Street Fighter X Tekken Box Art

Street Fighter X Tekken Pre-order Details

Street Fighter X Tekken is a new installment in Capcom’s crossover series, bringing together the universes of two popular fighting games. SFxT features characters from both Capcom’s Street Fighter and Namco’s Tekken franchises, as well as additional Playstation-exclusive fighters, like Cole from inFamous.

Street Fighter X Tekken is essentially a 2 vs. 2 tag-team fighter that plays similarly to other SF games. It features elements from the previous Street Fighter titles, such as Super Combos and EX Attacks, and uses the familiar 6-button control scheme. Tekken characters, however, can perform combos using Tekken’s 4 button layout.

SFxT introduces a new “Gem System” which lets you equip up to 5 Gems and use them in battles. Activating a Gem grants you various power-ups, such as increased attack, speed, defense, and so on. Preorder the game at participating retailers to get bonus Gem Packs.

Street Fighter X Tekken Pre-order Details Pre-Order Bonuses →
SSX Box Art
  • Genre
    Snowboarding
  • Platform
    PS3, Xbox 360
  • Release date
    Feb 28, 2012 (US)
    Mar 2, 2012 (EU)

SSX Pre-order Bonus List

The new installment in the arcade-style snowboarding series, SSX, is set to release in February 2012. Titled simply SSX, the game features the same fast-paced races and over-the-top tricks that the franchise is famous for, while introducing more serious elements as well.

SSX utilizes actual satellite data and recreates nine real mountain ranges (such as the Himalayas) in the game. A number of old and new characters are available – this time dressed appropriately for the cold weather, and carrying gear like headlamps, ice axes, and even wingsuits. The latter add a new gameplay mechanic that allows you to glide long distances and cross gaps that would otherwise be insurmountable. Despite the more realistic visuals, SSX is still very much an arcade game – consider the Rewind feature that lets you redo a landing or a trick you just messed up, although with a penalty to your score. The game includes a single-player campaign as well as a number of online and social features (you can find out more about these in the trailer below).

SSX Pre-order Bonus List Pre-Order Bonuses →
Syndicate Box Art
  • Genre
    Shooter
  • Platform
    PC, PS3, X360
  • Release date
    Feb 21, 2012 (US)
    Feb 24, 2012 (EU)

Syndicate Pre-order Bonus

Syndicate is a reimagining of the original tactical shooter series from the nineties. It is a cyberpunk-themed FPS game with some RPG elements, set in the near future where the world is ruled by all-powerful corporations. The upcoming title has a single-player and a 4-player co-op campaign; the latter actually offers nine missions adapted from the original ’93 game.

Business is war in the Syndicate universe, and the main weapon in it are agents: biologically-engineered and cybernetically-enhanced humans with powerful abilities like slowing down time or seeing through walls. The protagonist of the game, Miles Kilo, is one of them: a new prototype agent of Eurocorp who can not only wreak havoc using all sorts of high-tech weapons, but also utilize the military-grade chip implanted in his head to hack other people’s implants, forcing them to commit suicide or turn on their comrades.

The game might sound remarkably similar to Deus Ex: Human Revolution at first, but elements like megacorporations and cybernetic augmentation are found in most cyberpunk settings. Furthermore, GiantBomb writes that Syndicate seems to have a lot more guns-blazing action, so we expect it will play somewhat differently from DX: HR.

Syndicate Pre-order Bonus Pre-Order Bonuses →
Asura's Wrath Box Art
  • Genre
    Action
  • Platform
    PS3, Xbox 360
  • Release date
    Feb 21, 2012 (US)
    Feb 24, 2012 (EU)

Asura’s Wrath

Asura’s Wrath is an action game developed by Capcom and CyberConnect2 for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles. As you might have guessed from the studios involved in the production, the game features tons of fast-paced action and insane, over-the-top battles. (Scroll down to the trailer to see just how crazy they are).

The protagonist of the game is Asura: a god who is accused of a crime he didn’t commit, betrayed by his allies, and stripped of his powers. As if that wasn’t enough, the Seven Deities also took his daughter and used her power for their own ends. Understandably enraged, Asura sets out to get revenge and rescue his daughter.

According to the devs, Asura’s Wrath is a mix of Asian mythology and science fiction. Combined with powerful Unreal Engine 3 graphics, it might make for a pretty interesting game world. The visual style is certainly impressive – hopefully, the actual gameplay is up to par as well.

