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, let’s get to it…
This Week’s Claymation Adventure Game
Armikrog (PC, Mac & Linux, Sept. 8)
Armikrog is an old-school, claymation adventure game by Doug TenNapel (creator of Earthworm Jim) and some of the guys behind ’90s adventure cult classic The Neverhood. Oh, and Mike Nelson of MST3K fame and Rob Paulsen (Pinky from Pinky and The Brain) are doing the two lead voices. So yeah, this one is going to deliver a pretty potent dose of ’90s nostalgia. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week’s Papery Platformer
Tearaway Unfolded (PS4, Sept. 8)
Tearaway was an underrated PS Vita platformer that took place in an adorable little world made of paper. Tearaway Unfolded remasters, expands and redesigns the game for the PS4 controller. Yes, Tearaway actually uses the PS4 controller’s touch pad as a touch pad instead of just an extra menu button! Tearaway Unfolded is being sold at a budget price of $40, so, if you wanting something a little different, it may be worth a look.
This Week’s Horrifying Clown Adventure
Dropsy (PC, Mac & Linux, Sept. 10)
Hey, kids. Do you like CLOWNS? No, of course you don’t. Who does? Well, brace yourself for Dropsy, the most terrifying horror game of the year. Dropsy is an old-school point-and-click adventure game in which you play as the hug-dispensing clown Dropsy. Of course, the joke is Dropsy is the most unwholesome, disturbing-looking clown maybe ever. Dropsy is a throwback to a time when adventure games were free to be truly weird. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week’s Strategy Game
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime (PC, Mac, Linux & Xbox One, Sept. 9)
Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a 2D space shooter, but, unlike classic shooters, piloting and defending your ship isn’t a simple matter of pushing the control stick and hitting the shoot button. Instead, your ship has various battle stations, and you and a friend will have to scramble throughout the ship to keep it from crashing/getting blown up by bad guys. Looks like some good, stressful fun.
Pick of the Week
Super Mario Maker (Wii U, Sept. 11)
A Mario game that basically lets you make your own Mario game? That’s pretty much a can’t-fail concept, and, sure enough, Super Mario Maker is a must-have for any Wii U owner. The game does have a few limitations, but creating stages is surprisingly absorbing, and Nintendo’s online sharing options are solid. If you’d like a much more in-depth assessment, here’s our full Super Mario Maker review.
Wacky ’90s style adventure games, and colorful platformers? This is my kind of week. Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.