Weekly Releases for April 5th-11th

We all know how difficult it can be to keep up with the major games that are released each week. This series attempts to make keeping up with your favorite games just a tad easier, and also hopes to introduce new games to the readers.

This week, we don’t have too many releases, but there are definitely a few worth looking at.

Tuesday, April 7th

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin for PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. This upgrade bundle for Dark Souls II contains the base game as well as all of the previously released DLC. Windows users also now have access to DirectX 11 with this new version of the game. This release also marks the first time that Dark Souls II is available on the current-gen consoles. If you haven’t already picked it up, you can grab Dark Souls II Scholar of The First Sin Edition on Steam for $49.99, for the PS4 and Xbox One for $59.99, or for the last-gen consoles for $39.99. This is definitely one of the must-have releases of the week.

Etrian Mystery Dungeon for the 3DS. Not being a fan of the Etrian Odyssey series, I can’t say I know much about this title. My research indicates that it is a turn-based rpg that takes you to dungeons that randomly generate their layout each time you enter. The game will feature classes similar to what fans of Etrian Odyssey are used to, and will mix this with the randomized dungeon mechanic to create endless possibilities of exploration and combat. Owners of a 3DS should definitely keep an eye on this release, as the hype surrounding the title is pretty positive from what I’ve read. You can grab a copy of Etrian Mystery Dungeon on Amazon, or at your local games retailer for $39,99.

MonsterBag for Vita. MonsterBag is described on the Playstation Blog as a puzzle platformer/action game. The game has you take control of a monster named V and follow him on his journey to return to his friend Nia. V possesses some sort of telekinetic abilities, which assist him in moving through levels and solving various puzzles in order to reunite with Nia. If you’re interested, you can get MonsterBag on the Playstation store for $9.99.

The Falling Sun for PC. The Falling Sun is a unique horror adventure that takes place in an interesting WWII setting. The horrors of war are often stated, but The Falling Sun aims to take the phrase to a new level. You will play as a British soldier who is investigating the fate of an armored division, and experience horrors beyond those that the war provides. You can grab The Falling Sun on Steam Early Access if it sounds like your cup of tea. As always, do some research before purchasing early access so you can make sure you’re buying into a quality product. I will say that the concept sounds very interesting and I definitely consider it one of the more interesting releases of the week.

Wednesday, April 8th

Pokemon Rumble World for 3DS. The next entry into the Rumble series of Pokemon games features 719 unique toy Pokemon to collect and battle with. Not only will the game feature Pokemon, but player Miis will appear in game along with Miis of players that you meet along your journey. This is a free-to-play release that will be available through the e-Shop, and will feature the ability to purchase in-game currency to speed up progress.

Thursday, April 9th

StarDrive 2 for PC. StarDrive 2 is a space 4X that is considered a successor to the Master of Orion series. This second entry into the series claims to improve upon core mechanics and add a fantastic turn-based battle system to the game. You can expect to explore the galaxy as you aim to build your space empire from the ground up. If you’re interested, you can grab StarDrive 2 on Steam for $29.99. This release is definitely one to keep your eye on if you’re a fan of 4X games.

Friday, April 10th

Dead Synchronicity: Tomorrow Comes Today for PC. Dead Synchronicity is an adventure game featuring a dark and noir-themed world and storyline. You play as Michael, who is a man with no past, as you attempt to uncover the mystery surrounding the collapse of the world. The game not only features gorgeous art, but also an engaging soundtrack and an interesting story concept. While the game is reminiscent of classics such as Monkey Island and Broken Sword, it is more closely related to darker games such as I Have No Mouth and I Must Scream. You can grab it on Steam for $19.99. The interesting aesthetic combined with an intriguing storyline make this my choice for the release of the week. We can only hope that it plays as well as it looks.

Xenoblade Chronicles 3D for 3DS. First of all, it is important to note that this game is only playable on the New 3DS, which is a definite bummer for those of us stuck with the older iterations. Xenoblade Chronicles 3D is a remake of the original game, which was released exclusively for the Wii. The game was met with critical acclaim and was considered one of the best games available on the console. If you’ve played the game and desire to play it on the go, or if you’ve never experienced the masterpiece that is Xenoblade Chronicles, you can grab it on Amazon for $39.99.

Bonus: It is also worth mentioning that I AM BREAD is coming out of early access this Thursday, April 9th. It will be priced at $12.99 upon release and will provide hours of extremely frustrating gameplay for those masochists out there.