One of the most touted features of the game is the ability to control Asura during cinematic scenes, which means player input might be required to make a successful hit or evade an attack. Using QTEs during cutscenes is far from innovative; however, in Asura’s Wrath players will be able to interrupt some dialogues as well, similarly to Mass Effect 2.

Asura’s Wrath Pre-Order Bonuses →
UFC Undisputed 3 Box Art

UFC Undisputed 3

UFC Undisputed 3 is an upcoming MMA simulator from a Japanese game studio Yuke’s. It is published by THQ, which has an exclusive agreement with Zuffa, LLC to release UFC-based games until 2018.

The game offers a number of changes and improvements over its predecessors, UFC Undisputed 2009 and 2010. You’ll be able to play over 150 UFC fighters, including the new featherweight and bantamweight classes. UFC Undisputed 3 also features a Pride mode with its own authentic environments, commentators, and rules (such as allowing brutal soccer kicks and head stomps).

On the technical side, there’s graphical improvements, new camera positions, fighter entrances, and a new Amateur control scheme to make the game more accessible to new players. Finally, the online aspect of the game is also getting a revamp.

UFC Undisputed 3 Pre-Order Bonuses →
Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Box Art

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Pre-order Bonuses

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning is an upcoming fantasy RPG from 38 Studios and Big Huge Games. According to a preview by RPGFan.com, the game has four playable races, five distinct regions, and over a hundred secondary quests, giving the players a good incentive to explore. It also features a unique advancement system which uses unlockable “destinies” instead of the traditional classes.

There are some big names working on this title: Ken Rolston, the lead designer of Morrowind & Oblivion; bestselling fantasy author R.A. Salvatore; and Todd McFarlane, the creator of Spawn comics. Considering all this talent and the promises of a complex RPG system, deep storyline, and engaging combat, Reckoning is definitely something RPG fans should take note of.

Kingdoms of Amalur: Reckoning Pre-order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →
The Darkness II Box Art
  • Genre
    Shooter
  • Platform
    PC, PS3, X360
  • Release date
    Feb 7, 2012 (US)
    Feb 10, 2012 (EU)

The Darkness II

Darkness II is an upcoming sequel to the gothic first-person shooter, based on a comic book series of the same name. The plot of the game picks up two years after the events in the original, with Jackie as the Don of the Franchetti family. After an attempt on his life, Jackie cannot contain the Darkness anymore and sets out on a merciless hunt for his attackers.

New in Darkness II is Quad-Wielding, which allows you to use your Demon Arms while firing two weapons at the same time (you know, because dual wielding just isn’t cool enough). More brutal executions are included, such as promisingly-named “Wishbone” and “Anaconda”. The visual style of the game has also changed, with cel-shaded textures resulting in a more comic-book-like look (scroll down to the trailer to see a preview).

The Darkness II Pre-Order Bonuses →
Final Fantasy XIII-2 Box Art

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Pre-order Bonus List

The newest console RPG in the Final Fantasy series launches in December 2011 in Japan, but fans in the West will have to wait until 2012 to play this FFXIII sequel. The game introduces some changes to the combat and dialogue systems, as well as two playable characters: Serah, the younger sister of Lightning, and the new protagonist; and Noel Kreiss, a time traveler from the future who wields two combinable swords.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 features multiple endings and is said to have a darker story than FFXIII. It starts off in New Bodhum, from where Serah and Noel set out on a journey to find Lightning.

Final Fantasy XIII-2 Pre-order Bonus List Pre-Order Bonuses →
Soul Calibur V Box Art

Soul Calibur V Pre-order Info

SoulCalibur V is an upcoming console fighting game from the popular SoulCalibur franchise by Namco Bandai. It offers a roster of about 30 fighters, half of which are new. The game also includes a guest character: master assassin Ezio Auditore, the protagonist of Assassin’s Creed series.

SCV makes numerous changes to the gameplay compared to the previous installment, such as replacing the Soul Gauge with a new Critical Gauge that needs to be charged up, and can be used to perform powerful Critical Edge attacks. Guard Impacts also work differently, and block attacks regardless of their height. New in Soul Calibur V is the Quick Step mechanic, which allows you to sidestep and dodge vertical attacks.

