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
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst (PC, Xbox One & PS4, June 7)
After much begging and pleading by fans, the Mirror’s Edge series makes its triumphant return this week. Mirror’s Edge Catalyst brings back the exhilarating first-person platforming of the original, but this time around everything takes place within the open-world city of Glass. There’s also a number of necessary tweaks to combat, including the removal of gunplay (thank goodness).
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst doesn’t change the established formula all that much, but it adds an impressive layer of extra polish, and when the game sticks to what it does best, it’s a lot of edge-of-your-seat fun. Keep an eye out for our full review later this week.
This Week on Steam
Hearts of Iron IV (PC, Mac & Linux, June 6)
Hearts of Iron IV is the latest title from Paradox Interactive, the strategy masters behind Europa Universalis, Stellaris and Cities: Skylines. Like past games in the series, Hearts of Iron IV is a grand strategy game set during World War II, which lets you take control of any of the involved nations, both big and small. Strategize, plan your battles and lead your nation to victory! Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week in Virtual Reality
Storm (HTC Vive, June 9)
Storm is a basic, but kind of brilliant VR concept. In the game you’re stuck in a blinding snowstorm and simply have to find a way to survive. Can you stay warm, find shelter and survive the night? Grab yourself a warm sweater and find out. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week on Handhelds
Kirby: Planet Robobot (3DS, June 10)
A new Kirby game! One where the puffball pilots an adorable pink mech! No, really. In Kirby: Planet Robobot you have access to all of Kirby’s regular copy abilities, but you can also jump into mechs that amplify your powers even further. Come on, do I really need to keep selling this?
This Week in Retail Releases
Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book (PS4, June 7)
You’ve probably never played one, but the Atelier games are usually worth a second look – they’re complex, cute, refreshingly focused on female heroes and generally good, whimsical fun. Atelier Sophie: The Alchemist of the Mysterious Book is the series’ first PS4 entry, and looks to deliver another dose of fan-pleasing fun.
A nice, varied week with a very solid headliner in Mirror’s Edge Catalyst. Any interesting games that I missed? Feel free to shout ’em out below.