September 19 - September 23

Section: 

I have to admit it, I’ve never been a big Gears of War fan. That’s not saying I think there’s anything wrong with the game, it just hasn’t closed the right circuits in my head to trigger the happiest places in my gaming pleasure centers. Honestly, part of it is that my living room is a central place in my household, and so I can’t play particularly violent or gory games with anything like abandon. If anything is keeping me solidly in the PC wheelhouse these days, it’s the limitations that I have to put on Xbox usage. Truly a game like Gears is an “after-dark” experience, and that leaves me maybe an hour or so at night, after the house is finally quiet, to play.

Maybe I’m living in the dark ages — and maybe it’s not a maybe at all — but I only have the one television in my home. Between my laptop, my desktop and my iPad it’s not like I’m feeling like I don’t have enough screens to consume media. The downside is that I really have to discriminate about where I invest my console cash, and with games like Rage, Battlefield 3, Skyrim and others ready to be accessible on my PC in just a few short weeks, Gears 3 may be a phenomenal game that I pick up as a rental when I have the chance.

So, even though I’m giving Gears of War 3 a fairly obvious nod as game of the week, and I will freely admit that it’s very likely a phenomenal single and multiplayer game, in reality the game I am most likely to actually buy on the 360 this week is Burnout Crash on XBLA.

PC
- F1 2011
- Nuclear Dawn
- RailWorks 3: Train Simulator 2012
- Worms Ultimate Mayhem (download - $15)
- Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes (download - $15)
- Bunch of Heroes (download - $10)

Xbox 360
- Tropico 4
- F1 2011
- Gears of War 3
- Supremacy MMA
- Resident Evil 4 HD (XBLA - $20)
- Rotastic (XBLA - $10)
- Burnout Crash (XBLA - $10)

PlayStation 3
- F1 2011
- Supremacy MMA
- Burnout Crash (PSN - $10)
- Resident Evil 4 HD (PSN - $20)
- Cubixx HD (PSN - $10)

Wii
- Barbie: Jet, Set and Style
- Aya and the Cubes of Light (WiiWare - $10)

Nintendo 3DS
- Frogger 3D
- Break Tactics (eShop - $5)
- Escape Trick: Ninja Castle (eShop - $5)

Nintendo DS
- Barbie: Jet, Set and Style
- Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2
- Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns
- Kirby Mass Attack
- Break Tactics (DSiWare - $5)
- Escape Trick: Ninja Castle (DSiWare - $5)

PSP
- Shin Megami Tensei: Persona 2: Innocent Sin

Comments

I think I'm just going to snuggle up with my Pile-O-Shame, or at least use it as some sort of defense against this army of releases marching toward us ever so vigilant.

I mean, I'm still trying to get to cracking open Deus Ex: Human Revolution for the first time...

Elysium wrote:

Truly a game like Gears is an “after-dark” experience

And let's be honest, some more enjoyable things compete for that time too

I'm getting Gears. I have a real life friend that plays that and nothing else, so even if it's just time with him, it's $60 well spent. I'll play through the campaign, as well.

More stabby stabby for me in Dead Island. I've barely scratched the surface in that game.

garion333 wrote:

More stabby stabby for me in Dead Island. I've barely scratched the surface in that game.

Such a fun game!

If I could play anything this week, it'd be Persona 2, but I don't own a PSP, and I'm not getting one.

Also, how many ports of Resident Evil 4 does this make now? Four?

I'm with you, I just can't get into gears. Plenty on the pile though, so no worries here.

MisterStatic wrote:
Elysium wrote:

Truly a game like Gears is an “after-dark” experience

And let's be honest, some more enjoyable things compete for that time too ;-)

Matlock?

Yeah, I'm also on the Meh-Train for Gears. Maybe because competitive MP doesn't really grab me, but the singleplayer has left me cold too.

$20 for an XBLA game? That's a first, right? I was interested to take another stab at trying to enjoy RE4 after failing on Gamecube and Wii, but subsequently really enjoying RE5. I think I might have a better idea of how to play it now. But $20 is a touch steep.

It's being sold in Games On Demand instead of Arcade, and $20 is a normal price point there. Deathsmiles 2 launched in Games On Demand at $30.

MisterStatic wrote:
Elysium wrote:

Truly a game like Gears is an “after-dark” experience

And let's be honest, some more enjoyable things compete for that time too ;-)

Given your forum icon, I feel very very uncomfortable right now.

Is it bad that the only game I want to play on the list this week also happens to be the only game released for PSP?

I wasn't thrilled by the gameplay video for Burnout Crash but I think that I'm going to give it a shot anyway. It's Burnout, how bad can it be?

ClockworkHouse wrote:

Also, how many ports of Resident Evil 4 does this make now? Four?

XBLA puts it on the fourth console (the first HD console port) previously having been on GameCube, PS2, and Wii. But there was also a PC port and, if you want to count them, versions for mobile phones and iPad.

I still enjoy the game immensely so I plan to get RE4HD at some point, but I'm going to wait for a sale.

Elysium wrote:
MisterStatic wrote:
Elysium wrote:

Truly a game like Gears is an “after-dark” experience

And let's be honest, some more enjoyable things compete for that time too ;-)

Given your forum icon, I feel very very uncomfortable right now.

Well played.

Fortunately, no.

I'm looking forward to getting Might and Magic: Call of Heroes for $2.50 in next summer's Steam sale. Loved in on XBLA, will love it again very cheaply at some point in the future on PC.

I think this might be the week I finish my first playthrough of DX:HR! That has me excited. With any luck I can avoid the impulse purchase of Burnout.

