16 games that are perfect for the summer
3.7.2017
Translation: machine translated
The big gaming season starts again in September and we will be inundated with blockbuster titles. That's why we should make the most of the time we have left until then and enjoy the summer. Nonsense! Get the following games and play them for all they're worth.
When the sun is sizzling outside, the cool water beckons. But who needs refreshment when there are so many great games to be played? And don't forget the summer doldrums: there are plenty of new titles that you shouldn't miss out on. By the time September or even August comes around, so many first-class games will be released that anything not from a AAA studio will quickly fall through the cracks. So suck on an ice cube, switch on the fan and check out the following games .
1. "Nex Machina"
If you enjoyed the brightly coloured "Resogun" for the PS4, "Nex Machina" should also be right up your street. This co-operative game is primarily about shooting your way through lots of enemies from a bird's eye view. And you do so with a colourful arsenal of weapons. The controls are very simple: you control with the left analogue stick and shoot with the right. Twin-stick shooters, in other words. There is also a button for sprinting and one for special weapons with an extra dose of bang. The areas of "Nex Machina" are rather small, but if you keep your eyes open, you will stumble across bonuses and other secrets again and again. The game could have done with a little more tactics and depth, but it's still extremely enjoyable as it is.
Available for PC and PS4
2. "Star Trek: Bridge Crew"
For various VR veterans, "Star Trek: Bridge Crew" is the best VR game ever. Some even go so far as to call it the best game ever. A bold statement, but taking over the bridge of the famous Starship Enterprise together with (ideally) friends and embarking on adventures together is truly an unrivalled experience. Each of you has your own task and you can only master the challenges if you work together. Up to four players are supported. Someone takes care of the weapons, someone monitors the energy consumption and someone else controls the spaceship. The disadvantage of the VR-exclusive game is that very few of us have three friends who also own VR goggles. At least: cross-play between PSVR, Oculus Rift and HTC Vive is supported.
Available for PC and PS4
"3rd Friday the 13th: The Game"
The launch was a little rocky, but don't let that put you off. "Friday the 13th: The Game" is an ingenious asymmetrical horror game. One player takes on the role of teen slasher Jason Voorhees and up to seven other players can each choose one of a total of ten counsellors (camp visitors). The levels are based on the film and the atmosphere has been captured perfectly. From the sound to the design, everything is just right. As Jason, you try to kill the counsellors in the most creative (and bloody) way possible. The Counselors, for their part, search the various houses for useful items. Your aim is to survive long enough to kill Jason or escape. You can use weapons to defend yourself against Jason in the short term. You can escape by repairing the car, refuelling it and finding the key, for example.
Meanwhile, Jason gets stronger and stronger, gains teleport abilities and can sneak up on you silently. This creates an extremely exciting dynamic. As a counsellor, you are constantly on your guard because you always have to be prepared for Jason to ambush you. As a masked murderer, on the other hand, you'll have fun scaring your victims to death.
Available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
4. "Arms"
The selection of games for the Nintendo Switch is still limited. Nevertheless, there are already some gems among them. Including the extremely fun fighting game "Arms". There are currently ten characters to choose from, each with different abilities. Ninjara, for example, can teleport and Master Mummy regenerates after successful blocks. Ideally, you should play it with the Joy Cons, as this is the only way to utilise the full movement potential. You can use them to punch the air as if you really wanted to hit someone. You can equip your characters with different fists to create interesting combinations. Up to four players can punch each other in the mouth at the same time. Some mini-games are also included. The scope is a little small for the price, but you're guaranteed to have fun with it - it's not much use for single players, however.
