Best Upcoming Games of 2011 (Xbox 360, XBLA, PS3, PSN, PC) - Part 4

This seems to be one of the most active years in downloadable arcade titles. I swear, they just keep lining up and coming out. Here are some more games for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC on the brink of release to checkout! (Continued from our ongoing list of the Best Upcoming Games of 2011 series.)

_________



Street Fighter III: Third Strike Online Edition - XBLA, PSN
Genre: Fighting
Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
Release Date: August 24


EVO 2011 has me all amped up to FIGHT! Fighting games have always held such a big chunk of my video game sentiment. I remember the amount of triumph as I launched my first "HADOKEN!" with Ken in SFII. This was back in the day where almost every game coming out was a fighting game and the market was saturated with both good and bad titles. As people lined up left and right to plunk their hard-earned tokens, fighting to be the next champion, the Street Fighter series always seemed to hold dominance in the genre. Street Fighter is an iconic part of my childhood for sure, which is why I am very excited to see this port of Street Fighter III: Third Strike hit XBLA and PSN. To be honest, I really didn't play III, but have heard great things. This entry will feature online play, chock full of challenges and a new tournament mode for up to 8 people. Lag / delay has always been a huge problem with fighting online. Hopefully everything will remain smooth and free from chugging. Graphics are getting some enhancement due to the HD foray and from what I have seen, it's looking silky. When SFII HD Remix hit, I was blown away, so I am excited to see SFIII with some polish. Looking forward to sinking my teeth into the core dynamics of this very well received fighter from the fighting game staple that is Capcom.
_________



X-Men Destiny - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Activision
Developer: Silicon Knights
Release: September 27


As great as X-Men:First Class was, I am happy to say that this is no movie tie-in game. Usually, those games never transfer over to anyting but absolute rubbish. Luckily, our friends over at Silicon Knights (Too Human, Eternal Darkness) are creating what appears to be fun Action RPG experience in the X-Men universe. You start by choosing between three mutant characters, each brand new to the universe and written for this game. This is where you are given a clean slate to start with. Finding X-Genes (the fuel behind fantastic powers), you will be able to customize your power set, enabling new abilities and actions. The cool thing is, once you meet classic X-Men characters, you gain access to there X-Genes, which you can then utilize. Pretty freaking rad! This is an RPG, so expect to see some interesting conversation trees with choices a la Mass Effect style, or at least we've been told. The story should be pretty solid, with Mike Carrey (ongoing X-Men:Legacy writer) manning the guns. From what I have read, there are some concerns with gameplay and graphics, being slightly sluggish and bland, respectively. Regardless, it's on my radar and hopefully they'll have enough time to add polish and shine.
__________



NeverDead - Xbox 360, PS3
Genre: Third Person Action / Shooter
Publisher: Konami
Developer: Rebellion
Release: Q3 2011


You're wife was murdered. You were left for dead by Astaroth, a head honcho Demon King who cares nothing of you but that you are out of the way. But alas, in your death you are granted immortality. You play as Bryce Boltzmann and you are never dead. This third person action game looks to offer some pretty interesting mechanics. Since you are immortal, you can't die. Well, kind of. If you are reduced to just your head, you are susceptible to being killed by certain enemies.  Otherwise, you have plenty ways to dispatch carnage at your disposal to prevent this from happening.  However, you have with you Arcadia, a woman of the organization NADA to watch your back and make sure you are sticking to your mission, offering help where she can. The thing is, you have to protect her from death. It's unclear if she is with you for the entire game, but I am a bit leery of a full story escort mission if that's the case. On the flip-side, you do have some nifty abilities being immortal. You can rip your arm off and use it as a detonation device. Can't get to a certain area? Well why don't you just rip your head off and toss it up to the desired location, teleporting the rest of your body to it? It also looks to bring dual welding guns and a sword for melee, bolstering your arsenal. Co-op and versus look to offer unique challenges for those wanting to take it online. I am curious to see the strategy behind the online modes. With the mechanics of the game, it may be unique enough to turn some heads.
__________



Crimson Alliance - Xbox 360
Genre: Action RPG
Publisher: Certain Affinity
Developer: Certain Affinity
Release: Q3 2011


Just when I thought there weren't enough Action RPG's, we get slapped with one after the next. Certain Affinity is a fairly new developer that brought map packs via Halo and CoD. They are branching out and adding to the Summer of Arcade on Xbox 360 with Crimson Alliance. Choosing between three separate classes (Merc, Wizard and Assassin), players will be able to team up online with their buddies in this dungeon crawler. Just like most RPG's, you'll be able to level, spec and equip your toon to become a powerful force. Comes complete with 4 player online co-op. (Dungeon Siege III, if an arcade game can get it right, why can't you?) Graphics aren't too complex, but display a fun, fantastical style similar to WoW or Torchlight. Being the final game in the Summer of Arcade lineup, if you're planning to purchase the previous games, you'll get Crimson Alliance for free! Check it out!
__________



