New Releases: December 22nd-28th, 2022

Although Microsoft and Sony are concluding 2022 with a minimal release of new software, Nintendo shows few signs of slowing their output. The publisher is even doubling down during this traditionally tranquil period, debuting new titles in conjunction with their House of Indies marketing campaign. Elsewhere, visual novel fans might enjoy the delights offered by Otome * Domain (pictured).

PlayStation 4
Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth (digital, $19.99)

PlayStation 5
Battle Axe: Special Edition (physical, $44.99)
Ultra Age (physical, $34.99)

Switch
A Maiden Astrologer Divines the Future (digital, $6.96)
Astronomical Club For Queers (digital, $9.99)
Cats Puzzle (digital, $9.99)
Drone Race Simulator Pilot Flight School Airplane Games Jet 2023 (digital, $4.99)
Grappling Dash (digital, $9.99)
Hyper Gunsport (digital, $24.99)
Kawaii Slime Arena (digital, $5.99)
Mighty Goose (physical, $34.99)
Mini Golf & Pool Bundle (digital, $7.99)
Moorhuhn Pirates – Crazy Chicken Pirates (digital, $6.99)
Pixel Cup Soccer – Ultimate Edition (digital, $16.99)
Popplings (digital, $5.99)
RPGolf Legends (physical $29.99)
Roller Katz: BF – Episode 1 (digital, $4.99)
Street Drag Racing Car Driving Simulator 2022 Games (digital, $4.99)
Supreme Car Race on Highway Simulator – Ultimate Driving Games Poly Experience (digital, $1.99)
Sweet Bakery Tycoon Premium Edition (digital, $5.99)
The Tale of Clouds and Wind (digital, $4.99)
Truck Simulator 3 (digital, $12.99)
Ultra Age (physical, $34.99)
Windstorm: An Unexpected Arrival (digital, $26.99)
Words in Word (digital, $4.99)
Xanchuchamel (digital, $5.99)

Xbox One
8-Ball Pocket (digital, $5.09)
Tower Princess (digital, $5.99)

PC
Barista Simulator ($TBA)
Otome * Domain ($19.99)
Pathogenesis: Overcome ($TBA)
Surrounded ($TBA)
The House of Da Vinci 3 ($19.99)

Rob’s Pick: Although I missed the original PlayStation release of Valkyrie Profile, I did enjoy the 2006 PSP remaster, until I hit a stumbling block that I just couldn’t pass. As the time I was too proud to seek a solution via GameFAQS, leaving Lenneth in an unfinished state. This week I might rectify that, although I wish Square-Enix retained the title’s portability with a Switch or Steam version. Elsewhere, Otome * Domain‘s CGs certainly have their charms. Hopefully, they’ll lure me from overspending during the Winter Steam sale.

Ryan’s pick: I’m not going to lie, this week was a little difficult as there weren’t many games that I was interested in, but I’ll always give a psychological horror game a try. This week, Surrounded caught my eye because it reminded me a bit of Amnesia: The Dark Descent but trading a flashlight for the lantern. The use of the flashlight makes the visuals pretty terrifying, and I am most interested in how the sound you make seems to provoke the AI monsters that you are attempting to avoid. It also seems like you are able to attack the monsters, but I’m not sure if that will make it less scary. I know that was one of my favorite parts about Amnesia, in that you could only just run away.

In all honesty I’m most excited about New Years as typically these next upcoming weeks are great for gacha games, with new characters releasing in almost every single game out there due to Shōgatsu in Japan. If you play Genshin Impact, then I hope that all Raiden wanters will be Raiden havers next week. I know I’m hoping to get her C2 plus weapon, but I rarely have great luck with wishing. Looking forward, I think we should hopefully see some good JRPGs and new Japanese games coming between now and the end of March.

Matt S’ pick (editor, DigitallyDownloaded): Why is Square Enix releasing stuff days before Christmas? Was the 53973293572 other games they released this year not enough for them? They couldn’t hold something back for 2023? Anyhow, having never played Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth, I guess that’s what I’ll be doing while waiting for Santa to drop in. Of course, the fact that Lenneth has a costume that is kinda sorta like Lyn’s from Fire Emblem means that I already love her and playing this game will be anything but a chore.

Otherwise, this time of year is the perfect time to buy some absolute nonsense that you’ll play on Boxing Day and then never again, and this year I reckon I’ll pick up Moorhuhn Pirates – Crazy Chicken Pirates. It’s a shooting gallery featuring a bunch of chickens that have somehow become a much larger IP than they probably deserved. As far as quick shovelware goes, though, the Moorhunh stuff does kinda scratch an itch.