Editorials

The Best Games of 2012: September Releases

With kids everywhere headed back to school, the gaming season moves full speed ahead with an enticing September lineup. From Borderlands 2 to FIFA 13, this month serves as the perfect appetizer to a fall full of blockbuster titles. Feel free to check out the detailed lineup below and the accompanying videos and links for more info on each game. This is The Best Games of 2012: September Releases!

Full Title: Mark of the Ninja
Developers: Klei Entertainment
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox 360
Release Date: Available now

From the creators of the SHANK series comes a stealth, side scrolling brawler unlike anything we have seen before. Inspired from classic titles like Tenchu and Ninja Gaiden, Mark of the Ninja encourages the gamer to use creative ways to take down their adversaries. Through observing your surroundings, players are able to manipulate objects to either distract or kill enemies.The trailer above gives a glimpse of the action that awaits you should you decide to pick up the game. Mark of The Ninja retails for 1200 Microsoft points and can be purchased right HERE.

 

Full Title: NHL 13
Developers: EA Canada
Publisher: EA Sports
Platforms: Playstation 3 & Xbox 360
Release Date: September 11th (North America) September 13th (Europe)

Building off the success of previous installments in the series, NHL 13 is expected to raise the bar even higher with an all-new skating engine, improved AI and player ratings, and a revamped presentation format. Diehard hockey fans can expect greatness and shouldn’t hesitate to pick this up on day one.

 

Full Title: Tekken Tag Tournament 2
Developers: Namco Bandai Games
Publisher: Namco Bandai Games
Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, & Wii U
Release Date: September11th (North America) September 14th (Europe)

Namco Bandai’s popular fighting game series is poised and ready to excite Tekken fans all over again. Besides receiving the endorsement of reformed rapper Snoop Lion, Tekken Tag Tournament 2 promises to offer new stages, over 50+ fighters, and a unique online multiplayer ranking system that rivals other popular series in the same genre.

 

Full Title: Borderlands 2
Developers: Gearbox Software
Publisher: 2k Games
Platforms: Playstation 3, Xbox 360, & PC
Release Date: September 18th (North America) September 21st (Europe)

Gearbox Software struck gold when they launched the first Borderlands game back in 2009.With the upcoming release of Borderlands 2, the studio is aiming to make the game bigger and better in more ways then one. Fans can expect more loot, improved enemy AI, a compelling story, new weapons, and an addictive multiplayer mode. If for any reason you haven’t had a chance to play the first game and are curious about picking up this game, then I would suggest you take a look at the introductory trailer above to see what all the hype is about.

BORDERLANDS 2 RELEASE DATE AND TRAILER

 

Full Title: Torchlight II
Developers: Runic Games
Publisher: Perfect World
Platforms: Mac, & PC
Release Date: September 20th

Heralded as being one of Runic Games best action RPG efforts, Torchlight went on to receive numerous accolades and the respect of many fans of the genre. In Torchlight II the story picks up right where the last game left off, and offers new character classes and cooperative multiplayer. These features coupled with the addition of extended modding capabilities should easily keep fans busy for months to come.

TORCHLIGHT II RELEASE DATE AND NEW CLASSES ANNOUNCED

 

Full Title: FIFA 13
Developers: EA Canada
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Platforms: Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita, Wii U, PC, Nintendo 3ds, & Playstation 2
Release Date: September 25th (North America) September 28th (Europe)

EA Sports insanely popular FIFA series continues to impress with each new iteration. With the launch of FIFA 13, EA Canada aims to introduce a new player impact engine and a tactical free kicks tool for user generated kicks. Fans who pick up the game on Xbox 360 will also be able to use Kinect for voice recognition commands. If you’re a diehard fan who enjoys the series but feels improvements are needed, then I would encourage you to check out a Focus on FIFA series started by one of our writers at the link below.

FOCUS ON FIFA SERIES: PART 1

FIFA 13 KINECT FEATURES

 

Full Title: Dead or Alive 5
Developers: Team Ninja
Publisher: Tecmo Koei
Platforms: Xbox 360, & Playstation 3
Release Date: September 25th (North America) September 28th (Europe)

Team Ninja’s Dead or Alive series has received mixed reviews in years past. With Dead or Alive 5, the studio is using the appeal of sexy, barely clothed fighters to appeal to the masses and so far it’s paying off. This game will also be the first release to appear on both the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3.

 

Full Title: LittleBigPlanet PS Vita
Developers: Double Eleven & Tarsier Studios
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Platforms: Playstation Vita
Release Date: September 25th (North America) September 19th (Europe)

Media Molecule’s infamous puzzle platformer is finally coming to the Playstation Vita. LittleBigPlanet Vita is built specifically to take advantage of all of the handheld’s features including content creation and 4 player online competitive and co-op gameplay.If you own a vita and enjoy the series, then pick this up asap.

LITTLEBIGPLANET VITA IMPRESSIONS

 

Full Title: World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria
Developers: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Mac & PC
Release Date: September 25th

In a year where Diablo III and Guild Wars II have been the center of attention, it seemed inevitable that sooner or later the World of Warcraft series would receive some new DLC. Mists of Pandaria is an expansion pack that raises the existing level cap from 85 to 90 while also introducing a new Monk character class. In addition to other features, the game will also include a revamped vanity pet system complete with a pet battles.If any of these additions interest you, then feel free to check out the cinematic trailer above to get you pumped for this release.

 

Full Title: Joe Danger 2: The Movie
Developers: Hello Games
Publisher:Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox 360
Release Date: September 14th

Hello Games enjoyed a huge wealth of success when they released Joe Danger back in 2010. Joe Danger 2: The Movie offers exciting multiplayer and the ability to create films, release trailers, and build levels. The title will retail for 1200 Microsoft points. Sadly, this will the last game in the series and Hello Games deserves to go out with a bang on this franchise. If you’re a fan of the first game, don’t hesitate to add this one to your collection as well.

JOE DANGER 2: THE MOVIE IMPRESSIONS