The Drop: Week of November 7th 2011 New Releases

Two of the biggest award-winning franchises return to the PS3 this week with The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. Quantic Dream’s cinematic thriller Heavy Rain receives a Director’s Cut loaded with DLC, the complete soundtrack, and bonus making-of features (my favorite!). Fans of Metal Gear Solid can look forward to playing MGS2: Sons of Liberty, MGS3: Snake Eater and MGS: Peace Walker with the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection on Blu-ray.

Io the digital storefront, digital versions of EA’s Fight Night Champion and Dead Space 2 arrive on PSN ready to download this Tuesday. Also on PSN, classics return this week with Chrono Cross for PSone and two new PS2 classics. The PS3 brings yet another fantastic week of blockbusters on this week’s The Drop.

PlayStation 3

Heavy Rain: Director’s Cut (PlayStation Move Support) — Heavy Rain is a cinematic and evolving thriller from Quantic Dream, the developer behind the critically acclaimed Fahrenheit (released as Indigo Prophecy in the US). Dealing with a range of adult themes, the game revolves around a sophisticated plot and strong narrative threads that explore a complex moral proposition. You assume the role of multiple characters, with very different backgrounds, motivations and skills, in a world shaped by Bending Storylines – a dynamic narrative design where your actions and decisions will shape your story. The Director’s Cut includes the original game, Heavy Rain Chronicles: Episode 1 – The Taxidermist DLC, a series of eight “making of” bonus videos, the game’s soundtrack, three dynamic themes and more.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 — War comes home in the explosive third chapter of the blockbuster first-person action series set in near-future combat scenarios.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim — The Empire of Tamriel is on the edge. The High King of Skyrim has been murdered. Alliances form as claims to the throne are made. In the midst of this conflict, a far more dangerous, ancient evil is awakened. Dragons, long lost to the passages of the Elder Scrolls, have returned to Tamriel. The future of Skyrim, even the Empire itself, hangs in the balance as they wait for the prophesized Dragonborn to come; a hero born with the power of The Voice, and the only one who can stand amongst the dragons.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection — Accept the mission and play three great chapters in the Metal Gear franchise with the Metal Gear Solid HD Collection. Included are Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. All three games are rendered in high-definition for the first time!

LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 (Also on PSP) — LEGO Harry Potter: Years 5-7 builds upon the magical gameplay, lessons and potion-making skills learned in LEGO Harry Potter: Years 1-4 to equip gamers with the tools necessary to challenge a host of new foes and some familiar ones. The game is action-packed from start to finish, including loads of new lessons, spells, and bonus content for hours of family friendly gaming.

Happy Feet Two: The Videogame — Happy Feet Two is a 3D musical adventure game for the entire family inspired by the whimsical Antarctic world of the animated film. In the game, new dangers are threatening the penguin nation, and it’s going to take everyone working — and dancing — together to save them from extinction. Players use dance moves to recruit penguins with unique abilities that help advance the adventure, stun opponents and enemies, as well as manipulate the environment around them to solve co-operative puzzles.

PlayStation Network

Fight Night Champion — Step into the ring for this 2011 entry in the knockout king boxing franchise. Fight Night Champion sets out to define a new standard in sports videogames by delivering the most dynamic simulation fighting experience to date, pushing visual boundaries and redefining the single player journey for the category.

Dead Space 2 — In Dead Space 2, Isaac brings the terror to space. Players will take on bigger, scarier and more epic battles that will keep them on the edge of their seats. Delivering a sensory overload of sound, visuals and action sequences, Dead Space 2 will bring the psychological thrills of deep space to a terrifying new level.

Monopoly Streets — Monopoly Streets has everything you love about the board game, presented as a street level tour of Mr. Monopoly’s fully animated world. Players can experience Monopoly, one of the world’s favorite family game brands, as a fully dynamic, living, 3D world that continuously evolves with the videogame action.

Demos

• Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One
• Disney Universe
• Rayman Origins
• Lego Harry Potter: Years 5-7

PSone Classics

CHRONO CROSS — The sequel to CHRONO TRIGGER, is one of the most ambitious role-playing games ever made. There are over 40 playable characters, each with their back-story, special moves, abilities, and weapons. The story spans two discs and follows the story of Serge, a young man who is able to cross dimensions. Suddenly he is pulled between worlds, trying to figure out his own past at the same time. The graphics are bright and beautiful, utilizing the PlayStation’s capabilities to the fullest. The polygonal character models are huge and detailed, and the pre-rendered backgrounds are immaculately detailed. The music is composed and arranged by Yasunori Mitsuda, and features very realistic-sounding synthesizers.

PS2 Classics

Full Spectrum Warrior — Full Spectrum Warrior is based on a real-time squad-based strategy game commissioned by the U.S. Army to train light Infantry troops in urban combat situations. Soldiers are placed in a tense, hostile, and claustrophobic environment where they must complete a variety of military objectives. Players act as the Squad Leader, providing direction to Alpha and Bravo fire teams. The successful Squad Leader effectively uses cover in the environment and moves his fire teams in a coordinated fashion so they can protect themselves from possible attacks that could come from any direction. Full Spectrum Warrior puts you in the dirt with your men, where danger lurks around every corner.

Stuntman Ignition — Developed by Paradigm Studios and published by THQ, Stuntman Ignition puts you in the driver’s seat as you create spectacular Hollywood moments such as monstrous jumps, fantastic explosions and large-scale crashes. In this second entry entry into the popular series, you’ll live the life of a famous Hollywood stuntman, building your career from the ground up and taking death defying stunts to a whole new level.

PlayStation Portable

Cars 2: The Video Game — Jump into the Cars 2 universe with some of your favorite Cars personalities such as Mater, Lightning McQueen, Holley Shiftwell, and even Finn McMissile in exotic locations around the globe.

[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.]