Consoles, PCs, handhelds, Facebook, smartphones — the world of gaming is becoming increasingly confusing and fragmented, but don’t worry, we’re here to simplify things for you. Each week 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 Stealth Game

Light (PC, Mac & Linux, July 8th)

Light strips the stealth genre to its absolute basics. Forget the HD graphics and melodramatic storytelling of Metal Gear Solid V, Light features little squares sneaking around basic room blueprints, and really, that’s all it needs. Here’s the game’s Steam page.

This Week’s, Uh, Pivoting Game

Pivvot (PC, Mac & Linux, July 14th)

The title of Pivvot sums it up — you’re a ball, attached to a tether, that’s attached to a rail and your job is to pivot the ball to avoid all manner of obstacles. Simple, yet maddeningly addictive stuff. Here’s the game’s Steam page.

This Week’s 2D Platformer

So Many Me (PC & Mac, July 17th)

So Many Me lets you create numerous clones of yourself, each of which has a number of different abilities. So, for instance, you can create a bunch of clones, then have them transform into platforms you can use to get over a chasm. Seems like a solid, very Nintendo-ey, concept. Here’s the game’s Steam page.

This Week’s Hack ‘N’ Slash

Abyss Odyssey (PC, Xbox 360 & PS3, July 15th)

Abyss Odyssey is a new 2D, fantasy hack ‘n’ slash filtered the somewhat unique sensibilities of the game’s Chilean developer, ACE Team. The game also features procedurally generated levels and the ability to play as any character (even bosses) that you encounter in the game, so there should be some good meat to this one.

Pick of the Week

Wayward Manor (PC & Mac, July 15th)

Wayward Manor, the brainchild of acclaimed author Neil Gaiman, is, essentially, Beetlejuice: The Game, with you playing as a ghost who wants to scare a boorish living family out of his house. The game’s being developed by The Odd Gentlemen (the guys behind The Misadventures of P.B. Winterbottom) so the puzzle design should be top notch. Here’s the game’s Steam page (thank God for Steam this week!)

Well, there may be nothing new hitting GameStop’s shelves, but it’s actually a better-than-average week for indie stuff! Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.