June 26th - Unchained Blades

RELEASE DATE: NA: 06/26/12

OVERVIEW: Unchained Blades was released today, June 26th, in North America for the PSP, and is later supposed to be released for the 3DS. It is a First-Person RPG game.

PRICES:
PSP: $29.99 (PSN Download)

GAME SUMMARY:

Unchained Blades follows the story of the dragon emperor, Fang, who after being stripped of his powers by the goddess Clunea, embarks on a journey for revenge and to regain his true form. Arrogant and vengeful, Fang is joined in his quest by a cowardly golem prince, a shy medusa priestess, a young phoenix clan maiden, and many other mythical beings seeking to meet with the goddess.

TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:

- 7.8/10 from 9 GameFAQs users

June 26th - The Amazing Spider-Man

RELEASE DATE(S): NA: 06/26/12 AU: 06/27/12 EU: 06/29/12

OVERVIEW: The Amazing Spider-Man was released today, June 26th, in North America. It is an Action game based off of the upcoming movie.

PRICES:
XBOX360, PS3: $59.99
WII: $49.99
DS, 3DS: $29.99
PC, IP: ???

GAME SUMMARY:
Go beyond the movie to experience what it's like to BE Spider-Man like never before. Set shortly after the events of Columbia Pictures' new film, The Amazing Spider-Man throws New York City's brand new hero back into free-roaming, web-slinging action, as he protects the Big Apple from a deluge of unimaginable threats. Experience the new Web Rush mechanic as Spidey twists his way through the NYC skyline with unprecedented speed and grace. The game's original story also explores beautiful indoor environments, as you'll encounter everything from skirmishes with everyday street thugs to pulse-pounding confrontations with Spider-Man's most lethal foes.


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
-8.6/10 from users at GameTrailers.com

June 26th - Spec Ops: The Line

RELEASE DATES: NA: 06/26/12 AU: 06/29/12 EU: 06/29/12 JP: 08/30/12

OVERVIEW: Spec Ops: The Line was released in North America today, June 26th on the XBOX360, PS3, and PC. It is a third-person tactical shooter.

PRICES:
XBOX360, PS3: $59.99
PC: $49.99

GAME SUMMARY:
Spec Ops: The Line's emotional narrative unfolds within the destroyed opulence of Dubai. Once a playground for the world's wealthiest elite, now Dubai has been reclaimed by Mother Nature, buried underneath the most devastating sandstorm ever recorded. Spec Ops: The Line allows gamers to play as Captain Martin Walker, leader of an elite Delta Force team ordered to infiltrate the treacherous region and bring home U.S. Army Colonel John Konrad.


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
- 8/10 from IGN
-8/10 from CVG

June 26th - Record of Agarest War 2

RELEASE DATE(S): NA: 06/26/2012 EU: Q3 2012

OVERVIEW: Record of Agarest War 2 (known as Agarest: Generations of War 2 in Europe) was released today, June 26th in North America on the PS3. It is a sequel to Record of Agarest and is the third game in the series. It is a Tactical RPG/Strategy game.

PRICE: $49.99 ($59.99 for Limited Edition)

GAME SUMMARY: 

One day, the world was enveloped by a mysterious blinding light. The destruction it caused was terrible, even as the light itself was sublime in its beauty, and it made those who witnessed the awesome display think of the unrestrained rage and fury of the divine. The central continent, from where the light is believed to have originated from, went silent, while at the same time demons began to spread throughout the world like a plague. Amongst the survivors of the catastrophe, that fate ful day became known as the "Day of Light".

Sometime after the events of the Day of Light, a young man by the name of Weiss, who had lost all memory of himself, encounters an enigmatic woman named Eva, who introduces herself as an Agent of the Divine. It is from her that Weiss learns that he has committed the grievous sin of deicide, and that in order for him to atone for his crime he is to become the "Vessel" in which the power of the divinity he had slaughtered will be stored. For it will be that power that will be used to resurrect the one whose life he stole.


For those who betray the divine will pay for their sins in the space which separates salvation and damnation, as will their progeny...


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
- 8.6/10 from 36 GameFAQs users
- 9.2/10 from 12 Gamespot users

Tech News - Nintendo Reveals 3DS XL!

