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 Western RPG
Dragon Age: Inquisition (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Nov. 18th)
The latest epic RPG from BioWare is here, and based on reviews thus far, it looks like the third Dragon Age game is the best one to date. A bigger, more open world, deeper party management and the most cringeworthy sex scene dialog yet – it seems like Dragon Age: Inquisition has it all.
This Week’s Rhino Hunting Sim
Far Cry 4 (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Nov. 18th)
Ubisoft’s latest Assassin’s Creed games may have had their issues, but it looks like the company’s still bringing their A-game when it come to the Far Cry series. Far Cry 4 may be leaving the sunny beach locales behind for the exotic Himalayan-bound land of Kyrat, but it appears as if the franchise’s “be as crazy and awful as you want to be” ethos is still fully intact.
This Week’s Current-Gen Remake
Grand Theft Auto V (Xbox One & PS4, Nov. 18th)
Grand Theft Auto V always felt like it belonged on the Xbox One and PS4 and now, after much speculation and waiting, Rockstar’s premier open-world experience hits current-gen consoles. This isn’t just a lazy up-res job either – the graphics have been totally revamped, and cool features like a new first-person mode have been added. You can even transfer your characters from the Xbox 360/PS3 to the new version of GTA V if you feel the need to upgrade.
This Week’s Wrasslin’ Game
WWE 2K15 (Xbox One & PS4, Nov. 18th)
Technically a version of WWE 2K15 already hit the Xbox 360 and PS3 a couple weeks back, but the version for current-gen consoles is the one you really want. This version has fancy updated graphics, a tweaked engine, an actual career mode and a more versatile character creator. You can’t delete John Cena from the roster, so you can’t make all your wrestling dreams come true, but the game still looks pretty solid.
Pick of the Week
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U (Wii U, Nov. 21st)
Speaking of real versions of games, here’s the real version of Super Smash Bros. Sure, Smash Bros. for 3DS was pretty damn good for a handheld fighter, but the WII U game is clearly the definitive version. Not only does it look better and let you play with Gamecube controllers, but it also has 8-player battles! And a board game mode! And the Duck Hunt Dog! Well, okay, both versions have the Duck Hunt Dog, but it bears repeating – the Duck Hunt Dog!
This is the rare week where five games just doesn’t cover it – in addition to the titles listed above we also have Pokemon Alpha Sapphire & Omega Ruby, LittleBigPlanet 3 and, most importantly, new Goat Simulator DLC coming out this week. Phew! Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.