Shippin' Out Feb. 7-13: Dante's Inferno, BioShock 2

EA's infernal new action adventure takes on 2K's anticipated dystopian shooter follow-up, while Square Enix brings Star Ocean: The Last Hope to the PS3.

As has been the trend during the first part of 2010, the second week of February sees a handful of high-profile games march largely alone to retail shelves. This week, the games in question come from Electronic Arts and its one-time acquisition target, Take-Two.

Dante's Inferno sets out to prove that the scythe is mightier than the pen.

From EA and Dead Space developer Visceral Games comes Dante's Inferno for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. (A PSP edition is expected to arrive later this month.) Like the epic poem it's based on, the game follows a descent through the nine circles of hell--limbo, lust, gluttony, greed, anger, violence, heresy, fraud, and treachery.

Rather than seeing the protagonist as a passive visitor, the game reimagines Dante as a fierce scythe-wielding warrior who must slay all manner of demonic creatures to rescue his ladylove, Beatrice. A demo for Dante's Inferno is available through Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network.

Take-Two's highly acclaimed BioShock franchise returns on the Xbox 360, PS3, and PC this week, though Irrational Games has handed off development to a new studio--or should that be "studios." 2K Marin has taken the reins on the single-player campaign of BioShock 2, and Digital Extremes is crafting the multiplayer component. Support is also being provided by 2K Australia, 2K China, and Arkane Studios.

The single-player campaign is set 10 years after the events of BioShock, with players putting on the diving boots of one of the hulking Big Daddies. The game will feature new plasmids, areas, and opponents, including the dreaded Big Sister. The multiplayer component is set before the first game, allowing gamers a glimpse of life in Rapture as things started to go wrong in the undersea utopia.

One other notable release this week is Square Enix and Tri-Ace's Star Ocean: The Last Hope - International for the PS3. Released as a timed Xbox 360 exclusive in February 2009, the Japanese-style role-playing game is the fourth proper installment in the Star Ocean franchise. The Last Hope is set after World War III and follows humankind as it makes its way into outer space. For an idea of what to expect, check out GameSpot's review of the Xbox 360 installment.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and the Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

FEBRUARY 8, 2010
Family Party: 30 Great Games Winter Fun--WII--D3Publisher

FEBRUARY 9, 2010
BioShock 2--X360, PS3, PC--2K Games
Dante's Inferno--X360, PS3--Electronic Arts
The Daring Game for Girls--DS--Majesco Games
Data East Arcade Classics--WII--Majesco Games
Rock Blast--WII--UFO Interactive
Samurai Rising--IP--Trippert Labs
Scene It? Twilight--DS--Konami
Shiren the Wanderer--WII--Atlus Co.
Sniper-X--IP--Trippert Labs
Square Logic--PC--MumboJumbo
Star Ocean: The Last Hope - International--PS3--Square Enix
Super Monkey Ball: Step & Roll--WII--Sega
World Cup of Pool--DS--Aksys Games

FEBRUARY 10, 2010
Bookworm Adventures--DS--PopCap
Darwinia+--X360--Valve Software
Windchaser--PC--Got Game Entertainment

FEBRUARY 11, 2010
No new releases announced.

FEBRUARY 12, 2010
World of Outlaws: Sprint Cars--X360--THQ
Zorro: Quest for Justice--DS--505 Games

73 Comments

  • lamprey263

    Posted Feb 9, 2010 1:32 am PT

    one thing that kid of makes me hesitant about picking up Dante's Inferno is how mixed the reviews are, it's averaging around 75% on MetaCritic and GameRankings and 75% is not bad, but it averages around there because critics are reviewing either really good or really bad, which kind of leaves me more hesitant

  • monson21502

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:52 pm PT

    the tv ads for Dante's Inferno were sick durring the superbowl. i bet that helps it sell pretty good. even though the reviews have been pretty bad. but i liked the demo so ill rent it for sure. i think the smart money is on bioshock to be the bigest seller of the week

  • soulless4now

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:44 pm PT

    I wish I could get Star Ocean.

  • Egotte

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:28 pm PT

    Skip! Nothing too great this week for me.

  • RonTorque

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 4:12 pm PT

    Dante and Bioshock 2

  • lamprey263

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 3:49 pm PT

    @IntenseMatador

    I don't think they're ripping on Dante's Inferno because it's a God of War clone, I think they're scoring it lower because the overall game isn't as polished or as satisfying as a God of War game is. I personally don't see anything wrong with borrowing ideas from other games, the use of the right analog to dodge attacks is uniquely God of War but also works really well, no need to reinvent what works, just use it in their own game. Anyhow, Dante's Inferno is averaging around 75% on GameRankings and MetaCritic, which means the game is rather okay, just not great.

