New Releases this week | Aug 12th – Aug 18th 2013

Not a great week for releases but a week which brings much variety and contrast. Two Disney games, two horror games, a couple HD remakes and of course Payday 2 are just some of what you will find coming out in the next 7 days.

As always this list was correct at time of publishing. Dates may change at short notice.

 

 

Payday 2

 Reportedly already making a profit from pre-order sales alone, Payday 2 is the sequel to 2011s sleeper hit by developers Overkill.

Don your mask, reload that shotgun and get ready to start counting your cash as you reprise the role of Dallas, Hoxton, Wolf and Chains as they head to Washington DC to continue their crime spree. Yet again 4 player co-op is strongly recommended as you attempt to complete various ‘jobs’ that you can pick and choose at will from the Crime Database known as CrimeNet. Robbing banks is just 1 of many unlawful acts you can participate in to climb the proverbial ladder of the criminal mastermind.

Customize your Weapons with upgrades such as less recoil, bigger clips, etc. A deeper skill tree allows for an even greater variety to your chosen heister and with the new addition of creating your own Masks no 2 criminals will ever be the same.

Payday 2 releases worldwide on Tuesday for PS3, 360 and PC.

Payday 2
Release Date:
Aug 13th
Developer: Overkill
Platform: PS3, 360, PC
Current Metacritic Score: Not yet listed
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Ducktales: Remastered

Back in the bygone era when controllers only had three buttons and the word ‘internet’ was referring to that bit of netting inside your shorts, Capcom released an 8-bit game known as Ducktales for the NES system. Now, two decades later they are re-releasing it in HD with upgraded.. well, everything.

Crisp HD visuals, remastered sound, modernized game mechanics and hand painted backdrops help bring ol’ Scrooge McDuck into the 21st century.

Travel the world alongside nephews Huey, Dewey and Lewie in search of the five Legendary Treasures when Ducktales: Remastered releases to  the PS3, WiiU and PC on August 13th in North America and August 14th in Europe.

Ducktales: Remastered
Release Date:
Aug 13th (NA)
Aug 14th (EU)
Developer: Capcom
Platform: PS3, WiiU, PC
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Disney Infinity

Reportedly costing $100 million to develop, this new IP from developers Avalanche Software brings together all major characters from Disney and Pixar franchises. While a platformer at heart, the meat of the game comes in the form of an open world editor known as Toy Box allowing players to build extensive worlds from scratch, much like Minecraft -only less blocky.

Those of you who just want to play and not spend hours building will undoubtedly enjoy Play Set mode, a single player story mode which follows the trials and tribulations of either a Disney or Pixar character. Unlike Toy Box however, characters from one world will never share the screen with a character from the other world. Jack Sparrow and Mr Incredible’s story will never intertwine for example.

Characters such as Woody, Jack Sparrow, Sully, Mater, Mr Incredible and many more will all be available (or purchasable as DLC) when the game launches on August 18th in North America. A European release is set for next week.

Disney Infinity
Release Date:
Aug 18th (NA)
Aug 20th (EU)
Developer: Avalanche Software
Platform: PS3, 360, WiiU, 3DS
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer

 

 

 

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Angry Birds Trilogy

Everyone knows Angry Birds, right? Does this release really need an introduction? If you haven’t played it on Facebook, Internet Explorer, Firefox, iPhone, mobile, 3DS, Xbox 360 or PS3, you’re in luck as the enraged fowls are catapulting their way onto Wii and WiiU this week.

The Trilogy includes all three games released so far – Angy Birds, Angry Birds: Seasons and Angry Birds: Rio.

Angry Birds Trilogy
Release Date:
Aug 13th
Developer: Fun Labs
Platform: Wii and Wii U
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to watch trailer

 

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Phineas & Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff

As the conclusion of the summer holidays draws near, the inventive brothers Phineas & Ferb decide one last adventure is needed before going back to school. Join the duo, along with their trusty sidekick Perry as they create, travel and explore in search of treasures to fill up the Museum Of Cool Stuff.

Based on the popular TV show, Phineas & Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff includes two distinct modes. Action mode and Exploration mode, the former focuses on providing an entertaining story while the latter gives players a chance to explore the entire Tri-State area.

This comical and witty adventure releases to 360, WiiU, Wii, 3DS and DS on Tuesday. No PS3 release unfortunately.

Phineas & Ferb: Quest for Cool Stuff
Release Date:
Aug 13th (NA)
Developer: Behaviour Interactive
Platform: 360, Wii U, Wii, 3DS, DS
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to watch trailer
Click to buy from Amazon

 

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Charlie Murder

No, this is not a Gorillaz game, although both the artwork and characters do share a striking resemblance to the British virtual band. Charlie Murder is a side-scrolling RPG beat-em-up much like Dragon’s Crown from last week but the similarities between the two ends there.

Inspired by coin-op beat-em-up arcades, Charlie Murder follows the story of a band desperate for fame and fortune. To realize their dreams however, they must first face off against rival band Gore Quaffer.

Unique visuals, simple gameplay and frantic four player coop are just a handful of things Charlie Murder will deliver when it releases for XBLA worldwide on August 14th.

