This morning an EA spokesman announced the closure of Sim City servers. With dwindling profits from the franchise and flagging consumer interest in their month old product, the decision has been made to finally bring about the conclusion to their city-building simulator.
Amidst all the reddit posts, twitter rants and facebook memes, it’s difficult to put a figure on just how many people have been angered by the release of Sim City. Well, now you can; it’s 76,008 people and counting.
So, another seven days have passed here at Reticule Towers. It’s been a busy week all round, so only Chris and I have managed to contribute to this weeks Our Week In Games. Nevertheless, here’s what we’ve both been up to this week.
Let’s face it, Sim City’s release hasn’t exactly gone smoothly. Insufficient servers have led to massive queues and losses in service, and the fan reaction hasn’t exactly been positive. A plummeting Metacritic and Amazon rating have left EA in no doubt as to their customers opinion of this new Sim City and its always-on requirement.
Welcome to The Reticule’s definitive roundup of gaming releases throughout March 2013. All release dates stated are for the EU, across all currently available platforms. Keep this page bookmarked for easy access, as we will link all previews and reviews when we post them on the site.
Still catching up with this months games? February’s release schedule can be found here.
1st
F1 Race Stars (Review)
Wii U
City Builder
PC
Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 Plus
PSV
5th
Tomb Raider (First Impressions, Review)
PC, PS3, Xbox 360
When a sudden storm destroys her research vessel, a young and inexperienced Lara Croft finds herself stranded on a mysterious and remote island hidden off the shores of Japan. Despite several signs of various inhabitants the island is oddly deserted, and an uneasy feeling settles in as strange sounds emerge from the shadows. With only her determination, inner strength, and resourcefulness to help her, Lara must overcome the challenges of a harsh and unforgiving journey that will take her across a vast island wilderness and deep into the claustrophobic and menacing underground tombs from the island’s past.
Major League Baseball 2K13
PS3, Xbox 360
The Amazing Spider-Man Ultimate Edition
Wii U
South Park: The Stick of Truth
PC, PS3, Xbox 360
The Showdown Effect (Review)
PC
8th
Sim City
PC
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate
3DS
Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3
PS3, Xbox 360
Atelier Ayesha: The Alchemist of Dusk
PS3
Total War: Shogun 2 Gold Edition
PC
The Sims 3: University Life
PC
12th
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (Review)
PC
You are Sarah Kerrigan, former Queen of Blades. Once the most feared entity in the galaxy, you now wait in a cell in the depths of a high-security research laboratory. Before the murderous forces of the Terran Dominion close in, you must plot your escape to the dark reaches of space… and reclaim your living empire at the Heart of the Swarm. Lead Sarah Kerrigan as she embarks on a path of furious vengeance. Evolve your brood for maximum devastation, unlock latent psionic powers, and swarm from planet to planet aboard your moon-sized zerg Leviathan.
15th
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2
PC, PS3, Xbox 360
Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory
PS3
The Thirty Nine Steps
iOS, PC
God of War: Ascension (Review)
PS3
21st
Need for Speed: Most Wanted
Wii U
22nd
Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate
Wii U, 3DS
Trials Evolution: Gold Edition
PC
Gears of War: Judgment (Review)
Xbox 360
Set years prior to the events of the previous Gears of War trilogy, Judgment centers on Kilo Squad, a troop of soldiers led by Damon Baird and Augustus “The Cole Train” Cole. They are joined by newcomers to the Gears series Sofia Hendrick and Garron Paduk, as they attempt to save the besieged city of Halvo Bay from a terrifying new enemy. Gears of War: Judgment depicts the planet Sera on the brink of annihilation by an unstoppable new Locust menace, giving you a new vantage point into one of the richest and most acclaimed sagas in gaming.
Resident Evil 6
PC
26th
BioShock Infinite (Review, Group Thoughts)
PC, PS3, Xbox 360
The city of Columbia was built by the US Government in the late 1800s to serve as a floating world’s fair. The city was sent to travel from continent to continent and show the rest of the world the success of the American experiment. Unknown to most, Columbia was also a “death star,” secretly packed with weaponry. Political strife caused Columbia to secede from America and the city disappeared. No one knows how to get to Columbia.
28th
Tiger Woods PGA Tour 14 (Review)
PS3, Xbox 360
Lego City Undercover
Wii U
29th
Midnight Mysteries: Devil on the Mississippi
3DS
Puzzler Brain Games
PC, DS, 3DS
The Walking Dead: Survival Instinct
PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360
Sly Cooper: Thieves in Time
PSV, PS3
29th
Army of Two: The Devil’s Cartel
PS3, Xbox 360
I haven’t had a chance to catch up on all the ins-and-outs of last nights E3 conferences, but the game of the event so far for me is going to go to Sim City. (Watch Dogs is a close runner-up) There is nothing quite like a Sim City game, and the first in-game footage is now available in all its glory after the jump. Watch it, and if you don’t smile, there is something wrong with you. …