Christian DeCoster
Easily this summer's must play game, Overwatch has something for everyone.
Torment: Tides of Numenera is a modern take on classic computer RPGs that tells an engrossing and original story, meditating on complex themes of identity in a strange world that just begs to be explored. While the combat seems a bit forced and uninspired, it doesn’t detract too much from the rest of the experience, and as a result I cannot recommend it highly enough.
Despite superficial similarities to classic Nintendo games like Super Metroid, Axiom Verge isn't afraid to bring a lot of new ideas to the table, and is all the better for it.
Yakuza 0 is a great entry into the series, with plenty for old fans and newcomers alike. Its story is cheesy and melodramatic at times, and the graphics are a bit outdated, but between a nearly perfect melee combat system and a city bursting at the seams with activity, anyone looking for a sandbox crime game should definitely pick this one up.
Nioh is easily the best action RPG I’ve played in some time. It may take some time to get into the swing of it’s melee combat, and the first level doesn’t make a good impression, but anyone looking for some engrossing hack-and-slash combat should pick this up with Nioh hesitation.
Zero Escape: The Nonary Games is the best way for you to play two of the most frequently overlooked visual novels out there. The additions to Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors bring new life to a underrated gem, and Virtue’s Last Reward is still as close to perfect as it was when it was first released. If you want to experience two of the best stories from the last generation of handhelds, this is the best way to do so.
Fans of Zero Escape, you're in the right timeline: the one where the series gets the spectacular ending it deserves. Violent, tense, and thought-provoking, this is a game that will keep you up for days while you finish it, than days more while you process what you just saw. If you haven't picked it up yet, you owe it to yourself to do so now.
Overall, Titanfall 2 takes the great ideas of its predecessors and expands upon them to create a far superior experience. While the campaign is a little short, it’s still a lot of fun and incredibly replayable.
Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate is an old school roguelike JRPG with a ton of replayability and a great visual style. With its randomized levels, densely related mechanics, and deceptively simple combat, it’s a game that still manages to be fun even twenty hours in.
Rez Infinite is a treat for the senses, and while there might not be a lot in the way of content, you’ll surely come back for more several times. The simple but addictive gameplay will draw you into a musical neon trance that you won’t want to leave, and it’s the perfect length for sharing with friends.
Dragon Quest Heroes 2 is a fast-paced, ridiculously fun hack-and-slash RPG. Even if you're tired of the Dynasty Warriors style of hack and slash gameplay, the open world and massive amount of depth should be enough to keep you interested for the duration of the game.
“Above the Law” is yet another strong installment in one of the most promising seasons Telltale’s had in quite a while. While it won’t win over anyone who’s become jaded by the lack of puzzles, and the romantic arc between Kate and Javi feels more forced than ever, it’s loaded with great action scenes and one of the best new characters the franchise has seen in awhile. If you haven’t picked up this season, now’s the perfect time to do just that.
Slain is a fun retro platformer with a slick combat system, great visuals, and a killer soundtrack. While its difficulty feels unfair at times and the Castlevania-inspired levels and enemies may be a little too close to the source material for it to feel totally original, it’s still a blast to play.
While Killing Floor 2 doesn’t offer a lot of content, especially compared to many other multiplayer shooters out this year, at the end of the day, it’s still fun to shoot some Zeds with your friends. If you’re really looking for some quick, challenging multiplayer action, Killing Floor 2’s a pretty good place to start.
Amnesia: The Collection proves why it’s one of the most imitated horror games of all time: it’s also one of the best. While there’s not a lot of new content for any returning players, if you haven’t played Amnesia, now’s the perfect time to change that.
The Ties that Bind Part 1 is a great start to a new entry in Telltale’s excellent series, one that does just enough to feel fresh.
Complex puzzles and a tense atmosphere make this a definite must-buy for escape the room fans.
There are plenty of engaging moments, despite the annoying puzzles, that make this game worth recommending. It's also a great representation of mental illness, portraying the patients not as cackling sociopaths, but as victims of tragedy. While it's not for everyone, especially those who want a more "in-your-face" kind of horror, the historical setting and creeping dread make for a very memorable experience.
While Master of Orion probably isn’t going to satisfy fans who crave the most complex civilization building games, it’s easy to pick up and fun to play for anyone new to the genre. The level of personality and attention to detail really set it apart from the competition as well.
Conclusion: Clustertruck is an addictive, fast-paced parkour platformer with great controls and a ton of challenging levels to race through. While it lacks a polish in some crucial areas, it’s easy to recommend this game due to how simply fun it is.