of fantastic titles being released. These titles span over an eclectic range of genres, which highlights an interesting month for gamers. I’ll be providing a preview of a handful of these upcoming titles.
Rage
Developer(s): Id Software
Publisher(s): Bethesda Softworks
Genre(s): First-person shooter, open world
Mode(s): Single play, cooperative play, multiplayer
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Release date(s): October 4, 2011 (NA) October 7, 2011 (EU)
Rage is an upcoming first-person shooter by Id Software. Information released indicates that Rage takes place in a post-apocalyptic world, similar to that of Fallout.
Rage’s plot takes place in the year 2029, following an asteroid strike upon Earth. A handful of survivors are forced to begin a new civilisation. These groups of survivors decide to merge, allowing settlements and habitable locations to be created between them. The survivors are also forced to defend these locations against bandits and mutants. The bandits and mutants are divided into gangs and various organisations and are also the main enemies for the player throughout the game.
The player begins their journey after emerging from an underground shelter known as an Ark. Arks are a result of the Eden Project. This project placed hundreds of Arks underneath the surface of the Earth, with twelve people inside each one. Each individual possessed an unique ability which when combined with the other passengers would allow them to rebuild their society. Unfortunately, the Eden Project was not a success. The Ark in which the player resides is in a dreadful state. All other residents are deceased, and all equipment has been destroyed. The player wakes up alone, oblivious to the events. With no recollection of his identity, the player is forced to abandon the Ark and head to the surface, in search of allies.
With an excellent combination of first-person action and role-playing capabilities, Rage promises to push boundaries within both genres. The game possesses intricate character and environmental designs which give the game an outstanding visual standard.
Forza Motorsport 4
Developer(s): Turn 10 Studios
Publisher(s): Microsoft Studios
Genre(s): Racing
Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer
Platforms(s): Xbox 360
Release date(s): October 11, 2011 (NA) October 13, 2011 (AUS) October 14, 2011 (EU) October 20, 2011 (JP)
Forza Motorsport 4 is an upcoming racing game by Turn 10 Studios for the Xbox 360. It is the fourth instalment within the Forza Motorsport series. The title is also the first in the series to support the use of the Kinect sensor.
Forza Motorsport 4 allows players to import their ‘save’ from Forza Motorsport 3. This will allow the player access to a select amount of in-game credits and gifted cars transferred from that save. The amount is determined by the length of time the individual has played the game and how many credits they possess.
Whilst using the Kinect, the title allows players to access the head tracking feature. This enables the individual to look around inside the car and see the cars surrounding them. Another feature using the Kinect is the Autovista. This feature allows the player to manoeuver comfortably around the vehicle, examining the details of the car. The Autovista feature is also accessible to those who do not own a Kinect by using the controller.
Whilst using the Kinect, the game automatically accelerates and decelerates your vehicle which is a system known as auto-break. This was featured in Forza Motorsport 4 but was activated using the controller only. Steering can be performed using either the controller or, by the movement of your hands when using the Kinect. Kinect also allows the player to navigate menus, use voice commands and start races.
With the constant discussion of Kinect within Forza Motosport 4, I believe people are worried it’ll overshadow the game’s beautiful visuals and in-depth driving simulation capabilities. Whilst Kinect does play an important part within Forza Motorsport 4, it is not an integral part of the experience. The player still has the ability to access most of the features that can be used with the Kinect, apart from the obvious one which is the head tracking system. After such a long wait for Forza Motorsport fans, will this title create the same supreme gaming experience Forza Motorsport 3 achieved?
Batman: Arkham City
Developer(s): Rocksteady Studios
Publisher(s): Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Genre(s): Action-adventure, stealth
Mode(s): Single play
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Release date(s):
Playstation/Xbox 360: 18 October, 2011(NA) 19 October, 2011 (AUS) 21 October, 2011 (EU) 23 November, 2011 (JP)
PC: November 2011
Batman: Arkham City is the sequel to the vastly successful Batman: Arkham Asylum. Rocksteady Studios are developing the title and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment is publishing it.
The events of Arkham City will take place one year after those of Arkham Asylum. Former warden of Arkham Asylum, Quincy Sharp, has taken credit for stopping the Joker and used the notoriety to become the Mayor of Gotham City. Arkham or Blackgate Prison are unable to detain the inmates, therefore Sharp buys a large section of Gotham's slums, then arms the perimeter with private military contractors in order to create ''Arkham City''.
