It’s bound to show up on some best-of-2018 lists

In case you missed it, someone had the brilliant idea to mix pinball-style platforming with the metroidvania format and the end result,Yoku’s Island Express, is a wonderful, lovingly-crafted game. I don’t know anyone who’s played it who isn’t over the moon about it, butYokuis being overlooked.

I have a feeling we’re going to see that name referenced a lot during end-of-the-year recaps (and winter break is such a great opportunity to take your time with this type of game), but I figured a quick mention now couldn’t hurt. If you’ve wrapped upHollow Knightand you need a fairly quick metroidvania fix, seriously look intoYoku— it’s on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PC, and Xbox One. Better yet, the latter two platformshavedemosavailable. You can hit the credits over a weekend. Easy peasy.

A spider boss in Yoku’s Island Express

Developer Villa Gorilla recently released asubstantial updatewith fixes and welcome map improvements to help you track down your final collectibles, so it’s an extra good time to play.

After that? Well, August isn’t exactly hurting for new metroidvanias. It all kicks off with the long-awaitedChasmon July 31,Dead Cellsleaves Steam Early Access on August 7,Death’s Gambitshows its moves on August 14, andGuacamelee 2finishes the combo on August 21. Then we sleep.

Promotional art for Warframe`s Duviri Paradox, which shows Dominus Thrax and the cast of the expansion.

Naoe, Sorin, and Jinchiro looking serious

Sekiro

Article image

GTA V

State of Decay

Article image

Article image

Oraxia, a spider-inspired Warframe with multiple legs. Webs appear on the background.