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 Halloween

It's almost here again. Halloween. My favorite holiday of them all. This time of year, I tend to become a little obsessed with things that are dark, spooky, and/or macabre. I like to break out stories by Edgar Allan Poe, or watch movies by Tim Burton or John Carpenter (the original Halloween movie is one of my favorites). You get the idea.

I love the fact that Halloween falls right on the very last day of October. It basically gives me an excuse to spend the whole month getting in the mood and preparing for the big day. In addition to reading stories and watching movies, I also spend that time thinking about costumes and jack-o-lantern designs, and of course, playing video games. There has been an abundance of decent Halloween-related games over the years, going all the way back to Haunted House on the Atari 2600. I usually don't go back quite that far, but here is a list of some of the ones that I do like to play:

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New PlayStation Store Releases: Divinity: Original Sin

Last year's highly acclaimed PC RPG, Divinity: Original Sin now comes to PlayStation 4. This enhanced version of the game even includes new features not seen in the original release; split-screen co-op, full voiceovers, new content, and more. Also out this week, WWE 2K16 and a standalone bike expansion to Driveclub. Cast a few spells, slay a few goblins, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Steam Store Releases: Mugen Souls Ultimate

There are quite a few interesting titles that have hit the Steam Store this week. First up, there's Mugen Souls. A previously PlayStation 3 only affair, the turn-based JRPG now brings its Lolita stylings to Steam, along with a pretty generous amount of free DLC.

Next up is PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate. You may be wondering what exactly differentiates PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate from the regular vanilla version that was already available on Steam. Well, PixelJunk Shooter Ultimate is actually a combination of PixelJunk Shooter and PixelJunk Shooter 2, now merged together into one continuous super game. There is also an optional upgraded "Ultimate" art style that is included in the package.

Also out this week, the very cool-looking Warhammer: End Times - Vermintide, plus Tales of Zestiria and Overlord: Fellowship of Evil. In addition, Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions has web-swung its way on to the Steam Store. And finally, two 20-year-old fan favorite PC titles, Little Big Adventure and System Shock, have arrived as well (and in enhanced editions, no less).

Take your time and select the games you like best. Lord knows there's plenty to choose from. Proceed further to see even more of this week's new releases.

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New Nintendo eShop Releases: Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water

There's a new Fatal Frame game available for the Wii U this week. In Fatal Frame: Maiden of Black Water, you play as three separate characters exploring different parts of a haunted mountain. As you try and piece together the mystery behind the mountain, you will frequently be assaulted by malevolent ghosts. Your only means of defense is a specially designed camera capable of stunning and/or capturing the mean-spirited...spirits. In a creative use of the hardware, this game lets you use the Wii U GamePad itself as the actual camera.

Also out this week, Just Dance 2016, Slender: The Arrival, and The Legend of Zelda: [Cross-Dress] Heroes (whoever decided it would be a good idea to put Link in some of the weird-ass clothing options available in this game probably doesn't need to be working on any more Zelda titles). I ain't afraid of no ghosts! Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New PlayStation Store Releases: Assassin’s Creed 14

So, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate comes to the PlayStation Store this week. Incredibly, this is already the 14th Assassin's Creed game to be released on consoles since the series debuted in '07. That's an average of nearly two releases per year. Not quite as ridiculous as the 15 Guitar Hero games that all came out within a five year span, but I think you get my point. At exactly what point does the market become oversaturated with Assassin's Creed? Also, is that really something that Ubisoft is in a hurry to do?

Activision (wisely) decided to shelve the Guitar Hero franchise for five years after the fans stopped caring about it. But Activision still had Call of Duty, and then Skylanders to fall back on. So what is Ubisoft going to do when they can't milk AC anymore? Personally, I'd be okay with them simply having a yearly rotation between Splinter Cell, Ghost Recon, and Rainbow Six, but they are basically doing that now. I guess when Assassin's Creed finally does die, they'll just have to come up with some other new property that they can beat well past the point of death.

