Ten New and Upcoming PC Games to Check Out
- Undertale
Summary: A critically acclaimed RPG (role-playing game) that has been hyped since the Kickstarter campaign was first launched, Undertale is the talk of the gaming community right now. Players can choose to take one of three possible routes through the game that change its difficulty and goals.
The game’s logo, with the player’s soul in the “R” of Undertale, is depicted beneath characters (from right to left) Papyrus, Dr. Alphys, Sans, Toriel, Undyne, and King Asgore. Undertale was developed by Toby Fox as an indie game. “Though many will be turned off by the sub-par graphics, the rest of the game makes up for it,” said sophomore Ryan Whelan.
Story: Long ago, humans and monsters lived in harmony together. One day, a war broke out, and the humans,victorious, sealed all of the monsters underground. You play as a human who has fallen into the underground and is saved by a monster named Toriel. The object of the game is to escape and return to your home, but after meeting certain characters as you progress, you may not want to go back up.
Why You Should Play It: According to Sophomore Ryan Whelan, “Though many will be turned off by the sub-par graphics, the rest of the game makes up for it. While boss fights can be excruciatingly difficult, it’s all worth it when you finally spare them (or kill them, if you’re into that).” His favorite parts of the game are well… everything: “the soundtrack is astounding, every character is amazing [and] the game will tug [on] your heartstrings at many moments.”
- Overwatch
Summary: While Overwatch, developed by Blizzard, is still in beta testing, it has been well received by the gaming community. Even though the idea of an FPS (First Person Shooter) MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) may seem conflicting, Blizzard has executed this format perfectly. With 21 playable heroes–all with unique weapons and abilities. including a chargeable “ultimate” ability– it’s nearly impossible to get bored of the game.
The heroes of Overwatch, including Tracer, Reaper, and McCree are depicted beneath the iconic logo. Overwatch was developed by Blizzard Entertainment and is currently in beta.
Why You Should Play It: Like Rainbow Six Siege, the vertical aspect of the game is worth mentioning, with heroes like Reaper able to teleport, and Hanzo able to wall climb. A new player progression system was recently added, which rewards players for winning matches with items such as cosmetics. Because of the beautiful character and map design and the element of teamwork involved, if you’re a fan of games such as Team Fortress 2, Dota 2 or League of Legends, you should definitely consider testing out Overwatch which is available for preorder now.
- Star Wars Battlefront
Summary: Star Wars Battlefront is an online multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Electronic Arts. You can play as either a soldier of the Rebel Alliance or an Imperial stormtrooper, but collecting a hero token enables you to play as characters like Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker. As of February 2016, five maps from the Star Wars universe are available, including Hoth, Tatooine, Endor, Sullust and Jakku.
Rebels attempt to take down an AT-AT through the use of X-Wings on the planet Sullust. Star Wars Battlefront was released in November of 2015 and was published by Electronic Arts.
Why You Should Get It: Aside from the fact that the game is based off of Star Wars, Battlefront is widely known for its brilliant graphics, notably on the planet Hoth. Not a single pixel can be made out on the icy landscape, and the graphics are perhaps the most crisp of any game developed in 2015. Furthermore, the game has highly engaging vehicle combat..
- Rocket League
Summary: Rocket League is not just your typical soccer game. Developed by Psyonix, Rocket League uses the mechanics of soccer and combines it with rocket-propelled cars. Combinations of air shots, front flips and the ability to blow up other cars when traveling at maximum velocity make this game highly addictive and enjoyable.
The Blue Team uses their boost to rush back to the goal in a frantic attempt to stop a goal on the map “Mannfield.” Rocket League was developed by Psyonix and released in July of 2015. “Rocket League is ridiculously replayable” said Fernandez.
Why You Should Get It: According to junior Andres Fernandez, Rocket League is “ridiculously re-playable.” While each game may use the same rules and concept, you can play for hours upon end and never get tired of it. Andres says his favorite thing about the game is how unique it is: “It is literally rocket car soccer. If that doesn’t sound awesome to you, then I don’t know what will.”
- Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Summary: Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is a tactical first person shooter developed by Ubisoft for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Teamwork and communication is essential, as elaborate strategies that may seem novel and purposeless, can often lead to interesting gameplay.. There are different classes that can equip different weapons and adapt to different play styles.
Terrorists struggle to hold down a barricade the counter-terrorists push in the rescue the hostage. The December 2015 release was accompanied by praise for the importance of teamwork and the possibilities of complicated tactics. “It isn’t who can get the most kills, but rather who can strategize the best,” said junior Ryan Li.
Why You Should Play It: Unlike most other first person shooters, the game incorporates a major vertical aspect into the gameplay. Attacks occur not only from the side but also from above and below.. Junior Ryan Li’s favorite part of the game is that “it isn’t who can get the most kills, but rather who can strategize the best.” He also enjoys the tactics involved in the reinforcement of entrances to certain rooms, drones, cameras and traps you can leave.
