This Week in Gaming (Week 25)

[TheLostSwede]

Welcome to the middle of June and to those that celebrate, happy midsummer. This week is jam crammed full of new releases, kicking off with a large-scale real-time modern warfare tactics game as our major release. If that's too complex for you, then maybe a spot of fishing is more your thing? Alternatively, we have some first-person shooter action from Finland or a new Diablo like game, if action is more of your thing. If that's not it, some 5v5 footie might be more of your cup of tea or how about a laid back MMORPG? Don't forget the other four games that might tickle your fancy, as some of them are quite big releases as well.

Broken Arrow / This week's major release / Thursday 19 June
Broken Arrow is a large-scale real-time modern warfare tactics game that combines the complexity of joint-forces wargaming with action-packed real-time tactics gameplay. Featuring over 300 realistic military units and technologies, each battle offers an immersive experience with endless replayability. Steam link




Cast n Chill / Monday 16 June
Cast n Chill is a cozy idle (and active) fishing game where you explore serene lakes, rivers, and oceans. Catch rare fish, upgrade your gear and reel in legendary catches - with your loyal pup by your side. Steam link



FBC: Firebreak / Tuesday 17 June
FBC: Firebreak is a cooperative first-person shooter set within a mysterious federal agency under assault by otherworldly forces. As a years-long siege on the agency's headquarters reaches its boiling point, only Firebreak—the Bureau's most versatile unit—has the gear and the guts to plunge into the building's strangest crises, restore order, contain the chaos, and fight to reclaim control. Steam link



Netherworld Covenant / Wednesday 18 June/ Early Access
In the abyss where the mortal realm and netherworld intertwine, becoming a warrior wielding the power of the Nether Lantern to fight along with the fallen souls. With hardcore action and intriguing roguelike builds, shatter the cursed barriers and unveil the truth woven from blood and soul. Steam link



Rematch / Thursday 19 June
Control one player on your team and compete in fast-paced 5v5 matches from an immersive third-person perspective. Team up with your friends and join the action. Steam link



BitCraft Online / Friday 20 June / Early Access
Join thousands of players in a true single-world MMORPG. Carve out a cozy nook, master a player-driven economy, or band together to transform the ancient wilderness into thriving cities. From humble beginnings to legend, your choices matter - because in BitCraft, your actions shape our world. Steam link



Also launching this week: TRON: Catalyst, Nitro Gen Omega, RAIDOU Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army and After Inc: Revival.

View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Event Horizon]

FBC: Firebreak looks interesting from a technical perspective. Bodes well for Control 2 if it performs well.

 

[Prima.Vera]

I don't know man. This last Tron game also seems to suck big time.
They need to do a redux at least to the best Tron game ever, Tron 2.0. That game was just perfect. Story, gameplay, graphics for its time, narrative, everything.
I really wish they would do a proper remake out of it.

 

[FreedomEclipse]

FBC: Firebreak looks interesting from a technical perspective. Bodes well for Control 2 if it performs well.

It looks very much a cross between L4D and Deep Rock Galactic.

 

[ZoneDymo]

QQ why only add steamlinks to the games and not links to the other platforms you can get those games?
Im saying this because I dont think we should advocate for any monopoly out there.

 

[TheLostSwede]

QQ why only add steamlinks to the games and not links to the other platforms you can get those games?
Im saying this because I dont think we should advocate for any monopoly out there.

Because that's what I was told to do by management.
It would also be 5x the work for me to dig up all the other links, which wouldn't be worth my time vs. what I get paid for putting this together.
If you pitch in some extra cash, I'll provide the extra links.
Alternatively, I'd be happy for you to take over on a pro-bono basis.

Also, there's almost always a link to either the game's website or the developer/publisher, with the few exceptions of the developers that don't bother with things like that.

 

[Dr. Dro]

Solid release week! Might pick up Stellar Blade later on. I still have to pay the Amex bill and it's quite high this month

 

[Frick]

Cast and Shill looks incredible.

 

[fec32a4de]

Because that's what I was told to do by management.
It would also be 5x the work for me to dig up all the other links, which wouldn't be worth my time vs. what I get paid for putting this together.
If you pitch in some extra cash, I'll provide the extra links.
Alternatively, I'd be happy for you to take over on a pro-bono basis.

Also, there's almost always a link to either the game's website or the developer/publisher, with the few exceptions of the developers that don't bother with things like that.

Appreciate the weekly games report. Found a few gems through this. I don't game a lot, seriously Hitman WOA -> WoW rinse and repeat. Except for the titles u mentioned.

That being said, a lot of games don't have alternative links or sources, including indie titles I tried. Kinda surprised a game I was waiting for was Steam exclusive for the PC - despite its predecessor being on GOG.

So again, thanks. But I'll always be puzzled by indie titles that are say on Steam without DRM but only on Steam.

 

[Veseleil]

Cast and Shill looks incredible.

I'm not sure the typo is unintentional, or I've missed the joke.

 

[Mr. Stein]

I don't know man. This last Tron game also seems to suck big time.
They need to do a redux at least to the best Tron game ever, Tron 2.0. That game was just perfect. Story, gameplay, graphics for its time, narrative, everything.
I really wish they would do a proper remake out of it.

This is giving me Half Life (1) vibes, at least looking at the NPC's. Not a bad thing.

 

[ZoneDymo]

Because that's what I was told to do by management.
It would also be 5x the work for me to dig up all the other links, which wouldn't be worth my time vs. what I get paid for putting this together.
If you pitch in some extra cash, I'll provide the extra links.
Alternatively, I'd be happy for you to take over on a pro-bono basis.

