Sequels! The cornerstone of the industry, intended not only to improve and expand upon their predecessors but also capitalise on their success. As much as we appreciate new IP, a follow-up to a renowned title can be just as exciting, if not more.
Three sequels are on this week’s agenda, no less. Volgarr the Viking II has been a long time coming – the original dates to 2013 and was one of the first ‘Games with Gold’ titles for Xbox One. It took heavy inspiration from Rastan, Tatio’s classic barbarian starring action platformer. This sequel looks set to offer something more unique, featuring an older and wiser Volgarr. If the press release is to go by, the difficulty level can be altered to suit – the original was notoriously difficult. Digital Eclipse has assisted with development, so we know it’s in safe hands.
SteamWorld Heist II is another a long time coming, with the original first hitting the 3DS in 2015 before gracing HD consoles of the era. This sequel sees the 2D tactical battler take to the seas, throwing nautical battles into the mix. Reviews have been mixed so far. Push Square opted for an 8/10 while Eurogamer gave it 3/5. The Metro meanwhile went with a 6/10, claiming that it doesn’t look a great deal different from the original despite almost ten years passing.
Cat Quest III follows suit. At least, within its premise. Yes – this also takes to the seas. This 2.5D open-world action RPG appears to be crammed full of cat puns, starring a Purrivateer battling Pi-rats in the Purribean. How’s about cat? Incidentally, there’s also the retro-style platformer Cattie due on all formats, which appears to be a follow-up to Froggie.
Konami is also back with CYGNI: All Guns Blazing – a ‘next gen’ sci-fi shoot’em up gunning for Xbox Series and PS5, promising to offer an evolution of the genre. First announced in 2021, it has been developed by Scottish outfit Keelworks. It’s due both digitally and at retail, with the physical release available for around £25. On the cheaper side of things there’s Gravitators, the latest inexpensive twin-stick shooter from eastasiasoft.
This week Bandai-Namco also releases the mouthful that is That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles on all formats. Yes, that includes Xbox. Based on an animated series, it’s a combat-focused adventure with a city building aspect and over 50 quests to partake.
The Xbox also gains Creatures of Ava, a creature taming adventure set in a world facing a life-consuming infection. Footage looks mighty promising. The anti-Pal World, perhaps.
Also look out for an Xbox/PlayStation release of Devolver Digital’s Pepper Grinder – a spiritual successor to Nintendo’s oft forgotten Drill Dozer – a console release of the 2.5m selling Chinese dating sim Love is All Around, third-person eco-adventure Seed of Life, Arcade Paradise VR for PSVR2, and Princess Maker 2 Regeneration on PS4 – which harks back to the days of the SEGA Saturn. We reviewed it on Switch last month.
New release trailers
CYGNI: All Guns Blazing
SteamWorld Heist II
Volgarr the Viking II
Cat Quest III
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles
Pepper Grinder
Arcade Paradise VR
Creatures of Ava
Bleak Faith
Seed of Life
Cattie
The Lullaby of Life
Gravitators
Love is All Around
New multiformat releases
- CYGNI: All Guns Blazing
- SteamWorld Heist II
- Volgarr the Viking II
- Cat Quest III
- That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime ISEKAI Chronicles
- Bleak Faith
- Seed of Life
- I Want To Go To Mars
- Cattie
- The Lullaby of Life
- Gravitators
- Cultist Simulator: Initiate Edition
- Pepper Grinder
- Eden Genesis
- Love is All Around
- Deathbound
New on PSN
- Arcade Paradise VR
- Princess Maker 2 Regeneration
- Skelethrone: The Chronicles of Ericona
- Webgeon Speedrun Edition
New on Xbox Store
- Creatures of Ava
- HoneyLand
New Switch retail releases
eShop round-up coming Thursday
- Cat Quest III
Next week: EA SPORTS Madden NFL 25, Just Crow Things, Kena: Bridge of Spirits (Xbox), White Day 2: The Flower That Tells Lies – Complete Edition, Mad Devils: Damned-finitive Edition, Shoulders of Giants: Ultimate, COMPOUND, Hidden Through Time 2: Discovery, Tiny Pixels Vol. 1 – Ninpo Blast, Cat’s Request, Sam & Max: The Devil’s Playhouse, and Turn to Mine.