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It is that time already. Another month down, another month of churning out the hours on our favourite games. There are a staggering 730 hours in a month on average, but only a small percentage of those we get to ourselves to actually indulge in our hobbies. And gaming can take up a lot of hours! When it comes to the video game of the month, is it enough?!
That being said, no matter how many hours a game demands of us, we always find the time to play, somewhere. After all, if we don’t, there will be too many to get through before the next one takes our fancy! So which games have we given up our hard to come by hours this month? Here are a few of the games our bloggers have been diving into recently:
Mario Golf: Super Rush – Paul Blyth
My gaming pick (and pic) of the month was an easy one, Mario Golf: Super Rush on the Nintendo Switch is everything I had hoped for. Back in the GameCube days I foolishly didn’t bother with any of the Mario sports titles and ended up missing out on some great games. I vowed that I wouldn’t do it again (I also vowed not to pay the extortionate auction site prices for GameCube games). So, I couldn’t wait to tee-off with Mario and chums.
It’s fun, frantic, has a great level of skills to master but doesn’t alienate players that can’t be bothered selecting which clubs to bring. Granted, it’s not as great looking as other titles, and especially not as impressive as Resident Evil Village, which was my choice for May. But it doesn’t need to be. It has its own look, one that Nintendo have spent generations perfecting for its Mario titles. It’s cartoony, inviting and comforting.
I know, “comforting” seems like an odd description for graphics, but it’s true. You know what you’re getting graphically with a Mario title, new games feel instantly familiar, friendly and welcoming. You can’t help but smile as you play any of the Mario titles and Mario Golf: Super Rush is no exception. Although Toad wearing a golfing cap bothers me, I don’t know why, it just does. Like, why doesn’t it fall off his head when he swings... is it glued on?
Guilty Gear Strive - Paul Blyth
Another reason why my gaming pick and pic were easy this month is because Beth let me choose two! (She’s a good ‘un). My second game is Guilty Gear Strive. For most, it would’ve gone under the radar thanks to the behemoth releases that came out in May. But for the loyal and devoted fanbase, this has been a long time coming. It is definitely at the top of their want lists.
Guilty Gear Strive by Arc Systems Works is the 7th main title release. There have been 15 titles if you include updated version of those titles and even more if you include the obscure releases. But yes, the 7th in the long-running beat ‘em up series. Previous titles have been rather complex, with a high skill ceiling for entry, which has put many people (including myself) off. But Guilty Gear Strive is a much easier title to get into, with less reliance on finger melting combo’s and far less punishing when you make a mistake.
The game also looks like you’re watching anime. It is, by far, the best looking 2D beat ‘em up to date. With beautiful animation throughout and wonderfully realised characters. And to top things off, it’s absolutely bonkers. The lore is insane. There are giant sword swinging bounty hunters, guitar-wielding witches, enormous robots, and a plethora of other insane details, including a rock soundtrack – the entire package is a complete sensory overload.
Biomutant – Dan Hilton
Well, what can I say? Biomutant is finally here! After what seemed like a lifetime of waiting, it is finally on my screen and occupying my gaming life. I was eagerly awaiting the release of this game since it was first announced back in 1847 on the black and white tabloids of the time. Is it everything I ever hoped for and more? Well, the answer to that will be found in my up-and-coming review, but what I can say here is that the game is incredibly charming.
Playing through this often-chaotic title is like playing through a fairy tale, or children’s book. This feeling is achieved through the use of incredibly adorable (and incredibly odd) looking characters that you will come across, coupled with a unique choice to have everything in the game narrated. And when I say everything, I mean everything. From the dialogue of characters to story overviews to the small things like comments during combat; it is all narrated by one person.
The humour in this game is on point too. It may seem like it is tailored towards a younger audience than myself, but I still get a little giggle out of the small things. For example, the first character you come across is an old ‘man’, and his name is ‘Out-Of-Date’. You quickly get thrown into a memory of the past and find out the man’s name used to be called ‘Best-Before’ in his youth. I find little details like this pleasantly amusing. I am a man child.
The world of Biomutant looks incredible. From its open exploration to its characters, there is always something to feast your hungry eyes on!
Gang Beasts – Dan Hilton
My second choice of the month is a little unusual. Gang Beasts is a game that I have had sitting on my hard drive for God knows how long. I finally had the chance to play it recently whilst away with some friends. Let me tell you this, Gang Beasts is a freaking phenomenally entertaining game, with a very simplistic art style that is charming to behold. Please forgive me for a lack of an amazing screenshot, it is incredibly hard to snap an image that looks good during the fighting!
Gang Beasts is in essence an every-man for themselves deathmatch game, where the only weapons you have access to is your own sticky hands. And the killer arenas in which you are placed of course. I was in an absolute fit of laughter when my friend kept nailing headbutts and knocking everyone else out left right and centre. Or when I was trying to get another friend snatched by the kraken, only for it to brush past my character’s beard and drag me to a watery grave by my hobo-beard cosmetic.
The arenas present you with simplistic chaos. From an aquarium with a killer Kraken to a meat grinding factory, there are a plethora of areas to bumble your little blob man around. You'll need to devise cunning ways to take out your friends in each. Only to have your plans fumbled when you get headbutted straight off the arena.
This game is just sheer joy in a box.
Wrap Up
So, there we have it folks, a selection of the games that have graced our consoles the last few weeks. From anime beat ‘em ups to RPGs set in a post-apocalyptic world where the furry critters have evolved to take over, there is something here that will appeal to most. And if none of these games catch your eye, stay tuned for next month’s feature. We will showcase another great selection of games.