In terms of retail games for consoles, this week is an utter wasteland. But if you like rummaging through Steam for diamonds in the rough? You’re gonna have a field day. There are so many games being released on Steam this week, and a lot of them are — GASP — actually good!
Apotheon (PC)
What is it? A 2D slasher with gorgeous art. This game takes its Greek mythology setting super serious.
Should you care? I love the way this game looks and moves. I’m keen to investigate.
Astray (PC)
What is it? A first person horror game set in an abandoned Museum. NOPE NOPE NOPE.
Should you care? Cool little concept. I like the idea of this game. Seems focused on strange supernatural cultures. Could be worth checking out.
Castle In The Darkness (PC)
What is it? A retro-style Metroidvania with RPG elements. Can be described using every buzzword imaginable.
Should you care? Actually looks really fun.
Cities XXL (PC)
What is it? It’s like Sim City but… actually it’s just like Sim City. Except a bit more serious.
Should you care? This looks fantastic from a visual standpoint. Can’t really speak to how it plays.
Ephemerid: A Musical Adventure (PC)
What is it? A rhythm game about butterflies, metal and making things as “epic as possible”.
Should you care? This looks weird and super awesome. It’s a combination of music and flight and adventure. Sounds great to me.
Exodus Wars: Fractured Empire
What is it? A futuristic turn-based wargame with some fairly high-end production values.
Should you care? Seems to have reviewed strongly. Tabletop gamers in particular will want to check this out.
Fractured Soul (PC)
What is it? It’s the Australian game that took 10 years to make.
Should you care? It’s actually really good. Very much worth playing.
Grow Home (PC)
What is it? It’s the ‘out-of-nowhere’ Ubisoft game they decided to release on Steam only. It’s about climbing things believe it or not.
Should you care? Jokes aside, this looks really cool and I want to play it.
Pizzarian (PC)
What is it? Become a pizza delivery guy. IN SPACE.
Should you care? Cool retro aesthetic (no, really). Might be worth a look.
Stay Dead Evolution (PC)
What is it? An arcade action game based on real footage. Really different feel to this one.
Should you care? 50% movie 50% game. I like the look of this. You sort of direct action and interact with it at the same time. Unique concept.
The Guilt and the Shadow (PC)
What is it? If you thought Limbo was dark and unsettling. Man, you’re gonna want to steer clear of this. A game about death, illness and insanity.
Should you care? It looks interesting. I know very little about it. The trailer freaked me right the hell out.
Ubinota (PC)
What is it? A 3D Puzzler that messes with blocks and what not. I love games like this.
Should you care? By all accounts this is pretty cool. Looks extremely cool.
Vulture for NetHack (PC)
What is it? It’s an isometric graphical engine for Nethack, the roguelike engine.
Should you care? People are extremely hyped about this. It takes the bare bones ASCII NetHack and makes it accessible and visual. A big deal for fans.
Did we miss anything? What are you guys and girls planning to buy this week? Let us know in the comments below.
Comments
24 responses to “This Week In Games: Steam Delivers”
Am I the only one annoyed that there are no links to the games? I know it’s not much work to find them but it’s a step I shouldn’t have to take.
Apotheon (PC)
Side note: Will be free for PS+ members on the PS4
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/208750/
Astray (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/329200/
Castle In The Darkness (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/262960/
Cities XXL (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/313010/
Ephemerid: A Musical Adventure (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/335920/
Fractured Soul (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/307030/
Grow Home (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/323320/
Pizzarian (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/340380/
Stay Dead Evolution (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/341070/
The Guilt and the Shadow (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/332630/
Ubinota (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/323630/
Vulture for NetHack (PC)
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/341390/
There you go 🙂
Hoorah, good work Spoonie!! 😛
You left out the strategy game. Where’s the TBS love? 🙂
Exodus Wars: Fractured Empire
Link: http://store.steampowered.com/app/297270
I think this is a great point. From next week I’ll add links to all the Steam games.
Thanks Mark but why not edit the story and put them in now? You’ve got at least three people who want to see links – is there a technical issue as to why you can’t put them up?
No need, my post finally got approved 😛
Lol I added a post just before yours – its awaiting moderation, but has all game links 🙂
Far out – who ever is on mod duty is asleep, approve my post dammit!! Peeps need links 😛
HAHAHAH whoever is the moderated must be dead, because my post still hasn’t been approved – oh well peeps, I tried to give you the links for all the games.
I was just thinking that this is a problem. Thank you!
Prince among men, Mark.
Well it is the standard format every week. Most of the time there are console releases as well and many games released on steam are launched on other websites too.
So it doesn’t make sense to link to just one retailer
I know this is a niggly little thing… but I’d kind of like a screenshot of each game.
I mean, if you check this site, you’ve probably seen the marketing for the big games… so maybe not those, but certainly for the indie ones.
Barring any further QA shenanigans, Suikoden I and II will be out in EU territories this week as well.
Edit: It should also be mentioned that Castle in the Darkness is developed by Nicalis, of 1001 Spikes and Cave Story on 3DS fame.
Any idea when the PS Store usually updates? I’ve been waiting a long time for those games..
Thursday morning very early. It’s usually updated when I wake up at 5.30am (AEDT)
The blog post goes up at 1am Thursday morning outside daylight savings (Europe), and 12 midnight during daylight savings. However, it’s a bit of a mixed bag as to when the games are available. Some come out during Wednesday evening, while others don’t get on the store until later (relatively speaking) in the morning. As Zambayoshi said though, it should definitely be there by daybreak on Thursday.
links to the games would be nice.
Also worth noting is the Early Access (I know, boo!) for Darkest Dungeon is this week. There are plenty of twitch.tv streamers to watch but it looks awesome already!
Apotheon looks like the greek version of Guacamelee!
Is Apotheon free on PS + this week?
Correct – it’s this months PS+ Title, not sure why it’s only listed as PC here.
I really like the Cities XL games, and if you already own one, Cities XXL is only $20 if you order before Feb 5.
“extremely hyped” about Vulture for Nethack? Haven’t graphical versions of Nethack been available for years (e.g. Falcon’s Eye)?
I’m not some ‘vi-evangelist’ or anything, but I learned to play it ASCII, and can’t imagine anything that could deliver information with superior clarity (for that type of game). But it’s got a steep learning curve, so I’m sure tilesets and GUIs lower the bar to entry.