With the festive season fast approaching, it’s the time of the year when the usual suspects of the gaming industry make their annual appearance. Here is a quick rundown of some of the games which we hope will make it to the Indian market through official channels.
Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood
Genre: Action adventure
Release date: November
Estimated price: (PC) INR 999, (PS3, X360) INR 2,500
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Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood will see the return of Ezio Auditore who is now a master assassin and is regrouping his brothers for a stand against their eternal enemies, the templar. Some of the new features in the game include multiplayer modes, ability to recruit and train new assassins, and new equipment for Ezio, like Leonardo’s parachute. Horses will play a much wider role in Brotherhood as Ezio gains the ability to dispense assassination services while on the move.
God of War: Ghost of Sparta
Genre: Action adventure
Release date: November
Estimated price: (PSP) INR 1,999
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[RELATED_ARTICLE]Following on the success of Chains of Olympus, Ready at Dawn and Santa Monica studios are teaming up once again to bring Kratos to the portable screen once again. Games in the God of War series have barely changed since the first game’s release and apparently the fans are not complaining. Ghost of Sparta will visit the early days of Kratos in his role as the new God of War after usurping Ares’ throne. New features that have been disclosed by the developers so far includes a new shield-spear weapon, magic ability called “Eye of Atlantis” and new enemies likes King Midas and the sea monster Scylla. The list of additions is fairly short, as is always the case with a new game in the God of War series. However, if you do not find yourself complaining so far, then there is every bit of chance that you will enjoy another genocidal sortie with Kratos and his trusty Blades of Athena when Ghost of Sparta hits PSP in November.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2
Genre: Action
Release date: October
Estimated price: (PS3, X360) INR 2,500
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Darth Vader’s secret apprentice, Starkiller makes a comeback as the game’s protagonist in Star Wars: The Force Unleashed 2. Lucas Arts has taken a playable demo of the sequel to this year’s E3 and impressions of the demo are quite promising. Starkiller will wield new force power like the Jedi mind-trick that can throw enemies into a combination of suicidal or homicidal frenzy. He will also be able to dual-wield light sabers and enter into a force overload mode called Force Fury—and astbility which amplifies all subsequent attacks. Additions to the game’s system include faster load-times, improved selection and targeting system for force power, and faster menus. Starkiller’s quest for self discovery and his search for lost love is expected to hit Indian shores late in October or early November.
Read on to get a glimpse at some of the season’s most exciting upcoming games (click here if button doesn’t work)……
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Genre: Action
Release date: October
Estimated price: (Wii) INR 3,499
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Castlevania, an old favorite from Konami is getting a major overhaul this year. Lords of Shadow is being developed to be a third-person, action adventure game that has more resemblance to games like Devil May Cry and God of War than to its roots. While this may have trilled fans of modern action games, it is just as likely to turn-off fans of the classic platformer. We will have to wait until the game’s October release to find out how far the fruit has fallen from the tree.
PES 2011
Genre: Sports
Release date: October
Estimated price: (PS3, X360) INR 3,499
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[RELATED_ARTICLE]It’s the time of the year when fans of football video games are divided into two camps in commemoration of a long running and relentless rivalry. This year, camp Konami’s notable offerings include a new passing system, improved animation, a stadium editor and some new team and cup licenses. The big news however is that PES 2011 will feature an online mode of Master League, which is arguably the series greatest strength in terms of game modes.
FIFA 11
Genre: Sports
Release date: October
Estimated price: (PC) INR 999, (PS3, X360) INR 2,499, (Wii) INR 1,999, (PSP) INR 1,599, (NDS) INR 1,499, (PS2) INR 999
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Electronic Art’s additions to this year’s FIFA offering include custom soundtrack, web-based content editor and a new passing system. Of this lot, it will be interesting to see how custom soundtracks will work with given the bevy of licensing issues one can think of. The good news for PC users is that it is this year that they will get some love from EA. The PC version of the game is developed using the same engine that is features on the console versions. The single-player “Be a Pro” and “Manager Mode” are merged into a single “Career Mode”. The big change in multiplayer game-play is the ability to play as the goalkeeper, which means it is now possible to have proper 11 vs. 11 online matches.
