Now Shipping: Twice the Horror (or Obscure, Meet Dead Space)...

Two horror-themed titles have shipped for next week's big release hoedown doozy of a game avalanche. There are also a ton of cool games in other different genres coming as well next Tuesday (and onward), so here's a quick heads-up for you on some of what I'm looking forward to:

Dead Space Extraction (Wii) and Obscure: the Aftermath (PSP) are headed to retail on September 29th (as are Valhalla Knights: Eldar Saga (Wii) and a bunch of other stuff I'll post once I find time to compile the listing). Anyway, here's a bit more on both titles (and a nice trailer for the Obscure sequel):

Playlogic Entertainment announced today that Obscure: The Aftermath for PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) System will ship to retail stores nationwide on September 29, 2009. The survival-horror videogame will also be available for PSP®go System on October 1, 2009, shortly after the launch of the new hardware.

As the sequel to Obscure, Obscure: The Aftermath chronicles the survivors from Leafmore High, now enrolled at Fallcreek University where the unsuspecting student body has a new addiction – strange black flowers that have suddenly sprung up all over campus. As the students begin experimenting with the substance they realize there is more to these flowers than anyone could have ever expected, turning their bad trips into a horrible reality.

In addition to the unique story-driven gameplay, Obscure: The Aftermath features blood-splattered imagery, dimly lit hallways, a wide variety of weaponry and demonic monsters. It also has a 2-player cooperative action option, and a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack performed by the Boston String Quartet and the Paris Opera Children's Choir.

Delivering an intense survival-horror experience, Obscure: The Aftermath is rated “M” for Mature by the ESRB and will be available for PSP® and PSP®go System. Developed by Hydravision Entertainment, Obscure: The Aftermath will retail for $29.99.

As for DS:E...

Visceral Games™, announced today that Dead Space™ Extraction has shipped to retail in Europe and will be shipping in North America on September 29th. Designed exclusively for the Wii™, Dead Space Extraction is the first title to ship under Visceral Games’ new studio name. Dead Space Extraction is the prequel to last year’s critical darling Dead Space, winner of over 70 international critics awards and widely recognized for evolving the action horror genre. Dead Space Extraction is already following in its predecessor’s footsteps, earning a perfect “5-out-of-5” stars from GamePro, whose review said that “Extraction is one hell of a ride… well paced and directed; the story is strong and the gun fights are satisfying.”

“Dead Space Extraction has been such a rewarding project for many different reasons,” said Steve Papoutsis, Executive Producer on Dead Space Extraction. “We have successfully brought Dead Space’s trademark action horror experience to a new platform while maintaining our studio’s high standards for quality and polish. Dead Space Extraction will be one of the defining action horror games for the Wii.”

Telling the story of four space colonists trying to escape a mysterious infection, Dead Space Extraction explores the origins of the necromorph invasion that threatens humanity and the universe. At the center of this group is Lexine, an important new heroine being introduced for the first time to the Dead Space storyline. As the crew continues to fight for their lives, it becomes clear that protecting her is their only hope for survival. Luckily, players are armed with an arsenal of weaponry, an easy-to-use control system built from the ground up for the Wii, and can even recruit a friend to play cooperatively, a first for the Dead Space franchise.

Developed at Visceral Games, Dead Space Extraction is rated M for Mature by the ESRB with descriptors of Blood and Gore, Intense Violence and Strong Language and 18+ for PEGI. Dead Space Extraction will be available for MSRP $49.99 on the Wii.