Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
The preorder used to be an effortless task, with gamers putting down five dollars or more toward a single, upcoming title. These days, the process has become a lot more complicated. With no less than seven different versions (standard, Special, Gold, The Rook’s Edition, The Charing Cross Edition, The Collector’s Edition, and the Big Ben’s Collector’s Case) spread out between the US and EU, Ubisoft has raised the bar for gratuitous convolution. While we recognize the industry’s desire for novelty, the complication incurred by multiple SKUs, and the near-ubiquitous issuing of season passes, and incremental reissues is all getting a little exhausting.
Header image: 200% Mixed Juice, PC
PlayStation 3
Minecraft: Story Mode – Season Disc ($29.99)
Monster High: New Ghoul in School ($39.99)
Tecmo’s Deception (PSN, PSone Classic, $5.99)
WWE 2K16 ($59.99)
PlayStation 4
Arcade Archives: Ninja-Kid II (PSN, $7.99)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (also on PSN, $59.99)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Collector’s Edition ($119.99)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Gold Edition (also on PSN, $89.99)
Darksiders II : Deathinitive Edition (also on PSN, $29.99)
Divinity Original Sin: Enhanced Edition (also on PSN, $59.99)
Driveclub Bikes (PSN, $19.99)
Foul Play (PSN, $9.99, cross-buy)
Mega Coin Squad (PSN, $14.99)
Minecraft: Story Mode – Season Disc ($29.99)
MX vs. ATV: Supercross Encore Edition (also on PSN, $29.99)
River City Super Sports Challenge: All-Stars Special
WRC 5 ($TBA)
WWE 2K16 (also on PSN, $59.99)
Wii
Monster High: New Ghoul in School ($29.99)
Wii U
Ascent of Kings (eShop, $1.99)
Color Bombs (eShop, $1.49)
Cutie Pets Pick Berries (eShop, $4.99)
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water (eShop, $49.99)
Monster High: New Ghoul in School ($39.99)
Slender: The Arrival (eShop, $9.99)
Super Ghouls’n Ghosts (eShop, Virtual Console, $7.99)
Xbox 360
Minecraft: Story Mode – Season Disc ($29.99)
Monster High: New Ghoul in School ($39.99)
WWE 2K16 ($59.99)
Xbox One
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (also on XGN, $59.99)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Collector’s Edition ($119.99)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate Gold Edition (also on XGS, $89.99)
Divinity Original Sin: Enhanced Edition (also on XGS, $59.99)
Halo 5: Guardians (also on XGS, $59.99)
Halo 5: Guardians Digital Deluxe Edition XGS ($89.99)
Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition ($99.99)
Halo 5: Guardians Limited Collector’s Edition ($249.99)
Minecraft: Story Mode – Season Disc ($29.99)
WWE 2K16 (also on XGS, $59.99)
WWE 2K16 Deluxe Edition (also on XGS, $89.99)
3DS
Dragon Ball Z: Extreme Butoden (also on eShop, $29.99)
Gravity Falls – Legend of the Gnome Gemulets (also on eShop, $29.99)
Gunslugs 2 (eShop, $4.99)
Monster High: New Ghoul in School ($29.99)
The Legend of Zelda: Tri Force Heroes (also on eShop, $39.99)
Wizdom (eShop, $9.99)
PS Vita
Foul Play (PSN, $9.99, cross-buy)
PC (Available on Steam unless noted)
200% Mixed Juice! (TBA)
Albert and Otto – The Adventure Begins (TBA)
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (Uplay, $59.99)
Auto Dealership Tycoon ($4.99)
Command: Northern Inferno ($17.99)
D/Generation HD ($24.99)
Deathless: The City’s Thirst ($2.99)
Divinity Original Sin: Enhanced Edition (TBA)
Flight of the Paladin (TBA)
Giana Sisters (TBA)
Gnomes Vs. Fairies (TBA)
Heavy Fire: Shattered Spear (TBA)
Infinite Game Works Episode 1 (TBA)
Kingdoms (TBA)
Mu Complex (TBA)
Networm (TBA)
Noct (TBA)
Outpost 13 (TBA)
Pink Hour (TBA)
RPG Maker MV ($71.99)
Shadows on the Vatican Act II: Wrath (TBA)
SinaRun (TBA)
System Shock: Enhanced Edition ($7.99)
The Park ($9.99)