Also, there's almost always a link to either the game's website or the developer/publisher, with the few exceptions of the developers that don't bother with things like that.

Bit of oddly antagonistical response dont you think?
Almost like you are trying to call for help that you are not being paid enough for the services rendered.
And why would I take over pro-bono when you are being compensated?

aaaaanywho, I do find this weird, you are indeed providing a link the game's website via the name which already contains a steamlink amongst others, so you being specifically asked to add a steamlink is just odd...wonder if TPU gets something out of that from Valve but either way its helping Steam become or maintain a monopoly which is not good for the consumers that this entire type of article is for.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Bit of oddly antagonistical response dont you think?
Almost like you are trying to call for help that you are not being paid enough for the services rendered.
And why would I take over pro-bono when you are being compensated?

Because clearly, whatever I've done for the past two and half years, is not good enough now, so then I guess you will do it better, for less, no?

aaaaanywho, I do find this weird, you are indeed providing a link the game's website via the name which already contains a steamlink amongst others, so you being specifically asked to add a steamlink is just odd...wonder if TPU gets something out of that from Valve but either way its helping Steam become or maintain a monopoly which is not good for the consumers that this entire type of article is for.

Nope, TPU doesn't get any kickbacks from Valve, since as you can see, there are no affiliate links nor any curator links when you go to steam through what I post.
I did not include the steam links for the first few months and as I said, this is something I was asked to add by the management. Also, most people here seem to be quite happy with the steam links.

This topic has been up for discussion before, but as TPU isn't my site, I don't decide things here. Also, this isn't my full-time job. If you have issues, take it up with management, alternatively, ask for a refund of your subscription fee.

 

[QuietBob]

QQ why only add steamlinks to the games and not links to the other platforms you can get those games?

When you visit the game dev's/publisher's site using the link provided here, you may be given the option to pick your favorite service. These are typically advertised on the main page.

For instance, you can get FBC Firebreak from EGS, and Netherworld Covenant has a demo on itch.io. It's literally two clicks away from this article.

 

[Veseleil]

Because clearly, whatever I've done for the past two and half years, is not good enough now, so then I guess you will do it better, for less, no?

Nope, TPU doesn't get any kickbacks from Valve, since as you can see, there are no affiliate links nor any curator links when you go to steam through what I post.
I did not include the steam links for the first few months and as I said, this is something I was asked to add by the management. Also, most people here seem to be quite happy with the steam links.

This topic has been up for discussion before, but as TPU isn't my site, I don't decide things here. Also, this isn't my full-time job. If you have issues, take it up with management, alternatively, ask for a refund of your subscription fee.

I think you're explaining it a bit too much, and repeating yourself by doing that each time someone is nitpicking at your weekly choice. You shouldn't do that.
Of course we are happy by having steam links, and anyone that isn't is free to use the damn web search engine of choice to find an alternative.

We love steam because we can wishlist a game we might like, and by doing that we can help indie devs to make some free advertising, giving them a better selling chance, even if we don't buy the game afterwards. We also love steam because valve made gaming on linux a viable alternative to a MS monopoly, and because steam community have no competition in terms of reviews, workshop, refunds and whatnot.

We asked for inclusion of a steam links not so long ago (IIRC), because before there were no links whatsoever, so please stop being mean to one of the nicest staff members on TPU @ZoneDymo, he's a member of our community, and not just an employee like many others are.

 

[leonavis]

Hmm, that Broken Arrow looks weird. I thought at first it might be something like World in Conflict was. But there doesn't seem to be a story, which is sad, and you can just play US or Russia... in the Baltikum?

Weird game.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I think you're explaining it a bit too much, and repeating yourself by doing that each time someone is nitpicking at your weekly choice. You shouldn't do that.
Of course we are happy by having steam links, and anyone that isn't is free to use the damn web search engine of choice to find an alternative.

We love steam because we can wishlist a game we might like, and by doing that we can help indie devs to make some free advertising, giving them a better selling chance, even if we don't buy the game afterwards. We also love steam because valve made gaming on linux a viable alternative to a MS monopoly, and because steam community have no competition in terms of reviews, workshop, refunds and whatnot.

We asked for inclusion of a steam links not so long ago (IIRC), because before there were no links whatsoever, so please stop being mean to one of the nicest staff members on TPU @ZoneDymo, he's a member of our community, and not just an employee like many others are.

Awww, you made me blush.

 

[Raptor_i]

BROKEN ARROW

 

[Kohl Baas]

BROKEN ARROW

View attachment 403846

Broke 'n Narrow...

 

[dgianstefani]

BROKEN ARROW

View attachment 403846

Does look good

 

[PLAfiller]

FBC Firebreak looks really good. May be because I started Control recently, but I instantly recognized the enemies and the universe. Looks a like a lot of fun.

Tron was on my radar for a while, but I am not that much into isometric games in general, not sure it "clicks" with me. Aesthetics, they pretty much nailed it with Disney's own Tron Uprising series.

 

[AusWolf]

It looks very much a cross between L4D and Deep Rock Galactic.

A mystical, Control-themed L4D? Sign me up!

At first, I was skeptical whether Remedy should divert resources from Control 2 to make this, but I admit, it sounds pretty cool. And they made it within a relatively reasonable time, too.

 

[Frick]

BROKEN ARROW

View attachment 403846

No Christian Slater.