What are you buying this week? (08/29)

[Destructor]

Another year, another sports title. Among many other sequels.

PS3:
Air Conflicts: Secret Wars
Bodycount
Madden NFL 12

PSP:
Madden NFL 12

360:
Air Conflicts: Secret Wars
Bodycount
Madden NFL 12
Sniper Ghost Warrior Steelbook Extended Edition

Wii:
Madden NFL 12

DS:
Burger Bot
Hoppies
Junior Mystery Stories
Veggy World

3DS:

PC:
Tropico 4
World of Tanks

What are you buying this week?

[CeeKay]

nothing this week, eying Dead Island for next week.

[EddieA]

There are a ton of downloadable games coming out this week -
XBLA gets Rock of Ages, PSN gets 4 Elements HD, and both get The Baconing, Mortal Kombat Arcade Kollection, and Ugly Americans: Apocalypseageddon.  Also, Cladun x2 and World Heroes are out for PSP this week on PSN.  Of these, I might get Rock of Ages and will definitely get Cladun x2 (either now or later).

[metallicorphan]

back to saying nothing

[Gratch]

Possibly Rock of Ages...looks funny.

[msteelers]

With Fantasy Football and the NFL almost here, I found myself looking forward to Madden 12. I used to love Madden and the NCAA games, but burned out on paying $60 for the same game every year. After taking a few years off from Madden I thought maybe it is time to take the plunge again. So I downloaded the demo...

No thanks. The demo was enough to scratch the itch. Maybe I'll rent it, but there are other games I would rather play first.

[Soulchilde]

nada... I was mildly interested in Madden for about 5 secs...   How long does EA have a monopoly on NFL games?

[MonkeyFinger]

Yay! Nothing.

[Bullwinkle]

I'll look at reviews for Bodycount.  I had fun with the demo, but not enough to jump at the game.

I'm also interested in Rock of Ages.

[Captain Caveman]

No thanks. The demo was enough to scratch the itch. Maybe I'll rent it, but there are other games I would rather play first.

Yep, I'm in the same boat. Madden is always appealing in the abstract-- with football right around the corner, I love the idea of diving into an NFL game to get hyped for the upcoming season. Yet, all it takes is one game of the demo and I realize that this is pretty much the same Madden and, meh, I don't think I want it after all.

At this point, the whole "roster update" thing is kind of a played-out criticism, but could you imagine any other non-sports series releasing a full price sequel with this level of minimal improvements? Imagine a new Mass Effect which is exactly the same as the original, except it has new camera angles, a few more animations and grass physics. Who would pay $60 for that?

[PR_GMR]

Nada for me... since I picked 'Uncharted 2' last week. Might not pick up anything for weeks. Maybe 'Rage' if the reviews are tremendously good.

[leo8877]

Nothing this week, but two games next week!

[Devil]

Madden 360

[denoginizer]

Madden 360

Same.

[naednek]

nada.  Next game I'm buying is Gears of War 3, then nothing until after Christmas

[Isgrimnur]

How long does EA have a monopoly on NFL games?

Last I checked, through 2013. 

And nothing for me, thanks.

[CeeKay]

How long does EA have a monopoly on NFL games?

Last I checked, through 2013. 

and they'll probably re-up then too.

[Isgrimnur]

Yeah, I doubt the NFL is going to change it so that they ask for enough to make up the difference by selling it two different companies.  EA massively outbid for exclusivity, and it's not going to go back down.

[Devil]

Are the other sports really benefiting from non-exclusivity?

EA's NHL is the clear leader
2K's NBA is the clear leader

Those games are so far ahead of the competition that there is no competition now.

Now you may say that the potential for sales is driving the improvement and, while it's possible, MLB is exclusive and is still awesome.

I'm not sure what the story is with soccer.

I just don't understand why it's assumed that if the NFL was wide open, and we'd have multiple options for awesome football games, when the reality doesn't show this would be the case.

Being exclusive doesn't mean it should/would suck either.

[JuniorDan]

I am going get my merengue on with TROPICO 4. yee,yee,yee,yeah,,arribbba

[corruptrelic]

Surprised there's no Madden 12 for 3DS. EA usually hits every console, handheld, and phone with Madden.

[Isgrimnur]

MLB is pseudo-exclusive.  The Show is allowed because it's done first-party by Sony, but 2K is the only multiplatform mainstream title available.  Which is why EA did the NCAA Baseball titles.

The other sports may have a clear leader, but competition drives improvement and innovation.   Backbreaker got some good reviews for being a first attempt at a competing football franchise, despite not having the license.  

