New Game Releases: December 6th-12th, 2013

Gran Turismo 6

Beyond the Gran Turismo 6 hitting store shelves today, this week’s itinerary of new releases contains a number of notable titles. Genesis/Megadrive classics Altered Beast and Sonic The Hedgehog receive a three-dimensional renovation on the 3DS, while Doki-Doki Universe is the first triple cross-buy title; purchase the game, and you’ll be able to play it on the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PS Vita. When Zen Pinball 2 releases for the PS4 on December 17th, players can expect a similar functionality with any purchased tables accessible across Sony’s line of contemporary hardware.

PlayStation 3
Doki-Doki Universe (PSN, Cross-buy With PS4, PS Vita)
Gran Turismo 6

PlayStation 4
Doki-Doki Universe (PSN, Cross-buy With PS3, PS Vita)

Wii U
Donkey Kong 3 (eShop, $4.99)
Rush (eShop, $1.99)
The Legend of the Mystical Ninja (eShop, $7.99)

Xbox One
Peggle 2 (XBL, $11.99)

3DS
3D Altered Beast (eShop, $5.99)
3D Sonic The Hedgehog (eShop, $5.99)
Brilliant Hamsters! (eShop, $9.99)
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 (eShop, $29.99)

DS
Hooked on Bass Fishing (DSiWare, $4.99)

PS Vita
Doki-Doki Universe (PSN, Cross-buy With PS3, PS4)
Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God (also on PSN, $39.99)
Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God Limited Edition ($49.99)

PC
Gomo

Robert’s Pick: Across the past few iterations, the Forza Motorsport series has overtook the Gran Turismo franchise as the racing game of choice. Turn 10’s titles were wonderfully visceral, articulating the thrill of driving one of those exotic, petrol-slurping machines that I could never afford in real life. Essentially, Forza made the license tests, robotic AI, and economical starting line-up of cars in Gran Turismo feel woefully clinical.  Yet, after dumping hours into Forza Motorsport 5 (and being appalled by the game’s requests for large sums of real-world cash), I’m ready to root for Digital Polyphony again.

Yes, the title makes a distressing first impression. Beyond locking players into an underpowered Honda Fit for the better part of an hour some components of the game, such as online multiplayer, online community features, and microtransactions will only be made available via a day-one patch. But, as racers persevere, the game starts showing its virtues, revealing one of the genre’s better handling and suspension models. Soon, the credits starting rolling in, and players will find themselves able to access over a hundred track layouts and step into the driver’s seat of over 1,200 different vehicles- even a moon rover. So long as the inclusion of “micro-transactions” don’t feel coercive, Gran Turismo 6 looks to please almost any PS3-owning gear-head.

Gran Turismo 6 (1)

Gonçalo’s Pick: Seems we have yet another slow week, though luckily Sonic The Hedgehog swoops in to save it! As far as Sonic games go, the first one has always been my favorite, I feel it has the perfect balance of speed, precision platforming, and level design. While the later 16-bit games in the series were technically more capable, all of them had at least a couple of worlds I didn’t care much for (I’m looking at you, Sandopolis). Oh sure, this version is now enhanced with 3D which is pretty cool, but I’ll probably just play it like I always have.

Sonic The Hedgehog

Say’s Pick: This week, I’m looking forward to Gomo, the inaugural effort from Slovakian indie developer, Fishcow Studio. This evocative adventure tasks players with rescuing their best #frand from the hands of evil. In order to save your beloved dog, Dingo, players must travel through a distinctly drawn world, that’s teeming with synapse-stimulating point and click puzzles. Having just launched on Steam (with a 10% discount), the Fishcow Studios seems destine for success, especially if future works can match the quality and charm of Gomo.

Gomo

About Robert Allen

Since being a toddler, Robert Allen has been immersed in video games, anime, and tokusatsu. Currently, his days are spent teaching at two southern California colleges. But his evenings and weekends are filled with STGs, RPGs, and action titles and well at writing for Tech-Gaming since 2007.

36 comments

  1. Day one patches are handiwork of Satan.

    • It’s rather amusing there was a big fuss about always-online functionality. With the new systems and even some of the last-gen games, you almost have to have a permanent internet connection. Yet, no one’s making a fuss anymore.

      A number of PS4’s launch games needed patching to run at the purported resolution, from COD: Ghosts to Assassin’s Creed 4. With Need for Speed Rivals, there’s still a patch coming to lessen the use of motion blurring. The Xbox One is no better, the UI is half-baked, the store is a mess, apps don’t work, and installs can take over an hour. Obviously, a connection will be needed to fix these things.

      Next-Gen feels rushed.

      • Damn, real talk about next-gen. Nice to hear from someone who doesn’t sound like their being paid off.

      • No offense, but when you’re complaining about next-gen then you pick GT6, a game with microtransactions, you are being a bit of a hyprocrite.