  • IntenseMatador

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 3:28 pm PT

    every magazine or gaming website is giving dantes inferno a stupid rating when they know it deserved atleast a 8 or a 9 they are just mad because it copied god of war but guess what god of war isnt original either morons

  • lamprey263

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 2:58 pm PT

    Picking up Bioshoock 2. I'll pass on Dante's Inferno for now, maybe until it's a bit cheaper. I kind of expected more from Visceral being as they were the ones that made Dead Space, which was effing awesome, but Dante's Inferno doesn't show that same level of effort. Though, I still have my doubts about Bioshock 2, mostly that playing a big daddy will take away from the creepy atmosphere of the game being as you now have less a lot less to fear. But, I loved the first Bioshock too much to pass this up.

    to jedikevin2, yes Bayonetta was a Devil May Cry clone, but that makes sense since it was created by the creator of Devil May Cry, not to mention Bayonetta was a friggin great game to play, and great games are usually more forgiven of immitation as long as they do it right

  • nickythenewt21

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 2:43 pm PT

    BioShock 2 is gonna kick SOOOO much ass. I've been waiting for such a long time for this game. First game I've ever pre-ordered. I seriously cannot wait for this game.

  • SDBusDriver1979

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 2:38 pm PT

    Star Ocean looks tempting with the Japanese tracks on there, but I just can't justify spending another $60 to get through a little bit better than average RPG thats filled with little girls. The english voice acting was atrocious...kay.

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 2:13 pm PT

    DAMN! I'll get FF XIII Limited Edition so I'll have to save up my money!

  • Doolz2024

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 1:14 pm PT

    I'm getting Bioshock 2 for the 360 tonight at midnight

  • jedikevin2

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 12:57 pm PT

    Hmm I see alot of folks mocking on dante's inferno for it felt like god of war to them. Seeing that bayonetta had moderate success as a devil may cry clone, dante should do fine. Bioshock 2 though is gonna be beastly. Steam is selling it with 3 copies of bioshock 1 so you can gift them to friends. Nice.

  • Tremblay343

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 12:54 pm PT

    I was going to buy Dante's Inferno, but now i'll just wait for GoW3. Plus bioshock 2 is coming out the same day, and that looks waaaay better anyways.

  • coldsauce09

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 12:30 pm PT

    star ocean oh yea! some time killing machine!

  • dt2003

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 12:18 pm PT

    Awesome Super Bowl ad + Mediocre game = Dante's Inferno

    This month's releases =*yawn*

  • JayQproductions

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 12:03 pm PT

    Dante's Inferno will be good and i'll pick up bioshock 2 too but i think Dante's Inferno will be the better game, Bioshock 2 is made by a different company than the first and Bioshock was one of those games that only work once.

  • Jag-T1000

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 11:44 am PT

    They are already 3 million in the hole with their Superbowl commercial. Do they think this game will make them profit?

  • wolfyrabbit

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 11:41 am PT

    woot, SO4I! I am getting it first day it arrives in store in my area

  • Sword-Hunter277

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 11:32 am PT

    Dante's Inferno is clearly a less-fleshed out experience compared to BioShock 2.

    Anyone who disagrees isn't playing hard enough.

  • Masked_Man

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 10:39 am PT

    Dante's Inferno is the only game here i care about....it's awesome. imo.

  • robfield

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 10:06 am PT

    Yes, a Zorro game. You underestimate the power of shovelware

  • green_dominator

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:58 am PT

    LMAO A Zorro game? I mean really.........
    I'll own Bioshock tomorrow, I can't wait to see the miltiplayer and the story.......

  • JOem316

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:57 am PT

    Star Ocean is good, but big dissappointment. And from the reviews they didn't fix the problems that carry over from the 360 version like everyone expected.

  • hotgamer

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:53 am PT

    Star Ocean is shipping the 8th, not the 9th.

  • joshphillips

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:43 am PT

    Star Ocean and Bioshock are day one buys for me baby!

  • Hobbitslayer18

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 9:03 am PT

    @TheEldestGod

    That's because there aren't as much hack&slash games made than there are shooters.
    Not that I'm saying that bioshock 2 is just a normal shooter, because we all know it isn't.

    + The hype also consisted of trying to be better than gow, which eventually failed.

  • earlthecannibal posted Feb 8, 2010 8:53 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    earlthecannibal

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:53 am PT (hide)

    Why do people like games like Bioshock?...I just don't get it. It looks like a movie book with some cheesy love story added on.

  • TheEldestGod

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:51 am PT

    Why is Bioshock 2 sitting in the shadows of a crappy game? All I've been hearing about is Dante's Inferno. Bioshock 2 is coming out, people!!!!

  • jl0pez

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:38 am PT

    Dante's inferno D.E and world of outlaws for me this week. Might pick up Bioshock 2 after player reviews.

