Consider it or not, we play a number of video games right here at Recreation Informer, but it surely isn’t all the time straightforward getting our fingers on the whole lot, not to mention ending them and writing a correct overview. We’re all the time on the lookout for extra methods to level readers in the direction of essentially the most fascinating video games obtainable – particularly people who might simply slip by the cracks – so we’ve created Highlight to spotlight the cool video games we’ve been dabbling with just lately that we imagine could also be value your time. We love chatting with one another in regards to the video games we take a look at every day, and we wish to add you to the dialog. Here’s a number of noteworthy titles a few of the editors have been sampling and wish to shout out.
Bionic Bay
Platforms: PS5, PC – Launch: April 17
Bionic Bay’s surreal and oppressive ambiance has drawn flattering parallels to Limbo. However this journey carves its personal success because of its satisfying physics-based platforming. You management a scientist who, after an experiment goes horribly awry, should now survive an alien biomechanical world.
The platforming feels nice and deceptively exact regardless of how floaty the scientist feels, and tough obstacles made each edge-of-my-seat soar really feel achieved by the pores and skin of my tooth. A particular gadget that allows you to change locations with sure objects is an easy mechanic utilized in more and more intelligent methods, comparable to stacking bins to succeed in excessive perches, utilizing objects as protecting cowl, or making a midair platform path. Every zone additionally presents a distinct platforming mechanic to maintain the journey recent, comparable to lasers that bounce the scientist round like a pinball, a time-slowing energy, or continuously shifting gravity. Every mechanical twist modifications the way you discover this unusual world in cool and considerate methods.
Loss of life typically comes swiftly and unexpectedly – anticipate to be crushed, sliced to bits, and melted typically earlier than you notice what occurred. Fortunately, fast and beneficiant respawns take away the annoyance of what’s typically an train in trial-and-error. I’m having a good time throwing myself, and the scientist, at Bionic Bay repeatedly. – Marcus Stewart
Monaco 2
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, PC – Launch: April 10
Over a decade has handed Pocketwatch Video games’ authentic launch of Monaco. The sequel fortunately maintains a lot of the attraction and arcade sensibility of the unique, however with a brand new and fewer retro artwork model that capitalizes on the heist-caper vibes.
Gamers management one member in a workforce of thieves, infiltrating closely protected inns, yacht golf equipment, and different bastions of the well-to-do, and relieving them of their most precious possessions. Gameplay is easy and approachable, centered on the stress between cautious sneaking stealth moments that invariably devolve into mad dashes for the getaway van, all whereas navigating an isometric digital camera view that makes it really feel such as you’re transferring by a constructing blueprint. Every character has completely different talents and upgrades, and extra pick-ups within the stage enable for additional shenanigans with the guards (suppose smoke bombs and disguises).
The true win right here is the power to play and benefit from the recreation both solo or with as much as three buddies. Having the sport playable in each on-line and sofa co-op is an enormous win. A household or buddy group on the lookout for a easy, enjoyable caper might fortunately wile away a number of evenings with this crew. – Matt Miller
Sonic Rumble
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android – Launch: Might 8
In late 2020, whereas I used to be nonetheless largely staying dwelling, I spent many nights taking part in Fall Guys with buddies. The frantic battle-royale-meets-gameshow format hooked me with its approachable gameplay, zany competitions, and colourful visuals. For those who comply with me or my writing in any respect, you additionally know that I’m a reasonably large fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Sonic Rumble seems to mix these two pursuits with a round-based elimination-style recreation starring Sega’s mascot and his buddies.
Although the sport isn’t out but, I’ve had an opportunity to play a number of rounds by 32-player rounds and have discovered it to be fairly enjoyable. Although a lot of the levels don’t actually capitalize on the velocity the franchise is understood for, as a substitute emphasizing cautious platforming, ring assortment, or avoiding obstacles, Sonic Rumble aptly leverages the IP by the usage of myriad collectible character skins, challenges involving iconic enemies from Sonic’s previous, and acquainted music.
The sport is in its third pre-season, providing premium battle passes and purchaseable foreign money, which could possibly be trigger for concern. Nonetheless, up to now, I’ve discovered the distribution of skins, icons, emotes, and different beauty rewards well-paced. I nonetheless must play extra to completely crystallize my ideas on Sonic Rumble, however up to now, it’s letting me scratch that Fall Guys itch whereas competing as and towards a few of my favourite characters in gaming. — Brian Shea
Star Overdrive
Platforms: Swap, PC – Launch: April 10 (Swap), June 19 (PS5, Xbox Collection X/S, PC)
I first turned conscious of Star Overdrive because of a Nintendo Direct: Accomplice Showcase in August final 12 months. The adrenaline-fueled recreation trailers don’t fairly nail the tone of the particular recreation. As a substitute of what I assumed can be open-world SSX with melee fight, what I discovered as soon as I fired Star Overdrive up this week was one thing extra approximating Breath of the Wild, however with a lot faster-paced traversal.
Don’t get me fallacious: the hoverboard traversal is an enormous element of the sport, and as you undergo the world, you encounter every kind of challenges involving time trials and navigating, however the exploration and puzzle-solving are extra methodical than I anticipated. As somebody who considers Breath of the Wild his favourite recreation of all time, I’m pleased to see extra video games use that format in new and distinctive methods. You even unlock talents just like Hyperlink’s in Breath of the Wild, together with one which permits you to use magnets to raise big objects to assist with platforming.
That mentioned, don’t go into Star Overdrive with the expectation that it carries the greatness of Breath of the Wild. The fight feels far shallower and extra finicky than in Nintendo’s beloved journey, and the exploration hasn’t been as rewarding up to now. Regardless of how good the hoverboard sometimes feels in motion, I’ve a number of frustrations with the digital camera and occasional issues with how the hoverboard controls, and the efficiency dips on the Swap fairly regularly. Nonetheless, I’m excited to proceed my journey throughout this barren planet and uncover the mysteries it hides. If you wish to test it out for your self, the studio put a demo on the Swap eShop. — Brian Shea