Gears 3!. I've got to close out a fair chunk of work done so it doesnt get in the way of Gears on Tuesday night. A man's gotta have priorities and this Tuesday it will be to experience some new Gears coop storyline with my sons. Can't wait!

I put a large sum of money towards the Gears 3 console (actually, I've already got it paid for sans the two battery packs I'll be getting), and will be playing that tonight when I get home from the midnight launch I'm attending.

beeporama wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Also, how many ports of Resident Evil 4 does this make now? Four?

XBLA puts it on the fourth console (the first HD console port) previously having been on GameCube, PS2, and Wii. But there was also a PC port and, if you want to count them, versions for mobile phones and iPad.

I still enjoy the game immensely so I plan to get RE4HD at some point, but I'm going to wait for a sale.

Very tempted to have another look at the game, but I still think that it'll have a hard job being better than the Wii version with it's "mouselook" type controls for shooting. Is there much in the way of extras in the new version or is it just HD graphics?

If that's all that was updated I might just re-purchase a second hand copy of the Wii version, since it's half the price.

Gears 3 for me this week.

Honestly wasn't even on my radar until I started reading reviews that said the single-player was incredible (and about 1/3 longer than the other Gears titles).

The $20 cash back from Amazon and .99 release-day shipping didn't hurt either (as I remember, Gears 2 took forever to drop in price).

TheCounselor wrote:

I'm getting Gears. I have a real life friend that plays that and nothing else, so even if it's just time with him, it's $60 well spent. I'll play through the campaign, as well.

There is no better reason to buy a game, IMO.

But I'm with Elysium, Gears never clicked with me. Quality title for sure, but the world and it's characters didn't lure me in. Loved that chainsaw though.

I LoLed.

AUs_TBirD wrote:
MisterStatic wrote:
Elysium wrote:

Truly a game like Gears is an “after-dark” experience

And let's be honest, some more enjoyable things compete for that time too ;-)

Matlock?

stevenmack wrote:
beeporama wrote:
ClockworkHouse wrote:

Also, how many ports of Resident Evil 4 does this make now? Four?

XBLA puts it on the fourth console (the first HD console port) previously having been on GameCube, PS2, and Wii. But there was also a PC port and, if you want to count them, versions for mobile phones and iPad.

I still enjoy the game immensely so I plan to get RE4HD at some point, but I'm going to wait for a sale.

Very tempted to have another look at the game, but I still think that it'll have a hard job being better than the Wii version with it's "mouselook" type controls for shooting. Is there much in the way of extras in the new version or is it just HD graphics?

If that's all that was updated I might just re-purchase a second hand copy of the Wii version, since it's half the price.

Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica wasn't impressed, and it sounds like the bonuses are already what's included in the Wii version.

The Wii version is, to me at least, the best version. It's the best in the series aside from REmake, which is just different stylistically.

As for this week's releases, Gears of War 3 for me. Part obligation, but part because every time I put it back in the disc tray I remember how much fun the game is.

Meh. Nothing to see, move along!

Jonman wrote:

$20 for an XBLA game? That's a first, right? I was interested to take another stab at trying to enjoy RE4 after failing on Gamecube and Wii, but subsequently really enjoying RE5. I think I might have a better idea of how to play it now. But $20 is a touch steep.

I'm in the exact same boat. Honestly with so many big games coming out, I'm not sure about trying it out yet again.

[OK - Does my newbie level keep me from using BBCode, or is it my iPad?]

See, I always wondered how people with family play all these games. During the day I can't put the "grown-up games" on the family TV and at night I feel bad for hijacking the TV for myself when someone else is there.
Are all the grown-up gamers divorced?

Aristophan wrote:

[OK - Does my newbie level keep me from using BBCode, or is it my iPad?]

The newbie level, it's supposed to be an anti-spammer measure.

barbex wrote:

See, I always wondered how people with family play all these games. During the day I can't put the "grown-up games" on the family TV and at night I feel bad for hijacking the TV for myself when someone else is there.
Are all the grown-up gamers divorced?

One would have to be married first to be divorced.

ccesarano wrote:
stevenmack wrote:

Very tempted to have another look at the game, but I still think that it'll have a hard job being better than the Wii version with it's "mouselook" type controls for shooting. Is there much in the way of extras in the new version or is it just HD graphics?

If that's all that was updated I might just re-purchase a second hand copy of the Wii version, since it's half the price.

Ben Kuchera of Ars Technica wasn't impressed, and it sounds like the bonuses are already what's included in the Wii version.

The Wii version is, to me at least, the best version. It's the best in the series aside from REmake, which is just different stylistically.

Achievements/Trophies, if that's your bag, but that looks like just about it.

I know I'm in the minority, but I prefer classic controls to the Wii controls. Maybe because I've never played PC shooters, maybe because my living room is such that Wii pointing is really wonky, maybe because I just like being able to lie back while I play. But you all raise a good point that it's going to be hard to get $20 from people who already played this; presumably the target market is people who have not had a Nintendo console or a PS2 (seems like a small market).

barbex wrote:

See, I always wondered how people with family play all these games. During the day I can't put the "grown-up games" on the family TV and at night I feel bad for hijacking the TV for myself when someone else is there.
Are all the grown-up gamers divorced?

Not divorced, but childless. My wife likes to read or watch movies on the laptop. Also, thanks to DINK money, we have a second HDTV in the rumpus room (you could call it my "man cave") so I am super duper spoiled.

Anecdotally from others on this site, it seems like people with kids either change their gaming habits, play on PC a lot, or both.