Keeping track of all the games arriving each week on PC, handhelds, consoles and mobile is no easy track, but don’t worry, I’m here to help. Every week in Five Games, I separate the wheat from the chaff and pick the titles you need to pay attention to.
We recently freshened up the Five Games format a bit. The Pick of the Week is now listed first, and the rest of the games are filed under headings that will hopefully be more helpful for you. Looking for the latest indie hotness? Check the Steam picks. Want to download something for your Xbox One or PS4 on a Saturday night? Hit up the Console Downloads section. So, without further ado…
Pick of the Week
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided (PC, Xbox One & PS4, Aug. 23)
Get ready to get sneaky, because Deus Ex: Mankind Divided arrives this week. A direct sequel to Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Mankind Divided takes place two years after The Aug Incident, in which every cybernetically augmented person on the planet was driven into a murderous rage. Following that trauma, society has been turned on its head, with the once mostly upper-class Augs now a discriminated-against minority. As the extensively-augmented operative Adam Jensen, you have to navigate this new climate, and uncover the shadowy organizations sewing the unrest.
Don’t worry, Deus Ex: Mankind Divided‘s writing isn’t nearly as ham-handed as some of its marketing would suggest, and generally speaking, it’s another top-notch action-RPG. In particular Mankind Divided really goes out of its way to improve its stealth game, making true pacifist runs much easier than in the past. Look forward to my full review later this week.
This Week on Steam
Obduction (PC & Mac, Aug. 24)
Obduction is an all-new first-person adventure game from the creators of Myst and Riven. If you’ve played either of those games, you know what to expect here — explore a lonely, somewhat alien landscape, solve puzzles and find out what the heck is going on. Looks like some good ’90s fun. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
Worms W.M.D. All-Stars (PC, Xbox One & PS4, Aug. 23)
The Worms series is back! In addition to the explosive multiplayer action you know and love, Worms W.M.D. All-Stars delivers a ton of crossover content from indie hits like Rocket League, Goat Simulator, BroForce, Yooka-Laylee, and The Escapists. There’s even some big-time series like Saints Row and Payday getting in on the fun. Here’s the game’s Steam Page (the game is also available on Xbox One and PS4).
This Week in Retail Releases
Madden NFL 17 (Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Aug. 23)
It’s time to play some foooootball! Our own Jason Nawara found Madden NFL 17 to be more playable than ever, even if some of the game’s new modes are a little iffy. But hey, if you’re a hardcore Madden fan you probably don’t need me to talk up the game.
The King of Fighters XIV (PS4, Aug. 23)
King of Fighters is kind of the red-headed stepchild of the fighting game scene — it’s not nearly as popular as Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat and it gets a lot of flak from some people, but it’s not without its charms. The King of Fighter XIV doesn’t look great visually, but the fighting itself appears fast and fun, and the game’s roster of 50 combatants puts the competition to shame. If you’re a fighting fan in search of something a little different, The King of Fighters XIV might be worth a look.
September is right around the corner and the summer doldrums may finally be over. Things are about to get busy! Any interesting games that I missed? Feel free to shout ’em out below.