Purple Picks

Week Of 11/17/08

By Mike Smith

Had enough yet? Hope not. The fall release madness continues this week with yet another lengthy list of great games for all tastes. Savor the goodness while you can, because all this excitement isn't going to last much longer. Releases dry up after next week's Black Friday shopping bonanza, and we'll all have time to catch up on the games we just haven't had time to play. Here are our picks of the week's new releases.

Top Five

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Rayman Raving Rabbids TV Party

If you're looking for a multiplayer Wii party game, you can't do much better than the latest in the Raving Rabbids series. TV Party is a polished and charismatic collection of addictive, easy-to-learn mini-games that'll be a hit with gamers and non-gamers of all ages. Plus, it supports the Wii Balance Board peripheral, so you can play some of its mini-games with your butt. Yes, really. How can you say no?

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Tomb Raider: Underworld

Speaking of being unable to say no, we're pretty confident Lara Croft's latest outing is going to be equally hard for her many fans to turn down. Tomb Raider: Underground sees Ms. Croft trotting the globe in search of the hammer of Thor, in what's already being called her first truly next-gen offering. But the sixty-four thousand dollar question is surely, "Does she play any of the game with her butt?" Our prediction: no.

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Bejeweled: Twist

Are you in need of a crippling new addiction? Have you beaten the Warcraft habit, kicked Solitaire to the curb, and successfully quit crack cocaine? Congratulations! Try this one on for size. (No, it's not really as addictive as crack, but this new twist on classic Bejeweled gameplay will swallow your free time, if you let it.)

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Left 4 Dead

Half-Life maestros Valve are back with this superb take on the good old zombie movie genre. It's a multiplayer shooter where teams of up to four humans are pitted against hordes of aggressive, fast undead, and an AI system that varies the difficulty and mood of the game according to the performance and actions of the players. Kill the lights, crank your speakers, look up your favorite online buddies, and get ready for one of the year's most anticipated releases.

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Daycare Nightmare: mini-monsters

Some might argue that daycare facilities are, by definition, filled with monsters. But this one actually is filled with monsters: baby werewolves, mummies, and witches. Think you're up to the challenge of keeping them (and their equally monstrous parents) amused and happy? This time-management game will put you to the test.

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Best of the Rest

• Lord of the Rings Online: Mines of Moria:
  Explore the Dwarrowdelf in the expansion to MMO Lord of the Rings Online.
• Need For Speed: Undercover:
  Actress Maggie Q stars in the latest Need for Speed, in stores now.
• Spore's Creepy & Cute Parts Pack:
  Expand EA's smash hit life simulator with creepy and cute body parts.
• LIPS:
  If you like karaoke, you'll love this.
• You're In The Movies:
  Put yourself in a B-movie with this quirky, camera-supporting Xbox 360 release. Hilarity will doubtless ensue.
• NCAA Basketball 2009:
  Shoot some college hoops!
• Skate It:
  Groundbreaking skating game comes to the Wii this week.
• Sims 2 Mansion & Garden Stuff:
  Still longing for more cool toys for your Sims? Look no further.
• Dynasty Warriors 6:
  Hack and slash your way through many serious-looking ancient Chinese gentlemen in the latest in this long-running series.
• Disney's Bolt:
  This blockbuster movie also hits consoles this week.
• Cooking Mama World Kitchen:
  The ever-friendly Mama will help you whip up a meal on the Wii.
• Naruto: The Broken Bond:
  Ubisoft's series of games based on the anime series continues.
• Agatha Christie: Evil Under the Sun:
  Hercule Poirot stars in this classic-styled whodunnit.

Posted: 19 Nov 2008

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