It’s been a busy couple of weeks for games but things slow down a touch this week, with just a couple notable exceptions that are primarily multiplayer focused. I’ve never been a big fighting game fan but there is something special about a new Street Fighter. Street Fighter IV showed there was still a desire for well made, AAA fighting games and allowed for titles like Mortal Kombat and Killer Instinct to get full-on revivals, that have proved to be popular and lasting in their own right. The fighting genre is in a different space than it was 8 years ago though, do we need a new Street Fighter? I don’t know but I’m going to be playing Rocket League instead. -Chris

OTRRocketLeague

I’m not going to lie, when Rocket League launched last year, I was super skeptical. Despite enjoying competitive multiplayer games and loving arcade style sports games, something about it just rubbed me the wrong way. I’m often skeptical of group think and when no one could really explain to me what was so cool about Rocket League, other than that it was cool and fun, I checked out on it. It wasn’t until I watched Perfectly Sane Show co-host Fozzy play our friend Erica in a match during Extra Life that it finally clicked for me. Rocket League just is cool and fun. It’s not much deeper than that and now that it is on Xbox One, I think I’m going to give it a shot.

[one_half] OTRPixelPiracyEveryone fantasizes about plundering booty on the high seas, right?In Pixel Piracy (Xbox One), you can do that without risk of getting sent to jail. Or where ever they send pirates. Endorsed by the guys behind Terraria, Pixel Piracy is an open-world pirate simulator with a cute pixel aesthetic. [/one_half]

[one_half_last]OTRLayersofFearLayers of Fear (PC, PS4, Xbox One) exits early access and brings its unique horror mystery to everyone. If first person horror isn’t your thing, this will be an instant pass for you. But, if you are like me and enjoy a good horror tale in videogame form, Layers of Fear should offer up more than enough to satiate our demented appetites.[/one_half_last]

OTRCities

One of the big games last year, Cities: Skylines (PC), is getting a wonderful expansion this week. In Snowfall, players will get snow-themed maps with a host of new challenges. Prevent brownouts by making sure you have the power to heat your citizens when the temperature drops, make sure the roads are clear of snow so life can resume despite the snow and ice, and more. Outside of the winter wonderland, the base game is expanding with new features as well, including fog and rain for non-snow maps. All of this awesomeness, and still no word on that Xbox One release. *sighs*

[one_third]OTRTheShipA decade ago developer Outerlight released the super unique multiplayer game The Ship: Murder Party. In Murder Party, you were tasked with murdering your mark (another player) without anyone else seeing you, while also preventing your own demise. Think Assassin’s Creed multiplayer, but far more interesting and better executed. The Ship: Remasted (PC) is an HD remaster of the original Murder Party and should be just as much fun as before[/one_third]

[one_third] OTRFireEmblemFire Emblem: Birthright and Conquest (3DS) will be a series first. Each core game represents a different side of the war, with the other story being optional DLC if players want to see both story paths. Also, same-sex relationships are a milestone entry into the series. Either way, Fire Emblem is a huge series, and a new entry will be welcome in nearly all regards.[/one_third]

[one_third_last]OTRSFV With the story-rich Mortal Kombat game going over great each year it comes out, Street Fight V (PC and PS4) is grasping at cornering the competitive fighting game market. The character designs look great, Vega is in the game, but there is no Akuma. Also, there is no Xbox One release, so if you’re into the SF franchise, you’ll need to get it on PS4 or PC.[/one_third_last]

Honorable Mentions –

The Escapists: Walking Dead (PS4)
TRON RUN/r (PS4 and Xbox One)

Are you picking up anything this week? Let us know in the comments below.

About Author

By Don Parsons

got into podcasting in 2007, and transitioned into writing in late 2008. In late 2011, he went from blogging to writing for a small site called Vagary.tv. Don attended E3 for Vagary.tv in 2012. Now, Don is one-fourth of the foundation of Critically Sane.