New Game Releases: November 11-17

This week’s game releases include a heart-pounding new entry to the Call of Duty franchise with Call of Duty: Black Ops II, a re-visitation to the story of Frodo and the Ring with LEGO Lord of the Rings, fun with stickers and a three-dimensional world with Paper Mario: Sticker Star, a new expansion for the Sims 3 with The Sims 3: Seasons, an expansive new look at the Harry Potter universe with Wonderbook: Book of Spells, and a game based on the Ben 10 TV show with Ben 10: Omniverse.

Call of Duty: Black Ops II – Xbox 360/PC/PlayStation 3/Wii U

New missions and characters await in this highly anticipated new entry in the Call of Duty franchise.  Featuring a comprehensive single player campaign and nonlinear missions, players will be able to immerse themselves in the heart-racing action of combat in the year 2025.  Call of Duty: Black Ops II also features a reworked multiplayer create-a-class system where the player will be able to pick any ten options total, rather than being forced to choose something from each category.  Players will also find an expanded arsenal, new kinds of equipment, and weapon perks built into attachments.  And on the multiplayer front, players will now be able to play through a few matches to get their skill rating.  When this has been done, the player will be placed into groups with others of a similar skill level.  Once the player’s win streak begins to build, they will move up to higher skill groups.  Call of Duty: Black Ops II is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, PC, and PlayStation 3 on November 13, with a release date for the Wii U on November 18.

LEGO Lord of the Rings – Xbox 360/Wii/PlayStation 3

Delve into the Lord of the Rings universe, but now in LEGO!  Players will be able to discover and unlock a number of heroes from the books and the movies, such as Frodo, Gandalf, Aragorn, and others.  To navigate between multiple storylines, players will be able to use one of the Palantir (the legendary seeing-stones of Middle Earth).  Players will also be able to collect a number of items and weapons to assist them on their quest, which will span everywhere from the Misty Mountains to the heart of Mordor itself.  LEGO Lord of the Rings is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, Wii, and PlayStation 3 on November 13.

Paper Mario: Sticker Star – Nintendo 3DS

It’s the day of the sticker festival, and Bowser has decided to disperse the six Royal Stickers all over the place.  Mario must team up with Kersti, a sticker fairy, to retrieve the precious items.  Players will use the stickers they gather to search for hidden areas in the world, as well as fight off enemies.  The ‘papercraft’ element of Paper Mario has been reworked for the 3DS, so players will feel as if they are truly in a diorama-like world.  Paper Mario: Sticker Star is scheduled for release on the Nintendo 3DS on November 11.

The Sims 3: Seasons – PC/Mac

Fans of the Sims games will be excited to hear about the new expansion for Sims 3 hitting store shelves later on this week.  Players will have access to a wide variety of seasonal activities and settings, such as the ability to build an igloo, carving jack-o-lanterns, and cooling off in the pool.  Seasons also provides an expanded wardrobe suitable for all climates, as well as a dynamic weather system.  The Sims 3: Seasons is scheduled for release on PC and Mac on November 13.

Wonderbook: Book of Spells – PlayStation 3

Written and read by J.K. Rowling herself, Wonderbook: Book of Spells is an animated look at Miranda Goshawk’s Book of Spells from the Harry Potter universe.  Using the PlayStation Move, the player will be able to tilt and turn the pages of the book, which allows them to experience the material in innovative, entertaining ways.  Players will also be able to practice spell-casting, acquire House Points, and delve deeper into the world of Harry Potter with all-new lessons, creatures, and stories behind the spells.  Wonderbook: Book of Spells is scheduled for release on PlayStation 3 on November 13.

Ben 10: Omniverse – Xbox 360/PlayStation 3/Wii/ DS and 3DS/Wii U

Based on the Ben 10 show, Ben 10: Omniverse lets players assume the roles of both young and teenage Ben, and the ability to switch forms between a number of alien heroes.  Ben 10 also allows the player to team up with Rook and his handy dandy Proto-Tool.  Ben 10: Omniverse is scheduled for release on Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii, DS, and 3DS on November 13, with a release date for the Wii U on November 18.