If I missed a game you really want coverage on then simply send your write up to me (via PM). If it's good enough and follows proper formatting I'll add it here with credit to you! Check the "Other Releases" section at the bottom to see what games I would want write ups for but am not all too qualified to do myself. You can also do write-ups for games I didn't even list. Sometimes things slip my eye.
Some rules and stuff.
- This is mainly North American releases, sorry. I'll, on occasion, do a European or Japanese release if it's big enough and not already out in America.
- If a game is already released in English and is being released again for another region, I won't bother adding it. Like say if Half Life 2: Episode 3 was out in America in April (it won't) and it came out in May in Europe, I won't list it for May. I'll also do the same if a game was released in English (aka Europe or America) and is being released in Japan.
- I get my dates from GameFaqs, Wikipedia, and IGN, so if a date is wrong don't blame me. You can, of course, point it out and ask me to fix it if you have the right date.
Platform: 3DS
Developed by: Namco Bandai (?)
Published by: Namco Bandai
Release date: February 14th (North America), February 16th (Japan), February 22nd (Australia), February 29th (Europe)
Genre: Fighting
My Hype Level: It's Tekken so no thanks
GBAtemp Hype Level: Probably pretty high.
I really don't like Tekken. I've tried it and it just seems so boring. The only 3D fighter I could really enjoy (that's a pure fighter) is Soul Calibur. I find Tekken's characters to be forgettable and the combat to just be dull. But they do usually provide a pretty nice feast for the eyes and generally strut around a system's graphical capabilities. The PSP was pretty much maxed out on Tekken 6 and Tekken: Dark Resurrection, and the same is being done here on 3D Prime. Still, it's Tekken, so no thanks.
But hey, you get a really shitty movie that you can hopefully avoid too!
Platform: 3DS
Developed by: Kojima Productions
Published by: Konami
Release date: February 22nd (North America)
Genre: Stealth Action
My Hype Level: I still see no point in this
GBAtemp Hype Level: OMG MGS
This game came a long way. It went from an impressive looking tech demo to a pretty shitty looking remake and now it's somewhere in between. it certainly doesn't live up to the tech demo but it doesn't have the framerate issues or muddy graphics originally shown. Still, why would you buy this? It's a terrible game to play on-the-go. You'll be slapped with frequent cutscenes and skipping cutscenes in Metal Gear Solid is like a sin. Plus I'm sure every MGS3 player remembers the infinitely complex number of things you could do with a bagillion different button presses. On a system with less buttons and a single analog stick, how's that gonna work? I know you have a touchscreen but you can't map everything to it, plus if it's combat based stuff, transitioning from buttons to the screen can be a hassle. Oh, and a HD Collection just came out. With better graphics. And more features. And two other excellent Metal Gear Solid games. For only $10 more. If you're excuse is that "don't have a Xbox 360 or Playstation 3" but you still spent $250 or $180 for a 3DS, then maybe you need to set your priorities straight.
Platform: DS (wait, this console still gets games?)
Developed by: Atlus
Published by: Atlus
Release date: February 28th (North America)
Genre: SRPG
My Hype Level: Eh, Devil Survivor was good but I can't stand SRPGs any more.
GBAtemp Hype Level: Will probably go boner over.
Oh wow, DS releases are still around? Well this is probably one of the last big ones you'll see. Devil Survivor was a pretty fun game but, not really enjoying the SRPGs any more, I couldn't get too far into it. Plus I generally hate the whole "LOOK WE'RE IN MAINSTREAM JAPAN" setting that sets the weaboos on splooge alert. Still, it was fun and probably one of the better games for the system (although I enjoyed Strange Journey more). This is the sequel, so you can probably expect the same thing.
Platform: Playstation 3
Developed by: Eat Sleep Play
Published by: Sony Computer Entertainment
Release date: February 14th (North America)
Genre: Car Action
My Hype Level: Haven't played a lot of Twisted Metal in years
GBAtemp Hype Level: Meh
I remember when this was the big reveal at Sony's E3 last year (I think?). It then kinda went off the map and now it's getting a release apparently. I remember playing some of the original Twisted Metal as a kid on the original Playstation but I don't remember it well. I also have a copy of Twisted Metal Black around somewhere but I haven't touched it much. Still, it's promising a lot of explodey car bashing action, so PS3 owners should keep a lookout for it.
