Looking for a game to play over Spring? We cover 10 recent releases including Immortals of Aveum, Moving Out 2, Stray Gods and more.
1. Immortals of Aveum (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
Breaking out of the typical first-person mould often feels like a mighty task, which is what makes the release of Immortals of Aveum so unexpected. That’s because not only is it a first-person shooter that doesn’t actually involve the use of a gun, but that it’s also pretty darn enjoyable to boot.
It all starts with Jak (Never Have I Ever’s Darren Barnet) – the luck guy able to wield three forms of powerful magic and tasked with trying to close a ‘wound’ that might just put an end to the world. As a result, there’s a whole lot of magical mumbo jumbo at play here which might not be for everyone, but it also opens up the door for some pretty creative gameplay design.
Each form of magic, for example, is not only represented via a different colour, but a different output as well. That means you have the choice to swap between sniper, shotgun and rapid-fire-like abilities, but also need to consider which enemy you might be facing as some possess specific vulnerabilities.
It’s a system that allows Immortals of Aveum to dish out some fun combat scenarios as you jump around waves of enemies and fire a barrage of colourful attacks. Because of this, we never grew tired of combat, especially when battlefields were bright and bombastic.
Sure the story can feel a little naff at times, and not every performance lands as well as you’d hope, but Immortals of Aveum is still a surprisingly good time. It offers a fresh take that needs to be commended, so here’s hoping its creativity pays off and is able to fire out an even stronger sequel.
2. Moving Out 2 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, XBO, PC)
When the Aussie-made treat Moving Out first launched in 2020, it managed to capture the unbridled chaos of the home removal process, albeit with a few more laughs than the real thing. This follow-up hits many of the same notes with its slapstick-style physics, but then smartly switches things up with fun twists to the formula.
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In one environment, doors only open in one direction, while other levels utilise clever implementation of portals and wrecking balls. That’s not even mentioning the complete subversion of the game’s core concept by forcing you and your fellow F.A.R.Ts (that’s Furniture Arrangement Relocation Technician) to actually move in to a new location.
Though you’re free to play solo, Moving Out 2 is unquestionably best played with a group of friends on a single couch. It’s funny, frantic and worth adding to your party game playlist.
3. The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood (Switch, PC)
Love to sink into a good narrative? Then allow us to introduce you to The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood.
This surprise gem throws you into the magical shoes of Fortuna, a witch who has been exiled by her own Coven. Stripped of her tarot cards, it’s your job to not only help Fortuna craft a brand new divination deck with a pretty extensive (and time-sinking) editor, but offer your card reading services to all kinds of visitors as well.
These interactions are hugely engaging and can help shape the person you want Fortuna to be and the direction you’ll ultimately steer her story. It might sound strange and confusing, but trust that The Cosmic Wheel Sisterhood will quickly suck you into its world and cast you under its spell.
4. Asterigos: Curse of the Stars (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, XBO, PC)
An action RPG that’s part Dark Souls and part Greek/Roman action adventure, Asterigos mightn’t nail everything it aims to accomplish, but still has plenty of charm and potential that make it worth looking into. You’ll play as the likeable heroine Hilda who accidentally stumbles into a cursed city, only to naturally be sent packing in order to find out what all the magical funny business is about while trying to track down her missing father.
It’s a quest filled plenty of hacking and slashing, so thankfully Asterigos’ combat is fast, fluid and all around pretty enjoyable thanks to a weapon-switching mechanic that will see you jumping between around six classes that offer up a variety of two equipable weapons.
It’s a shame that the environments don’t share that same variety, meaning things can feel a little samey, but if you’re after another action romp, Asterigos should still scratch that itch.
5. Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, XBO, PC)
Though it’s likely going to prove quite divisive with gamers, Stray Gods absolutely has to be commended for trying something new. A locally-made musical video game inspired by the beloved Buffy tv-musical, Once More With Feeling, Stray Gods actually lets you play an active role in the game’s many musical numbers.
Focusing on the plights of Grace, a young woman accused of murdering the muse of a God, your adventure will constantly be interrupted by impromptu musical numbers. Select from a number of prompts during said numbers and it will steer the performance in a number of possible directions.
