A bunch of new video games have arrived in Media Services! From childhood classics like Yoshi’s Island DS to modern hits like Spider-Man Miles Morales, there is something for everyone to play. Our department has an array of systems available (except PS5) to loan for in-department use, so not having a system is not a problem!
Elden Ring (PS5)
Top Review → All things considered, Elden Ring is a crowning achievement for FromSoftware but also for gaming. It takes the overused open world formula and flips it with a focus on exploration and freedom. It eliminates those limiting markers and quest objectives which every game since The Witcher 3 has used and that have really dampened the open world formula. For a game all about tradition, with its fantasy aesthetic and kings or rulers, it is amazing that Elden Ring breaks the mold and tradition by making such a compelling and intriguing experience. Once the bugs have been ironed out, there is no doubt in my mind that Elden Ring will be looked upon as one of the best games ever created despite the difficulty. It will be looked upon as a genre defining classic. (Elden Ring. psxextreme.com. 22 April 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4qEC)
The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD (WiiU)
Top Review → Some fondly remembered game designs have aged poorly, but if I didn’t know that The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker came out 10 years ago on GameCube, it would be easy to believe that this HD re-release was a brand-new Wii U game. That’s how well this classic action adventure game holds up. (Here’s our original Wind Waker review from way back in 2003.) Its admirable longevity stems from excellent combat, charming characters, fun side-quests, inventive dungeons, one of the series’ best stories, and a cel-shaded art style that, while divisive, still looks great. For the re-release, Nintendo made very smart decisions about what to update and what to leave alone. (The Legend of Zelda: The WindWaker HD. ign.com. 22 April 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4qED)
Metroid Dread (Switch)
Top Review → Metroid Dread first turned up in 2005 – it even got a name drop in a terminal in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. In many ways, the re-announced, presumably reworked Metroid Dread of 2021 feels like that 2D-ish Metroid game we should have gotten 16 years ago, following two masterpiece Metroid games, Zero Mission and Prime. It’s not often we get to say this about a game that emerges from more than a decade of development purgatory, but the wait has been worth it: The epic delay allows Metroid Dread to use the Switch’s power to greatly improve on what could have been accomplished on previous Nintendo systems, and makes the supposed conclusion to Metroid’s mainline story something of a grand finale. (Metroid Dread Review. ign.com. 22 April 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4qEG)
Untitled Goose Game (PS4)
Top Review → The thing about Untitled Goose game, for me anyway, is the fact it is so original. It is not very often you get a truly original video game idea and if Untitled Goose game is anything, it is certainly that. Everybody who plays gets to live out their fantasy of just being an absolute nuisance. It’s very liberating, a lot of fun and truly unique. (Untitled Goose Game. thedigitalfix.com. 22 April 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4qEJ)
Pokemon Legends: Arceus (Switch)
Top Review → If you’re a fan of Pokémon, then you ought to pick this game up. I often got distracted from the main storyline simply because I was having so much fun discovering, battling, and capturing Pokémon. The Alpha Pokémon especially gave me something to work towards as I strove to fill my party with enormous creatures. I never missed the gyms or standard format of previous Pokémon games. This one stands on its own and provides the modern Pokémon RPG experience we’ve waited too long to play. (Pokemon Legends Arceus Review. imore.com. 22 April 2022, https://go.iu.edu/4qEK)
Check out these other new arrivals too!
- Switch
- Pokemon Brilliant Diamond
- Pokemon Shining Pearl
- Pokemon: Lets Go, Eevee!
- The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD
- The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening
- Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Captain Toad: Treasure Tracker
- Pikmin 3 Deluxe
- 3DS & DS
- Chibi-Robo! Zip Lash
- Yoshi’s New Island
- Barbie in the 12 Dancing Princesses
- Yoshi’s Island DS
- Xbox One / Xbox 360
- Fallout 3
- PS4
- Katamari Damacy Reroll
- Red Dead Redemption 2
- It Takes Two
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- PS5
- Spiderman: Miles Morales
- Elden Ring
Student blogger Kate Naughton is a Media Services student staff member who joined us in 2021. She is studying marketing. Kate is an avid gamer and has undertaken a number of special projects related to Media’s video game collections.
Leave a Reply