Games

The block-building game Minecraft is known for its incredibly rudimentary object textures. But game modder hodiltoN decided the game was due for an upgrade, and created a series of realistic textures for the game, which look especially nice when lit with using the SEUS PTGI shaders.

After four long years, it’s finally here. Another teaser, that is. Seriously though, the Final Fantasy VII Remake is looking very good. This new clip gives us a peek at the revamped battle system, as well as the gorgeous designs for Cloud, Aerith and Barret.

John Wick Hex is a turn-based tactical action game that will challenge players to emulate the badass gun-fu style of Keanu Reeves’ iconic character. It features an original story, and unlockable weapons and suits. Coming to consoles, PC, and MacOS via the Epic Games Store.

Artist Ditty Laser Designs creates cool works of art for fans of arcade games. Their Etsy shop offers small laser-etched wood panels featuring imagery from classics like Space Invaders, Dig Dug, and Donkey Kong. They also make a series of fun laser-cut Pokémon cards.

(PG-13: Language) Hitboxes are invisible but defined areas that are often used in video games to detect a collision. They are mostly used in attack animations in fighting games and shooters. The Score esports shares how getting hitboxes wrong can rig or ruin a game.

Microsoft, Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures are giving away four Xbox One X consoles with custom cases based on the kaiju in Godzilla: King of the Monsters – Godzilla, Ghidora, Rodan and Mothra. The giveaway ends on 6/7/19.

The New BittBoy is a retro handheld video game system that lets you play NES, Game Boy and Game Boy Color games (and isn’t loaded up with sketchy pirated ROMs). It loads games from a microSD card, supports save states and has a 2.4″ IPS screen with adjustable brightness. It’s $10 off the original price in The Awesomer Shop.

Not to be confused with The Outer Worlds, Outer Wilds is a first-person adventure-mystery game set in an alien solar system. You will figure out why you and your fellow space crew are stuck not only in the remote location, but on a time loop. Coming to Windows and Xbox One in 2019.

Splitgate is an upcoming free-to-play first-person multiplayer arena shooter in the vein of Halo. Except it has portals, which work exactly like the ones in Portal, adding a world of strategy and frantic fun to the genre. Launches 5/22/19 on Steam.

Jordan Coelho and Josselin Bey assembled a team of 14 Montréal artists to contribute to this collaborative animation, in which each person was asked to imagine a pinball machine using their aesthetic. The result is visual and auditory magic. Also, we really want a PaRappa the Rapper machine now.

Etsy seller PurpleWires takes ordinary coffee tables and makes them extraordinary coffee tables. Choose from tables which light up with rainbow colored animations, or even let you play Tetris or Snake. Our only concern is shipping the furniture all the way from Ukraine.

Valve’s Index headset packs dual 1440×1600 RGB LCD screens with a 120Hz refresh rate, the latter being a first for virtual reality headsets. Its controllers have buttons, thumbsticks, force sensors and finger tracking. It works with two to four base stations for a large play area.

If you love resource management and programming games like Factorio and SpaceChem, keep an eye out for Automachef. Creating robotic kitchens for restaurants using dozens of machines, visual and Assembly code editors and more. Coming to Windows and Switch.

Snakeybus is a casual game best described as a combination of Crazy Taxi and Snake. Drive through the city to pick up passengers, and as you drop off people, your bus grows in length, resulting in some insane crashes if you’re not careful. Coming to Steam 5/10/19.

A Plague Tale: Innocence is a survival game set in 14th century France. You play as two children who are hunted by The Inquisition for mysterious reasons. The kids must escape through areas filled with plague-bearing rats. Coming to Windows, Xbox One and PS4 on 5/15/19.

From the creators of Planet Coaster and Zoo Tycoon comes Planet Zoo. This simulation game puts an emphasis on animal conservation and welfare. It features animals that each have their own personality, a globe-trotting campaign, and an expansive sandbox mode.

ASUS’ latest Zephyrus S gaming laptop weighs just 4.4lb. It’s 42% lighter and 25% thinner than the average 15″ laptop. Its 15.6″ 1080p 144Hz screen can be upgraded to a 240Hz version. It also has a 9th gen Intel Core i7 and an NVIDIA GTX 2060 or 2070 GPU.

Bloodborne: The Board Game is a card-based tactical game for 1 to 4 players. It features all of the enemies and weapons from the video game, and prioritizes skill over randomness or luck. It comes with 4 campaigns, and the Kickstarter edition comes with a bonus campaign.

Retro-Bit’s Tribute64 is a modern take on the Nintendo 64 controller. The third handle is gone, and the D-pad and analog stick have been switched places. It also has dual Z-triggers and a centered Start button. It comes in Nintendo 64 and USB variants.

Build your own Nintendo Game Boy games without writing code. GB Studio is a free, easy-to-use visual editor lets you load in graphics and audio files, create levels and logic, then export it all as a ROM playable on Windows, MacOS, Linux, in a web browser, or even an actual Game Boy.

GAEMS’ flagship portable gaming case is good enough to be used as a primary setup. It has a built-in 24″ 1440p 60Hz monitor, HDMI 1.4 and USB 3.0 inputs and outputs, and two 3.5mm jacks. It can house an Xbox One, PS4 or a micro ATX PC.

Diablo meets 1980’s suburbia and a sweet synthwave soundtrack in Kingdom of Night. This retro action RPG has you slaying demons in your neighborhood. Choose from three specializations, each with three classes. Coming to PC, Xbox One, PS4 and Switch.

The retro console craze continues. The Capcom Home Arcade is a plug-and-play console shaped like the company’s logo. It’s has real Sanwa arcade controls, and comes loaded with 16 true arcade games, including Darkstalkers, Street Fighter II, and Alien vs. Predator.

Antstream is an upcoming streaming subscription service that will let you play fully licensed classic games on Windows, Mac OS, tablets, and the Xbox One. It will have over 400 titles on launch, with thousands more on the way. A smartphone app is also in development.

Designer Andrew Perkins of Fire Road created this kickass new spin on the classic game. Edge Dominoes take a minimalist approach, reducing each tile to an anodized aluminum skeleton with the numbers laser engraved onto the pips.

From the developer behind the Titanfall series and Apex Legends comes Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. It’s an action adventure game where you play as padawan Cal Kestis, one of the few survivors of Episode III’s Order 66. Drops 11/15/19 for Windows, Xbox One and PS4.

The Topo is a 7″ 720p IPS LCD monitor that comes with your choice of a PS4 or Xbox One gamepad mount. It’s a great lightweight choice for console gaming on the go. It has a full size HDMI port, a 3.5mm jack and a microUSB power port.

From the creators of Burnout comes another stupid fun racing game about driving onto oncoming traffic and slamming into your opponents. Dangerous Driving features nine modes in both single and multiplayer. Available for Windows, Xbox One and PS4.

PDP’s Faceoff Deluxe+ controller for the Nintendo Switch has a built-in headset and headphone jack. Aside from listening to in-game audio, it will support voice chat, starting with Fortnite. It also has a swappable faceplate. Drops 05/2019 for $30.

Islanders is a minimalist city-building game for Windows that puts a significant twist on the genre. Instead of micromanaging resources and needs, the game revolves entirely around positioning buildings, which depend on nearby objects and other buildings.