As a bonus, we’re giving you a heads-up on some games coming out in the next few months that you might not be aware of yet. Don’t let these fly under your radar!
Michael “Red Pen of Doom” Futter
Warhammer 40K: Kill Team and Space Marine
It’s likely that you missed the release of Warhammer 40K: Kill Team last week. No one would blame you, as the game got very little press and surprised many reviewers (myself included – you can check out my review here.) Kill Team gives me great hope for Space Marine, which is due out this fall. For those unfamiliar with the Warhammer 40K universe, it might be easy to pass off this game, with oversized heroes wielding big guns and chainswords, as a Gears of War ripoff. The Warhammer 40K setting will prove this out as something different and interesting. Keep your eye on it.
John “Dubya” Whitehouse
Ratchet & Clank: All-4-One
Normally an R&C title wouldn’t need any help in getting noticed. Unfortunately, Sony have decided that what this game really needs it to be released the same day as Batman: Arkham City! Insomniac have always delivered the goods when it comes to Ratchet & Clank; action filled platforming, witty characters and writing and insane weaponry. This time will the added bonus of four player co-op.
Saints Row: The Third
I know that many of you would think me mad that I should put this on my list. THQ are already going out of their way to get teaser content out there for the latest trip to The Row. But, as with R&C, it may suffer from the fact that Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is out just days before this. It is also a surprise that I would put this game in my list. I was never really impressed with the previous games, I felt that they were a poor man’s GTA and didn’t really offer anything interesting. However, after seeing THQ’s latest gameplay trailer I can say that the game looks amazing. A reworked engine makes it stand head and shoulders above it’s predecessors and with some awesome weapons and vehicles, this may end up the surprise of the year…If anyone buys it!
Sonic Generations
I’m gonna get flamed for this, but I really enjoyed the demo that SEGA recently put out for this game. Not out until November, it has the chance of being well and truly buried; not just because of other big name titles that will be competing for shelf space, but because a lot of people have written Sonic off (for good reason). If SEGA can build on that demo, keeping the game simple yet entertaining and if they can tidy the 3D up, this game may well shock us all.
PixelJunk Lifelike
I am a massive PixelJunk fan; their approach to games is original and refreshing. Little is known about Lifelike, other than it will incorporate the Move controller. But being PixelJunk, I have no doubt that they will innovate and push the tech. There is also no firm release date other than 2011. It is definitely one to watch out for.
Ken “Zero Tolerance” McKown
El Shaddai
This is a game I think a lot of people will overlook and that really disappoints me. After having played through about an hour of the game I am convinced it is one of the most unique experiences that will be released this year. The story is fresh and the visuals and level design are immaculate. Please do yourself a favor and check out the demo now. I guarantee it will one of the more unique experiences of the year.
That’s all for this edition of the ZTGD Reviewer Rodeo. Join us next week as we grab onto another bucking bronco of controversy and beat it into submission. Got questions or comments? Drop ’em in the comment section below or hit us up via email. Suggestions for Reviewer Rodeo topics that you want our opinions on? Hit Mike up at michaelfutter@ztgamedomain.com.
