1st February

Hitman HD Trilogy

 

• Publisher | Square-Enix
• Developer | IO Interactive
• Platforms | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

High definition re-makes of last-gen hits are nothing new, though still manage to strike a chord with gamers. Whether you want to relive Agent 47′s most memorable moments or simply ease yourself into IO’s award-winning franchise, the Hitman HD Trilogy is the place to begin. Hitman 2: Silent Assassin, Contracts, and Blood Money have all been bundled onto one disc, each given a lick of polish.

Whether or not you saw last year’s Hitman: Absolution as an evolution of the series could determine how well you receive these re-mastered past instalments. Each one subscribes to the classic hit-per-mission structure, though they still afford a great deal of experimentation. Either way, ponying up £20 (or even less if you shop around) will bag you three of the most robust and rewarding experiences the stealth genre has to offer.

Ni No Kuni

 

• Publisher | Namco Bandai
• Developer | Level-5
• Platforms | PlayStation 3

Perhaps one of the most-anticipated PlayStation 3 exclusives of 2013, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch has already swept the States, stealing the hearts of critics and gamers alike.

At a time where Japanese RPGs are beginning to flag, Ni No Kuni comes as somewhat of a surprise. Not only does the game exhibit inventive and engaging gameplay mechanics, it’s also dressed up by one of the world’s most renowned anime giants, Studio Ghibli.

English-speaking gamers will also be happy to hear that Ni No Kuni’s localization is near-perfect. Performances are delivered well by their voice-actors and help to carry the game’s sensitive, albeit uplifting, narrative.

Omerta: City of Gangsters

 

• Publisher | Kalypso Media
• Developer | Haemimont Games
• Platforms | Xbox 360, PC

Developed by Haemimont Games, whose most recent work includes Tropico 4 and The First Templar, Omerta is a game of two halves.

Set during the Prohibition Era in 1920s America, you assume the role of an aspiring entrepreneur looking to get their hands dirty. As expected, this involves empire building through rackets, shakedowns, and distortion. Your ultimate goal: to rise above the numerous competing gangs to seize the throne.

Aside from city-wide management and simulation, Omerta also involves combat. These small-scale encounters are all turn-based and have an X-COM flavour to them. With that said, you won’t be dousing each-other with alien tech; here, it’s shotguns and pistols with the odd bit of fisticuffs for good measure.

8th February

Dead Space 3

 

• Publisher | Electronic Arts
• Developer | Visceral Games
• Platforms | PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PC

The latest (and perhaps, last) instalment in the Dead Space franchise is almost upon. Over the course of two games, engineer Isaac Clarke has been to hell and back in a harrowing adventure peppered with mad religious cults and Necromorphs, the twisted undead horde who seem to excel in two things. Splicing people to pieces, and playing hide and seek.

Having crash-landed on the planet of Tau Volantis, Isaac is looking to put the Necropmorphs to bed once and for all. This time around the mentally-scared engineer isn’t alone. EDF officer and secondary protagonist, John Carver, will also feature heavily in Dead Space, mainly thanks to the game’s new drop-in, drop-out co-op mode.