Welcome to You Should Play, a series where we highlight all of the video games that you should be playing this week, from big-budget releases through to little-known indie games.
2016 is really beginning to kick into gear, and though this week doesn’t bring with it any major triple-A releases, there are a handful of excellent games that deserve to be on your radar.
Two of the games we’ve featured on You Should Play this week were among our highlights of E3 2015, while our last final is for the latest entry in a fighting game series that, even though it won’t register on the radar of the FGC any time soon, is still a lot of fun.
Here are the games You Should Play this week:
Firewatch
Firewatch was unveiled back in 2014 and has been shrouded in mystery ever since, though this week we’ll finally be able to uncover its secrets as we journey into what could be one of the more impressive story-focused adventures of the year.
Placing players in the shoes of Henry, trying to escape his life by embarking upon a career as a fire lookout at Yellowstone National Park, aided along on his journey by the voice of supervisor Delilah. Not much is known about Firewatch other than that, though apparently it tells a story of love and loss, so get your tissues at the ready.
Why You Should Play It:
- One of the most highly anticipated indie games of the year.
- Beautifully stylized world.
- We don’t know much else about it, to be honest.
Unravel
There aren’t enough gaming mascots knocking around these days. Back in the ’90s we were spoiled for choice, with veterans Mario and Sonic being joined by an increasingly large roster that included the likes of Crash Bandicoot, Spyro and lesser-known characters such as Gex and, er, Bubsy.
Yarny fits the mascot bill with his cutesy design and platforming prowess, though he’s very much a mascot for a new era, with Unravel set to tell a thoughtful tale of the little guy’s journey from an old woman’s yarn basket to the dangerous world outside. A highlight of last year’s E3, Unravel has the potential to be one of this year’s breakout hits if it lives up to its promise. Hopefully Yarny’s adventure will be as charming as he is.
Why You Should Play It:
- Yarny!
- Lovely hand-crafted art style.
- A new, original platformer!
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4
You already know whether or not you’re in the target demographic for Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, the poorly named latest entry in the fighting game series based upon the hugely popular anime. While it’s not essential that you enjoy Naruto in order for you to enjoy Ultimate Ninja Storm 4, it’d certainly be helpful.
While Ultimate Ninja Storm might not attract the same kind of critical acclaim as other fighting games, it’s quietly one of the more fun brawlers you can play, offering fast-paced combat and wildly overblown special moves, alongside a sizable roster of characters pulled straight from the show.
Why You Should Play It:
- Silly, off-the-wall fun.
- A large roster of fighters.
- Excellent fan service.
