I don’t know what happened to October, but it’s November now and that means we’re diving straight into the Fall glut and holiday shopping season. Lots of gamers got started on the season with Borderlands 2, but my first Fall game released on Tuesday. I picked up the Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation bundle PlayStation Vita. Of course, of my first five hours with the thing, I only played about an hour with Aveline. The rest of the time I was playing with Welcome Park, downloading some of my cross-buy items I already own, and just generally experimenting with the device. This thing’s pretty awesome and I’m excited to see what all it can do. As for Assassin’s Creed III: Liberation? I’m enjoying it, but I have a few mixed feelings so far. The persona system is unique, but has disadvantages, especially the Lady persona who can’t climb. An assassin that doesn’t climb? Even in the swamps, where the second memory sequence takes place, the terrain just doesn’t seem as mobile. I think I’m adapting to it well, she just doesn’t feel as fluid as Ezio Auditore da Firenze.
But enough about that, I’ll have to save further thoughts for a full review. You’re here for news:
If you’ve been holding out on Mass Effect until you could get all three games in the Mass Effect Trilogy Bundle, I’ve got bad news. It’s going to miss its release date next week. The bundle, which includes the first three games (including the first title for the first time on PS3) and a motley collection of DLC, has been delayed by a month. The new schedule has it releasing December 4th, conveniently timed for my birthday. The first game will also be releasing as an individual PSN download at the same time. At press time, I’ve only confirmed this delay for PS3. XBox 360 may or may not be delayed as well.
I’m not sure what’s going on with LEGO Lord of the Rings. It’s already available on PS Vita, but the wide release hasn’t happened yet. The latest information has it coming November 27th. GameStop has stepped up their preorder bonuses. In addition to the Elrond minifig (real, not in game), they’re offering the Middle Earth Weapons & Magical Items Pack. It’s a pretty eclectic bundle, featuring party favors, double bearded whirlwind axe, Balrog helmet, Elrond’s Elven circlet, Barad-dur helmet, troll mace, helm of gemstones, Morgul blade, Nenya, Narya, and Grond helm.
A release date and pre-order information have also been announced for Dead Island: Riptide. Preordering nets you a few extra weapons options, which should come in handy now that they’re adding water to the terrain. There is also an extra costume available from “selected retail partners.” Unfortunately, those partners haven’t been announced. I’m sure we’ll know well ahead of time, at least before April 23, 2013.
Still in release date mode, the rumors from earlier this week about Grand Theft Auto V have been confirmed by Rockstar. Still not a locked down date, but Spring 2013 has been confirmed, and May is extremely likely. Apparently Target will be giving away a picture viewer when you preorder, starting November 5th. These picture viewers reveal several locations you’ll be visiting in the game, like the Vespucci Canals, Zancudo River, and Vinewood Hills. Strauss Zelnick of Take Two has also mentioned that they’ll be doing something “potentially groundbreaking” for multiplayer, and the planned DLC will be “interesting stuff.” I don’t know about groundbreaking multiplayer, but I should hope the DLC will be interesting at the very least.
With Crysis 3 on the horizon for February 2013, you may be looking a little more closely at downloading the original Crysis to your PS3 or 360. May want to wait. The preorder incentive for the third game will apparently be a free digital copy of the first one, valued at about $20.
It’s hard to talk any news this week without mentioning the giant bomb that dropped from Disney buying Lucasfilm and all of it subsidiaries. There’s very little to mention as it relates to gmaing, at least in regards to current projects. LucasArts did send a small press release confirming what should be obvious, Star Wars 1313 will proceed as planned and is still scheduled for next year. According to the announcement, “For the time being all projects are business as usual. We are excited about all the possibilities that Disney brings.” Nothing unusual. However, with the darker tone being promised for the game, how might this affect Disney’s future plans for the franchise? Ultimately, other than some pre-scheduled books and comics, and the current season of The Clone Wars, this game will be the first NEW Star Wars product released under the mouse’s stewardship. Its success, or failure, may help set the tone for new games in the series, the new movies, new cartoons, etc. I don’t know what that means, it’s just something to consider. Also something to consider, Grim Fandango. Disney, please bring him back!