This Week In Games, August 24 - 30 2014: Madden NFL '15, Metro Redux, Infamous: Last Light, Lethal League, Hyperidemension Neptunia Re;Birth1, Steamworld Dig Wii U, Azure Striker Gunvolt, Super Time Force Ultra and Professor Layton Vs Phoenix Wright!

Written By: Tyler

Hello and welcome everybody to another edition of This Week In Games; the weekly feature where I teach you how to make the best peanut butter and jam sandwiches.

Each week I go to Gamespot and I see what games are coming out this week. I then write about the games that I think are interesting/important for the week. All the release dates are North American because that's where I was born and raised, on the playground is where I spent most of my days, so sorry to anybody who isn't from North America. I love you, I just can't cover your continent too.


August 24

Nothing.



August 25

Super Time Force Ultra

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Platformer/Action
Gameplay:http://ca.ign.com/videos/2014/05/02/super-time-force-release-date-trailer

If you follow my blog, I mentioned -- during Gamescom -- that this was one of the reasons I was jealous of anybody who had an Xbox One or an Xbox 360. I have neither so I missed out on this game when it was originally released. Luckily, PC is getting an enhanced version with a few new characters and challenge modes, so I'll get to play this lovely retro-inspired time-manipulating side-scrolling shooting death-defying son of a bitch.

Seriously, this game looks awesome and I like that it has the "rewind time" mechanic, a lot of characters to choose from and a lot of carnage to commit.



August 26


Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth1

Coming Out For: PS Vita
Genre: RPG
Gameplay: http://www.gamespot.com/videos/hyperdimension-neptunia-re-birth1-official-trailer/2300-6419885/

I've never played Hyperdimension Neptunia, but I almost bought it one time. I can't remember why I thought it'd be interesting, but I did. Anyway, Re;Birth1 is a remake of the original on Vita so you'll get more bang for your buck. The warning here, of course, is that it looks very Japanese so people who aren't into JRPGs will probably want to avoid this.



Metro Redux

Coming Out For: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Genre: Shooter/Horror
Gameplay: http://www.gamespot.com/articles/remastered-versions-of-metro-2033-metro-last-light-hitting-xbox-one-ps4-and-pc-on-august-26/1100-6420698/

I've only played Metro: Last Light but it was lovely. It was dark, violent, scary and well put together so just based on that I'd recommend this package of both games. It's an enhanced edition, so better AI, graphics, that kind of thing. It's a perfect time to play these games if you haven't already.



Madden NFL ' 15

Coming Out For: PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360
Genre: Sport
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrKYDuZVbas

The newest installment of Madden is here and it looks like Madden! I'm not a football fan, and I can't remember the last time I played a Madden, but let's be honest: you already know if you're getting this or not because you already know how often you buy new EA Sports games.


Infamous: First Light

Coming Out For: PS4
Genre: Sandbox/Action
Gameplay:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xhNuUHs2_g

Here is the new DLC for Infamous: Second Son, a game that I enjoyed. I'm getting a little burnt out on Infamous at this point because after three games of essentially the same thing (yes I know you get more than one type of power in Second Son but they all function basically the same), I feel like there needs to be a change. They're still great games, worthy of at least an 8/10 though.

In the DLC, you play as Fetch... the girl who gave you the Neon power. They're promising that she will function differently because she's much faster than the main character of Second Son, and since she's had the power for a long time she knows how to use it better. I don't own Second Son so I won't be picking it up, but it could be fun DLC if you want to complete her story.



August 27

Lethal League

Coming Out For: PC

Genre: Action/Fighting

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j78X5LluM5U

Lethal League is an interesting mash-up, and now that I've actually sat down and watched a video of it I'm intrigued. Basically it's a fighting game where you can play with up to four people (plus online) and smash each other... only there's a projectile constantly moving so you have to be aware of that. You can hit the projectile back and forth to cause damage. It's actually quite cool when you see it in action because of the pretty awesome music and the art-style. This game has style, yo.



August 28

Steamworld Dig

Coming Out For: Wii U
Genre: Platformer/Action/Adventure
Gameplay: http://ca.ign.com/videos/2014/08/14/steamworld-dig-wii-u-gameplay-demo-ign-live-gamescom-2014

Steamworld Dig was released on 3DS and got great reviews with the mixture of Metroidvania and digging ala Minecraft or Terraria. I never got to play it on 3DS, and due to financial issues I may not get to play this right away, but it looks like a hell of a lot of fun, so you should definitely pick this version up if you're a Wii U owner.


August 29

Professor Layton VS Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney 

Coming Out For: 3DS   
Genre: Puzzle
Gameplay: http://www.gamespot.com/videos/professor-layton-vs-ace-attorney-official-trailer/2300-6412655/

I imagine this is a pretty big release for fans of the series, because crossovers are cool. This game will mix elements from both games, obviously, such as being able to examine scenes for clues or grilling people in a court room. I've never been into either of the games so I don't really even know if they're good.