I want my games to improve the gameplay experience, not worry about making the cheerleaders more accurate at the NFL level.  

[Azhag]

If reviews are good, maybe Tropico 4. Love the series.

[denoginizer]

Are the other sports really benefiting from non-exclusivity?

EA's NHL is the clear leader
2K's NBA is the clear leader

Those games are so far ahead of the competition that there is no competition now.

Now you may say that the potential for sales is driving the improvement and, while it's possible, MLB is exclusive and is still awesome.

I'm not sure what the story is with soccer.

I just don't understand why it's assumed that if the NFL was wide open, and we'd have multiple options for awesome football games, when the reality doesn't show this would be the case.

Being exclusive doesn't mean it should/would suck either.

Agree 100%.  I was as big a fan of NFL 2K as anybody. But to me Madden plays very well on the field, and has for a few years now.  I do wish they would beef up the online franchise portion to at least the level of NCAA (AI controlled teams, usefull web based interface, etc.)  But I completely disagree with people who say the on-field gameplay is inferior to the NFL 2K series in it's heyday.  Given the sales Madden has enjoyed over the least few years there is no way they are going to completely start over with the gameplay engine until the next generation of consoles comes out.  If you expect that evey year, then you are going to be disapointed every year.

[KC]

Madden if I can find a good deal.

[msteelers]

For me the issue with Madden isn't anything related to the way it plays. I think it generates a fun game of football. It has flaws that I'm sure would drive me crazy, but I've been away from the game long enough now that I can't think of any that are really driving me away.

Instead, the issue is that I'm burned out on football video games. I just don't see the point in paying $60 every year when I can put in my copy of Madden from a few years ago and get nearly the same experience. At least with Call of Duty games that come out every year, we are getting something new. New maps, new guns, new perks, a new SP campaign, whatever. But with Madden it's the same thing every year, with minor tweaks (that I usually don't care about).

I have the same burnout with the NHL games, and I think that series is fantastic.

[EngineNo9]

I have Rock of Ages preordered on Steam, but that isn't out for another week on there.  Nothing this week I guess.

[Devil]

At least with Call of Duty games that come out every year, we are getting something new. New maps, new guns, new perks, a new SP campaign, whatever.

Why not have new maps and guns as downloads like rosters and play books?

I see your point. It's just that there are at least 6 FPS games that come out a month. Only 1 football game a year.

[Caine]

nada for me.  likely nothing for a few weeks at least, discounting the copy of crimson alliance that MS should be sending my way.  both of next week's big games are rentals right now.

[Purge]

Crimson Alliance isn't due for at least another week. Check the fine print.

As to Madden, it's really too bad they don't have a CFL version - THEN I'd be interested in playing.

[Bullwinkle]

Don't forget your free games in

Spoiler for The Nintendo Weekly Download:

Nintendo eShop
 PAC-MAN – PAC-MAN has arrived on the Nintendo 3DS system. Navigate through mazes and eat Power Dots while simultaneously avoiding the Ghosts. See how many mazes you can clear before losing all your lives. (For Nintendo 3DS)
 
WiiWare
 Trenches Generals – Command Royal British Expeditionary Forces as the defender of the free world. Your troops must take to the field to defend your bunker and use trenches located on the battlefield to hold their ground. (For Wii)
 
Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare
 House M.D. – Blue Meanie – When an abrasive chef’s body turns blue, you must join Dr. Gregory House and his team to track down the correct diagnosis by interviewing and examining the patient, running lab tests and even performing surgery. (For Nintendo 3DS / Nintendo DSi™)
 
Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors
 It’s the day Nintendo 3DS Ambassadors have been waiting for! Find out how to download your 10 free NES Virtual Console games. (For Nintendo 3DS)
 
Also new this week:
 GO Series Fishing Resort (Nintendo eShop / Nintendo DSiWare)

[CeeKay]

nothing this week, eying Dead Island for next week.

Well, since I paid for them I guess I could consider the as bought this week: Red Orchestra 2, Dead Island and Batman: Arkham City for $34 each.  I <3 Green Man Gaming.

For now.

[Harkonis]

I got DI and RO2.  Also got Crimson Alliance for free! yay!

[Caine]

Crimson Alliance isn't due for at least another week. Check the fine print.

well in that case, hi from the future.

I think anyone who went all in with the summer of arcade gets the code early.  plus a code to unlock the other 2 classes. 

[Purge]

I got mine on the 8th, they said it was out on the 7th. :shrug: