5 interesting game releases this week you don’t want to miss

This week may not have the biggest triple-A titles hitting the shelves (June was a massive month, after all), but there are some interesting and unique smaller-dev games worth taking note of:

Hawken

1 July 2016 (Xbox One), 8 July 2016 (PS4)

Mech-lovers that missed out on the superb Hawken will be glad to know that the title is making its jump to PS4 in July. The free-to-play shooter sees you pilot your very own customisable mech as you take the fight to other players in hectic team-based matches. It’s strategic, fast-paced, and is beautiful to look at, running on a highly-modified version of Unreal Engine 3.

The Banner Saga 2

5 July 2016 (PS4), 1 July 2016 (Xbox One)

The Banner Saga 2, a turn-based role-playing game (RPG) based around the Vikings, is a sequel if you couldn’t tell already. The Banner Saga 2 picks up after the events of the first game. Decisions you made against the dredge in the first game will affect the story in The Banner Saga 2.

If players haven’t experienced the first game, there is a default path they can choose which makes the choices for them. Regardless, there will be difficult choices in the game to make and will determined who lives, dies, and how to survive.

Metal Slug Anthology

5 July 2016 (PS4 – digital)

The Metal Slug Anthology will be the next title to join the growing library of PlayStation 2 Classics available on PlayStation 4. The collection will be available digitally this week. SNK originally released the anthology, which includes the first six entries in the run-and-gun action game series (plus Metal Slug X), for PlayStation 2, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation Portable in 2007.

As with other “PS2-on-PS4” titles, you can expect Metal Slug Anthology to feature up-rendered 1080p visuals, Remote Play compatibility, and, of course, Trophy support.

Furi

5 July 2016 (PS4, PC)

In the tradition of Shadow of the Colossus, Furi simply pits the player against a series of bosses in intense “duel”-like fights. These guardians the player will have to best in combat each have unique skills and move set that make each boss fight different. The concept is about the exhilaration of a difficult battle and the joy that results from besting a tough guardian, while agonising over how best to utilise Furi’s moves to accomplish victory.

The game mixes the over-the-top verve of Japanese action games with a dual-stick shooter to create a unique combat experience. With stripped down controls allowing the player only to cut, shoot, dodge, and parry; the tense boss fights are about skill and quick reflexes. Character designs for the game were done by Afro Samurai creator Takashi Okazaki, and the soundtrack is handled by a bevy of electro musicians.

Lost Sea

5 July 2016 (PS4)

This action-adventure game is set in the Bermuda Triangle. Players will be able to explore the varying islands that are inhabited by dangerous creatures and fellow crew members. Work your way through these islands to the mysterious portal that you hope will bring you home. Lost Sea offers a real challenge with procedurally generated islands that will never let the player become bored. Players need to keep their mind sharp as they enter each random island.

Lost Sea lets the player obtain crew members that use abilities, making surviving these Bermuda Triangle islands a bit easier. Learn new skills to increase your chances and explore even more of these islands.

Each island contains random lakes, creatures, fellow mates, traps and adventure. After landing on an island, you may find it peaceful with a pretty lake or it could be a barren desert that has hidden deadly traps all over.