Charlie Murder
Release Date:
Aug 14th
Developer: Ska Studios
Platform: XBLA
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to watch trailer

 

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Thunder Wolves

The description of this game reads like the opening titles to an A-Team (or Airwolf even) episode. A secret corporation of elite pilots, who may or may not be working for the government, take to the skies to fight terrorism around the world under complete secrecy. It’s a nice hook but what it boils down to for the player is that he’ll be flying technologically advanced helicopters throughout a campaign comprising of escort, stealth and seek & destroy missions.

Experience 9 different choppers, 13 missions and a local co-op mode – which allows a friend to be your gunner- when the game releases this Tuesday to the North American PSN Store.

Thunder Wolves
Release Date:
Aug 13th (NA)
Developer: bitComposer Games
Platform: PSN
Current Metacritic Score: 67
Click to read our XBLA review
Click to watch trailer

 

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PC/Mac releases

 

 

Europa Universalis IV

The fourth installment of the popular Grand Strategy game by Paradox Interactive brings with it a whole slew of new features including a story that spans over 300 years of historic events between the period of November 11th 1444 to December 31st 1820.  The lush and expansive map is brought to life thanks to the fully rendered 3D topography while your prudent decision making skills are even more relevant this time due to the updated Monarch Power.

The 32 player co-op and competitive multiplayer allows friends to join your army, controlling a single nation together, as one.

Europa Universalis IV releases to PC on Wednesday.

Europa Universalis IV
Release Date:
Aug 13th
Developer: Paradox Interactive
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Gone Home

Details on this first-person exploration game are scarce to say the least. Even the Official Site doesn’t quite know how to fully describe the game.

Investigate the Greenbriar family’s house. Discover the story of what’s happened to them. Go home again.

A teenage girl returns home after being abroad to discover her entire family are gone. Search her house, discover clues, read diaries and notes to piece together what exactly has transpired during the summer months of 1995.

Gone Home releases on PC on August 15.

Gone Home
Release Date:
Aug 15th
Developer: The FullBright Company
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: Not yet listed
Click to Watch Trailer

 

 

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Betrayer

Fancy a scare this week? Betrayer will be happy to oblige with the help of ghosts, an eerie settlement and black and white visuals.

It’s 1604, you set sail from England hoping to join up with a struggling colony on the coast of Virginia. Instead, you’re greeted with a desolate village void of any color and -if a world without color didn’t freak you out already- the area is teeming with paranormal goings on. You’re only shining light is a mysterious woman dressed in a red robe guiding you through your journey. Explore the doomed area and find clues to unravel the mysteries bestowed upon this settlement.

Betrayer hopes to keep you awake on Wednesday night.

Betrayer
Release Date:
Aug 14th
Developer: Blackpowder Games
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Handheld & Mobile releases

 

 

Game Of Watchcraft: Spawn and Squishy

As far as satire goes, Game Of Watchcraft has it nailed. With a feature that reads “Three enemy types! Four quests! Ten colours! That’s double-digit colours people!” you just know Game Of Watchcraft is one to be taken very lightly.

You play as Squishy, a priest with a thirst for collectables and killing goblins and.. yeah there really isn’t much else to say on the game. It’s modern day gaming reimagined for the limited hardware from yesteryear, and it’s releasing this Wednesday for the iPad.

Game Of Watchcraft: Spawn and Squishy
Release Date:
Aug 14th
Developer: LCDemakes
Platform: iPad
Current Metacritic score: Not listed
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Dying: Sinner Escape

Horror games are like buses. You wait for ages for one and then two release in the same week. Dying: Sinner Escape may share a mature rating like Betrayer above, but it’s probably due to the bloody SAW-like traps rather than any eerie atmosphere.

From one of the creators of the SAW video game, Dying delves deep into the mind of Colby Davis as he tries to solve varies lethal traps in order to escape from each of the terrifying chambers. So how exactly does it differ from SAW The Video Game? I honestly don’t know. With SAW receiving below average reviews across the board it’s puzzling why they thought it was a good idea to try it again for the mobile market. That hand coming out of the water (or is it petrol) is a pretty awesome image though I’ll give them that.

Dying: Sinner Escape
Release Date:
Aug 14th
Developer: Nekcom
Platform: iOS
Current Metacritic Score: Not listed
Click to Watch Trailer

 

Ibb & Obb
Release Date:
Aug 14th (EU)
Developer: Sharpweed
Platform: PS3 (PSN)
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to watch trailer

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Mars: War Logs
Release Date:
Aug 14th (NA)
Developer: Spiders Studio
Platform: PS3 (PSN)
Current Metacritic Score: 59 (PC version – PSN version not listed)
Click to watch trailer

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Pure Chess Complete Bundle
Release Date:
Aug 14th (NA)
Developer: VooFoo Studios
Platform: PS3, PSV
Current Metacritic Score: 63
Click to watch trailer

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BreakQuest: Extra Evolution Freemium
Release Date:
Aug 14th (NA)
Developer: BeatShapers
Platform: PS3 and Vita
Current Metacritic Score: 68 (PS Mini version)
Click to watch trailer

 

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That’s it for this week. Come back next week for a new list of releases.

If you see any mistakes in this article or know of a release not listed here feel free to email us or contact me directly on Twitter. @SteveVanEekeren