Thursday, 21 June 2007

This week's UK releases (16th to 25th June)

Every Thursday, I report on what is being released this week on all consoles. Releases are subject to last minute delays and changes.

PLAYSTATION 3
Armored Core 4

XBOX 360
Armored Core 4
FlatOut - Ultimate Carnage
Monster Madness - Battle for Suburbia
Shrek the Third
WWE Smackdown! Vs RAW 2007 - Xbox 360 Classic

WII
Shrek the Third
The Sims 2 Pets

PLAYSTATION 2
WWE Smackdown! Vs RAW 2007 - Platinum

PC
Monster Madness - Battle for Suburbia
Race - Caterham
Shrek the Third
The Sims Pet Stories
Wildlife Park 2 : Gold

DS
Kirby Mouse Attack
Mega Man ZX
Metroid Prime Pinball
Shrek the Third
Sim City

PSP
Hot Pixel
WWE Smackdown! Vs RAW 2007 - Platinum

Taken from Eurogamer forums.

Wednesday, 20 June 2007

Weak weeks for games

Oh dear. The last few weeks for the games industry have been, well, horrid.

It all started on a news light Sunday when Manchester Cathedral officials accused Sony of using the church in the PS3 shooter, Resistance: Fall of Man, without their express permission (which they say wouldn't have been given).

Sony have since apologised but have kept quiet on whether the game will be pulled.

Then, as you probably read in the papers, Manhunt 2 was rejected for a rating by the BBFC, effectively banning the game from being sold in the UK, earning the accolade of being the first game to be banned here in 10 years (Carmageddon being the last in 1997, which was allowed after an appeal). This was swiftly followed by an Adults Only rating in the US, meaning that most stores will not stock the game. The developers are now wondering how they're going to get out of the hole they just dug. The sales of this game will be pitiful if countries keep banning the game from sale or keeping it out of stockists. Have they courted controversy too much?

Just to make things even worse, on the same day, it was found that another game was pulled from the shelves. Law and Order: Double or Nothing was pulled after it was found that the game contained a CCTV image of James Bulger being taken away by his killers in Liverpool back in 1993. I can understand this decision. I have just one question though. This game was released in 2003.

Why hasn't anyone noticed it until now?!

As I said, a very bleak couple of weeks for the games industry. I hate to say it, but what else could possibly go wrong?!

Tuesday, 19 June 2007

Last week (11th to 17th June)

Strange time shifting this week. I didn't have a clue what day it was and ended up late on a couple of stories so apologies for that.

"FORE!" is the cry, but I was looking at Everybody's Golf 5 on the PS3. This game seems easy but trust me, you'll be addicted if you have even a small appreciation of golf. This week's releases were brought to you by the number four and LittleBigBlanet came under the microscope.

Sunday, 17 June 2007

Watch List: Little Big Planet

Every Friday, I look at one of the games on the Watch List, the list of games that you should be keeping your eye on for news and reviews.

Name: LittleBigPlanet

Format: Playstation 3

Website: Webpage on developer's site

What is it?

This is the most interesting game in the Playstation 3's line-up. Basically, you create your characters and run around solving puzzles in a level. The catch? The levels can be your creation, or someone else's! The graphics look like they come out of a cloth shop and there is some amazing interaction being shown in the levels and demonstrations given so far. This is certainly one to look out for as some have touted this as the best thing on the PS3. No planned release date yet though a demo was announced for sometime this year.