Archives by Day

About Rainier

PC gamer, WorthPlaying EIC, globe-trotting couch potato, patriot, '80s headbanger, movie watcher, music lover, foodie and man in black -- squirrel!

Advertising

As an Amazon Associate, we earn commission from qualifying purchases.





Tuesday, October 17, 2006 Shipping Announcements

by Rainier on Oct. 17, 2006 @ 9:07 a.m. PDT

Another day, another batch of games shipped to stores. Instead of giving them all their own posts, we grouped them, and so far there are announcements for:

Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs (PC)

"Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs" (Microsoft Game Studios). The new expansion pack for the best-selling real-time strategy game of 2005, "Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs" lets gamers of all ages lead three new playable Native American civilizations as they expand their empires and fight for control of the Americas or enjoy an all-new, single-player campaign. "The WarChiefs" also brings new maps, units and technologies to the European civilizations from "Age of Empires III."

The estimated retail price for "Age of Empires III: The WarChiefs" is $29.99 (U.S.).

Estimated retail prices are $29.99 ($U.S.) for "Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania" and $39.99 (U.S.) for "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection."

Battlefield 2142 (PC)

Battlefield 2142 drops players into a future ravaged by a new ice age. Players are called to fight for the European Union or the Pan Asian Coalition in an epic battle for survival. Armed with an arsenal of high-tech assault rifles, cloaking devices and sentry guns, players will wage war using some of the most imposing vehicles known to man. Massive Battle Walkers patrol the ground, while futuristic aircraft rule the skies. When facing one of these new behemoths, players will need to use their wits and a selection of new countermeasures like EMP grenades to level the playing field.

Battlefield 2142 supports online multiplayer for up to 64 players in the classic Conquest mode and up to 48 players in the new Titan mode, which challenges gamers to use teamwork to destroy their opponent's Titan, a massive flying battleship, while defending their own. The game also features a deep new persistence system, with more than 40 ranks, from Recruit to Supreme Commander. Players can also customize their soldier with more than 40 unlockable weapons and gadgets for upwards of 1,000 possible combinations to match any play-style.

"Battlefield 2142 is a bold leap into the future for the franchise and represents nearly 18 months of development by the team at DICE," said Marcus Nilsson, senior producer at Digital Illusions. "Battlefield 2142 reinvents the classic Battlefield sandbox with all-new toys, deep persistence, and the massive new Titan mode - the first all-new mode since we introduced Conquest mode in Battlefield 1942."

Bully (PS2)

Developed by Rockstar Vancouver, Bully takes place in the fictional New England boarding school of Bullworth Academy, and tells the story of 15 year old Jimmy Hopkins as he experiences the highs and lows of adjusting to a new school.

Bully is rated "T" for Teen and is now available for the PlayStation 2 in North American retail stores for an MSRP of $39.99. It will be released under the name Canis Canem Edit in Europe on October 27th, 2006 with a price of EUR 59.99, and GBP 39.99 in the U.K.

Destroy All Humans! 2 (PS2/Xbox)

Destroy All Humans! 2, the sequel to the million-unit selling original property Destroy All Humans!, has shipped to retail outlets worldwide. Destroy All Humans! 2 takes the brand's irreverent sci-fi action gaming experience into the swinging '60s, arming players with an explosive arsenal of new weapons and mental abilities, five new destructible open-world locations to explore and an all-new co-op multiplayer mode. Gamers can now launch their next alien invasion -- unleashing massive destruction on the PlayStation 2 and Xbox for the suggested retail price of $39.99.

Family Guy (PSP/PS2/Xbox)

Developed by High Voltage Software, the Family Guy video game involves a unique combination of arcade-like action, platforming, combat, and puzzle-solving as gamers play through three stories that intersect in typical Family Guy fashion. As lovable oaf and father Peter Griffin, players fight to stop Mr. Belvedere from taking over the world. As Stewie, Peter's diabolical young son, players match their wits against his arch-nemesis and half-brother Bertram as they also vie to take over the world. Lastly, players slip on a collar and drink a martini as Brian Griffin, the family dog, and attempt to escape prison to prove his innocence in a puppy paternity case gone awry.