Available for the Nintendo Switch
5. "Splatoon 2"
In the second half of the summer, Nintendo's successor to the brilliant colour shooter will be released. Unlike in classic shooter games, the aim is not to shoot your opponents' heads off, but you and your team try to dip the level in as much colour as possible. In the end, the team that has made the biggest mess wins. From the third person, you shoot at everything that doesn't already have your colour with a colourful (höhö) arsenal of weapons. Colour bombs, colour miniguns or a giant scooter are just some of the curious weapons at your disposal. Of course, you can also flatten enemies. You can dive wherever your colour is. In doing so, you move faster, are camouflaged and also recharge your paint tank. The gameplay is still wonderfully refreshing and is quickly learnt.
Available for the Nintendo Switch from 21 July.
6. "What Remains of Edith Finch"
An excellent adventure game that you can play through in an evening. The less you know about it, the better. This much can be revealed: You play as the eponymous Edith Finch, who explores her family home. In doing so, she gets to the bottom of the stories of her deceased relatives. "What Remains of Edith Finch" is captivating and exceptionally narrated, so that you won't be able to put the controller down for two to four hours.
Available for PC, PS4 and Xbox One.
7. "Rime"
"Rime" is a puzzle game in the style of "The Witness". As a speechless boy, you wake up on an unknown island and solve numerous puzzles. At your side is a magical fox who helps you to track a mysterious man in a red cloak. The game world successfully creates the illusion of being open, although it is quite linear overall. The puzzles are on the easy side and shouldn't present you with too much of a challenge. The appeal of "Rime" is mainly due to the atmosphere, which is primarily conveyed visually and through the first-class soundtrack.
Available for PC, PS4, Xbox One and soon also for the Switch.
8. "Everspace"
Space has rarely looked more beautiful. Abandoned space stations, meteorite fields and shimmering gas nebulae make for an impressive backdrop. In "Everspace" you fly with one of three spaceships from one system to the next, hunting space pirates, collecting resources and capturing new equipment. "Everspace" is a roguelike. This means that if you get killed, you have to start all over again. At least you can use the money you earn to buy upgrades that stay with you. The further you progress in the game, the more difficult it becomes. You must therefore always try to collect as many resources as possible in each system so that you are better equipped. Only then should you advance to the next system. However, if a huge battleship suddenly appears and covers you with glaring lasers, it's better to take flight. Even if you have to start from the beginning again and again, the gameplay loop is incredibly motivating.
Available for PC, Xbox One and soon PS4
9th "Dead Cells"
Though the game is still in Early Access, i.e. not yet finalised, it is already one of the most interesting newcomers. It is described by the makers as a rogue-lite and Metroidvania. Without using technical jargon, this means that it plays like a mixture of "Castlevania" and "Metroid". "Dead Cells" is a sidescroller in the popular pixel look. The predicate rogue-lite means that you have to start all over again after dying. But even here you can gradually unlock new upgrades and weapons. You'll need these urgently to survive in battle against the various opponents. The gameplay is extremely varied and it often takes several failures before you find the right tactics and the right equipment.
Available for PC
10. "Tekken 7"
Everyone is probably familiar with the Japanese cult fighting series. Part seven was recently released and if you have ever played any of the parts, you will quickly become familiar with the latest instalment. You probably won't be the first to pull off a dreaded 10-man combo, but that may yet come. You have a huge grid of fighters to choose from. These include old favourites such as Yoshimitsu, but also newcomers such as Gigas, who is somewhat reminiscent of Bane from Batman and hits just as hard. If you're interested in the story, rest assured that it continues to be just as confusing and weird as before. But the showpiece is of course still the multiplayer mode. For destroying long-standing friendships, "Tekken 7" is still the perfect candidate.
Available for PC, Xbox One and PS4
11th "Diablo 3: Rise of the Necromancer"
Yes, yes, let me finish first. "Diablo 3" is no longer the latest shit, but it's only recently that you can finally play with the Necromancer. He was my absolute favourite character in Diablo 2. He was the first one I used to give Diablo a good kicking. Now we can finally command undead creatures again or make them explode in all directions. You can also control various golems. Unlike before, you can no longer sit back and relax, as many summoned creatures only exist for a short time.