Platform: PSP
Developed by: Vanillaware
Published by: Xseed Games
Release date: February 21st (North America)
Genre: RPG
My Hype Level: I'll bite, like one of the last big PSP releases
GBAtemp Hype Level: Probably pretty high in the PSP areas
Oh hey, a PSP release. In America. That was unexpected. But Grand Knights History is a Vanillaware game, developers of Game With Really Pretty 2D Graphics X and Game With Really Pretty 2D Graphics Y. It's apparently pretty sweet and it's also one of the few last PSP games to get localized (minus Final Fantasy Type-0, Gungir, and Growlanser), so PSP owners should definitely check this out.
Platform: Wii
Developed by: Mistwalker/AQ Interactive
Published by: Nintendo
Release date: February 23rd (Australia), February 24th (Europe)
Genre: RPG
My Hype Level: Probably just CBA to pirate it
GBAtemp Hype Level: OH MY GOD WII RPG
I really haven't heard or cared to know much about this title, all I know is that it's done by Mistwalker (which did Lost Odyssey which was pretty good) and it's not getting localized to America. Out of the Wii's little RPG spurt we had Xenoblade (which I couldn't stand), this, and Pandora's Tower (which I don't think is released yet or is only released in Japan so far). I really don't care to download it so I probably won't play it honestly.
Platform: Playstation 3
Developer: Inti Creates
Release Date: February 23rd (Japan)
Hop’s Want Level: I'll most likely pick up later due to a busy February
The story is typical ecchi/romcom anime with a twist instead of Tenzou actually just having a harem initially or ending up with a harem early on, like most harem protagonists, he is accidentally shot by a cupid to get the ability to be irresistible and is getting every girl imaginable, however you must repel all but the one you choose before the effects wear off or Tenzou is doomed to be alone forever. The choices of heroines are of the typical types you see in harem/ecchi/romcom anime and manga such as ditzy girl, shy girl, tsundere, etc. You shoot pheromones at the hordes of girls to keep them at bay while you develop romantic ties with the selected heroine.
There’s a Doki Doki Mode to look in both innocent and perverted ways at the chosen heroine. In case your family is at home (God forbid you play this when they around), a panic button is installed in the game which switches the game to an 8-bit retro game. The voice cast has some major names in the seiyuu industry such as Yuu Kobayashi, Yui Horie, and Yukari Tamura. This game is trumped by Ragnarok Odyssey and Tales of the Heroes: Twin Brave and I recommend this game if you aren’t getting a Vita, isn’t interested in Tales of games, or don’t own a PSP. New Love Plus is also way better than this, so if you have a Japanese or Asian region 3DS, get it over Gal Gun.
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
Developer: Konami
Release Date: February 14th (Japan)
Hop’s want level: I want for sure but it’s not high priority unlike Ragnarok Odyssey and Tales of the Heroes.
There are several major improvements in New Love Plus that I like, the first is a Boyfriend Lock, and this keeps your little brother or your curious sister from trying to figure out what you are playing in case you leave your 3DS unattended. The second is the Parental Introduction; you can introduce your virtual girlfriend to your parents or the rest of your family. I do not recommend that you use this on your family unless you are sure they’ll just laugh (but if you want to risk it, go for it because it’s a nice feature), I can see some 20-something year old man in Japan doing this and get disowned by their family shortly afterwards. Another feature, which is the one I like the most, is the AR dating, you can use Augmented reality to date your virtual girlfriend anywhere, I was thinking about trying this out in Los Angeles or in Times’ Square in New York sometime.
Is this game recommended, if you are not married, in a relationship, or don’t have a seriously anal girlfriend if you are in one, then yes you should get this. The only issues are that this game is on the 3DS so it is not region free so you’ll need a Japanese 3DS or an Asia version 3DS. Also if you owned the previous versions of Love Plus and you want your save data, you must pay 200 yen ($2.55) to get the DLC in order to transfer your virtual girlfriend into new Love Plus so grab a 1000 yen Nintendo card as well if you have a JP or Asia 3DS but aren’t residing in Japan.
Platform: Playstation Vita
Developer: GungHo Online Entertainment
Release Date: February 2nd (Japan)
Hop’s Want Level: The Must import game of the entire month.
