New Releases: July 20th-26th, 2023

This week, unite Sengoku-era Japan in Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening, pilot a fleet of powerful ships in Armored Lab Force VULVEHICLES, or just settle down for a tasty meal in Sabbat of the Witch (pictured).

PlayStation 4
Cross Tails (digital, $26.99)
Dead by Daylight: Nicolas Cage (DLC, $4.99)
Killsquad (digital, $29.99)
Magic Exposure – Yuri Visual Novel (digital, $4.99)
Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition (digital, $17.99)
Mr. Run and Jump (digital, $22.49)
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening (digital, $59.99)
Oaken (digital, $13.99)
Sephonie (digital, $19.99)
Street Fighter 6: Rashid (DLC, included with Character Pass)
The Sims 4: Horse Ranch (DLC, $39.99)

Switch
Aery – Heaven & Hell (digital, $9.99)
Armored Lab Force VULVEHICLES (digital, $8.99)
Cross Tails (digital, $26.99)
Crowded Mysteries (digital, $3.99)
D-Corp (digital, $17.99)
Doomsday Hunters (digital, $15.29)
Forest Fire (digital, $6.99)
Frank and Drake (digital, $19.99)
Haunted Hell House (digital, $2.23)
Heist Force (digital, $9.99)
Hospital Doctor – Fix me up for Kids (digital, $8.99)
Legends of the Eternal Flame (digital, $4.99)
Lucy Got Problems (digital, $7.99)
Magic Exposure – Yuri Visual Novel (digital, $4.99)
Masquerade Kiss (digital, $34.99)
MetaDude (digital, $1.99)
Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition (digital, $17.99)
Mr. Run and Jump (digital, $22.49)
NightmareScape (digital, $19.99)
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening (digital, $59.99)
Oaken (digital, $13.99)
Omnimus (digital, $9.99)
Otoko Cross: Pretty Boys Breakup! (digital, $6.99)
Patrick’s Parabox (digital, $19.99)
Punch a Bunch (digital, $14.99)
Ramp Car Racing
Ring Racer (digital, $4.99)
Sailing Era (digital, $22.49)
Sephonie (digital, $19.99)
Skeljump (digital, $3.99)
Super Dinoblasters (digital, $2.99)
Super Intern Story (digital, $18.99)
Sweets Pusher Friends (digital, $3.99)
Sword of Glory (digital, $14.99)
Takoyaki Party Survival (digital, $2.99)
The Kitty in the Spaceship (digital, $4.99)
The Sword Fable: Mystery of the Flame (digital, $7.99)
Ramp Car Racing (digital, $3.99)
Watch (digital, $5.99)
Wathitdew Record Game Studio BATTLEFIELD (digital, $9.99)
Whispike Survivors (digital, $2.99)
Words Of Wisdom (digital, $4.99)

Xbox One
Antstream Arcade ($29.99 per year)
Cross Tails (digital, $26.99)
Dead by Daylight: Nicolas Cage (DLC, $4.99)
Mr. Run and Jump (digital, $22.49)
Oaken (digital, $13.99)
Remnant II (digital, $49.99)
Sephonie (digital, $19.99)
Strategic Mind: Fight for Dominance (digital, $49.99)
Street Fighter 6: Rashid (DLC, included with Character Pass)
The Sims 4: Horse Ranch (DLC, $39.99)

PC
Abnormal Status ~Tattoo / Prohibited Books / Parasites~ ($TBA)
Dros ($16.99)
Frank and Drake (digital, $19.99)
Homeseek ($24.99)
Lakeburg Legacies ($19.54)
Might & Magic – Clash of Heroes: Definitive Edition ($17.99)
Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening ($59.99)
Oaken ($13.99)
One Military Camp ($20.99)
Punch Club 2: Fast Forward ($19.99)
Sabbat of the Witch ($TBA)
The Sims 4: Horse Ranch (DLC, $39.99)
Unholy ($23.99)

Rob’s Pick: I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Takoyaki Party Survival, a title that tasks players with eating as much of Osaka’s beloved food until they perish. The gaming industry could use a bit more unconventionality. And while Armored Lab Force VULVEHICLES isn’t quite as peculiar or even lewd as the title implies, the shooter is a lot of fun. Previously released on PC, you’re the handler of a team of six girls and twelve vehicles. For each horizontally scrolling stage you’ll select the hardware, which varies between small, nimble vulvehicles to slow, hulking tanks that fill the screen with firepower. But choose wisely, if you lose a craft, it’s gone for good from that run.

Play is different from most STGs, and you’ll habitually wipe out the environment as you take down enemies. But you don’t want to completely destroy the stage, since your vulvehicle needs to land to recharge its flight capabilities. I’d suggest giving the rather generous eShop demo a try, especially if you appreciate a mix of mass destruction with a bit of moe. Lastly, Nobunaga’s Ambition: Awakening marks the franchise’s 40th anniversary, which is only eight years shy of the daimyō’s lifespan. Once again, I’ll be chasing the folly that is unification. Unlike Matt, I typically go with Date, because I’m a masochist.

Ryan’s pick: When I woke up this morning the last thing that I imagined I’d be talking about today would be vulvehicles, especially with these gas prices lately. However, the shoot em’ up Armored Lab Force VULVEHICLES has gone straight to the top of my list. At a first glance the art and the in-game perspective immediately made me think of the world view in the original Blaster Master when you’re driving SOPHIA around. After learning a bit more, I think I immediately began to like it more once I found out it was a STG. One unique thing that I do like about the mechanics is that you are able to destroy enemies and environments alike whilst firing some pretty impressive weapons. With over ten vulvehicles to choose from and a quirky cast of characters, I think that this one could be worth a look if you like shmups and anime-inspired art.

Setting vulvehicles aside for a moment, one other game that looks a lot of fun is Mr. Run and Jump. Developed by Granite Lab and published by Atari, the vibrant glowing art in this running platformer is what originally got me interested in it. I typically will play these games through to the end, but getting there often requires copious amounts of self-deprecation while speaking to myself in the 3rd person, creative swearing, and plenty of leg slaps. There seems to be a lot to offer here for those that like to go above and beyond, with collectibles, difficult to reach items, and also time trials. I realize both picks this week may be a bit more niche and more difficult, but I think either could be a good change of pace if you’ve been playing longer grindy games lately like I have been.

Matt S’ pick (editor, DigitallyDownloaded): Nobby’s Ambition! The Nobster! Nob-man and his conquests! N-dog does Japan! I love Nobunaga’s Ambition and I have been waiting for the day Koei Tecmo finally put one (in English) on Switch. This is a good one, too. The most accessible Nobunaga’s Ambition has ever been, but without sacrificing anything that made it such a beloved series among the hardcore for 40 years (and counting). BTW I don’t play as ol’ man Nobunobu. My crew is the Hojo and they sure hit hard, despite being in a really crappy place on the map.

I’m also really intrigued by Sailing Life, which is looks like a really solid simulator/RPG thing and comes from China’s rapidly expanding market for these things. Did you all play Banner of the Maid, the genderswapping tactics RPG about the Napoleonic era? That was a banger of a game. Chinese development has really got its eye set in on these kinds of things, and while the translations typically need more work, the art and gameplay are right up there. I’m really hoping Sailing Life scratches that itch for me as well.