The Troma Project (TBA)
Tracks and Turrets ($10.99)
Void and Meddler (TBA)
Voxel Blast ($9.59)
Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide ($26.99)
Zombie Exodus ($5.99)
Zoombinis (TBA)
Robert’s Pick: Maybe all these Standard, Limited, Deluxe, Special, and Collector’s editions have driven me to irrationality, but I’ve been evading the allure of Master Chief, Jacob and Evie Frye, as well as a roster of wresting luminaries in an effort to understand the principles of turn-based design. After spending the last few weeks with RPG Maker MV, I’m starting to appreciate the power that lurks within the package. Although I don’t have the time to craft that epic role-playing expedition which aches to break free, I’d love to see what others will be able to do with the software. By that, the challenge is issued: here are the tools, now make us laugh, cry, shout, and love.
Gonçalo’s Pick: Many of you are likely familiar with the Bioshock series, for its mix of FPS controls, light RPG elements and strong plot. However, before players explored the depths of Rapture or the heights of Columbia, many were already fighting for their lives in Citadel Station onSystem Shock. PC gamers often revere the System Shock series and really, any game made by Looking Glass Studios during this time. Created as a sort of spiritual sequel to the classic Ultima Underworld, System Shock features a slow-paced, horror themed gameplay that is more RPG than shooter. This enhanced edition gives the game a much needed graphical and control overhaul, making System Shock: Enhanced Edition the best entry point. Regardless of whether you enjoyed Bioshock or not, I cannot recommend System Shock and its sequel enough. While you’re at it, give Ultima Underworld a try as well.
Darksiders II : Deathinitive Edition score points for the puntastic title.
I don’t know if the world is ready for Robert’s game. I’m guess panty shots every 3 minutes and cat and fox girls galore?
It’s not bad enough they release a AC game every year, they have to offer multiple editions as well. Thanks Ubi. Oh, and not buying on PC because Uplay still sucks ass.
Why doesn’t Auto Dealership Tycoon come with any extras like beads for the back of your seat?
Hasn’t Giana Sisters been out since….forever?
I remember there was a time when I absolutely loved Halo. I played the games, watched the animated shorts, and even read the books. But like everything else, it just because a cash cow that got overmilked (funny AC is out this week as well).
Halo pajamas, toys, comics those shitty web series that were basically commercials (Forward Unto Dawn, and Nightfall). Slowly, I became indifferent, then I grew angry that something I like and was once invested in, was just a brand to sell shit.
Anyway, I don’t have a Xbox One and don’t plan on getting one anytime soon, but I did see Halo 5 here, and had to get this off my chest.
I feel the same. Everything I liked as a kid– music, movies, comic, has been milked to death. It was cooler when it wasn’t everywhere at all times and turned into sequel after sequel. Now, Halo or AC comes out and I don’t bother anymore. Is this what adulthood is like?
I hate to say it but if you don’t like all the editions, vote with your wallets. They only bring out more because you guys are buying them.
I never bought these collectors editions. They just bundle the game with junk. Game only for me.
Just say no to plastic guns, broken figurines, cat helmets, and RC cars.
Assassin’s Creed for me this week.
No one’s mentioned it anywhere, but Son’t Arcade Archives collection is way overpriced. I really hope they decide to have a sale on the games.
Syndicate might be the most boring AC game I ever played. I’m not enjoying it at all.
So is the Minecraft story game any good? Was thinking about picking it up.