The upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge is a direct sequel to the arcade classics.
Tribute Games/DotEmu Games
PAX East has returned this year as a personal gaming convention. In recent years, this event has been North America’s largest gaming convention, surpassing even its sister show PAX West. While the shows have taken a hiatus since the 2020 global lockdowns, PAX East is now back and plenty of games to see.
At the show this year, I got to play several games that I’ll have to keep an eye out for later this year. The list below provides a brief rundown of games that stood out at PAX East 2022, including the next Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles game, the quirky platformer Tinykin, and the Souls-esque parody video game The Last Hero of Nostalgaia.
Be sure to check back with CNET for more updates. I’ll be expanding this list as I discover more exciting games on PAX.
Evil West
Developer: Flying Wild Hog | Release Date: TBD 2022
You will face tons of vampires and demons in this supernatural infused Wild West shooter.
Flying Wild Hog/Focus Interactive Games
Developer Flying Wild Hog honed its craft for fast-paced action gameplay with the Shadow Warrior reboot trilogy, and now it’s bringing that know-how to the Wild West with the action-horror game Evil West.
In a supernatural take on the Wild West of North America, you play as a vampire-hunting bounty hunter who uses classic cowboy weapons and advanced gadgets to defeat demons of the night. Evil West is a third-person shooter that deftly combines shooting gameplay and melee combat, providing smooth moments where you can disarm enemies and launch demons into the air with ease.
This game came out of nowhere for me, and I like its horror-like take on the Wild West. I’m very interested in seeing more of it later this year.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder’s Revenge
Developer: Tribute Games | Release Date: TBD 2022
The entire Turtle team, along with some help from April and Splinter, will team up to take on the Foot Clan and other mutated bad guys.
Tribute Games/DotEmu Games
There have been a plethora of games based on the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series over the past three decades, but none have matched the impact of the arcade beat-em-ups. With the upcoming TMNT: Shredder’s Revenge, we get a spiritual successor to the classic beat-em-up games that are directly inspired by those from the 16-bit era.
Developed by Tribute Games and DotEmu, this throwback game looks beautiful in motion, and the gameplay offers that satisfying thrill of running through Foot Clan ninjas – something the classic games did so well.
dolmen
Developer: Massive Work Studio | Release date: May 20, 2022
As is tradition with Souls-style games, you’ll probably run away from a lot of fights.
Massive Work Studio/Prime Matter
It wouldn’t be hard to say that FromSoftware’s Elden Ring – and other Souls games – have had a huge impact on the gaming industry. So much so that other developers are trying their best to create their own Souls-inspired games. A game from Brazilian developer Massive Work Studio and published by Prime Matter is Dolmen, a sci-fi version of the Souls-esque game.
In the far future you play as a mercenary who travels to a planet with crystals spawning multiple timelines. The gameplay will feel familiar to players of FromSoftware’s games, but with combat spiced up with the addition of firearms and energy powers. This might be something to look out for if you’re craving a Souls-esque game that offers a change of setting.
The Last Oricru
Developer: GoldKnights | Release Date: TBD 2022
Split screen co-op is available for those who want to take a friend with them on their journey through this hardcore sci-fi/fantasy RPG.
Golden Knights/Prime Matter
One particular frustration with Souls games: they tend to have a fairly complex approach to co-op multiplayer. There is usually a story behind it, but simply put, adding another player to the game is not that easy. That’s one thing that The Last Oricru, another sci-fi Souls-esque game, is trying to remedy — with the addition of couch co-op.
In an alien world, you must decide which faction to side with in an increasingly hostile war. But you don’t have to fight alone. A main protagonist’s ability is to summon a hologram copy, which another player can control. In addition to online play, split screen co-op is available, meaning you and a buddy can weather steep challenges and heavy defeats together.
Tinykin
Developer: Splashteam | Release Date: TBD 2022
You will come into contact with many characters hiding in the world of Tinykin.
Splash Team/Tiny Build
One game that surprised me at PAX East was Tinykin, a very quirky yet visually impressive puzzle platformer. By mixing 2D visuals with 3D environments, the game has a style that resembles an animated film like Who Framed Roger Rabbit.
As a shrunken explorer, you team up with miniature critters to overcome platforming challenges and explore the world in a human’s home. The story and gameplay seem to borrow heavily from Nintendo’s Pikmin, but the game does offer clever and surprisingly heartwarming twists on that premise. Looks like it will be fun for all ages, so keep it on your radar.
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia
Developer: Over The Moon Games | Release Date: TBD 2022
This simple stick figure protagonist will face hordes of video game enemies on their journey to become the great hero of the land.
About The Moon Games/Coatsink
Yes, this is another Souls style game, but it’s my favorite from PAX East 2022.
The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is set in the world of a high fantasy Souls-esque video game, in which you play as a hilariously undefined protagonist who looks like a walking stick figure. With no class or backstory, you create your own story in a game where the narrator has become self-aware and actively tries to stop your adventure. The Last Hero of Nostalgaia is a parody game, and the fun fights are enhanced by solid lyrics that poke fun at the clichés and formulas of fantasy games. Playing this has been a riot, and I’m curious where this oddball will go when it’s released later this year.
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This post PAX East 2022: The 6 Most Exciting Games To Check Out
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