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 Shiny Open World Game
Mad Max (PC, Xbox One & PS4, Sept. 1)
It probably won’t be quite as good as Mad Max: Fury Road (how could it be?), but the long-in-development Mad Max video game looks like it captures the anarchic spirit of the series. Cruise around the bleak, post-apocalyptic in your customized Pursuit Special and beat the life out of war boys and other assorted freaks. Sounds like a lovely day of gaming to me.
This Week’s Extremely Japanese Action Game
Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls (PS Vita, Sept. 1)
For those unfamiliar, the Danganronpa games are a series of wonderfully twisted adventure games, and really the best reason to own a PS Vita. Danganronpa Another Episode: Ultra Despair Girls is a ridiculously-titled action spin-off of the original series. Come on, how often do you get to battle evil robotic teddy bears as a magical megaphone-equipped schoolgirl?
This Week’s Artist Management Sim
Painters Guild (PC, Sept. 1)
Okay, so not all of this week’s games can be blockbusters. Painters Guild is a cute little sim, in which you run a Renaissance art academy. Will you produce the Mona Lisa, or will you pump out the 16th century equivalent of velvet Elvis paintings? Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week’s Strategy Game
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Sphere of Influence (PC, PS3 & PS4, Sept. 1)
Koei Tecmo Games’ long-running Nobunaga’s Ambition strategy series returns for its whopping 14th entry this week. As in past games, your goal is once again to conquer and unify Japan as the legendary warlord, Oda Nobunaga. It’s hard to say what this latest title offers over past games in the series, but the Nobunaga’s Ambition games have always been rock solid, so this one should be no different.
Pick of the Week
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Sept. 1)
It’s been a long wait, but the biggest (and possible last) Metal Gear Solid game has finally arrived. With Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain, the venerable series goes fully open world for the first time ever, and by almost all accounts, open world Metal Gear Solid is very, very fun. It’s time to get yours sneaking boots on.
Well, this is it, the fall gaming season is upon us. Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.