My Week In Gaming: A Trio of Goodness

Here's a quick rundown of all the new games I played this week!

Even though we're getting close to the end of Summer, this week saw some really high-profile game releases. Usually a crowded release week like this one would overwhelm me, but I've been away from 'new' games for the past month of so, instead opting to play back through older games again or cross ones off of my backlog. Finally having something 'new' and exciting to play was absolutely fantastic, especially considering that one of these games came out of nowhere. 

Image courtesy of Game Informer

Galak-Z

PS4
Developed by 17-bit Games

I've been following Galak-Z for a long time, and was really excited to see it finally released on PS4 this week. If you don't know anything about it, Galak-Z is a rogue-like top-down space shooter that takes heavy influences from '80s anime like Robotech (your ship can even transform into a mech). Make no mistake - Galak-Z is incredibly difficult. It's got a steep but manageable learning curve (the controls and weight/physics of your ship take some getting used to) but if you learn to play by its rules, you'll come to really find the joy and thrill in Galak-Z's gameplay. The story is broken up into five seasons, each consisting of five missions. If you die during a mission, its game over, and you've got to start all over again. If you make it through a season, you unlock the next and can start from there. All of your stats and upgrades are stripped when you die or start a new season as well, but you can collect scrap to gain them all back. Missions are short (lasting about 8 minutes or so) but intense. Being a rogue-like, missions are randomly generated. However, the objectives of each mission remain the same, but the layout of the map and placement of enemies change. Don't be scared away from its difficulty, because Galak-Z is one of the year's best games, and a must-own if you've got a PS4.

Image courtesy of WiiU Daily

Rare Replay

Xbox One

Developed by Rare

It's hard to believe that Rare, one of the world's most cherished game developers, has been around for 30 years. Though they've been on somewhat of a downslide lately, I will always hold the company in high regard. They've given me and the rest of the world gems like Battletoads, Perfect Dark, and Banjo-Kazooie. Rare Replary collects 30 games that stretch across the company's long and storied history. Unfortunately, games like Goldeneye 007 and Donkey Kong Country are absent (thanks, Nintendo and EON), but there are more than enough fantastic games here to provide infinite hours of fun. In addition to the games, there's a pretty extensive array of behind-the-scenes features, including some looks at cancelled Rare projects. Rare Replay also includes a challenge mode (called Snapshots) reminiscent of Nintendo's NES Remix, where games are rearranged into bit-sized chunks and feature a wide range of objectives and challenges. Though some of the games are not worth playing more than once, this is one of the most well presented and stacked gaming collections I've ever seen. At only $30, Rare Replay is a no-brainer for anyone with a Xbox One and a deep love for video games.

Beyond Eyes

Xbox One and PC
Developed by Tiger & Squid and Team 17

Announced at this year's E3, Beyond Eyes was stealthily released for Xbox One and PC this week to little fanfare. This is a shame, as it's a stunningly beautiful and simple game that deserves way more attention that it's getting. You play as Rae, a young girl who has lost her sight after an accident. She becomes friends with a cat (whom she calls Nani), and has to leave the safety of her home when he runs away. The game features a visual style reminiscent of a watercolor painting, and the world comes into view as Rae explores it. It reminds me a lot of the PS3 classic The Unfinished Swan, where you had to spray paint around the world in order to move around and explore. When Rae hears things in the distance, they come into view, but things aren't always as they seem. The sound of a revving engine is imagined as a car in Rae's mind, but once she reaches it, it turns out to be a man mowing his lawn. It's a game about exploration and seeing the world from a different perspective. I haven't played a more relaxing and genuine game in a long time, and if you've got a few hours to kill and are looking for a break from the mainstream, I highly suggest giving Beyond Eyes a try.