Weekly Releases: 8/22/10

As we near the end of the last summer month of the year, we start to evolve into the Fall release schedule, which means there will be plenty more "significant" releases, too. Keep in mind that every game should be considered; try to look at the smaller games for quality, too.

With that in mind, this week's releases.

Significant Releases

Mafia II (360/PS3/PC)


Developer: 2K Czech (Vietcong 2, Mafia, Hidden and Dangerous)
Publisher: 2K Games

After five years of hard work, developer 2K Czech is finally releasing the sequel to Mafia. The game takes place in Empire Bay, a city which takes content from New York City, Detroit, and Chicago, among others. Players assume the role of Vito Scaletta, a Sicilian-American who has come back from fighting in World War II and, in order to settle his father's debts, falls into the world of organized crime. Players are given the sandbox experience in the criminal 1940's, and it even provides authentic cars and music from the ages. A PS3-exclusive DLC segment entitled "The Betrayal of Jimmy," is available at launch, with another DLC story segment available for all releases in the future.

Shank (XBLA / PSN / PC slated for Fall)


Developer: Klei Entertainment (Eets: Chowdown)
Publisher: EA Games

Do you like cartoony, stylistic action titles with plenty of gore and a western flair to its story and location? Then Shank might be the right game for you! After being left for dead from the only family he knew, Shank must get revenge for those responsible for destroying the love of his life, and with his skillset, the revenge is going to be brutal. The game is a side-scrolling 2D brawler, complete with combos and highly animated cutscenes. There is also a co-operative campaign which acts like a prequel to the main game, so there is certainly a lot of content to expect from this bloody brawler.

And Yet it Moves (WiiWare)


Developer: Broken Rules

WiiWare's next indie great is here! Originally developed for PC, And Yet it Moves is a puzzle platformer in which your character must traverse through a multitude of levels with only the ability to jump and rotate the world at will. While the PC version only allowed 90 degree turns, the WiiWare version allows for free rotation. The game also has multiple control methods and a new modification mode, allowing for speed variations and even a fixed screen for more challenge. New levels and extra time trial modes are also available; it is best to think of this as a remake rather than a port, as there is quite a lot more involved in this than the PC original.

Other Releases:
Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game (XBLA)
Martian Panic (Wii)
Gunblade NY and LA Machineguns: Arcade Hits Pack (Wii)
Ivy the Kiwi? (Wii / DS)
Elemental: War of Magic (PC)

Previous Weeks:
8/15/10 - Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days / Lara Croft and the Guardian of Light
8/8/10 - Madden NFL 11 / Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World: The Game
8/1/10 - Castlevania: Harmony of Despair
7/25/10 - Starcraft II / Hydro Thunder: Hurricane
7/17/10 - Limbo
7/11/10 - Dragon Quest IX
7/04/10 - Crackdown 2
6/27/10 - Sin and Punishment: Star Successor / Singularity

SOURCE