Although the summer months are generally regarded as a barren time for releases, this year there doesn't seem to be the typical drought of new titles. Of course, the games coming out may not be the juggernauts of 2007, but at least shops have something to shove on their shelves each week.

Onto this week's releases and, being the kind-hearted gentlemen that we are here at IGN, we'll let ladies go first and take a look at Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Anniversary, which is released on PC and PS2. If you haven't been following the progress of this game, it's a revamped version of the original Tomb Raider that uses the Legends engine. We thoroughly enjoyed the PS2 edition, scoring it 8.7 and saying: "Anniversary sticks to what it does best and ends up outdoing every Lara game that's been made since. Lara is back on great form, and re-imagining a ten-year-old classic has clearly been a risk worth taking."

Next up is Shadowrun on both PC and Xbox 360. There's been a lot of hoo-hah around this game because it's the first to let 360 owners and PC owners blast each other in the face over Xbox Live. Unfortunately we've yet to review either game but from what we've played on the 360 it seems like a fairly stripped-down arena-based FPS with a rudimentary single-player and some magic spells thrown in for good measure.

Talking of magic, also released this week is Meteos: Disney Magic on DS. It's an updated version of the DS block-swapping puzzling classic but with Disney characters instead of the charming dancing aliens from the original. Despite the likes of Mickey Mouse and Winnie the Pooh making an appearance, we actually enjoyed it, scoring it an 'impressive' 8.0 and concluding that "if Disney put this version online we would have scored it higher, but we're keeping an open mind here: Meteos: Disney Magic does a really good job moving the design forward".

Also out today on DS is Wario: Master of Disguise. Unlike Wario's recent ventures into the mini-game genre with the enjoyable WarioWare series, Master of Disguise is a more traditional platformer that uses the touch screen to execute a range of special powers. Disappointingly this return to Wario's roots wasn't very enjoyable, scoring only a 'passable' 6.0 from IGN US and leaving us to complain that "the implementation of the touch screen elements are so amateurish with concepts that wouldn't have flown in the early part of the Nintendo DS system's life cycle". Oh dear.

Also out this week is Smash Court Tennis 3 on PSP - just in case you like the idea of having Maria Sharapova in your pocket. Anyway, that's it for now and we'll see you next week for a look at Forza Motorsport 2 on Xbox 360 and Pangya! Golf With Style on Wii.

Today Agetec announced it will release the music game Rhythm 'n Notes this fall. The title aims to actually improve players' rhythmic and tonal skills with games based on piano and drums. In typical game announcement fashion, Agetec says Rhythm 'n Notes will appeal to all musical tastes.

Divided into a variety of lessons, the note exercises task players with identifying notes and chords. Rhythmic activities test your ability to keep time in a range of signatures and patterns. Don't have any rhythm? Tone deaf? A practice mode will let you get familiar with notes, chords, and meters by both name and sound.


She bangs the drum.

"Educational games that are truly fun are hard to come by," said Mark Johnson, Producer at Agetec. "Rhythm 'n Notes gets it right with addictive, enriching play."

Drumming exercises will utilize the stylus to tap the touch screen in time with the beat. Rhythm 'n Notes even delves into the fundamentals of music composition.

This will be the first music game for Agetec, whose other upcoming Nintendo DS titles include the remake of Cookie & Cream and Brain Buster Puzzle Pack.

Today newly-formed developer Renegade Kid announced it has partnered with Gamecock to release its first game, Dementium: The Ward. Kid calls Dementium a "next-generation" handheld title that combines action/adventure, survival horror, and first-person shooters. The game sports 3D visuals that apparently push the DS to its technical limits and is being aimed at mature gamers.

"Renegade Kid is looking to move above and beyond what most games are attempting on the DS, and with Gamecock we've found a publisher who is supportive, developer friendly, and willing to give us the freedom to create the game we want," said Jools Watsham, Owner and Creative Director of Renegade Kid. "Dementium showcases what a powerful piece of hardware the DS is, while drawing in a mature crowd that's looking for a title they can really sink their teeth into."


It's what's on the inside that counts.
"From the first meeting, Renegade Kid have proven themselves to be innovative, unafraid to push the 'norms' of gaming and incredibly talented -- all of which we think are the key characteristics of a great developer," said Harry Miller, Head of Development at Gamecock. "It's great when you can sit down with a developer who shares the same vision of where games should be going in creating new and exciting titles to offer an alternative to the bland remakes and sequels flooding stores today."

In Dementium, players awake in a seemingly abandoned insane asylum. Soon they encounter grotesque surgical experiments gone awry wandering the halls and other mysterious inhabitants. Players must solve puzzles and escape the hospital with their lives. Renegade Kid promises gory visuals will be the icing on the cake for older gamers.