On Shelves This Week: March 31 to April 6, 2008

Last week yielded quite a healthy release of titles from varied platforms, spearheaded by the launch of one of the most anticipated handheld games, Square Enix’s Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. This time around PC games take up the spotlight as several publishers churn out  titles of varied genres sure to satisfy most gaming palates, as well as a smattering of handheld gems on the side. Check out this week’s games in the full article.

Last week’s releases may have given us a pretty well-rounded gaming selection, but this time around we’re going to have a week rife with new PC games and a handful of handheld titles. It’s about time that we gave more attention to our trusty machines, since pretty boy Zack Fair grabbed most of our attention with last week’s launch of Square Enix’s Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII.

Get ready to shell out some PC gaming money for titles such as Lighthouse Interactive‘s psychological thriller Overclocked, but if you’re up for more handheld gaming, you can opt to get Majesco’s pastel-colored toy store simulator Toy Shop. If you prefer games of the tried and tested strategy formula, there’s Koios Works’ Panzer Command: Kharkov and…

Great War Nations: The Spartans. Forget 300, it’s about time you step into the Spartans’ shoes and guide the legendary warriors of Macedonia and Sparta to glory. It’s not only all about battles; Great War Nations: The Spartans will also make gamers consider economical development while slaughtering enemies from all sides.

• PC – March 31, 2008
• US$ 39.99
• ESRB Mature
• Dreamcatcher Interactive

The Abbey. If you miss the Ye Olde Point-and-Click gameplay of past adventure games, now’s the time to relive the intriguing storytelling that this particular gaming genre offers with Alcachofa Soft’s The Abbey. Rediscover the Middle Ages through the eyes of the Grand Inquisitor Leonardo and his assistant Bruno, as they try to solve a series of murders that terrify an old abbey’s inhabitants.

• PC – March 2008
• Crimson Cow Games and Alcachofa Soft

Civil War Mysteries. Solve and unlock the mysteries hidden in the events of the Civil War. A puzzle title, Civil War Mysteries will be sure to engage the undivided attention of history buffs who own a PC.

• PC – April 8, 2008
• ESRB Everyone
• Activision

Overclocked. As former army psychiatrist, David McNamara, explore and take over  the minds of five different people as they struggle to find themselves in the midst of chaotic violence that lurks within their psyches. Taking place in 45 different locations and fleshed out with an exceptional storyline and cast of characters, Overclocked will certainly make a mark in your own psyche.

• PC – March 31, 2008
• US$ 29.99
• ESRB Rating Pending
• Lighthouse Interactive

Panzer Command: Kharkov. Fans of the tried and tested turn-based strategy games can chew on this new morsel developed by Matrix Games and Koios Works. Take the commander’s seat for either the Soviets or the Germans, and plan your way to victory through the fleshed-out campaign mode. Want to create your own history? Feel free with Panzer Command: Kharkov‘s Scenario Editor and Campaign Editor.

• PC – March 2008
• Matrix Games and Koios Works

Professor Brainium’s Games. Jumping into the Nintendo DS brain training bandwagon is SVG’s Professor Brainium’s Games. Prep up your brain with Professor Brainium’s Games’ plethora of fun and complex puzzles. If you’re addicted to other brain training games, there’s no reason for you to pass this one up.

• Nintendo DS – March 31
• Destineer Studios, SVG

Puzzle Quest: Challenge of the Warlords. D3 Publisher’s popular puzzle franchise finally hits the mobile platform, thanks to THQ Wireless. Play as any of the eight playable characters as you plow through the epic storyline and solve puzzles that get in your way towards victory.

• Mobile
• US$ 8.93
• ESRB Everyone 10+
• D3 Publisher

Riddle of the Tomb. Dreamcatcher Interactive’s proving itself to be a prolific game publisher with the release of two games in a week, the second being Riddle of the Tomb. Take the role of Thomas, an apprentice astrologist and astronomers as he investigates the disappearance of his master Akkad and his daughter in this adventure game replete with puzzles.

• PC – March 31
• US$ 19.99
• ESRB Teen
• Dreamcatcher Interactive

Toy Shop. Majesco takes a popular kid’s dream and turns it into a fun and engaging Nintendo DS game. Create toys by completing mini games, have full rein over the prices over every piece of merchandise, and make sure the customers are fully satisfied with your wares, among others. If managing (and playing) in a toy shop is your dream, this game is probably the closest thing you can get to fulfill it.

• Nintendo DS – April 29, 2008
• US$ 18.99
• ESRB Everyone
• Majesco

Women’s Murder Club. Immerse yourself in the world based on James Patterson’s novel of the same title. If you liked the thrill offered by the stories revolving around four women dedicated to solving crimes, then it’s criminal to pass up on playing this hidden object game.

• PC – April 3, 2008
• Oberon Media

* Article originally posted Mar 31, 2008 at 12:22AM

Buy: [Great War Nations: The Spartans (PC)]
Buy: [Overclocked (PC)]
Buy: [Toy Shop (DS)]
Buy: [Civil War Mysteries (PC)]
Buy: [Riddle of the Tomb (PC)]