Arthur and the astronauts: New PC games for January

Sun, 10 Jan 2010

Berlin - Clanking armor and clashing swords are standard elements of computer and video games. Two new releases in January are taking a different path, though. Vancouver 2010 offers the chance to rake in the gold medals in various Winter Olympics disciplines, even before the real Games get started. Airport Tower Simulator puts players into a flight controller's shoes. Yet there's still plenty of clanking and clashing, including in the strategic role-playing mix King Arthur. A sequel to the successful space adventure game Mass Effect is also expected.

Mass Effect 2 seems likely to be among the most important titles at the start of the new year. After all, gamemaker Bioware has traditionally been considered among the best developers in the role-playing game genre. It most recently re-established its pedigree this past autumn with Dragon Age: Origins.

Like its predecessor, Mass Effect 2 draws its inspiration from sources beyond the medieval fancy of most role-playing games. The plot takes place in space, with a variety of dialogues, a well-developed story and plenty of action. The storyline picks up two years after the events of the previous installment.

As might be expected in a game of this type, the protagonist Commander Shepard has to save not just the planet, but the entire universe from a new threat. He's not alone on his quest. Various astronauts and other space travelers join him and his ship as they travel through the vacuum. Veterans can import their characters and statuses from the first part to continue the story directly. Mass Effect 2 is expected on January 28 from Electronic Arts for around 55 dollars.

King Arthur is a familiar figure in books and films. He's popular in games too, with Ubisoft's new Kind Arthur due in stores in January. The gamer slips into the role of king and must unite the provinces of Britain. At first glance the basic structure resembles that of the Total War titles: a 3D map is used to plan actions, while fights and skirmishes are then conducted in a real-time mode.

The similarities end there, though. King Arthur is intended as more of a mix of a strategy and a role-playing game. The king's decisions impact his standing among the people - which in turn impacts how the game unfolds. King Arthur is expected in January for around 50 dollars.

Sega's Vancouver 2010 brings with it an entirely different kind of competition. Players can try their hand at a series of Winter Olympics disciplines, with 14 different gold medals up for grabs. That includes the giant slalom, downhill, bob and snowboard cross. Vancouver 2010 will hit the stores in January, well before the torch hits Vancouver, and is expected to cost around 45 dollars.

Rondomedia is hoping that 2010 brings a continuation of one of the most unusual success stories in recent computer gaming history: a plethora of simulations that also found a plethora of buyers. Previous games tackled subjects ranging from farming equipment to bus simulators, and beyond. This time the developers opted for a lofty perch, namely the air traffic controller's seat.

The task in ATC - Airport Tower Simulator is guiding incoming airplanes to a safe landing. It sounds easy, but things can get harried in a hurry, especially at higher degrees of difficulty. Airplanes don't usually have the airspace all to themselves. At times up to a half-dozen jets may be flying in at once.

Fuel supplies must be tracked, as must the flight speed and spacing between the machines. The air traffic controller can work with any of twelve airports for international metropolises - including Berlin, London and New York. It's ultimately the exact opposite of most video games: the 20 dollar game encourages you to try your best to keep anything from clanking and clashing.

Source: Earth Times.
Link: http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/302905,arthur-and-the-astronauts-new-pc-games-for-january.html.