It’s been a long first quarter this year with vast, desolate weeks of emptiness between major releases like DC Universe Online, Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and Dead Space 2. This quarter should be more consistent, but most of us will still have a few empty weeks.
And that emptiness begins the first week of April. How I wish this was an April Fool’s joke, but it’s not. Seriously, the biggest title releasing is Karaoke Glee Volume 2. Frankly, if you’re preordering that game, you are not allowed to even finish reading. Really. Go away. Now.
Still with me? Okay. Now the gleeks are out of the way, you’re still stuck in a gaming wasteland for another week. Unless you’re one of those strange folk like me that still plays games on their PSP. The week of April 12th still doesn’t have much going for it, but it does have Patapon 3. I don’t see any pre-order bonuses for it, and you shouldn’t expect it for a $20 game, so just buy wherever’s easiest for you. If you have no idea what this game is, you’re missing out. Basically you are the god of a race of eyeball creatures and you command them to fight battles by playing your drums (on the face buttons) to certain beats. Honestly, I’m terrible at the games because I have no rhythm but the abstract, sort of Japanese art (and weirdness level) just make it too charming to ignore. The first in the series came out in 2008 and the digital download only follow-up is about two years old. If you absolutely must buy a game this week, get this one even if it means buying a PSP. It’s bound to be better than Michael Jackson: The Experience.
The following week changes things for “core” gamers. Even if you’re ignoring SOCOM 4 and the Prince of Persia HD Trilogy, you could very easily find yourself dropping a lot of cash on April 19th. First, it’s the Mortal Kombat reboot. Superfans of the series will want to drop the extra $40 for the Kollector’s Edition, but either way you’ll want to preorder this one. Getting it from Amazon nets you their typical $10 credit and the Klassic Reptile skin with original fatality. Going the GameStop route gives you the Klassic Scorpion skin and original fatality but skips a $10 credit in favor of the Mortal Kombat widget to keep you up to date on all the news until launch. Finally, Best Buy will give you the same treatment for Sub-Zero. So it really just matters which ninja you prefer.
The other game from April 19th you need is Portal 2. Full disclosure: I play almost exclusively on PS3, but I still highly recommend that platform for good reasons. Valve and Sony have worked some magic deal where you get a free Steam copy for PC or Mac by buying it on PS3, plus your progress in the game on your PS3 can transfer to your PC/Mac version and vice versa. So, platform-wise, PS3 seems to be the best value. What about where to buy? It looks like everyone is taking $5 off MSRP for buying in advance, so definitely preorder. Store bonuses also exist. Amazon’s doubling their usual offer, which matches Wal-Mart’s e-gift card worth $20. GameStop has custom skins for Atlus and P-Body to use in co-op. Normally I’m a big fan of Gamestop’s preorders, but I can’t convince myself that those two skins are basically worth $20 out of my pocket.
Thankfully, the market lets up for a few weeks so you can play those games. Unless you still have fond memories of the Driver series. Driver: San Francisco drops on April 30th to little fanfare. Things do pick up again, albeit slowly on May 3rd. Not because there are any good games coming out, but because Thor: God of Thunder is releasing. If it follows the pattern it will be a crappy game that you still just want to play because the movie is so awesome. Do yourself a favor and rent this one before buying. I’ve got it in my Q on GameFly.
Following the release of LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars on March 22nd, Traveller’s Tales isn’t slowing down. They’re releasing LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean on May 10th. Preordering pretty much anywhere can get you a Jack Sparrow mini-fig but there’s more to consider. Amazon and Wal-Mart are offering up the usual $10 credit/gift card. Or, if you’re looking to pick up any of the preceding movies in the blu-ray/dvd combo pack, you’ll get $5 off the bundle at Best Buy.
Possibly my most anticipated game this year (for now) is L.A. Noire, and they aren’t skimping on preorders. You’ve got some thinking to do. Wal-Mart and Amazon are offering the $10 credit, of course. But there’s more. Wal-Mart gives you an additional in-game case to solve from the traffic desk. With Amazon or Best Buy it’s another set of clothes, the Broderick or Sharpshooter, respectively. GameStop also gives you another suit (but you have to work for it by collecting 20 police badges as an in-game sidequest) and an extra case to solve from the vice desk. As much as I hate to admit, Wal-Mart’s looking like the best value with the $10 credit and an extra mission.
It looks like the gaming world recognizes the awesome power of Rockstar, because nothing major follows up L.A. Noire for a few weeks. F.E.A.R. 3 comes on May 24th. A lot of people like this series but it’s not as well-known as some of its competitors.
Another series that doesn’t necessarily get the acclaim it deserves is getting a new entry on May 31st, Red Faction Armageddon. Best Buy is giving a clothing and weapon pack for preordering, GameStop has a different one, and Amazon’s got the standard $10 credit. However, GameStop and Amazon will get you a code to download Red Faction Battlegrounds, a $10 value.
June 7th brings another game I’ve been itching to play since completing the first one. inFAMOUS 2 should be awesome. I am really torn on the preorders though. Amazon’s seems pretty weak, just a new color for an in-game weapon and not even their normal credit. Wal-Mart and GameStop are both offering additional in-game weapons/abilities, the electrocution grenade and electro-kinetic tether, respectively. Without playing the game first, how am I supposed to know which one will be better? I vaguely recall a grenade type power from the first game, so Wal-Mart’s might not be that useful. Also, all of the items will probably be DLC eventually so it may not make much difference.
inFAMOUS 2 will be competing with a more traditional hero when it releases though. Of course, Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters will probably have all the same problems as Thor and should just be rented.
Please feel free to ignore this listing as it will probably be delayed from June 14, 2011 to January 3, 2022. Wal-Mart and Amazon are giving the $10 deal on Duke Nukem Forever. Duke’s Big Package from GameStop provides a health boost, big head mode, and bonus clothing for multiplayer.
The end of the quarter looks a little bit weak for now, but I would expect more announcements between now and then. You may be interested in Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Classic Trilogy HD on June 21st. I get the feeling those games won’t age well even in HD. Otherwise, on June 28th, you’ll find Call of Juarez: The Cartel. Moving this franchise into the 21st century may be a mistake. We’ll just have to wait and see. If you’re preordering now, Gamestop is offering a single player weapon. I expect more will become available from other retailers before release.
That sums up second quarter. I may have skipped one of your favorites, so please add it in the comments.