This Week In Games: Strafing Like The 90’s

If you’re a fan of old games, I have good news: this week is all about the nostalgia. Top of the pile we’ve got STRAFE, a procedurally generated, very 90’s looking shooter. And right next to that channelling the spirit of one of the best arcade games of the same era is NBA Playgrounds, which pretty much everyone and their dog swears is just a new NBA Jam.

Sounds alright to me. But let’s see what else will be hitting shelves physical and digital this week.


Lethal League (PS4, XBO)

What is it? Super intense couch co-op multiplayer that can best be described as modern Pong ramped up to the heavens.
Should you care? Lethal League is technically a fighting game about hitting the ball into your opponent. Great for party nights.


Elliot Quest (PC, PS4, XBO, 3DS)

What is it? A pixel-art adventure/RPG about exploring an island and its dungeons to discover an ancient demon.
Should you care? It’s getting re-released on Steam this week, after having originally launched a couple of years ago. The game’s been rewritten in C++, which is nice. Other than that, it’s a cool looking platformer. Would be a good fit for the 3DS, come to think of it.


Syberia 3 (PS4, XBO)

What is it? The latest adventure in the oldschool series hits retail shelves this week.
Should you care? Lot of complaints from PC users about the interface, which is a real shame. The last thing you want to be fighting in an adventure is the controls and UI. (And the voiceovers don’t sound that crash hot, either.)


Puyo Puyo Tetris (Switch)

What is it? The maniacal mashup between Puyo Puyo and Tetris finally lands on the Switch in Australia.
Should you care? It’s really good, but also pretty overpriced here. If you only have one person to play with, sticking with the demo for a while might not be a bad option.


Dreamfall Chapters (PS4, XBO)

What is it? The journey that began with April Ryan continues with Zoe Castillo, this time on consoles.
Should you care? Been a long time coming. You’ll want to be a fan of the series; there’s a lot of mechanics and running around that will frustrate people who aren’t fans of point-and-click adventures, or the series.


Minecraft (Switch)

What is it? Have a guess.
Should you care? If you’re a parent and never want to see your Switch again, sure.


Valhalla Hills Definitive Edition (PS4, XBO)

What is it? A game about managing a viking village, predominately the AI of the vikings.
Should you care? Something people who love the Anno series or Settlers should consider. Don’t like either of those franchises? Steer clear, you’ll get too frustrated.


The King of Fighters ’95 (PS4)

What is it? The classic NEOGEO fighter gets a PS4 re-release.
Should you care? It’s a great fighter. But maybe not if you don’t have someone to play with.


LocoRoco Remastered (PS4)

What is it? I … a platformer?
Should you care? I have no frame of context to explain this.


BUTCHER (PS4, XBO)

What is it? A grim pixel-art 2D shooter. Think DOOM, or if your memory goes back that far, Abuse.
Should you care? The more I watch it, the more the game really does remind me of Abuse. It’s out on PC already, but worth checking out on any platform.


Polybius (PSVR)

What is it? The latest game from the bloke behind Tempest 2000 and Space Giraffe, if that rings any bells.
Should you care? It’s a 3D shooter, put simply. Watch some gameplay first.


Harvest Moon: Save the Homeland (PS4)

What is it? Harvest Moon returns, by way of a PS4 re-release.
Should you care? But Stardew Valley is so good…


Human: Fall Flat (PS4, XBO)

What is it? A physics puzzle game about helping Bob escape his surreal dreams, by way of falling.
Should you care? At the very least, it’s a fun game to watch. Might be worth pulling out for a games party night to see how people tackle the weird levels.


Last Stitch Goodnight (PS4)

What is it? A 2D platformer staring an office worker who has been kidnapped by a doctor.
Should you care? I like the idea of a platformer in an office, but don’t know if this is it.


Moonshot Galaxy (PSVR, Rift, Vive)

What is it? It’s a puzzler mixed with golf. Think Fuzzy’s Miniature Space Golf, ramped up substantially.
Should you care? It looks like the most appealing spin on VR golf of late.


NBA Playgrounds (PC, PS4, XBO, Switch)

What is it? It’s basically NBA Jam.
Should you care? It’s basically NBA Jam.


STRAFE (PC, PS4, XBO)

What is it? A procedurally generated shooter styled like the 90’s, with hordes and hordes of enemies and lots of gibs.
Should you care? Bit worried about how much oomph the guns have in this, but should be fun nonetheless.


So that’s the main games to take note of this week. Did I miss anything good? And are you hitting the nostalgia train this week, still riding Mario Kart, or waiting for the bigger releases next week?


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