Games of August 2011

August continues the tradition of mellow video game releases, but you shouldn’t really be complaining. This gives you the time to not only complete whatever backlog you have left, but it also allows you to save up for the influx of AAA games that begin this September.

Deus Ex: Human Revolution (Xbox360 PS3 PC)

That's my version of a pimp slap

After lying dormant for nearly eight years now, developer Eidos are back with yet another Deus Ex game that serves as a prequel to the very first game. While Human Revolution does share certain characteristics with its predecessors, it has branched out from the conventional first person view to provide gamers with a bunch of gameplay tweaks such as a very convenient third person camera angle while taking cover and brutal contextual takedowns. This didn’t go down too well with the purists initially, but once gameplay videos rolled out showcasing the game’s non linear nature, I think they made peace with that fact.

No More Heroes: Heroes’ Paradise (Xbox360 PS3)

Who doesn't love playing with their sword?

From the quirky mind of Suda 51 that gave birth to games like Shadows of the Damned and Killer 7 comes No More Heroes, an open world action adventure where players step into the boots of a hired assassin wielding a “beam katana”. The PS3 version of this game is essentially the same one that was released on Nintendo’s Wii nearly five years ago, only now it’s enhanced by better visuals, added missions and in the case of the PS3, Move support. Unfortunately, I doubt this game will make it to Indian shores, so your only option would be ordering it from online stores.

Rise of Nightmares (Xbox360)

I think I'm gonna start running now

Dubbed as the first M (Mature) rated title to grace the Kinect (score?), Rise of Nightmares will put players in the boots of an unfortunate American tourist who has to rescue his wife from the clutches of a nutty scientist. But this isn’t the Christopher Lloyd variant of scientist (Back to the Future), we’re talking about here; think Jigsaw meets House of One Thousand Corpses deranged. The game will play out from a first person perspective and just like Monolith’s brutal Condemned series, players will be forced to rely mainly on melee weapons like knives, hatchets, chainsaws and lots more to be reunited with their loved one.

Call of Juarez: The Cartel (PC)

I always wanted to be a cowboy when I grew up

Drug busting action comes to the PC after nearly a month, but sadly it’s not worth the wait. We’ve been playing the PS3 version now and Call of Juarez is a tad above-average, at best. Still it could end up being one of those guilty pleasures you play to tide your time, as long as the price is right.