Feels like it's been awhile since I’ve had new release duty now that we’ve got Loki back in the writer rotation. This week we’ve got a lot of titles from big franchises with annual release cycles. Also some adventure games that may or may not be boring, and street soccer!
Alone with You
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Platforms: PS4, PSVita
From the developer that brought you the horror narrative Home, Alone with You is a single player sci-fi adventure with some “romance.” From reading up on the game, it looks an adventure game with choice elements that are cleverly woven into the story. Although the trailer also reminds me a bit of The Dig which was my least favorite LucasArts adventure game.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw2bBuWXLyQ
Deus Ex: Mankind Divided
Release Date: August 23, 2016
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBone
Out of Eidos Montreal, this sequel is set two years later than Human Revolution. The game play is still a mash up of first person shooter and RPG.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx_P10rHii4
Madden NFL 17
Release Date: August 23rd, 2016
Platforms: PS4, XBone, XBox360, PS3
I guess football fans don’t always get the latest consoles since this one is coming out for last gen as well. Being a New England girl I should be excited that Gronkowski is on the cover but what about The Madden Curse (no really it's a thing!)? To me the real curse is do we really need a new Madden game ever year?! Who shells out $60 annually? Are there that many new features? How about $10 for roster DLC...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEmQEFCBp2c
The King of Fighters XIV
Release Date: August 23rd, 2016
Platforms: PS4
Are fighting games the Japanese equivalent of EA Sports games? Looking at the history for the franchise, this is another one that up until recently released at least one game per year. Story mode and online play are back and XIV is first in this fighting franchise to have full 3D.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1xUSdofdZhU
Worms W.M.D
Release Date: August 23rd, 2016
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBone
OK I guess I need to stop being snarky about games releasing annually because this one used to too! I always had a blast with these artillery strategy games, although I think the last one I played was on PS1. Worms W.M.D. looks like a lot of fun and has cross-over characters from a bunch of other games. I plan to check it out, so fifteen years later I’m finally ready for another Worms game!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1JDI91eb5k
Metris Soccer
Release Date: August 24th, 2016
Platforms: PC
This is an arcade style street soccer game of 3 v 3 matches. It has both online and couch co-op modes and features tricks and taunting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2EehQhEhZE
Obduction
Release Date: August 24th, 2016
Platforms: PC
Ooh a spiritual successor to my all time least favorite adventure games Myst and Riven! Maybe it's slightly more interesting on the Oculus Rift, but I think I’ll just skip right to taking a nap instead of letting the game lull me to sleep.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=itWyefxRMhA
Valley
Release Date: August 24th, 2016
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBone
Valley is a first person adventure game where you are given a L.E.A.F (Leap Effortlessly through Air Functionality) suit to explore a remote region of the Rocky Mountains. The suit also lets you control the life and death of things in the forest and the number of times the player dies will impact the environment.
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/256662840/movie_max.webm?t=1460743141
Pan-Pan
Release Date: August 24th, 2016
Platforms: PC
Pan-Pan is an “open plain” adventure game with environmental storytelling and puzzle solving. Its got an ambient soundtrack to guide you along fixing up your spaceship to make your journey home.
http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/256665000/movie480.webm?t=1464888002
