Rock, Paper, Shotgun

It seems like there was a bit of a lull at the various digital distribution outlets in the post-Christmas period, as they all took a rest from the mega bargains. Your wallets respite is over now though. As we enter February, some proper deals are kicking off. Read on to find this week’s highlights, and be sure to check out SavyGamer.co.uk whenever you want to know what games are cheap.
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Last summer, when I originally played the beta version of Puppy Games’ charming tower defence game, Revenge Of The Titans, I had some thoughts on the game. it wasn’t finished, of course, but I had no idea that Puppy Games would go on to address all of my criticisms and then go much further. The latest version of the game (of which there is a demo, or a full version for those who have pre-ordered) radically overhauls the game, revamping refinery collection and turret reloading, and other stuff too. Research is now free, removing the game’s original cash system, which had players backing into a hole if they messed up a level. In conclusion: a rather different game, which much the same appeal. Why not try it out?

Something that intrigues me is the utterly astonishing number of MMOs out there at the moment, each boasting vast player bases, that no one I know has ever played. Every day I stare in wonder at how many are managing to co-exist, intrigued to know what they offer, but never able to will myself past the first identical screenshot. So below I’ve compiled together the MMOs you may not be familiar with that have put out a press release on GamesPress in the last couple of weeks. I stress, just the last two weeks.

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Oh, go on, you’ve earned it. Have another shot of PlanetSide: Next, this time the Reaver. It’s only the third image that’s been seen of the game so far, after the tank from a couple of weeks back, and the Galaxy which I’ve put below. You can see the fullsize version of the Reaver over on PlanetSide Universe, who exclusively got hold of it.

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We’ve been keeping an eye on Primal Carnage for a good long while, as it’s transformed from a simple fan project into something that’s looking quite extraordinary. And why did it first get our attention almost exactly a year ago? Simple: DINOSAURS VS. HUMANS. We’ve seen tech videos, and then been blown away after the switch to the Unreal Development Kit. The latest video knocks all that into a cocked hat. It’s proper in-game footage of a fight between humans and a T-rex, all controlled by human players.

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It’s hard not to feel at least slightly :( when a series that began on PC apparently gives this old platform short thrift. Such was the case in December, when it appeared Fallout: New Vegas’ DLC Dead Money had been greedily exclusivorised by the dark beast that is the Three Hundred And Sixtieth Xbox. Fortunately, such punishment of the faithful was only temporary.

Gentlethings, further post-apocalyptic adventuring awaits us after all. In which case, I shall rescind my earlier :( and replace it with a :)
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Excalibur Publishing are diversifying a bit from their line of transport and utility-vehicle simulators to bring us, uh, Surgery Simulator. The announcement blurb explains that that the game features the following operations – see if you can spot the odd one out: “Cataract, Varicose veins (varicosis), Gall bladder removal (laparoscopic cholecystectomy), Hernia (herniotomy), Treatment of a lower leg fracture, Tonsil removal (tonsillectomy), Appendix removal (appendectomy), Traffic accident.”

Hmm. Also of relevance: “Attention! This product is a computer game and not for training or tuition purposes!!! The product is NOT suitable for conveying specialist knowledge in medicine or surgery.” Aww.

In the last few years the Writer’s Guild of America’s Best Videogame Writing Award has gone to some curious candidates, to say the least. In 2007, the first of these awards went to PSP title Dead Head Fred. In 2008, a year which saw the release of GTAIV, Left 4 Dead and Fallout 3, the award was granted to Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. In 2009, Uncharted 2: Honour Among Thieves was the winner, which actually made sense, but last month the 2010 nominees were unveiled and are as follows: Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Fallout: New Vegas, God of War III, Singularity, and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed II, with Mass Effect 2 or Red Dead Redemption conspicuous by their absence.

Just what is going on over there? Are the guild members all simply too busy hobnobbing and gingercrunching to play games? Not so. As a result of GI.biz’s own interview with Mary DeMarle, lead writer on Deus Ex: Human Revolution yesterday (you can reads ours here), some answers have come to light.
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Dungeon Siege III or, to use its full title, Dungeon Siege III: The Battle of Lens F’lare has had its release dates confirmed. It’ll be arriving in Europe on May 27th and North America on May 31st, and Americans can also browse their choice of pre-order bonuses here. A summer release, then. I can see us now- windows open, trousers off, a glass of something ice-cold, calorific and toxic-coloured in our free hand and… wait. Dungeon Siege III is an action game, isn’t it? It’ll require two hands to play! Failed. In mourning I’ve posted the original Dungeon Siege theme after the jump. Bet you’ll find it more stirring than you expect.
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Game Informer have the scoop on Battlefield 3, and they’ve announced some details: “Several standout features that defined Battlefield 2 return to the fold, including 64-player multiplayer on PC, jets, and the ability to go prone.” So that’s interesting. We should get to see the full unveil at GDC at the beginning of March.

Exciting but ultimately content-free teaser trailer below.
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I was all ready to put a positive spin on this, like “Thinking of replaying Mass Effect 2 with the latest bits of DLC? The second Alternate Appearance pack, with new outfits for Miranda, Grunt and Tali will be out on February 8th for 160 Bioware Points (abour £1.20).” But no, because I’ve noticed that Bioware are advertising this news with the slogan “Put the WAR back in your wardrobe!” Just- no. You leave the crap puns to us, Bioware, d’you hear? It’s weird when you do it. Also, Grunt up there looks like he was an extra for Tron and changed back into his ME2 outfit without a mirror, so there. Thanks to Blues for the tipoff.