Looking to expand your video game collection? Well, here’s a handful of brand-spanking new titles worthy of both your time and money.
Team Sonic Racing (PS4, XBO, Switch, PC)
Sonic and his pals certainly have no shortage of competition on the track, so it’s to Team Sonic Racing’s credit that it is as strong as it is. This racer is all about cooperation, as you’re split into groups of three and tasked with not only placing towards the front of the pack, but earning yourself points while you do it, as you toss items between each other, and boost off one another’s slipstreams. There’s a wealth of strategy at play here that help cement it as one of the better arcade racers this generation.
Rage 2 (PS4, XBO, PC)
The original Rage was a gritty, relatively dark affair that had something of a cult fanbase. Its sequel, on the other hand, throws most of that out the window and douses it in neon. But while a Max Max-styled open world sounds great in theory, its execution unfortunately leaves a little to be desired. That’s not to say the combat, shooting and destruction mechanics aren’t enjoyable. They are just slightly undone by fairly forgettable world.
My Friend Pedro (Switch, PC)
My Friend Pedro is all about making you feel like an absolute badass, and from start to finish it 100% delivers, providing you with a slick bullet-time system to take down groups of foes with a flurry of bullets. It’s bloody, it’s manic, and it’s a boatload of fun. Not every element works – namely some of the more experimental levels, like a chaotic, and occasionally frustrating motorcycle level – but they’re minor niggles in an otherwise tight action game that thankfully doesn’t outstay its welcome.
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Ultimate Chicken Horse (PS4, XBO, Switch, PC)
As if you couldn’t already tell from its screwball title, Ultimate Chicken Horse is pure shenanigans in the best way possible. What initially appears to be a basic race-to-the-finish competitive platformer fast becomes so much more – each person receiving a new item to place within the level after every turn. From swinging saws to punch-happy flowers, these items transform games into hilarious chaos as you try to make each level difficult to complete, but easy enough for you to reach the finish line first. A must-have for game nights.
Trover Saves the Universe (PS4, PC)
Brought to you by one of the co-creators of Rick and Morty, Justin Roiland, it will do you well to walk into this left-field adventure expecting the unexpected. Trover Saves the Universe is hilariously bizarre in all the best ways – as you try to save your dogs from a lunatic named Glorkon who has stuffed them into his eye holes and is using their life essence to destroy the universe. Leave your brain at the door and you’re bound to have a blast.
Observation (PS4, PC)
Much like many of cinema’s greatest horrors, Observation is less focused on cliché jump scares and more concerned with establishing a foreboding sense of fear. You might not be jumping out of your chair, but at the same time you’ll never feel truly at ease as you uncover what exactly happened on a desolate space station. Seeing the action through the cameras of an on-board AI is an inspired move and only adds to the unsettling nature of Observation’s world.
World War Z (PS4, XBO, PC)
Confession: we walked into World War Z expecting the worst, but were pleasantly surprised with what developer Saber Interactive has crafted. Operating much like a third-person Left 4 Dead, you and your friends will blast your way through hordes of zombies across Moscow, New York and more. The action is suitably frantic and watching a giant zombie horde descend upon you is equally thrilling and terrifying. The story might be a little bland and the core gameplay loop can become a little samey, but if you’re able to pick this one up on the cheap there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
Resident Evil 4 (Switch)
Resident Evil 4 is certainly no stranger to quality ports, and this Switch iteration is no exception. Now almost 15 years old, not every mechanic understandably holds up, and the visuals are getting a little tired, but if you have yet to experience this classic, or want a trip down memory lane, the ability to play on the go helps make this arguably the definitive edition. For fans of the series, Resident Evil 0 and 1 have also been ported and are equally polished.
Swords of Ditto (PS4, Switch, PC)
Swords of Ditto is pretty much everything you could ask for in a Zelda-inspired romp. It’s bright, colourful and relatively easy to jump into. The randomised nature of the gameplay helps keep the continuous loop fresh for a while, but a few poor runs can have you feeling the grind as the disheartenment sets in. Still, watching the world adapt to your success or failure is always satisfying.
Brief Battles (PS4, XBO, PC)
Another indie gem worthy of your party playlist, Brief Battles is more multiplayer mayhem. Control wobbly pink characters, don a pair of super-powered tighty whities and do battle in 50 different 2.5D arenas. Knowing when and where to use your abilities against your foes turns most bouts into tense games of cat and mouse. There’s some light solo content if you want to play alone, but make no doubt about it, Brief Battles is best played with friends.
