New Releases this week | Aug 5th – Aug 11th 2013

The summer drought has come and gone if this week’s releases are any indication. The upcoming 7 days are rife with new releases particularly for PlayStation. HD remakes and RPGs are in abundance this week and scantily clad, busty females are taking over it seems with not 1, not 2, but 3 of the releases featuring bodacious bouncy body bits.

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

 

Dragon’s Crown

Treacherous dungeons await you in this fantasy, side-scrolling, beat ’em’up, RPG from developers Vanillaware. Dragon’s Crown includes a selection of unique, over the top and extravagant characters – a heavily armoured knight known only as Fighter, an extremely disproportionate female warrior with boobs bigger than her head (no really), a white-haired wizard, an athletic bow and arrow wielding Elf, a muscular Dwarf with the ability to throw enemies far and wide, and a sorceress who can turn foes into frogs.

All 6 characters inhabit a town in a kingdom called Hydeland. Players pick a character and embark on a journey into the nearby monster-ridden dungeons finding treasures, sparking up conversations with NPCs to trigger side-quests and upgrading your stats along the way. 

Multiplayer co-op is available both locally and online on both the PS3 and Vita versions. The Cross-Save feature is also present allowing you to continue from where you left off whether that be on the big screen or in the palm of your hands.

Dragon’s Crown releases exclusively to PS3 and PSV on August 6th in the US.

Dragon’s Crown
Release Date:
Aug 6th (US)
Developer: Vanillaware
Platform: PS3, PSV
Current Metacritic Score: Not yet listed
Click to Watch Trailer
Click to buy from Amazon

 

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Tales Of Xillia

A government experiment in the kingdom of Rashuga is draining Mana from the world causing harm to all life on earth. Jude Mathis, a brainy medical student and Milla Maxwell, a socially awkward yet intriguing stranger, take it upon themselves to put things right by destroying the source and restoring Mana to all life on earth. Choose between either character and set out on an adventure in the world of Rieze Maxia, a place where humans and spirits live in harmony.

Tales Of Xillia is yet another PS3 exclusive this week and is coming to North America on August 6th with a European release following 3 days later.

Tales Of Xillia
Release Date:
Aug 6th (NA)
Aug 9th (EU)
Developer: Namco Bandai Games
Platform: PS3
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer
Click to buy from Amazon

 

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Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers

Choose between the US Navy or the Japanese Imperial Navy and take to skies in this arcade flight sim by Maximum Games. Players take on the role of Admiral Lucas Stark or Hideaki Hashimoto and take command of an authentic aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean during World War II.

Take control of whole squadrons! Instead of controlling just one airplane, you can control all aircrafts in your squadron in the respective mission. – Official site

The game features a compelling storyline for each Admiral, 13 planes to pick from with the option to customise each with various weapons, Survive Mode which allows you to take control of the ship’s cannons, and a retelling of historic events such as Pearl Harbour.

Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers releases on PS3 and PC on Tuesday only in North America. The game is currently available on Xbox 360.

Air Conflicts: Pacific Carriers
Release Date:
Aug 6th (NA)
Developer: Maximum Games
Platform: PS3, PC
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer
Click to buy from UK Amazon

 

 

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BreakQuest: Extra Evolution

Originally released as a PS Mini last year this Brick Breaker-type game is now being re-released for the PS3 and Vita with upgraded visuals, new power-ups, 10 unique bosses to overcome and new tracks by SandS band.

Those of you familiar with games such as Break Out or Magic Ball (or Magic Orbs as it’s now known) will know what to expect from BreakQuest. Use a paddle to bounce a ball and break everything in the playing field. What sets this apart from others in the genre however is the stunning visuals and interactive sound and music. All of which comes together beautifully culminating into what can only be described as a real feast for your senses. Although, this sensory overload may impede your ability to actually pay attention for longer than a few seconds at a time.

