As every gamer knows, video games are an expensive hobby. So many are released in so little time, and the only thing holding you back are those little green pieces of paper you have (or more likely, don’t have) in your pocket. This week is especially painful for us, as Halo Anniversary, Saints Row: The Third, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, and Need for Speed: The Run are all being released. If you only have enough money to buy one game, which should it be? Assuming your wallet survived the launch of Battlefield 3, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, and Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, that is.
Halo Anniversary
Let’s face it: Halo fans are going to buy Anniversary regardless of whether they have money or not. Anniversary, at $40, is cheaper than the other games this week (except Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3, which is also $40), which will leave you with $20 to spare. But perhaps that extra $20 might be worth it to buy a truly new game, instead of Halo Combat Evolved with better graphics and a few new features. If you’ve played the original and are still on the fence about Anniversary, it’s probably better to hold off on it and wait until the price eventually drops (or at least until Black Friday). If you’ve somehow never played the original, Anniversary is a must-buy.
Saints Row: The Third
Saints Row: The Third is the only open-world game featuring cars and gangs being released this week. If you’re a fan of the Grand Theft Auto franchise, this game might help to past the time until GTAV is released. But it would be wrong to consider Saints Row: The Third as another GTA clone. The Saints Row franchise is known for its sheer over-the-topness, something that was lacking in the serious GTAIV, and it’s guaranteed that The Third will offer the same humor. If you want to blow crap up and laugh the entire time, Saints Row: The Third should be the game to take your cash.
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations
Assassin’s Creed: Revelations is the second open-world game this week, but unlike Saints Row: The Third, it is set during the Renaissance period, so you won’t be seeing any rocket launchers or the like. Revelations will feature first-person platforming, which gives it the status of being the only platforming game this week (unless you get really creative in Halo Anniversary). If you’ve followed the Assassin’s Creed franchise since its beginning, there’s no reason you shouldn’t buy Revelations with your $60.
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3
Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is the update to Marvel vs Capcom 3, which was released back in February. It is practically the same game, except it will include 12 new playable fighters and other minor improvements. If you already have Marvel vs Capcom 3, you might not want to fork over $40 for what should essentially be considered DLC. However, if you’ve always wanted to duke it out with Spiderman and Dead Rising’s Frank West, Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 is the game for you.
Need for Speed: The Run
The long-running Need for Speed franchise will return this week with The Run. Car junkies will have found their fix this week, as The Run will feature over 60 licensed cars. Need for Speed: The Run is a must-buy if you love racing, and don’t want to shoot, punch, or stab somebody, as every other game this week offers.