As heard on this last week's Across the Pond podcast, going through the summer months while on vacation from your studies is great but what if there are no new games to play? Wondering why publishers aren’t coming out with anything new until the Fall? Amos and Anthony will give you a few reasons to keep playing your systems throughout the summer and tips on how to beat this summer gaming drought!

Amos’ Picks

If you’ve been a listener to the Across The Pond podcast (if you’re not, why not!) You would have heard us speak a little bit about the games we’re still playing or have gone back to finish/replay. But there are a lot more games from the major release season over the end of last year that you might have skipped over. Perhaps due to cost or maybe a lack of time but there are definitely good titles there that deserves your notice now!

Valkyria Chronicles [PS3]:

This is a strategy RPG like no other.  The story is told in a storybook setting and instead of an isometric point of view, you get the excitement of something not unlike Ring of Red from the PS2 era - an almost third person perspective.  But it's still a strategy RPG, with planing and outfitting your band of soldiers.  But the story is really why you're going to be playing this game.  It's mature and not at all melodramatic like much of the other JRPGs available.

Alien Hominid [XBLA]:

You might have played Castle Crashers to death and love the art style and humor of the title.  Why not play the game that started Behemoth off?  Alien Hominid is a throwback to games like Contra and Metal Slug.  You're a little alien, tasked to fend off the endless hoards of FBI agents.  It's arguably harder than Castle Crashers and it doesn't have four player co-op but a two player match is possible.  This is a game that will make you throw controllers but if you're the sadistic kind, you'll have a blast!

Ikaruga [XBLA]:

Continuing the downloadable trend is the grand-daddy of all top down shooters.  Ikaruga has been ported to many consoles, including now on XBLA.  By far, this is one of the hardest plane-style shooters that incorporates alternating enemy fire where there are white and black enemies and your ship has to shift colors to defend/attack the opposing enemies.  Another game that will cause you to throw your controller but it's well worth the effort to learn to master this game.

Motorstorm Pacific Rift [PS3]:

The Sony published off road racer, Motorstorm, is one of the best racers you can get on the PS3.  Unfortunately, it's been over shadowed but the equally excellent Burnout series but it's definitely worth your time.  Pacific Rift is the second entry into the series for developer Evolution Studios and currently can be found for around $30 CDN.  If you've already played Burnout Paradise to death and are looking for another arcade racer fix, give the Pacific Rift a ride!

Battlefield 1943 [XBLA/PSN]:

And finally something for the shooter fan, the original Battlefield 1942 has been remade, rebranded, and reimagined for the current generation of consoles.  The distinctive Battlefield flavor is still there with its familiar three maps and its conquest game mode.  But the biggest change is the console control format and the use of the Frostbyte engine from Battlefield Bad Company.  Destructable environments and full 1080p glorious resolution, it's a hell of a deal for a downloadable game.  EA has delayed the PC version until September so until then, your only option is to play this gem on the PS3 or Xbox360.  But for $15 USD, you will have a full summer's worth of gaming fun.

Anthony's picks are coming soon in the second part of this series.  Watch for it soon!  In the mean time, happy gaming!