The games of February 2013
New planets. New crises. New reasons to stretch your wallet.
February 8
We Sing: 80s
Platform: Wii
EU: Out now
Looking to add some flare to you next '80s retro party? Le Cortex is expanding its We Sing line of Karaoke titles in February with this neon pink Wii entry. The game is set to include 30 licensed songs and music videos from the likes of Duran Duran, Queen, Roxette, Culture Club, and other famed '80s superstars who will no doubt appreciate the royalty check. Multiple difficulties, multiplayer modes, and the inclusion of singing lessons round off We Sing: '80s' offerings. Can you feel the beat of the Rhythm of the Night? Do you believe in the Power of Love? Ready to show your True Colors? If any of those references made sense, this may be the party game for you.
February 10
Brain Age: Concentration Training
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
EU: March 8
Dr. Kawashima brings his gray matter testing to the 3DS in this continuation of the Brain Age puzzle series. Also known as Dr Kawashima's Devlish Brain Training: Can You Stay Focused, Brain Age: Concentration Training casts the bespeckled doctor as a demonic tutor who helps players enhance their memory and concentration skills through a series of minigames that utilize the handheld's touchscreen and 3DS features. The game will also adapt to the level of each player's concentration skills, but if you've read the description up until this point, you're likely ahead of the game.
February 12
Aliens: Colonial Marines
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Wii U (TBD)
At long last, Sega and Gearbox Software are ready to unleash this oft-delayed Aliens shooter on the world. Billed as a sequel to the Aliens film, the game puts players in the shoes of Corporal Dwayne Hicks as he leads his men on an investigation into the whereabouts of Ellen Ripley aboard the derelict U.S.S. Sulaco. Gameplay wise, players will face off against familiar Xenomorph enemies like the Facehuggers, Chestbursters, and ManSnugglers (ok, we made that last one up) in a string of run-and-gun segments and defense missions. The main campaign also includes a drop-in/drop-op co-op mode, along with a separate competitive multiplayer mode that allows players to assume alien or human form and ... well ... do what aliens and humans are wont to do (read: tear each other to shreds). Watch the first moments of the main campaign plays out in our Aliens: Colonial Marines campaign hands-on preview.
MUD – FIM Motocross World Championship
Platform: PS3, Xbox 360, PC
EU: Out now
Sign up to the 12DOVE Newsletter
Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more
MUD – FIM Motocross World Championship has already been spinning its wheels in Europe since last April, but now North American racers will get a chance to kick up some dirt. Developed by Milestone (WRC FIA World Rally Championship 3,SBK Generation) the game features 12 locations and a cast of 84 racers divided among 32 teams. Players can also hot dog it up in the Monster Energy Trick Battle Mode, test their racing mettle in a MUD World Tour, or take their talents online in 12-player races.
Omerta: City of Gangsters
Platform: Xbox 360, PC
EU: February 1
Set during the swinging 1920s, this tactical sim from Kalypso Media casts players as a newly arrived immigrant who dreams of becoming the criminal kingpin of Atlantic City. Would-be gangsters will climb the ranks of the seedy underworld, graduating from low-level thieves to gang leaders and beyond. Doing so will require players to balance empire building with gang development, while also engaging in territory takeovers, intel gathering, and strategic turn-based confrontations. If you prefer your Grand Theft Auto action with a helping side of the Sims, Omerta: City of Gangsters has your back.
Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed 3DS
Platform: Nintendo 3DS
EU: February 8
Sonic and his crew of Sega speedsters are bringing the racing action to the 3DS in this port of Sumo Digital's 2012 mascot racing title. Like its PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U counterparts, Sonic All-Star Racing Transformed unites characters from numerous Sega franchises for a Mario Kart-esque racing competition. Stars including regulars from Sonic the Hedgehog, Beat and Gum from Jet Set Radio, Pudding and Ulala from Space Channel 5, Joe Muashi from Shinobi, Alex Kidd, and many others. Bone up on the complete racer line-up over at Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed roster: See all the game's confirmed racers; and read our review of the console version.
Matt Bradford wrote news and features here at 12DOVE until 2016. Since then he's gone on to work with the Guinness World Records, acting as writer and researcher for the annual Gamer's Edition series of books, and has worked as an editor, technical writer, and voice actor. Matt is now a freelance journalist and editor, generating copy across a multitude of industries.
As Stalker 2 bug reports roll in, dev warns "there may still be rough edges" because "we literally haven't released anything of this scale before"
Kingdom Hearts 2 streamer spends 2 hours grinding a 9999-hit combo, gets enough cash for 1.2 healing potions: "This is possibly the most stressful thing I've ever done"