LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
First up, I want to talk about LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4. This is the latest in a long string of LEGO games based on movies, which have been more popular than they have any right to be, with children and adults alike. The popular characters and stories, easy gameplay, intuitive controls, and and fun LEGO physics have a huge draw for lots of people from all walks. In all likelihood, this newest entry would have the same appeal—even if they hadn’t changed anything from the last LEGO game. However, this new one introduces spell-casting, potion-making, and the availability of over a hundred playable characters, all with slightly different abilities. The Xbox and PlayStation editions will have internet co-op multi-player, and the DS version will have stylus-based spell-casting controls.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior
Sniper: Ghost Warrior is a sneaking action game. I got a good look at this one at E3, and I think it’s one to be excited about. It’s got a big focus on stealth, and unlike some games *cough* FarCry *cough* it’s actually possible to sneak without being seen. Although, once you are seen, the enemies don’t give up and go back to their posts just because you hide behind a tree. The developers put a lot of focus into the AI, and into the realism of the sniper rifle. Players will be able to choose a difficulty level, which will mostly affect the rifle—changing it from typical cross-hair-only to wind and distance-affected. It can even go up to full realism, in which the player would actually have to know how to fire a sniper rile in order to succeed. If you’re a sneaky kind of person, perhaps this game can tide you over until the next Thief game.
APB
APB is really only interesting because of its experimental payment structure. This is an MMO for which players will have the option to pay hourly. The price will be $6 for 20 hours or $10 for a month of unlimited play. You would think that players would be excited about options, but there have been a lot of complaints about the hourly option. In addition, the free trial that players get from purchasing the game will be measured in hours instead of weeks. While most MMOs offer a free month, APB is offering a free 50 hours, meaning that one can get at least an hour per dollar out of the purchase. It will be interesting to see how this plays out, and to get some statistics about the percentage of players who choose the hourly option. The game itself is some kind of road-warrior-cops-and-robbers-something-or-other. I don’t know really, I wasn’t paying much attention to that part.
Commander: Conquest of the Americas
The Icrontic Spotlight this week lights up the canvas sails of Commander: Conquest of the Americas. The developers describe this game as the spiritual successor to East India Company, and it really looks like they took a lot of fan feedback to heart. EIC was a great economic simulation game with lots of detail, but lackluster combat and a general absence of “polish”. This new game, however seems to have really found that bit of polish, and while the trading and production system is more granular, it also seems more intuitive. The battle system has also been improved, making the battles at sea a bit less boring to participate in. For plot, the whole game has been moved to the Colonial-era Americas, allowing the player to focus on establishing colonies and building their economy through trade with the old-world.
Following is a full list of this week’s announced North American releases.
Windows
- APB
- ArmA II: Combined Operations
- ArmA II: Operation Arrowhead
- Commander: Conquest of the Americas
- Disciples III: Renaissance
- Fallen Earth: Blood Sports
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Monkey Island 2 Special Edition: Lechuck’s Revenge
- Nancy Drew: Trail of the Twister
- Need for Speed World
- Rise of Flight: Iron Cross Edition
- Singularity
- Sniper: Ghost Warrior
- Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty
- The Silver Lining – Episode 1: What is Decreed Must Be
- Theta Warrior Online
Wii
- 10 Minute Solution
- 2-for-1 Power Pack: Winter Blast/Summer Sports 2
- Harley-Davidson: Road Trip
- Jett Rocket
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Pong Toss Pro: Frat Party Games
- Robin Hood: The Return of Richard
- Sin & Punishment: Star Successor
- The Last Airbender
- Thomas & Friends: Heroes of the Rail
- Mario Tennis (VC – N64)
DS
- Ancient Tribe
- Animal Color Cross
- Battle of Giants: Mutant Insects – Revenge
- Brain Drain
- Date or Ditch
- Junior Classic Books and Fairytales
- Just Sing!
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Maestro! Green Groove
- Runaway: A Twist of Fate
- The Last Airbender
- thinkSMART
- Thomas & Friends: Heroes of the Rail
- Vampire Legends: Power of Three
Xbox 360
- DeathSmiles
- N3II: Ninety-Nine Nights
- Singularity
- Sniper: Ghost Warrior
- Puzzle Quest 2
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
PS3
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
- Singularity
- Trinity Universe
PSP
- Hot Shots Tennis: Get a Grip
- TNA Impact: Cross the Line
- LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4
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