By: Brandon Wolfson
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Summer is usually a time of the good old gaming drought because many companies tend to release their titles during the holiday season and in the winter time. This summer is quite different. There have been some great games released so far and there is no reason for anybody to miss out on them. Stay out of the sun, turn up the AC, roll up a joint and relax with these action packed vids.
Super Mario Galaxy 2 (Wii) Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Nintendo EAD Tokyo
To many gamers, SMG2 is already GOTY (Game of the Year) what more can be said that has not been discussed already? The sequel to 2007’s best game is much more than the same old Super Mario Galaxy. The sequel adds more power ups such as Marios Cloud suit as well as fan favorite Yoshi. Colorful visuals, and trippy level make Galaxy 2 the perfect summer game.
Sin & Punishment 2 (Wii) Publisher: Nintendo Developer: Treasure
S&P2 is the gaming equivalent to a Hollywood summer action blockbuster popcorn movie, so the story does not matter at all. It is an all-out balls to the wall action game. S&P2 is a on rails shooter where you have control of the character in moving up, down, left and right while the game moves you forward (think more Star Fox and Panzer Dragoon than House of the Dead and Time Crisis) S&P2 is the sequel to the Japanese only N64 game and has never controlled better. The Wii controller is tailor made for this action packed arcade style game. The game may be difficult but it is just so satisfying to beat.
Alan Wake (Xbox 360) Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios Developer: Remedy
Every summer people need their horror fix. This summer skip out going to Camp Crystal Lake and take a trip to the creepy small town of Bright Falls in this super natural horror thriller where staying in the dark is dangerous. Alan Wake is about a horror writer that has not written a story in 2 years and goes away with his wife. Things take a turn for the worse when Alan and his wife get into a fight and his wife appears missing. Light plays a vital role in this game where enemies will weaken if touched by light leaving them vulnerable. Townsfolk come at you at all angles with pitch forks, axes and even chainsaws, but they are not the only things Alan Wake has to worry about, the environment will attack Alan as well. Cars and forklifts will activate and attack him too. Play at night in the dark with the surround sound turned up to get the most out of this atmospheric horror title.
Red Dead Redemption (Xbox 360/PS3) Publisher: Take Two Interactive Developer: ROCKSTAR Games
RDR is from the makers of the GTA series and spiritual successor to Red Dead Revolver. Unlike its predecessor, RDR is an open world sandbox game that is very much like the GTA series. RDR is best called GTA in the Wild West. The entire scope of this game is huge. There is plenty to do if you do not wish to just play through the epic storyline which concludes in a fashion that not many video games have the balls to pull off. RDR offers side missions such as card games, collecting bounties, hunting, 5 finger filet etc. You can even get drunk in the bars. This game is so large it can take 40 plus hours to get 100%. With so much beef in the SP mode and a robust online MP mode with (DLC announced) make RDR the perfect fit for all you people wishing for a video game adaptation of Jonah Hex.
UFC Undisputed 2010 (Xbox 360/PS3) Publisher: THQ Developer: Yukes
UFC is my personal summer party game this year. There is loads of fun when you have your friends over because the rounds go pretty fast making the controller getting passed around quite frequent. Turning this into a drinking game turns the fun up even more making UFC 2010 the best party game you can have before hitting the clubs in the Hamptons. UFC offers a solid roster of fighters ranging from Brock Lesnar, Rampage, Shogun, Silva and even recently cut Kimbo Slice. If you decide to get the PS3 version you will have extra fighters like Royce Gracie, Jens Pulver and Dan Severn as well as some exclusive fight videos. UFC also has a create a deep create a fighter mode so that you can create legends such as Ken Shamrock and Fedor. You can even take your created fighter online and join camps with friends. Kicking my friend’s asses with Maurico Shogun Rua has never felt better.
There you have it. I have covered some of the finest games that are available this summer so far that you can find at retail. I have not mentioned Crackdown 2 because I have not finished it yet. There are some great digital downloadable games that will be released on the XBLA and PSN that I will cover soon. So grab a joint and a six pack of beer and enjoy.
