New Game Releases: Pikmin 3, Tales Of Xillia, Dragon’s Crown And More
By Nick Tylwalk
For the first time since we launched GameSided earlier this summer, this is a week with multiple actual new video games from which to choose. That’s good for you, the gamer, but maybe not so good for your wallet.
But you know what? If your wallet is upset, it can get its own job. It’s time to grab something new, and we finally have some real choices in that regard. Here’s a look at what’s most interesting that is new in stores and online this week:
When I saw that “Pikmin 3” was due out this August, my first thought was how cool the game looked when it was shown off during E3 2012. My second thought was, “Holy crap, that was a long time ago!”
Nevertheless, it appears this may be worth the wait for all dozen or so people who bought a Wii U during the second quarter of 2013. This latest installment introduces rock Pikmin and flying pink Pikmin to join the red, yellow and blue guys we all know and love from previous games.
“Tales of Xillia” (PS3) – August 6
JRPGs aren’t dead, they’re just resting. In the case of “Tales of Xillia,” it’s been almost two years between the time it released in Japan until it made its way over to North America.
That’s given fans plenty of time to get excited for the most recent addition to the long-running “Tales” series. Like any good JRPG, it has an awesomely named combat system called the Dual Raid Linear Motion Battle System. I don’t know exactly what that means, but I like it.
“Dragon’s Crown” (PS3, Vita) – August 6
Another import from Japan, “Dragon’s Crown” marries a side-scrolling beat ’em up with some fantasy RPG goodness. Any game that draws on “Golden Axe” for inspiration can’t be half bad.
Once you’re done kicking butt as one of six classes on your PS3, you can transfer right over to your Vita and keep playing. Never stop playing the game again! Well, except for stuff like sleep, work, and school. Maybe.
“Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons” (PS3, PC, Xbox 360) – August 7
This game has been described as a cross between “Journey” and “Fable,” which means… well it means really high expectations. It’s an indie game but is built on Unreal Engine 3, so it has some visual heft.
The story involves two brothers (duh!) who must work together to find the Water of Life, which is the only cure for their ill father. I’m not sure I would have been able to cooperate with my own brother to solve the kinds of dilemmas this game will present under normal circumstances, but for our dad? I think we could have worked it out, as long as I was the one controlled by the left analog stick.
Also out this week: “The Sims 3: Dragon Valley” (PC) – August 6; “Divinity: Dragon Commander” (PC) – August 6; “Superfrog HD” (PS3, Vita) – August 6; “Disney Planes” (Wii U, Wii, 3DS, DS); “Guacamelee” (PC) – August 8