Nintendo has announced an upgrade to its handheld 3DS console at its Nintendo Direct Conference.
The 3DS XL is a larger revision of the original console, featuring a 4.88 inch stereoscopic 3D top screen, compared to the 3DS's 3.53 inch screen, and a 4.18inch bottom screen, compared to 3.02 inches. The new system will weigh 336g and will feature an extended battery life of 3.5 - 6.5 hours of gameplay. The 3DS XL will not feature a second circle pad, however, and the 'Circle Pad Pro' attachment will not be compatible with the machine.

The 3DS XL will come with a 4GB SD card, rather than the 2GB card of the original 3DS. However, in order to keep costs down the 3DS XL will not come packed with an AC adaptor in Europe and Japan. The adaptor and charging cradle will be sold separately and the 3DS, DSi and DSi XL AC adaptor will be compatible with the new machine. The 3DS XL will come packaged with an AC adaptor in North America.
The 3DS XL will be available in Europe on 28 July, the console will come in three colours: blue, red and silver.

Nintendo also announced that four new 3DS games will release on the same day as the 3DS XL: Kingdom Hearts 3D Dream Drop Distance, Theatrhythm Final Fantasy, New Art Academy and Freaky Forms Deluxe. All 3DS and DS software will be compatible with the 3DS XL.

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more news and game reveals!

June 22nd - The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav

RELEASE DATE(S): NA: 06/22/12 EU: 06/22/12 AU: 06/22/12

OVERVIEW: The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav was released today, June 22nd, in North America on the PC. It is an adventure/fantasy game.

PRICE: $29.95

GAME SUMMARY: 

As our story begins, young Geron works as a trapper and has a lot of trouble on his hands. Flocks of crows act strangely. Aggressive and fearless they even attack humans. Some people even believe that the crows bring nightmares to the citizens of Andergast. When some of the once celebrated heroes, who had executed the Seer, are found dead and with eyes picked out rumors spread throughout the city. Many believe that the ghost of the Seer has finally returned to take revenge. And of course many believe Geron to be the reason for these dark signs. After all he was said to bring bad luck and disaster to Andergast.


As the king searches for a trapper for an important quest, Geron takes his chance to clear his name once and for all. And so Geron gets entangled into a story that will prove to be of greater importance than he could ever have expected.


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
7/10 from average review

June 20th - Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013

RELEASE DATE(S): NA: 06/20/12 AU: 06/20/12 EU: TBA 2012

OVERVIEW: Magic: The Gathering - Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013 was released in North America today, June 20th on the XBOX360, PC, and PS3 and is set to later be released on the iPhone/iPod.

PRICE: $9.99

GAME SUMMARY:
Face a greater challenge with Magic: The Gathering — Duels of the Planeswalkers 2013! In the latest version of this hit franchise, play with friends or the AI as you travel across fantastic planes, take on new encounters and opponents, solve challenging puzzles, and face up to three other players in the Planechase multiplayer format.


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
Not yet available.

June 19th - Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings

RELEASE DATES: NA: 06/19/12 AU: 06/22/12 EU: 06/22/12

OVERVIEW: Sid Meier's Civilization V: Gods & Kings was released in North America today, June 19th, for the PC/MAC. It is an expansion pack for the Turn-Based Strategy game Sid Meier's Civilization V.

PRICE(S): $29.99

GAME SUMMARY: 
Sid Meier's Civilization V: God & Kings takes players through time as they engage in new quests and global competitions, interact with new types of city-states, and master exciting new systems for land and naval combat. Nine new civilizations; nine new wonders; three original scenarios; and dozens of new units, buildings, technologies and resources have also been added, offering even more ways for players to expand their empire on their quest to rule the world.


TRAILER:

REVIEWS:
7.9/10 from Metacritic

June 19th - Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor

RELEASE DATES: NA: 06/19/12  AU: 06/21/12  JP: 06/21/12  EU: 06/22/12

OVERVIEW: Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor was released in North America today, June 19th for the XBOX360. It is a First-Person Action game.

PRICE(S): $59.99

GAME SUMMARY:
Set in 2082, Steel Battalion Heavy Armor depicts a world devoid of computers, where war is waged with rudimentary weapons as new superpowers struggle for dominance. In a twist of fate, the US army has been forced to begin major landing operations on what was once its own soil. In this low-tech era there is one weapon class that will determine the course of the war – the Vertical Tank. VTs are guaranteed to instil fear in enemy forces when they burst onto the battlefield; but they are nothing without the crews who man them. Lacking computer aided weapon and piloting systems, these brave men and women must now rely on skill, intuition and each other to ensure victory. Rated M for Mature 17+.


