Door Kickers: Action Squad
Steam Page
Released: November 17
Developer: PixelShard, KillHouse Games
Publisher: KillHouse Games
Price: $11.99 / £9.29
This is a side-scrolling, pixel art take on the highly regarded tactical shooter Door Kickers. Naturally, it supports both couch and network coop, and boasts more than 20 weapons and “gear items” as well as eight enemy types and two game styles. While the mention of “pixel art” might elicit a groan from some, the art in Action Squad is very much of the detailed, carefully crafted variety. This is a collaboration between the studio responsible for the original Door Kickers – KillHouse Games – and PixelShard. If you’re keen for a less stressful, more whimsical version of that core game, or want to see what’d happen if Rainbow Six games were developed in the early ‘90s (on a beefed up SNES), then this looks worth a (head)shot. It’s an Early Access game, with the whole thing scheduled to wrap up July next year.
Tower 57
Steam Page
Released: November 16
Developer: Pixwerk
Publisher: 11 bit studios
Price: $11.99 / £9.29
Just out of Early Access, Tower 57 is a top-down twin-stick coop shooter with a beautiful (and yes, pixel art) dystopian “dieselpunk” aesthetic. What’s dieselpunk? No bloody idea, but it looks a little bit like steampunk. You can play this alone but the emphasis is on cooperative play, with both couch and online collaboration supported. There are destructible environments, flamethrowers, six different player classes, flamethrowers, and plenty of other weapons too, aside from flamethrowers. Apparently you can replace your limbs if lost mid-battle too. Did I mention there are flamethrowers?
Sparc
Steam Page
Released: November 17
Developer: CCP
Publisher: CCP
Price: $19.99 / £16.99
A VR-only “vSport” which kinda resembles table tennis, in the sense that you’re wielding a shield which you use to propel a ball back to the other player. Seems a bit dull on paper but I had the chance to play this at a preview event a few years ago and, as far as full-body VR competitive experiences go, it’s pretty damn fun. While it’s an online multiplayer title, there are single player “challenges and trials” if you’re still in the honeymoon phase with VR and just want to experience something neat. There’s also a “freeform social area” called Courtside where you can spectate other people’s matches. This supports both Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, and is developed by CCP (EVE Online, EVE Valkyrie).
Pako 2
Steam Page
Released: November 17
Developer: Tree Men Games
Publisher: Tree Men Games
Price: $9.99 / £7.19
A recent graduate of Early Access, this “drive-by-shooting” action game is a sequel to a game you probably haven’t played, but it looks great if you’re after a slick, beefed up version of the ye olde top-down GTA games. You control a car, exploring “vast cities” and aiding an entourage of bank robbers as a getaway driver. But unlike the aforementioned early GTA titles, it’s a twin stick shooter, so from what I gather you’re driving with one stick and shooting with the other. It’s a single-player game but there is a two-player option where one player shoots and the other drives. The game looks really fun and the art style makes it even more appealing.
Divide
Steam Page
Released: November 18
Developer: Exploding Tuba Studios
Publisher: Exploding Tuba Studios
Price: $19.99 / £15.49
Divide is an isometric sci-fi adventure game with a heavy dose of adventuring, but also, a heavy dose of shooting. According to the studio, the combat is deliberately challenging and the player has a choice between taking a careful, tactical approach or going in with guns ablaze. Whatever the case, the most immediately appealing aspect of Divide is its slick, minimalist aesthetic which calls to mind the recent Square Enix Deus Ex games. A controller is essential for this game, by the way.
These games were released between 11/14-11/20. The first page of this list is updated every Sunday and previous weeks are archived on the following pages. Some online stores give us a small cut if you buy something through one of our links. Read our affiliate policy for more info.