  • Kou-Nurasaka

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:26 am PT

    Star Ocean 4! I was so mad when I heard it was a 360 exclusive way back when. Glad that Square-Enix released it as an International.%Pr

  • bigelf72 posted Feb 8, 2010 8:24 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    bigelf72

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:24 am PT (hide)

    For as much as I really wanted to get into Dante's Inferno, the nudity was the only appealing aspect, everything else just seemed like a blatant GOW rip-off and I could not get over it.

  • Richardthe3rd

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 8:09 am PT

    Some good titles this week, but none good enough to make me put down Mass Effect 2.

  • jadefury27

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:51 am PT

    The dante's inferno ad during the super bowl was so damn good.
    anyone on the fence should see that ad. it was very remincent of the ad for gears of war 1 with r.e.m and the corpser.

  • mariostar0001

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:45 am PT

    Daring Games for Girls? That may have been a popular book, but it can't be a good game.

  • Megamanx266

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:42 am PT

    @KimCheeWarriorX

    First... what game are you talking about?
    Second... pretty much EVERY game on gamespot gets reviewed before it get released. Why on earth would they get "review" copies beforehand then?

  • KimCheeWarriorX

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:35 am PT

    Because 95% of the game is exactly the same as the 360 version, even the graphics unfortunately. Although I will probably pick it up for PS3 even though I already played the hell out of the 360 version just to see what little new content they added, I'm hoping it's not gonna be a full priced game seeing as how this is basically a remixed 360 version released a whole year later. The reason why they're telling you to go to the 360 page is because it's the only version so far that has been actually released and hence been reviewed. The PS3 version's page is a preview seeing as how it wouldn't be proper to review a game before it's released (although its been done before, but still, its not proper).

  • finalstar2007

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:35 am PT

    Star Ocean: The Last Hope - International!!!!!!!!!!

  • SDBusDriver1979

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:33 am PT

    Daring Game for Girls? Do I get like renegade points for playing this? Sounds dangerous.

  • concertostrife

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:27 am PT

    "For an idea of what to expect, check out GameSpot's review of the Xbox 360 installment." Wha??? If I'm not mistake Star Ocean Int. has it's own page, and it has some upgrades (granted not as many as stated before...but some... like multiple voice audio tracks and an 'enhanced combat system'). So, why would we want to read a review of that version?

  • Darth_Nater307

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:12 am PT

    Forget "Bioshock 2" & "Dante's Inferno", "Scene It? Twilight" BABY!!! In case you can't tell, that is sarcasm.

  • taylormadederek

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 7:09 am PT

    Well this is a big week for me...........getting Bioshock 2, Bioshock 2 CE, Dantes for 360 and PS3, Star Ocean, and Monkey Ball........
    \
    \
    Let me tell you how beautiful Bioshock CE is......wow if you ordered this you will NOT be disappointed. \
    \
    Games are great.!!!

  • Demiseshadow

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:48 am PT

    Wow Bioshock 2 already comming out this Tuesday. I am so scared that it will not live up to expectations but the first one was so good there is nothing I can do to lower my own expectations for this game.

  • Puscifer_No1

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:48 am PT

    Why do you think SE have changed up their battle system? I agree wholeheartedly with you on ME2 changing the way developers should think about their battle system, but like you said, the general audience would cry out if the JRPG genre were to follow in the footsteps of an Action/RPG. Each genre has a formula for a reason. And the Time-Based system has always worked, especially now for the likes of Valkyrie Chronicles, which is also a strategic rpg.

    Oh and just to clarify after reading your initial post, S.O. isn't one of those, as you would call it, "you hit me/ I hit you" RPG's. You would know this is you played or watched a Star Ocean game. I recommend Star Ocean : Till The End Of Time or any other S.O. game for that matter.

  • Solidsnake13_2

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:47 am PT

    The biggest day of this week is going to be Dante's Inferno and Bioshock 2 on the 9th. I don't care about the other days.

  • Lunastra78

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:42 am PT

    There are too many great games and too little time to play them all damnit!

  • Nibustan

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:41 am PT

    tomorrow!! Bioshock 2

  • Sins-of-Mosin

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:40 am PT

    Eh, a week of games that should be played but no rush.

  • Rottenwood

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:25 am PT

    @Puscifer_No1

    If JRPG developers don't take notice of Mass Effect 2's evolution of the RPG genre in general, their American market share is at peril. I know the die-hards will never get tired of the formula, but the fence-sitters? Hard to go back to watching pointy-haired teenagers having angsty cinema scenes and playing you hit me/I hit you after thirty blistering hours of ME2.

  • da_chub posted Feb 8, 2010 6:24 am PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    da_chub

    Posted Feb 8, 2010 6:24 am PT (hide)

    I wish Dante's Inferno didnt seem like it was just tryin to be a rip off of GOW3 and capitalizing on its hype, esp with it releasing a few weeks before GOW. I will be getting it someday, but i doubt it is worth the $60 compared to GOW.

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