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 every 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, let’s get to it…
This Week’s Japanese RPG
Tales of Zestiria (PC, PS3 & PS4, Oct. 20)
The fan-favorite Tales series returns this week with Tales of Zestiria. Expect more pretty cell-shaded graphics, anime tropes and hack ‘n’ slash battling. The latter looks to be particularly amped up this time, as all your characters can now transform into powered-up, God-like versions of themselves. If you’re into anime, or have enjoyed past Tales games, Tales of Zestiria should satisfy.
This Week’s Horror Game
Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water (Wii U, Oct. 22)
A few years back, Nintendo bought the rights to the ghost-hunting horror series Fatal Frame, and have since deprived western gamers of new entries in the series. Thankfully, that trend finally ends with Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, the latest Wii U entry in the series. Interestingly, Nintendo is giving the first couple chapters away as a free trial. If you like them, you can download the entire game for $50.
This Week’s Rhythm Game
Guitar Hero Live (Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4 & Wii U, Oct. 20)
Rock Band recently made its return, so unsurprisingly Guitar Hero is also back on the scene. This time around the plastic guitars have more buttons and more closely resemble the feel of a real guitar. More controversially, Guitar Hero Live won’t let you buy new songs. If you want to play a song that’s not included on the disc, you have to log into the Spotify-inspired Guitar Hero TV and play along to whatever happens to be streaming. If you want to play a specific song, you have to spend a play token, which can be bought for real money. That may sound a bit scuzzy, but again, if you’re willing to give up some control, you can play Guitar Hero Live without ever having to pay for DLC. At the very least, you can’t accuse Activision of not trying some new stuff with Guitar Hero Live.
This Week’s Co-op Adventure
The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes (3DS, Oct. 23)
In the new The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes, three players can team up either locally or online to tackle typically tricky Zelda dungeons and puzzles. Triforce Heroes uses the same engine as the excellent The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds, so it might be worth checking out even if co-op isn’t really your thing.
Pick of the Week
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate (Xbox One & PS4, Oct. 23)
After last year’s disappointing Assassin’s Creed Unity, it seems like the series may be set for a bit of a rebound with Assassin’s Creed Syndicate. Set in Victorian London, Syndicate has both male and female protagonists, a fun-looking grappling hook system, and perhaps most importantly, more of a sense of humor about itself than the past few overly-dour entries in the series.
Plenty of stuff going on 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.