September 13 (cont'd)
Legend of Dungeon
Platforms: PC
From the depths of Steam's Greenlight program comes this community-voted treasure for PC and Mac. Legend of Dungeon will see groups of four venturing into randomly generated dungeons in search of untold treasures, fancy loot, and tons of hats. With danger lurking around every corner, and the threat of permadeath hanging on every encounter, teammates will need to stick together and thwart evil if they hope to survive the game's 26 floors of danger.
Legend of Dungeon will employ a colorful retro-style and offer an experience described as an action-RPG beat'em'up with rogue-like elements. All said, it stands a good chance of being that indie game everyone will be bugging you to play.
September 15
The Wonderful 101
Platform: Wii U
Get it from Amazon: Wii U
What's so wonderful about Platinum Games' The Wonderful 101? Well, according to critics in Europe, where it was released in August, the horde-based action game breathes some much needed life into Nintendo's latest console. That, and it comes from Viewtiful Joe and Bayonetta director Hideki Kamiya--so at the very least it'll be a blast to play.
Taking some of its cues from the Pikmin series, The Wonderful 101 puts players in control of an army of superheroes who must band together (both figuratively and literally) to save the world from an alien race called the “GEATHJERKS”. Only by wielding “wonder” heroes through the Wii U GamePad can players hope to clear the vast enemy threat. Armies can be made to attack in swarms or meld together to create larger (and more destructive) weapon forms. The game will also support a co-op mode, letting up to five players link in to the superhero antics. See why we're gung-ho for Kamiya's Wii U contribution in our The Wonderful 101 review.
September 17
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2
Platforms: 3DS, DS
Get it from GameStop: 3DS
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2 hits theaters this summer, and with it this video game tie-in for Nintendo's handheld systems. The title will include 15 chapters inspired by the film's main location, and include familiar characters plucked from the film's cast. Added power-ups and unlockables will add to the fun, as will developer GameMill Entertainment's promise of “Crazy Fun with Food.”
Grand Theft Auto V
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360
Get it from Amazon: Playstation 3 | Xbox 360
This is it. The big one. Even if Rockstar's next open-world opus isn't on your radar, good luck trying to last September without it being the main topic of every gaming conversation, podcast, article, and online interaction.
So what's the big deal? It's a Grand Theft Auto game that promises to be the largest, most content-rich chapter to date--which says a lot considering there's still many enjoying 2008's Grand Theft Auto IV. Also, for the first time in the series, gamers will experience the game through three playable protagonists: Michael, a retired bank robber; Trevor, a trailer-dwelling psychopath; and Franklin, a repo man in Venice beach. Each character will offer a difference perspective on life in Los Santos (Rockstar's version of Los Angeles), while together they'll join forces to orchestrate large-scale jobs.
And that's just scratching the service. With a massive online multiplayer component, hours of side missions and distractions, and a Los Santos that may take a lifetime to plunder, GTA V is easily one of the biggest releases in recent memory. See what's in store in Every detail revealed about Grand Theft Auto V so far.
Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver
Platforms: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U
Get it from Amazon: Playstation 3 | Xbox 360 | Wii U | 3DS
The thrill-seeking drivers of Team Red, Team Green, Team Blue, and Team Yellow collide in this collection of Hot Wheels branded racing challenges. From motorbikes to dragsters, and super-cars to demolition trucks, Hot Wheels: World's Best Driver will test players' aptitude for speed and destruction through dozens of challenges featuring the teams behind the upcoming live-action movie of the same name. Are you the world's best driver?
Probably not, but at least this game will help you pretend you are.
MechWarrior Online
Platform: PC
The BattleTech universe goes free-to-play in this online entry from Piranha Games. Slipping into BattleMechs, players will be given an opportunity to swear allegiance to one of the franchise's Great Houses and go to war against others in real-time mech combat. Time in MechWarrior Online will pass at the same rate as the real world, meaning one day within the game will be a full 24-hours in real life. Players can spend that time upgrading and customizing their vehicles, earning C-bills, and engaging in epic team battles.
We spent a good chunk of our day inside the BattleTech experience. Read our findings in MechWarrior Online preview – Taming the titanic metal beast.