Azure Striker Gunvolt

Coming Out For: 3DS
Genre: Action/Platformer
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAClxYeHqMU

I didn't know anything about this game but it shot up to one of the more anticipated releases of the week for me. It's this, Super Time Force Ultra and Steamworld Dig Wii U that I'm looking forward to most. Gunvolt is an intense 2D action game where you play as a 14 year old boy with psychic powers who is trying to take down an evil organization. I'm not sure why Japanese games always have little kids as characters, but still, count me in.

It has RPG mechanics in the sense you can level up, get new skills and develop new equipment, and the action looks crazy. Unfortunately this won't be a game that will drag people to Nintendo because it doesn't have massive name recognition (despite the legendaryKeiji Inafune executive producing it), but I'll be surprised if it's not one of the best 3DS games of the year.



August 30

Notta.


I think there are quite a few cool releases this week. We have some remastered/remade games, a yearly sports title that people love, some interesting indie games. There should be something this week to tickle your fancy.

Did I miss a game you're looking forward to? Yell at me on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime

This Week In Games, August 17 - 23: Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition, Hotline Miami, Tales of Xillia 2, Counterspy, Sentris, Plus A Pigeon Dating Sim! And More.

Written By: Tyler

Hello people, and welcome to another edition of This Week In Games, a weekly feature I write where I try to crack the Da Vinci Code.

Every week I jump onto more popular video game websites like Gamespot and I see what games are coming out. I then give a quick little rundown on the games that I think are important and/or interesting and tell you a little bit about why I think they look good or bad. I don't include every game -- just games of interest.

I stick to North American release dates because that's where I live, and I don't focus a lot on ports, but if a port is interesting I will include it.


August 17

It's a Sunday, there's hardly everything released on a Sunday.



August 18

There's really nothing of real interest on this day.



August 19


Tales Of Xillia 2

Coming Out For: PS3
Genre: JRPG
Gameplay:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnb2mVs-c-8

To be honest, I never played the first Tales of Xillia because even though JRPGs are in my blood, I'm kind of beyond playing any of them that I see. I spent my childhood playing them, and the first Tales didn't really stick out to me as one that I needed. Even though the video above isn't in English, you get the general idea of what is going on (unless you can actually speak the language, then you're awesome!). It looks like an okay JRPG, but nothing that is going to go down as a great one. Still, it's an important release because I know there are people who loved the first, and Tales games get good reception most of the time.


Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare

Coming Out For: PS3, PS4
Genre: Third-Person Shooter/Tower Defense

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gin3uYn95QU

Copied from an older This Week In Games:
I've never actually played Plants vs Zombies, but people really dig it. This is actually already out on console but it's coming out for PS3/PS4. It actually looks like a fun blend of third-person shooting and tower defense, which is a mash-up I've been a big fan of since Dungeon Defenders. It looks to have a sense of humour, a colourful art-style, and it should be worth your time if you haven't played the console version.


Counterspy

Coming Out For: PS3, PS4

Genre: Side-Scrolling Stealth/Action

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGr5uMwvMEI

This is an interesting one. I never heard of it, but I think I'm in love. Even though it is a 2D stealth game for the most part, they seem to have added a 3D element to it by allowing you to press up against certain walls and look down them in a more 3D view. It's a nice blend of the two genres.

You play as a spy and apparently it's a bit of a twist in the narrative sense because you don't actually think the organization you work for is good. You're actually kind of just like, "Hey, maybe the things we're doing here are bad."

Aside from that, it has a neat visual style and the stealth gameplay looks solid. I'm not sure how the AI will be -- because it didn't look great in the video above -- but they're also a small team and AI is extremely difficult. Chalk this up as one of my most anticipated releases of this week.



Diablo 3: Ultimate Evil Edition 

Coming Out For: PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

Genre: Action-RPG

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Tkg9GHjqk

I've gone on record and said that while the Vanilla version of Diablo 3 was good, there were definitely some problems with it. I've also gone on record and said that with Loot 2.0, the many updates and Reaper of Souls, Diablo 3 is now awesome. In fact, it's one of the best games in the genre and is only held back by the leveling system... which is something they've modified and made better, but is still not up to par. Unfortunately it's something that they'd have to give the game a complete overhaul to fix.

Besides that, everything else about Diablo 3 is a lot of fun. I don't care what Diablo elitists say... this is awesome hack n' slash action. The graphics are pretty, everything feels good (like bashing enemies), there is sufficient loot, Reaper of Souls is an amazing expansion with an amazing soundtrack, and it's a lot of fun to play with friends.

The Ultimate Evil Edition has Reaper of Souls, a few bonuses and it's been tweaked for consoles. Now is a good time to pick it up.



