PCs, handhelds, mobile, console, indies, triple A, free-to-play — the gaming scene gets more diverse and difficult to follow by the day, but thankfully I’m here ever week to guide you through what’s happening with games.
As always, I’ll rattle off five games I think you might want to check out this week. Keep in mind, these articles aren’t meant to be comprehensive lists of everything coming out that week so much as a nice rounded tasting menu. So, here are the games you need to know about this week…
This Week’s Wrasslin’ Game
WWE 2K16 (Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Oct. 27)
The WWE 2K series returns for yet another yearly installment, and this time they’re bringing a somewhat crazy 120+ playable wrestlers along for the ride. While WWE 2K16 may not live up to your cherished WWF No Mercy memories, it seems like 2K Games is making an honest attempt to improve after the lackluster WWE 2K15. Aside from the huge roster, WWE 2K16 features a much deeper creative suite, improved career mode and tweaked in-ring action. Let’s be honest, if you’re a hardcore wrestling fan, you’re probably buying this anyways, but maybe, hopefully, you won’t regret it this year.
This Week’s Adorable Horror Game
Bulb Boy (PC, Oct. 29)
In Bulb Boy, you play as the titular adorable Bulb Boy, who awakes to find his house has been invaded by unspeakable Lovecraftian horrors. Oh no! You’ll have to use your light bulb-related powers to solve puzzles and beat back the evil. Here’s the games Steam page.
This Week’s Puzzle Platformer
Albert and Otto: The Adventure Begins (PC, Mac & Linux, Oct. 28)
Albert and Otto: The Adventure Begins is a creepy platformer with a silhouette art style, somewhat in the vein of the classic Limbo, except with a greater focus on physics and puzzle-solving. As the game’s title implies, Albert and Otto features two playable characters, and you’ll have to use them both to solve the game’s challenges. Not the most unique concept, but this game looks polished and fun. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week’s Japanese RPG
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky Second Chapter (PC & PSP, Oct. 29)
No, that’s not a typo, there’s a new PSP game coming out this week. The fan-favorite The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky came out in 2011 and ended on a cliffhanger. Since then, most assumed the story would never be completed in English, but lo and behold, the second chapter is coming out in 2015, on PSP (and PC). If you’ve never played Trails in the Sky, they’re really solid old-school, airship-packed JRPGs. If you’re nostalgic at all for 16 and 32-bit RPGs, they’re definitely worth a look.
Pick of the Week
Halo 5: Guardians (Xbox One, Oct. 27)
Rejoice, Xbox One owners, because Halo 5: Guardians is almost here. This time around, the main campaign, which can be played with up to four players co-op style, is split between Master Chief, who has been accused of betraying Earth, and Spartan Locke, the man sent to hunt Master Chief down. Of course the multiplayer has all sorts of new features, as well, including the MOBA-inspired Warzone mode. If you love Halo, it looks like Halo 5 is going to give you pretty much everything you want.
A good mix of big games and more obscure indies this week. Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.