What’s New In Games This Week

After many slow weeks, a bunch of long awaited sequels are finally here. With one in particular making the end of a twelve plus year journey. Gee, any guesses as to what I’m talking about?

Duke Nukem Forever
[BoxTitle]Duke Nukem Forever[/BoxTitle] [WatchTrailer]http://heavy.com/games/games-videos/game-trailers/2011/06/duke-nukem-forever-e3-2011-launch-trailer/[/WatchTrailer] [BuyNow]http://www.gamestop.com/browse?nav=16k-Duke+Nukem+Forever[/BuyNow]

It’s the end of the road, as the game that many thought would never happen IS happening. Actually, it’s kinda sad, as one of gaming’s most long standing jokes finally comes to an end. And let’s be honest here: reviews thus far have been less than kind, yet also less than surprising. It’s not exactly a shock to hear that Duke’s stuck in a time bubble and the rest of the game reflects this. Though something tells me that Duke fans don’t care, and all that really matters is if enough fans pick up the game (and I’m certain that nothing’s stopping them at this point) and get together online, it could be one hell of a fun multiplayer environment. Duke might have the last laugh after-all! PS3, PC, Xbox 360


Child of Eden
[BoxTitle]Child of Eden[/BoxTitle] [WatchTrailer]http://heavy.com/games/games-videos/game-trailers/2010/06/child-of-eden-trailer/[/WatchTrailer] [BuyNow]http://www.gamestop.com/xbox-360/games/child-of-eden/78235[/BuyNow]

And here comes yet another title that many of us thought would never happen. Though compared to the legion of Duke fans, us Rez devotees are fairly minuscule. Tetsuya Mizuguchi’s groundbreaking, trans-dimensional music based shooter is getting a sequel, and aside from supporting a look that’s both as far and away different from how Rez looked, it’s also one that’s oddly complimentary. It might be the first thing that makes you fire up a Kinect that doesn’t have “dance” or “central” in the title. I’ll also be honest here: much like its spiritual predecessor, hardly anyone will touch this rather confusing looking game that doesn’t involve boobs and bullets. But if you like the idea of swimming around in space, shooting at shiny boxes that transform into even shinier globs of protoplasm, all with a distinctly new age-y vibe, then this is the game for you! PS3, Xbox 360


Alice Madness Returns
[BoxTitle]Alice: Madness Returns[/BoxTitle] [WatchTrailer]http://heavy.com/games/games-videos/game-trailers/2011/05/alice-madness-returns-game-trailer/[/WatchTrailer] [BuyNow]http://www.gamestop.com/browse?nav=16k-Alice+Madness+Returns[/BuyNow]

Not gonna like, I’ve never been the biggest fan of the original art style of American McGee’s Alice. The idea of Alice in Wonderland “but all dark and twisted” seems rather silly because the source of material (the original books, not the Disney movie) was pretty damn creepy, and the original game felt a bit too art school junior class project to me. And that’s what I still think about the sequel. Although, there’s no denying that A) I’m in the minority and a good deal of folks are happy about a return, and B) opinion of artsy direction aside, the game looks gorgeous and hella fun. Basically, it looks like a cross between Bayonetta and Lewis Carroll. PS3, PC, Xbox 360


Transformers: Dark of the Moon
[BoxTitle]Transformers: Dark of the Moon[/BoxTitle] [WatchTrailer]http://heavy.com/games/games-videos/game-trailers/2011/04/transformers-dark-side-of-the-moon-game-trailer/[/WatchTrailer] [BuyNow]http://www.gamestop.com/browse?nav=16k-Transformers+Dark+of+the+Moon[/BuyNow]

Summertime is for Summer blockbusters on the big screen. It’s also time for games based off of Summer blockbusters on the not so big screen. Again, not to be a hater, but as a diehard fan of Transformers growing up, I could give a rat’s ass about what the franchise has become in the hands of Michael Bay. But once more, clearly folks like it, hence why we’re up to movie number three. More importantly, as awesome (and far superior) the original cartoon might have been, there sure as hell were not awesome games going along with it (one did came out in Japan for the NES over there, but less the better). Meanwhile, Dark of The Moon looks to be the best of the steadily increase in quality Transformers games. That being said, I’m more than willing to swallow my hurt, nostalgia ridden feelings for some hot robot that turns into a tank battling it out with another robot that turns into a jet. Bring on the action! PS3, Xbox 360