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 Starship Damrey (3DS eShop, May 16th)
The Starship Damrey is an atmospheric horror/adventure game by Level-5, the guys behind everything from Dragon Quest VIII to the Professor Layton series. The game apparently flies in the face of most modern game design by not providing any sort of hints or tutorials whatsoever — you’re thrown into the creepy environment and have to sink or swim. Sounds good to me.
This Week’s PS Vita Game
Velocity Ultra (PS Vita, May 15th)
Yup, that’s right, a PS Vita game makes the list this week! Let it never be said I don’t scour every dusty corner of the gaming landscape for you. Velocity, an old school scrolling space shooter, was released last year as part of Sony’s “Playstation mini” line of small, budget games, and now it’s getting a suped up version specifically for the PS Vita. The original version of Velocity got some very nice reviews (87 on Metacritic) and Velocity Ultra should be even better.
This Week’s DLC
Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance: Blade Wolf (PS3 & Xbox 360, May 14th)
So, the latest major chunk of Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance DLC lets you play as a giant robot dog with a chainsaw tail named Blade Wolf. I really don’t need to do any further selling of this, do I?
This Week’s Super Cheap Retro Download
Super Metroid (Wii U eShop, May 16th)
As part of Nintendo’s ongoing Wii U virtual console promotion you’ll be able to download Super Metroid on the Wii U for only 30 cents this week. That’s Super Metroid, perfectly emulated, on your TV, with save states for basically free. Again, I really don’t need to do any further selling of this, do I?
Pick of the Week
Metro: Last Light (PC, PS3 & Xbox 360, May 14th)
THQ may be dead, but the long-in-development Metro: Last Light has lived on and finally sees release this week. The game looks great visually, is apparently hard as balls and is picking up some pretty solid reviews. If you’ve been looking for a shooter that does things a little bit differently, give Metro a try.
Not a bad week! Well, unless you’re afraid of the dark. 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.