The Week In Games

For all the sports fans, NBA 2K11 drops this week. For everyone else, it’s about Enslaved – although Ninja Theory, makers of Heavenly Sword, haven’t received the same level of publicity for their Monkey-inspired companion action game as they probably deserve, what with the controversial new DmC announcement at Tokyo Game Show stealing the headlines.

Here’s what’s coming out locally:

Comic Jumper
What is it? Side-scrolling beat-em-up with focus on humour.
Should you care? Do you have a 360 and the internet? Then yes. It’s from the team that brought you The Maw and Splosion Man. Reason enough to at least check it out.

Aura: Fate of the Ages
What is it? First-person exploratory puzzler on Steam.
Should you care? Did you like Myst? This features the same fantasy environments.

All Round Hunter (Bundle)
What is it? Hunting game bundle for the Wii.
Should you care? It’s cheaper than paying $10 a go on Buck Hunter at the pub.

Wordjong
What is it? Word puzzle game for the DS, in which you make words out limited letter tiles.
Should you care? Do you like Scrabble?

Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon Predator
What is it? Squad-based shooter for the PSP.
Should you care? Ubisoft may own the Tom Clancy name in the gaming world, but it still treats it with respect.

Final Fantasy: The 4 Heroes of Light
What is it? An all new story in an all new Final Fantasy world, on the DS.
Should you care? It’s from the team behind Final Fantasy III and IV. Changing your hat changes your class, and over wireless you can take part in four-player co-op dungeons.

Front Mission: Evolved
What is it? Third-person mecha combat game.
Should you care? So far, it’s looking very standard issue. Shoot with one hand, slice with the other, jetpack boost, etc.

Enslaved
What is it? Modern take – with considerable license – on the classical Chinese novel Journey to the West (remember Monkey?). Practically, it’s a 3rd-person action game with a companion to protect.
Should you care? There are some Prince of Persia climbing moments, and it has its fair share of combat. But with Andy Serkis involved, the strength here will be characters and storytelling. Right from the start there’s an interesting premise, as you’re forced to protect someone keeping you captive with a headpiece straight out of SAW.

NBA 2K11
What is it? 2K games’ dominant NBA franchise.
Should you care? It looks like there might not be any real competition for a while. We all expected this one to be better anyway.

What will you be picking up? Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments below.