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.
The gaming industry always shuts down around the holidays, so rather than rounding up this week’s best games, I’m instead listing the games worth checking for the rest of this year. After this, Five Games will be taking a break for a few weeks. Take a break from thinking about new games and actually play a few!
Your Open World Gangster Game
Yakuza 5 (PS3, Dec. 8)
Time to dust off your PS3, because the fifth main entry in Sega’s fan-favorite Yakuza series is finally coming west over three years after it first hit Japan. This time around, the scope widens as you can make trouble in five different locations across Japan with five different characters. Yakuza 5 received a rare perfect rating from Japanese gaming magazine Famitsu, so it’s fairly safe bet the game has been worth the wait.
Your Slash ‘n’ Shoot ’em Up
Devil’s Third (Wii U, Dec. 11)
The latest title from Tomonobu Itagaki, the creator of the 3D Ninja Gaiden games, finally arrives in America. Devil’s Third received some very harsh reviews from critics upon its European release, but fan response has been more positive. In particular, the game’s multiplayer mode seems to have a bit of a cult following. You should proceed with caution and probably wait until the game gets marked down, but it may be worth buying Devil’s Third just to say you own the bloodiest, least-tasteful game Nintendo will probably ever publish.
Your Futuristic Racing Game
Fast Racing Neo (Wii U, Dec. 10)
Tired of waiting for Nintendo to make a new F-Zero? Well, then Fast Racing Neo is probably the game for you. A blisteringly fast futuristic racer, Fast Racing Neo is intentionally designed to fill the void left by the neglected F-Zero series. Get out there and burn up the track.
Your Turn-Based Tactical Shooter
SteamWorld Heist (3DS, Dec. 10)
A sequel of sorts to the cult-favorite SteamWorld Dig, SteamWorld Heist is an original mix of turn-based strategy, puzzle-platforming and shooting. Board an enemy’s ship, position your characters, then take out enemies by ricocheting bullets around corners and obstacles. SteamWorld Heist is nothing if not unique.
Pick of the Rest of the Year
King’s Quest: Rubble Without a Cause (PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 & PS4, Dec. 15)
The first episode of Activision’s new King’s Quest series, A Knight to Remember was charming, beautiful and surprisingly meaty. Really, it was one of the best games of 2015. Well, now we’re finally receiving a second chapter in King’s Quest: Rubble Without a Cause. We don’t know too much about what happens in this episode, but if it’s even half as good as the first episode, it will be worth downloading as a pre-holidays treat.
Thanks for reading, folks! Five Games will return in early 2016.