2013 is going to be a great year for gaming. That's a safe statement to make, especially when one considers how each passing year has brought along its own share of video game gems. This applies especially to action games, which have been improving significantly thanks to the new developments in game design that continue to surface as time goes on.
Action games are a plentiful breed, so a feature on all of them would be far too exhausting to write, and I can say with some certainty it would also be too exhausting to read as well. Instead, I'll look at one exclusive title from each of the 3 consoles currently residing at the top of the system hierarchy: The Wii U, Xbox 360 and the PS3.
LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER
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Console:ÃÂ Nintendo Wii U
Developer: TT Fusion
Specific Genre:ÃÂ Action / Adventure / Open-World
Expected Release:ÃÂ March 2013ÃÂ
Why You Should Give It A Chance:
For many gamers, LEGOs don't come to mind when thinking of notable action games. Undercover should help to do away with that exclusion. Unlike the LEGO gamesÃÂ of the past, Undercover is independent of any licenses that would make it just another LEGO version of a popular movie. There are no oddly shaped wizards or jedis to be found here; instead, LEGO City Undercover has its own story, one that thrives without the limitations its predecessors were subject to. The gameplay, believe it or not, is reminiscent of the Grand Theft Auto series (although with LEGOs instead of rampant drug use and prostitution), incorporating a free roaming aspect that covers land, sea and air. While there's an underlying sense of freedom, the storyline is still linear in design- another feature that forces comparisons to the GTA series (among other action games).
Another thing that stands out about Undercover is its sheer magnitude; there is a huge environment to explore, and on top of that it's packed with side missions and (keeping with LEGO game tradition) multitudes of collectibles. It all translates to an experience that will provide hours upon hours of entertainment, with lots of corney humor along the way to keep a smile on players' faces while also making sure they don't forget they're playing a LEGO game.
GEARS OF WAR: JUDGEMENTÃÂ
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Console:ÃÂ Microsoft Xbox 360
Developer:ÃÂ Epic Games / People Can Fly
Specific Genre:ÃÂ Action / Shooter
Expected Release:ÃÂ March 2013
Why It'll Be Worth The Price:
Although Judgement is the fourth installment of the Gears of War series it is actually a prequel to the other titles, consisting of events that predate those of the other games. The majority of Xbox owners are already familiar with Gears of War and what it entails, but Judgement will provide an interesting insight into the happenings that led into the games they enjoyed so much.
In addition to the game's ingrained historical aspect, there will also be enhanced gameplay controls, at least one new multiplayer mode and a newly implemented class system that will make teamwork more important. Different classes mean different strengths and specializations, meaning players will be forced to work more as a unit than in past iterations. This could serve to allay the concerns of those lovers of action games who feel that Gears of War's multiplayer modes lack certain strategic elements.
Unlike the other two action games being discussed here, Judgement is a part of a series. As such, I initially would have preferred to focus on a different exclusive, if not for the fact that GoW: Judgement is the ONLY announced Xbox 360 exclusive for 2013 as of right now. That should be a temporary arrangement, however, and doesn't yet represent a cause for concern.
Keeping it's innovations and improvements in mind, Judgement looks to be a title that will keep fans of the series happy while also serving to bring new players into the fold.
THE LAST OF US
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Console:ÃÂ Sony Playstation 3
Developer:ÃÂ Naughty Dog
Specific Genre:ÃÂ Action / Adventure
Expected Release:ÃÂ May 2013
Why You Should Check it Out:
A grizzled survivor and the little girl he rescued embark on a journey through deserted cities reclaimed by nature, facing aggressive mutants and survivors who aren't much friendlier. Now, the Post Apocalyptic thing has been done before, and there are only so many ways game developers can modify and enhance the way a bullet travels from firearm to foe. It's the other aspects of the game that truly demonstrate why it stands out from most, if not all other action games.
Most notably, Naughty Dog has developed the AI to incredible levels, contributing to an astonishing display of realism. Enemies will react differently depending on the strategies used against them, and there are a multitude of different ways for players to approach each situation. Aside from improved intelligence, enemies in The Last of Us will also exhibit human emotions: decimate the majority of a group of foes and the survivors will not blindly rush at you like like they would in other games. Instead you might witness them begging for their life or abandoning the fight altogether. The fear of death compels them, contributing to a very human experience. Players will not be simply mowing down droves of mindless minions; instead they will often find themselves locked in combat with human beings not so different from the character they're portraying.
The tools of war will shadow real life, in that players won't be able to soak up barrages of bullets without consequence (a common trait among action games). A single hit could be disastrous, and so players need to approach oncoming dangers with a certain amount of apprehension (ramping up the realism in the process). Injuries require bandages, and there is no instantaneous healing- players will have to treat their wounds in real time, and the inventory system follows the same blueprint.
Overall the AI, combat, and the various interactions in The Last of Us all contribute to a feeling of realism that serves to solidify the game's hold on the player, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience.
To conclude, it's good to see that 2013's gaming lineup won't be lacking in terms of action games (or almost any type of game for that matter). Regardless of which system you currently own (or if you're lucky enough to have all 3), or if you even like action games, one thing is certain.
