Welcome to TAG Roundup!
Ever wonder what you missed in the world of gaming last week? No worries – we’ve got you covered!
We read a ton of video game articles each week and wanted to share some of our favorites with the Average Gamer community. We’ll feature everything from previews to reviews and everything in between.
The articles we share will be from a combination of well-known sources (like IGN) and more niche blogs that you may not have heard of. In the previous TAG Roundup post, we talked about the Xbox Series X Games Showcase, a pixelated Bloodborne release, Nexomon and more!
At the top of the hour, we’ve got another highlight from Microsoft. The Microsoft Flight Simulator has been around for decades, and the most recent release is a stunning display of aerial bliss!
Microsoft Flight Simulator is Gorgeous – Euro Gamer
Microsoft Flight Simulator has been around longer than I have. In the original game released in 1982 with pixelated graphics and simple controls. 2020 brings us the first Microsoft Flight Simulator release since 2006!
For those who aren’t familiar with the series, the game puts you in the cockpit of your own airplane and gives you the freedom to take flight. The devs who worked on the latest release used a blend machine learning, a real-world map and weather data to create one of the most realistic sims I’ve seen in ages.
One of the goals of Microsoft Flight Simulator is to create an accurate version of the Earth for you to explore. With over 37,000 airports on the map, you can get lost traveling between sites, taking in the incredible landscape.
Authenticity runs deep in the code of Microsoft Flight Simulator. Flight models are improved, the number of surface points has dramatically increased, aerodynamics feel realistic and ground effects play a part in your descent.
As expected, the cockpit of the planes are intricate stations with plenty of instruments and buttons. You can either leave the tedious flight checklist tasks to your virtual co-pilot or take on all the work yourself.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is refreshingly peaceful and is a great way to explore when you’re coupled up at home. You can pre-order it now and start playing with Xbox Game Pass for PC starting August 18!
Plants vs Wasteland – IGN
There are post-industrial wastelands like in Fallout, then there are the post-industrial wastelands in Cloud Gardens. Rather than devastating amounts of nuclear waste, the latter portrays small areas of trashed landscapes for you to clean up.
To clean these small scenes, you must first decorate the area. This builds energy that can be used to grow plants to beautify the environment. The trailer will do this game much more justice than I ever could.
Cloud Gardens is ‘coming soon’ to the Steam store!
Cuphead Surprise – Polygon
In an unexpected announcement, Studio MDHR brought Cuphead to the PS4! The highly-rated action game pits you against 1930s style enemies in ridiculously challenging levels.
After 3 years of PC + Xbox One exclusivity, Cuphead has made a reputation for itself for being one of the toughest sidescrollers ever made. It can be frustratingly difficult at times, but also so satisfying when you defeat a boss.
Flash and I both picked this game up during the summer steam sale so stay tuned for some joint streams in the near future!
Text-based RPG in 2020 – Polygon
Can anyone even remember the last time someone mentioned a text-based anything? Cyperpunkdreams is breaking the mold in its RPG world filled with decisions that will challenge your moral compass. All this is accomplished using text!
The game’s protagonist has no memory and needs to figure out how to navigate this dystopian world. Cyberpunkdreams free beta will start this month and the full version will be free-to-play on Steam once they’ve worked out the bugs.
Free Games With Prime – The Sun
Most people have Amazon Prime these days. If you’re reading this post, you probably already know that the membership grants you access to free games. What you might not know is that there are 23 free games in August!
Here are my top choices from the list, but feel free to check out the article for the entire batch:
You can download any of the games in August 2020 and keep them forever!
Small Peeps – Comicbook
Imagine being the size of the bug and having to deal with all the challenges of being the size of a bug. Well, that’s exactly what you can do in Grounded, a game which has grown its player base to over 1 million in just two days!
This backyard survival game is a fascinating portrayal of the view from the ground. It’s in Early Access on Steam and Xbox Game Preview and you can team up with friends to build bases, craft weapons and explore the reactive world.
Chaos Shall Reign – Inverse
I’ve never actually heard of Shin Megami Tensei, but it caught my attention as the second post-apocalyptic game in one week. The latest trailer shows a protagonist meeting a demon and potentially forming a connection that will shape the rest of the story.
It’s unclear exactly how the story will play out but the dev sheds some light on the game’s intentions:
There are surely many people frustrated by troubles both at home and abroad, such as anxiety about finding a job and getting old, or terrorists and nuclear weapons. I want to make a Shin Megami Tensei game that can sympathize with such an era.
Pick up Shin Megami Tensei 5 on the Switch in 2021!
https://youtu.be/KL2MJ4Gx4OY
LEGO Super Mario – Nintendo Life
In this semi-creator central post, the voice of Super Mario records new voice lines for the new LEGO Super Mario line! The trailer shows a real-world recreation of Mario’s classic sidescrolling including sounds, designs, and nostalgic appeal.
I’m not sure if this will actually appeal to the kids of the 21st century, but it’s sure to make a great gift for any 80s babies. Start collecting today and uploading your creations to Youtube!
That’s All For Now
There were plenty of other highlights from last week but these ones really stood out. Be sure to check in next time to read about video game current events.
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