This Week: For the last week...

I started the 'This Week' posts to force myself to write on this blog more often. Unfortunately, the side effect is that I would put up posts that I was not interested in, and if I don't want to read it I highly doubt anyone else would. The fact of the matter is; if you want to know about new games you could go to any one of 50 different sites and find that info. So for the last 'This Week' post I will detail the top 10 (or so) games I plan on purchasing this year and why.

1. Darksiders - I took notice of Joe Mad around the time he was drawing Astonishing X-men: Age of Apocolypse. His take on the alternate universe X-Men looked awesome (I particularly liked Shiro and Blink). So it wouldn't take much else to get me to check this title out. The game play has been described as a mash-up of God of War and Legend of Zelda. Even if the parts don't add up to the total of either of those games, you still end up with some bad ass parts. I just purchased this game and am frantically trying to finish Final Fantasy X so I can focus on it fully.

My initial impressions?

The game installs 2 gigs while you are playing with little to no loads and no drop in performance. This is amazing and any game that doesn't adopt this method from here on out should be considered second rate. This game runs amazingly well on the ps3, silky smooth framerate and crisp visuals delighted my eyes. I haven't played this game for more than an hour, but I already feel my purchase was well justified.


2. Heavy Rain

On a previous This Week I said that this game should probably be checked out solely based on it's technical achievement. I still think this is true, despite the fact that I was burned by this studio's last game Indigo Prophesy. I have never played a game that had such an amazing first 30 minutes that was followed by slowly declining garbage. Many of my colleagues have already purchased and completed this game, so I know it may not have lasting appeal, but I still want to give it a shot. I will buy it this year, especially because my wife wants to play it, but I will most likely wait for it to drop below the $40 mark before I do so.


3. Final Fantasy XIII

This is another game that has already been released. Funny how 2 of the 3 must buy games of this year on my list have still yet to be added to my collection. I have good reason for this one, not because I am waiting for the price to drop, but because I am backlogged right now. Extensive overtime at work plus I am near the end of Final Fantasy X means I will just have to wait. I have seen a good portion of the intro played through by friends and the game looks amazing. I only hope it has the same staying power as my previous favorites of the franchise VII, VIII, X. (VII wasn't my first FF, but I don't like going back to the ultra simplistic gameplay of VI or earlier. I have tried several times.) If you are familiar with the level of quality and polish Square puts into their Final Fantasy Franchise* then you should have no qualms about picking this one up right away.

*Only applies to true sequels of the FF franchise, not spin offs, side stories or movies.


4. God of War III

ARES!!!! Seriously though, if you doubt the awesomeness of this game, check the reviews that are already out. Metacritic currently has the game at 94 with 51 critics reviews. A friend once told me his game purchasing philosophy was to just buy anything that had an average review score of 90% or more. I tend to agree with this, it has rarely been wrong. Still, the God of War franchise has only improved with each iteration, and many have extremely high expectations of the series. This just goes to show that the game is meeting and exceeding expectations with such high critical acclaim.


5. Super Street Fighter IV

I am a fighting game fan and with only a handful of quality fighting games released each year, it is hard to pass up a game with such a solid design. Whether you are a Street Fighter vet or a new challenger, there has never been a better time to check this series out. At a decent price ($40 new) and a roster around 35 characters, there really is something here for everyone. Tekken helped get me through college and now Street Fighter is keeping me sane at my retarded job. If nothing else convinces you maybe you should just look up this guy.


6. Red Dead Redemption

If you are a fan of westerns add a point. If you like sandbox games add a point. If you like Rockstar as a game publisher add a point. If you like the old west or the southwest add a point. If you have at least 3 points, plan on picking this title up. Imagine a Grand Theft Auto game free of cell phones and annoying cousins. A game in which you don't have to date some annoying bitch just to progress the story line. A game in which you can shoot Americans, Mexicans and hopefully Indians. You may be starting to get the idea. Well partner, I'm ready to rob this train, what about ya'll?


7. Fallout New Vegas

Much like Elder Scrolls Oblivion before it, I became addicted to the dystopic vision of the Fallout 3 wastelands. I have played through the entire game twice and explored one of the dlc areas. Over 150 hours worth of playtime; I plan on finishing the other dlc packs as well. So this game is a no brainer for me. Sure it isn't being developed by the same team that created the original, but it is being published by the same group. I hope this means a level of quality that is close to the original, and if it is better, well that is just icing on the cake. If you don't care for first person shooters, but like rpgs I would recommend trying fallout at least once. It has a myriad of play styles, one of which you are sure to like.


8. Last Guardian

Ico and Shadow of the Colossus were some of the most beautiful cinematic games of the PS2 era. I loved both and it only makes since for me to get my hopes up that the next game by the creators will release this year. A short Shadow of the Colossus story:

I used to work at a video rental store and when we were slow, we would sometimes play videogames on the large monitors at the front of the store. I started playing this game and while I was battling one of the bosses a customer came up and asked what was on screen. I told him the title and he said "Oh". After a few minutes the man came back and asked "Do you have that for rent?" and I said "Sure, let me get it for you." I handed him the game case and he responded. "It's a game? Nevermind."

I was astonished at the time that someone would think the game was some kind of film, but it is a testament to the production values of that title. The design of both games were refined to the Nth degree, and I can't wait to see what is in store for the PS3 debut of Team Ico.


9. Batman Arkham Asylum 2

Perhaps the best single player comic adaptation to come out this console generation, Batman Arkham Asylum stunned me. BAM. I loved the style that Rocksteady put into the game and felt they did a great job adding tons of polish. WHOOP. As long as the sequel doesn't try to change the formula too much, the next game in this franchise should be amazing. PUNT. I only hope I get to drive the Batmobile, and that there is more characters to play as. Nightwing anyone?


10. Dead Rising 2

I only played the first Dead Rising briefly and though I liked the concept, I felt the execution suffered. The game was almost too unfocused. I already like how the second game is shaping up. Combining items, new locations and a new characters are just a few of the changes we can expect in this title, but I am really interesting in seeing more about the multiplayer that will be included in the package.


11. Shank

I really don't have much to say about this game, mostly 'cause I don't know much. Anyway check this shit out! My first thought was "A game where you play as Brock Samson!"


12. DC Universe

As I have stated before, I don't really 'do' MMOs, but I have a few friends who really want to check this one out. Because of that, I might just suit up with some ridiculous superhero/villian and give this title a whirl. How about a villian that spreads grease all over the ground and a noxious gas in the air so you are forced to slide around. If I play this game I will let you know if this is possible.


13. Just Cause 2

I played the demo on the Playstation Network and wasn't expecting anything. I suggest you do the same (with no expectations). The game sold me based on it's off the wall mechanics. Want to shoot a propane tank and watch it spiral into the air? Cool. Want to use your grappeling hook to attach it to a helicopter? Awesome. Want to then ride the flaming tank, then jump off right before it blows up and parachute down to a road with jeeps, steal one and drive it off a cliff into an enemy base? EVEN BETTER.