Spartans, Spidey, and Samus - Oh My!

Summer is over and it's back to school, waking up early, and the return of your favorite television shows. It also means the short-term break from the influx of games is over, as a slew of titles will be hitting the shelves in the near future that are worth your time:

August 31st

Metroid: Other M
Nintendo Wii
Developer: Nintendo/Team Ninja
Publisher: Nintendo


Samus kicks it all off with her return on the Wii. This time around Samus will be transitioning from 2D fights to 3D battles, to first-person shootouts. Promising fast-paced action that Team Ninja always delivers on, it's safe to assume this will be a nice setup for getting the dust off your Wii (sexual innuendo implied!).

September 5th

Kingdom Hearts Birth by Sleep
PSP
Developer: Square Enix
Publisher: Sony Entertainment







The highly awaited addition to the Kingdom Hearts series is looking incredible for a handheld title. With smooth character models, familiar gameplay, and even more worlds to explore in the palm of your hand, Birth by Sleep will be a welcome addition for any PSP owner...all 300 of you.

Spiderman: Shattered Dimensions
Xbox 360/PS3/Wii
Developer: Beenox
Publisher: Activision








This is a game that many Spiderman fans hope will be like the Arkham Asylum of the Spidey universe. You have to imagine with every voice actor possible pitching in and a writer of the spidey comics helming the story, this game looks to "shatter" our expectations....sorry, I won't do that anymore.


Other Notable Releases: NHL 2011', Tom Clancy's HAWX 2

September 14th

Halo Reach
Xbox 360
Developer: Bungie
Publisher: Microsoft








The supposed "final" Halo game, Bungie returns again this year with another addition to the Halo franchise. Offering the same fast paced multiplayer along with some welcome new additions to the single player campaign, Halo: Reach looks to be a promising close to the series and a choice game to own for the month...be honest, you reserved that $150 mammoth, didn't you?

September 19th

Sid Meiers Civilization V
PC
Developer: Firaxis Games
Publisher: 2K Games

 








When it comes to an RTS that has all the bases covered, Civ 5 is the game for you. The player leads a civilization from prehistoric times into the future on a randomly-generated map, achieving one of a number of different victory conditions through research, diplomacy, expansion, economic development, government and military conquest.

September 28th

Dead Rising 2
Xbox 360/PS3/PC
Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom







One can never kill too many undead. Following the ever so satisfying mall setting of the first game, the sequel takes place in Vegas. Expect more weapons (including a motorcycle fashioned with chainsaws) and more zombie genocide as you hack your way through waves of zombies with a buddy!