I don’t think we’ll ever understand publishers. Capcom’s ‘interactive anime’ Asura’s Wrath was pushed back from last month to this month, but what a day to choose to finally release it. Not only is it going up Mass Effect 3 but also Capcom’s own Street Fighter X Tekken.
There’s Twisted Metal on PlayStation 3 and Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D on 3DS too. I suppose it does stand a very good chance of outselling Calvin Tucker’s Farm Animal Racing Tournament on Wii though. “Get Yerr Redneck On†indeed.
Asura’s Wrath has all the hallmarks of a future cult classic, much like killer7 before it. If you fancy trying before buying there’s a demo available which features two boss battles from much later in the game, both of which are suitably epic in scale. Don’t expect to find a copy in GAME however as they aren’t stocking it.
GAME aren’t selling Street Fighter X Tekken either, even though they were offering a special edition with a neat looking arcade machine money box. “This is not a playable arcade cabinet,†reads the disclaimer. Scores include Eurogamer’s 9/10.
Mass Effect 3, then. Review scores including a 9.5 from IGN and 93% from Play suggest that it doesn’t disappoint… unless you’re hoping to copy save files over from Cloud Storage on Xbox 360, which apparently isn’t possible. The day one DLC has caused a little bit of a fuss as two achievements are linked to it as well, but this is no reason not to buy it. The combat has finally been brought up to a decent standard to match the rest of the experience, while Shepherd and his cohorts have never looked better.
Twisted Metal is one of those franchises that has always been met with rapturous reviews in the US but only mildly positive reviews in the UK. It’s the flipside for WipEout in the US – a series that they don’t quite share the same love for as us Europeans do. “Even with a transforming ice cream truck in its roster, Twisted Metal deserves some respect,†said IGN, before giving it 9.0. Destructoid gave it a 7.0 and suggested that: “Hardcore destruction fans would do well to pick it up.â€
Over on the handhelds there’s Metal Gear Solid: Snake Eater 3D and Unit 13. Snake Eater 3D has been a long time coming but the wait has paid off – it’s an essential purchase for 3DS owners. Or at least those who didn’t buy Metal Gear Solid HD Collection earlier this year. Nintendo Gamer said it’s the best version of the game and awarded it 93%.
Unit 13 on PS Vita also sounds like a safe purchase with an 8/10 from Eurogamer Sweden. “Unit 13 has great controls, lots of variety and content that may outlast many other shooters on the market – no matter what platform you’re playing on. Not bad for a game that is released during the Vita launch window.†The Guardian didn’t quite like it as much though, giving it a good but not quite as impressive 6/10.
Next week: FIFA Street (PS3, 360), Inazuma Eleven 2 (DS), Saint Seiya Sanctuary Battle (PS3), Yakuza: Dead Souls (PS3), Ben 10 Galactic Racing (3DS), BIT.TRIP Complete (Wii), BIT.TRIP Saga (3DS), Cabela’s Big Game Hunter 2012 (PS3, 360, Wii), Captain Morgane and the Golden Turtle (PS3, Wii, DS), Hello Kitty: Big City Dreams (DS).
