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11 Games to Cool Off With

August Game Preview

By Briana Lawrence August 17, 2010

STARCRAFT 2! Wait, that’s been released already. All right... HALO REACH! Wait, that’s next month isn’t it? So what comes after the 12-year wait of StarCraft, but before the month long wait of Halo? We’re not going to lie, August doesn’t have too much going for it... oh god is that Samus?!

11. XBOX 360 4GB Console

We weren’t too surprised with the 360 getting a slim makeover, but we were surprised with how quickly it was released. And Microsoft isn’t stopping yet. If 250 GB is too much for you, you can get a 4 GB bundle instead that has the exact same components of the big daddy 250 GB. It’s essentially an update to the arcade, all for the nice price of $199.99.

10. Record of Agarest War (360)

If you weren’t willing to pay $60 for the game, the--cough--mousepad, and all of the other... urm... lovely extras--why is the sausage that girl eating so large?! Then you’re in luck. Now the game is available without the extras for half the price, so you don’t have to explain the “naughty” giant box with all of the girls’ pictures, including the one of the girl being wrapped up in vines... the game is rated T, we swear!

9. Junior Classic Books and Fairytales (DS)

One day, we were shown a new game on the DS that had a good collection of classic books available. The objective of this game? To sit down and... read. That’s it. It sounds a bit silly compared to all of the huge games being released, but we found ourselves intrigued by the idea because it sort of turned the DS into an e-reader. An interesting direction for the handheld system, but a cool idea if it continues to progress.

8. City of Heroes Going Rogue: Complete Collection (PC)

Long before the DC Universe there was City of Heroes, a gaming franchise that let us live out our superhero--or villain, depending on the path you take--fantasies completely with capes, spandex, and masks. If you haven’t gotten into the City of Heroes franchise and have been wanting to this complete collection is perfect. The game comes with all of the new expansions and a free month of online game time for $39.99.

7. Ivy the Kiwi? (wii/DS)

We hadn’t even heard of this game until we started to do research for this article. It’s a little... bird--we think--and you move vines so that it doesn’t fall off the stage? That’s it? Sure, simple games can be great--rolling around in Katamari, putting blocks together in Tetris but... is this really it? Why should we even care... oh, it’s by the creator of Sonic the Hedgehog.

6. Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days (360/PS3/PC)

Honestly, the first game met with some pretty mixed reviews, some extremely harsh while others still calling it a fun experience. But we’re suckers for the violent shoot-‘em ups that star those characters who aren’t the perfect heroes with the sparkling smiles. And hey, who doesn’t want to play as a medicated psychopath? Perhaps the game gets more interesting if you take the red pill instead of the blue one?

5. Y’s Seven (PSP)

It seems like Sony is keeping its promise and delivering more games to the PSP--finally--and one thing that Sony’s handheld system loves to give us is rpgs. This time, after a number of years, we’re getting another edition to the Y’s franchise. The game promises big adventure, beautiful graphics, great dragons, war-torn kingdoms, and a limited edition with soundtrack, artbook, and a cloth map.

4. Mafia 2 (360/PS3/PC)

If you’re not satisfied with being a medicated psychopath, why not try your hand at being in the mob. Seriously, who doesn’t want to be part of an epic gang that wears nicely pressed suits as they gun down their enemies? And the time period is simply captivating, full of hot rods and 50s music and clothing, giving players the feel of an old school American Gangsta! For the hardcore gunmen, you can invest in the collector’s edition and its steelbook casing, hardcover artbook, orchestral soundtrack, and extra downloadable content.

3. Monster Rancher DS (DS)

One of the things that video games have taught us is that people love taking care of strange, but lovable little creatures then using them to beat the crap out of other creatures. Case in point? Monster Rancher. The popular franchise makes its debut on the DS, letting players create monsters via the stylus or the microphone to become a legendary breeder.

2. Valkyrie Chronicles 2 (PSP)

The sequel to the PS3 tactical rpg is finally here! On... the PSP? Two years after the battle against the Imperial Army, Gallia is under attack once again, this time against a rebel Gallian army. The sequel has more customization options, more missions, a revamped battle system, and wireless multi-player with the PSP. As cool as the game sounds, we’re still confused as to why the sequel isn’t coming out on the PS3.