In order to play the Necromancer, you will need to purchase the paid DLC "Rise of the Necromancer". This also includes two additional areas located in the second act of "Diablo 3".
Available for PC, Xbox One and PS4
12th "Wipeout Omega Collection"
If you can't go outside because you have to play these games, at least feel the virtual airstream with the "Wipeout Omega Collection". It includes "Wipeout HD", "Wipeout HD Fury" and "Wipeout 2048". 26 tracks and 46 ships should keep you busy for a while. With the new edition, you can finally play the games on the PS4. The gameplay never gets old. With ultra-fast vehicles, you have to try to find the ideal line without bouncing from wall to wall like a pinball. At the same time, you shoot down your opponents with a considerable arsenal of weapons. The rush of speed that sets in as you race perfectly round the track at breakneck speed is indescribable.
Available for PS4
13th "Pyre"
Supergiant, the creators of "Bastion", were fascinated by MOBAs such as "Dota", but found the gameplay too complicated. So they turned the whole thing on its head, extracted the core elements and mixed them with a pinch of "Rocket League" and "Transistor" (also from Supergiant). The result is "Pyre", a tactical action game in which two teams of three players each try to shoot a glowing ball into the opponent's pyre. As soon as one of the pyres is destroyed, the other team wins. As in "Dota", there are various heroes with different abilities to choose from. The game impresses with its exceptional design and motivating gameplay
Available for PC and PS4 from 25 July
14th "Micro Machines World Series"
Another classic getting a new edition. As with its predecessors, the latest instalment is best played with other players. With tiny toy vehicles, you race along varied tracks and try to outrun your opponents. If you're too slow and your vehicle falls out of the frame, you're out. You can now pimp your vehicles with various accessories. In addition to the classic racing mode, there is also a battle mode where up to 12 players can fight each other. This is less about speed and more about brute force. Still one of the best games for multiplayer games with friends today.
Available for PC, Xbox One and PS4
15th "Fortnite"
An eternity in development and already forgotten by many, Epic's tactical shooter is now being released after all - at least as Early Access. The game consists of two parts. The aim is to defend your fortress against nasty monsters that drop by every evening. During the day, you collect resources by destroying everything that isn't nailed down. You can use the material you gather to expand your fortress, set traps or build weapons. In the evening, hordes of annoying monsters will ring your doorbell and it's time for you to jump into the action yourself. "Fortnite" already offers a huge arsenal of kits, weapons and characters. As you would expect from Epic, the graphics are very attractive despite the comic look.
Available from 25 July for PC
16th "Zelda Breath of the Wild: The Legendary Trials"
Whether you're already through the new "Zelda" or still in the middle of it. The first DLC "The Legendary Trials" has just been released to make the game even sweeter. It is the smaller expansion of two planned, but already offers plenty of content. Among other things, it includes a Master Mode that makes the game more difficult, a new quest series, new armour sets and the Hero's Path. The latter may seem like a gimmick at first glance, but it provides explorers with a powerful tool. You can use it to display your previous route on the map and see exactly where you have been and where you have not yet been. This means you can now explore unknown corners much more purposefully.
Available digitally for Nintendo Switch and Wii U.
Expensive list, I know. And if you're like me, you'll just end up playing "PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds" ;) But at least the will is there. Or what's your summer gaming activity?
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Philipp Rüegg
Senior Editor
Philipp.Rueegg@digitecgalaxus.chBeing the game and gadget geek that I am, working at digitec and Galaxus makes me feel like a kid in a candy shop – but it does take its toll on my wallet. I enjoy tinkering with my PC in Tim Taylor fashion and talking about games on my podcast http://www.onemorelevel.ch. To satisfy my need for speed, I get on my full suspension mountain bike and set out to find some nice trails. My thirst for culture is quenched by deep conversations over a couple of cold ones at the mostly frustrating games of FC Winterthur.
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