It’s an incredibly novel concept, yet while there’s a hell of a lot of voice talent on offer and the songs themselves are well-written, they unfortunately tend to lack that powerful hook that will see you replaying them in the weeks or months ahead.
Still, even though Stray Gods doesn’t quite feel like a breakout Broadway hit, here’s hoping the team continues to build upon the strong foundations for a serious showstopper.
6. C-Smash VRS (PSVR 2)
Must-play games PSVR 2 games feel like they’re few and far between at the moment, which is what makes C-Smash VRS so special.
A revival of an old SEGA arcade title, the game throws a racquet in your hand and asks you to whack a ball towards various targets of all shapes and sizes. Yet though that might not sound like an overly appealing pitch, the team has done an incredible job of using the PSVR 2’s tech to its advantage.
By utilising the Sense controllers, it feels as though even the smallest movement has a serious impact on your ball’s trajectory and it allows C-Smash VRS to create crafty, challenging levels. There’s always a fun sense of urgency to complete each stage, especially with an always-present ticking clock.
C-Smash VRS is simple in design but excellent in its execution, and although it might not be a reason to rush out and buy a PSVR 2, those who already have one should absolutely give this a shot.
7. Quake II (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, XBO, PC)
Just in case you needed another excuse to replay this 1997 classic, Quake II has fired its way onto the Switch and it’s as bloody enjoyable as you’d expect it to be.
The biggest winner here is the truly absurd amount of content being offered. Not only will you nab Quake II’s original mission pack, featuring 33 campaign levels and 22 deathmatch maps, but you’ll also score Quake II 64 and the brand new “Call of the Machine” Expansion. The latter has been crafted by MachineGames and includes another 28 campaign levels (and one multiplayer deathmatch map), but still manages to feel right at home with the beloved oldies.
Speaking of which, the older content has been given a serious spruce up with improved models, better AI and enhanced cinematics, yet despite the upgrades the whole experience plays smooth as butter as well, especially on the Switch, making it the perfect package to sink your teeth into on the go.
8. Tunic (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, XBO, PC)
Acting as an ode to The Legend of Zelda, Tunic is about as good as games can get. This positively stunning action game isn’t just pretty to look at, it’s also wildly creative as you lead a totally adorable fox throughout a dangerously mysterious world.
Here’s where things get interesting though: pages of the game’s internal instruction booklet are spread throughout the bright and colourful world. Find said pages and you’ll gain crucial information about your new environment to help you on your quest, as well as solve a number of puzzles or even additional mechanics.
It’s worth noting that there’s a lot more to Tunic than meets the eye, which should do well to keep you intrigued all the way along. In amongst the ever-evolving puzzle is satisfying combat that while difficult, keeps the challenge fair by not taking everything away from you whenever you die.
Now available in stores and no longer an Xbox exclusive, you should certainly look at picking this one up.
9. Shotgun King: The Final Checkmate (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch, PS4, XBO, PC)
Shotgun King asks a simple, wildly unexpected question: what happens when you combine chess and guns? The result is Shotgun King, a surprisingly delightful indie that will blast past any reservations you might be holding onto.
The whole experience works largely thanks to its ingenious rougulite gameplay. At its core, you control a solo shotgun-wielding king piece which must do away with all enemy pieces or take out the enemy king without being checkmated.
There’s a fun amount of strategy at play here as your consider each foe’s movement options, as well as a number of cards that add effects to both sides of the board. Trust us when we tell you it’s a challenge that’ll get the brain working in overdrive.
Victories will rarely be easy, but even if you don’t succeed, Shotgun King has just enough charm to lure you back in for another round.
10. Atlas Fallen (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
An open world adventure that sees you encounter large new environments and even larger foes, Atlas Fallen has enough meat on its bones to keep you satisfied, but it also often feels like a pretty generic jaunt.
Case in point: the game’s narrative features enslaved humans, a magical sentient gauntlet and a giant desert world filled with foes. So far, so familiar, but where Atlas Fallen does shine is its enjoyable traversal, which makes use of pretty generous dashes and double jumps, as well as a sand-gliding mechanic which just always looks cool.
Your speedy moveset also makes combat encounters fun to be a part of, even and does well to distract you from the pretty samey locations.
There’s no doubt Atlas Fallen is a little rough around the edges, but look for a bargain and you’re still bound to have a good time.
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