The Drop: Week of March 19th 2012 New Releases

For gamers of my generation, Silent Hill 2 for PS2 stands as a giant in the survival-horror genre. Sadly, I completely missed out on the Silent Hill phenomenon. But thanks to the advancements of modern PS3 technology, I can now experience both Silent Hill 2 and 3 in glorious HD this week with the release of the Silent Hill HD Collection.

And speaking of classics, Ninja Gaiden 3 joins the fray this week with a new story, PlayStation Move-enhanced gameplay and new multiplayer modes. Shooter fans should take note of Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City, which delivers a third-person team-based action set within the dark and sinister Resident Evil universe. Enjoy this week’s The Drop.

PlayStation 3

Ninja Gaiden III (PS Move Compatible) — Team Ninja aims to change the way fans think about ninja and Hayabusa in this game, and promise that they’ll know what it feels like to “cut someone down” through their experiences in the game. The game will also feature online multiplayer, both co-op and competitive, that will add a completely new experience to Ninja Gaiden. A new Play Style system allows casual players to choose automatic guarding and evasion assists (HERO mode) while giving core players the freedom to play with no assists (NINJA mode). Pick up the Dragon Sword once more, sharpen its blade and hone your skills. An adventure unlike any other awaits you…

Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City —  Zombies and Bio-Organic Weapons (B.O.W’s) add to the mix as players not only compete against an opposing squad but also tackle this third unpredictable element, creating a brand new style of gameplay and breaking the conventions of traditional team based shooters.

Silent Hill HD Collection — Experience the horrors of Silent Hill all over again with this collection of Silent Hill 2 and 3, rendered in high-definition for the first time ever.

• SILENT HILL 2 — You are back to the town of Silent Hill as James, a man who lost his wife several years earlier. One day, he receives a letter from his dead wife telling him to come back to Silent Hill, but what he finds there when he returns is nothing short of horrifying.
• SILENT HILL 3 — The series’ trademark brand of psychological horror and terrifying gameplay continues. As a teenage girl named Heather, players must explore and unravel the mysterious connection between the god-forsaken town and her inner fears.

Armored Core V — Armored Core V revolutionizes the series with a completely new atmosphere and a strong multiplayer component to compliment its single player mode. In addition, the online mode has been completely redesigned to focus on battles on a global scale, based on team play, absolutely immense. With mechs that are smaller than the previous chapters, Armored Core V is more focused on tactics used effectively geography level rather than relying only on the attacks.

PlayStation Network

Warriors Orochi 3 (PS3) — Warriors Orochi 3 combines the much loved heroes of the Dynasty Warriors and Samurai Warriors series in an all new story that for the first time also features characters from Ninja Gaiden, Warriors: Legends of Troy, Bladestorm, Trinity: Souls of Zill O’ll and Dead or Alive! The game also introduces the bond system, where the bonds between characters can be increased by interaction in banquets, fighting together as allies, rescuing struggling allies, and accepting then clearing missions in battles. Players can also customize existing scenarios and then share them online for all to enjoy, as well as rate those created by others.

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine (Full PS3 Game) — Space Marine is a fast-paced third person action-shooter from Relic Games allowing players to don the armor of one of the emperor’s chosen in this battle for the very survival of humanity. Players are dropped right into the action as they battle to defend an Imperial Forge World from an invasion by the savage and brutal Orks, using the most devastating weaponry mankind has at its disposal.

Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc HD — In celebration of the return of Rayman in Rayman Origins, the fan favorite Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc gets an all-new high-definition makeover (with 60-frames-per-second gameplay and worldwide online leaderboards) with this downloadable version of the adventure hit!

Sumioni: Demon Arts (PS Vita) — Set in ancient Japan and presented in a classical Japanese “sumi-e” ink art style, Sumioni is literally translated from Japanese as “ink demon,” and puts players in control of Agura, a single Inkdemon who has been summoned from a long slumber to help rid the land of a sinister evil. During their adventure, players will experience epic boss battles and a branching story with diverging arcs and multiple endings.

PS3 Demos

• Birds of Steel
• Under Siege
• Rayman 3 HD

minis

• SAR: Search and Rescue

[Editor’s Note: The following dates are subject to change. Game details are gathered from Press Releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]