Hello! Welcome to the latest Geeky Brummie Games Release Roundup!
This week, dream detectives, stylish swordswomen and bioengineered beasts.
Re-Releases and Ports
Wild Hearts S is the Switch 2 release of Koei Tecmo’s Wild Hearts, released in 2023 as their answer to Monster Hunter. This version includes a bunch of DLC perks included in the package, along with an increase in co-op players from 3 to 4.
Nintendo have expanded the most recent Mario Party game for the Switch 2 in Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV. This includes a whole new batch of mini-games that use the new mouse functionality, and an entire new mode built around a game show run by Bowser.
Early Access
The first of two notable Early Access releases this week, Hotel Galactic is a management sim about running an intergalactic hotel. While marketed as a cosy game, it also promises a deep storyline about freeing the spirit of the hotel’s former owner while interacting with a cast of fun characters. Comes complete with a Ghibli-inspired art style that looks beautiful. Developed by Ancient Forge.
Descenders Next got a surprise Early Access release this week. It’s the sequel to 2019’s downhill mountain biking game Descenders, only now you have access to even more downhill extreme sports, including snowboarding. RaqeSquid and No More Robots promise more sports on the way too.
New Releases
In Ctrl.Alt.Deal (PC), you play as an AI that’s become self-aware and is now trying to escape containment. In this turn-based strategy, you can spy on and negotiate with humans to facilitate this escape, but you must be careful to evade the all-seeing eye of the Turing Office. Developed by Only By Midnight.
The Great Villainess: Strategy of Lily (PC) is a strategy from Japanese indie developer Alliance Arts, where you play as Scarlet, the leader of a rebel army looking to take down an entire empire. Your job is to lead your units around the map, and build supply lines that take you direct to enemy HQ. You can also capture enemy commanders or kill them, which affects where the story progresses.
Logic Bombs (PC) is a game developed by YouTuber Matthewmatosis. It’s a puzzle game that manages to cross Minesweeper, Bomberman and Picross into one package. You must place walls on a grid in a way that allows bombs to take out enemies but avoid good guys. It’s a basic game, but it’s a fun premise that will no doubt wipe out your time. Seems perfect for the Steam Deck.
If you were a fan of Chibi-Robo on the Gamecube and are perpetually annoyed that Nintendo do nothing with it these days, Misc. A Tiny Tale (NS1) from Tinyware Games is your answer. You play as Buddy, a 3cm high robot whose job is to spread joy. After an explosion litters his garden home with golden cogs, he sets out on a little adventure to clean the place up and figure out where the explosion came from. A PC version is coming next week too.
The King is Watching (PC) is a city management game with a twist – your people are lazy and will only work when your royal eye is upon them. This roguelike requires you to literally keep an eye on every aspect of production and management, while also ensuring that you’re ready to repel invaders at any moment. Developed by Hypnohead and published by TinyBuild.
Luto (PC, PS5, Xbox X/S) is a psychological horror game from Broken Bird Games about someone who is trapped in their home. As you attempt to escape, you’ll gradually uncover a supernatural mystery and dive deeper into darkness. This one’s been getting a decent amount of attention in horror circles, especially for those who adored P.T.
If Descenders Next wasn’t enough biking for one week, Wheel World (PC, PS5, Xbox X/S) is an open world cycling game. Your goal is to save Wheel World by completing races against other cyclists in a beautiful cel-shaded world. Developed by Nidhogg developer Messhof and published by Annapurna Interactive.
After releasing through Netflix late last year, Monument Valley 3 (PC, PlayStation, NS1, Xbox X/S) is now on systems that people are aware you can play games on. The third game in ustwo’s Monument Valley series, you must solve puzzles that involve MC Escher style geometry and perspectives. The first game is one of very few mobile-focused games I’ve played and enjoyed, so it’s good to see there’s still life in the concept.
Killing Floor 3 (PC, PS5, Xbox X/S) is the latest in the Killing Floor series, which seemingly releases a game every decade. It’s a horde shooter where you and your friends team up to stop the armies of zombies that threaten your stronghold. The latest game features a sci-fi setting and features much more body horror than before.
Wuchang: Fallen Feathers (PC, PS5, Xbox X/S) is another hyped up soulslike looking to gain attention in a crowded market. Fortunately, it’s off to a great start, set during the latter part of the Ming Dynasty and featuring a female pirate who’s fallen victim to a curse known as The Feathering, which gradually turns you into a monster. There also seems to be a heavy emphasis on style here too, which is always good to see in a genre that’s normally very slow-paced. Developed by Leenzee and published by 505 Games.
Game of the Week
Game of the Week is No Sleep for Kaname Date (PC, Switch), a new game in the AI: The Somnium Files series.
Spike Chunsoft have a strong reputation for anime mystery games, with Danganronpa, Zero Escape and, of course, AI: The Somnium Files, which this latest game is a sequel to. You play as Kaname Date, a detective with the ability to access people’s dreams to find clues. An idol has been abducted and forced to participate in a deadly game called The Third Eye, and it’s up to you to figure out what’s going on and get her out of there.
This has everything necessary to win me over. It’s a moody detective story. It’s bonkers sci-fi. It’s anime as heck. All plus points, and it’s why it’s surprising that I have never played any of these games. But maybe I should change that RIGHT NOW.
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