[Do you know who these superheroes are? Did you expect them to return?]
We’re back again, and thanks to those who made additional formatting comments on the revamped Video Game Deep Cuts. A couple more tweaks this week, and it’s approaching its final form!
As it evolves, there’s a few shifts. For example, a minority of the links are now to ‘cool/interesting stuff’ and notable new games, rather than longform articles or videos. Like, uhh, Chex Quest. Oh no, the $218 fan bundle sold out just as I was finishing this newsletter. Sorry, folks!
- Simon, curator
The Current: Recent Games In The Spotlight
Receiver 2 (PC) is a process-obsessed guns vs. drones FPS sim sequel which is both odd and compelling at the same time. 📰
Also out this week on Steam, & selling like hotcakes, the YouTuber-friendly edgelord-ism of Drug Dealer Simulator (PC). 📽
The TurboGrafx-16 [aka PC Engine] Mini (hardware) is by far the weirdest all-in-one microconsole to come out in recent times. 📰
A Fold Apart (Apple Arcade, PC, Switch, pictured) is a unique puzzle game in which the player tries to unite two characters in a long distance relationship.
Still in closed beta, but Riot’s surprise-announced multiplayer FPS Valorant (PC) is getting a lot of interest and hype.📰
The Culture: Game Culture & Deep Dives
Game devs from big (and small) studios on adapting to working from home in today’s quarantine situation.📰
How the original developers of Fallout came together to make spiritual sequel The Outer Worlds (pictured). 📽(Bonus: extra docs on characters & quests.📽)
Devs of some of your favorite games share the one thing they’re most proud of making.📰
With coronavirus closing schools, here’s how video games help teachers.📰
Why video games have become a form of meditation in tough times.📰
In these weird times, here’s the best games for non-gamers who don’t (normally) play.📰
The Past: Game History
A detailed mini-doc on Awesome Possum (pictured), Tengen’s eco-friendly ‘90s (flop) platformer mascot (with real-life opossum footage!) 📽
A mainstream (personal) history of Valve’s resurrected Half-Life franchise.📰
The weird history & modern evolution of Sonic The Hedgehog fandom & culture.📽
Were you expecting a super-deluxe physical version of ‘90s DOOM engine-powered cereal promotion game Chex Quest? Nope, me neither. 📰
The Other Goodness
Not up on what’s on Apple Arcade? Here’s its top 50 games ranked. 📰
The latest music video from UK grime MC JME references the notorious Kapkan glitch in Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six: Siege.📰/📽
Lena Raine (Celeste) has made music for the latest Minecraft update, & it’s beautifully melancholic ambient. 📰/🎼
Having trouble describing this real-time improv actor Half-Life ‘self-aware AI’ thing.📰/📽
Somebody’s created a HyperCard version (pictured) of ‘lost’ Kojima horror game PT. 📰
Hope you liked this one, and see you next week!
Simon.