Companies already are releasing video games in time for holiday shopping. Yes, I know it's only October. But there are so many new titles dropping, I'd like to take a deep breath and start telling you about some biggies.
• "Rock Band 2" for Xbox 360: If you like "Guitar Hero" and "Rock Band," you'll totally dig "Rock Band 2." It looks the same. It plays the same. The differences are mostly slight but important.
There's a new online multiplayer mode, so you can compete against people online. And the "Rock Band 2" bundle ($190) comes with wireless guitar/bass, drums and microphone. There are 84 songs and 20 free downloadable songs, which is a good set list.
As usual, the tunes are a hodgepodge of rock subgenres, featuring one song by each band, such as Nirvana's "Drain You," Journey's "Any Way You Want It," Megadeth's "Peace Sells" and Panic at the Disco's "Nine in the Afternoon." You also can spend a few bucks to import scores of old "Rock Band" songs into "Rock Band 2."
For now, this is an Xbox 360 release. "Rock Band 2" comes out Oct. 19 for PS 3; Nov. 18 for Wii and PS 2.
• "Pure" for Xbox 360 and PS 3: This is a pretty good ATV racing game that avoids being a driving simulator, by giving you huge ramp jumps to execute, and while you're in the air, you pull off tricks, like doing 360-degree flips, or merely standing on your seat in midair.
"Pure" was developed by the people who previously created "ATV Offroad Fury" titles, so it will look and feel similar if you're familiar with those dirt racers. There are plenty of challenges, such as finding gas cans and tricks along courses. You build your ATVs from scratch, picking parts that give you more speed, better nitrous boosts or stronger trick powers.
"Pure" is fun and includes a sweet online multiplayer, though it's not as intense as PS 3's now-old "MotorStorm." If you liked that one, there's a "MotorStorm" sequel on the way soon.
• "Battlefield: Bad Company" came out in early summer, and I gave it high marks for its big, beautifully illustrated battlefields and excellent game play. But the game's classic predecessor, "Battlefield 2: Modern Combat," offered a superior online multiplayer, so by comparison, "Bad Company's" online gaming was kind of blah.
Electronic Arts realized this flaw, then added a team-based, capture-the-base mode, so I have been revisiting "Bad Company" online, and you know what? It's still not nearly as fun as "Modern Combat," but it is a more fulfilling online multiplayer than before, even considering its too-crowded battlefields.
Meanwhile, keep an eye on my column in coming weeks, because the madness of holiday games is upon us. It's going to be a packed schedule of expensive marquee titles, just in time to break your bank even more, during this stupid recession.
("Pure" by Disney retails for $60 for Xbox 360 and PS 3 -- Plays fun. Looks great. Moderately challenging. Rated "E" for mild violence. Three and one-half stars out of four.)
("Rock Band 2" by MTV Games retails for $60 for Xbox 360; band bundle for $190 -- Plays fun, if you're still into "Rock Band" games. It looks OK. It's easy to very challenging based on settings you choose. It's rated "T" for lyrics and suggestive themes. Four stars.)
Contact Doug Elfman at 702-383-0391 or e-mail him at delfman@reviewjournal.com. He also blogs at reviewjournal.com/elfman.
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