How does that saying go? One is random. Two is a coincidence. Three is a pattern. Well, starting with two weeks ago with Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream, Drop, Distance and its following week of just one release, we’re seeing an odd pattern of one big week followed by a small, dead week before repeating again. Lucky for us, we’re in the big week.

Remember. Release dates are quite literally made at the whims of the publisher.  The following are subject to change without any warning.

 

Releases To Watch For This Week

New Super Mario Bros. 2 (3DS)

Sunday August 19, 2012

It’s Mario. Need I say more? I do? Oh fine.

What can be said about this sequel? The “2” at the end of it says it all following the bigger, better formula of sequels instead of the more Final Fantasy-esque, reset-just-about-everything-you-know-about-the-series style of previous Mario platformer sequels. Like its predecessor, New Super Mario Bros. 2 plays in 2D, has various power-ups scattered around the levels, and involves rescuing Princess Peach who’s presumably getting kidnapped all the time to rack up the frequent kidnapee points that’s so popular with Mushroom Kingdom credit cards. Continuing Nintendo’s mining of Mario’s past, the Raccoon Tail makes its formal return here complete with the P-Meter waiting to mock you when you just can’t fill it up to get to that magical flight state.

Despite how it sounds NSMB2 does have new feature: an emphasis on coin collecting. As you play the game keeps track of all the coins you collect as you progress to reach the one million coins. This doesn’t mean that each level will have more coins than what you’ve normally seen in previous Mario games. That honor belongs to the levels found in Coin Rush mode. Each of these levels is packed with hundreds (thousands?) of coins. Some are in plain sight, but most of them require the use of special power-ups like the Golden Fire Flower whose fireballs turn anything along its path into coins or the coin hat that continuously gives you coins so long as you wear it, which gives even more coins so long as you keep running. Even the flagpole at the end gives you coins depending on how high up the pole you managed to reach. Your coin total and your best coin score in Coin Rush mode also get passed to others through StreetPass theoretically to insult their inadequate skills.

The 3DS’s slow start must have really freaked the hell out of Nintendo to have them release two Mario games for the system less than a year apart from each other. Whatever. Their insecurities have become our gain.

 

Honorable Mention

Darksiders II (Xbox 360, PS3)

Tuesday March 14, 2012

Can’t get enough Zelda starring a big brutish Horseman of Apocalypse? Well, you’re in luck. The first Darksiders did well enough to warrant a sort-of sequel.

Previously War has been framed for starting the apocalypse far earlier than it was originally planned. While War goes about clearing his name, Death was sent out to find the one who really did start the apocalypse. Unlike War, Death doesn’t have the luxury of heavy armor. Instead, he relies on his upgradable abilities and agility. He can’t even block relying instead on his dodging ability. In action, Darksiders II looks to have more in common with the spry Dante and Nero of Devil May Cry than the brutish Kratos of God of War. Death’s abilities follow the ever popular skill tree model giving you control over what kind of fighter Death turns out to be, but it can never be fully maxed out making each skill point allocation as important as what gear you have on.

Unlike War, Death will acquire a variety of armor and weaponry with differing stat boost and perks. One look at his inventory screen, and one could easily confuse it for some kind of western Role Playing Game. In terms of weaponry, Death will be able to play with more than just his pair of scythe. He’ll come across giant hammers, claws, and… a pistol? I’m sure it’s a magical pistol or something.

The first Darksiders may not have been as popular as the Zelda series or the God of War series, but it had a following nonetheless. Based on what’s been revealed for this sequel, Darksiders II appears on track to expand its fan base out to the general populace.

 

The Last Story (Wii)

Tuesday March 14, 2012

What the hell? A Japanese Role Playing Game… with a cover mechanic? And a versus multiplayer mode? Are we even talking about the same Japan?

The Last Story utilizes a rather unique blend of action RPG with that of a Strategy game. At first, you’ll only control Zael, the leader of the mercenary group capable of using a rare power, as he hacks and slash his way around the battlefield. Not long after that though, you’ll be able to stop the action to give individual commands to your group, take cover behind object to avoid attracting attention and enemy snipers, use a special “Gathering” ability to force enemies to pay attention to you while your fellow mages cast their spells, or destroy environments to have it come crumbling down on your enemies. Take your pick.

Even the magic system has some unique properties on top of just elemental destruction and healing. Summoning a fireball onto an area leaves behind a temporary circle of fire. You can either walk through it to imbue your weapon with fire or dash in with a slash that spreads the effect outwards causing additional damage or effects. Suffice it to say The Last Story looks to add new elements to the otherwise stale JRPG genre.

And just to really push that message of being different from every other JRPG over the edge, the multiplayer mode utilizes the exact same fighting engine except used against real live online opponents. If you’re not in the mood to test your mettle against a live opponent, you can team up with other people against the various bosses from the story mode. Not many Action RPG combat mechanics can translate itself into a versus mode for good reasons. Let’s see if Sakaguchi managed to pull this off.

Did I mention that? Hironobu Sakaguchi, as in the guy most well known for creating Final Fantasy, worked as the director on this game. If that didn’t ring your Déjà vu bells, add in the fact that Nobuo Uematsu, also best known for his works on the Final Fantasy series, made all the music here, and one can’t wonder just what the hell Final Fantasy XIII would’ve actually been like if they were still working for Square Enix.

 

Sleeping Dogs (Xbox 360, PS3)

Tuesday March 14, 2012

Are you tired of playing as the usual Italian-esque gangsters and mafias? Ready for a little more Asian influenced crime drama? Go play Yakuza. What’s that? A little too Asian for you? In that case, why not try Sleeping Dogs instead.

You play as Wei Shen, an undercover cop out to take down the Hong Kong Triads on their home turf. Just because you play as a cop doesn’t mean you to play by the rules *cough*L.A. Noire*cough*. In addition to the standard martial arts kicks and punches, Shen will be able to utilize various environmental hazards, even if they don’t necessarily look all that hazardous to begin with like store shutters and phone booths. Most of these look incredibly gory and most likely than not will kill the poor fool on the receiving end.

Like any open world game, Sleeping Dogs version of Hong Kong offers a smorgasbord of side missions like street races, shaking down vendors for protection money, spectating cock fights, yada, yada, yada. Some of these missions will get you closer with the Triads, but others will give your brownie points with the police department. Sleeping Dogs actually tracks how well you’re doing with these two sides and award you with new combat abilities, equipment, and other abilities to help you get around.

So far the Grand Theft Auto series has you playing with gangsters in the U.S. of A in various locations and eras, but it has yet to focus on Asian gangs exclusively. Let’s see if that will give Sleeping Dogs enough of an edge over GTA.

 

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