Also this week on Gamer's Gate is the digital release of Wargaming.net's Galactic Assault. This small development studio has been churning out similar strategy titles for years, but Galactic Assault looks very interesting because of its heavy sci-fi theme. We're not going to say a lot about the game right now because a review is forthcoming, but it's definately one that is worth trying out. Find out more by visiting Gamer's Gate .

Manifesto Games this week highlights an interesting sports action hybrid game called Shokrok Throwdown . While there is a single player component, the real focus of this sports themed capture the flag variant is in its online play. The game features six races, plenty of first-person action, 25 single player levels to practice on, LAN and Internet sup[port and a whole lot more. Hit Manifesto Games for the dirt.

Our final entry of the week comes from GarageGames. The game, which was built using Torque, is called Once Upon a Time . In this story book gone awry you take on the role of the bad guys - The Big Bad Wolf, Vain Prince, or the Wicked Queen to hunt down a princess and bring her to your lair. But those with good hearts can play as that princess, evading capture, using magic and collecting three special artifacts to win.

Once Upon a Time employs the straightforward game mechanic of seek, capture, and return, then piles on depth by way of individualized play style to keep you coming back for more. The three hunters share a common objective, but each has their own unique combat, tracking and carrying skills. Find scents and quickly chase them down with the Wolf's Sprint ability. Use the Prince's combative prowess to counter attacks back at your foes and send them fleeing; or turn your opponent into a helpless toad as the Queen. It's an interesting game worth taking a look at.

In this week's bonus round We check in on Mat Dickie's Wrestling MPire 2008 , which continues to evolve into what many already are saying is something special. This latest wrestling title continues to get new features - some borrowed from Reach and some reworked and rebuilt. The first is the change in the blood spray. New particle effects have made it possible to add not only better looking blood but also smoke effects. A greater range of white flames, combined with more textures and the aforementioned smoke effect means a convincing trail of smoke for things that are burning within the game.

Playing around with the particles has also made it possible for better blood, and fans of Mat's games will certainly be pleased with what is now possible. These developments allow for bloody impacts followed by dollops of crimson, and more realistic puddles.

Finally some states have been refined to offer more realistic moments like "blind" and "dizzy." Reach's Dizzy state has been added into the game, to be used in tandem with the previous "blind state" to create a more memorable effect. This is probably pretty interesting when someone gets poked in the eye or has an object make impact with their face.

Of course there's plenty of other things being worked on, really putting the engine these games have used for years to the ultimate test. I'm excited about this game, obviously..