New Releases - 24/09/04

Here I am again with these weeks releases - is there anything amongst this lot that will tempt you to part with your hard earned cash? Let's take a look-see...

It's PlayStation 2 time!

Adiboo & The Energy Thieves
Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone
Star Wars: Battlefront
Terminator 3: The Redemption
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005

I'm sad to say I don't know a whole lot about the Adiboo game - I think it's an edutainment title for the young 'uns, but don't quote me on that. I was quite tempted myself by the Forgotten Realms game, as it's put together by the same team that made The Lord of the Rings (both of them) for EA. It looks like more of the same, but the graphics are notably better and there's more freedom to explore the levels.

Star Wars Battlefront also looks like great fun if you have a load of mates or a Network Adaptor, as it's main focus is the multiplayer battles. I've had a brief go on the Xbox demo, and shooting Ewoks was brilliant! Terminator 3: The Redemption is reportedly a great improvement over the previous T3 offerings, but then that's not difficult as they were utter bilge. Finally, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005 features some excellent golfing action - but if you already have the 2004 version I'd skip it, as the small amount of changes don't really warrant a purchase.

Now it's the turn of the Gamecube:

Animal Crossing
Bad Boys: Miami Takedown
Medabots Infinity
Terminator 3: The Redemption
Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 2005

Animal Crossing! Finally, it's out on these shores. I've had this game for over two years now, ever since it was released in the US, and pressure from fans has finally made Nintendo release it over here. Was it worth the wait? Not really. After a month or two the novelty of the "game" wore off, as there's really very little to do.

Let's take a look at the Xbox:

Colin McRae Rally 2005
NHL 2005
Star Wars: Battlefront
Terminator 3: The Redemption
Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 2005

Ooh, Colin McRae Rally 2005. If I wasn't already buying two games this month, I'd get this for sure, even though I already have 04. The career mode is much longer, the graphics have been improved even more, and this time you can take it online.

It's the GBA's turn now:

Action Man: Robot Attack
Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper
Star Wars Trilogy: Apprentice of the Force

Not much going on here this week - the Star Wars game is a ropey 2D blaster/platform thing, made to cash in on the DVD release.

Anything exciting happening on the PC?

Call of Duty: United Offensive
Hidden & Dangerous 2: Sabre Squadron
NHL 2005
Silent Hill 4: The Room
Star Wars Battlefront
The Saga of Ryzom
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2005
Trainz Railway Simulator 2004: Passenger Edition
Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War
Yu-Gi-Oh! Power of Chaos 3

Two games stand out on this list - The Saga of Ryzom and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War. The first is a new MMOPRG (yes, another one) with fantastic graphics, and the second is an RTS by the creators of the excellent Homeworld games, of course set in famous table-top game world.

Finally, it would appear that there's nothing much worth importing this week. However - it should be a different matter next week as there's some rather exciting games on the horizon.

Whatever you decide to buy, I hope you enjoy it. Over and out.