Game Preorders

preorder:

• Genre:
  Shooter, RPG
• Platform:
  PC, PS3, X360
• Release date:
  Mar 6, 2012 (US)
  Mar 9, 2012 (EU)

Mass Effect 3 is the final installment in Bioware’s critically acclaimed sci-fi saga. Having defeated the Collectors in the previous game, Commander Shepard now has to face the real enemy – the Reapers. The machine race invades the galaxy, and Earth is the first world to fall. Predictably, it’s up to Shepard to rally the galactic civilizations against the most powerful enemy they ever faced.

Since ME3 is the last part of the series, your choices have a much bigger impact on the story. You can import save data from the previous two games, so the fate of the galaxy depends on your actions throughout the entire trilogy. According to Bioware, one of the endings even has Shepard losing to Reapers, thus dooming all intelligent life to extinction.

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buy:

• Genre:
  Fighting
• Platform:
  PS3, Xbox 360
• Release date:
  Jan 31, 2012 (US)
  Feb 3, 2012 (EU)

SoulCalibur V is an upcoming console fighting game from the popular SoulCalibur franchise by Namco Bandai. It offers a roster of about 30 fighters, half of which are new. The game also includes a guest character: master assassin Ezio Auditore, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed series.

SCV makes numerous changes to the gameplay compared to the previous installment, such as replacing the Soul Gauge with a new Critical Gauge that needs to be charged up, and can be used to perform powerful Critical Edge attacks. Guard Impacts also work differently, and block attacks regardless of their height. New in Soul Calibur V is the Quick Step mechanic, which allows you to sidestep and dodge vertical attacks.

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preorder:

• Genre:
  Sports
• Platform:
  Xbox 360, PS3
• Release date:
  Mar 13, 2012 (US)
  Mar 16, 2012 (EU)

FIFA Street is an upcoming street soccer game from EA Sports. This game is the fourth in the series, but it is titled simply FIFA Street as it signifies a reboot of the franchise. Like the previous installments, FIFA Street offers multiple game modes involving small teams of up to 6 players, as well as one-on-one games. Unlike its predecessors, however, it features a more realistic visual style and uses the same engine as FIFA 12.

According to EA, FIFA Street 4 offers twice as many tricks as FIFA 12 does, and introduces a new Street Ball Control system. The game features a large number of world’s best soccer players, and 35 diverse locations to play in. Speaking of players and locations, preordering the game will get you some additional ones.

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preorder:

• Genre:
  Action
• Platform:
  Xbox 360, PS3
• Release date:
  Mar 20, 2012 (US)
  Mar 23, 2012 (EU)

Ninja Gaiden 3 is an upcoming sequel to the Ninja Gaiden series which follows the protagonist, Ryu Hayabusa, as he hacks and slashes his way through hordes of enemies. It takes place after the events of Ninja Gaiden II and is said to explore Ryu’s human side and reveal the person behind the mask.

Ninja Gaiden games are known for being notoriously difficult, but NG3 features a new Hero mode which allows more casual players to sail through the game thanks to automatic blocking and evading. Hardcore gamers needn’t worry, however – there’s still the “Master Ninja” mode for those who enjoy a challenge.

Another interesting addition to NG3 is the online multiplayer. It includes both competitive (4 vs 4 Team Deathmatch and Battle Royale) as well as co-op modes.

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preorder:

• Genre:
  Shooter
• Platform:
  PS3, X360, PC
• Release date:
  Consoles:
  Mar 20, 2012 (US)
  Mar 23, 2012 (EU)

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City is an upcoming squad-based shooter game developed by Capcom and Slant Six Games. It takes place in the same time period as Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3: Nemesis do, and, like the name suggests, is set in Raccoon City.

The player steps into the shoes of an Umbrella Security Service officer, tasked with destroying any evidence of Umbrella Corporation’s illegal research. The game is said to allow the player to diverge from Resident Evil canon, such as killing Leon or Clair.

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City pits the player against survivors of the T-Virus outbreak, zombies and other mutated enemies, and the U.S. Special Ops who aim to expose Umbrella’s crimes. Besides the single-player campaign, the game also offers several competitive multiplayer modes.

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preorder:

• Genre:
  Fighting
• Platform:
  PS3, X360, PC
• Release date:
  Mar 6, 2012 (US)
  Mar 9, 2012 (EU)

Street Fighter X Tekken is a new installment in Capcom’s crossover series, bringing together the universes of two popular fighting games. SFxT features characters from both Capcom’s Street Fighter and Namco’s Tekken franchises, as well as additional Playstation-exclusive fighters, like Cole from inFamous.

Street Fighter X Tekken is essentially a 2 vs. 2 tag-team fighter that plays similarly to other SF games. It features elements from the previous Street Fighter titles, such as Super Combos and EX Attacks, and uses the familiar 6-button control scheme. Tekken characters, however, can perform combos using Tekken’s 4 button layout.

SFxT introduces a new “Gem System” which lets you equip up to 5 Gems and use them in battles. Activating a Gem grants you various power-ups, such as increased attack, speed, defense, and so on. Preorder the game at participating retailers to get bonus Gem Packs.

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