It's that time of year again. No, not Christmas, but the time that every games publisher in existence decides it's appropriate release a full year's worth of material in under three months. Needless to say with the frankly ridiculous volume of new releases coming our way that our bank balances certainly won't look very healthy in the run up to the Festive Season, so mum, I apologise if I can't afford anything more extortionate than a Galaxy Bar for your present when the time comes, but it wasn't my fault! Anyway, here's the full rundown of every worthwhile game hitting the shops this month.
5th September
Spore (PC/Mac/DS [Spore Creatures spin-off])
Will Wright's long (and we mean long) awaited meta-Sims finally debuts. We at The Interhood certainly can't wait to see our Vaginus-Maximus creature develop from a molecular level.
Infinite Undiscovery (X360)
According to tri-Ace (Star Ocean, Valkyrie Profile), this will be revolutionary. According to everyone else, it's the same old JRPG we've been playing for twenty years. Nonetheless, it should be at the very least a diverting adventure.
Mercenaries 2: World in Flames (X360/PS3/PC/PS2)
Sequel to the 2005 DMZ-'em-up arrives in Venezuela, presumably as an excuse to blow up everything in sight. Jack Thompson's letter to Bono to prevent its publication has clearly gone up in flames. I'm so sorry.
Final Fantasy IV (DS)
Retro update following in the steps of the Final Fantasy III makeover. If everyone ever to have existed (you too, Jesus) crossed their fingers simultaneously there might be an outside chance that the sixth in the series gets the same treatment.
Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise (X360/DS [Viva Pinata: Pocket Paradise spin-off])
Rare's surprisingly enjoyable gardening game is here to keep you and the kids happy as you gear up for their proper 2008 release.
Guild Wars: The Complete Collection (PC)
Every installment in the best MMO out there (we know what you're thinking) in a convenient pack at a convenient, non-subscription price. Great value for those yet to discover the delights of the Guild Wars universe, especially as the veterans prepare for the imminent sequel.
12th September
Dragon Quest IV: Chapters of the Chosen (DS)
Yet another Sqeenix RPG gets a 3D remake on Nintendo's handheld. High hopes abounds for this little slice of retro brilliance, which for our money will be superior to its stablemate released the previous week.
NHL 09 (X360/PS3)
EA attempt for the nineteenth time to make Europe care about Ice Hockey. They'll probably fail, which is a shame because the series has seriously upped its game in the last few years.
Opoona (Wii)
A rare event on the JRPG starved Wii. It looks promising enough, and is essential for owners of the console craving some cute, light hearted questing.
TNA: iMPACT! (X360/PS3/PS2/Wii)
Midway enters the ring to compete with THQ and the established Smackdown vs Raw brand. Looks fairly promising, but could exclude non-fans. Sadly for the TNA corporation, their future largely rests on the shoulders of this game.
Crysis Warhead (PC)
Sort of sequel to last year's system melting semi-hit. Looks very much like a reskinned Crysis.
18th September
Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning (PC)
Will EA Mythic's stab at an MMO based on the popular tabletop game have a big enough +1 Mace to lop a sizeable chunk off WoW's subscription base, or will it be crushed like a horde of small metal dolls under a Steamroller?
19th September
Samba De Amigo (Wii)
The Dreamcast classic returns all shaken up for the new generation. Let's hope the Remote and Nunchuck controls match the wonderful Maraccas the first game used.
Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (X360/PS3/PSP/PC/DS/Wii)
The best looking game in the franchise for a very long time. Sadly, current impressions suggest that although solid, it won't be able to live up to the hype.
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (Mac)
Almost a year late on a platform nobody cares about. Surely every Mac owner interested in gaming also has a current gen console? Still, there's likely to be a solid userbase, and it's good to spread the CoD4 love.
Yakuza 2 (PS2)
Likely to be the last great PS2 game, and it's taken a very long time to arrive from Japan, but if it retains the high standard of the original and sells in decent numbers then it bodes well for potential European releases of the PS3 sequels.
Multiwinia (PC/Mac/X360)
Introversion's sequel to the rather awesome Darwinia, now with added awesome.
26th September
Brothers in Arms: Hell's Highway (X360/PS3/PC)
Promising sequel to the thinking man's Medal of Honor. Possible confusion of what the game wants to be between its serious demeanour and Flying-Limb-Slow-Motion-O-Vision.
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood (DS)
Sonic's latest attempt to end his laughing-stock status is shaping up nicely, and Bioware have certainly proven themselves in the past. Sadly, being Sonic, there's every chance this could fall flat on its arse, though that seems less likely every day.
There you have it folks, a list of all the (possibly) decent games out soon. Stay tuned for more on these titles, and remember that all the dates listed here are still subject to change. After November we may well need to replace our fingers, the cramp's started to set in already...ouch...
