3 Exciting New Game Releases & Whether You Should Buy Them or Not

This past month, the gaming release calendar has quieted down a bit, but that doesn’t mean that we haven’t had a handful of titles worth your attention. We got our hands on some of the biggest games of the month to find out if they’re worth a play or pass.

Rage 2

Available on: Xbox One | PS4 | PC
Price: from R599

What is it? Post-apocalyptic first-person sequel Rage 2 has been a long time since the first game’s release back in 2010. But this time around, the game takes a far more fun and tongue-in-cheek approach, adding in a ton of zany weaponry and special powers – such as a quick teleportation attack – to get an edge in combat and keep your kill-count ticking over. Rage 2 is all about speed, stylish kills, and creativity, while throwing in some vehicular combat that would make Mad Max jealous.

Is it any good? The decision to loosen up the reins on Rage‘s hyper-serious milieu was a good one, as the game is far better for having a lighter tone, a vaster colour-palette, and some unique game mechanics that help it stand out from the wasteland-shooter crowd. Every new upgrade and ability adds a new dimension to each gunfight throughout the game, and while there isn’t too much variety in terms of the overall mission structures, Rage 2 knows what it is and delivers on its bombastic and outrageous premise, and looks damn good while doing so. If you’re a fan of 2016’s Doom reboot or Bulletstorm, check this one out.

F1 2019

Available on: Xbox One | PS4 | PC
Price: from R889

What is it? Driving game specialists Codemasters deliver their latest instalment of their beloved F1 franchise. This year’s entry features all twenty-one circuits, twenty drivers and ten teams present in the 2019 Formula One World Championship. F1 cars from previous seasons are also included, along with the FIA Formula 2 Championship as this year’s added-on division.

Is it any good? It’s hard to fault F1 2019, as every year, these entries get better and better, and with no real licensed competitor, you can’t really replicate this experience elsewhere. The cars handle as difficultly yet precise as ever, ensuring players get that true-to-form F1 experience, and with the added influence of weather conditions, you really do get the most immersive F1 experience available, barring sitting behind the wheel itself, even if that does sound like marketing shpiel.

Samurai Shodown

Available on: Xbox One | PS4 | PC | Switch
Price: from R799

What is it? Samurai Shodown might not be the most recognisable fighting game around, but it’s one of the oldest and most beloved. For 16 years, the series has been treating gamers to some classic one-on-one weapon-based action, and the franchise has undergone somewhat of a reboot with its 12th game, simply titled Samurai Shodown. You can expect fast moves, crazy cinematic attacks, and a lot of swishing and slashing as you battle your buddies with a host of colourful characters.

Is it any good? Coming from its arcade heritage, Samurai Shodown games have always been relatively straightforward, but it’s clear that the latest instalment learned from the likes of the more recent Tekken, Soul Calibur, and Street Fighter entries, bringing some new-age tricks and cinematic style with it. However, it still manages to ensure not to stray too far away from its arcade origins, still priding itself on its zany neon presentation, audio design, and flashy HUD. Despite an admittedly underwhelming story mode, if you’re looking for a different fighter from the rest of the usual faces, Samurai Shodown is easy to pick-up, enjoyable to master (with its ultra-satisfying dodge and parry mechanics), and one of the slickest fighting games this side of 2019.

Will you be picking up a new game this weekend? Let us know below or on Facebook or Twitter!