New Video Game Releases — Murdered: Soul Suspect, WildStar And More

I don’t know about how it is where you live, but in my neck of the woods, it’s summertime! The sun is shining, birds are singing, kids are out of school later this week, and everything is telling you to get outside and enjoy the weather. So of course, the video game industry is giving us plenty of reasons to stay inside (my allergies also tell me much the same thing).

This is one of those new release weeks where there might not be one earth-shaking game but there is a little something for everyone. Want a new action-adventure console title? You’re covered. Fancy a fighting game or an MMO? Check and double-check. Indie platformers? But of course!

So yeah, get outside and get some fresh air, maybe start working on that tan. But allow yourself a little screen time too, because there’s some goodness in the works, or at least it sure seems that way.

Here are the new video game releases we’re tracking this week:

Murdered: Soul Suspect (PS4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, PC) – June 3

I’m not saying you would, but don’t sleep on this one folks. This is an action-adventure game wrapped inside a murder mystery, but with a twist: you’re trying to solve your own murder. Something tells me detective work would be a lot easier in real life if ghosts would bring their own killers to justice.

Well, until the demons start showing up anyway. But hey, that’s where the action comes in. Murdered: Soul Suspect looks like it has atmosphere, story and style to spare, so if it plays well too, you’re going to want to check it out.

WildStar (PC) – June 3

Can one game be all things to all MMOers? It seems like a tough challenge, but the team at Carbine is tackling it head on with this sci-fi extravaganza. WildStar has a brand new setting with an intriguing story, a unique art style and a wicked sense of humor, which could be enough to lure people in all on their own.

Add in the content, which includes all kinds of PvE quests, arenas, battlegrounds and massive WarPlots for the PvP crowd, action-oriented combat, crafting, housing, interesting raid mechanics and more, and you’ve got quite the MMO stew. Is it enough to win over a somewhat justifiably jaded segment of the gaming community? Time will tell, but I’ll say I’ve been playing during the head start weekend and I’m quite pleased so far.

Ultra Street Fighter IV (PS3, Xbox 360) – June 3

What makes it Ultra? Five new (or at least new-ish) characters and six new stages, to start. Plus there’s the Double Ultra mechanic, so maybe this should be called Double Ultra Street Fighter IV. Unless that’s the next iteration …

In any case, you have to admire the longevity of this brand and the dedication of fighting game aficionados. I know I’ll be watching EVO this summer and marveling at their ridiculous skill levels.

1001 Spikes (PS4, PC, Vita) – June 3

Look, I’ll be honest. I have no idea if there are actually 1,001 spikes in this platformer. It’s possible since one of its selling points is an extremely high difficulty level that there are a lot more than that, along with various other kinds of traps. If you play it, maybe you can report back to us.

When I was younger. I would have all over a game like this, one that was really going to challenge me. Now? Not so much. To paraphrase an old internet meme, ain’t nobody got time for that. I do applaud the efforts of all developers who want to make video games that are actually difficult though. Keep fighting the good fight.

Also releasing this week: Hyperdimension Neptunia: Producing Perfection (Vita) – June 3; War Thunder (PS4) – June 3; Worms Battlegrounds (PS4, Xbox One) – June 3; Tomodachi Life (3DS) – June 6