Author: AJ Amideo

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.

Games to Play When it’s Wintertime

Although spring may be right around the corner, I am still trying to enjoy what little of winter is left. It may be the coldest season (sometimes ridiculously so) but it can also be quite a lot of fun. What other time of year can the entire landscape be magically transformed into one giant playground? Winter is the time for snowball fights, sledding, hot chocolate, warming up next to a roaring fire, and for some, fighting for your virtual life on a frozen, hostile alien world. When it comes to gaming, the best titles to play this time of year are the ones that have the most in common with the season itself. Here is a list of 6 great games to play when it's wintertime.

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#4if

AJ’s #4iF

What up, Twinstiq? AJ here, evidently back from the great beyond, and just in time for 4 in February. Having followed joystiq for several years, I've been a long-time observer of #4iF but this will be my first year as an actual participant. You see, I've always been great about keeping up with all the latest hits in the gaming world, be they on Steam, Wii U, PlayStation 4, or wherever; the only problem is that having to update my gaming catalog so frequently leaves me little time to properly see anything through.

Truthfully, my expectations going into this are anything but high, but I have decided to at least give it the old college try. So, without further ado, here are the four games I think I might have any kind of a shot at.

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New Steam Store Releases: Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate

Assassin's Creed: Syndicate finally made the leap to the Steam Store this week, nearly a month after it landed on consoles. So far, it seems to be faring quite a bit better than last year's entry, both critically and functionally. The question still remains though, why is this a yearly franchise anyway?

Fans of sports games like to buy yearly releases so that they can play with the most up-to-date rosters and the most realistic graphics possible. Call of Duty fans pick them up to stay competitive in multiplayer and to learn all of the latest maps and weapon loadouts. So, who the hell is continuing to ask for more Assassin's Creed? My guess is, fewer and fewer people every year.

Don't get me wrong though, Syndicate does seem to be a decent title. I just wish Ubisoft had decided to wait a little while before releasing it. Then maybe more people would actually show up to play it.

Also out this week, a game about serving tennis balls directly into people's faces (In the FACE!), a bizarre Japanesey third-person shooter with an emphasis on customization and socialization, and an interesting-looking fast-paced turn-based strategy game. No, seriously, who is asking for it!? Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Nintendo eShop Releases: Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash

This week, Mario and friends hit the court in their first new home console tennis release in over ten years. Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash also represents the first Mario sports series game to arrive on the Wii U so far (three years after the system launched). I think I can see why Nintendo is so far behind in console sales.

While it seems to be a bit lacking in content compared with the last home console Mario Tennis game, Mario Tennis: Ultra Smash is still sure to play a fun little game of tennis. Whether you've been patiently waiting for a quality sports title to finally come to the Wii U, or you simply want to throw Nintendo a bone, you probably can't go wrong here.

Also out this week, the Game Boy Advance port of Super Street Fighter II Turbo (on the Wii U Virtual Console), a new strategy RPG from the makers of the Luminous Arc series, and another entry in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series. Grab the mega mushroom and land an ultra smash, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New PlayStation Store Releases: Star Wars Battlefront [Update]

The Star Wars hype shuttle has left the hangar and is now picking up a bit of momentum, thanks to the release of the all new Star Wars Battlefront game. Before you fly off to the PlayStation Store or your nearest convenient retail games merchant, you should know that EA is charging full price for what basically amounts to half of a game.

It seems that what you are getting for your 60 or more smackers (or credits, or what have you) is essentially a watered down Star Wars reskin of the multiplayer portion of EA and DICE's popular military shooter, Battlefield. However, unlike the Battlefield games (as well as the two previous Battlefront entries), there is no single-player campaign to be found. The realization then, is that by still charging full price for less of a game, they are essentially just cashing in on Star Wars nostalgia. As such, my personal recommendation would be to at least hold out for a pretty significant price drop.

If you've already boarded that aforementioned hype shuttle though, this may be easier said than done. To EA and DICE's credit, they really seem to have nailed the look and feel of Star Wars. I should also note that their marketing campaign has become more powerful than you can possibly imagine. As a result, the temptation may be pretty strong with this one. (I was actually this close to picking it up, myself.) Whichever way you decide to go, may the force be with you.

Also out this week, Super Star Wars (an elegant solution, for a more civilized gamer), the now fully armed and operational Game of Thrones Telltale series, and 2013's Deadpool game (now making the jump to PS4). Adventure...heh! Excitement...heh! A Jedi craves not these things. Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Steam Store Releases: Fallout 4

Unsurprisingly, Fallout 4 was the highlight of the week (by a long shot). If you haven't checked it out yet, I would strongly encourage you to do so. Bethesda has added several interesting new updates to the already fantastic Fallout formula. Basically, it's Fallout 3, only more fun, and with much better graphics (and in a new setting, of course). If that doesn't sound like something you need then I pity you.

Also out this week, an interesting-looking four-player co-op shoot 'em up game, and a marble-matching puzzle game (like Zuma or Luxor) with a Puzzle Quest feel. Sadly, it's doubtful that anybody will pay any of this week's other games much attention. But that's pretty much come to be expected whenever a new Bethesda game hits. Oh well, back to the wasteland. Prepare for the future!...Then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Steam Store Releases: Call of Mushihimesama

It seems that this was a pretty big week on the Steam Store. Not only did the new Call of Duty hit, but also the renowned Arcade developer, CAVE, has made its Steam debut with their hit "bug princess" shooter, Mushihimesama (mooshee-heemay-sahmah). Additionally, SEGA graciously saw fit to bring over their previously Nintendo-exclusive Sonic the Hedgehog game, Sonic Lost World.

I don't know about you, but the CAVE news alone was enough to send me to gaming heaven (before their punishing shooter promptly sent me to bullet hell). Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New PlayStation Store Releases: CoD BlOps III

It's that time of year again. Time to write off that $120+ and God only knows how many hours you spent on last year's Call of Duty game and DLC. It's time to pop that disc out of your console and fling it frisbee style straight into the trash can (please don't actually do this). It's time to upgrade to this year's installment. Call of Duty: Black Ops III is arriving this Friday.

Also out this week, the next entry in the Need for Speed series (titled, you guessed it, "Need for Speed"), and an interesting-looking triple cross buy action RPG called Dragon Fin Soup. Mistakes were made. Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Steam Store Releases: Galak-Z

Galak-Z has come to the Steam Store this week, nearly three months after its favorable debut on the PlayStation 4. I was very tempted to pick it up then, but I decided to hold out for the Steam version. I hope it was worth the wait!

Also out this week, the third entry in the previously PlayStation-only Hyperdimension Neptunia series, a respectably-enhanced rerelease of Divinity: Original Sin, and the direct sequel to The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Hold out for the version you'd prefer, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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