September 3 (cont'd)
Total War: Rome II
Platform: PC
Get it from Amazon: PC (Physical) | PC (Download)
The Total War franchise marches ahead in this strategy game that dares to ask, “What would you do as the leader of the world's first super power?” The answer: a lot, actually. Total War II: Rome puts players in command of a vast Roman army and sets them loose in massive-scale conflicts around the world ranging from naval and land battles, siege scenarios, river skirmishes, and encampment confrontations. Thankfully, virtually every aspect of one's empire can be customized and upgraded, from individual towns to unit stances and helpful technologies.
Sporting a new graphics engine and fully-loaded multiplayer options, Total War: Rome II seeks to super-size the Total War franchise on PC. Read what we've discovered so far in our preview, Total War: Rome II's map opens up a whole new world.
September 4
Outlast
Platform: PC (PS4 TBA)
Red Barrels Games is out to shock the gaming scene with this survival horror download. Taking place in the mountains of Colorado, Outcast will subject players to the horrors of Mount Massive Asylum, a former sanctuary for the mentally ill that now plays host to the Murkoff Corporation and its top-secret projects. Is there more to Murkoff than meets the eye? Of course there is (haven't you played a survival horror game before?).
Red Barrels is comprised of veterans from the Prince of Persia, Assassin's Creed, and Splinter Cell franchises. Its debut game is on track for release on PS4 in 2014. See why we're nervous and eager to check in to Mount Massive Asylum in Outlast wants to make you suffer.
September 10
Elder Scrolls Anthology
Platform: PC
Get it from Amazon: PC (Physical)
Have a few years to kill and no real world commitments to uphold? You might want to consider this ultimate Elder Scrolls collection, which includes all five games in the series including Arena, Daggerfall, Morrowind, Oblivion, and Skyrim--along with all official expansions. What's more, you can plaster your room in Elder Scrolls lore with five physical maps for Tamriel, Lliac Bay, Morrowind, Cyrodiil, and Skyrim.
The anthology is available to PC owners exclusively, at least for the moment. Here's hoping Bethesda deems console champions worthy of this most bountiful loot.
Killzone: Mercenary
Platform: PS Vita
Get it from Amazon: PS Vita
Meet Arran Danner, an ex-UCA soldier who's thirst for action and a payday land him on both sides of the Helghast war. Taking place after the original Killzone, Mercenary will see Danner running with ISA and Helghast alike during an assignment for the Vektan Ambassador that--surprise, surprise--turns out to be be more than he bargained for.
A meaty single player campaign notwithstanding, Killzone: Mercenary's biggest draw it its multiplayer component which looks to be one of the most robust of its kind yet for the PS Vita (as current PS Vita owners may know having played the Beta). In it, players will have an opportunity to play as a Mercenary or Helghast fighter, while upgrading their weapons and equipment with the spoils of each match. Modes include the objective-based Warzone and the free-for-all Mercenary Warfare. Check out our impressions from the front lines in Killzone: Mercenary multiplayer crams every possible game mode into one.
Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix
Platform: PS3
EU: September 13
Get it from Amazon: Playstation 3
Sora, Mickey, and their Disney-fied compatriots return (well, kind of) in this HD remastered Kingdom Hearts collection from Square Enix. Released in Japan this March, Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix will arrive out west with an HD remastered version of the first Kingdom Hearts (the Final Mix edition) and Re: Chain of Memories; along with trophy support for each.
Fans will also receive the theatrical version of Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days, which cuts out the gameplay bits from the Nintendo DS spin-off and offers nearly three hours of remastered cinematics for your 'staring-at-a-handhold' pleasure.
NHL 14
Platforms: PS3,Xbox 360
Get it from Amazon: Playstation 3 | Xbox 360
EA Sports' tent pole hockey franchise returns to the ice with all new gameplay features, including NHL Collision Physics, an Enforcer Engine, and One Touch Dekes. Tweaks to goaltending, stick skills, and 2013's True Performance Skating will also be included, as will other bullet-point mechanics that will make the annual series worth picking up.
But who cares about all that? The real draw to NHL 14 is its NHL 94 Anniversary Mode which brings back the glory of the 1994 classic, complete with retro graphics, old-school controls, and a middle finger for hockey rules. Find out why this may be the true reason to lace up in 6 reasons why NHL 14's NHL '94 Mode is Awesome...and 1 why it isn't.
