Out of all the 3DS launch games, Samurai Warriors was, in my opinion, one of the best. Sure, it has more of the series’ signature hack and slash gameplay, but the game introduces several new features that aren’t seen in the console editions of the franchise. Instead of playing as one of the game’s many generals, you play as a male or female character whose skills you can customize. You’ll take him or her through a tale that spans the entire warring states saga. Each map will have several sub missions to complete, although most usually revolve around getting to a place and beating up someone. This time however, you can switch between different warriors that are on the battle field, and most battles will require you to do this in order to get the best result. After a stage is completed, it becomes unlocked in free mode, in which you can use any unlocked character. The game also includes freely downloadable mission and weapons. While it is one of the 3DS’ better launch titles, SWC will not will over anyone who isn’t already a fan. They’ll see the game’s hack and slash as being as repetitive as ever.

This $20GOTW comes to us courtesy of Jeff Vogel’s Spiderweb Software. Founded in 1994, the company specializes in RPGs in which gameplay and story take precedence over graphics and sound. The company is also notable for prioritizing Mac development over Windows. Often times, the company develops its games for Macintosh before porting them to Windows. The company’s games are geared towards hardcore RPG fans, and while they lack the bells of whistles of games like Skryim and Dragon Age, their stories and gameplay give mainstream RPG franchises a run for their money. Case in point, Geneforge. While the first Geneforge game was released in 2001, you’d think the game came out in 1987. However, it’s unique gameplay, specifically the ability to summon creatures and create an army of your own, were ahead of its time.
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The Digital Novel is a genre of gaming that isn’t popular over on this side of the Pacific due to its heavy emphasis on story rather than action. However, this title from independent developer Christine Love is worth checking out for its non linear storytelling, although clearly it isn’t meant for everyone. Designed as a spiritual successor to her two previous games Digital: A Love Story and Don’t take it personally babe, it just ain’t your story, Analog’s deep story and 59,000 word count will keep open-minded players hooked.
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Bastion was developed over the course of two years by a 7-man team of Independent developers. It debuted last year as part of Microsoft’s annual Summer of Arcade promotion, and was recently included in the last humble indie bundle. Playing as a character known as “The Kid”, you explore the broken landscape to find out the secret of “The Calamity”, an event that ruined the world long ago. You wield several upgradable weapons as you travel through a landscape that puts itself together as you travel on it. There is a narrator in the game that provides commentary on everything you do. With its unique art style, Bastion stands out among independent titles, and its gameplay is reminiscent of 16-bit action RPGs like Secret of Mana. If you’re a fan of old school level grinding, you’ll love Bastion.

The Mount and Blade series is a different kind of medieval RPG. Note that I said medieval as opposed to fantasy, because unlike games like Skryim and Dragon Age, there aren’t any dragons, wizards, magic, or demons. It’s just you, your army, and thousands of miles of a land torn in strife. Turkish developer TaleWords has developed a true sandbox style game, as you are free to approach it anyway you wish without the experience being structured by a plot. You can gather an army, purchase land for business development, participate in large-scale combat, and even marry into royalty. Warband is the standalone expansion to the original Mount and Blade, meaning that you don’t have to own the original in order to enjoy everything Warband has to offer. Warband improves on the original game with numerous additions, the most significant of which being multiplayer.
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L.A.Noire was one of Rockstar’s most ambitious projects. Developed by Australian group Team Bondi, L.A. Noire is a detective story taking place after WWII. Playing as Cole Phelps, you set out to solve a series of crimes in post-war Los Angles, among them being a series of killings inspired by the real life Black Dahlia Murders. L.A. Noire’s gameplay and graphics make this a unique open world experience. It’s just too bad that we may not see much more from the developers.
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Designed by Dan Dixon over the course of a 15 year period, Universe Sandbox is exactly what the title implies: a sandbox allowing you to play with the universe. Not so much a computer game as an education tool, Universe Sandbox is a gravity simulator. While it simulates our universe, you can pretty much adjust and test anything within the game, from the size of the planets, position of bodies, to collisions of stars and planets. There are several simulations included with the game, and you can edit them as you wish. So if you want a look at how our solar system looks, or bring about the apocalypse, then you’ll want to download this game. Makes for a good science project too.

Borderlands is a synthesis of first person shooting action and RPG-style level grinding and looting. Playing as one of four survivors in a post-apocalyptic landscape, you search for what is called “The Vault”. According to legend, the Vault contains vast amounts of treasure. Since no one has ever made it there, you’re going to trek through miles of desert, battling enemies, and collecting weapons. You’ll complete several quests and meet several NPCs. The guns are a huge part of the experience. You’ll collect certain guns, fall in love with them, using them every chance you get, only to discard them when you find something even cooler and you’re nowhere near a shop where you can sell it. Each of their four characters have their own upgradable abilities, and you can team up with another player for online co-op. The sequel is on its way, so now is a good time to check out the original. If you got a little extra, you can buy the complete edition which contains all the downloadable content released for the game.