Bethesda
As mentioned last week, I’ve tinkered with the title a bit, but otherwise this is the same Five Games you’ve grown to know and hopefully at least like.
Consoles, PCs, handhelds, Facebook, smartphones — the world of gaming is becoming increasingly confusing and fragmented, but don’t worry, we’re here to simplify things for you. Each week 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 Sports Game
MLB 14: The Show (PS3 & PS Vita, Apr. 1st)
With the MLB 2K series dying a sad, undignified death last year, Sony’s MLB: The Show series is now your only option for Major League Baseball gaming. Own a Microsoft or Nintendo system and want to play ball? Well, screw you. The situation’s a bit of a mess, but hey, MLB: The Show is always solid, so give it a swing if you own a Sony system. Oh, and by the by, the next-gen PS4 version hits in May.
This Week’s G.O.A.T. Game
Goat Simulator (PC, Apr. 1)
And here we have the anti-April Fools prank — Goat Simulator, a game that started as a gag, will become a real game on April 1st. I least I think it will. Goat Simulator is an incredibly realistic sim that just happens to take place in a world where goats are made of indestructible rubber and have the ability to casually level neighborhoods. Come on, you know you want to buy it.
This Week’s Strategy Game
Age of Wonders III (PC, Mar. 31st)
After a decade-long hiatus, the Age of Wonders series returns this week. Despite the name, Age of Wonders plays more like Civilization than Age of Empires — the twist is, Age of Wonders has a fantasy theme and you play as elves, orcs and so on instead of real historical civilizations. This new entry also promises to introduce some RPG elements, particularly the ability to customize your leader.
This Week’s HD Remake of a Handheld Game
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate Deluxe Edition (PC, Xbox 360, PS3 & Wii U, Apr. 1st)
And the award for most unwieldy title of the week goes to…
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate was a solid Metroidvania take on the Arkham series for the 3DS and PS Vita. Some people actually liked it more than the main Arkham Origins game, and it seems like WB Games agrees that it was a quality title, because they’re bringing an HD version to consoles and PC. If you can’t wait until Arkham Knight for more Batman and don’t do portable gaming, you may want to give this a shot.
Pick of the Week
The Elder Scrolls Online (PC & Mac, Apr. 4th)
Bethesda’s big attempt to unseat World of Warcraft arrives this week. Will it be successful? Prooobably not, but nevertheless, Bethesda’s swinging for the fences with everything its got with The Elder Scrolls Online and the game looks pretty impressive. At the very least, I think Bethesda should be able to make the subscription model work (albeit on a smaller scale than WoW). This will be an interesting one to watch.
Is it almost April already? Where is this year going? Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let the world know.