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, here are the games you need to know about this week…
This Week’s Episodic Game
The Walking Dead: Michonne – Episode One (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Feb. 23)
Telltale’s The Walking Dead games return with a miniseries starring everybody’s favorite zombie-decapitating badass, Michonne. The Walking Dead: Michonne will tie in closely with the comic books, showing what Michonne was up to between issues #126 and #139 when she mysteriously left Rick’s group. It may also sketch in some crucial details about her tragic past, so it should be a must for Walking Dead fans.
This Week’s Re-release
Pokémon Red, Blue & Yellow (3DS, Feb. 27)
Usually I don’t include re-releases in Five Games, but the fact that Nintendo is bringing back the original Pokémon games for the first time ever is kind of a big deal. Of course, we’ve seen an official remake of Pokémon Red & Blue and really, every new Pokémon generation is kind of a remake in their own right, but Nintendo has never given us another chance to play the unaltered originals until now. Even better, you can now buy multiple versions of the game and trade with yourself, giving you the chance to catch ’em all even if you don’t know any fellow Pokémon trainers.
This Week’s Tower Defense Game
Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 (PC, Xbox One & PS4, Feb. 23)
When will this senseless, brutal war between the plants and zombies ever end? Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 adds more classes, modes and the ability to play single-player against bots to all modes. Garden Warfare 2 should be as silly, yet engaging as ever.
This Week’s Kart Racer
Obliteracers (PC, Feb. 23)
Obliteracers is a new, somewhat unique take on the kart racer. The game supports up to 16 players, which it manages by forcing everybody to race on the same screen. So what if you fall behind? Then you’re out of the race. The goal is to eliminate all your opponents and end up the last one standing. Interestingly, the game also lets you use your phone, tablet or laptop as a controller, letting anybody join in on the fun. Could Obliteracers be the next Rocket League? I have a feeling it might. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
Pick of the Week
Far Cry Primal (Xbox One & PS4, Feb. 23)
Ubisoft takes their trademark open-world carnage back to the Stone Age with Far Cry Primal. You play as a prehistoric hunter with the ability to tame all manner of furry, sharp-toothed beasties, and you’re going to have to if you want to best the violent rival tribes threatening your existence. Ubisoft has put a ton of research and effort into Far Cry Primal, and it looks like a mammoth-spearing good time.
A nice varied field this week. Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.