Orcs Must Die! - XBLA, PSN PC
Genre: Third Person Action Strategy Shooter / Tower Defense
Publisher: Microsoft
Developer: Robot Entertainment
Release: Q3 2011


Ha! This game could only mean one thing: killing orcs and lots of them. You play as a WarMage with both benefits of magic, melee, range and traps at your disposal. Using your sword-staff, you can combo into knocking the snot out of orcs while quickly switching to your force back magic. This helplessly launches the suckers into the spikes you laid earlier set to spring on any sorry sap meandering about. Don't forget to pick'em off with your crossbow. Headshot! Just by watching some footage, you'll see how flawlessly fun it is to chain combos to your kill multiplier by getting creative with your arsenal. Hordes of orcs will make their way through your defenses, so you had better strategically plan exactly where to best fool your foes. The aforementioned pop-up spikes, spring floor catapults and archers are just some of your disposable preventions available. I am very excited about this game. It just looks downright awesome. The blending of third person action and strategic planning looks so well done. Give it a look and see for yourself!
__________

By the way, here's what I'm currently playing through:
Bastion - XBLA
Dungeon Siege III - Xbox 360
L.A. Noire - Xbox 360
Trine - Xbox 360
Mortal Kombat - Xbox 360
Gears 2 - Xbox 360


----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 1 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 2 HERE!
----> BEST UPCOMING GAMES OF 2011 PART 3 HERE!



Be sure to "like" us on our facebook page to keep up with us, and other projects, articles, and videos we are working on!

Summer Movie Round-Up

Movies that are on our radar... or not.

X-Men: First Class 

June 3, 2011

Josh and I have already done a pretty in-depth review about the latest iteration of the X-Men chronicles. You can watch that (Video Spoiler Alert) HERE! Please Subscribe to our Youtube Channel (Click the Subscribe button on the right side of the page!)

What's This?
____

Super 8

June 10, 2011

You may love it, you may hate it. But if this movie is like anything else good ol' J.J. Abrams has done recently, you'll probably be disappointed somehow. (i.e. Lost) 

____

Green Lantern

June 17, 2011

I greatly anticipate this movie to do one of two things. Either the movie will inspire me to really get neck deep in Green Lantern lore, or it will solidify my disinterest and wow me with green-splosions.

Any Green Lantern lovers out there who would like to explain the excitement behind a guy with a ring? 

____

Mr. Popper's Penguins 

Don't Care

#whathappenedtojimcarrey (OOPS) Next...

____

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II

July 15, 2011

We simply can't wait for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II !! The movie will most definitely escalate into the intense showdown between Harry and Voldemort, wreaking havoc and destruction to Hogwarts in their wake. 

Captain America: The First Avenger

July 22, 2011

I am personally excited about Captain America: The First Avenger because of the time period with which the movie is based in. It really worked in X-Men: First Class, and from what I have seen from the artistic direction and cinematography in the trailer, it will take me 3+ views before my brain pays any attention to the story and not the "pur-di-ness."  

__________________________________

Also another not so mainstream movie…

Bellflower 

Summer 2011

This movie is particularly interesting to see how awesome Director, Writer, and Actor, Evan Glodell is at doing what he does….(everything) --- It has flame-balls and rad vintage cars, do you really need to know anything else? 

___

ANY MOVIES WE MISSED? Let us know in the comments! 

___

Blip: The Video Games Magazine June, 1983

Lets just hope that they don't try to make more additions to the video game graveyard out of these titles.  

To quote my favorite source (comic longbox) for all things "current" --- My issue of Marvel's failed magazine, Blip: The Video Games Magazine June, 1983 issue goes into prophetic-realism-mode when they said: 

"What did E.T. and TRON prove? Maybe that the only thing a movie tie-in has going for it is its title. That might account for some sales. But in the end, the game will sell---or not sell--- on its own merits." 

X-Men: First Class - In-depth Movie Review (Spoiler Alert!)

Hey, we are Crunchpop... Two guys who like to talk about nerd stuff with other nerdological people.

We hope to create a forum for discussion on things that range from cereal to comics, and wine to root beer. We are shooting for having weekly episodes, so please subscribe to our YouTube channel HERE.

In this episode we are primarily talking about X-Men: First Class where we go into some detail about the plot, so don't say you weren't warned about a possible "spoiler alert!!!"!!!!!!!!!

If you have a different take on the movie, let us know in the comments!