Soul Calibur V Pre-order Info Pre-Order Bonuses →
The King of Fighters XIII Box Art

The King of Fighters XIII Bonus Soundtrack

King of Fighters XIII is an upcoming fighting game to be released for Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 consoles on October 25th. The game features Arcade, Story, Versus, and a few other modes, as well as online battles and rankings on Xbox Live or PSN. It has a roster of over playable 30 fighters, including some console-exclusive ones. KoF XIII is published in the US by Atlus.

There are some changes in gameplay compared to KoF12: mechanics like Critical Counter and Guard Attack have been removed altogether, and new EX Special Moves and Drive Cancel systems have been added. The first allows the player to execute more powerful moves by using their power gauge, while the second lets you cancel your special moves into different ones.

The King of Fighters XIII Bonus Soundtrack Pre-Order Bonuses →
WWE 12 Box Art

WWE 12 Pre-order Details

WWE ’12 is a pro wrestling simulator from THQ and Yuke’s. Compared to its predecessors, the game features a more realistic animation system, better physics, and numerous gameplay changes. For example, grapple animations before finishers have been removed, while new Dynamic Comebacks – moves that you can use after taking lots of damage – have been added.

WWE ’12 also includes a powerful Creation Suite which allows the players to design their own Superstars, Entrances, Stories, and Finishers. New to the WWE series is Create-an-Arena feature which lets you make your own arenas and share them online. Furthermore, an improved WWE Universe mode makes a return as well.

WWE 12 Pre-order Details Pre-Order Bonuses →
Assassin's Creed: Revelations Box Art
  • Genre
  • Platform
    PC, PS3, X360
  • Release date
    Nov 15, 2011
    (Consoles)
    Nov 29, 2011
    (Windows)

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Pre-Order Bonuses

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is an upcoming action-adventure game by Ubisoft, and a sequel to Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood. It will take place in Constantinople in 1511 AD for the most part, where you will play as Ezio and attempt to unlock a powerful artifact that could be used against the Templars. Desmond in modern days, and Altair in the past will also be controllable in various stages of the game.

The gameplay of AC:R will be similar to the previous installments in the franchise, but some new elements will be introduced too. One of these is the hookblade, a weapon which will allow Ezio to use zip-lines to navigate the city faster, as well as pull enemies in for a finishing blow. Another addition is a crafting system that will let you make bombs of various types.

AC: Revelations will also include a multiplayer mode with new maps and characters. The players will be able to customize their appearance and choose their own weapon.

Assassin’s Creed: Revelations Pre-Order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →
Saints Row: The Third Box Art

Saints Row: The Third

Saints Row: The Third is an open-world action game developed by Volition and scheduled for release on November 15th. Few years have passed after the events of Saints Row 2, and the Saints have moved to the city of Steelport where they will have to fight three rival gangs for control. You will get to meet both familiar and new characters in this game.

The last installment of the trilogy also seems to be the craziest. Saints Row 3 will offer an array of ridiculously awesome weapons like a giant dildo bat, a vehicle that shoots pedestrians, powerful airstrikes, and huge boxing gloves that make the people you punch explode. Not to mention the new VTOL (Vertical Take Off & Landing) jet which is armed with lasers, or a cannon that fires live octopuses. The latter is actually a preorder bonus, so let’s take a look at those incentives right now.

Saints Row: The Third Pre-Order Bonuses →
Need for Speed: The Run Box Art

Need for Speed: The Run

Need for Speed: The Run is the next installment in the seemingly endless NFS series from EA. This new racer is developed by EA Black Box and uses Frostbite 2, the much-touted graphics engine of Battlefield 3. The game is said to feature on-foot scenes and a cinematic storyline.

Need for Speed: The Run centers around an illicit street race across the US, in various settings ranging from urban to desert and icy mountains. The story follows protagonist Jack Rourke (voiced by Sean Faris) who is in debt to the Mob and has to win the Run – the titular race from San Francisco to New York – to pay them off. In the best traditions of Hot Pursuit, he will have to do that while being chased by both the Mob and the police.

Other notable features include unlockable cars and challenges, online matches for up to 16 players, and improved Autolog network for sharing your progress with friends. One of the downsides of The Run is that it won’t offer any car customization.

Need for Speed: The Run Pre-Order Bonuses →
Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Box Art

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Pre-order Incentives

Capcom’s remake of the fairly well-received Marvel vs. Capcom 3: Fate of Two Worlds brings eight new stages, balance improvements, and various interface and character tweaks. The game increases the total number of playable characters to 50, adding fighters like Strider and Phoenix Wright from Capcom, and Ghost Rider and Hawkeye from Marvel universes.

