The Month Ahead - December 2011

After an extremely busy month for the gaming industry in November, it seems the pace of game releases is slowing down slightly for December. With that in mind, I’ll be taking a look at the handful of titles being released.

Mario Kart 7

Developer(s): Nintendo EAD, Retro Studios

Publisher(s): Nintendo

Genre(s): Racing

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Platform(s): Nintendo 3DS

Release date(s): December 1, 2011 (JP), December 2, 2011 (EU), December 3, 2011 (AUS), December 4, 2011 (NA)

Mario Kart is a truly iconic series of games, loved by individuals worldwide. With a lack of release titles for the Nintendo 3DS in March, Mario fans everywhere have been anxious to obtain this title. Mario Kart is a game that would influence fans of the series to actually purchase the Nintendo 3DS.

Mario Kart 7 is sticking with similar gameplay concepts that its predecessors possessed. The player has the ability to select from an array of Mario characters, to race against others on Mario-themed tracks. Mario Kart 7 has some new additional abilities, which is the ability to drive underwater and applying hand-gliding attachments to your kart.

Mario Kart 7 does include some new gameplay features, despite sticking to the traditional Mario Kart theme. One feature is the ability to customise the kart you choose to drive. The player has the opportunity to select various frames, which range in weight and a selection of tires which will affect the kart’s handling on certain surfaces. The player can also apply hang gliders and parachutes to their kart, which allows players to collect coins, glide through the air when hitting certain ramps and grants them access to alternate routes. Additional weapons are being included in Mario Kart 7, such as the Fire Flower, the Super Leaf and Lucky 7, which is a roulette item.

The coin feature included in Super Mario Kart makes an appearance in Mario Kart 7. Instead of increasing a player’s speed and defence as the coin feature has previously, it is now the key to winning new parts to customise your kart. The trick system from Mario Kart Wii is also featured in Mario Kart 7. This feature allows the player to earn a boost by performing tricks in the air.

The player will have access to the multiplayer feature, which allows up to eight players to compete online. Mario Kart 7 will also make use of the StreetPass and SpotPass features, which allows the player to download ghost data from other players.

Star Wars: The Old Republic

Developer(s): BioWare

Publisher(s): Electronic Arts, Lucas Arts

Genre(s): MMORPG

Mode(s): Multiplayer

Platform(s): PC

Release date(s): December 20, 2011 (INT)

Players will have the opportunity to join one of two major factions – the Galactic Republic and the Sith Empire. Each faction is led by a benevolent or malevolent leader, but the player still has the ability to possess their own individual morality along the light/dark spectrum. Differentiating between the player’s morality and faction is the primary focus of the project. An example of this is if a player had ties with the Galactic Republic, they may belong to the Dark Side, whilst attempting to achieve their own goals.

Each class in The Old Republic will favour a certain playing style, such as melee or ranged. A combination of customisation and companions will allow the player to tackle various scenarios, with or without support of other player’s characters or specific classes to move forward.

Choices that the player makes throughout the game will impact the storyline and the non-playable characters. Every character in the game will feature full voice dialog. Interactions will feature a dialogue system similar to that of the Mass Effect series. The player can choose various companions to interact with. It is said that spending time with a single companion is useful in developing story and content, in comparison with interacting with numerous companions. Exploration is paramount in this title, as the player has access to numerous planets throughout the game.

The plot feature in The Old Republic takes place 300 years after the events that took place within the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic games, and more than 3,500 years before the events of the Star Wars films.

Puss In Boots

Developer(s): Blitz Games

Publisher(s): THQ

Genre(s): Action

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Plaform(s): Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii, Nintendo DS

Release date(s): 2 December, 2011 (EU)

Puss in Boots is a game based on the Dreamworks film of the same title. It is a title that makes use of both the Kinect and Move on their respective platforms. Puss in Boots is a unique title, aimed primarily at fans of the Shrek franchise.

Puss in Boots allows you to step into the boots of your favourite feline from the Shrek series. Puss primarily uses his sword to engage in combat with enemies. A combination of deadly sword strikes and a sly combat style, allows Puss to become a legendary hero. With the ability to use cat-like sneaking skills, or participate in furious sword slashing, it really does rest in the player’s hands how Puss defeats his foes. Throughout the game, the player has the opportunity to interact with characters from the Puss in Boots film. The main objective is to catch the Golden Goose, that’s if Puss doesn’t get distracted serenading señoritas along the way! With a combination of Kinect and Move features and a charismatic kitty-kat, this game looks to be a purrrfect game for the children this Christmas.

After such a manic month during November, it’s no wonder that the industry has slowed down a bit during December. With three extremely different titles coming out, I’m confident that one of them will satisfy your gaming needs, even if you’re ashamed to admit it!

The gaming line up is already looking to be a fantastic one. With so many titles already announced and rumoured, which ones are you looking forward to? Contact Zero1gaming or any member of the team, and let us know!  We would love to hear from you, and would be extremely grateful for your input!  Many thanks for reading, hope you all have an idea what games you’ll be placing on your Christmas list!

