Following the onslaught of games released leading up to the festive period, it’s hardly surprising that January was an extremely bleak month on the game release front. Luckily, the game releases are beginning to pick up as we approach February.

Final Fantasy XIII-2

Developer(s): Square Enix

Publisher(s): Square Enix

Genre(s): Role-playing game

Mode(s): Single play

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Release date(s): January 31^st 2012 (NA) February 2^nd 2012 (AU) February 3^rd 2012 (EU)

The plotline of Final Fantasy XIII-2 takes place three years after the events that took place in Final Fantasy XIII. A group of survivors have taken up the task of starting over and rebuilding Gran Pulse. Lightning has disappeared and is simply nowhere to be found. Despite people’s beliefs that Lightning is dead, her sister Serah refuses to believe this. When the town becomes overrun, a mysterious character by the name of Noel saves Serah. With Lightning missing, Serah and Noel set off in search for her.

Enemies will no longer be able to roam freely around the map as they did in Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy XIII. Enemies will now randomly generate as they did in previous instalments of Final Fantasy.  As the encounter occurs, a ‘Mog Clock’ appears on the screen which presents a dial underneath the player. The Mog Clock allows players to gain penalties or bonuses depending on the period of time in which they commence battle with the enemy.

With Final Fantasy XIII causing such a divided opinion amongst Final Fantasy fans, it’ll be extremely interesting to see what sort of reaction the latest instalment will provide!

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning

Developer(s): Big Huge Games

Publisher(s): Electronic Arts

Genre(s): Role-playing game, open world

Mode(s): Single play

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Release date(s): February 7^th 2012 (NA) February 10^th 2012 (EU)

Kingdoms of Amalur will feature four playable races within five distinct regions. It will also include a skill tree system which features 3 class trees that provide 22 abilities per tree. The four playable races included within Kingdoms of Amalur are: the Almain (noble humans), the Ljosalfar (light elves), the Dokkalfar (dark elves), and the Varani (nomadic humans). The three divisions of the class trees are: might, finesse and sorcery. These class divisions reflect the fighter, mage and rogue classes.

The player begins their venture as a ‘blank slate’ after immerging from a pile of corpses. The game utilises a ‘destiny’ system which allows the player to invest in a skill-tree system to uncover various ‘destinies.’

The combat system works through the technique and timing of pressing various buttons. A demo was released on the 17^th of January 2012, that allows players to not only sample the game, but to unlock special items for use in the full version of Kingdoms of Amalur. It also allows you to unlock items for the full version of Mass Effect 3.

If role-playing games are a favourite of yours, Kingdoms of Amalur may be the title for you to invest in this month!

UFC Undisputed 3

Developer(s): Yuke’s

Publisher(s): THQ

Genre(s): Fighting

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Release date(s): February 14^th 2012 (NA) February 17^th 2012 (EU)

UFC Undisputed 3 will be the third release within the UFC series of games. A fan vote was held to determine which UFC fighter would feature on the cover of UFC Undisputed 3. The fans decided that UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva should be the fighter to grace the cover of the latest UFC title.

There will be a game type known as ‘Pride Mode’ in UFC Undisputed 3. Pride Mode will be fought with pride rules, rings and fighters. This latest UFC release will also include a new submission system. There have also been tweaks made to the stamina, clinch controls and striking capabilities. Two new gameplay controls have been introduced: traditional and simplified. (Pro and Amateur controls)

Something that may delight people who love to engage in UFC’s multiplayer, THQ are providing new servers for online play. The player may choose from an impressive roaster of 150 to take on the best in the Octagon!

I’m sure UFC fans worldwide are anxious to play this promising title. Not a UFC fan yourself but would like a change from your usual fighting title? UFC Undisputed 3 may be the title for you!

The Darkness II

Developer(s): Digital Extremes

Publisher(s): 2K Games

Genre(s): First-person shooter, survival horror

Mode(s): Single play, multiplayer

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Release date(s): February 7^th 2012 (NA) February 10^th 2012 (EU)

The Darkness II take places two years following the events of the first game. Jackie Estacado currently wields The Darkness. He has utilised his powers to take the role as Don of the Franchetti crime family. Jackie has been unable to shake the thoughts he’s been experiencing regarding his deceased girlfriend Jenny Romano. Jackie seeks the help of occultist Johnny Powell and his study regarding the dark essence, that contained his superpowers and now The Darkness ‘wants out in the worst way.’ Jackie is then hunted by Victor Valente, who seeks the power of The Darkness for himself and the clan known as The Brotherhood. Jackie must defeat Valente and The Brotherhood who have also taken his Aunt Sara captive. The power of The Darkness hinders his progress as does the vision of Jenny which begins to haunt Jackie.

The gameplay featured within The Darkness II is extremely similar to that of its prequel. The sequel features a new ability known as ‘quad wielding.’ This ability allows the protagonist Jackie to utilise The Darkness and firearms simultaneously. There will now only be one primary Darkling which has a much greater significance to the storyline. This Darkling proves to be useful as it provides Jackie with various waypoints and highlights items of great importance when combating a boss. The Darkling can also be utilised by Jackie in the same manner as ‘creeping dark’ in the first game.  It allows Jackie to access hard-to-reach areas and kill enemies from vast distances.

The long awaited sequel of The Darkness is finally here, which I’m sure will delight many gamers. The Darkness II looks to be an eerie adventure, not for the faint hearted. If you’re feeling like a change of scenery in your gaming collection, why not take on The Darkness II?

NeverDead

Developer(s): Rebellion Developments

Publisher(s): Konami

Genre(s): Action

Mode(s): Single play

Platform(s): Playstation 3, Xbox 360

Release date(s): January 31^st 2012 (NA) February 3^rd 2012 (EU)

The player controls Bryce, a human demon hunter who was cursed with immortality by the demon king Astaroth over five hundred years ago, after his wife was murdered during a battle with the demon. In modern times, Bryce now hunts demons for both profit and revenge. Bryce continues his hunting endeavours with a female private investigator with the task of stopping a demonic invasion that almost destroyed the city.

The protagonist is immortal and will be able to endure severe injuries. Over time, the player will lose body parts and is required to collect the severed limbs by rolling into them. Players can utilise large objects to crush and harm nearby enemies. The game will also feature puzzle elements. The player will have a female partner to assist them throughout the game. Unlike the protagonist, the female is not immortal and is susceptible to damage.

With a vast array of titles being released in February, hopefully you’ll find something suitable to tide you over until the releases in March! I’d like to thank you for taking the time to read this piece.

Many thanks,

Hannah

Sources:

Wikipedia

IGN

Gamespot