The prisoners are given free rein within Arkham City, providing they do not attempt to escape. Sharp hired psychiatrist Hugo Strange to oversee the city, yet it seems he has his own secret agenda. The events of the game begin with Two-Face, who devises a plan to publicly execute Catwoman to gain notoriety among the inmates and villains outside the city. With the safety of Gotham and his past relationship with Catwoman in mind, Batman decides he must stop the execution by entering Arkham City.
The prisoners are given free rein within Arkham City, providing they do not attempt to escape. Sharp hired psychiatrist Hugo Strange to oversee the city, yet it seems he has his own secret agenda. The events of the game begin with Two-Face, who devises a plan to publicly execute Catwoman to gain notoriety among the inmates and villains outside the city. With the safety of Gotham and his past relationship with Catwoman in mind, Batman decides he must stop the execution by entering Arkham City.
With Batman fans anxious to get their hands on Arkham City, can the minor tweaks and additional features ensure the level of success its predecessor received? One thing is evident, with the appearance of so many famous characters within Arkham City, Batman fans will be delighted with this title.
The Sims 3: Pets
Developer(s): The Sims Studio
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre(s): Life simulation
Mode(s): Single play
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC, Nintendo 3DS
Release date(s): October 18, 2011 (NA) October 21, 2011 (EU)
The Sims 3: Pets is the fifth expansion pack released for The Sims 3 series. It is a highly anticipated title for Sims fans worldwide and focuses on pets lives in a more intricate way.
The expansion pack includes various types of animals including, dogs, cats, horses, deer, lizards, rodents, snakes and turtles. The player creates their pet using the ‘Create a pet’ system, which is similar to the ‘Create a sim’ feature. When creating a pet, the individual is able to select a breed, then customise that pet, be its image or its personality. Pets can be controlled and possess their own abilities, skills and quests to complete. They are unable to get a job but are able to win money by entering competitions or finding treasure. Cats and dogs are able to have multiple offspring in one litter.
A new feature within The Sims 3: Pets is the maximum capacity within a household that has increased to 10 residents. The player is able to have 6 pets in the household at any one time. Players can interact with pets in various unique ways. Horses can be used as a form of transport to traverse your sim’s town. They are also able to learn racing and jumping. Dogs and cats are able to explore the town and retrieve collectibles for their master.
The Pets has always been an extremely popular expansion pack in past editions of The Sims series. Whilst some argued pets should have been included within the base game of The Sims 3, will the new capabilities regarding the pets themselves guarantee this expansion to be a raging success?
Battlefield 3
Developer(s): EA Digital Illusions CE
Publisher(s): Electronic Arts
Genre(s): First-person shooter
Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer
Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Release date(s): October 25, 2011 (NA) October 27, 2011 (AUS) October 28, 2011 (EU)
Battlefield 3 is a first-person shooter being developed by EA Digital Illusions CE and published by Electronic Arts. Battlefield 3 is the sequel to the extremely successful title Battlefield 2 and will be the eleventh instalment in this series.
The plot takes place in the year 2014. SSgt Blackburn has an important objective ahead of him. He must lead a five-man squad to locate and retrieve a US squad who are investigating a possible chemical weapons site. Their last known position was a market being controlled by a hostile militia. Blackburn and his men endure copious amounts of gun battles as they make their way to the location. They are then caught up in a horrendous earthquake which inevitably hinders their progress. Miller, a tank operator, issues a tank assault on an enemy rocket battery before continuing to traverse to what appears to be a burning city.
Battlefield 3 will inevitably face fierce competition from another first-person shooter, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. With such a vivid narrative, has Battlefield done enough to defeat Call of Duty and take the first-person shooter crown?
Without a doubt, the final few months are proving to be impressive times for the gaming industry. October’s line up only exemplifies this further. With such a diverse range of games being released, it’s difficult to predict what title will be top of the charts this month. As I may have missed titles you’re looking forward to this October, I have included a list of October’s other upcoming releases below.
Thanks again for reading and happy gaming!
Hannah
sources:
No comments:
Post a Comment