A few ideas on how to spend your hard-earned cash.
t's hard to believe, but November's just about half gone. The pace of game releases continues to slow down as we inch ever closer to year's end, though I've got to admit: the market's still a bit too hot for my wallet. For those with a next-gen console in their AV rack, it can be pretty hard to decide which games to buy and which to pass up. For those with more than one next-gen console – let's not even go there. Here are some of the more interesting titles to hit store shelves during this, the third week of November.
Following months of waiting, we finally get to see if Ubisoft's decision to place a game during the Third Crusade was a fruitful one. Assassin's Creed promises a lot: a unique setting, refreshingly simple combat controls and stealth mechanics that rely more on disappearing into crowds than the darkness. As good as this game looked at past press showings, there have been a few rumblings recently which suggest some overextension on the part of the developer. Stay tuned in the weeks ahead as we weigh in.
Kane & Lynch sets out to become one of the bloodiest "buddy games" in console history. This interesting tale pairs a recently-sprung career criminal with a recently-sprung psychopath as they strive to achieve their linked but vastly dissimilar goals. Though developed by the folks that brought us the Hitman franchise, Kane & Lynch seems to offer a bit more action than its puzzle-filled precursor.
Perhaps our first two titles sounded a tad too cerebral for you? If you'd rather while away your time blowing up would-be alien overlords, Midway's BlackSite: Area 51 may the shooter for you. I'm not quite sure how there could have been a sequel to any Area 51 game – you'd think one Area 51 would be all it would take for the government to learn its lesson, but then again, there were two Death Stars. This newest installment in the series promises improved graphics and a new tactical bent.
WWE Smackdown vs Raw 2008 debuts on multiple platforms this week. I wish I could tell you what that title meant, but since my favorite wrestler is still Andre the Giant, I'm afraid I'm lost. I do know that the game involves wrestling. Yes, there will definitely be wrestling.
Need For Speed: ProStreet reminds the street racer inside all of us that high-speed driving actually requires a certain degree of skill. EA's racing series veers towards simulation in this newest installment. Since game's featuring tuner cars tend to be about as deep as The Fast and the Furious, I'm going to go ahead and tip my hat to the game's developers for trying something different.
No Mario, I didn't forget you. After breaking the hearts of countless fanboys with Super Mario Sunshine, Miyamoto-san sets out to rekindle the world's love for 3-D platforming with Super Mario Galaxy. Although this title's gravity-bending play may confuse more than its share of high school physics students, who can resist a Mario game?
Resident Evil Umbrella Chronicles looks to be more shooter than survival horror, but many of our favorite locales from past titles return for this go-around. It's very easy to write this one off as another Wii cash-in, but Capcom has a reputation for defying expectations. If nothing else, this title may serve as a nice hors d'oeuvre before Resident Evil 5.
PC gamers, don't feel left out this week. MMORPG stalwart EverQuest upholds its standing as the genre's Never Ending Story thanks to a new expansion: EverQuest II: Rise of Kunark. If architect or urban planner are more your fantasy, check out Sim City Societies, EA's newest release in the house that Maxis built. Regardless of your tastes or your platform, the stores remain fully stocked. It really is a great (albeit financially draining) time to be a gamer.
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