1. Metroid Other M (wii)

Our number one choice shouldn’t be a surprise to anyone. It’s Samus. Enough said. She’s our number one video game girl even after all of these years, and we can’t wait to play her newest game! All right all right, all geeking out aside, the game does look really good. Switching from first person to third person, gorgeous environments, a deep plot, the origins of Samus, and... she talks?! Holy bananas! Though, as usual with the big wii releases, we have to wonder why the game doesn’t use the motion plus.

In last month’s article we mentioned Harvest Moon Grand Bazaar for the DS, but the game is now scheduled for this month. We were anxious to talk about Dead Rising 2 this month, but the game has been pushed back to next month. For the sports fans, there’s Madden 11 for almost every platform and NHL 2K11 for the wii. If you don’t already have a PSP and want to see what the french toast Marcus is talking about, you can get it bundled with the new Madden. And last, but not least, the PC game Plants vs Zombies--yes it is exactly how it sounds--got a GOTY edition on PC, but what we’re most curious about is the console release next month.

COMMENTS AND RESPONSES

djcgmcse 8/17/2010 4:55:07 AM

Really looking forward to picking up Metroid. Hoping it brings back the same feelings from the SNES game that I still love to play.

ddiaz28 8/17/2010 8:14:10 AM

Pretty dismal pickings for my taste. I'm just playing through the God of War collection and Crackdown 2 while waiting patiently for Halo: Reach. September 14th can't come soon enough.

SgtTechCom 8/17/2010 9:25:44 AM

Black Ops and Force Unleashed 2 all im waiting for , this list blows.

hanso 8/17/2010 1:51:30 PM

I want the new Xbox for the wireless. If GameStop gave me good $$ to trade in my Xbox I'd do it. Sadly they don't give me good $$.

I thought about getting Other M but I haven't used my Wii in like a year. Plus I read the controls are kind of wack sometimes for the game, so I guess I won't be buying it soon.

Ddiaz, hell yea on Halo Reach next month. Got it preordered and ready to go.

krathwardroid 8/17/2010 3:27:39 PM

Metroid is always good, yes, but as SgtTechCom said: The Force Unleashed 2.

Wyldstaar 8/17/2010 3:55:35 PM

I was planning of buying a Wii so that I can play Goldeneye 007 in November. If the new Metroid is as good as it looks, I may need to get the system earlier.

mjones242 8/18/2010 4:58:58 AM

The only game I'm ecstatically waiting for is... Civilization V. Many hours are preparing to be lost... just... one.... more.... turn!!!!

scytheofluna 8/18/2010 5:10:45 AM

Metroid always good? I guess... Maybe ten years ago, but like all of Nintendo's flagship franchises it's just not fresh or innovative anymore. The Other M, merely trades in the FPS control scheme from the Prime series and replaces it with a Ninja Gaiden style third person action scheme. Personally I hate Ninja Gaiden, so adding the frustration and blisteringly fast button mashing just doesn't add any appeal for me.

Mafia 2 is really the only other game on this list that I have any hope for. What is it with Mania and all of these lame ass anime-styled games? Do you people seriously play that crap? Are you seriously suggesting that other people should spend their money on them? Why? Why waste your money on generic fluff?

Unless Mafia II gets really stellar reviews everyone is better off saving their money for the massive wave of GOOD games coming out over the next couple of months. Halo Reach and Dead Rising 2 are out in September, followed by Fallout New Vegas in October, Assassin's Creed Brotherhood in November, and Dead Space 2 in January.

scytheofluna 8/18/2010 5:33:59 AM

Like I said, save your money. Buy a 20 dollar used game you missed last year, or replay something you've got. You'll be happy to have the extra cash in a month or so.

As for me, between Reach's campaign, multiplayer, firefight, and forgeworld modes, I won't need to worry about being bored for a LONG TIME. I won't have even done half of what there is to do in that game by the time Dead Rising 2 and Fallout New Vegas arrive.

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girl , Juniors , Accessories ,
Style Expert: =====[url=http://www.newgoing.com/] http://www.newgoing.com [/url]=====