The online aspect of the game – something that a lot of MvC3 players found lacking – is also getting upgraded, including a new Spectator mode. The core gameplay mechanics remain the same, although there are some changes to the way aerial exchange and X-Factor work.

Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Pre-order Incentives Pre-Order Bonuses →
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Box Art

Skyrim Pre-Order Bonus

Skyrim is the fifth installment in the highly successful Elder Scrolls series, and possibly the most anticipated game in 2011. As the name suggests, it will take you north of Cyrodiil, to the snowy land of Skyrim which is home to the proud Nord people.

The game will take place 200 years after the events of Oblivion. Like in TES IV, players will start out in a prison, sentenced to execution for crossing the border. After escaping, they will learn that the dragons are coming back, and that the only person they fear is Dovahkiin, the Dragonborn.

TES V: Skyrim is going to use a brand new Creation Engine that will offer unprecedented graphics, improved AI, and side quests that are dynamically generated based on your character’s actions. The gameplay and combat system will also be improved. For example, you’ll be able to equip a spell or a weapon in each hand, allowing you to dual wield weapons and magic. Another new feature is Dragon Shouts – extremely powerful spells that can be obtained by defeating dragons and absorbing their souls.

Skyrim Pre-Order Bonus Pre-Order Bonuses →
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Box Art

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3

CoD: MW3 is an upcoming first-person shooter game developed by Infinity Ward with assistance from two other Activision-owned game studios: Sledgehammer Games and Raven Software. The game is set to release in November this year for all three major platforms.

Like its predecessor, Modern Warfare 3 will offer a single-player campaign and a multiplayer, which will have an improved ranking and unlocks system. The game will also feature a new Spec Ops co-op mode where two players will have to fight waves of increasingly stronger enemies. The single-player story will continue right after the events in Modern Warfare 2. MW3 is also going to use the same engine as the previous game.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 Pre-Order Bonuses →
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Box Art

Uncharted 3 Pre-Order Bonuses

Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception is a highly anticipated action-adventure game developed by Naughty Dog for the PS3. The third installment in the series will follow the adventures of treasure hunter Nathan Drake and his partner Victor Sullivan as they search for the legendary city, the Iram of the Pillars. The game will take you to various locations around the world, including Europe and the Middle East.

Uncharted 3 will introduce a number of improvements and new gameplay elements. For example, the game will feature a melee combat system that allows you to fight multiple opponents at the same time and crush enemies located below you by jumping down on them. Drake’s Deception will also offer numerous online multiplayer and co-op improvements, as well as support for stereoscopic 3D.

Uncharted 3 Pre-Order Bonuses Pre-Order Bonuses →
Lord of the Rings: War in the North Box Art

Lord of the Rings: War in the North

War in the North is an upcoming action role-playing game developed by Snowblind Studios. Since the game is set in the Lord of the Rings universe, it will undoubtedly be popular among the fans of the franchise. War in the North is actually going to take place alongside the movies, but instead of following the Fellowship as they travel to destroy the One Ring, it will take you to the northern regions of Middle-earth, such as Fornost, Mount Gundabad, and the Mirkwood.

The game will offer three protagonists to choose from: Eradan, a human archer; Andriel, a female elf with magic powers; and Farin, a stout dwarf warrior. War in the North will have a single-player and a co-op mode for up to 3 players, and it will support local co-op (split screen) for 2 players as well. Furthermore, you will be able to call the Great Eagle, Beleram, to aid you in battle – however, it won’t be controllable like the other three characters.

Lord of the Rings: War in the North Pre-Order Bonuses →
GoldenEye 007: Reloaded Box Art

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded Pre-order DLC

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded is an upcoming remake of the 2010 Wii game for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 consoles. Besides the obvious improvements in graphics, the game features a new set of MI6 Ops missions which are unrelated to the main storyline.

Like its predecessor, the game stars Daniel Craig as the voice of James Bond, and features 4-player split-screen as well as 16-player online matches. There also are new multiplayer modes, weapons, maps, and other content. GoldenEye 007: Reloaded has an achievement system and is compatible with Playstation Move.

GoldenEye 007: Reloaded Pre-order DLC Pre-Order Bonuses →