The Week Ahead - 23/02/07

via cvg

Most games are released on Fridays (to maximise weekend buying activity) but if something is brought forward or moves, this is the place to come if you want to track the title that just keeps on slipping (naming no names, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.). We'll even throw in one or two hardware and peripheral releases if we think they're worthy.

The complete list of games released in the UK this week (23/02/07):

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six, PSP, Ubisoft

You have to pity the publisher that brings a game out on the same day as the long anticipated Final Fantasy XII, which is exactly what Ubisoft is doing by releasing Pippa Funnel 3: The Golden Stirrup Challenge this coming Friday. It doesn't stand a chance...

Of course, different audiences, different markets but you have to wonder how anything is going to compete with Square Enix's 100+ hour PS2 behemoth. Can Crackdown make a dent in its hardcore following?

Final Fantasy XII (PS2)

How can we sum up this game in just a few words? 'Buy it!' is probably most succinct. If you've never played a Final Fantasy game before it's the perfect place to start. And if you have you should realise straight away that this mammoth chapter in the series has done away with random encounters entirely, the only thing that really grated in previous episodes.

There's a new 'gambit' system allowing you to tailor combat commands to your every whim and a kind of bizarre chess-style mini-game that lets you unlock special 'licence' abilities for your characters. It's all done with Square Enix's usual élan, story-telling genius and focus on sumptuous visuals. Pippa Funnel RIP.


Crackdown (Xbox 360)

This is Dave Jones' (the creator of GTA and Lemmings) latest title and it takes the free-roaming concept to the next level. Set in the crime-infested world of Pacific City the game sees you, literally, raining down justice on hundreds of thugs and perps. The title's main innovation is complete freedom of motion. There are no areas locked-off and the city's dizzy 'verticality' can be fully explored by your character's ability to leap and climb with abandon. But action is the main focus and there's a strong OTT explosive dynamic about the game that'll appeal to anyone who enjoyed Mercenaries or Just Cause. In fact it's everything those games aspired to be. Well worth a look if you prefer action over RPGs.

Ghost Rider (PS2, PSP, GBA)

Released to coincide with the movie, starring Nicholas Cage as a fiery-headed vigilante, Ghost Rider is Devil May Cry with a hint of Road Rash. We've played the game at preview stage several times and it's certainly enjoyable in a God of War-style way but lacks that game's exploratory charm and intricate boss encounters. The PSP version has been adapted to deliver shorter, more goal oriented missions and looks superb. Likely to be a decent movie tie-in but unless you are a fan of the comic-book there are better games out this week.

Kororinpa (Wii)

Now this one is interesting and we're pleased it's getting a European release. Certainly worth looking into if you've already grown tired of Wii Sports. Basically it's Marble Madness where you tilt the Remote to move your marble around the course.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas (PSP)

Rainbow Six Vegas was a return to form for the series on Xbox 360 and was particularly effervescent in multiplayer. This is the PSP port and along with introducing new characters and new locations in the single-player component there's also some exclusive Wi-Fi multiplayer modes. Along with a Terrorist Hunt mode there's a 5-player Survival and Team Survival option available in both Ad hoc and Infrastructure. If the gameplay can be tailored to the PSP controls this could well be one of the best multiplayer games on the PSP to date.

Pippa Funnel 3: The Golden Stirrup Challenge (PC)

Our Week Ahead round-up wouldn't be complete without a short comment on the latest in the Pippa Funnel series. Bizarrely this is from the same developer that brought us the intriguing and innovative In Memoriam on PC. But Pippa Funnel 3: The Golden Stirrup Challenge is exactly what you'd expect: a horsey petting and dressage title, mainly aimed at girls (though CVG's Andy Taylor also has a soft spot for it). This time round you can visit Italy, Alsace and China and even raise your own foal.

Keep an eye out for next week's round-up going live on Saturday.