4 Video Game Releases This Week You Need to Know About

This week’s gaming releases see the return of a fighting veteran, some 3DS entries, as well as some new horrors to keep your February rolling on. Here’s the picks of the game releases this week:

Street Fighter V

Release date: 16 February (PS4, PC)

Street Fighter is one of the most long running and legendary fighting game franchises around with its first release coming all the way back in 1987. The fact that this is only the fifth official entry (spinoffs not included) is a testament to how well each game has held up over the years. This time, Sony scored a console exclusive contract (and not the timed exclusive kind), limiting the game to only the PS4 and PC. The game is a pretty safe bet for those looking for a new epic fighting game.

Street Fighter V changes things up with the introduction of some new gameplay elements like interactive stages. The EX gauge remains allowing fighters to perform special moves or critical arts. What shakes up the gameplay the most is the new “V-Gauge”. This gauge builds as players receive attacks from their opponent, and it adds V-Skills, V-Reversals, and V-Triggers to fights.

Layers of Fear

Release date: 16 February (PC, Xbox One, PS4)

Layers of Fear examines what loss can do to a person. In the game you become a formerly renowned painter that is on a downward spiral. A series of tragic events have left his life in shambles. The loss of his fame and his family has set him on the path to madness. All he has left is his art, but is that enough?

In order to survive Layers of Fear, you must explore the painter’s Victorian mansion searching for personal items to learn more about his journey. As you move through his house psychedelic visions and curious phenomena begin to occur. Inspired by the paintings of Goya, Bruegel, Rubens and others, the house has been designed to give a unique and unsettling atmosphere. Become the artist by succumbing to his madness and help him finish his Magnum Opus to figure out his true motives.

Project X Zone 2

Release date: 16 February (3DS)

Project X Zone 2 reunites characters from SEGA, Capcom, and Bandai Namco’s most popular franchises. This world crossing adventure is a sequel to 2013’s Project X Zone. The sequel brings in newer characters from many notable games like Kazuma and Goro from Yakuza, Ciel and Nana from God Eater 2, Phoenix Wright from Ace Attorney, Leon S. Kennedy from Resident Evil 4, as well as returning favourites.

One of the more exciting additions to Project X Zone 2 is the crossover of some Nintendo characters like Chrom and Lucina from Fire Emblem Awakening and Fiora from Xenoblade Chronicles.

Fire Emblem Fates

Release date: 19 February (3DS)

Fire Emblem Fates is unique in the Fire Emblem series because it presents players with the opportunity to choose two different story paths. If you pick Birthright then you side with the Hoshido army and fight against the king of Nohr, and if the Conquest path is chosen then you fight for the Nohr against your bloodline. Also unique is Corrin, the customizable player avatar, being the main character and commands his/her own army.

Gameplay will be familiar to Fire Emblem vets with the ability to build relationships with troops through a partner system to improve their fighting prowess. New to the series is the “My Castle” feature, which gives players a space to maintain allies and nurture relationships, players will also be able to visit other players in their My Castles through Street Pass. Fates will have amiibo functionality allowing owners of the Marth, Ike, Lucina, and Robin amiibo figures to tap them on their New 3DS or NFC reader to battle and recruit.

What game are you most looking forward to this week? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @MenStuffZA.