Big week again, this time due to Microsoft’s console launch. This is really the last big week of the year, too, though Gran Turismo 6 is still on my calendar. On that topic, two awesome looking racing games hit stores this week. Forza has always been on my to-play list, but this year really has me wanting that Xbox One more than usual. ~Don P.
Need for Speed: Rivals (PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One) tackles the street racing scene again, this time developed by Ghost Games. Criterion is collaborating with the newly-formed studio, though. What sticks out about Rivals when comparing it to Most Wanted, last years gem, is that there is a bit of customization included. That’s an important addition, as it has been missing for a few years now. I’m also looking forward to playing as a cop, but I foresee most of my time being spent speeding away from them.
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Do you smash walls as you corner in racing games? Are you aggressive when passing opponents, trading paint to get around them? Forza 5 (Xbox One), in an effort to push the genre forward, takes your racing style and creates an online profile. This way, you can race your friends even when you are at work. This has potential to be a game-changer, despite the rather short list of cars and tracks when compared to it’s Playstation counterpart.[/one_half]
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I’m always a little skeptical at these motion games. Fighter Within (Xbox One) looks really neat, but so did a handful of other motion controlled games that ended up getting played once or twice in my household. Fighter Within looks great in the trailers, but I want to see it in action before I commit. [/one_half_last]
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It’s finally here. After a few years off to reboot and try to make a better product, NBA Live 14 (PS4 and Xbox One) is here. Built on a new engine, and only for next-gen consoles, NBA Live 14 hopes to replant itself in households as the basketball game. I think the most interesting thing on Lives rapsheet is how it updates itself after every game with dozens of stats, player, and team tendencies.[/one_half]
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And our strategy game for the week, Tank Operations: European Campaign (PC) has a few things going its way. First, it’s a WWII strategy game. Second, it’s built on a hex-grid board, so it resembles the many board games available on the market. And third, it’s being published by Kalypso, whom are known for Omerta: City of Gangsters, Rise of Venice, and Tropico (among others). How accessible it is to those non-hardcore strategy gamers, while still being as deep as possible, is going to be a determining factor on how well it takes off.[/one_half_last]
Also available –
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Dead Rising 3 (Xbox One)[/one_third]
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Ryse: Son of Rome (Xbox One)[/one_third]
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Killer Instinct (Xbox One)[/one_third_last]
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Crimson Dragon (Xbox One)[/one_third]
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The Amazing Spider-Man (Vita)[/one_third]
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Stick it to the Man! (PS3)[/one_third_last]
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Soul Calibur II HD Online (PS3 and Xbox 360)[/one_half]
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BandFuse: Rock Legends (PS3 and Xbox 360)[/one_half_last]
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The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep (PC)[/one_half]
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Young Justice League (3DS, PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360)[/one_half_last]
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Girls’ Fashion Shoot (3DS)[/one_half]
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Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW! (3DS, PC, PS3, Wii U, and Xbox 360)[/one_half_last]
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Disney Frozen: Olaf’s Quest (3DS)[/one_half]
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Barbie: Dreamhouse Party (3DS, Wii U)[/one_half_last]
Are you picking up anything this week? Still playing catch up from weeks past? Let us know in the comments below.
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