Neva is going to make me cry. It very nearly did at Summer Game Fest, as the game’s introductory cinematics faded to black, literally just one minute into my time with the demo. I won’t divulge what happens in those initial frames, but it shattered my soul. It also perfectly primed me for the heart-pounding danger and devastating beauty that I would get lost in for the next 45 minutes, alongside my new best friend, Neva the wolf.
Take me to Phoenix Springs.
Push. Push. Push, push, push, jump —
All four wheels reconnect with the glowing pavement in a slap of crisp plastic and crunching wood.
Push, push, push, push, jump kickflip —
Astro Bot is as precise as it is ridiculous, and this is exactly what makes it so damn delightful.
Kunitsu-Gami: Path of the Goddess is lush. Set on the side of a mountain that’s been covered in a terrible black defilement, Kunitsu-Gami’s world is an ancient, psychedelic dreamscape packed with magic and otherworldly horrors. It’s also mechanically dense, with moments of slow strategizing and rapid-fire hack-and-slash combat. After playing for nearly an hour at Summer Game Fest, it’s clear that Kunitsu-Gami is much more than a beautiful screenshot.
Mixtape is a coming-of-age story about the reality-bending adventures of three teenage friends on their final night of high school, featuring a soundtrack of classic punk and alternative hits.
South of Midnight, first revealed at last year’s Summer Game Fest, will launch on Xbox and PC sometime next year.
There's a new Doom in town. Doom: The Dark Ages is heading to PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC, day one on Game Pass, in 2025. The game's first trailer showcases a world of hulking monsters in blood-soaked environments, badass new weapons and what looks to be a player-controlled dragon.
Break out your blankets and settle in, everyone. It’s time for the cozy games.
Heart Machine is working overtime.