In gaming’s Hall of Fame stands out one title – Myst, an adventure game that left a huge impact on the games industry and also became the highest-selling game of its time, later beaten by the gay The Sims. If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve never even heard of the game, because it was released in 1993 and you started getting serious in games in like what, 2003?
This classic adventure title that a whole lot of people have fond memories of, is now making its way to North American Nintendo DSs, where it will do the same magic it did 15 years ago. And if you haven’t played the original, and own a DS, we see no reason why you shouldn’t get this game other than the fact that you have a gay pink DS. Okay.
The DS version features brand new graphics, with a lot more information to aid your quest. The lower screen functions as the game itself (which you now gloriously control with your phallic stylus), while the upper screen gives you all sorts of information. Myst, while being an adventure game that puts you into stunningly immersive environments, still focuses on puzzles and logic games. And hell, I don’t see “immersive” coming anywhere when you’re staring into a tiny DS screen in the middle of a crowded subway station.
Myst DS is scheduled to release in North America in March 2008. Buy it and let’s see if we can make it the best-selling DS game on the planet.
In Part I, we covered the games whose release dates we knew for sure. Now it’s time to head into the more obscure territory, by covering the games whose quarters we know, but not their release dates.
Mario Kart Wii (Wii) Genre: Driving/Racing
Mario Kart Wii is, well, the Wii version of the ultra-famed Mario Kart series that you must know if you call yourself a gamer. A new system of balancing things out between newbies and experts will be featured, along with an online racing mode. Also of note is the Wii Wheel that will be packaged with the game – yet another Wii accessory to make you look silly in front of your TV. As for the rest – It’s Mario Kart! Hop in and have fun!
Clear Sky is the prequel to the surprise hit of this year, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Shadow of Chernobyl. Clear Sky will explain a lot of things that happened before SoC, as its protagonist is one of the reasons why the radioactive world of Chernobyl is the way it is. An armour/weapon upgrade system and improved AI has been promised, as well as a very atmospheric environment. A must-buy if you’ve played and liked Shadow of Chernobyl.
Worms: A Space Oddity (Wii) Genre: Turn-Based Strategy (Action elements)
The Wii’s serving of the legendary Worms series takes us back to its 2D roots as our beloved Worms continue their eternal war in a brand new setting – space! A brand new interface, multiplayer and six different planets to play on are up for grabs. If you’ve never played the fantastically addictive Worms series of games before, this seems to be as good a place to start as any, especially with its unique Wii controls.
Sins of a Solar Empire (PC) Genre: Real-Time Strategy
Perhaps winning the award for the most unique title of 2008, Sins of a Solar Empire is a sci-fi RTS that will feature seamless, real-time integration of epic strategy and close-up strategy. This means that you can check out your massive ships in space and zoom in to see your individual units, vehicles etc., all in real time! You also get to conquer planets, moons and the like, while the game’s impressive new engine is touted to be able to render lots and lots of space bodies. This might be a surprise hit in the RTS field, folks!
Frontlines: Fuel of War (PC, XBOX 360, PS3) Genre: First-Person Shooter
Frontlines takes us to a near-future where an all-too-predictable war for natural resources (specifically fuel) has begun, causing chaos across the world. You must fight for your nation to find and defend fuel in this title! The game’s specialty will be its large-scale conflicts, which should make war more realistic than a dozen soldiers on each side fighting it out. A lot of depth in gameplay can be seen here, which makes this one first-person shooter you want to look into.
2007 has been a very good year for the gaming industry, with dozens of spectacular titles that we shall play for quite a while. StuffWeLike has decided to compile a list of games we should expect for 2008. With this year being so great and all, we hope the next will be equally exciting and we aren’t wholly disappointed (yet)!
In Part I, we cover the games whose release dates have been announced and hopefully will not be delayed. Of course, we may have missed a few games here and there. If so, be sure to tell us in the comments! So here’s Part I!
Touch of the Dead
Zombies gone terribly wrong. A game only the DS can provide. Great…
Fallout 3
Can you believe that this game is real? 2007 was an amazing year for hardcore gamers that have been craving sequels to old games. Starcraft 2 and Fallout 3. Later we’ll reveal Duke Nukem Forever for the third time!
Mortal Kombat Armageddon Giveaway
We hold our first giveaway contest with Mortal Kombat Armageddon as the prize! To bad no one entered…
Ok, so where I live it’s still officially 10/13. Who cares?! It’s a week in games, meaning someone’s gotta tell you all what you’re missing while you play Orange Box’s Portal or Team Fortress 2.
PS3
Tony Hawks Proving Grounds (10/18): In case Skate wasn’t good enough for you and you need something to cling on to for the weekend. Because apparently Everyday Shooter ain’t good enough fer ye.
PSP
Thrillville: Off the Rails (10/15): Ever have the need to build amusement parks on the go?
Swat: Target Liberty (10/18): So, liberty’s the target, eh? Well, good luck shooting her with a missile.
Spiderman 3 (10/18): Amazingly late, we thought this one was all but forgotten. Silly us. Activision doesn’t leave a man behind. Ever.
360
Thrillville: Off the Rails (10/15): Same as above, but from the comfort of your own home. Like a real architect would.
Beautiful Katamari (10/17): Rolling your way, this nonsensical puzzle make-everything-part-of-you game is fun…for whoever likes that weird stuff.
