PAX-citement
It’s funny — your intrepid gaming columnist is currently missing out on PAX (don’t feel bad, I’m on vacation in Australia and New Zealand), the very same show wherein the first international PAX was announced (naturally, for Australia). Of course, that hasn’t prevented me from catching the highlights, which have included preview footage from Metal Gear Solid: Ground Heroes.
A look at the packed-to-the-brim indie booth, and a boatload of cosplay coverage. PAX is always a fabulous show (and certainly, more fun to experience up close than to view from afar), and the coverage will continue for the next week or so. Stay tuned to the usual channels for the latest.
Incoming!
Fall — and the massive holiday release season — is very nearly upon us, and that means the release calendar is beginning to heat up. Things are still fairly low key this week and next, but October and November are close behind.
Early September is dominated by downloadables, such as the unique, colorful puzzler Pid (XBLA, September 5); the retro-looking stealth title Mark of the Ninja (XBLA, September 7); the PC version of the gorgeous Closure (Steam, September 7); Double Dragon: Neon (PSN and XBLA, September 12); and the funky Fractured Soul (3DS eShop, September 13).
The strange — and supposedly kind of awesome – basketball/rhythm action Kinect mashup NBA Baller Beats is out on September 11, as is the more traditional sports title, NHL 13 (which will finally feature female players!). Baller Beats is Kinect-only, while EA’s hockey sim is available on the 360 and PS3.
Adventure fans (and those who like their games starring a sassy redhead) may be intrigued by Secret Files 3, out on PCs on September 14.
Finally, the last big (or, big-ish) Wii release arrives on September 16, in the form of Kirby’s Dream Collection, a compilation of particularly awesome Kirby games (including the criminally underrated Kirby 64: The Crystal Shards). It’s a $40 retail release, so if you’ve never gotten into the little pink puffball, this may be your best chance.
That’s all for now. In the following weeks, we have Borderlands 2, Jet Set Radio HD, and WOW‘s next big expansion: Mysts of Panderia to look forward to.
