“Killzone 3″ (rated M, $60 for PlayStation 3): Sony’s blockbuster first-person shooter will be the next game I review. I’m not too far in yet, but so far it looks and sounds as fantastic as its predecessor. I’m still not wild that I’m playing as the same dubious, douchebag “heroes” from the first game, but I’m willing to give Sev and Rico the benefit of the doubt and see if the horrors of war have matured them at all. At any rate, the multiplayer seems more fleshed out this time, and the game also supports 3D play if you’re one of those people with a spendy set.
“Bulletstorm” (rated M, $60 for PC, Xbox 360 and PS3): The latest title put out by Epic Games revels in its douchebaggery, with over-the-top obscene dialogue and an emphasis on stylish kills and gunning for bad guys’ gonads. Depending on your take, it’s either a juvenile romp that represents the worst in childish violence or a hilarious parody of genre conventions. I’m betting on the latter, but I’m hoping that “Bulletstorm’s” characters will be an antidote to Sev and Rico, so my copy’s waiting to be played. If you pick up “Bulletstorm” on Xbox 360, keep an eye out for the Epic Edition, which will allow you to access the “Gears of War 3″ beta test in mid-April.
“Radiant Historia” (rated E10+, $35 for DS): This well-reviewed Japanese role-playing game published stateside by Atlus features Stocke, a hero who’s capable of bouncing back and forth between two different versions of his life. In one version, he abandons his longtime mentor to join a friend’s military unit, while in another, he stays with the mentor. Like a good strategy RPG, the battles take place on a grid. If you’re looking for something a little more retro, consider “Ys: I & II Chronicles” on the PlayStation Portable (rated T, $30).
“De Blob 2″ (rated E10+, $40 on Wii, also available on Xbox 360, PS3 and DS; DS version rated E): The first “De Blob” game was something of a cult hit on the Wii, so the sequel makes a nice pickup on a fairly slow month for Nintendo’s console. You’ll play as the titular Blob, jumping on platforms, solving puzzles and painting the landscape as you adventure.
“Dragon Age II” demo (game rated M, due out March 8 on PC, Xbox 360 and PC): If you’re getting antsy to see what BioWare has planned with their swords-and-sorcery RPG sequel, the demo (which I previewed here) hit this week.
“Tom Clancy’s Splinter Cell Conviction” (rated M, $20 on Xbox 360) [review]: The “Deniable Ops: Insurgency” add-on is on sale for $5 on Xbox Live through Monday, along with a bunch of other Clancy-related stuff.
Assorted PlayStation Portable goodness: Yeah, the PlayStation Portable 2, codenamed NGP for the bland-sounding “Next Generation Portable,” will be out later this year. But Sony’s current handheld, the PSP, just got a price drop. It’s now $130. If you’re looking for some games to go with it, I recommend “God of War: Ghost of Sparta,” “Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker” and “Valkyria Chronicles II.”
“Resident Evil 2″ (rated M, on sale as $3 download for PS3 and PSP): $3 is a great price for this classic survival horror game. Also worth a look this weekend are “Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars,” on sale for $10, and “Xenogears,” a classic PlayStation RPG that’s $10 as a new reissue.