It'sÃÂ a good time to be a gamer.
(/\)
Action games are a plentiful breed, so a feature on all of them would be far too exhausting to write, and I can say with some certainty it would also be too exhausting to read as well. Instead, I'll look at one exclusive title from each of the 3 consoles currently residing at the top of the system hierarchy: The Wii U, Xbox 360 and the PS3.
LEGO CITY UNDERCOVER
[URL="
Console:ÃÂ Nintendo Wii U
Developer: TT Fusion
Specific Genre:ÃÂ Action / Adventure / Open-World
Expected Release:ÃÂ March 2013ÃÂ
Why You Should Give It A Chance:
For many gamers, LEGOs don't come to mind when thinking of notable action games. Undercover should help to do away with that exclusion. Unlike the LEGO gamesÃÂ of the past, Undercover is independent of any licenses that would make it just another LEGO version of a popular movie. There are no oddly shaped wizards or jedis to be found here; instead, LEGO City Undercover has its own story, one that thrives without the limitations its predecessors were subject to. The gameplay, believe it or not, is reminiscent of the Grand Theft Auto series (although with LEGOs instead of rampant drug use and prostitution), incorporating a free roaming aspect that covers land, sea and air. While there's an underlying sense of freedom, the storyline is still linear in design- another feature that forces comparisons to the GTA series (among other action games).
Another thing that stands out about Undercover is its sheer magnitude; there is a huge environment to explore, and on top of that it's packed with side missions and (keeping with LEGO game tradition) multitudes of collectibles. It all translates to an experience that will provide hours upon hours of entertainment, with lots of corney humor along the way to keep a smile on players' faces while also making sure they don't forget they're playing a LEGO game.
GEARS OF WAR: JUDGEMENTÃÂ
[URL="
Console:ÃÂ Microsoft Xbox 360
Developer:ÃÂ Epic Games / People Can Fly
Specific Genre:ÃÂ Action / Shooter
Expected Release:ÃÂ March 2013
Why It'll Be Worth The Price:
Although Judgement is the fourth installment of the Gears of War series it is actually a prequel to the other titles, consisting of events that predate those of the other games. The majority of Xbox owners are already familiar with Gears of War and what it entails, but Judgement will provide an interesting insight into the happenings that led into the games they enjoyed so much.
In addition to the game's ingrained historical aspect, there will also be enhanced gameplay controls, at least one new multiplayer mode and a newly implemented class system that will make teamwork more important. Different classes mean different strengths and specializations, meaning players will be forced to work more as a unit than in past iterations. This could serve to allay the concerns of those lovers of action games who feel that Gears of War's multiplayer modes lack certain strategic elements.
Unlike the other two action games being discussed here, Judgement is a part of a series. As such, I initially would have preferred to focus on a different exclusive, if not for the fact that GoW: Judgement is the ONLY announced Xbox 360 exclusive for 2013 as of right now. That should be a temporary arrangement, however, and doesn't yet represent a cause for concern.
Keeping it's innovations and improvements in mind, Judgement looks to be a title that will keep fans of the series happy while also serving to bring new players into the fold.
THE LAST OF US
[URL="
Console:ÃÂ Sony Playstation 3
Developer:ÃÂ Naughty Dog
Specific Genre:ÃÂ Action / Adventure
Expected Release:ÃÂ May 2013
Why You Should Check it Out:
A grizzled survivor and the little girl he rescued embark on a journey through deserted cities reclaimed by nature, facing aggressive mutants and survivors who aren't much friendlier. Now, the Post Apocalyptic thing has been done before, and there are only so many ways game developers can modify and enhance the way a bullet travels from firearm to foe. It's the other aspects of the game that truly demonstrate why it stands out from most, if not all other action games.
Most notably, Naughty Dog has developed the AI to incredible levels, contributing to an astonishing display of realism. Enemies will react differently depending on the strategies used against them, and there are a multitude of different ways for players to approach each situation. Aside from improved intelligence, enemies in The Last of Us will also exhibit human emotions: decimate the majority of a group of foes and the survivors will not blindly rush at you like like they would in other games. Instead you might witness them begging for their life or abandoning the fight altogether. The fear of death compels them, contributing to a very human experience. Players will not be simply mowing down droves of mindless minions; instead they will often find themselves locked in combat with human beings not so different from the character they're portraying.
The tools of war will shadow real life, in that players won't be able to soak up barrages of bullets without consequence (a common trait among action games). A single hit could be disastrous, and so players need to approach oncoming dangers with a certain amount of apprehension (ramping up the realism in the process). Injuries require bandages, and there is no instantaneous healing- players will have to treat their wounds in real time, and the inventory system follows the same blueprint.
Overall the AI, combat, and the various interactions in The Last of Us all contribute to a feeling of realism that serves to solidify the game's hold on the player, creating an immersive and unforgettable experience.
To conclude, it's good to see that 2013's gaming lineup won't be lacking in terms of action games (or almost any type of game for that matter). Regardless of which system you currently own (or if you're lucky enough to have all 3), or if you even like action games, one thing is certain.
It'sÃÂ a good time to be a gamer.
(/\)