Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar (PC)

Stardock announced today that it has unleashed Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar, the highly anticipated expansion for the 2006 turn-based strategy game of the year, one week ahead of the initial release date of February 14. The expansion became available via TotalGaming.net yesterday for fans who pre-ordered, as announced during an online chat with the development team.

Galactic Civilizations II: Dark Avatar, which adds a plethora of new features to further extend and enhance the gameplay for would-be galactic conquerors, can be purchased via TotalGaming.net for just $29.95 or three TGN tokens for greater value.

Capcom Puzzle World (PSP)

Some of the best puzzle games in console history come together in one collection, including the cult classic Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo®, Block Block, and the three-in-one Buster Bros. Collection. The game is enhanced with wireless multiplayer gameplay via the PSP system’s ad hoc mode for non-stop fun anytime, anyplace with anyone.

Capcom Puzzle World provides gem-busting mayhem at its best with the cult hit, Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo. In addition to the renowned Super Puzzle Fighter II: X gem-breaking mode, two new never-before-released-in-the-US gameplay modes will be added. Gamers can also create custom attack patterns in Counter Gem Edit Mode and hone their skills in Training Mode.

Block Block is an innovative twist to the block breaking genre. Released for the arcades in 1990, Block Block features a two player co-op mode, allowing for the cooperative destruction of blocks. Also unique to this title is the constantly shrinking paddle that forces players to finish each level as quickly as possible.

Originally released for the PlayStation® game console, Buster Bros. Collection is a simple, yet extremely challenging puzzle/shooter that gathers Buster Bros., Super Buster Bros. and Buster Buddies. An arcade hit, Buster Bros. has one or two players navigating through more than 50 timed environmental stages, shooting and avoiding an avalanche of giant bubbles. Super Buster Bros. is an updated version of its predecessor, with improved graphics and the inclusion of “Panic Mode” which adds 99 levels of feverish action. Buster Buddies is the most recent version of the series to be released in the arcades, featuring four original characters, different stages and even more bonus items.

All the games in Capcom Puzzle World have been retouched and updated for the PSP system’s 16x9 widescreen aspect ratio. This latest compilation is the first PSP system title to feature a screenshot mode, allowing gamers to take a snapshot of their victory in Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo or any of the Buster Bros. titles. Players can also import personal pictures into Capcom Puzzle World that can be used as game backgrounds for all three Buster Bros. games. Players can also infiltrate other systems by virally uploading high scores onto their opponent’s handheld. With an intuitive ad hoc multiplayer mode, one or two players can face off in gem-breaking pandemonium or team up for frantic bubble-busting fun.

Features:

• Five of Capcom’s best puzzle games brought together especially for the PSP system:
  • Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo, with never-before-released in the US gameplay styles
  • Block Block, an innovative twist to the block breaking genre
  • Buster Bros. Collection, the three-games-in-one puzzle shooter
• Personalized content:
  • The first PSP system game with a screenshot mode. Stop the game at any time to take a snap shot of the moment in Super Puzzle Fighter II Turbo or any of the Buster Bros. titles
  • Customize Buster Bros. game backgrounds by uploading personal pictures
• Network functionality:
  • Intuitive wireless ad hoc multiplayer game set-ups
  • Virally transfer high score data to and from others systems
• Unlockable bonus content

Capcom Puzzle World is rated “E” for everyone by the ESRBand carries a suggested retail price of $29.99.

War Rock (PC)

“Gamers now have the opportunity to experience the intensity of modern day warfare through the online battlegrounds of War Rock,” commented Producer Matt Norton, “We look forward to building the War Rock community with tournaments and new content that will make War Rock one of the premier gaming destinations online”.

War Rock is an online, military, tactical, first-person-shooter featuring state of the art weapons, team or solo based play and unbelievable missions and maps. With five different character classes to master, gamers can play individually or in a team. Players can participate in three modes of gameplay including Close Quarters Combat, Urban Ops and Battlegroup. War Rock will be available to play via K2 Network’s Free2Play™ model. Players will also have the choice of signing up for one of War Rock’s premium bronze, silver or gold online subscription packages ($5.95, $9.95 and $14.95 respectively). All premium accounts include priority login, extra Dinar (in-game currency), new maps and weapons, a fifth weapon slot, exciting new battle modes and extended online stats that will enhance the War Rock experience. For more information on the specific packages, visit www.warrock.net.

The boxed edition of War Rock, published by Elephant Entertainment LLC, now available at retail outlets throughout North America and the UK, (and shortly thereafter in localized versions throughout Europe) includes a manual, full-color map book and limited edition War Rock dog tags. For the first two months of play, gamers will be given Gold Premium membership which includes an unlockable fifth weapon slot, a unique weapon, access to new maps and game play modes, weaponry, armor and new in-game items. Players will also have access to an unprecedented level of community support with full clan membership, tournament system access and priority login and customer support.

Designed to appeal to new recruits as well as veterans of online FPS games, War Rock is available via K2 Network’s Free2Play model, as well as a premium edition which is available at retail for $29.99. War Rock is rated T for Teen by the Entertainment Software Rating board (ESRB).

Battlefront (PC)

Battlefront is a turn-based World War II operational strategy game which features the power of battalion-level combat in some of this period's most bloody and intense conflicts.

Based on the design philosophy of SSG’s previous award winning release, the Decisive Battles series, Battlefront presents newcomers and Decisive Battles fans alike with an entirely new system specifically designed for battalion-level combat. Players will have the opportunity to take part in historic battles like Saipan, Market Garden, Novorossisk, and Gazala and relive tough real-world combat decisions involving command and control, sighting, and supply. The scale of Battlefront has been tweaked to perfection so that players will have realistic control over their forces while at the same time making a telling difference in the strategic picture.

For veteran players of the Decisive Battles series who already have a good idea as to what to expect, they will be pleased by the multiple new features for in depth combat and battle management. To that end, Battlefront has innovative provisions for direct and indirect fire, air strikes, and special, historically-accurate combat modes (such as Japanese Banzai attacks).