Q4, 2012, What to Expect When You're Expecting to Actually Have Money Going Into Christmas

Hello class, for today's lesson we are going to start off with a few well known facts.

1. The gaming industry saves much of its firepower for the holiday season, nolo contendere? Ok.
2. Many video game aficionados, myself included, have had to make a dire choice around this time every year, which ones to leave behind.
3. Scratch that, two dire choices. Introducing, "To Be or Not To Be: The Collector's Edition pt. 2: The  Bankbreaker"  We've all had to choose whether or not to give in to this devious seductress, the Collector's Edition.

Now, I know there are some tough choices down the road, and the path you choose may or may not lead to your inner enlightenment, but I am here as a messenger, to ensure that those who accompany me are informed about the trials ahead. Without further ado, the contenders, we'll go chronologically, to be fair.

Borderlands 2

First, let me start by saying, if you haven't had a hand at Borderlands, we've got to get you on that.  I'll put up an enticing review of the campaign at a later date, until then, let's go over some details. First and foremost, Borderlands 2 is said to have fixed the primary issue with the first, which is complete disregard for a cohesive story. If you couple that with an equally lovable cast of heroes and enemies alike and 96.5% more wub wub, Borderlands 2 is sure to surpass the greatness that is its precursor.

Standing Stats
Regular Pricing- $59.99
Release Date- 09/18/2012
Scott's Suggestion- Even if you haven't played the first, don't miss Borderlands 2.
No Collector's Edition info available yet.

Bioshock Infinite

Ahh, Bioshock.  Let me run you through my first experience with Bioshock, I opened the game, saw a beautiful steampunk/futuristic environment, and thought hmm, I can't wait to take my time exploring all of the nooks and crannies this game has to offer. Five minutes in, I'm pretty sure I soiled myself. I don't remember exactly though, you know, those damned repressed memories and all.  That aside, the game is beautiful and if you can judge by this trailer, the sequel doesn't disappoint in the environment department.  This may not be a day one buy for me, as I played Bioshock 1 and 2 and I have to say, some of the best storytelling from a game I've seen in a while, but will most likely be occupied with Borderlands 2 at release day.  If you haven't played the other games in the series, I would put this on your wait list until you're able to knock out 1 and 2 first, get past the crippling fear and lonesome that is Bioshock, and you'll be fine.



Standing Stats
Regular Pricing- $59.99
Release Date- 10/16/2012
Scott's Suggestion- If you've played 1 and 2, go for it, if not then it would be best to wait until you've knocked out the first two games.
No Collector's Edition info available yet.

Assassin's Creed III

Now, I am still working through the Assassin's Creed series, I was a little late to the party on that one, but I am finding it fantastic, repetitive, but fantastic nonetheless.  The change of environment this trailer brings had my jaw on the floor the first time I set my eyes on it.  What is a great mix of parkour and public assassination, is now complemented with The Revolutionary War, I am very interested to see how it turns out, and whether or not it deviates from true history and how much it does so.  I most likely won't be picking this up on launch day, simply because Borderlands and Bioshock will still have my attention and I also have not finished the Assassin's Creed series. Regardless of whether I finish before release date or not, I will still be picking this up at one point or another.


Standing Stats
Regular Pricing- $59.99
Release Date- 10/30/2012
Scott's Suggestion- I wouldn't rate the importance as high as the previous two entries (more specifically Borderlands 2), but an eventual buy is a definite yes.
No Collector's Edition info available yet.

Resident Evil 6

The Resident Evil franchise has frankly had some ups and downs within the past few years. What with the movies, Operation: Raccoon City being the down points and Resident Evil 4 and 5 being the better half of the spectrum.  This being the sixth true installment to the game leaves me extremely excited, as the trailer shows, it will be full of action, exploding brains, and so many Leon-Chris bro moments it will make your head spin.  Capcom has brought back the Co-Op story mode, thankfully, and has supposedly improved on the fallbacks that RE:5 saw in its completion.  With all of the flack that RE:5 Co-Op caught, I still thought it was a great experience and really took me back to the old days where you really relied on your partner to keep you alive and out of hungry zombie mouths. I don't know about you, but that's the last place I'd want to be, it would smell terrible.


Standing Stats
Regular Pricing- $59.99
Release Date- 11/20/2012
Scott's Suggestion- Personally, I am rating this as high as Borderlands 2 on my list, RE:4 and RE:5 were too great to pass up and this will most likely not disappoint. Even if you haven't played any of the RE franchise, spend a half hour on Google, catch yourself up, and get this game.
No Collector's Edition info available yet.

The Last of Us

While we're on the topic of anti-hygienic, smelly zombies, we can't leave out this up and coming game from Naughty Dog.  The makers of Uncharted have outdone themselves on this one, the environment looks gorgeous, the scene portrayed above is heart pounding, and that girl looks a lot like Ellen Page. Ok, that's not really game related but it's important, we like Ellen Page, right? Anyway, out of all of the games on the list, I almost hold this one in my highest expectations.  Don't get me wrong, I am PUMPED for Borderlands and Resident Evil, but there is something about a fresh series that gets me going. We clearly have a motley crew travelling together in a place that looks like it was recently bitten by the Umbrella Co. bug, needless to say I am eager to see what the hell is going on here.


Standing Stats
Regular Pricing- $59.99
Release Date- 12/31/2012 (tentative)
Scott's Suggestion- Ahh, freshness. I am very excited for this title and I will be keeping up with news from it in coming posts, just going off the info I have now, I'll be buying it on release day. I am a huge fan of the Uncharted series and The Last of Us should demand your attention.
No Collector's Edition info available yet.

Ok, class, that's the list of games you need to be watching for in Q4, 2012. I've given you my opinions on what you should jump out and get at 12:01 opening day, and those that can maybe wait a couple weeks.  If there is a certain franchise you're interested in, shoot us a comment below and we can get you some news on it in future posts. Now, excuse me while I go watch that last trailer again.

-Scott