Tech-Gaming Technology, Gaming, and Culture
From the return of the Belmont clan (and Alucard) in Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate to Lara’s Croft’s reappearance in a Tomb Raider reboot, this week’s itinerary of new releases features a number of familiar faces. Even everyone’s favorite aspiring Hokake makes multiple appearances across both the console iterations of Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 and the super deformed 3DS version of Naruto Powerful Shippuden. While the release of Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk might seem similar to Arland aficionados, Gust’s latest release surely couldn’t be about a young women’s journey to self-actualization, could it?
360
Forza Horizon: March Meguiar’s Car Pack (XBL, DLC, $4.99)
Mass Effect 3: Citadel (XBL, DLC, $15)
MLB 2K13
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3
Tomb Raider
PS3
Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk
Fuel Overdose (PSN, $9.99)
Germinator (PSN, $9.99)
Mass Effect 3: Citadel (PSN, DLC, $14.99)
Midnight Club: Street Racing (PS2 Classic, $9.99)
MLB 13: The Show
MLB 2K13
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3
Port Royale 3: Pirates & Merchants (PSN, $29.99)
Tomb Raider
WRC Powerslide (XBLA, $TBA)
Wii
Retro City Rampage (WiiWare, $10)
Wii U
BIT.TRIP Presents… Runner2: Future Legend of Rhythm Alien (eShop, $14.99)
DS
Easter Eggstravaganza (DSiWare, $4.99)
3DS
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate
Coaster Creator 3D (eShop, $4.99)
Mahjong Mysteries – Ancient Athena (eShop, $4.99)
Naruto Powerful Shippuden
Vita
Germinator (PSN, $9.99)
MLB 13: The Show
PC
SimCity
The Showdown Effect
The Sims 3: University Life
Tomb Raider
Total War: Shogun 2 Gold Edition
Robert’s Pick: Get past a preliminary hour stuffed with QTEs, and the latest in a long line of Tomb Raider reboots reveals its true colors. More cinematic and threatening than any of Lara Croft’s previous outings, developer Crystal Dynamics tracks the protagonist’s trajectory from vulnerable teen to hardened survivalist. With a flurry of positive reviews and a design decisions that favors identification over objectification, Tomb Raider is this week’s clear-cut choice.
Eric’s Pick: I don’t think we’ve had this strong of a new release line-up since early December. Almost every system has at least one quality title dropping this week. Tomb Raider is the standout of the bunch, so instead I’ll give some love to Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3. Even though it’s the bazillionth Naruto game to come down the pike, the Storm series has the reputation of being the best line of video games that the popular Shonen Jump franchise has to offer. The action is both, quick and flashy. It’s also a visually striking series, thanks to the excellent anime cel-shaded graphics. Subscribers (including 1-week free trial users) to the dubbed anime streaming service, Neon Alley will receive an exclusive free five costume DLC pack featuring Naruto in samurai armor, Sakura in a sailor school uniform, and Tsunade in a purple one-piece swimsuit. Believe it!
Sage’s Pick: I couldn’t agree more with Robert this week. In order to avoid repetition, I’ll simply add that although I’ve never been hugely into the Lara Croft game series, the release video at E3 blew me away. Getting to see the events that led to the birth of the treasure hunting bad-ass Croft is almost as satisfying as seeing Indiana Jones’ origins in Last Crusade, and outside of the QTEs the game play seems very engaging. Two thumbs up for Tomb Raider.
Deagle, chose Tomb Raider over Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk? I miss the guy that would always pick a JRPG.
Ive been playing a lot of Forza Horizon lately. I’m wondering if any of the DLC is worth picking up.
If that Rally add-on ever goes on sale, I’ll probably bite. Did any site ever review it?
Eurogamer gave it a 8.5. They said it was good, but the main problem is that the game wasn’t meant around rally. And they they showed a sportscars turned for street racing driving on dirt, so take that with a spec of suspicion.
I wanted to play Tomb Raider, but depictions of sexual assault really bother me, so I don’t know if I’ll be picking it up.
BUT
If I had a Wii U, I’d grab Runner2 for sure. I loved Bit.Trip Runner. It was so addictive and fun.
I don’t like the trend that “BIT.TRIP Presents” is starting.
“Electronic Arts Presents Dead Space 3 starring microtransactions” (eyeroll)
I thought they toned down that scene in the final version. Or at least that’s what I saw a reviewer post on FB.
I love it when publishers like EA release $15 DLC for a game that’s selling for $17.
Shouldn’t this have come out months ago?
I’ll admit I’m looking forward to Tomb Raider, even though I’ve never been a big fan of the series.
Tomb Raider for me this week.
Naruto games are always fun. Just not at full price.
I’m surprised Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate isn’t getting more love.
I wouldnt mind a 2d Castlevania…
Tomb Raider looks good, but what’s all over Lara face?