        • I don’t think so. He did mention the microtransactions in the pick, and they were a condition “So long as the inclusion of “micro-transactions” don’t feel coercive”.

          I’m glad to hear someone who doesn’t have launch goggles on. Can’t trust Polygon and IGN much anymore.

      • So true.

        Also, there’s throttling with my ISP. Go over 10 GB in a month and you’re speed drops radically. Well, NBA 2K14 is over a 40 GB download. After 8 GB, I’m getting a trickle of internet speed. It might take weeks before I get the full game. Basically, the lesson is, digital delivery was cool, but for this gen, changes with ISPs have to be made.

        I’d advice everyone just to go to the store (or Amazon) and just buying the disk.

      • The Xbone seems designed to use Kinect to navigate. Use the controller and it’s hot garbage.

      • This is why people need to wait. Save money and avoid the hassles of being a beta tester.

      • Probably the harshest I’ve heard anyone talk about the next gen.

  2. I think Nintendo has a sale on it’s 3DS and Wii U DK games over the weekend. 30% off if I read correctly.

  3. I used to be really into the GT games, after the PS2 version, I don’t know what happened. I sort of lost interest. Maybe having less free time for those endurance races might be an issue too.

  4. I’m betting on a Sorcery Saga: Curse of the Great Curry God review from Deagle and a score of 79%.

  5. Robert’s recommendation for GT6 is about half as long as a full fledged review I read for it. haha.

  6. If there’s a Doki-Doki demo, I’ll be giving that a try for sure.

    • I played it at IndieCade. It was weird. I’d love to see what the intro is like, to see if it can actually make sense.

      • Hmmm, doesn’t actually sound like a ringing endorsement.

        Needless weird?

      • Maybe I’m just getting old and jaded, but the hand drawn, indie art style seems overdone. I liked it in Alien Hominid, but that was a free flash game. For a $15 game in 2013, it feels lazy.

        • Unless I hear this is amazing and the best thing next to Minecraft, I’ll be skipping it. Doesn’t look like my kind of game.

    • According to the PlayStation Blog there will be:

      “Or if you prefer to test out the waters before diving in, you can alternatively download a free version of the game — the Starter Pack — which includes 16 personality quizzes, Doki-Doki Mail, QT3’s home planet, and a tutorial planet. ”

      http://blog.us.playstation.com/2013/12/04/doki-doki-universe-launching-december-10th-for-ps4-ps3-ps-vita/

      Of course, the PS Blog seems to me making more and more mistakes these days. Mainly, Ryan Clements, who was hired to spread good cheer in the forums and get shit wrong.

      • Not surprised, he wasn’t all that great at IGN. Lasted a month at Deep Silver. Never thought the guy’s writing was all that great.

  7. Genesis games on the 3DS are cool. Too bad Nintendo doesn’t have more sales.

  8. Donkey Kong 3 was always one of my favorites. The game didn’t get the appreciation it deserved.

  9. GT6 for me this week. Sounds like a huge improvement over 5/XL.

  10. It’s a shame about Peggle 2 being a system exclusive. I would have loved to play it on my PC.

  11. You should have a RPG watch list that shows which role playing games are coming out in 2014.

  12. From the name I expected Gomo to be a Japanese game. First sign that is wasn’t was the lack of a pick from Deagle.

    • Just finished it today, absolutely loved it.

      • Review then?

        • I doubt you will ever see a written review from me, but I can give you the IndieOutlook rant version: Gomo is cutesy hand drawn point & click adventure game, inspired in a story driven style with quite the plenty charming and humorous moments.

          Highlighting the positive – The story gets started with Dingo getting kidnapped by aliens, so the entire journey is about Gomo’s adventure trying to rescue his best frand. Aliens require him to get this powerful crystal and this sure took me to a lot of unique and crazy moments.

          The gameplay is pretty simple, I think casual gamers or even people outside the adventure point and click hive mind may enjoy as well. Puzzles and whatnot are somewhat straightforward; I think anyone would be capable of going through the game without any problem. Visually the game was a dream to me, I enjoyed the cartoonish silly style; beyond fascinated with the animation, I think that was what made the whole experience for me – getting to see how they wanted to give so much personality to this 2D little guy and how he reacts to different things was just delightful.

          The one thing that I am sure many will argue is that the game is somewhat short – of about an hour or so; however, I just checked my steam profile and I managed to go for three hours in between tweeting about it as I was playing, and taking as many screenshots as I could. If anyone wants to give Gomo a try they must keep in mind that this is a game that is meant to be a refreshing alternative to the always busy and popular options out there. It’s a whimsical point and click hand drawn production, so your expectations should be within the enjoyment that games such as Machinarium and even Botanicula could have ever brought to any gamer – Charming and enjoyable ephemeral story.

          I think it’s a great start for Fishcow Studios and hopefully we get to see more of them. Also, I was not given this game by Daedalic Entertainment or the studio, it was purchased.

  13. Better than what passes for full reviews these days on most sites.