New Releases for the Week of May 27th, 2012

From an add-on which unleashes all kinds of new beasts to challenge Abraham’s sacrificial son in The Binding of Isaac: The Wrath of the Lamb to Harley Quinn’s two-hour epilogue to Batman: Arkham City‘s storyline, this might be the first week in gaming history where DLC overshadows original content. For better or worse, SEGA’s Vintage Collections offer no opportunities to purchase additional arsenals, meaning players will have to exact their revenge on Golden Axe’s nocturnal potion thieves the old-fashioned way- by cracking open their diminutive craniums with brute force.

360
Batman: Arkham City-Harley Quinn’s Revenge (DLC, $10)
DiRT Showdown
Mad Riders (XBLA, $10)
Mass Effect 3: Rebellion (DLC, Free)
Prototype 2: Excessive Force Pack (DLC, $5.00)
Saints Row: The Third-Maximum Pleasure Pack (DLC, $7.00)
Saints Row: The Third-Saints Purple Ops Pack (DLC, $7.00)
SEGA Vintage Collection: Golden Axe (XBLA, $10)
SEGA Vintage Collection: Streets of Rage (XBLA, $10)

PS3
Atelier Meruru: The Apprentice of Arland
DiRT Showdown
Batman: Arkham City-Harley Quinn’s Revenge (DLC, $9.99)
Mad Riders (PSN, $10)
Mass Effect 3: Rebellion (DLC, Free)
Prototype 2: Excessive Force Pack (DLC, $4.99)
Pure Chess
Rayman Arena (PS2 Classic)
Saints Row: The Third-Maximum Pleasure Pack (DLC, $6.99)
Saints Row: The Third-Saints Purple Ops Pack (DLC, $7.99)

3DS
New Eshop Releases announced 5/31

DS
99 Seconds (DSiWare)

Vita
Pure Chess
Resistance: Burning Skies
Retro City Rampage (delayed)

Mac
The Binding of Isaac: The Wrath of the Lamb (DLC, $2.99)

PC
Batman: Arkham City-Harley Quinn’s Revenge (DLC, $9.99)
End of Nations
Max Payne 3
Saints Row: The Third-Maximum Pleasure Pack (DLC, $6.99)
Saints Row: The Third-Saints Purple Ops Pack (DLC, $6.99)
The Binding of Isaac: The Wrath of the Lamb (DLC, $2.99)
Warlock: Master of the Arcane-Power of the Serpent ($2.99)

DesertEagle’s Pick: For JRPG aficionados, Atelier Meruru promises to stir not only the old alchemical cauldrons, but also player’s emotions, since this is the last game in the perpetually charming Arland series. For PS Vita owners looking for some immersive fun, Resistance: Burning Skies offers the thrills of the PS3 franchise without too much off a loss in fidelity. Just make sure you play with a set of headphones to bask in the game’s invigorating symphonic score.

SeanNOLA’s Pick: After weeks without releases, only to be led astray by the abysmal Table Top Tanks, the Vita needed a solid week. A two-release week isn’t exactly strong, but when those two games are actually worth playing, then it’s worth getting excited about. Everything about Retro City Rampage looks great: The music, the pacing, the humor – I just hope the almost-too-literal homage to the TMNT underwater stage doesn’t sour me on the rest of the game.

Jeremy “The Lawman” LaMont’s Pick: In before EVERYONE picks Retro City Rampage! No, but seriously: this free-roaming mashup of NES Jackal, Double Dragon and GTA2 is peppered with references to your favorite old games and appropriately anachronistic action. Check the official site for videos, free music, and a pretty good look at what to expect from the game. You may be very glad you did. http://www.retrocityrampage.com

BlueSwim’s Pick: Grab your loincloth and firewood splitter, it’s time to put Death Adder in his place. With Sega Vintage Collection: Golden Axe, you’re getting Golden Axe games one through three. While Golden Axe 2 and 3 are Genesis/Mega Drive ports, the first game is the more graphically pleasing arcade version. Local and online co-op is included, so good times will be had by all who decide to brawl their way through the classic high fantasy threesome.

Samurage Pick: I’m interested in Harley Quinn’s Revenge.  From the voice work, which has stayed original from the cartoon, to the stunning cityscapes, to the plethora of tools at your disposal, the Batman: AA and AC games have given me massive amounts of gaming enjoyment. Even though I don’t always love DLC, I’m excited to check this one out.