Every week, it feels like there are more games for more systems across more platforms than ever. So, every week, we pick out five games worth your time and money. And this week kicks off April’s nostalgia-fest of a release schedule with the return of a beloved platforming franchise with the serial numbers filed off.
Yooka-Laylee, $40 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC, Mac)
The N64’s Banjo-Kazooie games were some of the N64’s most well-remembered games, but alas, Rare, currently owned by Microsoft, has little interest in reviving the franchise. So a curiously similar game, from most of the same staff, appeared on Kickstarter. It racked up millions, charmed fans, and now it’s a major multiplatform release; this week’s only major boxed game, in fact. That said, while the nostalgia is warm and fuzzy, the question stands as to whether anybody who didn’t play those beloved N64 games will give this a shot. We’ll have a review tomorrow.
Aaero, Tuesday ($15, PS4, Xbox One)
Speaking of games launched on Kickstarter, Aaero is a curious mix of rail shooter and rhythm game. You have to blast enemies while tracing rays of light on the screen that give you boosts and otherwise keep you aloft as you fight for your life in alien worlds. The fact that there’s licensed tracks, and an unusual mix of genres, makes for a promising game.
Crawl, Tuesday ($15, PS4, Xbox One)
If you like brawling with friends, and want a game that isn’t repetitive, this is a surprisingly smart mix of side-scrolling brawling game and rogue-like RPG. Anybody who’s played these games with friends knows that the game gets repetitive pretty quick, not surprising since most of them were based on arcade games, and the rogue-like structure here, meaning everything is shaken up every time you play, does a good job of keeping things fresh. If you and your friends are looking for a new game to play co-op, this might just be your winner.
The Sexy Brutale, Tuesday ($18, PS4, Xbox One)
Clue, Legend Of Zelda: Majora’s Mask and Groundhog Day all get thrown in a blender with this game where you play an old priest trying to thwart a mass murder at a party for the ruling class in 1920’s Britain. Fortunately, you have the power to repeat a day over and over again, and the murderers have a taste for bizarre Rube Goldberg methods of bumping off their targets. The targets also have masks that grant you special powers, so as you prevent murders, you get the powers to stop others. Yes, it’s a bit odd, but hey, what are games for if not to shake things up?
Cosmic Star Heroine ($15, PS4, PC)
Finally, for RPG fans sick of fantasy settings, there’s a new JRPG, in the classic mold, that’s a mix of science fantasy and cyberpunk as you play, well, the title character and lead a party through a complicated adventure in typical JRPG style. And yes, it’s another Kickstarted game; busy week for those.
Any games we missed? Let us know in the comments!