As the lead voice talent of the Family Guy video game, Seth MacFarlane sets the comedic tone in the game's world by providing his voice-over for the game's main playable characters, Peter, Stewie, and Brian. MacFarlane won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for his role as Stewie Griffin. To further immerse players in the Family Guy universe, cast members reprise their roles, such as Alex Borstein voicing Lois Griffin, Mila Kunis doing Meg Griffin, Seth Green as Chris Griffin, and Adam West as the Mayor of Quahog.

"Family Guy is one of the most popular and outrageously hilarious shows on television," said Christoph Hartmann, president of 2K. "We are excited to bring that comedic experience to video games. By working with the TV show's creative team, we've given fans of the show a way to experience Family Guy on a whole new level."

Features:

  • Voiced and scripted by members of the real Family Guy TV show creative team!
  • Explore familiar locations around Quahog and interact with many beloved characters from the show! Giggity! Giggity! Giggity!
  • "Freakin' sweet" gameplay switches back and forth between three popular characters from the show: the loveable Peter, the diabolical Stewie and the charismatic Brian.
  • Funny, unique, and pick-up-and-play combination of combat, stealth and puzzle-solving gameplay.
  • Interactive Humor - take part in the over-the-top jokes, parodies, sarcasm, and random pop-culture satire as though you were part of the show.

Family Guy, rated M for Mature, is available now for PS2, PSP, and Xbox for $29.99

Flight Simulator X (PC)

"Flight Simulator X" (Microsoft Game Studios). The franchise that's been flying high for more than two decades lets gamers of all ages and skill levels experience what it is like to be an aviator traveling the globe either solo or online with others. With more than 50 new missions to choose from, Windows aviators can pilot dozens of new aircraft, including the AirCreation 582SL Ultralight and Maule M7-260C Orion. "Flight Simulator X" is available in standard and deluxe versions. The deluxe edition will come with additional planes and missions.

Each carries a estimated retail price of $49.99 (U.S.) and $69.99 (U.S.), respectively.

The Sims 2 Pets (NGC/PS2/PC)

The Sims 2 Pets for the PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and PC expansion pack for The Sims 2, has shipped to retailers. Mobile and handheld versions will follow. The Sims 2 Pets builds on the celebrated The Sims 2 experience that allows players to create and control digital characters throughout their lives while determining the outcome of their relationships and choosing their destiny. Each version will feature custom content tailored to the platform.

The addition of animal friends is guaranteed to enrich the daily lives of your Sims! Not only will you have the opportunity to choose from a variety of existing breeds and hot designer mixes, but you'll also be able to use the Create-a-Pet feature to create unique pets by designing different body types, choosing unique markings, even defining personalities! From smart and silly to sweet and sloppy, players can create any pet they desire in The Sims 2 Pets.

Players will also be able to teach their pet new tricks, take them for a romp in the park, outfit them with new pet accessories and even give them a job! As in real life, your Sims' pet will require care and training. A neglected cat with an urge to scratch might claw up your new couch if you aren't careful, and leaving your dog unattended near a freshly planted flower bed probably isn't wise! When you add pets to the whimsical Simsical world of The Sims 2, there's no telling what might happen!

The Sims 2 Pets also offers a star-studded celebrity line-up! Check out the latest hits from the hottest musical acts including the Pussycat Dolls, Aly & AJ, The Flaming Lips and Hot Chip while interacting with international superstar Hilary Duff and her beloved Chihuahua Lola. The latter pair will appear in the Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2 and Nintendo GameCube versions of the game, and Hilary and Lola can only be downloaded into the PC version until December 31, 2006 from www.TheSims2.com

Teen Titans 2 (GBA)

Revenge is a dish best served cold and the Teen Titans' arch-enemy, The Brain, has a chilling new scheme in Teen Titans 2, a Game Boy Advance game now available from Majesco Entertainment Company and licensed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Developed by Artificial Mind & Movement (A2M), Teen Titans 2 is rated E10+ and carries a suggested retail price of $19.99.

The Brotherhood is back and once again it's up to the Teen Titans to stop them from taking over Titan City. Taking the Titans by surprise, The Brain abducts the five teen super heroes though Robin manages to escape. Now free, Robin must help his fellow Titans break out so together they can rid Titan City of The Brotherhood once and for all.

Gamers will enter the DC Comics' Teen Titans world from the Warner Bros. Animation television series and play as all five Teen Titans: Robin, Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy and Starfire. Each Titan has his/her own unique moves, abilities and weapons, but the Titans can also team up to unleash more powerful team attacks. Series villains Monsieur Mallah, General Immortus and The Brain pose a serious threat, though this time around the Titans can call on Aqualad and Speedy for help!