A few other new entries to established franchises that are out this week include Tales of Zestiria, Overlord: Fellowship of Evil, and Just Dance 2016 (that's another Ubi property). Let's just hope that Syndicate won't be as broken as Unity was. Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

PlayStation 4

[Image: Ubisoft]

New Steam Store Releases: Broforce

It must be Bro-tober, because after a year and a half in Early Access, Devolver Digital's most bro-tastically American action game is now available in final release form. Broforce let's you play as one of several "bro" action heroes inspired by numerous bro-tacularly awesome '80s movies. The game supports co-op and multiplayer too, so go round up some bros of your own and take down the terrorist threat together.

Also out this week, a very obscure (but pretty decent) Arcade shooter (G-Stream G2020), now rebranded as DeltaZeal, the second Jackbox Party Pack, and a twin-stick shooter featuring vikings with guns. Put your bro-face on, save America, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Nintendo eShop Releases: Yoshi’s Woolly World

This week, nearly four long months after it was released in other countries, Yoshi's Woolly World will finally be available on the Nintendo eShop in America. Now everyone can partake in the fuzzy, woolly, yarn-aesthetic goodness. I just hope it was worth the wait.

Also out this week, the totally rad Game Boy Advance port of Final Fight (itself, ported to the Wii U Virtual Console), a Goosebumps game by WayForward, and a game that combines action-adventure gameplay with pinball. Touch fuzzy without getting dizzy, then proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New PlayStation Store Releases: Back to the Future!

So, Back to the Future day is nearly upon us! October 21, 2015, to be precise. If you've seen the movies (hopefully everybody has), you should remember that as the date that Marty and Doc time-travel to when they visit the future in Back to the Future Part II.

Although mankind has seen many cool technological advancements since that 1989 film was released, it's a shame we still don't have hover cars or hoverboards. Or power laces and smart jackets, for that matter. No Jaws 19, either (though that one's probably for the best).

Crazy as it may seem, there is one prediction that might just prove to be true (sort of). In the movie, a hologram billboard congratulates the Chicago Cubs on winning the 2015 World Series by sweeping Miami. Well, it just so happens that the Cubs actually made it to the playoffs this year! Not only did they make it, but they also just won their Division Series, and now advance to the National League Championship for the first time since 2003!

They may not be facing Miami in the World Series (not only because Miami didn't make it to the playoffs, but also because they are both in the same league and couldn't play each other in the World Series anyway), but should the impossible occur, and the Cubs win it all this year, it would be nothing short of legendary. (It is important to note that the Cubs haven't won the World Series since 1908.)

Anyway, presumably in honor of the fast-approaching date, (as well as the 30th anniversary of the original movie) Telltale Games has released an updated version of Back to the Future: The Game for the PlayStation 4. The 30th Anniversary Edition now allows you to play the game with the character of Biff Tannen voiced by the actual movie actor, Thomas F Wilson. Play it on October 21st, as you cheer the Cubs on (hopefully, to a decisive victory) in Game 4 of the National League Championship Series.

Also out this week, a hack-and-slash Dragon Quest game, Wasteland 2, and the next entry in the World Rally Championship racing series. "I wish I could go back to the beginning of the season and put some money on the Cubbies." Proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.

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New Steam Store Releases: Transformers: Devastation

I'm still sticking with Transformers: Devastation as my pick of the week. It was definitely the stand-out title on the Steam Store. If you ever wanted to play the perfect video game adaptation of an iconic '80s cartoon show, this is the one you've been waiting for.

Also out this week, a monkey action puzzle game called Ookibloks, another entry in the World Rally Championship racing series, and a mid-'90s adventure game featuring voice acting by Corey Feldman (another icon from the '80s). Decepticons...Rise up! (And proceed further to see more of this week's new releases.)

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New Nintendo eShop Releases: 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2

Classic Sega title and actually good Sonic game, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 has been released on the eShop this week. And in 3D! Some say that Sonic 2 is the best game of the entire series, others might prefer the original. Personally, I like 'em about the same. Either way, they are both great fun and they are both now available to enjoy on your Nintendo 3DS.

Also out this week, a new entry in the Chibi-Robo series, a new JRPG that looks a bit like Bravely Default, and a pair of semi-popular indie games. Get your red and blue 3-D glasses, throw them in the trash, then proceed further to see this list of new releases.

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