What Games To Consider (April 1st – April 5th)

Welcome to the We Got This Covered’s gaming couch. Come in, sit down and relax as we take you through the video game releases clogging up the calendar over the next seven days. As we approach the end of the fiscal year for some countries and companies shift their output to accommodate the various conventions, gamers are forced to withstand peaks and troughs in terms of actual releases. It didn’t help that March 2013 was one of the busiest months in recent memory, with industry titans such as God of War, Tomb Raider and in particular Bioshock bashing bank balances the world over like a certain plumber bashing certain Goombas. But hey, it’s the holidays! And why not treat yourself to one of this week’s brand new releases? Let our handy guide accompany you during your break, because this week promises some truly cracking – sorry, I couldn’t resist – releases to accompany you in your chocolate induced coma. Now, let's boot up the system and see what games are on this week's horizon! Continue reading on the next page... Playstation 3 April 2nd: - Defiance (PS3/Xbox 360/PC) - Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge* (PS3/Xbox 360) *This game will be released on April 5th in the U.K. - Borderlands 2: Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack DLC (PS3/Xbox 360/PC) - Capcom Arcade Cabinet*: Game Pack 4 (PS3/Xbox 360) *This game will arrive on Xbox LIVE on Wednesday April 3rd. Defiance Genre – Massive Multiplayer Online/Third Person Shooter Developer – Trion Games R.R.P. - $59.99/£37.99 (PC £34.99) On Tuesday we have the release of Trion World’s new title Defiance. It’s an apt title for the game, really, considering the sprawling online shooter is defying any border that technology has established over the last few years. Allow me to explain; not only will the game incorporate players from the three main platforms – namely PS3, Xbox and PC –, it will also tie into the threads of a television show of the same name, which is set to premiere on Universal’s Syfy April 15th. That’s right, Defiance will not only transcend genres, it’s positioned to go beyond its physical boundaries to support a televised narrative in a way never before seen. It’s as though the developing team at Trion took the concept of synergy and compounded it to the nth degree to create an unprecedented collaboration. Though, you get the feeling that the game’s magnitude – advertised as its biggest strength – may just be its defining flaw. In order for the transmedia project to work, both the game and TV show need to be received well, but let’s allow industry executives to fret over the numbers. At its colossal core, Defiance is a third-person shooter set on a future earth where factions of the human race battle for alien technology. It promises a deep and rewarding system of characterisation, including special abilities, unique weapons and the ability to play as a human/alien hybrid. After kicking about development for five gruesome years, the studio’s ambitious dedication is finally about to pay off because come April 2nd, you can pick up a third person shooter that is truly unique in scope. Borderlands 2: Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack DLC Genre – First Person Shooter Developer – Gearbox Software R.R.P. – Season Pass Owners Free, otherwise $4.99 Gearbox Software lifted the lid on some additional content at their PAX panel over the weekend, including an add-on for Borderlands 2 which, as it turns out, is the one that fans have been hoping for since the game was released back in September. The update will boost the level cap from 50 up to 61 with a brand spanking new difficulty mode to boot. What’s more, new weaponry will parachute onto the wild lands of Pandora in the form of the Pearlescent class – which fans will recognise from the original Borderlands. The creative team at Gearbox Software are clearly fans of weighty DLC, considering the upgrade pack will introduce a third playthrough for the game and, if that wasn’t enough, a spike in difficulty by bolstering enemy health. Owners of the game’s season pass will be able to download the content free of charge; otherwise fans can expect a $5 price tag when the content is released digitally on Tuesday. Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge Genre – Hack & Slash/ Third Person Adventure Developer – Team Ninja R.R.P. - $39.99/£32.99 What was once a Wii U exclusive will branch onto PS3 and Xbox 360 on Tuesday in the form of Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge. Having launched on Nintendo’s console back in November in the U.S of A, this brand new version will also herald added enhancements and the in-game downloadable content from the original title. Razor’s Edge for Wii U was originally a HD port of Ninja Gaiden 3 from the developing studio over at Team Ninja, – three releases for one game? Now that’s just greedy – in saying that, this latest increment for Xbox 360 and PS3 with its additional weapons and moves looks to be the most complete yet. By tossing in three newly playable characters, including Momiji, Ayane and Kasumi, fans of the game will relish the notion of testing out the individual and highly stylised combat systems which the series has become renown for. Having suffered fan backlash for the original Ninja Gaiden 3, this is very much a statement of intent for the studio and, in fairness, Team Ninja have pulled out all the stops to appease their disgruntled audience. The brutal third person hack-and-slash may not be everyone’s cup of tea, though if you do decide to pick it up keep an eye out for symptoms of Stockholm Syndrome, as the developers have promised a much, much harder experience this time round. Yikes! Capcom Arcade Cabinet: Game Pack 4 Genre – Classical Arcade Developer – Capcom R.R.P. - $9.99/£7.99/800 Microsoft Points Since February 19th, every fortnight Capcom have opened their creative vault to allow a new iteration of the Capcom Arcade Cabinet to leap onto PSN and Xbox Live, and this week will see the release of the 4th instalment in the niche series. When you stop to consider the wealth of nostalgia that the studio is re-releasing onto the digital ether, you may just have to push your jaw back into a closed position. Released in bursts of three, the game packs bode beloved titles from a bygone arcade era, specifically from 1984-1988. From Black Tiger to Ghosts ‘n’ Goblins these games are true relics of the video game industry. This week will see the unveiling of the penultimate collection and will include Commando, The Speed Rumbler and Exed Exes (Savage Bees). Gamers interested in how the foundations of today’s genres were shaped should check out the packs and though the option to purchase the games individually is available, this is a nostalgic treat best served with three portions. Star Recommendation: Defiance Worth Checking out for a blast from the past: Capcom Arcade Cabinet: Game Pack 4 On the next page we'll be venturing onto the lush green lands of Xbox 360... Xbox 360 April 2nd: - Defiance (PS3/Xbox 360/PC) - Ninja Gaiden 3: Razor’s Edge* (PS3/Xbox 360) *This game will be released on April 5th in the U.K. - Borderlands 2: Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack DLC (PS3/Xbox 360/PC) - Capcom Arcade Cabinet*: Game Pack 4 (PS3/Xbox 360) *This game will arrive on Xbox LIVE on Wednesday April 3rd April 3rd: - BattleBlock Theater(Xbox 360 Exclusive) For all the details surrouding the multi-platform releases, head on over to the PS3 section. Here, though, let's put BattleBlock Theater under the microscope for a close inspection. BattleBlock Theater Genre – Adventure/Puzzle Game Developer – The Behemoth R.R.P. – $15.00/£10.00/1200 Microsoft Points (Approximately) Eyeing a hat-trick of successful indie releases, the next game from developer The Behemoth will be called BattleBlock Theater and takes players on an immersive adventure set at sea. The studio’s previous two games, Alien Hominid and Castle Crashers, were individually chaotic 2D adventures that shared a unique, hand-drawn aesthetic. For BattleBlock Theater, though, players take charge of Hatty Hattington who winds up shipwrecked on a desert island which, unbeknownst to him, holds a secret within a mysterious theater. The game has been designed to incorporate co-operative play and will encourage players to work in tandem to complete challenges, avoid pitfalls and all other forms of nasties hidden within The Behemoth’s expertly created world. The publisher has enjoyed continued success since their inception in 2003, as a matter of fact Castle Crashers remains one of the most downloaded titles on Xbox Live with a whopping 2.6 million copies. Which is a sure sign that BattleBlock Theater deserves your attention come Wednesday. For a hint at the art style and humour behind The Behemoth's game, check out the teaser trailer below! For all your 3DS' needs, click next to continue! 3DS April 2nd: - Super Black Bass 3D (3DS Exclusive) 3DS owners don’t have much to wave their styluses at this week, unfortunately, other than the release of fishing simulator Super Black Bass 3D. Super Black Bass 3D Genre – Fishing Simulator Developer – Rising Star Games R.R.P – $29.99 Developed by Starfish SD and published by Rising Star, the game is the latest instalment in the long running franchise and looks to take full advantage of the various functionalities of Nintendo’s handheld. With a fresh reserve of thirty fish to catch and the inclusion of social leader boards, Super Black Bass 3D has the potential to satisfy its niche fan base with a deep and satisfying portable experience. Combining patience and sporadic reflexes may seem like an odd mix for a