Out This Week: February 12-19

Plenty of sequels in a busy February

At TSSZ we’re aiming to provide more varied coverage along with our top-class coverage of Sega, Sonic the Hedgehog and its associated IPs. We’ve already started The News, Reviewed (returning today), and a second weekly feature we’re introducing is a review of what games have come out in the last seven days. We don’t just play games published by Sega, so why not take a look at the upcoming releases?

• February 13: Rhythm Heaven Fever, a music rhythm game developed and published by Nintendo for the Wii. Basically a selection of mini-games that require players to press buttons in time to the beat. Currently holds 83/100 on Metacritic.

• February 14: BlazBlue: Continuum Shift Extend is a 2D fighting game developed by Arc System Works. Extend features an updated story mode, character roster and some balance tweaks. IGN said the “huge variety of modes dresses up play in different ways.” Currently hold 83/100 on Metacritic. Available on PS VITA, Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

• February 14: Crusader Kings II, developed and published by Paradox Interactive, is a sequel to the original Crusader Kings. Players control a medieval dynasty from 1066 to 1452, aiming to win battles and expand the dynasty. Currently holds 84/100 on Metacritic. Cheat Code described the game as “not accessible” but, as an update to the original Kings, a “must-buy” if that’s what you’re looking for. Available for PC.

• February 14: Grand Slam Tennis 2: developed by EA Canada and published by EA Sports is, well, a tennis game for the PS3 and Xbox 360. The game currently holds a Metacritic average of 73/100.

• February 14 (3DS, North America): Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games: developed by Sega Sports Japan and published by Sega and Nintendo, the title is effectively a mini-game collection set in London’s Olympics. Holding 66/100 on Metacritic, ImpulseGamer described this a “collection of fun and sometimes forgettable mini-games.”

• February 14: Tales of the Abyss (3DS): the eighth title in the Tales series. Currently holds 76/100 on Metacritic. Games Master UK described it as a “simply excellent title that will draw you into its alluring world and keep you there.”

• February 14: Tekken 3D: Prime Edition (3DS). Features 40 characters and stages, along with 700 collectible Tekken cards. IGN praised the game’s visual and good framerate, though criticised the lack of replay value and small amount of game modes. 68/100 on Metacritic.

• February 14: Twisted Metal. David Jaffe’s and Eat Sleep Play’s eighth title in the franchise, staying true to the traditional formula of vehicular combat from the previous games and remaining largely a niche title. The multiplayer and gameplay gained positive feedback, but difficult controls and a lack of characters compared to the earlier games gained criticism. 78/100 on Metacritic.

• February 14: UFC Undisputed 3. A mixed martial arts fighting game developed by Yuke’s and published by THQ for the PS3 and Xbox 360. Holds 86/100; Gaming Age described it as “super accessible.”

• February 14: Worms: Ultimate Mayhem (PlayStation 3). A rerelease of 2004′s Worms 4: Mayhem, developed by Studio Team17. Currently holds 66/100 on Metacritic. Also available on PC and Xbox 360.

• February 15: Part of XBLA’s current House Party promotion where you can earn 800 Microsoft Points for buying four upcoming XBLA games, Warp allows the player to warp through doors and objects to explode creatures in the game world. Holds 72/100 on Metacritic, and GiantBomb criticised the “clunky controls and some basic game flow issues” which “undermine what’s otherwise a pretty neat little game.”

• February 16: Alan Wake (PC): largely the same game as the console version, IGN described Wake as a “tough game to put down once you’ve started.” Includes the two DLC packs: The Signal and The Writer. 81/100 on Metacritic.