Assassin's Creed III: The Hidden Secrets DLC (PS3/X360/PC)
Taking gamers from Mayan ruins to the high seas, the Hidden Secrets Pack for Assassin's Creed III adds three extra missions — a Dangerous Secret, the Ghost of War, and the Lost Mayan Ruins. The DLC adds an additional hour of gameplay, and you gain in-game weapons for every successful mission. The DLC also includes:
- Two single-player costumes, including Captain of the Aquila and Colonial Assassin
- Two multiplayer characters, including the Redcoat and the Sharpshooter
The Hidden Secrets DLC is currently available to gamers with the Season Pass, which grants all five DLC packs for 2,400 Microsoft points ($30) or $29.99 on the PlayStation Network. This reflects more than 25% savings over purchasing the DLC separately.
The DLC will be available for separate purchase next week.
Eve Online: Retribution brings consequences, empowering pilots to exact revenge on a much larger scale. A bounty hunting system allows players to exert pressure on adversaries, and a new ability to sell kill rights means that there will be more eye-for-an-eye justice. The "Crimewatch" system clarifies the outcomes of actions while leaving the choice up to the player.
In an effort to rebalance, every cruiser, destroyer and frigate is reengineered to revitalize some of the less frequently used craft. Each faction adds a destroyer, alongside other additions: a micro-jump drive, salvage drones and a mining frigate.
Other changes include alterations to the user interface and revamped sounds.
Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade (Wii U)
Obstacle Arcade combines the fun of the Wii U with more than 30 party games designed for four-player multiplayer. It features dozens of obstacle courses, sporting events, arcade, and brain challenges. Add the Wii U GamePad functionality for one-versus-three competitive gameplay, and audiences can mix and match games.
Some over-the-top games include detonating fireworks, racing across obstacles floating on water, skydiving while avoiding a huge artillery of corn cobs, dodging barrels while on a horse, and more.
Family Party: 30 Great Games Obstacle Arcade is rated "E" for "Everyone" by the ESRB and is available at an MSRP of $29.95.
In Far Cry 3, players step into the shoes of Jason Brody, a man who's stranded on a tropical island. Players dictate how the story unfolds, from the battles to the allies or enemies. Players detonate, shoot, slash and sneak their way across the island.
Far Cry 3 is rated "M" for "Mature" by the ESRB and is available at an MSRP of $59.99 on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 and $49.99 on PC.
A malicious being named The Devourer has swallowed the pantheon of gods. The trapped gods place warriors on a world called Forge, where every champion's death feeds the gods' power.
Forge is a multiplayer-only PC game that features five classes, a persistent skill modification and character customization system, high-speed combat, and devastating spells and attacks.
Forge is available in a two-for-one deal for $19.99 on Steam, Amazon and GamersGate. You can also purchase it from Dark Vale Games' web site. Every purchase comes with a second free copy, which can be given this holiday season.
Forge is rated "T" for "Teen" by the ESRB.
Guardians of Middle-earth (PSN)
In Guardians of Middle-earth, gamers team up to bring together up to 10 players in five-versus-five battle arenas. More than 20 playable Guardian characters are available at launch, including Eowyn, Galadriel, Gandalf, Gollum, Legolas, Nori and Sauron. Gamers can connect with other players via an in-game voice system and access an online stat and leaderboard system.
Guardians of Middle-earth is available for $14.99 on PlayStation Network. A Season Pass can be purchased for $14.99 more to provide discounted access to future game content, including Guardian characters and a new gameplay mode.
In Karateka, players fight to save Mariko from an evil warlord in order to reunite her and her beloved. It's a modern take on the 8-bit classic, which featured groundbreaking rotoscoped animation and cinematic cut scenes.
Key Features:
- Rhythm-based combat: The gameplay blends escalating karate battles with a simple, human story.
- Three playable characters, three endings, and three suitors vie for Mariko's love: A brute, a monk, and her true love. The most satisfying and romantic ending can only be had by winning as the true love.
