[New releases is your weekly look at all the hot new titles coming out this week.] The major-huge-mega-awesome-omega-oh-my-gosh release of this week is easily Square Enix’s long anticipatedFinal Fantasy XIII. So what system are you planning on getting the game for? Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3? Which is the better version? Resident Evil 5: Gold Editionis also out this week and the new missions look pretty fun. Just getting to play the game as a lether-bound Jill Valentine is worth the price of addmission....

File [level] 06 Astral Chain, the next game from Platinum, is almost ready to be unleashed. For many it’s an easy sell, but given how different each Platinum joint is, it makes sense that a lot of people aren’t ready to pull the trigger yet. This comprehensive video from Gamescom, complete with an appearance by the director himself, Takahisa Taura (who also worked onRevengeanceas a designer), should help your decision....

If renting licenses to streaming games until a cloud-based firm goes out of business is your thing, and you’re aCivfan, today is your lucky day. For a limited time, you can “buy”Sid Meier’s Civilization Vwith the newly releasedGods & Kingsexpansion pack for a bundled price of $29.99 on Onlive. Since the expansion is $29.99 retail anyway, that basically translates to getting the original game for free. As a matter of fact, the original is $29....

11.5 million rolled their eyes at Everywhere Last week saw the return of Europe’s largest gaming industry event, Gamescom, which arrived in both a physical and online capacity for the first time in several years. And, according tolive stream host Geoff Keighley, it was quite the popular event, with over 12 million viewers tuning in to day one streamOpening Night Live. The stream, which took place on the evening of August 23, featured a selection of trailers, updates, and reveals on some of the hottest games headed our way in the coming year (or two)....

‘Rescue V’ Paper Mario: Color Splashlets Toads finally get their due, but in a rather unexpected way. A new video (which seems to be the first in a series, unless it’s an elaborate joke) shows off the “Rescue V” squad, which are basically a Super Sentai team that assists Mario during his adventures. They’ll provide their services in more passive ways, like as human (Toad?) stairs, or bridges. As I’ve said before I’m not jazzed at the idea of stripping out basically all of the RPG elements, butColor Splashhas a slick art style and could be funny enough to justify its existence....

Beastly discounts It’s been a quiet Summer in terms of releases but this week we’re seeing a bit of a ramp up. The biggest title would decisively be Capcom’s PC port ofMonster Hunter: World– released just yesterday on August 9. The game thus far has won strong reviews in the gameplay department (as expected), but so-so reviews in the port performance – with user reviews ranging from either working flawlessly to problematic issues....

That poor lad Playdead’s captivating platform-adventure titleInsideis on its way to iOS this Friday, December 15. The mobile version isopen for pre-order, but the pricing isn’t fully known; it’s listed as “free.” For me, the first time through, it was an unforgettable experience.Insidehad me after a few short seconds and didn’t let go until I reached its astounding final moments that same night. Then I went through it all again. Finally, I got my sister to play because I just had to see how she’d take to it....

What a strange combination! A patent fro 2009 from Sony gives an illustration for a dock for a PSP Go. This isn’t just some charging dock, though. This dock contains a camera that works like the PlayStation Eye, and would detect PlayStation Move controllers. It seems this patent is for a dock that lets you use Move controllers for the PSP Go, which is probably one of the strangest ideas I’ve ever heard....

Seeking funding on Kickstarter Exploring space is awesome. It always has been, and it always will be. With the rise of procedural content generation, the potential for utterly massive universes to explore has been unlocked, and a flood of titles are showing up that utilize the idea, likeNo Man’s SkyorStarbound.Proven Landsis the next boundless space exploration game to keep an eye on, but it needs help with funding before it can become a reality....

Last we heard from Skunkape Games, their remaster ofSam & Max: The Devil’s Playhousewas slated for aSpring release. We’re out of Spring now, but I guess we can let it slide.Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhousenow has a release dateof June 14, 2025 on PC and console. Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhousewas the third season of Telltale’sSam & Maxrevival. It was also the last. It’s also the last one that Skunkape Games needs to remaster!...

Walking through the tunnel system, my partner and I hid in the shadows, dropping the world in shades of black and white. We needed to lay the C4 charges to break through the wall. Which wasn’t so much of a problem, except for the bothersome guards who ran in to see the commotion. Thankfully, they aren’t so bright, and between me and my Russian partner, we were able to work through a group of four enemies with two quick pops each....

Heaven (the items) or Hell (your wallet) Trendy Japanese label SuperGroupies has teamed up with publisher Arc System Works to release a new line of apparel based on slick ‘n’ sexy fighterGuilty Gear Strive. TheGuilty Geargear is available to pre-order now ahead of its eventual release in the summer and fall seasons. Regarding apparel, SuperGroupies has unveiled a slick model jacket, based onGG Striveposter boy Sol Badguy. The slim-fitting jacket (available in sizes M – XXL) is outfitted in black and red and is subtly embroidered with Sol’s insignia....

As part of the Day of the Devs Digital Showcase, SFB Games, the developers behindSnipperclipsand the upcomingCrow Country,has revealedthat their 2019 detective hitTangle Toweris getting a sequel calledThe Mermaid’s Tongue. It’s set to release on PC in 2024, but has a demo available today. The Mermaid’s Tongueis once again a murder mystery that brings back the duo of Grimoire and Sally. It will once again be a mix of point-and-click adventure, visual novel, and puzzle game....