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
3.0/10 from IGN

June 19th - Clan of Champions

RELEASE DATES: NA: 06/19/12  EU: TBA

OVERVIEW/PLATFORMS: Clan of Champions was released today, June 19th, in North America for the XBOX360 and PC. It is an Action-Adventure game.

PRICE(S): $29.99

GAME SUMMARY: 
Clan of Champions is a hardcore multiplayer action game. You will choose from 3 different characters - human, elf, or orc - and take on missions, each of which is different in content and length. You can either play by yourself or with other players in co-op mode, and up to 3 players can play simultaneously online. There is also a 3 vs 3 team battle mode where you can fight with, and against, your friends. There will be a large amount of DLC for additional quests, items, and weapons for the future.


TRAILER: 

GAME REVIEW SCORES:
Not yet available.

Tech News - Microsoft Reveals New Tablet!

Take your first look - the new Surface tablet from Microsoft. It will come in two versions - one with Windows RT and the other with Windows 8 Pro. The tablets will come with a cover that can be used as a multi-touch keyboard. There is also a kickstand that comes out of the back, making these tablets able to essentially be used as full-on laptops, as shown in the picture. We can expect it to be gaming-compatible. There has been no news on the release date or price ranges, although Windows 8 is supposedly being released this year. Here's the brand new trailer for the Microsoft Surface Tablet:

Here are the technical specs of the new product:


OS: Windows RT


Light(1): 676 g
Thin(2): 9.3 mm
Clear: 10.6” ClearType HD Display
Energized: 31.5 W-h
Connected: microSD, USB 2.0, Micro HD Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
Productive: Office ‘15’ Apps, Touch Cover, Type Cover
Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
Configurable: 32 GB, 64 GB


OS: Windows 8 Pro
Light(1): 903 g
Thin(2): 13.5 mm
Clear: 10.6” ClearType Full HD Display
Energized: 42 W-h
Connected: microSDXC, USB 3.0, Mini DisplayPort Video, 2×2 MIMO antennae
Productive: Touch Cover, Type Cover, Pen with Palm Block
Practical: VaporMg Case & Stand
Configurable: 64 GB, 128 GB

June 19th - Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

RELEASE DATES: NA: 06/19/12 EU: 06/22/12 AU: 06/27/12

OVERVIEW: Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was released today, June 19th in North America for the VITA, PS3, WII, 3DS, PC, DS and XBOX360. This game is the sequel to Lego Batman: The Videogame.

PRICES: 
PS3, XBOX 360  - $49.99
VITA, 3DS, Wii - $39.99
PC, DS - $29.99

GAME SUMMARY:
Heroes from the DC Universe join up with the Caped Crusader to root out evil in LEGO Batman 2: Super Heroes. The Dynamic Duo of Batman and Robin join other famous super heroes from the DC Universe including Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to save Gotham City from destruction at the hands of the notorious villains Lex Luthor and the Joker. Batman fans of all ages will enjoy a new and original story filled with classic LEGO videogame action and humor as players fight to put the villains back behind bars. Rated E10+ for Everyone 10 and Over.

TRAILER: 

GAME REVIEW SCORES: Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes has received mostly positive reviews, with some mixed reviews.
- 8.5/10 from IGN

June 19th - Pokemon Conquest

RELEASE DATES: NA: 06/18/12  JP: 03/17/12  AU: 06/21/12

OVERVIEW: Pokemon Conquest's North American release was yesterday, June 18th, on the Nintendo DS. This tactical role-playing game is a cross-over between the Pokemon franchise and the Nobunaga's Ambition franchise.

PRICE(S): DS: $34.99

GAME SUMMARY: 
In Pokemon Conquest, players take on the role of a young Warlord who is linked with a Pokemon. Together, they must set out to recruit Warrior allies to strengthen their growing kingdom. Along their journey, players will encounter a variety of Pokemon, as well as Warriors and Warlords inspired by the Japanese feudal era. The game contains nearly 200 Pokemon, including many from the recent Pokemon Black Version and Pokemon White Version games, which have sold more than 4 million copies combined in the United States.


As the battlefield unfolds in Pokemon Conquest, players must choose the correct Pokemon type to inflict maximum damage on their opponents. In the turn-based skirmishes, players choose different tactics for intense six-on-six battles, and battle conditions can change on every turn, keeping players on their toes in anticipation of what will happen next. Rated E for Everyone.


TRAILER:

GAME REVIEW SCORE:
Pokemon Conquest has received very favorable reviews.
- 8.8/10 from Metacritic
-9/10 from IGN