While I’m not as familiar with the Ragnarok series as much as it’s similar games, Monster hunter and Phantasy Star, Ragnarok Odyssey is the perfect game for the Japanese audience and I love this already. The game concept has been changed to a hunting RPG much like hits such as Monster Hunter and is used in aspects of Phantasy Star. Like Phantasy Star and Monster hunter you create your own character to your liking, and then you choose from one of six classes which are Cleric, Knight, Assassin, Hammersmith, Mage, and Hunter. However, you will be able to change class later on in the story to suit the mission.
Ragnarok Odyssey is more my type of playstyle unlike Monster Hunter because you need a bit of patience in Monster Hunter but in Ragnarok Odyssey, its speed and combos that are emphasized, perfect for the impatient player or those awed at huge combos. You can collect and equip cards as well that give you character special abilities and stat boosts and there are over 400 to collect. It has Ad-Hoc capability and even PSN online capability via a small patch you will automatically download once you boot the game, Digital Versions may or may not require this. The bosses are all massive and look quite challenging and are very detailed. This is a very fun game that is the must import game of the month for anyone getting a Vita. Those with Japanese PSNs should get the 4800 yen digital version for a discount, but you should have one anyway as this will have DLC.
Platform: PSP (Vita compatible due to digital download)
Developer: Namco-Bandai
Release Date: February 23rd (Japan)
Hop’s Want Level: This is the second of the must have imports
This is the Tales of’s answer to Sengoku Musou (Samurai Warrior). Gameplay is the same except it has all of the Tales of features the fans love such as Hi Ougi’s and combination attacks, the new Twin Brave attack give your characters a more synchronized way of attacking. You can play the story mode with main characters from each of the 15 represented Tales of games. Each series represented in the story mode has an original story that’s slightly or completely non-canonical from the games they came from. You can also go into free mode and choose any character combination you please (I want to pair up Cheria and Kohak). Weapons as well as characters and abilities will level up in this game. This is definitely a game for the fans but people who liked Sengoku Musou and any game similar to it should give it a chance.
Vita owners are entitled to a small discount with the digital version pretty much because to play this, you must buy it off the Japanese PSN, its 5650 yen, quite pricey compared to its top contender Ragnarok Odyssey but well worth it. This is a must import for both PSP and Vita users, PSP owners can get a special edition as well which has anime shorts in them as well as other features.
Platform: PSP
Developer: Namco-Bandai
Release Date: February 23rd (Japan)
Hop’s Want Level: Extremely low (Due to the Vita, this not having a PSN download, and Tales of the Heroes)
First of all if you don’t know what a nendoroid is go here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nendoroid
A standard RPG with Nendoroid figures representing characters, all female from 7 popular anime (Nanoha, Black Rock Shooter, Dog Days, Steins Gate, Zero no Tsukimia, Haruhi and Fate Stay Night), Touhou makes an appearance as well and an original. There is a communication mode that will let you interact with your favorite character and modes such as a dance mode where you can watch nendoroid sized characters dance for laughs. This game is trumped by everything on the list and is only for fans of nendoroids and anime fans who like the series above.
This has no PSN download, so it’s not for people switching over to the Vita, if you want this and you do have a Vita, keep your PSP as well. Also both the special and standard versions will have a download code for a wedding dress to place on your favorite girl providing you get a first print edition. I want this but the lack of a PSN download and too many other releases I want just killed it for me, but those without Vitas at launch should try it though.
Most of these are titles I really don't know much about so write-ups are much appreciated
- Mario and Sonic at the London 2012 Olympic Games: 2/9 (Australia), 2/10 (Europe), 2/14 (North America)
- Theatrhythm: Final Fantasy: 2/16 (Japan)
- Jak and Daxter Collection: 2/7 (North America), 2/17 (Europe)
- Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning: 2/7 (North America), 2/9 (Australia), 2/10 (Europe)
- Shank 2: 2/7 (North America), 2/8 (Europe)
- The Darkness II: 2/7 (North America), 2/10 (Europe, Australia), 2/23 (Japan)
- Asura's Wrath: 2/21 (North America), 2/23 (Japan, Australia), 2/24 (Europe)
- Syndicate: 2/21 (North America), 2/24 (Europe)
- Playstation Vita: 2/15 (First Edition Bundle, North America), 2/22 (North America, Europe), 2/23 (Australia)
I'm still looking for...
- A banner graphic. Make it say "Games of the Month" and have it themed with GBAtemp and stuff (include the logo, color scheme, etc). It's probably best to leave the month blank so it can easily be inserted every month. I may occasionally call on you for the holidays to make it more holiday themed. Could also use a front page graphic for the front page post on this.
