Rockstar’s latest and greatest hit has finally reached the PC earlier this year. The game tells the tale of 3 men from 3 different walks of life who are bought together in pursuit of money and power. Covering hundreds of square miles of the city of Los Santos, players will steal a variety of vehicles, put together elaborate heists, and cause massive amounts of chaos in pursuit of the American dream. When they are done with the single player game, there is a compelling online component allowing players to cause chaos on a worldwide scale. The game that I am talking about however, is NOT that game.
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In 2012, Rusty Moyher, Shaun Inman, and Matt Grimm worked together during the Ludum Dare game jam. Dureing the event, they created the game Super Clew Land in 72 hours. Inspired by the efforts, the three began a kickstarter that would see the trio develop 6 games throughout 6 months, each being developed in three days. Backers would vote on a theme, and when the game was finished, they would be able to play the finished effort. The 6 games were collected in this compilation, and you can buy it on steam now. Each of these games could easily pass as an NES classic, and each of them have their own little quirks.
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If you’re a fan of all those old school arcade games where the goal was to get as high of a score as possible, Luftrausers is for you. It’ll bring back memories of Space Invaders, Galaga, and Time Pilot while at the same time smartly integrating some innovations from today. Developed by Vlambeer (Ridiculous Fishing), Luftrausers puts players in control of a plane, and your goal is to shoot down as many of the enemy as you can before going down. Your aircraft allows for 360 degree movement, but you have to turn manually, and you can only shoot from the front. This adds some strategy, as the angle of your turn comes into play everytime you make a move to attack. As you score higher, you can unlock different parts to customize your craft with (each changing the music). Instead of a one-hit kill, your aircraft can regenerate its health long as you aren’t currently firing. The game also includes goals to meet and achievements to unlock. If you’re one of those old-school games that thing today’s titles are too overwhelming for you, Luftrausers brings back an old school experience right down to its limited color palette. There is no storyline, online multiplayer, voice acting, or dlc, but a shooting experience this fun doesn’t need any of that stuff.

Far Cry 3 is perhaps one of the most improved sequels of last generation. While Far Cry 2 wasn’t a bad game, there were several key issues that held the game back from being a true classic. Far Cry 3 manages to fix most of these issues, and while it introduces some new issues of its own, they are hardly anything deal breaking. Playing as Jason Brody, you and your friends make your way to a tropical paradise, only to find out that it’s a haven for a ring of pirates and mercenaries who engage in, among other things, human trafficking. Captured by a madman named Vaas, Jason must find his friends and escape the island. After barely making it out of Vaas’s camp alive, Jason meets the Rykat, a tribe of island natives who can help him destroy Vaas and his men.
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Note: This game is also available on Xbox 360, but for $29.99 MSRP

Many RPGS like to make the claim that your actions will have consequences, yet few of those games live up to that promise. The Witcher, developed by CD Projekt (who runs game distribution shop GOG.com), is one of the few games that actually deliver. It’s black and grey morality, deep storyline, fluid combat system, and yes, even sexual imagery helped make it a hit among gamers worldwide. The game even gained attention from President Barack Obama when he was handed a copy by the Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk during a 2014 visit to the country, declaring the game an example of the work ethic of the Polish people. The Witcher 2 improves on every facet of its predecessor, and just like before, CD Projekt hits every note when it comes to The Witcher’s brand of fantasy gaming.
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You can’t help but think that this game was bought to console and PC as a way of making up for the debacle that was Resident Evil 6. WHen this game hit the Nintendo 3DS, not only was it one of the handheld’s biggest titles, but it also bought back the good old days of Resident Evil 4 and 5. While it’s not exactly the second coming of the franchise, it will help ease some of the wounds that were left by more recent titles in the series.
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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.

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.