LOS ANGELES, June 21 — Among upcoming video games, “Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark” and “GRID Autosport” provide glossy, high-octane entertainment, with “Shovel Knight” the grass-roots Kickstarter success with a retro approach.
Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark (360 3DS PS3 PS4 WiiU WinPC XBO)
North America: June 24
European regions: June 27 (AUS: Jun 25)
Intended to stand in the gap between the Transformers movies, particularly this month’s “Age of Extinction”, and previous games “War for Cybertron” and “Fall of Cybertron”, with a single player story to weave the storylines together, and a multiplayer mode for online jollies. From the Edge of Reality studio, whose original output includes team-based shooter “Loadout” (2014) and “The Incredible Hulk” (2008).
GRID Autosport (360 PC PS3)
North America: June 24
European regions: June 27
Presenting itself as a comprehensive reworking of the “Grid” ethos in response to fan feedback after “Grid 2”, this multidisciplinary romp draws from touring cars, endurance racing, open wheel, tuned, and even street racing, with a ton of licensed cars and real world locations designed to give the “Forza” franchise a run for its money.
Shovel Knight (3DS Linux Mac WinPC WiiU)
International: June 26
Drawing upon a diverse range of influences, from old school jump’n’run titles “Mega Man” and “Duck Tales” to “Dark Souls”, and the result of a successful Kickstarter. The game’s spade-wielding hero must make his way through a series of 2D levels with the ultimate goal of dispatching the evil Enchantress and her eight henchmen.
Don Bradman Cricket 14 (PC)
International: June 26
Already available on 360 and PS3 but now coming to PC as a Steam download. It’s a relief to fans of wicket and willow that on consoles at least, “Don Bradman Cricket” isn’t terrible — in fact, it’s pretty good. Though most of its teams are unlicensed, the mechanics themselves are decent, with realistic ball and player physics, extensive customisation, practice nets, a career mode and an option to engage in online multiplayer.
Divinity: Original Sin (Mac WinPC)
International via download: June 30
A Kickstarter success by the skin of its teeth but nonetheless a worthy addition to the open world action-RPG genre inhabited by “Skyrim” and “Pillars of Eternity”, sporting a sophisticated range of options when it comes to character development, conversations, and even basic mission acquisition and completion. Single player or two player online co-op, Linux date TBA.
Sniper Elite III (360 PS3 PS4 WinPC XBO)
North America: July 1
European regions: June 27
A series singular in its focus expands to move its historical setting from Europe to North Africa, with players dropping into the boots of a World War II OSS sniper tasked with bringing the conflict to a close. — AFP-Relaxnews
