Purple Picks

Purple Picks - Week Of 3/2/09

Week Of 3/2/09

By Mike Smith

March is coming like a lion this year, with a duo of top-billed military thrillers sure to put lead in your pencil. Topping the list is the newest Halo title, but this time it's not a first-person shooter -- it's a real-time strategy game. How will Halo fans take to the shift in perspective? Find out in our analysis of the critics' reaction to Halo Wars.

Top Three

Halo Wars

WATCH VIDEO

If you've ever found yourself wondering what it would be like to command one of the larger battles in Microsoft's Halo games, this week will give you the chance to find out. The swan song of acclaimed studio Ensemble Games, responsible for a host of classic real-time strategy games on the PC, Halo Wars has an impeccable pedigree. Can you lead the USMC to victory?



Tom Clancy's H.A.W.X

WATCH TRAILER

Hawks are big birds with pointy claws that are renowned for kicking more feathery ass than any other bird, ever. HAWX, in contrast, is an elite air combat squadron that is renowned for sharing a fictional universe with the Ghost Recon games. Only one of these stars in a new game releasing this week. Which is it? (Sadly, it's the latter, but don't let that stop you from checking out this gorgeous Tom Clancy spin-off.)



Wizard's Pen

SEE PRODUCT PAGE

Are you bored with the usual hidden-object games? Pick up the Wizard's Pen, and you'll find a new spin on this time-honored genre. You don't just hunt for hidden objects -- you have to draw them as well.




Best of the Rest

  • MLB 2k9/ MLB 09: The Show:
    Yup, baseball season is here, and so is this year's crop of baseball games. Which is best? Watch this space for our head-to-head match-up, coming this week.
  • Ancient Secrets:
    The whole family can enjoy this engaging puzzler.
  • Sonic and the Black Knight:
    Sega's blue blur picks up a talking sword in this Arthurian adventure.
  • Littlest Pet Shop: Spring:
    It's still cold outside, but it's warm and friendly in the latest Littlest Pet Shop title.
  • Leeloo's Talent Agency:
    Tackle the world of movie-making in this fast-paced time-management sim.
  • We Ski & Snowboard:
    If you live in the Northeast, you probably have seen enough snow for one week already. But if not, check out this wintery Wii title.
  • Empire Total War:
    The acclaimed Total War series tackles the 18th and 19th centuries in this intricate strategy gem. Trust us, it's the sort of thing that gets history buffs hot under the collar.
  • Farm Frenzy Pizza Party:
    Manage a pizza supply chain in this field-to-plate hit.

Posted: 3 Mar 2009