Let the Gamers Begin - Upcoming Releases
Mike Averill - Tulsa World
Sep 23, 2008
Slew of new video games coming soon
The holiday shopping season is bearing down and for video gamers and parents. That means it's time for a slew of new releases timed for the occasion.
This season's upcoming lineup of games includes several sequels and additions to popular franchises.
Here are some of the most anticipated titles.
SAINTS ROW 2
Release: Oct. 14
Consoles: Xbox 360 and Playstation 3
Rated: Mature for blood and gore, intense violence, sexual content, strong language and use of drugs
The buzz: This is the follow up to Saints Row and picks up five years after the events of the first game. Stilwater, the game's city, has been expanded, and familiar spots have been touched up.
The developer, Volition, Inc., has confirmed a co-op multiplayer element as well as other online multiplayer activities. The online co-op lets you complete the entire story and you aren't limited to playing the same area as your partner, meaning both of you can be in different places.
Customization is also supposed to be far more in-depth than its predecessor.
ROCK BAND 2
Release: Oct. 19 for Playstation 3, Nov. 18 for Wii
Consoles: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii
Rated: Teen
The buzz: Harmonix is bringing an expanded soundtrack spanning 40 years of rock and roll for players to jam along with. It's also boasting redesigned guitar and drum peripherals with more realistic feel.
The new version will be backwards- compatible, allowing you to play along with previous playlists.
New play modes include Band World Tour, online and solo and a Battle of the Bands.
FALLOUT 3
Release: Oct. 28
Consoles: Xbox 360 and Playstation 3
Rated: Mature
The buzz: Bethesda Game Studios is finally set to release this game, which has been in development since 2004. This is a single-player action, role-playing game with first- and third- person views.
According to Bethesda, the story isn't an extension of the previous games, but is it's own separate storyline.
FABLE 2
Release: Oct. 21
Console: Xbox 360
Rated: Mature
The buzz: Lionhead Studios is set to release the highly anticipated sequel to the original Fable.
The new game will be set 500 years after the original story. Like the previous version, every decision the player makes will determine who they become in the game.
New features include a canine companion that will protect and accompany the player, if the dog is fed. There's also going to be a co-op mode.
And while there will still be swords, spells and dungeons to explore, the bow has been replaced with guns.
GUITAR HERO: WORLD TOUR
Release: Oct. 26
Consoles: Xbox 360, Playstation 3,Wii and Playstation 2
Rated: Teen
The buzz: New with World Tour is the addition of drums and a microphone. And with the ability to play with four people at once, you can take a band on tour or just go solo.
There is also going to be online co-op and head-to-head online play as well as a four-on-four battle of the bands.
Also new is a music studio where you can create and share your music.
Rock out.
CALL OF DUTY: WORLD AT WAR
Release: Nov. 11
Consoles: Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and Wii
Rated: Mature
The buzz: The latest installment in the Call of Duty franchise is taking the storyline back to WWII with two campaigns: the Pacific Theater and the Eastern Front, and Kiefer Sutherland is going to be the star voice actor.
This is another title boasting co-op play with either four- player split screen or four players online in addition to the classic online modes.
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