Keeping track video game releases isn’t as easy as it once was — the volume of games released each week is constantly expanding, and they’re spread over a mind-boggling array of platforms (consoles, PC, Mac, handhelds and mobile).
Well, I’m here to make things a little easier on you. Every week I’ll rattle off five games I think you should check out. These articles are not meant to be comprehensive lists of everything coming out that week — think of them as a nice rounded tasting menu. Each week I’ll try to highlight several games from different corners of the gaming landscape (handhelds, consoles, indie, PC, you name it) then finish up with a “Pick of the Week”.
Hit the jump for the five games you’re going to want to check out this week…

This Week’s Handheld Game

Lego City Undercover: The Chase Begins (3DS, April 21)

This is the handheld prequel to the well-received Wii U exclusive Lego City Undercover. Surprisingly The Chase Begins is an open world game like it’s console big brother. Granted, the world of The Chase Begins has been scaled down, but usually developers take the path of least resistance with handheld tie-ins and just pump out some half-assed platformer or something. Lego City Undercover developer TT Fusion looks to have put a refreshing amount of effort into The Chase Begins.

This Week’s DLC

Assassin’s Creed III – The Redemption (Xbox 360 & PS3, April 23)

The third and final chunk of Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed III DLC expansion The Tyranny of King Washington. See how Ubisoft’s wacky alternate history tale ends, or if you’ve been holding out, grab all three parts of the story and play them all in one go.

This Week’s Indie

Don’t Starve (PC, April 26)

Don’t Starve is a cute, cartoony, could be adapted by Tim Burton at any second, survival horror game that puts most of the emphasis on survival. As in, most of your time is spent just trying to make it in the wilderness (which happens to be full of Lovecraftian horrors) and making sure you, well, don’t starve. Find all the ways to horribly die! Hooray! Grab it early and it’s only 12 bucks.

This Week’s Regular Ol’ Console Game

Dead Island Riptide (Xbox 360, PS3 & PC, April 23)

Tired of zombies yet? Well yeah, of course you are, but are you tired of zombies in bikinis yet? The first Dead Island was a decent amount of silly fun, and Dead Island Riptide looks to provide more, more, more of what made the original a guilty pleasure.

Pick of the Week

Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen (Xbox 360 & PS3, April 23)

Almost nobody was expecting much of Capcom’s Dragon’s Dogma before it came out, but when it did hit, many found it a refreshingly unrestricted, meaty and challenging experience. Well, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, a major stand-alone expansion, is now here to deliver more quirky Western-meets-Japanese hardcore RPG goodness.
Those are my picks for this week. Planning to grab any of the above-mentioned games? Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let everyone know.