I've been gaming pretty much since I was old enough to hold a controller. I've always been a console guy but I've recently kind of shifted over to Steam (though I'm still not giving up the controller). I'm also absolutely obsessed with arcades.
There's a new chess game on the Steam Store this week. This one utilizes the Warhammer 40,000 license. Warhammer 40,000: Regicide, as it is called, features the traditional version of chess you know and love (played in a Warhammer 40,000 setting), as well as a new take on the classic board game, called Regicide. Also out this week, Leo's Fortune - HD Edition, Smite, and Naught Reawakening. Challenge a Space Marine to chess, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.
Sorry for the late post. I was dealing with computer issues all weekend. What did we miss? Oh, right. For the second time, Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain was the highlight of the past week. It was in good company though, as there were quite a few other interesting releases on the Steam Store. Mad Max, Raiden IV, a new Company of Heroes entry, and a '90s adventure game featuring digitized actors in a comic book setting (to name a few). Do a double-take, then proceed further to see more of this past week's new releases.
Mario Golf (64) is now available for the Wii U Nintendo 64 Virtual Console! The first of the "modern" three-dimensional Mario Golf games, Mario Golf was also released over 12 years after the previous, NES entry (Nintendo never made a Mario Golf game for the Super Nintendo). Also out this week, the never-before-released outside of Japan, 2-player, Vs Excitebike, and an HD-upgraded Wii U combo-pack of two previously 3DS Western indie games. Fore! Proceed further to see this list of new releases.
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is now available on the PlayStation Store. Ostensibly, the last Metal Gear game by series creator and longtime custodian, Hideo Kojima, The Phantom Pain has already been released to both rave reviews and a fair amount of controversy. Also out this week, the somewhat highly anticipated Mad Max game (especially after how great the new movie was), "STFU!" (that is to say, Super Time Force Ultra), and a digital card and dice fantasy tabletop role-playing strategy board game (as described by Wikipedia). Play Metal Gear Solid again for the last time, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.
Game Changers is a semi-regular column featuring games which have had a significant impact on me over the years. Games that were so incredibly stunning and awe-inspiring, they changed my conception of what a game could be at the time. Previously, I have written about Out Run, The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, and Street Fighter Alpha 3.
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the Wild West. Growing up, one of my favorite things to do (whenever I wasn't playing games or practicing spinning toy pop-guns like a gunslinger) was kick back and watch some great Westerns on TV. "Back to the Future, part III", "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr", "Tombstone", the legendary Clint Eastwood "Man with No Name" trilogy ("A Fistful of Dollars", "For a Few Dollars More", and "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly"), and of course, the John Wayne classics like "Rio Bravo", "El Dorado", and "True Grit" (to name more than a few). These films (and one show) are some of the finest examples the genre has to offer. They are far from the only cinematic representations available, however.
When it comes to games, the options are much less prevalent. When I was young, there were really only two Western games that I found to be any good, Sunset Riders and Lethal Enforcers II: Gun Fighters. Both were multiplayer Arcade titles from Konami and both were really great games. They also both came out in the early '90s and quickly received multiple home console ports.
I acquired them (for my Sega Genesis and Sega CD, respectively) pretty much as soon as I found out about them. I spent a lot of time playing both of them and they still remain two of my favorite games to this day. But the early '90s was a fairly long time ago. Gaming changed a good bit as the years marched on.
Tons of great new games came and went but almost none of them featured an Old West setting. The incredibly few that did were either not available on the platforms I owned or were just not very good. I started to think I might never play a great modern Western game. But finally, in 2010, Rockstar Games released perhaps the greatest Wild West game of all time, Red Dead Redemption.
Just in time for its 15th anniversary (and completely as a surprise to me), this week, Grandia II has come to the Steam Store. Already one of my all-time favorite RPGs, this version of the game is even better than I remember. That's because Grandia II Anniversary Edition features upgraded visuals, an extra difficulty setting, Steam Achievements, and an original Japanese voice option.
It doesn't include a soundtrack, though, unfortunately (my original Dreamcast version did). That one small oversight aside, this game is definitely worthy of a purchase. If you've never played it before (or even if you have), I would strongly urge you to give it a look.
Also out this week, Mega Man Legacy Collection (Boo-yah!), a very excellent (and dark) looking sci-fi action platformer, and an action RPG sequel featuring time-travel and evolving video game styles. Celebrate a very welcome 15th anniversary, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.
This week on the Nintendo eShop, you can treat yourself to a double scoop of Sin and Punishment. Both the excellent Nintendo 64 original and its Wii sequel are now available. The original is noteworthy for using English voice acting, despite never having been released outside of Asia (until it was later ported to the Virtual Console). It is also noteworthy for being totally rad. If you like well-made Japanesey shooters, you could do a lot worse.
Also out this week, a crazy platforming party game with a color-changing twist that also features guest characters from several high profile indie titles (Shovel Knight, Guacamelee, and Mutant Mudds, to name a few). Lock and load...and then proceed further to view this list of new releases.
Talk about deja vu! Just like Zombi(U) last week, this week features another instance of something that was previously only to be found on Wii U (in this case a collection of NES Mega Man games) suddenly becoming available for everyone! PlayStation 4 (and Xbox One and PC) owners rejoice! Mega Man Legacy Collection (aka Mega Man's 1-6) is here and ready for your immediate attention. So, stop what you are doing and go download it without delay!
Also out this week, the definitive edition of Dishonored, the obligatory (and hopefully halfway decent) yearly Madden installment, and a surprisingly fresh new survival horror game. Ready... Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.
All things considered, Trine 3 is my pick for top Steam release of the past week. There were a few close contenders, though. There were also a few higher profile releases that just didn't quite measure up for one reason or another. The honorable mentions go to Velocity 2X, Volume, and Super Mega Baseball: Extra Innings. Proceed further to check them all out (and others as well).
[Image: Frozenbyte]
Gunstar Heroes, arguably one of the best run and gun shooter games of all time, has come to the 3DS today (and in 3D)! Known as the game that put Treasure on the map, Gunstar Heroes was not only great fun to play, it was also one of the more graphically impressive games to hit the Sega Genesis.
True to the original, this 3DS port even includes a greatly appreciated local co-op mode. If you want to check out an absolutely superb gaming classic, go pick this up without delay.
Also out this week, the similarly fantastic Advance Wars 2, a Level-5 action-RPG about battling mini robots, and indie art game, The Bridge. Find a treasure, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.
