Welcome to You Should Play, a series where we highlight all of the video games that you should be playing this week, from big-budget releases through to little-known indie games.
As is typically the case with the yearly video game calendar, January continues to bring us few major new releases as we all patiently wait for the big hitters to start swinging. However, this week there are a few excellent games releasing that are worthy of your consideration.
Take a look at the games that You Should Play this week:
Blade and Soul
This Korean MMO is already super popular in Asia, boasting more players than the likes of World of Warcraft in the region and having achieved a staggering 1.5 million concurrent users back in 2015, but thus far it has eluded a Western audience. Fortunately it is now within our grasp, and it’s easy to see why so many are hooked on it in the East.
Also See: A Guide to Choosing Your Starting Class and Race in Blade and Soul
Placing an emphasis upon its complex combat system, Blade and Soul incorporates combos, contextual attacks and the ability to air-juggle opponents in make each fight far more than just simply pressing the same series of hotkeys for maximum effect. This has led to Blade and Soul‘s PvP becoming a popular eSport in Asia, and developer NCSoft is undoubtedly hoping that it shares similar success here. Given that its servers are currently being swamped by players, we’d say that they’re well on their way to achieving their goal.
Why You Should Play It
- Complex and engrossing combat system.
- Excellent PvP.
- It’s a proven format, so it has a great chance of establishing a dedicated player base.
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam
Mario & Luigi: Paper Jam combines two of Nintendo’s most frequently overlooked Mario series in order to create the 3DS’ first major new release of 2016.
A mix between Paper Mario and the underrated Mario & Luigi series, Paper Jam was initially released in Europe back in late 2015, where it received plenty of praise for its hilarious dialogue and the successful melding of its two universes. With Nintendo gearing up for the probable release of the NX this year, this is the only Mario adventure that’s been announced for 2016, so fans of the diminutive Italian plumber will likely want to get their hands on it.
Why You Should Play It
- Excellent, genuinely funny dialogue.
- A successful combination of two of Nintendo’s most underrated series.
- Paper Mario returns!
Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak
For those who aren’t RTS aficionado it’s likely that you don’t really remember the Homeworld series, given that its last entry was all the way back in 2003. But now Blackbird Interactive, a development studio founded by the creators of Homeworld and Homeworld 2, are releasing the first new entry in the franchise in over a decade, and initial impressions are good.
Far from being a relic from a bygone era, Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak seems to successfully bridge the gap between the old and the new, retaining what fans of the series love while also opening the door to newcomers. Early impressions have been good, with critics praising its massive scale and compelling story, meaning that those who have been impatiently awaiting a new Homeworld game – or who simply want to play a great, new RTS – will want to check this one out.
Why You Should Play It
- The first new Homeworld game since 2013.
- Feels like the original, but also makes enough new additions for a modern audience.
- Interesting story.
