This year has been a crazy and stressful year for us all. One thing that always helps most of us relax is getting comfy on the couch and diving into an exciting new or old game experience. Today, the Cinelinx team is here to share what we have been playing recently and it might just give you the perfect suggestion of what to play next!
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SNIPER ELITE 5
Initial release date: May 26, 2022
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
Sniper Elite 5 is the latest release from Rebellion Games Studios and it has been pulling me in with its Metal Gear/ Hitman style gameplay. Every aspect of this game has screamed action-adventure from the get-go. I have also been diving into the multiplayer mode of the game, this mode ranges from Team Deathmatch, Free-For-All, Axis Invasion, and more! If you have Xbox Game Pass, you for sure need to download it for free now!
Dead Space
Initial release date: October 14, 2008
Developer: Visceral Games
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows
With the next installment of Dead Space being a remaster of the first game, I had to jump back in and play the original. The game is available for free via Xbox GamePass/Ea Play as well as Dead Space 2 and 3. I was lucky and got an amazing new PC and have been playing it through PC GamePass and the game just looks amazing. This has done nothing but get me excited for what is to come from the upcoming remaster.
Emily
APEX LEGENDS
Initial Release Date: 4th February 2019
Developer: Respawn Entertainment & Panic Button Games
Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5 (next-gen upgrade available), Xbox One, Xbox S/X (next-gen update available), Windows PC, Nintendo Switch
Apex Legends is a free-to-play Battle Royale game where players choose between several Legends, all with different abilities to help throughout the game, and try to be the last team standing. Players can unlock all Legends and a large variety of cosmetic items with currency earned in-game. Apex Legends is currently on its 13th season, with new Legend Newcastle having been released, and is only a few weeks in, so it’s the perfect time to jump in and see if you enjoy it.
Apex Legends Mobile was released only a few weeks ago for those without access to a console or PC and offers players a very similar experience within lobbies only available to mobile players.
HOUSE FLIPPER
Initial Release Date: 17th May 2018
Developer: Frozen District, Empyrean & Ultimate Games
Platform: Windows PC, MAC, Playstation 4 & 5, Xbox One & X/S, Nintendo Switch, Android, Linux
House Flipper follows you, the player, as you start a business renovating houses. You can choose to tackle smaller jobs such as decorating particular rooms in people’s homes, or you can choose to buy a house to renovate completely, and then sell. Although House Flipper is available on many platforms, I wouldn’t recommend it unless you have access to a PC or MAC that can run it.
Although the core mechanics are the same, this was a game built for a computer or laptop, and so many of the activities are harder to complete on other platforms, and not all platforms have the same access to DLC.
If you can get it on PC or MAC, however, it is a lot of fun if you’re into design and renovation in other games such as The Sims, Animal Crossing, etc.., and I’ve found myself sinking hours into it.
CRUSADER KINGS III
Initial Release Date: 1st September 2020
Developer: Paradox Development Studio, Lab42
Platform: Windows PC, MAC, Xbox Series X/S, Playstation 5, Linux, Macintosh Operating Systems
Crusader Kings III is a strategy game based on several different historical periods. Players can create their monarch, or start with a pre-made one, and start anywhere around the world to slowly grow their kingdom. The game is immensely customizable and can be made as difficult, or smooth-sailing, as the player wants.
Whilst there are limitations to this for online play or play where awards are given, single-player play can see the player customizing almost all aspects of gameplay. There’s no end to the number of challenges you can set yourself, from inverting traditional gender laws to giving your monarch all the best (or worst) traits.
You can build your kingdom by growing your army, plotting schemes against people in your way, and arranging marriages to strengthen your dynasty, among many other ways.
Jordan
Rune Factory 5
Initial release date: May 20, 2022
Developer: XSEED Games
Platforms: Nintendo Switch
I’ve always been a sucker for farming games, but the Rune Factory franchise in particular has remained among my favorites. Combining the dungeon crawling of Zelda, and even some Pokemon-Esque creature collecting, it hits all the right spots. I’ve been dying to dive into Rune Factory 5, and after forcing myself to hold off until I finished Pokemon Legends Arceus, I’m finally getting into it. Still early on, but it manages to capture the normal Rune Factory vibe excellently.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Initial release date: December 20, 2011
Developer: EA, Bioware
Platforms: PC
While I’d stopped playing The Old Republic MMO a WHILE ago, the latest expansion brought me back to catch up on all I’ve missed. I’m still mostly playing through the initial story, but thanks to bonuses that let you max out your character, I’m finally making progress through it. Much has changed in the game since its launch, and as someone who doesn’t normally like MMOs, I’m thrilled to see how much I’m able to enjoy the game even as a solo experience.
Sean
Horizon: Zero Dawn
Initial release date: February 28, 2017
Developer: Guerilla Games
Platforms: Playstation, Xbox, PC
I’d played this game before but only the core story, this time I’ve been delving into every side mission and grabbing every collectible. I recently grabbed a copy of the second game so wanted to delve back into the world, it’s a gripping premise and a beautifully designed aesthetic. Unique with a feel that’s in both the fantasy and sci-fi genre, I’m looking forward to finishing and delving into Horizon II: Forbidden West.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2
Initial release date: November 17, 2017
Developer: DICE
Platforms: Playstation, Xbox, PC
What an incredible turnaround for a game, truly one of the best Star Wars games ever. Every few months I find myself delving back into it and have an absolute blast, with Celebration I have been in full Star Wars hype mode so back in I go. Though it has to be mentioned that playing this game can often be bittersweet, its premature cancellation of support left a lot of squandered potential. New characters, maps, and modes relating to all the new Star Wars we have had since would have been brilliant.
Mike
SNIPER ELITE V2
Initial Release Date: 20th April 2012
Developer: Rebellion Developments
Platforms: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows
This game has been around for a while but is still fun to play. I’m currently getting back into the Sniper Elite groove before diving into Sniper Elite 5 that just released.
APEX LEGENDS
Initial Release Date: 4th February 2019
Developer: Respawn Entertainment & Panic Button Games
Platform: Playstation 4, Playstation 5 (next-gen upgrade available), Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X (next-gen update available), Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
It’s free and fun. What’s not to like?
FORTNITE
Initial Release Date: 21st July 2017
Developer: Epic Games, People Can Fly
Platforms: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Microsoft Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Fortnite is my go-to lazy game for season skins, and general fun. I’m enjoying the no-build mode. It helps my aim become better.
Becky
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
Initial Release Date: 5th April 2022
Developer: Traveller’s Tales
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
This game was worth the wait and I’ve been happily playing my way through the saga ever since it was released. I’ve played a few of the older LEGO Star Wars games and the Skywalker Saga is leaps and bounds above all of those. It’s streamlined, it’s gorgeous, and it’s so much fun to play.
Kingdom Hearts III
Initial Release Date: 25th January 2019
Developer: Square Enix Business, Division 3
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch
After seeing that mind-blowing trailer for Kingdom Hearts 4, I knew I had to take another stab at the Kingdom Hearts games, so I decided to start with Kingdom Hearts 3, the most recent mainline entry in the series. So far I’ve been loving this game, it’s crazy fun being able to visit all of these different Disney worlds (but I still hate the Gummi ship).
Mass Effect: Legendary Edition
Initial Release Date: 14 May 2021
Developer: Bioware, Bioware Corporation
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, Microsoft Windows
I know I’m YEARS late to the Mass Effect party, but I’m finally playing my way through the first Mass Effect game in the Legendary Edition release and I am in love! I’m not sure how this experience compares to the original game but whatever updates they’ve made, I love them!
