Keeping track of 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 Tower Sim Defense Music Game
Bad Hotel (PC & Mac, Oct. 16th)
Super weird indie mobile game Bad Hotel is coming to computers this week. How to explain Bad Hotel — it’s a Sim Tower defense game basically. You own a hotel, which makes money, which you use to build additions to your hotel. Some of the additions will make you more money and some will help you fight off attackers. Sounding pretty high concept already? Well, your hotel also generates music, which changes depending on how you lay out your hotel’s additions. So yeah, like I said, super weird, but the mobile version has got good reviews so you might want to check it out on a bigger screen.
This Week’s Indie Remake
The Stanley Parable: HD Remix (PC, Oct. 17th)
The Stanley Parable, a minor indie hit from a couple years back has an HD remake coming out this week. The Stanley Parable is about a guy named Stanley who wakes up in an abandoned office and the choices he makes from there. The new HD version will feature nicer graphics of course, as well as a somewhat expanded storyline.
This Week’s Vita Game
Valhalla Knights 3 (PS Vita, Oct. 15th)
It’s always a sure sign it’s a slow week when a Vita games shows up on Five Games. Valhalla Knights 3 has you forming a party of seven from the rapscallions kept in an infamous prison, then going on monster killing quests. Pretty standard stuff. Not so standard is the game’s large red light district where you can get quests from prostitutes. Complete the quest and you get to have sex with said prostitutes. So uh, there’s that. I told you it’s a slow week.
This Week’s Game Insane Hunting Game
Cabela’s African Adventures (Xbox 360, PS3 & Wii, Oct. 15th)
If you’ve been reading my writing here at GammaSquad for a while, you know I’m fascinated by Cabela’s increasingly insane hunting games, and it looks like Cabela’s African Adventures is going to bring the crazy. Get ready to murder as many beautiful, endangered African animals as possible! It’s you or them! Leave no elephant standing!
Pick of the Week
Skylanders SWAP Force (Xbox 360, PS3, Wii & Wii U, Oct. 13th)
Hey, may as well get a jump on your Christmas shopping and grab the game all the kids/nephews/nieces and other assorted rugrats in your life are going to be demanding. This time around the top and bottom parts of your Skylander figurines can be switched and swapped. Also, characters can now jump in the game. Stop will all the crazy innovation Activision! It’s too much for me!
Yeah, so, weirdly dead week. Did publishers decide not to release anything in deference to Canadian Thanksgiving? 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.