Hotline Miami  

Coming Out For: PS4

Genre: Action

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5AJtaYx1Eg

Hotline Miami is a game I loved for PC, though it had some minor flaws. I hope the PS4 version fixes them, but I strongly encourage picking it up because it's really weird and violent, but there is actually a strong puzzle element to the game. It's the funnest game cactus has been a part of in a strict gameplay sense, and it has all the charm that his lesser-known games have.



Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment

Coming Out For: Vita

Genre: RPG

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsxQg73hnA4

This game looks interesting but unfortunately I don't have a Vita to play it. It's not an MMO, but apparently feels like one because it takes place in a large virtual reality world. The combat looks fun and chaotic with some depth to it, it comes with the first game embedded in, and there are little elements of a dating Sim as well (of course, it's from Japan). Check it out, let me know how it is.



August 20

Just some releases of Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment and Hotline Miami elsewhere in the world.



August 21

Shadowgate

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Adventure
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=McO80u6oFqQ

A 2014 version of Shadowgate was Kickstartered and now we're seeing a release. It harkens back to the old school, with a first-person view as you traverse large labyrinths and see what you can find. Some will find this gameplay very outdated and thus turned off, but the people who played these games back when they were more popular will definitely have something to sink their teeth into.





Hatoful Boyfriend

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Dating Sim
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SnF_Y2vnso

This is a game about setting pigeons up with other pigeons. That sentence is all you really need to know because that's all that matters. Don't judge, pigeons need love just like we do.




August 22

Demon King Box

Coming Out For: 3DS
Genre: Strategy-RPG

Gameplay: Can't seem to find a video.

What's up with these obscure 3DS games? I had a hard time finding anything on the Ninja Turtles game a little while back and now this. It's another strategy-RPG to add to the 3DS canon, where you capture, feed, upgrade and combine your demons to do battle. Nothing real original, especially when a game like Shin Megami Tensei 4 exists on the system, but who knows, it could be good. Doesn't look great, though.



Sentris

Coming Out For: PC

Genre: Music

Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyNAlMrv_ro

Ever get interested in making music but you lack talent like I do? Sure, I dabble in Fruity Loops here and there, but I can't play an instrument to save my life. Do you like video games? Of course you do, otherwise you wouldn't be reading an obscure blog on the subject. You like the idea of a video game that acts as a puzzle game and music generator at the same time? Here we have Sentris.

The idea is that you can switch instruments, and you drop boxes down below, thus being a game where you solve a puzzle-of-sorts, but it also creates a song that is uniquely your own. Very cool idea.



August 23

Nothing today. Enjoy your weekend!




Well that's it for this week. Any games you wish I would have included? Tell me in the comments below or verbally abuse me on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime

This Week In Games, July 20 - 26, 2014

Written By: Tyler

Welcome to another edition of "This Week In Games," a weekly feature where I discuss the finer points of wine. We'll get right down to it, but I have to make a few quick points as I do every week.

I don't include every game that is being released that week. I go down some of the more interesting ones and give a quick rundown on them. I don't always put Early Access games, but sometimes I do, and I try to limit it to games that are seeing their first retail release, though I will sometimes put ports. I try not to put games that were released on PC and then released on places like Steam later because Steam and PC are the same thing... but occasionally I will if I don't realize that a game was already released before. The release dates are also for North America because that's where I live. Sorry to those who live in other parts of the world.


July 20

Nothing! Enjoy the day of rest and relaxation.



July 21

Shadow Blade: Reload

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEkfFaEPuCA

This is an early access game, so because of that, you shouldn't expect a full game. It's also an enhanced version of Shadow Blade. However, it looks really cool. Since it's a 2D side-scrolling platformer where you play as a ninja, it should be a lot of fun. The mechanics look solid, and they're going to try to implement a level editor, local co-op and a variety of other features.



July 22

Ollie Ollie

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Runner/Sport/Platformer
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuJczWSgfCU

Ollie Ollie is a 2D runner where you are on a skateboard and you have to perform fancy tricks while not landing on your face. It was a Vita-exclusive so I never got to play it. Since it's coming out for PC this week, I may give it a try. It looks simplistic but I suppose the beauty of a game like this is that it is simplistic looking. It does look like it's going to be a bit of a challenge, though, so it should make for a good time.



July 23

Unrest

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Adventure/RPG
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajqi1C13LE

Set in Ancient India, we are going to be given a setting that we don't often see. You play as four different characters, and the idea of Unrest is choice, apparently. Much like a game like Planescape: Torment, the developers say that you can go the entire game without fighting anybody if you're smart. If you do fight, it may have consequences that won't help you. Battles will be few and far between. If your character dies, the game continues on. The obvious concern here is that the choices you make won't be balanced or logical, but that's something we won't know until we play it. As it stands now, Unrest looks like a pretty decent romp through an uncommon setting.




