Out This Week: Grand Theft Auto V, Angry Birds And Harvest Moon

I’m actually surprised that anything other than GTA V, which is easily the biggest game release of the year, is hitting retail and digital shelves this week. Understandably, they’re all in entirely different fields, with two 3DS titles and a mobile title in the form of a new instalment in the Angry Birds franchise.

Grand Theft Auto V | PS3, Xbox 360 | Tuesday

The fifth numbered instalment in the GTA series is here, what more is there to say? You’ve surely heard everything you need to about this game by now, and if you haven’t, then our review has you covered.

You can part with £40 of your cash for it in most game shops now, though if you’re lucky enough you might’ve got it today – or even before today – from an online pre-order. I picked up my copy at a midnight launch at my local GAME store, and I’ve been playing all night.

So, yes, GTA V, I assume you’re all busy playing this so there’s no point in me droning on, but if you’re not, then have a look below for some of the handheld titles you can spend your time and money on this week.

Angry Birds: Star Wars II | iOS, Android, WP8 | Thursday

Angry Birds is a solid series. Rovio know that – everyone knows that –  and that’s why it sells well. And I’m glad it sells rather than being free-to-play as most mobile games seem to be these days. That means there are no pauses as you have to buy more lives, no hindered progression and no necessary power-ups. Angry Birds is good.

And at 69p for each instalment, which offer hours and hours of fun along with incremental upgrades, who’s complaining? Certainly not me. The latest – Star Wars II – brings 30 playable characters, on both the Bird and Pork sides and feature collectible figurines, which allow you to transport them into the game, since those seem to be all the rage these days.

So, I’ll buy Angry Birds: Star Wars II and have a bit of fun while watching a Louis Theroux documentary on Netflix, will you?

Harvest Moon: A New Beginning | Friday | 3DS

I used to think Harvest Moon and Animal Crossing were the same thing until the latest instalment of Animal Crossing on the 3DS. As far as I know, they’re quite similar – both involve building towns and filling them with residents and animals – but I think Animal Crossing might be better.

At least, going from the easy Metacritic rating (I know, I’m sorry) Harvest Moon sits at a lower than Animal Crossing but still decent score of 75. If you’re a fan of harvesting moons, building towns and new beginnings then you should probably give it a look.

Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers | Friday | 3DS

It appears as though this game was originally released for PS1 and SEGA Saturn about fifteen years ago, but this new handheld version is an updated port of the original, with better loading times, new battle animations, 30 new demons, voice acting, and a new opening video.

More of a remake then, which looks like something that I don’t ever want to play. I’m sure someone will enjoy it, otherwise they wouldn’t have released it outside of Japan. Right?