PS3 Release Dates: November 2012 - About - News & Issues

Another month, another dozen-or-so games to add to your holiday wish list. Let's hope you were good this year. Santa's gonna be busy. The variety of offerings for PS3 owners this month is intense with the latest in arguably the biggest video game franchise of all time, some unique secondary titles that sound interesting, and the return of the legendary Agent 47. Get your calendar out. It's time to plan.

November 13: Call of Duty: Black Ops II

"Call of Duty" is back, it must be November. Fans of this franchise are so woefully addicted to the series that I bet there are people in line for the midnight sale right now. People are planning to take off work on 11/13/12 (and probably 11/14 & 11/15). For the last few years, millions of gamers have ignored Thanksgiving turkey as they plugged hours and hours into what is arguably the most popular video game franchise of all time. Anyone expect this year to be any different? It's going to take a MASSIVE failure on a critical level, the kind of game that makes players feel ripped off of both time and money, for this series to collapse. And all signs are that this will not happen in 2012. "Call of Duty: Black Ops" was one of the most beloved "CoD" titles and the early buzz on "Call of Duty: Black Ops II" is through the roof. The only question is if the people still addicted to "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3" can find the time to switch over to this game. It's getting unfair to other franchises.

Publisher: Activision

Before You Buy: Get a little multiplayer time in with the underrated "Medal of Honor: Warfighter" because those servers are going to be EMPTY in two weeks.

Suggested Reading: PS3 News: Activision Reveals Collector's Editions of Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Alternates: "Ben 10 Omniverse: The Video Game", "F1 Race Stars", "LEGO Lord of the Rings", "Resistance Collection"

November 20: Hitman: Absolution

Agent 47 is back with the first "Hitman" game since 2006's "Hitman: Blood Money" and the first game in the series released for the PS3. It's hard to believe that this series has gone dormant for as long as it has given the creativity it once displayed. Maybe it took some time to recover from the 2007 movie. Whatever the reason, this is easily one of the most interesting games of the season as screenshots hint at another atmospheric, stylish games complete with an amazing voice cast that includes Powers Boothe, Keith Carradine, and more.

Publisher: Square-Enix

Before You Buy: Go back and play "Hitman: Blood Money," one of the best PS2 games of 2006.

Suggested Reading: Powers Boothe, Shannyn Sossamon Lend Voice Talents to ‘Hitman: Absolution’

Alternates: "Disney Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two", "Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse", "PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale", "Rise of the Guardians: The Video Game", "Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed"

November 27: Ratchet & Clank: Full Frontal Assault

This incredibly addictive series of Sony exclusives is kind of at a creative turning point and there's reason for concern. The spectacular "Ratchet & Clank Future" series is over and last year's "Ratchet & Clank: All 4 One" was a total mess. Little is known about the game, especially given its imminent release date, but we do know that it will return to a traditional camera and style of gameplay although it will also include a tower defense strategy of gameplay. With "Karting" likely to be the game Sony pushes as its foremost holiday title, there's reason to believe that "Full Frontal Assault" could be forgotten. Let's hope it's too good to ignore.

Publisher: Sony

Before You Buy: Play Ratchet & Clank Collection

Suggested Reading: Top Ten PS3 Games of 2007