We might be past the halfway mark of 2024, but the gaming industry still has plenty of surprises left in store. From the upcoming Star Wars Outlaws to Black Wukong, Silent Hill, to Assassin's Creed game, the momentum is set to continue right to the end of 2024.
This week's recap of games offers a wide selection of genres, including recent releases and hands-on previews. From Marvel's upcoming superhero shooting sensation to puzzle games that blend cosy with concentration, there's plenty to play or get excited about.
Marvel Rivals
Every so often, new online multiplayer gamers emerge from the woodwork to challenge the industry staples. These newbies enjoy a brief moment in the sun before fading into obscurity, with players eventually returning to the originals like Call of Duty, Valorant, and Overwatch 2. It takes a brave developer to create enough interest and "buzz" for players to consider switching titles.
Marvel Rivals is an upcoming 3rd person hero shooter that could be set to shake up the genre in a huge way. Drawing on the entire back catalogue of Marvel, it is as fast-paced, diverse and chaotic as any superhero film or TV show can be – but puts you directly in control of the action.
Though still in development, I received a coveted key for the closed beta phase of the game and was treated to testing it out. Though I'm sure there are many new bells and whistles scheduled for the official release, the game as it currently stands was pretty special.
As a hero shooter, Marvel Rival's biggest strength is the list of playable characters. Each one of the current 24 characters has unique abilities and playstyles that set them apart from each other in a very striking way. And in truth the learning curve can be steep as you realise nothing really translates between picks. But that's where the genuine fun is had in the game, as you try your best to master them.
Characters fall into three core categories that shooting fans will be overly familiar with. There is the tank role, Vanguards, which sees behemoths like Hulk or Venom soak damage and distract enemies. There are also Duellists, like Spider-Man, Scarlet Witch, and Storm, who are damage dealers but with unique crowd control and buffing abilities that aim to cause as much frustration as possible.
And then you have the unsung heroes of the genre—the supports. From Rocket Racoon to Mantis and Loki, their job is to heal, block damage, and ultimately survive the utter carnage that befalls each battlefield. From the offset, virtually every franchise in Marvel's endless vaults has been included.
Games are 6vs6, where comic-book-style graphics, cinematic openers, and great voice-casting all blend into one. Some of the roster can fly, while others can turn invisible or jump entire building blocks – as such, you'll constantly scan your screen in all directions for potential threats. Playing on PC with a controller, I felt the game was still easy to manoeuvre and navigate. But when everyone is gathered, firing off ultimate abilities in God knows what direction, your screen can become incredibly…busy, to say the least.
As enjoyable as Marvel Rivals is, it will have to overcome some obstacles to attract a core audience. It needs to set itself apart from its competition and do something people will remember it for. The modes thus far, like escort quests and King of the Hill maps, reminded me so much of Overwatch that it was hard to shake the feeling I was playing a reskinned version of that game.
Balance is also going to seem like an impossible feat, too. Characters are so unique and diverse that even the slightest tweak or a new character could bring complete hysteria to the game with every update. During the Beta, there were already 'must-pick' characters people were eager to play to maximise their chances of winning.
But that's what beta phases are all about—time for developers to take on feedback and improve the final product. While no official release date has been announced, I suspect there'll be more beta phases for any player to try the game out in the coming weeks and months. If you have the opportunity, jump on the chance!
Overall, Marvel Rivals is a game of immense promise. A diverse roster from the entire Marvel cookbook means there'll be no shortage of content in the future. Slick gameplay and faithful character designs mean fans of any Marvel franchise will revel in this upcoming free-to-play title. It should shake up the shooter genre and the competitive scene as only a superhero (or villain) can.
Marvel Rivals will become available to play on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. A release date is pending.
Schim
While Marvel Rivals strives to step into its own spotlight, Schim is a game that wants to stay in the shadows – literally. It's an indie puzzler in which you play as an adorable little shadow blob who must avoid the light at all costs, travelling only through other nearby shadows.
As a puzzle game, Schim will see you swim through levels, looking at virtually every object you find and considering whether it's your gateway to the next part of the game. All the while, objects and people you cling to can be interacted with, adding the perfect opportunity for adding a bit of mischief to people's days.
Levels slowly grow in complexity, including moving people, animals, or vehicles. You need to manipulate these, for example, flicking traffic lights to divert traffic or disturbing a person so you can follow them and walk away. All the while, you'll try your best to avoid spending too long in the light, or you'll disappear back to a nearby checkpoint.
Artistically, the game achieves so much with very little. And it has its own little charm and atmosphere from the get-go. The muted colour palette makes the game relaxing to explore. Simple town scenes are transformed into something akin to an interactive storybook. Night-time levels are a beautiful neon blue, where flickering street lights and car headlights act as beautiful obstacles to slither around.
Despite being a puzzler, Schim's story will surprise you. As any good shadow, you spend the early years of your life following your owner (a little boy) about his days at school. And as he grows up, you're right by his side, witnessing everything from his time at colleges to budding romances and jobs. But when life turns dark, the boy (now a man) is separated from his shadow. As he disappears from view, it's up to you to reunite with your owner, one shadow at a time.
Overall, Schim is a nice blend of puzzler and cosy gaming. The game is not particularly difficult to complete, which can be a blessing or curse, depending on what you want out of a puzzle game. But its rich artwork, subtle storytelling, and unique shadow-jumping mechanic make this quite a standout experience.
Schim is available to play on PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch and PC.
AFK: Journey
AFK: Journey is a gorgeous blend of auto-battling, chess, and fantasy role-playing. Released earlier this summer, it feels like the perfect title to play on your morning commute, as it's made for playing in small bursts.
Set in the world of Esperia, you play as the legendary mage Merlin. Suffering from a bit of amnesia, you journey around the lands with your hamster familiars, collecting new allies, gradually recollecting your memories, and trying to unravel the problems of the world.
Combat is strategy-focused, where you place five unlocked characters around a map to duel enemies in 90-second bouts. The game performs the moves and actions automatically for you—the true skill is picking the right heroes and setting them in the correct location.
As such, AFK Journey delivers on its name. You can quite literally be away from the keyboard or smartphone, and the game takes care of the more tedious tasks. Even throughout its lengthy story campaigns, auto walking simplifies everything. And with brand new story chapters releasing periodically, there's plenty of content lying for you to complete.
There is just one caveat, though. As a free-to-play game, AFK: Journey has abundant microtransactions scattered throughout. Some offer luck-based rewards, which have sadly become the norm in many games in recent times, not just on mobile.
That said, the game is quite generous in its initial rewards, so much so that you can unlock virtually all of the characters and content in the game simply by playing it. So put the wallet away, spend time mastering its expansive strategies, and enjoy the whimsical story of this charming game.
AFK: Journey is available to play on PC, Android and iOS devices.
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