Summer is officially done and dusted for another year, and as Autumn begins all gaming eyes are focussed on the conclusion to the breathtakingly epic Mass Effect trilogy. Plus, there are some other games worth buying too…
Mass Effect 3
Commander Shepard’s epic battle to save the universe from an ancient race of sentient machines comes to its stunning conclusion this month. If you’ve never played a Mass Effect game before, Bioware wants you to think that this is a good place to start, but you wouldn’t be doing yourself justice – the first two games are some of the most engaging experiences in video games ever. The third game promises to deliver the same magnificent battles, engaging storyline and flawless voice acting to make the act of saving the universe a truly enjoyable experience.
Format: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Should I buy it?
Without a doubt – every human being should play this game.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
It may have launched internationally last year, but the world’s first REAL competitor to World of Warcraft in the Massively Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG) market hits Australian shelves this month. Letting players create their own character based on the Star Wars Universe, and then letting them go out and tackle the Sith (or Jedi) with other players is a dream come true for nerds the world over. If you happen to have imported a copy of the game, you can transfer your character over to the game’s local servers as well.
Format: PC
Should I buy it?
If you ever thought World of Warcraft wasn’t geeky enough for you, this is your game. Also for those who love lightsabers.
SSX
The epic snowboarding franchise from EA makes its long awaited return, with bigger tricks, bigger mountains and more amazing adrenalin fuelled antics. Bringing high definition graphics and online gameplay to the series for the first time, the 2012 edition of SSX defies physics in real world settings, letting even the most uncoordinated snow bunnies master the slopes with spectacular style.
Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Should I buy it?
Adrenalin junkies, snow bunnies and competitive types will love everything SSX has to offer.
FIFA Street
Stripping football back to its most basic form and throwing in the ability to show off amazing feats of skill with a ball, FIFA Street is a whole new way of playing the beautiful game. The latest iteration introduces aerial moves, a new wall-play mechanic and over 50 new skill moves for spectacular gameplay.
Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Should I buy it?
Football fanatics and non-believers alike will definitely enjoy the different take on the world’s most popular game.
I Am Alive
First unveiled back in 2008, I Am Alive is a post apocalyptic tale of one man’s quest to find his wife and daughter in a world where most of humankind has been wiped out. As the world decays, you must struggle against other survivors and the ruins of civilisation in order to survive. While that may sound a bit clichéd, the challenge will be whether you can hang on to your humanity as you make your way through the city. Intense.
Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Should I buy it?
Although only an XBLA/PSN title, this game has a lot of excitement around it. Could be well worth the trouble.
Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City
Resident Evil has always been about scaring the crap out of the player with intense monsters, dark corners and sometimes questionable controls. The latest game in the series seems to be taking things up a notch, with terrifying battles between the game’s zombies, plus two different agencies looking to clean up Raccoon city (with completely different objectives).
Format: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Should I buy it?
Only if you enjoy having the crap scared out of you.
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 13
Another Tiger Woods game! Except this time, you get the added benefit of being able to play through key moments of Tiger’s career (on the golf course, that is), from practicing in the backyard as a toddler to winning his first Grand Slam, you can pretend that you’re as good as Tiger Woods. There’s also Kinect integration, letting you switch cluns with nothing but the power of your voice – it’s always nice to play with a caddy, after all.
Format: Xbox 360, PS3
Should I buy it?
Probably only for the golfing fans out there, but as good as a golf game is going to get.
