It is Friday, and there is no better way to spend the weekend than playing a new release, or continuing a game that you’ve been playing for a while. Either way, it is time for Weekend Gaming.
New Releases
Saints Row IV (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC) – It is a few years after the events of Saints Row The Third. The president has been kidnapped by aliens and put into a simulation of Steelport. One last thing: you are the president. Yes, the head of the Saints is now the president of the United States of America. The game retains that Saints Row feel while adding new gameplay mechanics. The biggest addition is super powers, which adds a new way to traverse the city. For fans of Saints Row, this game is for you.
Splinter Cell: Blacklist (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, PC) – Following the events of Splinter Cell: Conviction, Blacklist once again follows super-spy Sam Fisher. Third Echelon has been shut down by the president, but Fourth Echelon is created as a counter-terrorism unit. A group of terrorists known as “The Engineers” have declared an increase on attacks against America, and it is up to Fisher and his team to stop them. Returning in Blacklist is the fan favorite multiplayer mode Spies vs. Mercs.
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified (Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PC) – This was originally going to be a first person shooter, but after many redesigns and the success of XCOM: Enemy Unknown, it was then turned into a third person shooter with strategy mechanics. The story follows the first contact of aliens on Earth, and the creation of a secret military division to fight the invading aliens. This division is known as XCOM. Although the game is getting mixed reviews, it should tide XCOM fans over until the Enemy Unknown DLC is released.
Divekick (PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, PC) – The complexity of fighting games can turn some people away from the genre. That is where Divekick comes in. There are two buttons in Divekick: dive, and kick. One kick is all it takes to knock out your opponent, and the first the five KOs wins. It is all wrapped in a package with great animation, excellent graphics, and hilariously writing. Some are calling it the best fighting game ever.
Brandon’s Weekend Gaming
Europa Universalis IV – I am playing this game for review, and as it is my first Europa Universalis game, there is a lot to learn. This game is made for people who like history. You pick a country in the year 1444, and then the game turns into a giant sandbox. You can go to war with other countries, arrange marriages to grow empires, take land, explore the new world, etc. While there are missions to complete, this game is all up to you as the player to decide the fate of your nation. So far I am really enjoying it.
Dead Space 3 – I am a pretty big fan of the Dead Space series, and when I saw Dead Space 3 in the Humble Bundle, I knew I had to get it. While I have heard mixed reviews about Dead Space 3, I am looking forward to getting back into space.
XCOM: Enemy Unknown – When the new expansion was announced for Enemy Unknown it reminded me that I haven’t finished this game yet. I had to start a game on easy because I am awful at strategy games. Hopefully I’ll be able to get through it on easy. If not, I will probably just have to give up.
Andreas’ Weekend Gaming
Saints Row IV – This weekend is absolutely packed with games to catch up on and the first one being Saints Row IV means tons of fun jumping around and killing aliens in a massive simulated Steelport where I get to jump over buildings and glide across rivers. Nuff Said.
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons – Brothers is a super charming coop adventure with yourself – what does this mean? Well, I have to control two brothers, one older and one younger with each of the analog sticks and an action button for each. Have you tried rubbing your belly and head at the same time in circular motion? Yeah, it’s weird! But it’s also super awesome and a well designed game.
Disney Infinity – Skylanders with Disney characters? Hm, maybe a rough description of Disney Infinity except that you get to roam around in toy box mode matching characters from CARS, The Incredibles, Lone Ranger and more in one world. Of course each play set and characters have their own abilities and stories as well. Disney Infinity is the game that we all wanted as kids.
The Bureau: XCOM Declassified – We have well documented what XCOM Declassified is, a third person tactical shooter in the XCOM universe, inspired by X-Files and Mad Men, do I need so say more?
PAYDAY 2 – I loved the original Pay Day and this one is that and more. Pay Day 2 is a much deeper and more controllable game as players can set up the various heists and include RPG elements of their characters – the best part of course is getting in trouble with the law alongside your friends.