BreakQuest: Extra Evolution is coming to the EU PlayStation Store on Wednesday exclusively for PS3 and PSV.

BreakQuest: Extra Evolution
Release Date:
Aug 7th (EU)
Developer: BeatShapers
Platform: PS3 and Vita
Current Metacritic Score: 68 (PS Mini version)
Click to watch trailer

 

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Mars: War Logs

Yet another RPG but this time lush green landscapes and figure-hugging catsuits are replaced with red sand and space marine apparel. Set 100 years in the future, Mars: War Logs follows the story of Roy Temperance, an adventurer and a jack-of-all-trades kind of guy.

Water is the most precious resource on the planet, and different corporations are fighting to gain control of it.  – Official site

Take on side-quests, craft items and equipment, and engage in conversations that effect the day to day lives of those you interact with. Your conversation choices may even effect the Martian colonies’ fate.

Mars: War Logs releases to the PS Store on August 7th in Europe.

Mars: War Logs
Release Date:
Aug 7th (EU)
Developer: Spiders Studio
Platform: PS3 (PSN)
Current Metacritic Score: 59 (PC version – PSN version not listed)
Click to watch trailer

 

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Ibb & Obb

This quirky yet unique little PSN game from Sharpweed is a 2 player game which requires full cooperation from both players. Player one is on top of the horizon while player 2 sticks to the underbelly of the horizon (effectively hanging upside-down). Players must then work in unison to solve the gravity defying platforming and puzzles the game throws at them. It really is a concept difficult to explain in text. Check out the trailer in the link below to see for yourself.

Ibb & Obb will launch with online co-op in place although personally, I think it’s a game best suited to 2 people on a sofa.

Ibb & Obb releases on PSN this Tuesday for North America and Wednesday for Europe.

Ibb & Obb
Release Date:
Aug 6th (NA)
Aug 7th (EU)
Developer: Sharpweed
Platform: PS3 (PSN)
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to watch trailer

 

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Disney Planes

We had a Smurfs 2 movie tie-in last week (which didn’t impress) so the imminent release of yet another movie tie-in this week is doubtful to excite too many gamers out there. Disney Planes: The Video Game continues the storyline of Rusty the cropduster, from the Pixar animated film.

Pick from any of the 10 characters seen in the movie and play 1 of 4 ‘exciting‘ game modes including Balloon Popping and Air Rallies. Also included is a 2 player mode for some high flying action with a friend (or enemy).

Disney Planes releases on Tuesday in America for all Nintendo consoles. A European release is scheduled for August 16th.

Disney Planes
Release Date:
Aug 6th (NA)
Aug 16th (EU)
Developer: Disney Interactive
Platform: Wii U, Wii, DS, 3DS, PC
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to buy from Amazon
Click to watch trailer

 

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PC/Mac releases

 

Divinity: Dragon Commander

The RTS genre has been a little quite lately on PC. Thankfully developers Larian Studios hope to rustle up some feathers with the release of Divinity: Dragon Commander.

Gather resources, build up your base and amass your army to take the fight to your enemies in vast open landscapes fully rendered in stunning 3D. Research new technologies and magic, follow the story of eccentric and wonderful races and even take control of a dragon and engage in aerial warfare.

A Real-Time Strategy Game that lets you take control of a dragon?! Count me in.

Divinity: Dragon Commander releases on PC this Tuesday.

Divinity: Dragon Commander
Release Date:
Aug 6th
Developer: Larian Studios
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition (retail)

Yes this was already released last month but that was on Steam. Now it’s releasing to retail (remember retail, those circular disc things?)

The Komplete Edition of this brutal fight-em-up includes all DLC released so far (including Skarlet, Kenshi, Rain and Freddy Krueger). All original fatalities are intact too. Never has the Tournament been so bloody fantastic.

Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition releases to retail on August 6th in NA. It is already available in Europe.

