April 16 (Cont'd)
Injustice: Gods Among Us
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U
EU: April 19
Metropolis is in ruins and its heroes have gone to war. Welcome to the alternate universe of Injustice: Gods Among Us, a fighting game from NetherRealm Studios (Mortal Kombat 2011) that casts the super men, women, and villains of DC Comics as unhinged vigilantes who aren't so much concerned with the affairs of humans as they are with beating the stuffing out of their super-friends.
The story, penned by DC Comics scribes Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, finds Batman's gang going up against Superman and his allies after the Man of Steel establishes an oppressive regime in retaliation for the death of his wife and child at the hands of the Joker. Injustice: Gods Among Us will feature a massive cast of DC familiars including Batman, Lex Luthor, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Bane, Harley Quinn, and other fan favorites. Minigames and the 200-mission S.T.A.R Labs challenge mode will also add some variety between the plot-driven bouts. Check out the full list of playable characters in , and take a peak at the campaign mode in .
Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner – Soul Hacker
Platform: 3DS
EU: TBD
Western JRPG-ers will finally get their hands on this sequel to 1995's Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner. An updated port of the 1997 (Japan-only) original, Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers takes the series into a future where supernatural forces and technological wonders have run amok, and it's up to a ragtag group of hackers to save humanity from enslavement.
Similar to other titles in the Shin Megami Tensei line, Soul Hackers will revolve around collecting and “fusing” demons to summon in battle. This 3DS remake will also expand upon the original title with 30 additional demons, new dungeons, freshly animated cut scenes, enhanced controls, and a COMP hack mechanic that will allow players to tinker with gameplay mechanics on the fly. Learn why the 3DS makes a great home for the Shin Megami Tensei series in our 2011 Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked review.
April 19
StarDrive
Platform: PC
Build an empire and dominate the universe in this “4X” action-strategy title from Zero Sum Games. Emphasizing e(x)ploration, e(x)pansion, e(x)ploitation, and e(x)termination (hence the “4X” designation), StarDrive will motivate players to build fleets, explore worlds, settle colonies, and bring swift annihilation to any human or computer opponents who get in their way.
Following in the same vein as other 4X strategy titles, StarDrive will ship with loads of customizable options, giving players the opportunity to select their favorite alien race, construct ships, micro-manage their empire, and lord over every ground and space battle. Developers have promised StarDrive will also cater to the modding crowd, so expect a continual stream of content to keep you busy.
We Sing: UK Hits
Platform: Wii
EU: Out now
Match talents with David Bowie, Spice Girls, Coldplay, and other overseas music stars in this UK-centric version of Le Cortex's We Sing series. A port of the UK's 2011 Karaoke Wii title, We Sing: UK Hits will let would-be pop stars croon along to 40 of the biggest hits from across the pond, while beating top scores in solo mode or competing against friends in numerous multiplayer sing-offs. Bonus points are awarded for matching the exact pitch and rhythm of special “Star Notes”, and players can also test their skills in the Jukebox and Real Karaoke modes.
Warning: We Sing UK Hits includes Rick Astley's “Never Gonna Give You Up”. We're not sure if Le Cortex is honoring the '90s superstar or attempting to resurrect a long dead meme.
April 21
Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins
Platform: 3DS
EU: April 26
The brick-headed Chase McCain headlines this 3DS prequel to the Wii U's Lego City Undercover. The portable adventure recounts McCain's early days as an officer of the law and grants players access to an open world full of criminals to catch, vehicles to crash, Lego sets to build, and collectibles to horde.
Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins may not match its Wii counterpart in terms of visual flare or features. That said, it was also developed by TT Fusion, meaning it will receive the same care and Lego charm as other TT games in the building block video game family. For an idea of what you can expect, check out our evaluation of its big brother in LEGO City Undercover review.
April 23
Assassin's Creed III: The Redemption
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
Connor Kenway's DLC quest continues in this third chapter of The Tyranny of King Washington saga. Building on the events from Chapter 2: The Betrayal, Redemption will conclude the alternative reality storyline that imagines a world where Connor Kenway never joined the Assassin Brotherhood and George Washington has tossed aside his noble ambitions to lord over the United States of America as its new, power-hungry king.
In this reality, Connor Kenway is known by his birth name, Ratonhnhaké:ton, and stalks his prey using skills and abilities picked up from his years in his tribe. Can our revolutionary assassin save the (soon to be) free world... again? We're guessing yes, but it'll still be fun to watch.
