It’s a busy week as we welcome the arrival of a whole new set of great Xbox 360 releases! Usually, this time of year slows down in terms of great game releases, but we’ve already had Colin McRae DIRT and Forza Motorsport 2 in recent weeks – and that’s just the tip of the iceberg as The Darkness arrives this week.

If you’re not familiar with the game or the Top Cow comic book it’s inspired by, rest assured that the game does a great job of telling the story from scratch. Made by Starbreeze, the studio behind the brilliant Chronicles of Riddick on the original Xbox, you play Jackie Estacado, a mafia hitman about to take a turn for the worst.  Unfortunately for his enemies, The Darkness has other ideas than letting him be assassinated by his uncle, Paulie.

As well as The Darkness, fans of games from the far east can look forward to some great blockbusters from Japan including Tenchu Z, Project Sylpheed and Vampire Rain. Tenchu Z, the latest in the acclaimed ninja adventure series, promises stealthy game play as you speed across roof tops taking down your enemies. Project Sylpheed marks the return of a classic series of shooters dating back to the mid 80s, with the Xbox 360 version being the first free-form 3D game in the series. Finally, Vampire Rain will see you stalking the Nightwalkers infesting a city in a dark adventure that will appeal to horror fans.  There’s a lot out, go and find out more about the games you want to play this week below:

Out this Week on Xbox 360

• The Darkness
• Overlord
• Harry Potter & the Order of the Phoenix
• Tenchu Z
• Project Sylpheed
• Vampire Rain

By Mark Eveleigh, Xbox.com Editor, Gamertag: Making Sparks