On Shelves This Week: July 6 to July 12, 2008
It’s wholesome games galore this week of July 6 to July 12 for your fave consoles. From carnivals (Carnival Games, Wonder World Amusement Park) to memory-treasure hunting (Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon), there’s certainly a lot of Everyone ratings raining down from ESRB. Oh, but you want some blood and gore and fast-paced action? Alright, there’s a couple of them stashed for you and Unreal Tournament III for the Xbox 360 is (finally) one of them here. Check out the full list after the jump.
With the exception of two Mature-rating games, the selection for this week of July 6 to 12 is one of pure wholesomeness. But don’t think just because there won’t be as much blood spilling and guns ablazin’ you guys won’t have the same amount of fun.
You can play detective as the classic character, Nancy Drew in The Phantom of Venice, or play God creating your own nimble empire in Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution. Code Lyoko on the PSP is also sure to give you a fill for that insatiable craving for adventure.
Still a tad too wholesome for you? Alright, alright. Have your dose of manly action with the PC release of Devil May Cry 4 on the PC, as well as…
Unreal Tournament III – Heroism takes on two faces as you engage in battle against the Necris invasion both for the defense of humanity and for the revenge of the slaughter of your clan. Midway Entertainment ups the ante in this shooter title as it displays in full glory the power of their much-raved about Unreal Engine 3. With over two dozen weapons and vehicles upgradeable, as well as multiple game modes (Deathmatch, Team Deathmatch, Capture the Flag, all-new Warfare mode among others), there’s certainly reason for you not to enjoy this blastfest.
- Xbox 360 – July 7, 2008
- ESRB Mature
- US$ 59.99
- Midway Entertainment
Beijing Olympics 2008 – Because God made the world; everything else was made in China. The Olympic torch will be landing in Beijing, China next month so what better way to anticipate its arrival than with a video game especially made in its honor?
Beijing Olympics 2008 is the official video game of this year’s Olympic Games and it promises to give you that vibe of athletic excellence straight to your own living rooms via your own favored next-gen consoles. Take part in history as you compete in 35 events against other players online for that coveted gold and take that tour of the famed man-made wonder Beijing National Stadium (the “Bird Nest”).
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 – July 8, 2008
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 49.99
- Sega
Carnival Games – With gas prices skyrocketing nowadays, it isn’t actually surprising that people choose to stay home instead for a bout of fun. Well then Carnival Games from 2K Play just might help you out in that aspect as it brings in all the fun you can have in a carnival wherever you may be.
The games have been specifically built and designed from the ground up to maximally utilize the unique control mechanisms of the DS handheld. Alley Ball, Frog Leap and Dunk Tank are sure to get you pounding away at your touchscreens, while RC Raceway and Clown Hammer will definitely keep you busy at idle times. Cotton candy not included, though.
- Nintendo DS – July 8, 2008
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 29.99
- July 8, 2008
Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity – Did you ever wish for a day when you stumble upon a hidden world of adventure along with your friends? Beats any old school day, huh? Well Jeremy, Odd, Ulrich and Yumi seems to have gotten that wish, if ever they did ask for it.
Good thing is, you’ll be coming along for a ride in this adventure/RPG, spaceshooting gameplay title, Code Lyoko. But it won’t be a stroll in the park as you’ll be up against evil forces. You won’t be just tourists here as you have to guide the four ordinary students in doing something extraordinary by helping out “Aelita”, the virtual humanoid creature in putting a stop to the rogue computer XANA’s latest attack on their real world.
- PSP – July 15, 2008
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 29.99
- American Game Factory
Devil May Cry 4 – Nero’s completing his tour of gaming platforms with the release of Devil May Cry 4 on PC. There’s a new combat system to look out for in the form of the Devil Bringer, as he comes to grips with his newfound power. Long-held personal truths will be challenged, and it is up to you to help Nero and Dante determine their fates as their paths collide.
Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon – Wonder how it’s like to lose your memory with every toll of the bell up at the clocktower? Sounds a tad too tragic, right? Now try imagining that in a whole town. Yup, that’s the challenge Chocobo and Cid have to contend with as they try to retrieve everyone’s memories through the dungeons that Rafaello made. Sure to make this action RPG more enjoyable and challenging are the unexpected twists and ever-changing dungeons to up that difficulty level a bit more. It’s a different kind of treasure hunt, that’s for sure.
- Nintendo Wii – July 8, 2008
- ESRB Everyone 10+
- US$ 39.99
- Square Enix
Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice -The nosy teenage detective is definitely rising up the ranks early as she’s already been asked for help by no less than the Italian Police. There’s somebody threatening to steal Venice’s priceless artifacts and she better uncover the identity of this wanna-be looter ASAP or else risk losing the heritage of Venice.
Being in a foreign land means doing things their way so Nancy must be adaptive enough to learn the language, familiarize herself with navigation (oh, the romantic gondolas!) and keeping that keen detective eye on the look out for the thief before he or she slips past Nancy’s grasps.
- PC – July 8, 2008
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 19.99
- Her Interactive
Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution – Empire-building isn’t all the rage now in this modern times, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience it anyway. Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution is precisely here to allow you to experience building world powers from scratch. 16 civilizations await your leadership to bring them to victory. Not to worry though, you have maps to guide you in strategically putting up your bases. There’s also a multiplayer mode which will certainly raise the stakes as you compete with other players for world domination. Glory can be yours and all you need is just a good sense of strategy online.
- Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, DS – July 8, 2008
- ESRB Everyone 10+
- Xbox 360 and PS3: US$ 59.99; DS: US$ 29.99
- 2K Games
Wonder World Amusement Park – If you’re really into carnival games and Carnival Games on your DS just isn’t enough, then you might as well check out this game from Majesco. Not only can you play a 3D world of games along with 30 different mini-games, you can also create and personalize your own avatars through your game winnings. No stuffed toys for you to lug around, just your badge of creativity splashed across your own avatar’s forehead.
- Nintendo Wii – July 8, 2008
- ESRB Everyone
- US$ 39.99
- Majesco
Buy: [Beijing Olympics 2008 (Xbox 360), (PS3)]
Buy: [Carnival Games (DS)]
Buy: [Code Lyoko: Quest for Infinity (PSP)]
Buy: [Devil May Cry 4 (PC)]
Buy: [Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon (Wii)]
Buy: [Nancy Drew: The Phantom of Venice (PC)]
Buy: [Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution (Xbox 360), (PS3), (DS)]
Buy: [Unreal Tournament III (Xbox 360)]
Buy: [Wonder World Amusement Park (Wii)]