New Game Tuesday, Games Releasing 11/12 - 11/18
This week's NGT is a unique one in that it is not every day that a new player enters the gaming industry. It has been the same players for as long I have played games for most of my adult life. Consoles have been go-to's for many gamers thanks to names such as Nintendo, Xbox, and Playstation. PC has had big players with that of Steam and more recently Epic. Today a major new player arrives that isn't quite any of those with Google making a huge play for the gaming industry with Stadia. Stadia is gaming in the cloud and it is neither console nor PC. In addition to this major new service's launch, we got the much anticipated sequel to the Shenmu series with the third installment coming 18 years after that last installment.
"New Game Tuesday" showcases some major game releases from Tuesday to the following Monday. Scroll down to see if any of the major releases appeal to you!
1. google stadia is here
Release Date: 11/19
Google Stadia was introduced to us in more depth back at E3 2019. It has been unfairly called the Netflix of games when in more reality it is like the Steam of Cloud gaming, or at least that is what Google wants for the future. Google wants to eliminate the need for consoles or pc's and bring "console quality" games to any device any where thanks to fast streaming. Now this isn't the type of streaming you may have heard of like Twitch or Mixer. This isn't a new streaming service where you watch a esports player play a game. This is about playing a game yourself but in the cloud. A distant server is actually processing the game at a distance and bringing it your stream. The input and actions you make as a player are going back and fourth between the server and your screen. It's like interactive Netflix.
Cloud gaming offers a lot of promises and potential benefits, including zero downloads or updates to worry about, the ability to play high quality 4-8K gaming an underpowered pc's, smartphones, or simple TV's with no local hardware really necessary. It also promises a hack proof cheat proof online experience because a local copy of a game isn't present.
Stadia is much like steam where players can access it for free and buy games individually; however Google is offering a premium membership called Stadia Pro where you get access to 4k gaming and a free game every month (very similar to a Xbox Gold style membership)
Early launch day reports suggest Stadia is having some launch day technical hurdles and beta like difficulties, however I expect these to be ironed out over the next few months before Stadia Base (the free tier) rolls out. It is currently only available to Founder's Edition members. Stadia is launching with 22 games and promises to add more soon before 2020.
2. Shenmue 3
Release Date: 11/19
Platforms: PC, PS4
Developer: YS Net, Neilo, Ysnet inc
Publisher: Deep Silver, Shibuya Productions
18 years? Players have been waiting 18 years for this sequel. Geez, That makes Kingdom Hearts 3 look like a quick turn around time. It is so long it almost makes me understand the gamers who were upset about its Epic exclusive on PC after waiting for so long many gamers felt like a timed exclusive on PC was a slap in the face. Especially since the developer made promises of a steam version during its kickstarter and (at first) weren't going to offer refunds. Shenmue 3 was rattled with controversy at least with the PC version. Another critique is the fact that this game may suffer from something many extremely long limbo games suffer from and that is aging. Sometimes a game spends so long in the over that it burns and is dated when finally out. Early reviews of S3 is that is old and outdated and maybe not worth the wait. However, if you are a long time fan who wants to finish the story it may just be worth playing for that.
3. sniper ghost warrior contracts
Release Date: 11/22
Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, PC
Developer: Ci Games
Publisher: Ci Games
For fans of the Sniper Ghost Warrier series, or bored FPS players who only ever snipe anyways, Contracts is here for you. Any new title that launches sub-60 gives me pause as to its quality, especially since this is a series. (ie. wolfenstien young blood?) However, fans of the sniper genre may want to give this game a try.
4. Garfield kart furious racing
Release Date: 11/19
Platforms: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One
Developer: Artefacts Studios
Publisher: Microids
The fact that this game didn't go for a bad "Furr"ious Racing pun in it's name is just a sin for the pun-prone. That being said, it is GARFIELD, and that means it is an instant must try for me. That cat got me through many Monday mornings when I was a child.
5. civilization Vi is coming to Xbox One and PS4
Release Date: 11/22
Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Mobile, Nintendo Switch
Developer: 2k Games
Publisher: Firaxis Games, Aspire,
I have so many fond memories of playing Civ 3 back as a kid, and I always loved the genre. Since then I never really played the sequels, I conquered the world enough for one lifetime. However, fans of the this world ruling sim, the latest installment has been available on PC and then Mobile and Switch for a while. Now it makes a pit stop on Xbox and PS4.
As always, stay tuned here on Game Infinite News for the latest gaming news! Check back next week for New Game Tuesday!
