Believe it or not, we play a lot of games here at Game Informer, but it isn’t always easy getting our hands on everything, let alone finishing them and writing a proper review. We’re always looking for more ways to point readers towards the most interesting games available – especially those that could easily slip through the cracks – so we’ve created Spotlight to highlight the cool games we’ve been dabbling with recently that we believe may be worth your time. We love chatting with each other about the games we check out each day, and we want to add you to the conversation. Here is a selection of noteworthy titles some of the editors have been sampling and want to shout out.
Bionic Bay
Platforms: PS5, PC – Release: April 17
Bionic Bay’s surreal and oppressive atmosphere has drawn flattering parallels to Limbo. But this adventure carves its own success thanks to its satisfying physics-based platforming. You control a scientist who, after an experiment goes horribly awry, must now survive an alien biomechanical world.
The platforming feels great and deceptively precise despite how floaty the scientist feels, and tricky obstacles made every edge-of-my-seat jump feel achieved by the skin of my teeth. A special gadget that lets you switch places with certain objects is a simple mechanic used in increasingly clever ways, such as stacking boxes to reach high perches, using objects as protective cover, or creating a midair platform path. Each zone also presents a different platforming mechanic to keep the adventure fresh, such as lasers that bounce the scientist around like a pinball, a time-slowing power, or constantly shifting gravity. Each mechanical twist changes how you explore this strange world in cool and thoughtful ways.
Death often comes swiftly and unexpectedly – expect to be crushed, sliced to bits, and melted often before you realize what happened. Thankfully, quick and generous respawns remove the annoyance of what is often an exercise in trial-and-error. I’m having a great time throwing myself, and the scientist, at Bionic Bay again and again. – Marcus Stewart
Monaco 2
Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC – Release: April 10
Over a decade has passed Pocketwatch Games’ original release of Monaco. The sequel happily maintains much of the charm and arcade sensibility of the original, but with a new and less retro art style that capitalizes on the heist-caper vibes.
Players control one member in a team of thieves, infiltrating heavily protected hotels, yacht clubs, and other bastions of the well-to-do, and relieving them of their most valuable possessions. Gameplay is straightforward and approachable, focused on the tension between careful sneaking stealth moments that invariably devolve into mad dashes for the getaway van, all while navigating an isometric camera view that makes it feel like you’re moving through a building blueprint. Each character has different abilities and upgrades, and additional pick-ups in the level allow for extra shenanigans with the guards (think smoke bombs and disguises).
The real win here is the ability to play and enjoy the game either solo or with up to three friends. Having the game playable in both online and couch co-op is a big win. A family or friend group looking for a simple, fun caper could happily wile away several evenings with this crew. – Matt Miller
Sonic Rumble
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android – Release: May 8
In late 2020, while I was still largely staying home, I spent many nights playing Fall Guys with friends. The frantic battle-royale-meets-gameshow format hooked me with its approachable gameplay, zany competitions, and colorful visuals. If you follow me or my writing at all, you also know that I’m a pretty big fan of the Sonic the Hedgehog franchise. Sonic Rumble looks to combine those two interests with a round-based elimination-style game starring Sega’s mascot and his friends.
Though the game isn’t out yet, I’ve had a chance to play several rounds through 32-player rounds and have found it to be quite fun. Though most of the stages don’t truly capitalize on the speed the franchise is known for, instead emphasizing careful platforming, ring collection, or avoiding obstacles, Sonic Rumble aptly leverages the IP through the use of myriad collectible character skins, challenges involving iconic enemies from Sonic’s past, and familiar music.
The game is in its third pre-season, offering premium battle passes and purchaseable currency, which could be cause for concern. However, to this point, I’ve found the distribution of skins, icons, emotes, and other cosmetic rewards well-paced. I still need to play more to fully crystallize my thoughts on Sonic Rumble, but to this point, it’s letting me scratch that Fall Guys itch while competing as and against some of my favorite characters in gaming. — Brian Shea
Star Overdrive
Platforms: Switch, PC – Release: April 10 (Switch), June 19 (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC)
I first became aware of Star Overdrive thanks to a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase in August last year. The adrenaline-fueled game trailers don’t quite nail the tone of the actual game. Instead of what I assumed would be open-world SSX with melee combat, what I found once I fired Star Overdrive up this week was something more approximating Breath of the Wild, but with much faster-paced traversal.
Don’t get me wrong: the hoverboard traversal is a massive component of the game, and as you go through the world, you encounter all kinds of challenges involving time trials and navigating, but the exploration and puzzle-solving are more methodical than I anticipated. As someone who considers Breath of the Wild his favorite game of all time, I’m happy to see more games use that format in new and unique ways. You even unlock abilities similar to Link’s in Breath of the Wild, including one that allows you to use magnets to lift giant objects to help with platforming.
That said, don’t go into Star Overdrive with the expectation that it carries the greatness of Breath of the Wild. The combat feels far shallower and more finicky than in Nintendo’s beloved adventure, and the exploration hasn’t been as rewarding so far. Despite how good the hoverboard typically feels in action, I have several frustrations with the camera and occasional problems with how the hoverboard controls, and the performance dips on the Switch quite frequently. Still, I’m excited to continue my journey across this barren planet and discover the mysteries it hides. If you want to check it out for yourself, the studio put a demo on the Switch eShop. — Brian Shea
