What’s old is new again this week. The late 90s and early 2000s are back with some Blair Witch, World of Warcraft Classic, The Bard’s Tale (if you count the spoof version). We’ve also got some newcomers in the fray including with one where there *is* crying in video games.
Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Platforms: PC and (Later this year XBO, PS4)
My love of simians is completely at war with my hatred of any kind of resource management game with this title. Also as if video games weren’t bad enough for the minds of children, now they’re teaching ‘em that darn science theory of evolution?!
Control
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Platforms: PC, XBO, PS4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooh6Vb-El3U
This is a third person Metroidvania style action adventure shooter. You play as Jesse Faden investigating the Oldest House which doesn’t adhere to the laws of spacetime.
Crystar
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Platforms: PC, PS4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfEV-NZIc84
The main game mechanic in this one is crying which will purify your equipment and thoughts on your quest to revive your dead sister.
The Bard’s Tale IV Director’s Cut
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Platforms: PC, PS4, NS, XBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kWN7zDRZPKw
inXile studios looks to rectify the complaints from the original release of Bard’s Tale IV. It’s got updated graphics and all the bug fixes according to their press releases. Will that be enough to resurrect the fantasy RPG series for its fans?
World of Warcraft Classic
Release Date: August 27, 2019
Platforms: PC
If you’d like all those WoW expansion packs to get off your lawn with their new fangled features now is your chance to get on this server and kick it old school. WoW classic brings you in the waaaaaaaaay back machine to 2006 where levels were capped at 60 and all the gameplay mechanics of the original are replicated. They’ll even emulate the original patching and release “new” content in phases like classic items and quests.
Pokemon Masters
Release Date: August 29, 2019
Platforms: Android, iOS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYyycD0YPA
This real time 3v3 mobile version of Pokemon lands on your mobile device this week. You assemble your unique team and fight!
Astral Chain
Release Date: August 30, 2019
Platforms: NS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brmmV3g4qqo
This action game has you and your twin out to save humanity from the brink of extinction. Not only do you have a twin but you each control a “legion” which is like a pet with special abilities to aid in your fight. Graphics at least look pretty sweet.
Blair Witch
Release Date: August 30, 2019
Platforms: PC, XBO
What year is it again? The original movie was my first experience with so much hype and then so much disappointment when I actually saw the film. This version is a video game take on modern horror tropes. I guess I haven’t seen much hype for it so they can't possibly disappoint me as much! And apparently I really missed the hype that there was another Blair Witch movie 3 years ago that this is loosely based on!
The Dark Pictures: Man of Medan
Release Date: August 30, 2019
Platforms: PC, PS4, XBO
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgW6xwr8AnU
This is the first story in what is planned as a series. It’s a horror game where you’re trapped with 4 others on a haunted ship. Your dialog choices and dexterity at real time events will determine who lives and dies throughout the story.