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground (10/18): In the event you have a PS3 but remembered that achievements are meaningful in your life.
Wii
Thrillville: Off the Rails (10/15): Hey, why bother taking it with you or using a standard controller. Use the damned wiimote like everyone else!
Rockstar Presents Table Tennis (10/17): Finally, the 360 exclusive gets put on the console it was really intended for. That is, if it plays well.
Spyro: The Eternal Night (10/17): Say hello to fire breathing dragons and goodbye to…wait, nothing really.
Victorious Boxers: Revolution (10/18): Wii Sports, eat your heart out. This boxing game will give you a real workout. And when you throw an uppercut, it’ll work.
Tony Hawk’s Proving Grounds (10/18): Well, at least it’s not on the PSP.
Ultimate Duck Hunting (10/18): This must be the greatest game of all time. I mean, it has the word “ultimate” in it. That makes it magical.
Avatar: The Burning Earth (10/18): It’s a damn good thing you play as the Avatar, so you can blow those bad fires away and make sure the Earth doesn’t get too roasted. It doesn’t taste good burnt.
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core (10/18): As if the long and pointless name wasn’t good enough, it’s probably a fighting game with 2d graphics. ’nuff said.
Mercury: Meltdown Revolution (10/19): Three words that would never go together, put together, and still have no meaning.
Ultimate Board Game Collection (10/19): Can’t get any more straight forward than that. Because hey, you can’t play all these games on Yahoo! games. Or can you?
Nintendo DS
Thrillville: Off the Rails (10/15): This would complete the demonic circle of game consoles, but the PS3 was spared of it’s pity. Well played Lucasarts.
Cheetah Girls: Pop Star Sensation (10/15): Ahh, to be young, fit, attractive, and a cheetah girl once again.
Flash Focus: Vision Training in Minutes a Day (10/17): Yes, staring at a small 2 inch screen that’s 2 feet from your face is a great way to improve your vision.
Bee Game (10/17): Not to be confused with the Bee Movie Game, this is like Catz. Not NintenCats, but close.
Prism: Light the Way (10/18): There is no way to be more inspirational then lighting the way.
Avatar: The Burning Earth (10/18): This Nintendo exclusive is for you people (all 5 of you) without a Wii, yet with a DS.
Pet Wild Animals: Dolphinz (10/18): Oh, for sure. Add a Z to the end of a word where an S should be and now it’s cool. Why didn’t anyone see this earlier?!
Fish Tycoon (10/18): Imagine, the best way to spend time while sitting in a car or train or plane, is to deal with virtual fish. Peachy. MAN THE HARPOON!
Tony Hawk’s Proving Ground (10/18): That’s right, someone had to do it. Be on every system. There’s always one, and this bad boy did it. Congrats to insanity.
Mahjong Quest (10/18): The board games may stay at home, but if I had to take one with me, it would definitely be Mahjong. If I knew how to play.
PS2
Thrillville: Off the Rails (10/15): blah blah blah…
Tony Hawk’s Proving Grounds (10/18): …blah blah blah…
Avatar: The Burning Earth (10/18): …blah blah blah…
Seems like that’s it for now. Stay tuned next week when we bring you more of those outrageous bloopers!
Oh, and don’t forget that there will be a ton of demos coming around, hopefully, from E for All. We may be a bit slow on updating with all that, so keep checking your local PSN/XBL provider!
Who needs Halo 3 when you can try out Crash Bandicoot’s newest adventure? Sure, you’ll probably rush out to buy it and stand in line at midnight for hours…oh, its out already? Well, no matter. Balls of Fury is worth the wait. I know. You’ll see.
Here’s a list of all the latest demos for your stay-at-home consoles, because hey, we all know what games are coming out. But just in case you aren’t sure, here’s some of those too.
PS3
Sega Rally Revo
Folklore
FIFA Soccer 08
The Simpsons Game (Demo)
Bladestorm (Demo)
Xbox 360
FIFA Soccer 08
Half Life 2: Orange Box
Sega Rally Revo
Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal (Game & Demo)
Thrilleville: Off the Rails (Demo)
Bee Game (Demo)
Bladestorm (Demo)
Wii
Balls of Fury
Donkey Kong Barrel Blast
Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal
FIFA Soccer 08
Guilty Gear XX Accent Core
Bleach: Shattered Blade
Rock & Roll Adventures
PS2
Looney Tunes: Acme Arsenal
FIFA Soccer 08
Mountain Bike Adrenaline
PSP
Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron
Juiced 2: Hot Import Nights
Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions
FIFA Soccer 08
Crash of the Titans
Sega Rally Revo
Spiderman 3
Nintendo DS
Backyard Hockey
Flipper Critters
FIFA Soccer 08
Bleach: Blade of Fate
Looney Tunes: Duck Amuck
Touch Detective 2 1/2
Power Play Pool
Cocoto Cart Racing
That’s everything. Couldn’t tell whether there were going to be more Looney Tunes or FIFA to type out, but now it’s quite clear. Ahh, the miracle of capitalism. And don’t forget that the Crysis Beta, for those of you who believe there’s a glimmer of hope of running it, can get that too. Yet in my heart, any game with the…well, balls, to be called Balls of Fury is a winner. Even if it plays like a loser.
