World of Goo and Age of Conan out this week

'Desperate' would be one way of describing this week's bowel-looseningly drab collection of games. There are virtually none to talk about. However, a few shining diamonds do glint enticingly from the slime.

First of all, we have Age of Conan: Hyborain Adventures. For a more detailed examination of the unique combat model, among other things, check out our intrepid reporter's glance at the game here.

Looking elsewhere, there is Dracula: Origin, an adventure in the mould of Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened (and Nemesis, of course).

Those who have played The Awakened will know what to expect - logic puzzles, sumptuous backdrops, occasionally dodgy voice acting - but it is likely to be a solid game nonetheless.

Console-wise, we have a little number called Haze, the PS3's piece de resistance. Sony are hoping it will be the equivalent of Halo on its console, but it is difficult to say whether this will happen. It could be a gem, it could also be disappointingly generic and dull. Time will tell.

Rock Band debuts on the 360 this week as well, featuring a number of different instruments to differentiate it from its rival, Guitar Hero. Expensive though it is, Rock Band will doubtless sell quite well.

Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness takes the longest title of the week award, bringing the quirky humour of the eponymous website to the gaming arena for the first time.

World of Goo provides Wii users with their best bet of the week. The physics-based puzzler is built around the concept of creating large structures using balls of goo. Think Lemmings, but with blobs of goo taking the place of the furry funsters.

Ok, so maybe it wasn't too bad in the end (Ed - You're fired, loser).

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Coming out next week (May 19th-23rd):

Nintendo DS

USA Today Crosswords

Nintendo Wii

Dr Mario Online Rx
Gyrostarr
Protothea
Star Soldier R
Toki Tori
World of Goo
Kawasaki Snow Mobiles
Battle of the Bands

Playstation 3

Haze

Playstation 2

Garfield: Lasagne World Tour
Let's Ride: Silver Buckle Stables

Sony PSP

Nothing this week

PC/Online

Theatre of War
Age of Conan: Hyborian Adventures
Dracula: Origin
Happy Tree Friends: False Alarm
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness
TrackMania United Forever
Early Years of Flight

Microsoft Xbox 360

Gauntlet: Seven Sorrows (Xbox Originals)
Stubbs the Zombie in "Rebel Without a Pulse" (Xbox Originals)
Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness
Rock Band