Check out more of the season’s most exciting upcoming games on the next page (click here if button doesn’t work)……
Gran Turismo 5
Genre: Racing, simulation
Release date: November
Estimated price: (PS3) INR 2,499
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Being in development for ages, SCE and Polyphony’s grand project is finally ready to be released in November this year. The two have spent about half a decade and a lot of money to add seemingly unprecedented levels of detail to the game’s sound, visuals and car physics. The game is expected to ship with about 1,000 vehicles, 20 racing venues and a track editor to create custom tracks. At its highest level of detail, the game’s physics engine will calculate both internal and external damage to a car, depending on factors like speed and angle of impact. Gran Turismo 5 is slated for an early November release, exclusively on PlayStation 3.
Need for Speed Hot Pursuit
Genre: Racing
Release date: November
Estimated price: (PC) INR 999, (PS3, X360) INR 2,499, (PSP) INR 1,999
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[RELATED_ARTICLE]Criterion games have been given the mantle to breathe some much needed life into a series that seems to have lost its luster in recent years. The studio has taken lessons from their own success with Burnout series and the past glory of pursuit-based NFS games. The result appears to be a game that has the open-world environment and blinding race speed from Burnout Paradise; coupled with licensed super cars that the NFS series is renowned for. The game will feature a full career path either as a racer or as a cop, with some vehicles that will be exclusive to a side. NFS: Hot Pursuit is expected to release in the middle of November on PlayStation 3, PC and Xbox 360.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1: The Videogame
Genre: Action adventure
Release date: November
Estimated price: (PC) INR 999, (PS3, X360) INR 2,499, (PSP) INR 1,499
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Harry Potter games have become season regular ever since EA bagged the video game license for the franchise. These games have typically followed the movie instead of the book and Deathly Hallows continues that tradition. The part one of Deathly Hallows videogame will sport a new game engine, cover mechanics and a mixture of stealth based and action packed missions. For those who decide to invest in the upcoming Microsoft’s Kinect controller for Xbox 360 will find special missions on the disc that are specially designed for the new motion controller. The game is slated for a simultaneous release with the movie release in mid-November.
Click next to take a look at what’s gonna hit shelves during the celebrations (click here if button doesn’t work)……
Tron Evolution
Genre: Action
Release date: December
Estimated price: (PC) INR 699, (PSP) INR 1,649 (PS3) INR 2,499, (Xbox 360) INR 2,249
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Tron: Evolution is shaping up to be an action-adventure game with a mixture of free-run platforming, combined with on-foot and vehicular combat. The game has also incorporated basic RPG element like character customization and level progression. Tron: Evolution will also feature multiplayer component and the player can use the same character during both offline and online play. Tron Evolution is expected to release alongside movie release of Disney’s Tron: Legacy in early December.
Fable III
Genre: Role-playing
Release date: October
Estimated price: (Xbox 360) INR 2,499
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Peter Molyneux and his troupe of developers at Lionhead Studios are at it again with the release of Fable III right around the corner. The character appearance morphing feature, which has become something of a hallmark of Fable series, will be extended to player’s weapons. Halfway through the game, the player will get to play the role of Albion’s king or queen which in itself opens up host of possibilities. For the first in the series, players will be able to leave the continent of Albion and travel to the neighboring country of Aurora. Also expect to find Fable’s trademark humor, an often astonishing attention to detail and a whole lot of wacky Easter-eggs.
Fallout: New Vegas
Genre: Role-playing
Release date: October
Estimated price: (Xbox 360, PS3) INR 2,499, (PC) INR 999
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[RELATED_ARTICLE]After a brief and somewhat unsuccessful sojourn with a brand new franchise in Alpha Protocol, Obsidian Entertainment is back working with licensed properties. Bethesda Softworks has tasked the RPG specialist to follow-up on Fallout 3 while they wrestle with Interplay in courts about Fallout property ownership. This is an interesting proposition for the fans of early games in the series, since Obsidian Entertainment has some members from the now defunct Black Isle studios—the developers of first two games in the series. Some of the additions they are bringing to the table include weapon customization, item crafting, reputation system and a more efficient way of controlling companions through the ‘Companion Wheel’.
