Why go out in the cold when you can stay home where it’s warm and play videogames? This wintery week brings us the return of the extremely popular ‘The Walking Dead’, as well as a new version of the phenomenal ‘Minecraft’ and lots of pinball action.
The Walking Dead: Season 2, Episode 1 – All That Remains (XBLA for 360, PSN for PS3, PC, Mac)
This is it, the return of Telltale Games’ episodic ‘The Walking Dead’. With ‘All That Remains‘, Season 1 decisions carry over to Season 2. Hopefully, that shouldn’t deter new players from either jumping into the new season or going back to play the first season for the first time. Be sure to play a whole episode (there are five episodes per season) before deciding if the revamped adventure game style is for you. Likewise, even non-gamer fans of ‘The Walking Dead’ should really take a chance on the PC/Mac version.
Minecraft: PS3 Edition (PSN for PS3)
Mojang’s phenomenal ‘Minecraft’ was an impressive success on the PC, especially for a completely independent title. The 360 version catapulted the game into the mainstream, with young players pouring entire summers into it. Now PS3 owners (and soon PS4 and Vita) can finally check it out too.
‘Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag – Freedom Cry’ (Xbox One, PS4, 360, PS3, PC)
Fans of ‘Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag‘ are likely fans of Adéwale, Edward Kenway’s quartermaster. In the first significant piece of DLC for the game, called ‘Freedom Cry‘, Adéwale takes center stage as the lead playable character. Now an assassin, he must come face-to-face with an all-too-familiar institution of the era: slavery. In a rare occurrence for me, I bought the season pass for ‘Assassin’s Creed IV’ mainly in order to play this content.
Zen Pinball 2 (PS4)
‘Zen Pinball 2‘ comes to the PS4 with many of the tables that players loved on the PS3 (and other platforms), including multiple ‘Star Wars’ tables. Owners of the PS3 or PS Vita versions of these tables will get the PS4 versions for free. All PS4 owners will at least be able to play a demo of several great tables, as Zen Studios has licensed some of the best properties around, including Marvel, ‘Street Fighter 2’ and ‘Plants vs. Zombies’.
The Pinball Arcade (PS4)
‘The Pinball Arcade‘ is all about reproducing great Williams, Bally and Stern pinball tables. Owners of the PS3 or PS Vita versions can get the PS4 copies of their tables for half price. The ‘Tales of the Arabian Nights’ table is showcased at launch. Hardcore pinball fans should be happy to have a PS4 after this week.
Brian Hoss
And ‘Zen Pinball 2’ is delayed in North America on the PS4 until next week. (It is out in Europe today.)
Julian
Yeah, but PS4-consoles are nowhere to be found. Next delivery: early February. So we can buy the game, but we can’t play it 😉
Brian Hoss
Very nice Julian. That made me laugh and think. I’ve only seen an unclaimed PS4 for sale once since the launch here in the states, and that includes various web retailers.
I happened to go into a Gamestop just as they were selling the last of a shipment of PS4s. Otherwise, they seem extremely hard to come by, which is a shame because it’s a great system. Who knew remote play would be so awesome?
Julian
Mine’s pre-ordered. We’ll see when it arrives. Fingers crossed for January.
T.J. Kats
Can’t wait for the Walking Dead the first one was great.
Did you beer try The Wolf Among Us? I like that a lot as well and really can’t wait for the second episode to be released.
Josh Zyber
“Beer try”? It’s more fun to play drunk? 🙂
T.J. Kats
Not even sure what I typed to get ever to autocorrect to beer.
Brian Hoss
I did like the first episode of The Wolf Among Us and I’m not really familiar with the comic.
Here’s my 360 review: http://games.highdefdigest.com/326/the_wolf_among_us_epidose_01_360
I’ve since bought the PC version, which I keep meaning to beer try 😉
The second episode seems to be taking a lot longer to release. Probably just trying not to overlap with The Walking Dead too much.
T.J. Kats
Nice review. I have the PS3 version and don’t remember any serious issues with the loading.
Also it does seem weird that they put the releases of this and the Walking Dead so close together but if they can get one a month alternating that would be fine by me.