video game, but if competitive fishing sounds like it may peak your interest then Super Black Bass 3D is well worth checking out this Tuesday. For a brief trailer of the game, check out the video down under! Staying in the Nintendo ballpark, let's look to Wii U now... Wii U April 4th: - Toki Tori 2 (Wii U Exclusive) For this week, Wii U owners only have one release to look forward to, which will be available via the console's online e-shop. Toki Tori 2 Genre – Puzzle Platformer Developer – Two Tribes R.R.P. – $14.99/£12.99 You may be familiar with the world of Toki Tori. The title was first released for the Game Boy Colour in 2001 and has since diversified onto numerous different platforms, including PS3 and iOS. The cute, artsy puzzle game incorporated platforming mechanics to deliver a fun and refreshing experience. And now, after twelve long years, the developers at Two Tribes studio have completed their work on Toki Tori 2. The studio were bolstered by the successful re-release of the first game on WiiWare – the Wii’s digital download service – back in 2008, where it picked up prestigious awards including Best Puzzle Game and Best WiiWare game at IGN’s annual awards ceremony. So the question of a sequel was not if, but when for the developers. The follow-up is penned for Wii U for now but don’t be too surprised if it extends to different platforms in the near future. Centring on a humble and strangely heroic bird, players will explore a lush forest in order to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens the Metroidvania-esque habitat. Including a whole host of new features made possible by the Wii U’s tech – specifically the integration of the Gamepad’s camera and touch screen, which allows users to craft their own unique levels – Toki Tori 2 looks to be the perfect game to unwind to with the kids, just don’t let them trump you at those pesky puzzles! Rounding off this week we have the platform of PC. I'll see you after the jump! PC April 2nd: - Defiance (PS3/Xbox 360/PC) - Borderlands 2: Ultimate Vault Hunter Upgrade Pack DLC (PS3/Xbox 360/PC) - Cities in Motion 2 (PC Exclusive) April 4th: - Evoland (PC Available via Steam) For all the details regarding games on other platforms, head over to the PS3 section. In this segment, though, we'll be breaking down the upcoming titles for PC. Cities in Motion 2 Genre – Simulation Developer – Colossal Order Price – $20/£14.95 Did you withstand the turbulent release of SimCity last month? Hey, me too. It was, quite frankly, a very preventable disaster; however, if simulation is your genre then this week has your answer. Cities in Motion 2 is the upcoming sequel to 2011’s mass transit simulator and will provide gamers with a wealth of features to assist in their creation of a public transport system. Of course, Colossal Order’s game is a specialist title aimed at a particular audience, but with the addition of day/night systems and an entire multiplayer section – itself boasting both co-operative and competitive play variations – the game isn’t short on content. It may channel creative inspiration from the Tycoon series in terms of design, yet Cities in Motion 2 has built upon the foundations of its popular predecessor in an attempt to offer players the best transport simulator money can buy. The game will be available through retail, but beat all those unnecessary traffic jams by nabbing Cities in Motion 2 from Steam on Tuesday! Evoland Genre – RPG/Adventure Developer – Shira Games Price – *No price released at this time* It’s rather appropriate that Evoland is hitting Steam sooner than expected. As a product of the accelerated gaming event Ludum Dare, the game was made in less than 48 hours by a talented team of developers – though let that be no indicator of the finished product. Evoland is perhaps the most intriguing game being released this week. It was originally built as a documentary about the progression of the action game genre until the team behind it decided to flesh out the concept into a fully-fledged game, and thank heavens they did. You know how RPG’s impose a traditional unlocking system that rewards your efforts? Well, in Evoland the loot you unlock doesn’t resemble dirty coins, rusty weapons and Goblin clothes, no, instead you are granted with new ways of playing the game. From the nostalgic top-down Monochrome perspective all the way up to the current 3D era, Evoland lets you play within an entire generation of video games as you progress through the story. Now how often can you say that about a game? For pure innovation alone, Evoland is my recommendation of the week. Seriously, one look at this trailer and I guarantee you'll be interested... Pretty amazing, huh? Overall though, what do you make of this week's release schedule? Will you be picking any games and, if so, which one/s? Let us know in the comment section!