The Release List 03.24.09: Touch Mechanic, Cate West, Death Track, Lux-Pain, More
Posted by Tommy Coloma on 03.24.2009
Trauma Center with cars, the return of DeathTrack, on of the darkest games you'll find on the DS, and another Anime fighting game mashup.
This week we have the sequel to one of the first vehicular combat racing games, an action-adventure title that should interest Phoenix Wright fans, as well as a game that many are calling the Trauma Center of car games.
This week's highlightsNote: Release dates are subject to change
Lux-Pain (DS)
This paranormal detective adventure game looks more like an advanced visual novel than anything else. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but it pretty much means that the audience is limited to those who don't mind reading a lot. Your mission is to seek out and destroy Silent - parasitic worms that cause otherwise regular people to commit horrible crimes. Throughout most of the game you'll be visiting different areas and interacting with people in order to find clues about the parasites. At various points you will be using your stylus to both uncover and exterminate the evil worms. Fans of Phoenix Wright, Trace Memory, and Hotel Dusk who are looking for something darker should definitely check this out.
the Lux-Pain trailer
Death Track: Resurrection (PC) Death Track: Resurrection is the sequel to the 1989 PC classic DeathTrack by Dynamix. The original was essentially Carmageddon with weapons minus the pedestrians/zombies. As with Carmageddon, victory required you to either finish the race or destroy the other competitors. Besides Test Drive II, DeathTrack was my favorite PC racing game until Carmageddon II came out, so of course I'm excited about the sequel, especially considering the fact that the developers are fans of the original. Since Carmageddon IV has been all but cancelled, Death Track is one of the few options for those who want a modern take on the vehicular combat genre.
Touch Mechanic (DS)
In Touch Mechanic, aka Trauma Center with cars, you play as an up and coming mechanic who specializes in customizing and tuning classic and modern cars. Some of your duties include switching rims, fixing mufflers, changing brakes, administering paint jobs, welding parts together, adding oil, and replacing engines. Earned cash can be used to pimp out your own car so that you can compete in custom shows.
I think that there could be a large audience for this game. Unfortunately, the only reason I knew about it was because I happen to write this column. Maybe the release of a certain movie in theaters next week will lead to increased sales...
the Touch Mechanic trailer
Cate West: The Vanishing Files (Wii) Cate West blends "seek-and-find" gameplay elements with a decent murder/mystery story. Some levels have you pointing out differences you see in seemingly identical pictures while others have you finding objects "Where's Waldo?" style. There are also times when you are asked to drop items from a bin in order to make pictures match. Chapters end by having you use clues found throughout the levels to find suspects in your criminal investigations.
What sets this version apart from it's PC and DS counterparts is the implementation of multiplayer. Racing others to find items could be loads of fun. Unfortunately, no info on this feature has been made available at this time so we'll have to wait and see if the developers were able to run with the idea. In the meantime, you can always check out the PC demo here.
Cate West gameplay footage (from the PC version)
Sunday x Magazine: Taisen Action (PSP import)
This is the license that Capcom should have secured for its latest versus game. Hell, SNK and Arc System Works probably would have done a better job since those companies still specialize in 2D fighters. Instead, the license was given to Konami, whose only other notable fighting games include TMNT Tournament Fighters and last year's 3D Castlevania. While the roster is great and the visuals are nice, the game itself looks like its running in slow motion. Why can't these companies license their properties to developers that are actually good at making fighters?
the Sunday x Magazine: Taisen Action trailer
SxM gameplay footage that shows how slooooow things run
The other US releases BattleForge (PC)
Broken Sword: Shadows of the Templars (Director's Cut) (DS, Wii)
Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Ultimate Edition (PS3)
Dark Sector (PC)
Discovery Kids: Dolphin Discovery (DS)
Discovery Kids: Kitten Corner (DS)
Discovery Kids: Pony Paradise (DS)
Discovery Kids: Puppy Playtime (DS)
Fashion Studio: Paris Collection (DS)
Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: Echoes of Time (DS, Wii)
Gardening Mama (DS)
Hinterland: Orc Lords (PC)
Imagine Family Doctor (DS)
Legends of Wrestlemania (PS3, 360)
Major League Baseball 2K9 (PSP)
Monsters vs. Aliens (DS, PC, PS2, PS3, 360, Wii)
MotoGP 08 (Wii)
Officers (PC)
Pokemon Platinum (DS)
Dreamer Series: Pop Star (DS)
PopCap Arcade Hits Volume 2 (360)
Red Alert 3 - Ultimate Edition (PS3)
Samurai Shodown Anthology (PSP)
Ski Doo: Snowmobile Challenge (360)
Stormrise (PS3, 360, PC)
Tenchu: Shadow Assassins (PSP)
The Last Remnant (PC)
Totally Spies! Totally Party (Wii)
Ultimate Ninja 4: Naruto Shippuden (PS2)
Wallace & Gromit's Grand Adventures (PC)
Wanted: Weapons of Fate (PC, PS3, 360)
Wheelman (PC, PS3, 360)
