Welcome to the Dog Days of Summer: that special place and time where it’s just too hot to give a shit about anything not related to staying cool and out of the brutal, soul-crushing wrath of the fiery ball of death that our planet has decided to orbit. This week has Japan taking its clothes off, a three year old JRPG goes mobile, thar’s a snake in my boots, and Deep Silver gives a nod to Dark Souls.
Akiba's Trip: Undead and Undressed
Platforms: PS3, PS Vita
Release Date: August 12, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYY2i0FwbKk[width=650,height=366]
This sequel to the Japanese action title, Akiba’s Trip, has the player fighting demons and taking their clothes off to expose them to brutal, unforgiving summer sun. Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk? Hot enough to cook a naked demon. Future DLC will allow players to kill demons by locking them in the car while grocery shopping. This one is rated M, presumably for naked demons and stuff, but I wouldn’t necessarily take that to mean it’s a good game. Have you ever heard of the original Akiba’s Trip? There’s probably a good reason for that. This one drops Tuesday for PS3 and Vita, for about $40, with a PS4 release date sometime this fall.
Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited
Platform: PS Vita
Release Date: August 12, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDqsWgEoJ40[width=650,height=366]
Vita owners finally get the chance to pick up their very own copy of a game that came out three years ago! Consider this the GOTY edition of Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten, complete with extra characters, scenarios, weapons, etc. Whatever...it’s too hot to get excited by old Japanese tactical RPGs.
Hohokum
Platforms: PS3, PS4, PS Vita
Release Date: August 12, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSZ0cLRJWqk[width=650,height=366]
Well, Playstation players have quite a selection this week. Hohokum is one of those abstract “draw shit while music is playing” kind of games. Players control a colorful snake and move it around to happy music. It can’t possibly be as horrible as it sounds, despite the fact that I lost all hope for humanity just watching the trailer.
Risen 3: Titan Lords
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC
Release Date: August 12, 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMGyz0E81j4[width=650,height=366]
Risen 3 is an action RPG featuring a protagonist with no soul of his own in a challenging and deadly world. Does this sound familiar to anyone else? I guess it’s too damn hot to try anything original. This title has also earned an M rating, for just about everything that will cause a game to get an M rating...at least it’s an adult game with no colorful snakes.
