This week sees the first of many big-budget games coming out this year, starting with 2K Game's BioShock. It places you in the underwater world of Rapture, where you must fight for survival against the forsaken inhabitants of the doomed underwater civilisation. One of the things that sets BioShock apart from the other games is the level of environmental interaction, which lets the player to manipulate the surroundings to their advantage. This can be achieved by using conventional weapons or genetic modifications called plasmids. They allow users to freeze, electrocute, set enemies on fire, and more. BioShock will be available in Australia on the 24th.

　　Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (GRAW 2) originally came out for the Xbox 360 in March, and after a five-month delay it's finally making its way to the PS3 and PSP. Fortunately, the developer haven't been slacking off, as the PS3 version includes 14 new maps and a new control system that supports the Sixaxis's motion-sensing capabilities. The PSP version of GRAW 2 hasn't been forgotten, either--it was rebuilt from the ground up for the PSP and features an original scenario. Both versions of GRAW 2 will be available this Thursday.

　　This week's new releases are listed below (list taken from retailer and publisher information--actual dates may vary).

　　August 20, 2007

　　No releases scheduled.

　　August 21, 2007

　　No releases scheduled.

　　August 22, 2007

　　No releases scheduled.

　　August 23, 2007

　　Madden 08 (360 ,PC, PS2, PSP)

　　NASCAR 08 (PS2, PS3

　　Dungeons & Dragons Tactics (PSP)

　　Guilty Gear Judgment (PSP)

　　Guilty Gear Dust Strikers (DS)

　　Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2 (PS3, PSP)

　　August 24, 2007

　　Premier Manager 08 (PS2, PC)

　　BioShock (360, PC)