Read on and check out more upcoming games that will rock this festive season (click here if button doesn’t work)……
World of WarCraft: Cataclysm
Genre: MMO (Role-playing)
Release date: November
Estimated price: USD 39.99
It’s been six years since the release of World of WarCraft and the game is still going strong. This longevity is in no small part due to a steady stream on new content and expansion packs. Cataclysm will be the third expansion pack released by Blizzard which will add two new races, increased level cap, tons of new quests and lots of changes to the game mechanics. In terms of storyline, the Cataclysm under discussion is brought upon by the return of the evil dragon ‘Deathwing the Destroyer’, who up until now was believed to have been vanquished. The expansion pack is scheduled for end of the year release; however with Blizzard you never know.
Donkey Kong Country Returns
Genre: Platformer
Release date: NA (November), EU (2011)
Estimated price: INR 3,500
[RELATED_ARTICLE]The long past due entry of Donkey Kong Country on Nintendo Wii is finally just around the corner. The Japanese publishing giant has given the honor to its American subsidiary, Retro Studios, in lieu of series regulars Rare. Donkey Kong Country Returns aims to be a game that evokes feeling of nostalgia and at the same time introduce elements that the new tech allows. One of the most significant changes to game-play is the introduction of simultaneous two-player co-op, which in itself has the potential to add new elements. The game will be released in North America in November, whereas PAL system users will have the wait until early next year.
Sonic Colors
Genre: Platformer
Release date: November
Estimated price: (Wii) USD 50, (NDS) USD 30
Sonic the Hedgehog will embark on another quest against tenacious Dr. Eggman to free a bunch of aliens from captivity. Not only do these aliens power the doc’s swanky intergalactic amusement park, but they will also empower Sonic with special abilities. The Wii version of the game will be a mixture of 2D and 3D game-play sequences, while the NDS version will be classic 2D version taking advantage of the handheld’s dual-screen interface. Both versions of the game are expected to be simultaneously released in mid-November.
Read on to get a glimpse at the remaining upcoming games of the season (click here if button doesn’t work)……
WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2011
Genre: Fighting
Release date: October
Estimated price: X360, PS3 (INR 2,499), PS2 (INR 999)
WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2011 is another season regular and as such is expected to simply introduce minor tweaks and additions to the series. Japanese developer’s Yuke’s will continue to build on their wrestling game series with additions like improved physics, enhancements to ‘Hell in a Cell’ mode and backstage roaming in ‘Road to WrestleMania’ mode. On a sour note, THQ has reportedly decided to implement the ‘Online Pass’ system which means that used games owner will have to shell-out extra to take the game online. WWE Smackdown vs. RAW 2011 will be released on all consoles and PSP, while giving PC a miss.
Medal of Honor
Genre: First-person (shooter)
Release date: October
Estimated price: (PC) INR 999, (PS3, X60) INR 2,499
[RELATED_ARTICLE]Electronic Arts’ long running series is being rebooted with the latest release which is being jointly developed by Danger Close and Digital Illusions. The series is shifting from its traditional WWII era to a more current US-led invasion of Afghanistan. EA has reportedly hired consultants from the US army to help design a more “realistic” game. For most part of the game, players will take on the role of ‘Tier 1 Ops’ operative. Other levels in the game will let players take on the role of a US Army Ranger and an Apache helicopter gunner. Just like the recent games in the Battlefield series, Medal of Honor will use the Frostbite engine and may even support dedicated servers.
Call of Duty: Black Ops
Genre: First-person (shooter)
Release date: November
Estimated price: (PS3, X360) INR 3,499
This year it’s Treyarch’s turn to develop the next installment in Activision’s long-running, war-based shooter. Call of Duty: Black Ops will be set during the cold-war era, which is a first for the series. The game’s levels will be in locations like South America, Russia and Vietnam and the player will take on the role of special-forces operatives fighting from behind enemy lines. Treyarch is developing Black Ops for the PC, PS3, Nintendo Wii and Xbox 360, but it is unlikely that the PC and Wii version will be officially available in India. Call of Duty: Black Ops is slated for an early November release, so be ready to shell out a little extra as the PS3 and X360 version are expected to cost a grand more than the usual price-point, at Rs. 3,499.