Posted by Frosty

; Remember the description provided is the manufacture's propaganda, always read a review before buying any game. Also my highlights are not every game arriving this week, just the ones I think are worth knowing about. Finally, all dates are subject to change. In the video game world, a date is just a number. ; November 1st ; Diplomacy – PC ;

The best board game ever made is moving from its classic tabletop setting to the PC platform, courtesy of developer Paradox Interactive. Set in

Europe in the early 20th century, Diplomacy is about the power struggles and political relationships between seven nations. Its abstracted and simple game play puts the focus on the need for shrewd negotiations and overall strategy.

Paradox Interactive's computerized version of Diplomacy will be a careful adaptation that maintains the fundamental rules of the board game. The computer game will follow its philosophy of being easy to learn but hard to master. ;

  • Challenging single player experience. Diplomacy will feature single player capabilities, which will remove the need for real-world opponents and will allow the player to encounter life-like computer opponents at any time.
  • Graphical negotiation language, which will allow the player to communicate efficiently with humans and AI players alike.
  • Multiplayer experience. By capturing the essence of the player interaction in the original board game, the computer version will offer both the classic versions of Diplomacy as well as more optimised versions that will decrease the amount of time required of players.
  • True diplomacy includes the ability to communicate and agree on anything that makes sense in the game world. It allows the player to form agreements and to break them without artificial constructs. The player will decide who to trust, and building that trust will be part of the gameplay, rather than a formal element of the rules.
  • 3-D graphics-enabled engine.
  • Although this title will differ from the latest titles developed and published by the company, players will still recognise the Paradox touch and passion for game development. The title will be less of a historical simulation than Paradox traditionally creates; instead, most of the focus will lie on negotiation.

; ; Call of Duty 2: Big Red One – Xbox / PS2 / Gamecube ;

Experience the adrenaline rush and harsh realities of war as never before, get to know your squadmates, and fight alongside them through an epic story during the most harrowing moments of WWII. As a part of America’s most decorated and heroic fighting unit, The Big Red One, you'll work together with your squad to accomplish a variety of combat missions spanning North Africa, Italy, and Nazi-occupied Western Europe. ;

  • Cinematic Intensity as Never Before on Consoles: The hallmark cinematic intensity of Call of Duty returns with a more complete gameplay experience than ever. Experience a wide variety of missions on land, sea, and in the air, with the aid of over three dozen authentic American, Italian, French, and German weapons. Charge into battle together as Allied and Axis planes duel overhead, artillery explosions shake the ground and choke the air, and bullets and shrapnel streak past you and your squadmates. Experience war-torn Europe and Africa, from the blistering desert expanses of Tunisia and Libya to the beautiful yet deadly countrysides of Italy, France, Belgium, and Germany.
  • Live a soldier's story, deeper than any you've experienced before: You are thrust into the role and story of a member of The Big Red One, America’s most heroic and decorated infantry division. Experience the camaraderie of a single tight-knit army squad, bound together through the chaos of battle over the course of the entire game. Yes, you will suffer casualties; you must not suffer defeat.
  • Know your squad like never before: Through all-new AI and animation, your allies (and your enemies) just got a lot smarter. Your squad will now make better use of environmental cover and tactical Maneuvers, such as flanking, envelopment, and fire-and-maneuver behaviors. Hear your allies reacting to the events on the battlefield with contextually accurate battle chatter.
  • Online Multiplayer Action: Go online for intense Axis vs. Allies team-based multiplayer action on Xbox Live.

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; ; James Bond From Russia With Love – PS2 / Xbox ;

James Bond 007 : From Russia With Love will be the first game to put players in the universe of the classic James Bond films. Set in the original 60's Bond era, the game features movie-based missions as well as original, action-intensive sequences, a broad and deep variety of gameplay, fully-integrated vehicles, social multiplayer experiences, gorgeous women, and classic, upgradeable weapons and gadgetry with modern mechanics.

Players will create and manipulate Bond in a living world based on the classic James Bond movie. Invest in your character and customize the ultimate Bond for a whole new level of gameplay options.

Sean Connery, the original Bond, reprises his role as the dapper Mi6 agent in this innovative, retro-styled console title from the infamous Bond franchise.
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  • Build your own Bond, based on Sean Connery, in a retro, 1960s Cold War era setting.
  • A breathing, vibrant, living 1960's-styled world including classic cars, architecture, fashion, and exotic locations
  • Bleeding edge Hollywood production.
  • Innovative gameplay, wider variety, non-linear missions, introduction of new focus/zoom function.
  • Addictive and social multiplayer experience
  • RPG elements: Invest in your character by equipping, upgrading, scoring/rewards
  • Intense action, driving, jetpack and stealth missions.
  • Game features movie-based missions as well as original, action-intensive sequences
  • Fully integrated vehicles, over a dozen weapons, and classic gadgetry with modern mechanics.

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; ; Star Wars Battlefront II – PC / PS2 / Xbox ;

Star Wars Battlefront II improves upon the original game's single-player experience with open-ended, mission-based objectives inspired from all six Star Wars films. The compelling storyline spans more than 12 new locations, many from Episode III, including volcanic Mustafar and the space battle above Coruscant. All-new classic movie moments complete the Star Wars Battlefront II experience, as you battle within the interior of the Death Star and visit Princess Leia's blockade runner, the Tantive IV, as seen at the beginning of Episode IV A New Hope. In addition, at certain key moments within the battles, you can feel the Force as a Jedi. ;

  • For the first time ever, Star Wars Battlefront II players can engage in space combat and, during the same battle, board enemy ships to attack from within. Starting on foot inside a capital ship, players can enter the spacecraft of their choice and travel into space to dogfight with the rival faction. From there, they can dock within the enemy’s capital ship, overtake the ship’s command posts, man its turrets to disable its shields and destroy it from within! Or, they can simply stay inside their own capital ship and defend it from attacks and enemy fire. The choice is theirs.
  • Revamped single-player experience includes smarter AI enemies and allies, plus a greater emphasis on story told through open-ended mission-based objectives.
  • New space battles allow you to dogfight in X-wings, TIE fighters, Jedi starfighters and several other starcraft, or fight it out on foot aboard an enemy capital ship.
  • Special opportunities throughout the game for players to wield a lightsaber and use their favorite Force powers as a Jedi.
  • More than 16 new battlefronts on land and in space, including many from Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith such as Utapau, Mustafar and the space battle above Coruscant.
  • All-new classic trilogy locations including the Death Star interior, classic space battles and the fight aboard the Tantive IV, Princess Leia’s blockade runner seen at the beginning of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
  • Online multiplayer action for up to 64 players (plus AI units).

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; ; Castlevania: Curse of Darkness – Xbox / PS2 ;

The legendary Castlevania series returns with a new story and a new hero. Hector, one of two Devil Forgemasters who once trained under Dracula, has fled Vallachia disillusioned with the ideals of his mentor. Now, three years after Dracula was defeated in battle at the hands of the Belmonts, Isaac - a former friend and fellow Devil Forgemaster suddenly reappears and orchestrates the execution of Hectors beloved. Fueled by revenge, Hector returns to Vallachia to confront Isaac. ;

  • Use Devil Forgery skills to develop & enhance Innocent Devils allies
  • RPG elements featuring character growth based on experience points
  • Deep storyline that unfolds against a backdrop of beautifully environments
  • Increased number of unlockable features to enhance replayability;