It's that time of the year again, gamer-friends. Q4 translates to one thing for all gamers: big name games are a'comin'. Today, HNGN takes a look at the six most anticipated launches happening next week:
- "Skylanders: Trap Team"
"Skylanders," one of the biggest breakout successes of the decade, comes out with its newest concept this coming Sunday (Oct. 5) on the Playstation 4, Xbox One, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Andriod, Fire OS and iOS platforms. This latest addition to the "Skylanders" franchise has something of a "Pokemon-ish" feel to it. Here's why:
Kaos, the primary antagonist, releases the worst villains in Skylands, and now you, the player, must re-capture them using Traptanium trap shards. The Starter Packs are set to retail for $75, including the game itself, two action figures to use in the game, the included portal with which to summon them and two crystals with which to trap the villains and make them fight for you using your new Trap Master-type Skylanders. Additional crystals and figures will also be available separately. Also, look out for the special Dark Edition Starter Pack, featuring the Ultimate Kaos Trap, "dark" versions of the figures, a two-sided collector's poster and more. See the game's official site for more details.
Here's an official unboxing done by Skylanders production member Lou "Zoo" Studdert to get you started on what to expect:
- "NBA 2K15"
At the time of the year when all the latest sports titles flood the gaming retailers, it just wouldn't feel right without 2K Sports' "NBA 2K" series to keep things as intense as they can get. When you see NBA MVP Kevin Durant on the cover, you know you've got the right game!
Considered the "ultimate basketball simulation experience," "NBA 2K15" puts you right in the middle of all the action with such photo-realistic graphics, you'll feel like you're controlling the real-life players. The rosters are updated, and given the player ratings reported by CBS Sports, it's no surprise that LeBron James and Kevin Durant are the two highest rated players at 98 and 95, respectively.
There's still time to pre-order before launch on Tuesday, Oct. 7 for Playstation 4, Xbox One, Playstation 3, Xbox 360 and PC. Pre-order before game time and get the KD MVP Bonus Pack, including 5,000 in-game currency, two MyTeam card packs, Kevin Durant throwback MyTEAM card and more.
- "Alien: Isolation"
It's the missing piece in the "Alien"/"Aliens" films.
Those of you who have seen the two films recall the 42 year gap in-between the films, right? Ellen Ripley went into cryogenic sleep at the conclusion of the first film, only to wake up 57 years later to find out that her daughter, Amanda, has died while she was missing all those decades. "Alien: Isolation" explores the story of Amanda Ripley as she attempts to solve the mystery of her mother's disappearance, leading you through the space station Sevastopol on a search for a flight recorder from the Nostromo ... except you're being stalked and hunted by an Alien.
A riveting survival horror game styled after Ridley Scott's original film "Alien," "Alien: Isolation" differs greatly from previous game installments in that there is only one Alien hunting, you, but it cannot be killed, requiring you to use stealth, what weapons use have available to you, the weapons and tools you craft, etc. to stay alive and escape with your head intact.
Special pre-order content includes the "Nostromo edition," which comes with all pre-orders after a free upgrade, and the "Ripley Edition." Both come with new missions, including one following the original crew of the Nostromo, and the Last survivor mission, in which you aim to set the self-destruct system and escape the station before the Alien gets you. For those who are not able to get the Ripley Edition, Creative Assembly confirmed that the special additional missions will become available to everyone sometime after the game's release, so never fear.
"Alien: Isolation" touches down Tuesday Oct. 7 on the Playstation 4, Playstation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and PC platforms.
And watch out for that Alien's second mouth!! Freaky!
- "Project Spark"
This Microsoft-exclusive game is all about three things: creation ... creation ... and ... oh yeah ... more creation.
"Project Spark" is basically a game-creating video game that puts you in the place of the game designer. Start with either a blank map or a pre-designed level, then customize the plants and animal, program behaviors for inanimate objects, push and pull the earth and create what your mind sees. You can even share your worlds with other players and build on their ideas, and vice versa.
The game is slated for release on Tuesday Oct. 7 on the Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows platforms.
- "Driveclub"
With a Microsoft platform-exclusive game coming out, it is only suitable that a Sony-exclusive title accompany it, given the two companies' rivalry. "Driveclub" hits the Playstation 4 on Oct. 7 with roaring full-throttle road racing.
Take full advantage of "Driveclub's" social functions and create "clubs" of six players and earn fame and fortune through challenges, with every player's performance contributing toward the success of the whole team. The game features the world's coolest racing cars, hand-picked for both power and beauty, tracks and environments modeled after real-life locations worldwide (so enjoy the scenery along with the action - it was put there for a reason), as well as the day-night cycle and rain and snow weather patterns. Also, if you download the MyDRIVECLUB companion app on your iOS and/or Android devices, you can keep track of your team's successes anytime and anywhere.
If you pre-order the Season Pass now, you can save over 60 percent on price of the Driveclub DLC packs instead of buying them individually. The pass includes new courses, events, cars, monthly challenges and trophies that will be introduced in individual packs beginning Nov. 2014, according to Playstation.com.
- "Costume Quest 2"
With Halloween right around the corner, the timing is perfect for the sequel to the 2010 original trick-or-treat-style roleplaying game.
Reynold and Wren are back with even more mischievous fun than ever before, battling "hygiene-obsessed baddies," according to the game's official site.
"Costume Quest 2" features new combos and time-based button cues to the turn-based combat system. Health will no longer regenerate either, and only water fountains can heal you in this one. Walking speed will also be increased by the skates the characters just happen to be wearing, so if you like to do your trick-or-treat-style fighting faster, you'll like this game even more than before.
"Costume Quest 2" launches Oct. 7 on Playstation 4, Xbox One, Playstation 3, Xbox Live Arcade, Wii U, Mac, Windows, iOS and Linux.
Pre-order exclusives are available for those who pre-order on Steam, so if you haven't yet, now is a good time!
