Top Video Game Picks For July 1-15, 2011

The summer is heating up and so are the games.  Here’s a run-down of the titles I’m looking forward to getting some hands-on time during the first half of July:

July 5

Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon (PS3, Xbox 360)

Developer Viscous Cycle have taken the helm for the follow-up to Earth Defense Force 2017.  Taking place in the fictional town of New Detroit, the gargantuan bugs are back in an epic scale battle amidst a completely destroyable city.

July 12

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo DS, PC)

The first Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows wasn’t very good, but I have hopes the second way will be a better game.  The developers took the criticisms of sloppy controls and a disjointed narrative and have sought to improve the game in many ways.  First of all, the spell wheel of the first game is out and in its place there’s a new system where spells are cast by tapping or double tapping the face buttons — sounds much easier.  Furthermore, the game will progress linearly, which for some may seem like a step backwards, but it’s good in the case of Harry Potter because it means all those irritating and pointless side quests are out.  I’m looking forward to this final battle to locate and destroy Voldemort’s Horcruxes, which is has epic Death Eaters and Snatchers battles along the way… Read More [via futureshop]