Mortal Kombat: Komplete Edition
Release Date:
Aug 6th (NA)
Aug 2nd (EU)
Developer: High Voltage Software
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: 81
Click to read our Review
Click to buy from Amazon
Click to Watch Trailer

 

 

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Guacamelee: Gold Edition

Released back in April on PS3, Guacamelee was well received with critics praising the excellent combat and platforming present throughout this Metroid-style game.

Guacamelee! has completely captured my heart with its clever humour, gorgeous visuals and its truly remarkable platforming. – GamesReviews

The game follows the story of Juan Aguacate, a down on his luck Mexican who sets off to save the President’s daughter from the clutches of an Evil Charro Skeleton. Travel through alternate dimensions (The World Of The Living and The World Of The Dead) in the small Mexican village on your quest to save Juan’s sweetheart.
With stunning visuals, truly engaging platforming sections and a simple yet satisfying combat style, be sure to download Guacamelee: Gold Edition when it releases for PC this Thursday in North America.

Guacamelee: Gold Edition
Release Date:
Aug 8th (NA)
Developer: DrinkBox Studios
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: 84 (PS3 version, PC version not yet listed)
Click to read our Review
Click to Watch Trailer

 

 

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Spelunky

Spelunky is a platformer with a slight difference. Similar to Cloudberry Kingdom released last week, Spelunky randomly generates the levels to keep the game from never getting too monotonous. Many have compared it to Bomberman purely due to the destructive environments however this is a much faster and more difficult platformer than Bomberman. This updated version of a timeless classic includes everything the XBLA version has. Upgraded visuals, more items to find, more weapons, and a 2 player mode.

Spelunky releases on PC on August 8.

Spelunky
Release Date:
Aug 8th
Developer: MossMouth
Platform: PC
Current Metacritic Score: 87 (XBLA version, PC version not yet listed)
Click to Watch Trailer

 

 

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Handheld & Mobile releases

 

Mystic Chronicles

A young boy called Lux vows to protect his village from outside threats. It’s a story with little deviation from the norm. Explore the fantasy land, talk to NPCs, run errands and kill enemies with turn based combat mechanics.
Yes this was released on July 16th for both the PSP and Vita. However, a problem with the game made it incompatible with the Vita, and so developers Kemco have had to optimise it to work on Sony’s newest handheld. The game is still identical to the PSP version however. No fancy new Vita features added whatsoever. 

The Vita version of Mystic Chronicles will be playable on August 6th.

Mystic Chronicles
Release Date:
Aug 6th
Developer: Kemco
Platform: Vita
Current Metacritic score: No score yet
Click to Watch Trailer

 

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Floating Cloud God Saves The Pilgrims in HD

Take control of a God sitting on a cloud and blast your way through beautiful hand drawn art work. Shoot down weird and downright odd enemies as you fight to save your followers from an impending doom.

Released as a PS Mini back in May, Floating Cloud God has been given the HD makeover specifically for the Vita. Other improvements over the Mini version include an all new twin sticks control scheme and all artwork, sound effects and music have been remastered. PSN trophies got added too of course. 

Priced at €3.59/£2.99, Floating Cloud God Saves The Pilgrims in HD will be coming to the EU PS Store on Wednesday.

Floating Cloud God Saves The Pilgrims in HD
Release Date:
Aug 7th (EU)
Developer: Dakko Dakko
Platform: PSV
Current Metacritic Score: 79 (PSP version)
Click to Watch Trailer

 

 

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Mario & Luigi: Dream Team (NA)

The Year of Luigi continues with this fourth installment of the Mario & Luigi series.
While on vacation with the rest of the characters Luigi rests his head on a magic pillow and falls asleep which opens a portal to a place called Dream World.
Released in Europe last month Mario & Luigi: Dream Team comes to American stores on Saturday.

Mario & Luigi: Dream Team
Release Date:
Aug 11th (NA)
Developer: Alpha Dream
Platform: 3DS
Current Metacritic Score: 83
Click to read our Review
Click to buy on Amazon
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