Hannah

Release date sources:

VGReleases
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The Month Ahead - November 2011

November is without doubt a phenomenal month regarding game releases. With such a magnificent selection of games presenting themselves, this may leave gamers undecided on which titles to purchase. Hopefully, whilst sifting through this piece, you will decide which of these unique titles you’ll be purchasing this month.

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception

Developer(s): Naughty Dog

Publisher(s): Sony Computer Entertainment

Genre(s): Action-adventure, third-person shooter

Mode(s): Single play, online co-op, multiplayer

Platform(s): Playstation 3

Release date(s): November 1, 2011 (US) November 2, 2011 (EU) & (JP) November 3, 2011 (AUS)

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is the third instalment in the Uncharted series. Created by Naughty Dog for Playstation 3, Uncharted 3 is one of the most anticipated titles of 2011.

Uncharted 3 takes place in a third-person perspective, controlling the renowned protagonist known as Nathan Drake. Drake finds himself involved in another daring adventure, venturing into the Arabian Desert hoping to locate the Atlantis of the Sands. Alongside his mentor Victor Sullivan, Drake has to endure the treachery of a shadowy organisation and its menacing leader. Owing to the revelation of the secrets of this lost city, Drake’s quest becomes an immersive test of survival which pushes him to extreme limits and forces him to confront his worst fears.

Drake now has access to various new methods when combating opponents. He has the ability to engage in hand-to-hand combat with multiple opponents, updated stealth options and contextual melee attacks. Uncharted 3 allows Drake to equip two firearms that include a single-handed and a two-handed weapon. Drake can also carry a limited supply of grenades. He is able to pick up weapons which will automatically replace the weapon he was using.

The Uncharted series combines a powerful third-person perspective with a dynamic and engaging storyline. If you seek a game with intricate character development and design, Uncharted 3 is the right choice for you.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

Developer(s): Infinity Ward, Sledgehammer Games

Publisher(s): Activision

Genre(s): First-person shooter

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC

Release date(s): November 8, 2011 (EU) & (NA) November 17, 2011 (JP)

A game that needs no introduction, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is set firmly in the sights of gamers worldwide.  Modern Warfare 3 will be the third release in the Modern Warfare series and the eighth instalment in the Call of Duty series as a whole.

The plot will immediately follow the events of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in which the Russian Federation continue their invasion of America. The Russians’ have also expanded this assault into European territories. Campaign stages will also take place in Dubai, Somalia, Sierra Leone and Moscow. This highlights the campaign of Modern Warfare 3 which allows the player to traverse across many locations. Throughout the campaign, you assume the role of numerous protagonists that allows the player to experience the story from various aspects.

Infinity Ward and Sledgehammer Games have confirmed a new feature known as Survival Mode will be included in Modern Warfare 3. Survival Mode allows a duo to partner up and combat endless waves of enemies, which as you progress, increase in difficulty. Spec Ops also will be returning in Modern Warfare 3. The amount of stars available in this mode has been reduced to 48.

With the Call of Duty fan base so passionate about this upcoming release, I feel this game is destined for success. For those who may have been undecided about Modern Warfare 3, I hope this brief bit of insight helps you with your decision.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

Developer(s): Bethesda Game Studios

Publisher(s): Bethesda Softworks

Genre(s): Role-playing game, open world

Mode(s): Single play

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

Release date(s): November 11, 2011 (Worldwide)

The RPG titans Bethesda reveal yet another magnificent edition to the Elder Scrolls series. Skyrim is set to be the fifth instalment in this renowned series.

Skyrim is a nonlinear gameplay experience, that is consistent throughout the whole Elder Scrolls series. The player is able to traverse the open world of Skyrim on horseback or on-foot. When discovering dungeons, towns and cities, the player has the opportunity to fast travel to these locations. Non-playable characters will deliver quests to you throughout the world. Another feature you are able to receive quests is through the Radiant Story system. These quests will accommodate objectives based on the player’s actions and undiscovered locations.

Non-playable characters may interact with the protagonist which allows the player to develop conversations and relationships with individuals throughout Skyrim. The protagonist may befriend or even marry a non-playable character. Factions still play a primary role in this epic RPG experience. The player has the opportunity to join four factions, each with their own unique members and quest paths.

Character design and development plays an integral role in the Skyrim experience. At the beginning of Skyrim, the player must select a race for the protagonist and customise their appearance. Each race has its own unique abilities which will prove to be useful throughout your Skyrim experience. In previous editions of the Elder Scrolls, the class system was used to determine what skills would aid you in levelling up. Skyrim uses a system similar to that seen in Fallout, the utilisation of perks. When your character’s level increases, you have a selection of skill specified perks to choose from. As you reach level fifty, you continue to level and earn perks but the rate of levelling is decreased significantly.

The Month Ahead - October 2011

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.

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

VG Releases

sources:

IGN.com

Gamespot.com