So, let's see what's happening this week. I wanted to mention a few Xbox-related news and upcoming titles but everything was overshadowed by Beatles orientated Rockband game. Yes, looks like I joined into the Beatles mania and am planning to smash open my piggy bank just to nab that game.

Beatles: Getting Better

Of course the big news this week is the release of The Beatles: Rockband, the game that goes where Guitar Hero is too lazy to go. Or at least that's what it ends up looking like. The folks behind this have put a lot of effort into this release. Think about everything from the customized guitars and drum kits to the Beatles-specific artwork within the game. To catch a glimpse of what I mean, check out the video trailer above that shows snippets of all 45 songs in the game. I love how the background, outfits and even the overall look of the singers differ depending on the song. My personal favorite is of course the funky psychedelic effects; it is similar to the artwork from the Yellow Submarine.

Gromit is missing but Sonic is ready

Then there are the two Xbox Arcade releases. I don't envy the folks behind these two games. After all, isn't it a bit sad to release a game on the same day as Rockband's Beatles bonanza? What better way to spell falling sales?

I don't know if this occurred to one of the behind-the-scenes folk for Wallace and Gromit Episode 2: The Last Resort, but it no longer up for grabs today. The game about the hare-brained inventor might have been set for a September 9^th release but now sources are stating that it has been postponed to another date. Maybe it's nothing to do with the 60s boy-band game, maybe someone somewhere is wary of triple nines.

Well, Sonic is still rushing head-on into XBLA. The game will be available today, as downloadable content on the marketplace for 400 MS points. While they may be hurt initially by coinciding with the Beatles release, I am sure their sales will pick up over time. After all, who doesn't love a classic?

The game in question is Sonic and Knuckles and it is a port of the popular Sega game from the early days of console gaming. So you, Sonic, must save the day, or blast a giant Emerald, whichever works. Of course, you can play as the echidna with fists of doom … or Knuckles, as he is known to his friends. Have fun using your combos and button-bashing against various bosses. Do note, if you have other Sonic titles on XBLA, you get to use the lock-on function!

The Guild update

I was wondering what happened to episode 2. Somehow I was expecting it to be out last week. No fear, Episode 2 of the third season of The Guild was out last night and it was well worth the wait. A few folks have been making (what I consider to be) unfair comparisons between the three seasons. I think all three are really good. The first was somewhat more generic as a webseries but still kept true to the gamine genre. It was also the introductory phase where we learn more about the quirky characters. Second season was, to some extent, a wrap-up of the main plotline of the first season – i.e. the whole Zaboo is after Codex angle. This explains what I would call the shojo elements present in the second one, the mushy bits that slightly put off some viewers. Well, third season picks up the Zaboo-Codex love angle but also focuses more on the gaming aspect. From what I have seen, it looks like season 3 will be catering to its niche market, like it did in the first season. All in all, season 3 is turning out great. So download the episode from Xbox Live and learn more about the opposing guild in this newly released episode. Also, is it just me or with every new episode, is that homeless lady winning you over with her lines?