Hotline Miami 2 is the sequel to 2012’s surprise hit. The game follows the stories of several different factions in the wake of Jacket’s 1-man rampage in the original. The game’s storyline is Tarantino-esque, and you’ll often jump around between the past and present as you learn about the alternate history of Miami, and more about the mask-killings. The new playable characters include a group of fans of Jacket who commit random murders, a rogue cop, and a movie actor filming a movie about the killings. Gameplay is pretty much the same as the original, although that isn’t a bad thing. You’ll have to make your way through each stage, killing everything and everyone in sight. Like the original, you’ll find a variety of weapons by which to utilize to inflict pain. The game features more synth-heavy 80s inspired music, and the soundtrack is on sale via Steam. Hotline Miami 2 contains more of what gamers liked about the original: challenging gameplay and gory action with an old-school look.

While it doesn’t have half as many entries as Mario, Pokemon, or Legend of Zelda, Metroid is one of Nintendo’s most prolific franchises, at least in North America. Along with introducing one of gaming’s strongest female characters, it helped pioneer a new style of gameplay that developers frequently revisit in everything from open world titles to indie retro throwbacks. Even today, Super Metroid is regarded as one of the greatest video games of all time and it’s Virtual Console appearance is a top seller. However, the franchise’s success isn’t as widespread in Japan, Nintendo’s home base. This probably explains why we haven’t received a new title in the series since 2010’s lukewarmly received “The Other M”. It also possibly explains why Nintendo decided to make the series then-next gen debut (it was on GameCube, and it was the first game in the series since Super Metroid 8 years prior) as a FPS. While many players were unsure of the new direction, Metroid Prime, developed by Retro Studios, managed to hit it out of the park. Two sequels followed, both managing to be good in their own right. Despite the first person gameplay, Metroid Prime retains everything that fans loved about the Metroid series. It’s still exploration heavy, and there were loads of gadgets to collect. Metroid Prime Trilogy was previously a Wii-only disc title. It received a limited print run, and copies of the disc would be sold for as much as $50 used. Thankfully, Nintendo announced plans to include Wii games on Wii U’s virtual Console, Metroid Prime Trilogy being one of them. It’s only $20 now, so if you have yet to expereince these games, now is the time. Since this is the Wii version, you’ll need a Wiimote and nunchuck for it.

Many indie games that have been released within the past few years channel the spirit of 8 and 16-bit classics via retro-styled gameplay, simplistic graphics, or both. Shovel Knight does more than simply pay homage. Developer Yacht games developed it’s 2014 debut as if were a Nintendo title, limited graphics palette, chiptune soundtrack, limited button scheme, and all. The game was inspired by classic titles such as Mega Man, Castlevania, and Zelda II among others. Playing as Shovel Knight, you explore a fantasy landscape as you make your way to a mysterious evil tower to rescue your one-time partner, Shield Knight. Shovel Knight’s shovel is used to attack enemies, break down barriers, and dig up treasures. You’ll run into several bosses, and between levels you can visit a town to purchase new abilities, upgrade your character, and interact with townsfolk. Had this game been released on the original NES, it would have been fondly remembered as one of the system’s top games alongside games like Contra, Punch Out, and Super Mario Brothers. As it is, this game is one of 2014’s best titles. Fans of classic gaming will definitely want to check it out, as it will make them reminiscent of the games of their youth. Newer gamers will want to check it out as well to see why exactly it is we still love those classic NES titles.

Note: The PS4 version of this title is free for the rest of January 2015 for PS+ members.

Created by NetherRealm studios (the same people behind 2011’s blockbuster Mortal Kombat reboot), Injustice is the first good DC comics game that doesn’t have Batman in the title, nor involves legos. Injustice’s plot, gameplay, features, and character selection makes it the perfect game for both DC comics fans and fighting game aficionados alike. The Ultimate Edition sweetens the pot by adding all the dlc that was previously released from the game. That means you get all the extra costumes, extra characters, and Star Labs missions that were previously released.

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When you think of the term “Cat Lady” you usually think of a crazy elderly woman with a bunch of cats everywhere who will soon be the subject of the television show Hoarders. However the title of this $20GOTW refers to Susan Ashworth, a 40-year old woman who lives alone in a flat in England. Her only friends are the cats who arrive when she plays her piano. Susan is depressed to the point where she decides to take her own life. However, it doesn’t exactly go as planned. Susan winds up in a strange place where she meets the Queen of Maggots. Susan is then tasked to find and kill 5 serial killers, known as ‘Parasites’, returned to the land of the living, and is made immortal. If Susan can do this, she is promised to be given something that will give her the will to keep living. Of course seeing as how she can’t die, she doesn’t have much of a choice.
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5 Nights at Freddy’s and its sequel have less production values than the last Resident Evil, Dead Space, and Silent Hill games. However, it may be even scarier and disturbing than all three of those games combined thanks to its minimalist design. 5NAF is a point and click adventure game where you play as a security guard at a Chuck-e-Cheese-esque pizza restaurant called Freddy Fazbear’s pizza that features several animatronics; Chica, Bonnie, Foxy, and the titular Freddy. During the day things are all good (barring a couple of incidents….), but during the night, the animatronics are put on free roam mode, because if they don’t roam around at night their servo motors would lock up and apparently it’s cheaper to hire a security guard than a repair man. Here is where things get well…… you know. It’s creepy enough having these things walk around by themselves like innocent children, but the truth is is that they’re actually trying to get into you office. They think you’re an endo-skeleton without a suit so they’re trying to stuff you into one, killing you in the process. You’ll have to monitor the cameras, turning on the lights, and shutting doors when needed, all while keeping an eye on your power. If you run out of power before 6am, you’re fucked. In the sequel, there are no doors and you’re only given a freddy mask to hopefully deceive the animatronics. Yikes. If the animatronics make their way into the office, then it’s game over in the scariest possible way. However, the hidden lore and fan theories behind the game prove to be scarier and more disturbing then the game itself. Check it out over at the http://freddy-fazbears-pizza.wikia.com/wiki/Five_Nights_at_Freddy%27s_Wiki

Well thanksgiving has passed, and so has the rush of Black Friday. In a few hours, ‘Cyber Monday’ will be at its end as well. Of course, why stay in line for great gaming bargains when you can get the hookup straight from the crew at Powet? We know it’s saturday, but every game you see in this article can be purchased at most online and/or in-store game dealers for $20 or less year round and are downloadable, so you don’t have to worry about standing in line in sub-zero temps, being trampled, or getting up at 5 am. Because most online dealers are having holiday specials, you might even be able to save even more cash this weekend. Instead of just $20 Game of the Week, we’re calling this one Green Everyday! For the fourth year in a row, Powet is glad to bring you Green Everyday 2014.
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After battling evil luchadores, cyberpunk hackers, bdsm freaks, and even zombies, the leader of the Third Street Saints takes over the United States as president (with actor Keith David as vice president). Then the gang has to deal with an alien invasion. Yeah, it’s as insane as it sounds. Would you expect anything else from Saint’s Row by now?
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