Each week in Play More Games, members of the VGH team will chime in on the new video game releases that have piqued their interest.
Matt Kernan (@mkernan): I’m reluctant to proclaim that the PlayStation Vita’s dry spell is over, but the handsome handheld is receiving a much needed boost in the form of both a high-profile retail title and a lower-profile downloadable PSN game this Tuesday. Pure Chess probably won’t launch to much fanfare, but I’m interested to try out its asynchronous multiplayer mode. That functionality in VooFoo Studio’s other game, Hustle Kings, has been a mainstay of my Vita experience. Unlike Hustle Kings, buying the Vita version won’t give you free access to the PS3 version, unfortunately.
If chess isn’t your thing, Resistance: Burning Skies becomes the platform’s first first-person shooter, making full use of the system’s dual analog sticks and utilizing a bit of touchscreen trickery to make up for the handful of missing buttons that its big-boy brethren typically have access to. An all-new story featuring a NY firefighter and an 8-player online multiplayer mode round out the package. As a Vita owner and fan of the series, my interest is definitely piqued. Reviews won’t hit until the day of the game’s release, so how good the game is remains to be seen, but I’m cautiously optimistic.
Though not a full release, the demo for the upcoming open world superhero-ish game Gravity Rush rounds out the list of releases that make this Tuesday a pretty big deal for new release-starved Vita owners.
Those of you looking for an inexpensive racing fix filled with stunts and big jumps should take a look at Mad Riders when it hits PSN this Tuesday, as well as XBLA and PC on Wednesday. If you notice that it bears more than a passing resemblance to 2010’s ATV racer Nail’d, that’s because they both originate from popular Polish developer Techland. You know, the Dead Island and Call of Juarez folks. Taking the $10 downloadable route this time around is probably a good idea, considering the lukewarm reception that Nail’d received. I’m not even that big on racing games, but I’m considering picking it up simply because this launch trailer is so hilarious.
Randy Dickinson (@randy_wrecked): I think Matt and I are perfectly in sync this week. I actually don’t know how to play chess but I’m hoping that VooFoo Studios’ Pure Chess will inspire me to learn. I really admire their hardcore approach to casual games and I eagerly anticipate their inevitable take on lawn darts and Chinese checkers.
My most anticipated game this week is a little off the beaten path: Friday will see the release of Home, a pixelated horror/murder-mystery from indie developer Benjamin Rivers. You can pre-order it directly from Benjamin at the link above for only $2. Details on the game have been scarce thusfar but the trailer certainly intrigues and the price can’t be beat. Be sure to listen to the podcast in the coming weeks for my review of the game.
What are you looking forward to playing this week?
Due out this week:
Atelier Mercury (PS3)
Batman Arkham City: Harley Quinn’s Revenge (PSN, XBLA)
Dirt Showdown (PS3, 360)
Gravity Rush (Demo) (Vita)
Home (PC)
Mad Riders (PSN, XBLA)
Max Payne 3 (PC)
99 Seconds (DSiWare)
Pure Chess (PSN, Vita)
Rayman Arena (PSN)
Resistance: Burning Skies (Vita)
SEGA Classics: Golden Axe (XBLA)
SEGA Classics: Streets of Rage (XBLA)
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