There were a ton of interesting games big and small at PAX West 2023, but as someone who’s always on the hunt for more fast-paced thrills, I felt spoiled for choice after sampling a huge swatch of action-heavy games at the show. From roguelikes to first-person shooters, there’s a little bit of everything on the horizon; if you’re looking for your next high-energy experience, we’ve put together a list of 9 action-rich games you may want to keep an eye out for.
Original (5/25): Atari today announced Days of Doom the next entry in its lineup of original games. Switch will be getting it by the end of 2023.
Days of Doom, developed by SneakyBox, is a tactical turn-based roguelite that takes place in an unorthodox post-apocalyptic world. It features “quirky characters, unexpected enemies, and intense, engaging combat set against a vibrant and eerie backdrop.”
The team behind Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night has provided an update on the game, including future updates, DLC, and another sales milestone.
First up, while work continues on remaining content, the release has been delayed. This was attributed to technical difficulties as well as the coronavirus pandemic. WayForward is developing the game’s upcoming modes that support online play, and footage was shown in an update video today. Chaos Mode and Vs. Mode are planned for the future. Additionally, more information will follow on September 14.
For the next Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl 2 spotlight, we have a closer look at another Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles rep – that being Donatello.
Donatello uses his bow staff, which gives him some of the longest ranged attacks in the game. He’s a good choice for those looking to play at a distance or outsmart their opponents. On the other hand, he’s one of the slower characters. Donatello has a couple of signature moves, including his side special smoke bomb and electric grenade.
System: Switch
Release date: September 8, 2023
Developer: Phoenix Labs
Publisher: Phoenix Labs
The farming/life sim genre has exploded in recent years, and with an abundance of high quality titles now available on Switch, it is becoming increasingly difficult for new entrants to stand out from the crowd. Fae Farm, which comes from Phoenix Labs, is the latest to have gathered some attention prior to its launch thanks to its magic-focused premise, RPG elements, and quality-of-life features that make the pains of the genre more bearable and accessible. While Fae Farm takes several steps in the right direction towards this end, there are some design choices that make the overall experience less magical than it could have been.
Original (6/5): Today, publisher SayGames and developer Estoty announced that a Switch version of My Little Universe is in development. We should be seeing it later in 2023.
My Little Universe is a cozy worldbuilding sandbox adventure and god simulator in which players take a sterile promontory and turn it into a blooming planet with digging, crafting, mining, and building. Additional details are included in the following overview:
Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet are now offering another distribution, this time for the Pokemon: Paldean Winds animated web series that kicked off earlier today.
The Cetitan here comes in at level 50 with the Thick Fat / Slush Rush Ability. It also has the moves Body Slam, Amnesia, Ice Spinner, and Double-Edge. The distribution does not include a held item.
Yet another crossover has landed in Brawlhalla, with the game teaming up with Bandai Namco’s fighting franchise Tekken.
Devil Jin, Nina Williams, and Yoshimitsu are here. They mirror the abilities of Zariel, Lucien, and Jiro respectively. Signature FX, lock-in animations, and dedicated roster spots are a part of the collaboration.
These characters aren’t all there is though. Also available is a new Buddy Emote – Tekken Arcade Cabinet, a KO Effect featuring Panda, six Avatars, and five Emoji Skins featuring more characters like Heihachi Mishima, King, and Ling Xiaoyu.
Today, Outright Games announced a brand new game set in the world of the recently released animated feature film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. It will be available in 2024 – presumably on Switch given that everything the publisher puts out comes to the platform.
Here’s what we know thus far:
The first episode has come out for the Pokemon: Paldean Winds animated web series. This ties in with the previously-released Pokemon Scarlet and Pokemon Violet on Switch.
For those that missed out on the original announcement, the show follows academy students Ohara, Aliquis, and Hohma as they go on a journey of growth and learning. Before the arrival of a certain transfer student, three students at an academy in Paldea are tasked with making a video showcasing their school. The first episode shows Ohara, who is a skilled flutist, but she’s feeling under pressure due to an upcoming concert. She’s also trying to help with the video, but it just isn’t going right so she runs away to Glaseado Mountain, under the pretext of doing the academy’s Treasure Hunt activity.
