Shippin' Out: February 21-27: Heavy Rain

This week's release forecast calls for Heavy Rain, as developer Quantic Dream launches its long-awaited PlayStation 3-exclusive adventure game. Set in a modern-day metropolis, Heavy Rain is a noir-tinged thriller that puts players in control of a handful of characters involved in the search for a serial killer with a penchant for origami.

The M-rated adventure isn't the only notable new release of the week. In more family-friendly fare, Nintendo has the follow-up to its Wii deep-sea exploration game with Endless Ocean: Blue World, while Sega puts the mascot pedal to the metal with Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing.

Over on the PC, The Creative Assembly will launch the latest installment in its signature real-time strategy series with Napoleon: Total War. As its name suggests, Napoleon: Total War follows legendary French general and (later) Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, illustrating his ascent and fall from power through the battles he waged on the battlefield.

There are still a few more frontline releases hitting shelves this week. NIS America's Hit Maker-developed role-playing game Last Rebellion arrives in stores, as does Atlus' Metal Slug XX, the latest in SNK Playmore's long line of 2D arcade action games. Finally, Deep Silver is set to bring out (albeit belatedly) the Xbox 360 edition of its medieval RPG Risen. The game first debuted on the PC in October.

For further details on the week's games, visit GameSpot's New Releases page. The full list of downloadable games on the PlayStation Store, Xbox Live Marketplace, and the Wii Shop Channel will be revealed later this week. Release dates are based on retailer listings and are subject to change.

FEBRUARY 22, 2010
Endless Ocean Blue World--WII--Nintendo

FEBRUARY 23, 2010
Hello Kitty: Birthday Adventures--DS--Atari
Metal Slug XX--PSP--Atlus Co.
Sonic & Sega All-Stars Racing--PS3, X360, DS, WII--Sega
Napoleon: Total War--PC--Sega
Heavy Rain--PS3--SCEA
Pony Friends 2--WII, DS--Square Enix
Risen--X360--Deep Silver
Lovely Lisa and Friends--DS--Tomy Corporation
Last Rebellion--PS3--NIS America
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's World Championship 2010 Reverse of Arcadia--DS--Konami
Art of Murder: Cards of Destiny--PC--City Interactive
Winter Blast: Snow and Ice Games--WII--Destineer
Sled Shred featuring the Jamaican Bobsled Team--WII--SouthPeak Games
Super Speed Machines--DS--Majesco Games

FEBRUARY 24, 2010
Lazy Raiders--X360--Sarbakan Inc.

FEBRUARY 25, 2010
Age of Zombies--PSP--Halfbrick Studios
Hyperballoid HD--PS3--Alawar Entertainment, Inc

FEBRUARY 26, 2010
Deca Sports DS--DS--Konami