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 Port
Muramasa Rebirth (PS Vita, June 21st)
Muramasa: The Demon Blade was a fast-paced, fun, absolutely gorgeous action-RPG that almost nobody played because it came out on the Wii. Well, now the game is getting a second chance…on the PS Vita. Hoo boy. But hey, if you occupy the very thin niche of people who a) never played the original Muramasa and b) own a Vita, don’t hesitate to pick up Muramasa Rebirth.
This Week’s Twin-Stick Shooter-RPG Hybrid
Hexodius (PC, June 21st)
From the “How has nobody thought of this before?” file comes Hexodius. Basically, the game’s a twin-stick shooter crossed with an old-school top-down RPG — a totally natural mashup once you think about it. Here’s the game’s Steam page.
This Week’s Adventure Game
Dracula 4: Shadow of the Dragon (PC, Mac, iOS & Android, June 19th)
There’s actually a rather baffling array of different “Dracula” adventure games — this particular title is the third sequel to Dracula: Resurrection, which came out back in 1999. Resurrection and its sequels have all been fairly well received by adventure fans, and Dracula 4: Shadow of the Dragon should follow suit (even if it looks a bit low budget).
This Week’s Retro Re-Release
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara (PC & PS3, June 18th, Xbox 360, June 19th and Wii U uhhh, sometime?)
Dungeons & Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara, a compilation of two of Capcom’s more overlooked classic arcade titles (Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom and Dungeons & Dragons: Shadow Over Mystara) comes to consoles and PC this week. Dungeons and Dragons: Chronicles of Mystara features some of the best hand-drawn graphics Capcom ever produced (and that’s saying something) and the games contain a bit more depth than your average brawlers, as players can choose from several classes, each with different abilities and movesets.
Pick of the Week
New Super Luigi U (Wii U, June 20th)
For the first time Nintendo jumps into the world of DLC in a big way with New Super Luigi U. For 20 bucks, every stage in New Super Mario Bros. U gets revamped — oh, and Mario has been stricken from this new version of the game, hence the lack of “Bros.” in the title. Oddly, you’ll also be able to buy New Super Luigi U as a packaged 30-dollar game this August, although I’m not really sure why you’d want to do that.
Bit of a slow week following E3! 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.