Tiger Woods PGA Tour '07 (X360)

Take on all challengers and drive past the competition in the ultimate Championship Sunday golf experience. The latest in the critically-acclaimed Tiger Woods franchise, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07, ships today in North America for the Xbox 360.

Experience the pressure of teeing off at the 18th hole on Championship Sunday as enhanced crowds build and react to your play in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07. From the plush fairways of Pebble Beach to the infamous 17th hole on the TPC at Sawgrass, the game features 12 championship courses on Xbox 360 including the new Firestone Country Club, Glen Abbey Golf Club, The Prince Course at Hanalei, Spyglass Hill, St Andrews Links, and Bandon Dunes.

By using revolutionary Universal Facial Capture or UCAP technology, world class golfers like Tiger Woods, Chris DiMarco, Mike Weir, Colin Montgomerie, and Luke Donald have the same reactions, emotions and characteristics in the game as they do out on the PGA Tour. UCAP uses a new facial imaging technology that combines head scanning, motion capture, and 3D video recording to deliver the most true-to-life golfers in a video game.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 allows you to compete for The FedExCup, the new PGA Tour championship playoff system, against some of the world's best golfers. New golfers in the game include Michael Campbell, Ian Poulter, and Annika Sorenstam. With the new True Aiming system, survey the course layout and weigh the risks of each shot before swinging away using the refined dual analog stick swing system. Develop your drive, chip shots, and putting skills in the new Practice Facility or take on a friend in new mini games including Capture the Flag, Twenty One or Target-to-Target, before unleashing yourself on the PGA TOUR.

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 is rated "E" for Everyone with descriptor: Mild Violence by the ESRB and has an MSRP of $59.95 for Xbox 360.

WTF (PSP)

WTF offers a crazy collection of fun and addictive mini-games that drive players to perform sometimes trivial, sometimes mind-bending, but always fun jobs in pursuit of the almighty dollar. Players will spend their well-earned money in the prize-vending machines on new "jobs," trinkets and for the first time ever on the PSP system, tools to use in the "real world" such as the World Clock, Ramen Timer, and Flashlight.

"Unique Japanese games have become a favorite among North American gamers and WTF will be no exception," said Michael Scharnikow, senior marketing manager, D3PA. "We have successfully maintained the integrity of the game by making very minor gameplay tweaks during the localization process, so gamers will experience the addictive, crazy arcade-style action that is truly unique to the PSP system."

Jam-packed with more than 40 wacked-out mini-games such as Drunken Mayor, Private Number and Cliff Race 2000, WTF offers simple and intuitive gameplay making it easy for anyone to pick-up and play. Gamers will play through WTF solo or with a friend in five multiplayer games using the wireless ad hoc mode for the PSP system. "Outsourcing" will allow players to utilize only one copy of WTF to share games with friends through the wireless ad hoc mode and enjoy the fruits of their friends' labor by receiving all the money the friends earn. After players have spent their money, they'll head back to "work" so they can earn more money to buy more stuff -- much like "real life" but much more fun!

WTF: work time fun was developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Worldwide Studios, JAPAN Studio, is rated "T" (Teen - blood and gore, crude humor, mild language, suggestive themes, use of alcohol, and violence) by the ESRB, and is now on store shelves across North America with a suggested retail price of $29.95.

Featuring the entire cast and creative team from the show, including creator and producer Seth MacFarlane, the Family Guy video game turns the TV show into an engaging interactive experience complete with even more of the outrageous humor that fans know and love.

Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania (PC)

"Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania" and the "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection" (Microsoft Game Studios). These additions to the wildly popular, award-winning franchise will appeal to the animal lover in all of us and are fun for families and sim enthusiasts alike. Players experience an ocean of fun in the expansion pack "Zoo Tycoon 2: Marine Mania." They can care for 20 new aquatic animals, create breathtaking underwater exhibits, train animals to do tricks, and then create splashy marine shows. "Zoo Tycoon 2: Zookeeper Collection" triples the zoo fun by combining three award-winning fan favorites -- "Zoo Tycoon 2," "Zoo Tycoon 2: Endangered Species" and "Zoo Tycoon 2: African Adventure" -- to deliver the ultimate in zoo fun.

blog comments powered by Disqus