The Maw: what's new in PC games this week?
Assassin's Creed Shadows, Atelier Yumia, Kaiserpunk and maw
Live
Good day to ye, reader! I'm not sure what the weather's like in other regions, but here in London we're approaching the unhallowed time of year when grown men are overtaken by the urge to wear shorts. I saw a few unclothed kneecaps abroad last week, but thankfully the boreal winds returned and snuffed them out like premature daffodils. The forecast right now is clear skies till Friday. Pray for us. Alternatively, play some new PC games. Here's a list.
On Monday 17th March, some torturous puns from Rogue Light Deck Builder and some lovely, free disease from Pathologic 3's Quarantine prologue. On Tuesday 18th March, the release of regicidal Hadeslike Reignbreaker. On Wednesday 19th March, a day of meditation in the dojo as we prepare for Thursday 20th March, the launch date for feudal Japanese open worlder Assassin's Creed Shadows. If you're more interested in breeding frogs than parkour or kendo, you can play Mudborne instead. And on Friday 21st March, a small host of promising contenders: Splintered, a retro RPG in which the villain remixes the world when you die, Urban Jungle, in which you cosify a cutaway house, Kaiserpunk (pictured in header), an alternate-history World War citybuilder, and - deep breath - Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories & the Envisioned Land, a galumphing Tecmo Koei action-RPG with magic motorbikes and lots of crafting.
Our latest live newsblog is below, tastefully accompanied by a comments thread. Are you a British man d'un certain âge who wears shorts? Look, I'm not going to call the police or anything, but please promise me at least that you won't pair them with comically thick woollen socks. You're either dressing for nice weather or you aren't - no half-measures! Have a jolly week.
FRENZIED FRIDAY
The Maw is flicking its tongue and salivating triangular globules. The last time this happened we lost several inches of galaxy. For the love of all that's holy, feed it.The Future Games Show just offered up Animal Use Protocol, a survival horror where you play as a super smart monkey that has a little rat companion who berates you all the time. Yeah, alright, I'll play it.
I don't have time to sit and think about whether Brute Horse actually looks good or not so I'm just going to say that, yes, it probably does. Oh, it's got split-screen co-op! Looks great then. No notes.
The IGF and GDC Awards were last night. Tactical Breach Wizards won Excellence In Design! Despite being up against Balatro! A fine day for correct decisions!
TURGID THURSDAY
The Maw's tonsils dangle like dying planets carved into the shape of normal tonsils carved into the shape of really weird, Maw-like tonsils. It always does this when it's hungry. You know what to do.Here's Disaster Blaster, a roguelite deckbuilder in which you're actually building a doomsday raygun while galloping insatiably to the right.
Co-op heister Monaco 2 will launch on 10th April.
The PC remaster of ancient PS1 platformer Croc: Legend of the Gobbos remaster will launch 2nd April. Hah, I remember that wiggly walk. He's lost a few kilograms off his bum over the years, though.
WARBLY WEDNESDAY
The Maw expands from the soft places like a spider from a pore. FEED IT.Larian have made it clear previously that they're done with Baldur's Gate, but Hasbro has shared with IGN that we should be hearing more about what's next for the series pretty soon. Just as long as whoever's making the next one knows that everybody likes the bear sex, actually, we should be good.
Kity Builder just got a reveal trailer, a platformery city builder where you're a kitty building a city for other kitties. Just don't forget to put the litter tray somewhere.
I'm not super convinced by Chronocracy's jumbled battles, but I do love those buildings.
Here's Ghost Sector, a retro survival horror that looks good enough that I'm not quite sick of typing the words 'retro survival horror' just yet.
Moroi looks good n' weird, and there's a demo on Steam.
TAWDRY TUESDAY
We have received a fresh shipment of ensorceled butter knives and obsidian-handled tuning forks. Time to hit the trenches and FEED THE MAW.Agile first-person RPG slasher Voin has received a thunderous update, with a new dungeon area and enemies. I haven't played the early access version of this game, but I enjoyed the demo I played a year or so back.
Spang says: Dear Maw, I offer up '33 Immortals' from Thunder Lotus Games, early access release tomorrow. It looks rather interesting and I hope you consume it instead of me.
The Maw accepts this substitute offering. Here's the official website with the details. It's coming to Epic and the Microsoft Store.
Fachewachewa says: Could I interest you in some Ginger (releasing Thursday)? I've tried the demo and it's a very unique thing. A game that makes you speak a language you don't understand. https://store.steampowered.com/app/3418910/Ginger/
The Maw is extremely into this. Will try the demo later.
Survival builder Cataclismo leaves early access on 20th March. Disclosure: Brendy did some words for this one as a freelancer. I've played a bit of the early access build myself and think it has charm.
Rhythm game Thrasher - the latest from Thumper artist and composer Brian Gibson and Rock Band VR dev Mike Mandel - is getting a non-VR version via Steam later this year.
MAWDY MONDAY
FEED IT.