- Highly replayable: The "three suitors" system offers a 40-minute single-playthrough experience but challenges players to try again and unlock more difficult achievements and endings as they improve.
- Real-time score by Christopher Tin: Japanese instruments and themes associated with each character let you "hear" the on-screen action.
Karateka is available on Steam for $9.99, but there's a 10% off discount during the first week.
Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth (Wii U)
Starring over 20 Marvel superheroes and villains, Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth allows fans to defeat enemies by using the Wii U GamePad's touch-screen. Up to four players can team up or compete against each other in co-op, arcade and versus modes and use a combination of the GamePad, Wii Remote and Nunchuk controllers.
Marvel Avengers: Battle for Earth for Wii U is rated "T" for "Teen" by the ESRB and is available at an MSRP of $49.99.
PlayStation 3 owners can now experience Commander Shepard's saga from beginning to end. Mass Effect Trilogy is a compilation of all three Mass Effect games. The Mass Effect series follows the rise of Commander Shepard from Alliance Marine to the only soldier who can lead a galactic war against the Reapers. Action meets interactive storytelling as players decide how their story unfolds over all three games. With a team of loyal soldiers, each player decides how he or she will save the galaxy.
Mass Effect Trilogy is rated "M" for "Mature" by the ESRB and available at an MSRP of $59.99.
Max Payne 3: Painful Memories Pack DLC (PS3/X360/PC)
The Painful Memories Pack includes four multiplayer maps, including the iconic Roscoe Street Subway and Marty's Bar in Hoboken. The pack also includes avatars; items; the IMG 5.56 and UAR-21 assault rifles; and the Hangover Burst, which temporarily causes enemies to respawn with blurred vision and reduced health and stamina.
The Painful Memories Pack DLC is available on Xbox Live for 800 Microsoft Points and PlayStation Network and PC for $9.99. Players who purchased the Max Payne 3 Rockstar Pass can download the pack for free. The Rockstar Pass is available for 2400 Microsoft Points (Xbox Live) or $29.99 on PSN.
Panzer Corps Grand Campaign '44 West (PC)
In Panzer Corps Grand Campaign '44 West, a front has opened in the west against the German Wehrmacht. Panzer Corps Grand Campaign '44 West features 14 new scenarios of some of the war's most important and renowned battles, from the landings at Anzio and Normandy, to the intense combat around Caen and Cassino. Players face the ill-fated Operation Market Garden, but from the German perspective. Players can call up core forces from previous completed Grand Campaigns to continue to gain experience and new equipment or use a core force and play the campaign.
Scenario List: Anzio, Arnhem, Bayeux, Beaches of Normandy, Caen, Cassino, Eindhoven, Falaise, Monte Cassino, Montelimar, Nijmegen, St. Lo, Toulon and Villers-Bocage.
Panzer Corps Grand Campaign '44 West requires a copy of either Panzer Corps or Panzer Corps: Afrika Korps to play. It's available for purchase from the Slitherine web site.
Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition (PSN)
Set in an alternate universe during a World War-esque conflict, Under Defeat HD lets players take on the role of a helicopter pilot in a territory divided.
Under Defeat HD builds on the arcade version with a new set of upgrades and modes. Some new features include: destructive realism; improved artwork, textures and shadowing; and dual-stick compatibility. Two engaging player modes include Classic Arcade and 16:9 New Order, which takes advantage of HD TV screens. Practice versions of both modes are also available.
Bonus content includes a digital art book, all current DLC and patches, a soundtrack CD and an exclusive chopper. Players looking to get their hands on a physical copy of the game can do through Amazon.
Under Defeat HD: Deluxe Edition is available on PlayStation Network for $29.99.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown - Slingshot Content Pack DLC (PS3/X360/PC)
The Slingshot Content Pack features a set of linked Council missions, where players meet a Triad operative, divert an alien ship's course, and battle aliens in the skies over China. The DLC includes three maps, a playable squad character, and more character customization options.
The Slingshot Content Pack is available for £5.49 (PlayStation Network)/560 Microsoft Points (Xbox Live)/£5.49 (Windows PC).