Out This Week: June 24, 2014

Shovel Knight /
23 Jun 2014

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Shovel Knight leaps into action, Star Trek: TNG’s Season 6 hits Blu-ray and the Transformers go to war again, all this week.

By Lucas M. Thomas

With so many new games and movies coming out, it can be hard to keep up. Lucky for you, IGN is here to help with a weekly round-up of the biggest releases each and every week. Check out the latest releases for this week, and be sure to come back next Monday for a new update.
Note: The prices and deals compiled below are accurate at the time we published this story, but all are subject to change.

300: Rise of an Empire

Release Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
From our Review: 300 was a surprise smash when it hit screens back in 2006. An action film based on a Frank Miller comic book about 300 doomed Spartans, directed by the guy who made the Dawn of the Dead remake, and starring a group of relative unknowns doesn’t sound like box office gold. But the film’s tragic storyline, stylised action, and combination of swords, sandals, six-packs and blood struck a nerve with audiences, making it one of the most successful films of that year.
So it’s no surprise that 300 is getting a belated sequel. Or more accurately a prequel/sequel, as Rise of an Empire – again based on the work of Miller – takes place before, during and after the events of the original, with the storyline frequently running in parallel.
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Star Trek: The Next Generation – Season Six Remastered

Release Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
The total remastering of Star Trek: The Next Generation is nearly complete, as this week sees the release of the series’ penultimate season on Blu-ray. Season Six is one of the best of TNG’s run, containing such episodes as the two-part Chain of Command and Tapestry.

Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – Console Versions

Release Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
See it on Amazon for $59.96 (PS4, Xbox One) or $49.96 (Wii U, PS3, Xbox 360, PC)
From the Announcement: Described as a “video game complement” to the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction movie by Michael Bay, the official blurb explains, “Rise of the Dark Spark jumps worlds and factions as it weaves the tale of the hunt for an ancient relic as powerful as the Matrix of Leadership – the Dark Spark. Players will be able to switch between the heroes of the noble Autobots and the nefarious Decepticons throughout the single-player campaign.”
Gameplay is said to be similar to that on offer in both the previous Cybertron titles, with promises about fast-paced running and gunning, along with vehicle action, large open battlefields and over 40 playable characters.
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Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark – 3DS Version

Release Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
If traditional Transformers run-and-gun action doesn’t appeal to you, consider Rise of the Dark Spark’s 3DS edition instead – the developers at WayForward have crafted a totally original turn-based tactics design for this portable game that’s sharing the same name as those other versions. Transformers + Strategy? Sounds like a winning combination to me.

GRID Autosport

Release Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
From our Preview: It’s likely that Grid Autosport represents the racing genre’s final, big-budget farewell to the previous console generation. My time with it so far has been enjoyable, but question marks persist over the direction of online play. If the multiplayer is anything less than stellar then it’s not going to be long before I, and others, return to the next-gen caress of Forza 5.
Whatever the case, I can’t wait to find out how the finished product feels when playing from the comfort of my own home.
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Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland

Release Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist Of Arland features a completely revamped 3D character model for Rorona, a redsigned item synthesis & crafting system, additional chapters, playable characters previously unavailable throughout the series, and more.
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Valiant Hearts: The Great War

Release Date: Wednesday, June 25, 2014
See it on Steam for $14.99 (PC)
Also available on Xbox One, Xbox 360 or PS4
Valiant Hearts: The Great War is the story of 5 crossed destinies and a broken love in a world torn apart. All of them will try to survive the horror of the trenches following their faithful canine companion. In Valiant Hearts, the lives of all these characters are inextricably drawn together over the course of the game. Friendship, love, sacrifice and tragedy befall each one as they help each other to retain their humanity against the horrors of war.
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Shovel Knight

Release Date: Thursday, June 26, 2014
Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action adventure game with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic.
It’s a hot mashup of new and old! You play as the eponymous Shovel Knight, a small knight with a huge quest. Shovel Knight has come to this land with two goals: to defeat the evil Enchantress and quest for his lost beloved. He wields a ShovelBlade: a multipurpose weapon whose techniques have now been lost to the ages. Always honest and helpful, Shovel Knight is a shining example of the code of Shovelry: Slash Mercilessly and Dig Tirelessly! But, between Shovel Knight and his beloved stands a cadre of villainous knights. These terrible foes, known as The Order of No Quarter, have been dispatched to prevent Shovel Knight from reaching the Enchantress, and will pursue their mission at any cost.
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Sniper Elite III – PC Version

Release Date: Friday, June 27, 2014
Sniper Elite 3 sees American OSS agent Karl Fairburne on assignment in North Africa during WWII to assist intelligence efforts and provide sharpshooter skills to Allied forces within exotic, rugged and open land. As part of his mission, Karl learns of a secret “wonder weapon” tank program which, should it become a reality, has the potential to crush any Allied force in its path and turn the tide of the war.
With an emphasis on player choice, Sniper Elite 3 features non-linear gameplay across varied North African terrain such as mountain ranges and sprawling plains, allowing for a greater range of motion and the ability to take longer-ranged shots with customizable weapons. In addition, bustling cities and remote villages greatly assist in planning relocation tactics. An all-new vehicle kill-cam lets gamers take out armored cars and tanks and wreak massive destruction with one shot into vehicles’ gas tanks. In addition, the infamous X-Ray kill-cam is back with greater graphic detail including circulatory system and muscle layer. Sniper Elite 3 also features co-op and competitive multiplayer.
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Be sure to check back at the beginning of every week for a round-up of the week’s hottest game and movie releases.

You can follow Lucas M. Thomas on Twitter, @lucasmthomas.

Originally written and published by at IGN PS3. Click here to read the original story.