Video Game Quick Hits 10/12/12

Three more characters have been revealed for the roster of Injustice: Gods Among Us this week. With a new television series starting, it should come as no surprise that Green Arrow will be a featured fighter. For those who prefer ranged combatants in fighting games, Oliver Queen should be just what you need. I don’t know how many trick arrow shots Netherrealm can include, but it better be a lot. The other two, Joker and Geen Lantern, have been revealed via cover art. All three should have been obvious from the moment the game was announced. Release is set for April 2013. [More pictures and video of Green Arrow’s reveal here.]

I know I’m not the only one out there still playing Mass Effect 3‘s multiplayer because I have no problem getting into full matches. In case you’ve missed it this week, the free Retaliation DLC has gone live along with a new challenge system. The add-on doesn’t just include new maps, but also hazards for the existing levels we’ve been playing. Oh yeah, and Volus characters. Ha. The challenge system gives you certain in-game goals, like killing x number of enemies with biotic detonations, or promoting x number of characters. Completing challenges gives you instant unlock awards, like banners and titles. These challenges are replacing the weekend Operation events Bioware has been hosting since the game’s release. I liked the thematic challenges the developers through at us for the weekends, but they had to stop eventually. These continung, pervasive challenges will still keep me around a while longer. Well, that and the fact that this is the only online multiplayer I’ve actually had any fun playing. [You can now manage your banners, view your created characters’ profiles, track challenge status, etc. at the newly launched N7 HQ. Kind of a cool, if not original, feature.]

On the heels of the Retaliation DLC, Bioware has also dated and priced the add-on for the single-player campaign. Mass Effect 3’s Omega DLC has been scheduled for November 27th for 1200 MSP. This expansion is promised to be the largest DLC in the franchise’s history, at least doubling the size of any prior add-on. It is a timed XBox 360 exclusive, so PS3ers will need to wait. No word on how long, but you’ll read about it here when it’s announced.

Square Enix has announced more pre-order incentives for the Tomb Raider reboot. GameStop will include the Challenge Tomb, an “exclusive tomb for Lara to raid! In this new location, Lara will encounter all new environment puzzles that will test [her] brains and brawn.” Best Buy will give you the origin of Lara’s trip on the Endurance via graphic novel, “The Beginnings.” They’ll also include the “aviatrix” outift. Previously announced was Amazon‘s package which includes an art book, “hunter” skin, and the “Final Hours” complete documentary on Kindle Fire. You can pre-order now for the March 5, 2013 release.

You may have noticed that the Mechromancer DLC for Borderlands 2 came with something a little extra. Not everyone notices these things, but if you check your trophy/achievement list after installing you’ll see a few new rewards have been added. These aren’t actually related to Gaige, but they do drop a hint about some upcoming DLC. Since this discovery, Gearbox has officially unveiled “Captain Scarlett and her Pirate’s Booty.” The DLC is largely location-based, focusing on the town of Oasis and some outlying areas. The add-on will be available next week for $10, or free with your season pass.

Look for your PSN Storefront to have a new appearance soon. Sony has revealed a few images of the new structure and it looks pretty sharp. But does it perform any better? The eye-aching blue of the store has always annoyed me, and the format seemed very unintuitive. The new look appears to more clear about what you’re seeing and navigating. The search function is reportedly improved as well. I wouldn’t notice because I’ve never actually used their search. I have had to sift through thousands of items in my download history though. Does the new design allow me to sort that yet? I guess I’ll find out on October 20th when the new storefront comes to North America.

Sony has also revealed the Collector’s Edition and pre-order incentives for God of War: Ascension. For an extra $20, the Collector’s Edition will come with a steelbook case, exclusive Kratos statue, game soundtrack, Double XP unlock for multiplayer, a DLC pass, dynamic theme, and PSN avatars. I’d expect these to sell out, so get your pre-order in soon. Regardless of which SKU you get, pre-orders will all get the Mythological Heroes Multiplayer Pack. This will include four playable Greek heroes: Perseus, Orion, Achilles, and Odysseus. If you can’t wait until March 12, 2013, you can get your hands on an early demo for Kratos’ newest adventure on December 18th by picking up Total Recall on blu-ray. Sony’s promising another big reveal next week, so be sure to check back on Tuesday.

Maybe not a lot of news, but what we’ve got is about some pretty big games. Can we top it next week?