The Week In Games

Yes! The end of the year might be approaching, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t still good new games to buy. Why there’s at least one this week.

It’s name is Muramasa, the rather wonderful action-RPG from the makers of the (slightly more) wonderful (and slightly more RPG) Odin Sphere. Anyone who finds joy in sumptuous 2D art and dazzling side-scrolling swordplay – oh, and who owns a Wii – should pick it up.

PC gamers can finally get their hands on the DirectX-11-enhanced DiRT 2. Which is nice. There’s also James Cameron’s Avatar, giving you a chance to explore the world of Pandora a few weeks ahead of the film launch. And is the Saboteur a fitting finale for the now-defunct Pandemic Studios? I don’t know, I’ve yet to even see preview code – a scenario that often bodes ill.

What are you picking up this week?

New releases for the w/c November 30:

Ben 10 Alien Force: Vilgax Attacks (Wii)
What Is It? Action adventure with some light platforming and puzzling, all based of course on the popular kids cartoon.
Should You Care? This is solid licensed fare that will keep fans entertained but persuade no one else.

Colin McRae: DiRT 2 (PC)
What Is It? Belated PC edition of Codemasters’ really rather good racing sequel.
Should You Care? Ooh, they delayed it to add DirectX 11 support. It looks spiffy.

Girl’s Life: Sleepover Party (DS)
What Is It? I believe this is some kind of simulation game of a practice better known as the “slumber party.”
Should You Care? Just bear in mind that it’s G-rated.

James Cameron’s Avatar: The Game (360, PS3, Wii, DS, PC)
What Is It? Third-person shooter where you choose between the human space marines or the blue alien dudes.
Should You Care? Looks like a superior movie tie-in and a pretty decent game in its own right.

LEGO Rock Band (DS)
What Is It? Unlike Guitar Hero on DS, Rock Band ignores the gimmicky accessory in favour of Frequency/Amplitude style button tapping. It’s for the best.
Should You Care? It still has Europe’s “The Final Countdown”, which is enough.

Muramasa: Demon Blade (Wii)
What Is It? Achingly lovely side-scrolling slash ’em up peppered with mild RPG elements takes you on a dizzying tour of Japanese mythology.
Should You Care? Yes. It’s awesome.

Petz: My Baby Nursery (DS)
What Is It? Presumably some kind of life simulation where you tie ribbons in the hair of newborn puppies.
Should You Care? I think I need to throw up.

The Saboteur (360, PS3, PC)
What Is It? Stealth-action set in Nazi-occupied WWII Paris with a curious “return colour to the world” mechanic.
Should You Care? Think of it as Splinter Cell: De Bloble Agent.

Saw (360, PS3, PC)
What Is It? Survival horror that meshes the movies’ torture-based scenarios into a series of stomach-churning yet familiar puzzles.
Should You Care? It really is about as good as you’d expect.

Scene It? Bright Lights? Big Screen? (360, PS3, Wii)
What Is It? Movie trivia game now in its third edition and no longer a 360 exclusive.
Should You Care? Buzz does it better.

Where The Wild Things Are (360, PS3, Wii)
What Is It? Quirky action adventure based on the imminent movie of the book.
Should You Care? Mediocre at best, steer clear unless your kids love the film.

Your Shape (Wii)
What Is It? Hey, it’s another fitness game for the Wii. Strangely, it doesn’t use the balance board but rather the first camera accessory for the console.
Should You Care? It has around eight times the exercises of Wii Fit and EA Sports Active combined. Golly!

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