(What… too soon?)
Can you believe it’s already October? It practically feels like just yesterday it was the first day of summer. But oh well, I guess time flies once you start working for a living.
As Halloween fast approaches and Thanksgiving creeps ever closer, it’s officially now acceptable to get entirely-too-excited about the upcoming holiday releases. After a sub-par season last year (at least in terms of blockbuster-esque titles), we’re officially primed for one of the most impressive holiday lineups ever. Seriously, go look at the lineup. We’ll wait…
It’s okay — I’ll wait for you to contain your excited giggles of happiness fit. Take your time…
For convenience sake, we’ve deemed anything released from November 1st and onwards as an official “holiday release”. There’s really no exact formula we used to come up with such a cut-off date… it just seemed like the right one so… well, that’s what we’re rolling with, okay?
Shall we get the party started?
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Uncharted 3: Drakes Deception (PS3)
Release date: November 1st, 2011
Undoubtedly the Playstation 3′s premier franchise, Uncharted 3 has been one of the most eagerly anticipated titles ever since Uncharted 2′s release nearly two years ago. Continuing the epic story of the life and ridiculously-entertaining adventures of Nathan Drake, the third title in the series will focus on Nathan’s relationship with his mentor, Victor “Sully” Sullivan. Arguably the least imaginative video game nickname ever, but alas — let’s not steer too far off-topic!
I’ll also refrain from posting any more plot points in the hopes of avoiding a beatdown in the parking lot from upset fans attempting to avoid spoilers. People can get pretty rabid with such things, don’t you know.
Uncharted 3 officially kicks off the holiday season of releases on the 1st of November and is sure to continue the series’ powerhouse ability to sell units all by its lonesome. And make non-gamers passing by while you play think that you’re just watching a movie.
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Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 (360, NDS, PC, PS3, Wii)
Release date: November 8th, 2011
Perhaps the most anticipated game of the year (note: I said perhaps — calm down!), Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 is the eighth iteration of the Call of Duty franchise and the third in the Modern Warfare sub-series. While not gaining widespread and — in a word — insane levels of popularity until pushing out the Modern Warfare series warhorse, the fact that the franchise is even still around is an accomplishment to be lauded. Never even mind that it’s pretty much common knowledge that the Modern Warfare games can make grown men act and giggle like schoolgirls.
Quite a feat!
The third installment continues the Modern Warfare tradition of November releases and is sure to find itself in many an excited child’s stocking. Adults, too.
Actually… probably more adult stockings than children ones — game’s pretty violent.
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The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (360, PC, PS3)
Release date: November 11th, 2011
The fifth installment of the Elder Scrolls series looks to be the most open-ended, world-spanning RPG adventure yet. It also follows hot on the heels (albeit a bit slowly) of Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion’s widespread popularity and praise. What can we say? Most gamers enjoy pretending their wizards and going on legendary quests to slay dragons. I mean, seriously — who doesn’t like to slay dragons?
And the game’s being released by Bethesda. They just don’t play around when it comes to developing and publishing video games. Enough said, right?
Right.
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Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (360, PS3)
Release date: November 15th, 2011
Marking the conclusion of the oft-confusing, deliciously-conspiratorial Assassin’s Creed story, Revelations is set to stay true to its namesake and reveal it all, finally answering questions and theories you’ve been arguing heatedly with your cousin about since November of 2007. Yes, seriously — it’s been that long.
Revelations is also set to expand (and improve) on the frantic and exciting multi-player gameplay introduced in Assassins Creed: Brotherhood, effectively laying claim to hundreds upon hundreds of hours of your free time. Released at the mid-point of November, the only complaint many gamers will have with the new game is that they won’t initially have time to enjoy it upon its release. You know, with all of the other amazing and highly anticipated games being released in the first two weeks of November.
Tis a good problem to have boys and girls. Tis a good problem to have.
Let’s keep things in their proper perspective here!
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Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
Release date: December 20th, 2011
In development since late 2005, Star Wars: The Old Republic may look at first glance like an epic, big-budget Star Wars title. However as we all know full-well, it is, in fact, a PC-exclusive massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG… as if you didn’t know). Apologies if that news was just broken to you now. It’s pretty depressing at first if your computer can barely even play Age of Empires II…
It’s easy to see what all the fuss is about in regards to SWTOR, though — just look at the videos and hear the gushing superlatives spewed forth by the game’s beta testers. Should you find yourself equipped with a rig capable of running the revolutionary new game, it’s more or less a no-brainer to ask for this come the holidays.
And you won’t even have to wait very long thanks to its December 20th release date. Everybody wins!
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Saints Row: The Third (360, PC, PS3)
Release date: November 15th, 2011
Legend of Zelda: The Skyward Sword (Wii)
Release date: November 20th, 2011
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That about does it, folks. Definitive reasoning as to why you absolutely, positively need to be a good little girl or boy in the coming months. And/or be extremely nice and complimentary to your closest friends while subtly dropping hints regarding your holiday wishlist. We wish you luck regardless, though, and will see you back here — same Bat time, same Bat place!
