TWiG 2008-03-31: Slim Pickings
Wow. When the DS only has two releases for the week, you know things are slowing down.
Somehow, March was a tremendous release month, with a whole pile of huge names and little sleepers to keep things lively throughout the month. April, on the other hand, looks to be one long wait for Grand Theft Auto IV.
Still, that’s not to say (entirely) that there’s nothing of note coming out this week. Anyone who still hasn’t tried Call of Duty 4 is officially out of excuses. Look—I know it was a hugely popular game, but I also know that the WWII-Shooter subgenre is utterly uninteresting to a large segment of people. Generally, I am one of those people. As such, I don’t know if it’s the removal of the brand from WWII or whether the drama and execution of the game is just that good, but...I had two days with Call of Duty 4 before I sent it out for review, and I swear to you, I could not stop talking about it for a solid week, until I actually picked it up. It’s an incredible game, even if the genre is not one that you care to dabble in on a regular basis.
Here’s an excerpt from the press release:
...step into the world of Overclocked as former army psychiatrist, David McNamara. You are called to the Staten Island Forensic Hospital in New York City to consult on a case that requires your expertise in forensic psychiatry. Tasked with exploring the minds of five young men and women who were found scared, screaming, and without memory, you make alarming discoveries as you begin to cautiously probe the psyches of your young patients…
Sounds interesting, right? If the game can pull off the dread and moodiness that the description inspires, it’ll be fantastic. Of course, that’s a big if.
Are you looking forward to any of this week’s releases? Check ‘em out after the jump.
The only Overclocked trailer we could find
Nintendo DS:
Professor Brainium’s Games (31 March)
Toy Shop (1 April)
PlayStation 3:
The Eye of Judgment: Biolith Rebellion (31 March)
PlayStation 2:
Mana Khemia: Alchemists of Al-Revis (31 March)
Xbox 360:
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Game of the Year Edition) (1 April)
PC:
Civil War Mysteries (31 March)
Great War Nations: The Spartans (31 March)
Overclocked (31 March)
Riddle of the Tomb (31 March)
Women’s Murder Club (3 April)
Wii:
Squat
PlayStation Portable:
Also Squat
Rockstar scares everyone off, perhaps?
While normally a slow time of year for games, you’re right this is an especially bare month. Methinks publishers, perhaps, heard “April release” in regards to GTA IV and just decided to fold. If it were Christmas and other triple A titles were slated, I wouldn’t count on such an effect--certainly Halo can compete with GTA--but in April what could possibly compete?
Truthfully, May may be the better choice for folding to Rockstar’s juggernaut given its late April release date. Though, I wonder if publishers might assume that people may be saving their nickels and dimes for the end of the month so why try.
I am in complete agreement on CoD 4, though. If you haven’t played it, yet--now is the time. I don’t even like FPS-style games, and I loved this, Bioshock, and Portal last year. The FPS genre is finally getting some real meat on its bones.
Me? I’ll be kicking it in San Andreas for the next couple weeks. I figure I’m just getting Rockstar’s seat warmed up.
Comment by G. Christopher Williams — March 31, 2008 @ 3:13 pm