This week, as far as PC releases go, will be a fairly slow one. There's a couple re-releases, a couple pixel art games, a DLC (downloadable content) for a popular sequel, and one Steam Early Access which is surely to be the highlight. Here's a quick rundown of each release in order of date:
July 31st Releases:
Graveball, Goin' Yumbo Games, price: Not available
It's a 3v3 sports game of sorts where players try score in the opposing teams endzone, a sort of 'goblin rugby' of sorts. There are a few other ways of scoring as well, and there is a somewhat MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) aspect to it, as players can elimate the opposing team, and if all players die--your team scores points. It's also a deathmatch, so if your goblin dies, you now play as a ghost and are able to pick your next respawn point.
Chasm, Bit Kid, Inc., price: $19.99 USD
Chasm is a pixel action-adventure genre title that puts players in control of a new recruit in the Guildean Kingdom, trying to prove himself as a knight. It plays like a fast paced side-scroller, this game is sure to be a great indie hit, especially with six massive maps and countless bosses to battle. This will surely cater to the nostalgic RPG gamer.
Rend, Frostkeep Studios, price: Not Available (Steam Early Access)
A project that has long been hyped due to the developers and their ties to MMO King
World of Warcraft,
Rend will finally reach a wider playerbase this week with its Steam Early Access on Tuesday. With their past history, Frostkeep Studios looks to blend two of the largest genres of games into one, the MMORPG and the survival genres together.
The game has a PvPvE aspect, where players will choose from 3 factions, and battle it out on a big map where they will have to balance battling other players, or vicious monsters. The game will also have extensive talent and skill trees, allowing for fully customizable gameplay for all types of playstyles.
As one of the developers was stated
here, the game plays like, "a long-term MOBA on steroids." I think its safe to say that this will overwhelmingly be the most hyped up game release this week.
Iro Hero, Artax Games, price: Not available
Another pixel art game, this one is instead an homage to top-down arcade shooters.
Iro Hero, initially released for the Nintendo Switch back in June, is finally getting its release for PC via Steam, and looks to be a fun title from an indie game company.
South Park: The Fractured But Whole - Bring the Crunch DLC, Ubisoft, price: $12 USD (free with Season Pass, valued at $29.99 USD, includes all prior DLCs)
In Bring the Crunch, your newest buddy, Mint-Berry Crunch, aka Bradley Biggle, aka Gok-zarah, has just arrived from his home planet of Kokujon with the tremendous power of mint and berries. Meanwhile, an idyllic summer at Lake Tardicaca turns into a nightmare when the camp counselors go missing. With the fate of summer camp in jeopardy, Fastpass sends out a Coonstagram distress signal. Team up with FastPass, Doctor Timothy, Professor Chaos and the newest member of the Coon & Friends, Mintberry Crunch, to save summer camp.Players will also be able to embrace the new “Final Girl” class and overcome insurmountable odds to survive. This superhero class brings new combat tactics and traps to take down spooky enemies. After saving Lake Tardicaca, players will be able to bring their new powers and buddy to the rest of their superhero adventure.
(Official Game Site)
August 1st
Yakuza 0, Sega, price: $19.99 $17.99 USD (10% off on Steam ends August 1st)
This re-release of a highly acclaimed Playstation 3 (and Playstation 4) game makes its way to PC. In line with GTA titles, this open-world action title takes place in late 1980s Japan, mainly Tokyo and Osaka, where the player bounces between storylines for two seperate protagonists. With its low price point, and high scores, there are sure to be a bunch of new and old players alike, that will grab this title.
Star Traders: Frontiers, Trese Brothers, price: $14.99 USD
ZIQ, Midnight Sea Studios, price: Not available
ZIQ is an action arcade runner where reflexes and timing are everything.
This is the Police 2, Weappy Studio, price: Not available
This is a story-driven game where players take hold of the entire task force in the town of Sharpwood, where there's always violence, gangs and smugglers around. As the saying goes, "every action has an equal and opposite reaction," is definitely applied to this game, as every character, those controlled by the player and not, are affected by different choices.
Flat Heroes, Parallel Circles, price: $7.99 USD
This simplistic puzzle-platformer has been in the works for a couple years, and has reached its official release date. It seems from reviews on Steam, that players who've already had their hands on the game are overwhelmingly happy with it so far, and i'm sure it will carry over to a wider playbase after release.