Keeping track of all the games arriving each week on PC, handhelds, consoles and mobile is no easy track, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every week in Five Games, I separate the wheat from the chaff and pick the titles you need to pay attention to.
We recently freshened up the Five Games format a bit. The Pick of the Week is now listed first, and the rest of the games are filed under headings that will hopefully be more helpful for you. Looking for the latest indie hotness? Check the Steam picks. Want to download something for your Xbox One or PS4 on a Saturday night? Hit up the Console Downloads section. So, without further ado…
Pick of the Week
Forza Horizon 3 (PC & Xbox One, Sep. 27)
The Microsoft-exclusive Forza series returns, and looks to be more impressive than ever. Like past games in the spin-off series, Forza Horizon 3 lets you race across a large open world (based on real-life Australian landmarks in this case), but now there’s also a simulation aspect to the game. You’re now the boss of the Horizon Festival, and can hire and fire racers, and design custom courses as you see fit.
Forza Horizon 3 is all about variety and versatility, and according to our own Jason Nawara, the game delivers a racing experience that should please casual and hardcore gamers alike. You can read our full review here.
This Week on Steam
Lichtspeer (PC, Mac & Linux, Sep. 27)
Lichtspeer is certainly an interesting mashup of influences and ideas. Based on ancient Germanic legends, but also set in the future, Lichtspeer tasks you with defeating well-dressed zombies and hipster ice giants. How do you do that, you ask? By throwing spears at them of course! In addition to its wacky premise, Lichtspeer also features a slick, stylized look and a distinct grindhouse swagger. In other words, this game is as indie as it gets. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week in Retail Releases
FIFA 17 (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Sep. 27)
EA Sports looks to extend its dominance over the virtual pitch with FIFA 17. This year, the series switches to the Frostbite Engine, which powers games like Star Wars Battlefront and Battlefield 1, and introduces The Journey, a new story-based career mode similar to NBA 2K17‘s MyCareer. You can check out our full, enthusiastic review right here.
River City: Tokyo Rumble (3DS, Sep. 27)
Barf! Yes, the NES classic River City Ransom is getting a sequel in 2016. Aside from being in stereoscopic 3D, River City: Tokyo Rumble pretty much delivers the same brawling fun you remember, and even contains a bonus dodge ball mode. Grab a buddy, and get ready to kick some butt!
Yo-Kai Watch 2 (3DS, Sep. 30)
Just can’t wait for Pokemon Sun and Moon to arrive this November? Well, you might want to give Yo-Kai Watch 2 a try. The Yo-Kai Watch series features a familiar “catch ’em all” structure, but replaces the cute critters with Japanese ghosts and folk creatures. If you ever wished Pokemon had a bit more humor and quirkiness to it, then Yo-Kai Watch is for you.
The month of many sports games comes to an end! Any big games I missed? Feel free to call ’em out below.