Keeping track video game releases isn’t as easy as it once was — the volume of games released each week is constantly expanding, and they’re spread over a mind-boggling array of platforms (consoles, PC, Mac, handhelds and mobile).
Well, I’m here to make things a little easier on you. Every week I’ll rattle off five games I think you should check out. These articles are not meant to be comprehensive lists of everything coming out that week — think of them as a nice rounded tasting menu. Each week I’ll try to highlight several games from different corners of the gaming landscape (handhelds, consoles, indie, PC, you name it) then finish up with a “Pick of the Week”.
Hit the jump for the five games you’re going to want to check out this week…
This Week’s Handheld Game
The Denpa Men 2: Beyond the Waves (3DS eShop, May 2nd)
The Denpa Men is a quirky, cute little download-only 3DS RPG that had you catching Teletubby-esque “Denpa Men” in the real world using the 3DS’ cameras. You then use your Denpa men to hack through a variety of 16-bit style dungeons. The game is pretty simple, but at only 10 bucks it’s definitely worth a look.
Well, The Denpa Men 2 is reportedly on it’s way this week (you never know 100% with Nintendo though) and the sequel looks to expand the Denpa Men concept considerably, with the addition of an overworld, a town to explore and greater customization options. In fact, you may want to skip right over the original Denpa Men and go straight its more fleshed-out sequel.
This Week’s Indie
Fez (PC, May 1st)
So yeah, Fez has been around for a while, but until now it’s been exclusive to Xbox Live. Well, now pretty much everyone can try out this gorgeous little puzzle/platformer when the PC version drops this Wednesday.
This Week’s Remake
Deadly Premonition: The Director’s Cut (PS3, April 30th)
For those not in the loop, Deadly Premonition is a bizarre, mostly nonsensical, haphazardly assembled game that a surprising number of people really, really love — it’s basically gaming’s version of The Room. Well, now Deadly Premonition has a director’s cut! With new scenes and Move controls and updated visuals! Will the Directors Cut be better than the original game? And will being better actually make the game worse? Who knows! But hey, I’m sure most of the insanity will remain intact, so if you haven’t already, you may want to give this latest version of Deadly Premonition a shot.
This Week’s Totally Insane Brawler Thing
Zeno Clash II (PC, PS3 & Xbox 360, April 30th)
Ooookay, so there’s a lot of weird games coming out this week apparently, and this one is probably the weirdest of the bunch. The first Zeno Clash was a first-person brawler with a completely baffling art style and storyline. Well guess what? Zeno Clash II turns the lunacy dial even higher! Watch the trailer above and tell me you aren’t at least mildly intrigued.
Pick of the Week
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon (PC, PS3 & Xbox 360, May 1st)
Come on, was there any doubt this was going to be the Pick of the Week? I mean, I’ve pretty much turned GammaSquad into an unofficial Blood Dragon fansite over the past couple weeks. Well, Blood Dragon arrives this Wednesday, and remember, it’s stand-alone DLC, so even if you skipped Far Cry 3 you can still get in on the 80s ridiculousness.
Those are my picks for this week. Planning to grab any of the above-mentioned games? Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let everyone know.