The Wizard

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Strategy/RPG
Gameplay: http://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-wizard-teaser-trailer/2300-6420154/

First of all, the teaser trailer that I linked above is very funny. Secondly, The Wizard is about a Wizard without a face and the Thief who stole his face. At the very least, it's a unique storyline. The gameplay involves you chasing him down through dungeons, not unlike a Roguelike, where you can upgrade your spells. It looks like the game is going to have a sense of humour, and if the trailer is any indication then it'll do it well. I don't think the game will having mindblowing gameplay, but it looks like it'll be an entertaining 16-bit adventure. Let's get our attractiveness back!



July 24

Gods Will Be Watching

I believe this is an image from the version that was at Ludum Dare, but it's still a cool pic and the game looks similar.

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Adventure
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QliEVf1ZSzU

Here we go; this is the game of the week for me. Sporting a retro look (like many indie games), Gods Will Be Watching is a point-and-click adventure game but with a huge twist. It's not about solving puzzles in the way that we are accustomed to in the genre, so instead the game aims to place you in intense situations where you have to make choices on the fly and your decisions will affect the outcome of the world surrounding you. I'm ridiculously excited for this game and I hope that it makes me feel as uncomfortable as it's supposed to.



July 25

The Fifth Day

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Survival/Action/FPS
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yG80z5EmkIU

This is an early access game. In The Fifth Day, you are a robot and you have to survive to the Fifth Day. At first I thought it was just another DayZ and Rust and I was going to rant about how we have so many games like this in Alpha that it's ridiculous. It does resemble those games in some way but the focus here is more on playing by yourself or with your friends in order to just survive a few days. You build stuff, hack AI from "the old world," and kill enemies. I may give it a spin. I'm not that excited for it but it seems relatively polished already and since the concept is more focused/less huge than games that are similar it may actually come out someday!


Wii Sports Club

Coming Out For: Wii U

Genre: Sports
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gklSuWQFXk

Wii Sports Club is getting its full retail release on July 25th. The game consists of HD remakes of the games from the original Wii Sports, with an online component added. I'm of a mixed mind concerning this. On one hand, Wii Sports was a great game to package with the original Wii when it came out, but on the other hand, I feel like time has passed this by. It could hit huge with casual gamers, but I don't even feel like the Wii U is the system for it. Yes, you can hook up your Wiimotes and play it, but I think they should have focused on something else. There's no doubt it'd still be fun because the original was fun, but I won't be picking it up.



July 26

There's nothing going on today either. Go out and have fun!



This week was heavy for PC releases, but there are some interesting picks here. Did I miss a game that you're looking forward to? Let me know in the comments below or hit me up on Twitter @ArtBathednCrime.

This Week In Games, July 13 - 19, 2014

Written By: Tyler

Another week, another quick rundown of the games releasing this week. Now, this isn't every single game, so instead I picked games of interest. Most of the games in this feature will be games I want to play, but I will give an honest opinion on each and every one. Just because I don't want to play a game doesn't mean a game isn't an important release. The release date for these are all the North American release dates because that's where I live.



July 14

LIGHT

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Puzzle/Action/Adventure
Gameplay: http://www.gamespot.com/videos/quick-look-light/2300-6420020/

LIGHT is a top-down stealth game where you sneak, steal and hack. It's not unlike Hotline Miami in ways, though it has less emphasis on violence and surrealism. It's supposed to have a good narrative, and maybe it will, but I'm having a hard time getting past the visuals. Playing as a square in a game like this annoys me a little bit.



Infinity Runner

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Action
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zBtpvWXK4M

Infinity Runner is a lot like Mirror's Edge, which isn't a bad thing. It's first-person and you just do a lot of running in a Sci-Fi environment. The trailer that I linked above makes it look like it's going to be pretty intense, so I will probably play this one.



July 15

Abyss Odyssey 

Coming Out For: PC, PS3, Xbox 360 (July 16)
Genre: Platformer/Action
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtKd6paqhEg

Abyss Odyssey is a side-scrolling platformer/action game. You have three characters to choose from and then you can either hack and jump your way to victory by yourself or with a friend. It's nothing original, but it could be fun. The mechanics look solid.



July 19

Freedom Planet

Coming Out For: PC
Genre: Platformer
Gameplay: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zlMtd4zeI0

Freedom Planet reminds me a lot of Sonic, if I'm being honest. That's not a criticism because the speed in the game makes it look like a good time, especially to those who miss the 90s. It appears that there are multiple characters to play as, and secrets to discover. I think Freedom Planet will end up being a fun little romp, a reminder of the games that kids in the 90s played (including myself).




That's it for this week folks. It's not a huge week in terms of big releases but there is still a bunch of cool little games seeing the light of day. Until next time, thanks for reading, and feel free to tweet me @ArtBathednCrime.