Lego Rock Band
Our first feature this week is the cross-platform release Lego Rock Band. This title essentially serves as a new engine through which one can interact with their Rock Band library, in addition to coming with a great, classic rock library of its own. Players will be able to move all the Lego Rock Band songs into their playlist for Rock Band 2, or they can play their entire Rock Band 2 library within Lego Rock Band. Some of the differences are obvious, like the addition of Lego-based avatars, but there are also some differences that make Lego Rock Band easier for younger players. While anyone will be able to play at the same Hard and Expert difficulties that they would be able to in Rock Band 2, there will also be a super easy mode available which is just like easy except that any button or pad can be hit for any of the notes, and a auto-pedal mode for players who cannot reach the bass pedal. In addition, while it will still be possible to fail a song, one will never “fail out”, no matter which difficulty they are on. Instead, players who fail will simply lose the Lego coins that they need to customize their avatar, instruments and digs. Finally, many songs played through Lego Rock Band will now have a radio-version mode to shorten them to a length that may be more comfortable for people with short attention spans, or who may not have the endurance for a long solo. Seems like this game would be perfect for any adult who wants to introduce a young person to the world of rhythm games without dumbing down the experience for themselves.
Battle of Giants: Dragons
For the DS this week, we’ll see Battle of Giants: Dragons appear on the shelves. Choose from one of four dragon types and explore the world of Tammabakku. Customize your dragon, find secret treasures, and engage in epic battles against other majestic giants in this unique RPG/brawler. If you have a DSi, downloadable content will become available over the coming weeks adding new dragons and levels, starting with the Bronze Age pack, which hits at release.
Band Hero
Another Band game, the cross-platform Band Hero will also be hitting the stores. This game is a boiled down version of Guitar Hero 5‘s party mode. Allow the game to play during a party, and let players pick-up whatever instruments they want, and just start playing. Any band combination is possible, as long as one has the instruments. Want three singers and a drummer, four lead guitarists, three drummers and a bass player? Great. The game also comes with an all new playlist of top-40 pop songs featuring Taylor Swift, so that everyone in your party who owns a radio will already know all the words to the songs.
Dragon Age: Origins
Finally, our Spotlight feature this week is the major cross-platform release Dragon Age: Origins. This single player game is a party-based RPG with pause-and-play combat, similar to Bauldur’s Gate, its spiritual predecessor. Players will explore and fight their way through the turbulent kingdom of Ferelden on the continent of Thedas. Each character will start as one of three base classes, and specialize as they go, with rules of advancements similar to Bauldur’s Gate. The visuals and story line are purported to be gritty and dark, against a bloody and ruined backdrop. Decisions that the player must make will not always be clearly along one alignment or another, and the world, the characters, and especially the ending sequences can change dramatically based on the decisions made. This one is shaping up to be a must-try for RPG fans, especially those who felt that NWN had too much focus on multiplayer content. If this game is successful at all, expect it to be only the first of the Dragon Age franchise.
As always, if you’d like to purchase any of these games, you can do so through Icrontic’s Amazon game store and help support the site.
Following is a list of this week’s announced releases for North America:
PC
- Chronicles of Mystery: The Tree of Life
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Football Manager 2010
- Jonathan Kane: The Protector
- Manhunt 2
- Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition
PS3
- Band Hero
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Jurassic: The Hunted
- Lego Rock Band
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
- Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition
PSP
Jak and Daxter: The Lost Frontier- Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
Wii
- “Aha! I Got It!” Escape Game
- Academy of Champions: Soccer
- Band Hero
- Barbie and the Three Musketeers
- Buck Fever
- Carnival King
- Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom
- Dream Salon
- Family Card Games
- Fighting Street
- Food Network: Cook or Be Cooked
- Hidden Mysteries: Titanic
- Hooked! Again: Real Motion Fishing
- Jewel Quest Mysteries
- Jurassic: The Hunted
- Lego Rock Band
- My Baby 1st Steps
- Need for Speed: NITRO
- Ni Hao Kai Lan Super Game Day
- Rabbids Go Home
- Team Elimination Games
- Ultimate Party Challenge
- We Cheer 2
- We Wish You A Merry Christmas
- Fighting Street (VC – TG16)
- R-Type (VC – Sega)
DS
- Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders
- Band Hero
- Barbie and the Three Musketeers
- Battle of Giants: Dragons – Bronze Edition
- C.O.P. The Recruit
- Chronicles of Mystery: Curse of the Ancient Temple
- Diner Dash: Flo on the Go
- Disney’s A Christmas Carol
- Dora Puppy
- Dream Salon
- Hidden Mysteries: Titanic
- Imagine: Babyz Fashion
- Jewel Master: Egypt
- Lego Rock Band
- My Baby 1st Steps
- Need for Speed: NITRO
- Ni Hao, Kai-Lan: New Year’s Celebration
- Rabbids Go Home
- Reader Rabbit Kindergarten
- Safari Adventures Africa
- Sparkle Snapshots (DSiWare)
- Star Wars Battlefront: Elite Squadron
- Style Savvy
- Sushi Academy
- The Backyardigans
- Viking Invasion (DSiWare)
- WireWay
Xbox 360
- Band Hero
- Dragon Age: Origins
- Jurassic: The Hunted
- Lego Rock Band
- Pro Evolution Soccer 2010
- Squid Yes! Not So Octopus!
- Star Wars The Force Unleashed: Ultimate Sith Edition
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