- ARK: Survival Evolved
Summary: ARK: Survival Evolved is an open-world action-adventure survival game.t. After collecting resources, the player should build a base immediately to protect themselves from dinosaurs. The game is server-based, meaning you can play online with other people.
ARK was released in June of 2015, and received much controversy about its requirement for an expensive graphics card.
Why You Should Get It: ARK uses the gameplay style of Minecraft and improves the graphics vastly to create stunning environments, allowing the player to do things such as constructing a house at the base of a waterfall or on the edge of a cliff. While you may meet hostile people online who will steal your resources, you can collaborate and share a base and resources with a friend.
- Fallout 4
Summary: Fallout 4 is a game that was highly anticipated in 2015 after its presentation at E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) and by no means disappointed its audience. As an action-based RPG, players can level up their characters by participating in quests, and the game includes an immersive base-building experience. Gameplay is nonlinear, effectively making it story-based as well.
![The post-apocalyptic environment of Boston in 2287 is depicted behind the game’s logo. Fallout 4 was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and was released in November of 2015. “[Fallout 4] keeps everything good from the old games, while adding many new features such as base building and weapon customization,” said sophomore Pierce Governable.](https://bpsfanfare.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/martigen-s-mutant-mod-for-fallout-3.jpg)
The post-apocalyptic environment of Boston in 2287 is depicted behind the game’s logo. Fallout 4 was developed by Bethesda Game Studios and was released in November of 2015. “[Fallout 4] keeps everything good from the old games, while adding many new features such as base building and weapon customization,” said sophomore Pierce Governable.
Why You Should Play It: Fallout 4 only improves upon its predecessors. According to sophomore Pierce Governale, “[Fallout 4] keeps everything good from the old games, while adding many new features such as base building and weapon customization.”
- The Beginner’s Guide
Summary: Some might say The Beginner’s Guide is not a game, but rather a walking simulator. While this is true to some degree, The Beginner’s Guide takes you on a journey that is unique to only itself. If you have played “The Stanley Parable,” it is created by the same developer – Davey Wreden.
![The game’s iconic image is displayed as you are walked through the evolution of a game developer and his various programs. The Beginner’s Guide was released in October 2015 and developed by Davey Wreden. “It is completely dependent on [the story],” said Li.](https://bpsfanfare.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/The_Beginners_Guide-1.png)
The game’s iconic image is displayed as you are walked through the evolution of a game developer and his various programs. The Beginner’s Guide was released in October 2015 and developed by Davey Wreden. “It is completely dependent on [the story],” said Li.
Why You Should Play It: According to junior Ryan Li, while The Beginner’s Guide is not too re-playable, the best part of the game is the story: “It is completely dependent on it.” Another one of Li’s favorite parts of the Beginners Guide is the music, which he described as “nice and relaxing.”
- Subnautica
Summary: Subnautica is an open-world game in which your only goal is to survive. Somewhat like an underwater version of Minecraft, Subnautica relies on your ability to mine resources and combine them together to create objects toaid in survival in the underwater landscape
Story: You were the only survivor of a ship that was struck down and set on fire. Radiation is present in a certain zone around the ship. Later on in the game, you can explore the ship after crafting a radiation suit using lead plates and fiber mesh.
The player grabs for some boomerang fish, which reside in a sparse reef about 50 meters under the sea’s surface, after leaving his/her “SeaMoth”. Developed by Unknown Worlds Entertainment, Subnautica was in early access for most of 2015.
Why You Should Play It: Subnautica offers a far more immersive experience than other open-world survival games considered to be of similar caliber. Construction of houses using pipes, small ships, and several types of equipment can lead to hours of countless fun.
- Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes
Summary: Developed by Steel Crate Games, Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes is a multiplayer puzzle game in which you are required to either communicate in person or over voice chat software such as Skype. Two or more players work together to defuse a bomb. One player has a bomb defusing manual while the other has to give information about what they see on the bomb to their teammate and carefully listen to the instructions of the player with the manual.
The player attempts to solve three different puzzles as his teammate reads the bomb defusal manual. Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes was developed by Steel Crate Games and released in October of 2015.
Why You Should Play It: While Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes may seem to have a low skill cap, communication is key, as the game will often try to trick you. If information isn’t provided carefully and thoroughly, the bomb will contradict the title of its own game and explode. The game is sure to ensue hilarity as teammates scramble to find a balance between being specific in their instructions and making sure the timer doesn’t hit zero.
Samir Rajani is a junior who is writing for the Fanfare for his third year. Outside of the Fanfare, he enjoys playing tennis as well as the piano and alto...
