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 Golf Game

Hot Shots Golf: World Invitational (PS3, July 23rd)

Yup, they’re still making Hot Shots Golf games! Man, remember when the Hot Shots games were one of Sony’s cornerstone Playstation franchises? Could you imagine a major publisher pushing a cartoony golf sim as one of their key franchises today? The 90s man. All snark aside, I’m actually pretty into arcade golf games like Hot Shots and Mario Golf, and this title looks more or less as good as any of the other Hot Shots games.

This Week’s Adventure Game

The Raven: Legacy of a Master Thief (PC & Mac, July 23rd)

A classic, Agatha Christie-like, mystery-on-a-train adventure game. If you’ve been into adventure games for a while, you’ve probably played more than a few games like this, but The Raven looks to be a solid take on the form.

This Week’s Totally Not Metal Slug Game

Mercenary Kings (PC, July 22nd)

So, the basic idea behind Mercenary Kings is “what if you took Metal Slug let people craft their own guns?” I don’t know about you, but I like that idea. I like it quite a lot. The game’s coming via Steam Early Access, so you won’t quite be getting the full game just yet — according to the developers, you’ll be getting 60 stages (while the final game will have around 100). The game definitely looks like something worth jumping on early though.

This Week’s Indie Stealth Game

Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark (PS3 & PS Vita, July 23rd)

Yet another indie stealth-puzzler-platformer thing! Even though the indie scene is a bit flooded with games of this type, Stealth Inc. still looks like it’s worth your time thanks to a slick, HD visual style, the ability to create and share your own levels and crazy, totally out of place gore effects.

Pick of the Week

Shadowrun Returns (PC & Mac, July 25th)

Yes, Double Fine’s adventure game has been delayed until who knows when, but the second biggest funding success of the Kickstarter revolution is still on track. In fact it’s coming out this week! Yes, fantastic looking cyberpunk strategy RPG Shadowrun Returns hits this Thursday! Again, just a refresher — this game is being designed by original Shadowrun tabletop-game creator Jordan Weisman, and is going to tie together pretty much everything the Shadowrun name has ever been attached to, including the cult-favorite SNES and Genesis games. Here’s the game’s Steam page!

A strong week if you’re into indie gaming! 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.