Before chatting about the games I have personally played in the past few weeks, I would like to bring attention to the folks in the industry who have lost their jobs within the industry. Over 6000 employees of video game companies have been let go in the first month of the year. It's devastating to lose your job, especially when it's so common to see headlines about the profitability of video games.
This is the beginning of what will likely become a more significant disruption in the video game industry within the next year or two. If you're interested in reading about some of the data and numbers of this potential downfall, check out this write-up.
It's a bit harrowing. For now, we can only hold on to those expectations whether or not they come true. Here's hoping the people laid off the land on their feet and we find a path forward for the industry as a whole for this beautiful art form!
On to the main event here. I don't have much to say or share about what I have played, but I imagine that will change soon.
In this Article:
- Tekken 8
- Go Mecha Ball
- Echo Point: Nova
Tekken 8
Sometimes, games show a level of polish and passion that elevates the entire genre. As of now, I believe Tekken 8 is this game. This is my first venture into a Tekken game, and I am having a total blast.
If you haven't played a fighting game or you're afraid to do so, I think that this is an incredible place to start. The single-player story is over the top, the character designs are all unique and strong, and the tools to learn are accessible and deeply helpful. This is a great jumping-in point for someone with no experience to hop online and start kicking butt!
The lifespan of Tekken 7 was almost a decade, and the community supported it to the end. This game seems to be a stronger entry with the ability to bring in new fans and stay true to the old heads. I cannot wait to watch the first big tournament for this game and will be watching it closely. Maybe I'll even join one sometime 😎.
Go Mecha Ball
This was a great quick play. Go Mecha Ball combines pinball with a twinstick shooter. Those things play heavily into the feel of the game. There is a wonderful kinetic feel of the movement and your attacks. The levels are decorated with bright and colorful lights and enemies.
I found that the content was light, but there's nothing wrong with a game with a smaller scope. Pick this one up on Game Pass and play it for an afternoon or weekend. A total joy to experience.
Echo Point: Nova (Demo)
This is an exciting thing to check out. I played a quick Echo Point: Nova demo for about 30 minutes one afternoon, and I'm excited for this game to come out.
I don't know that I have played a game exactly like this before, but it's an extremely fast-paced sky island-spanning first-person shooter. There is definitely a focus on speed here, and it is a ton of fun to fly around the map using a combination of your hoverboard and grappling hook.
Give the demo a shot if you have a bit of time. I imagine you'll have a good time!
Thanks so much for reading this Bi-Weekly Roundup. I hope you'll return for the next one. I plan to keep you updated on my thoughts about the games I've played and link to some incredible games as we go. Looking forward to sharing more!