Dive into the Gaming Universe with AIPT's End-of-Year Awards
Infinity Nikki (12/5)
The Nikki games have long been a favorite among mobile gamers, offering a delightful experience of collecting various outfits to dress up and style Nikki. Now, Infinity Nikki takes this beloved series to new heights by bringing it to PC and PS5 with an open-world adventure. Imagine exploring a cozy fantasy world as you embark on a quest to collect outfits, some of which possess magical powers that will enhance your exploration. It's a whole new level of gaming fun!
You'll be immersed in a world of fashion and fantasy, with each outfit adding a touch of uniqueness to Nikki's look. The open-world aspect allows for endless exploration and discovery, making every playthrough a new adventure. Whether you're a fashion enthusiast or a gaming aficionado, Infinity Nikki is sure to captivate your heart.
Stranger Things VR (12/5)
Stranger Things VR made a splash earlier this year on Meta Quest, and now it's making its way to Steam and PS VR2. This time, instead of following the familiar characters like the kids, Joyce, or Hopper, you get to step into the shoes of Vecna, the ruler of the Upside Down. Relive Henry Creel's transformation into Vecna by delving into his memories at Hawkins Lab through a unique hive mind experience.
Not only will you haunt the dreams of characters from the show like Will and Billy, but you'll also gain a deeper understanding of the story and the Upside Down. The immersive nature of VR takes you right into the heart of the Stranger Things universe, making you feel like a true part of the action. It's a must-play for fans of the series and VR enthusiasts alike.
Marvel Rivals (12/6)
It was only a matter of time before a superhero Overwatch clone emerged, and Marvel has stepped up to the plate with Marvel Rivals. This free-to-play third-person hero shooter allows players to take control of their favorite Marvel characters and battle it out in teams of six across three different game modes. The story is filled with multiverse shenanigans as heroes are pulled together to take down Doctor Doom.
Fan favorites like Spider-Man, Black Panther, and Wolverine are joined by deeper cuts like Luna Snow, Jeff the Land Shark, and Cloak and Dagger, creating a diverse roster of characters. Expect explosive battles and destructible environments as you showcase your skills with your favorite heroes. Marvel Rivals is set to be a hit among gamers looking for an action-packed superhero experience.
Also worth wishlisting:
Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp Complete offers a charming and relaxing gaming experience, allowing you to build and customize your own island paradise. Warhammer 40,000: Darktide on PS5 brings the intense world of Warhammer to life, with thrilling combat and strategic gameplay. Dog Man: Mission Impawsible combines the fun of the Dog Man series with interactive gameplay. The Thaumaturge on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S offers a unique and mystical gaming experience. And Entropy Survivors promises intense survival gameplay in a post-apocalyptic world.
Uncover the Secrets of the Antarctic in NEDRA
Arthur's Journey at the Abandoned Soviet Research Station
Players are thrust into the shoes of Arthur as he discovers himself in an abandoned Soviet research station deep in the Antarctic. This station holds a mysterious, otherworldly presence. Arthur is compelled to explore every nook and cranny of the station, delving into its secrets. To achieve this, he must be constantly on guard against the Frostwalkers - chilling creatures that possess an uncanny ability to detect body heat.Navigating the station is no easy feat. Arthur must carefully choose his paths and actions to avoid detection by the Frostwalkers. At times, he finds himself on the brink of hypothermia as he purposefully lowers his body temperature to avoid being spotted. However, the risk of death from the cold is ever-present. But when he needs to regain warmth, he turns to an iodine-alcohol mixture that raises his temperature to normal levels. Yet, this very act makes him visible to the Frostwalkers, adding an extra layer of tension and challenge to his survival.
In this frozen world, Arthur's decisions are crucial. He must constantly balance survival, stealth, and combat. Every move he makes could mean the difference between life and death. The labyrinthine nature of the research station provides both opportunities and obstacles as he uncovers lost history and faces dilemmas where survival is not always the ultimate goal.
Scrounging for Supplies and Ammunition
Surviving in NEDRA requires more than just avoiding the Frostwalkers. Arthur must also engage in the arduous task of scrounging for supplies and ammunition. The research station becomes a maze of hidden caches and forgotten rooms, each holding the potential for a much-needed item.As Arthur navigates this labyrinth, he uncovers not only supplies but also the forgotten history of the station. The stories and artifacts he discovers add depth to the game and make his journey all the more meaningful. However, he must also face the harsh reality that survival is not always guaranteed. In some situations, he may have to make difficult choices between obtaining essential supplies and risking his life.
The need to constantly search for resources forces Arthur to develop a keen sense of observation and resourcefulness. He must learn to make the most of what he finds and adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the Antarctic. Each encounter with the Frostwalkers and each search for supplies becomes a part of his survival story.
Uncover the Urge of a Piss-Fueled Survival Game
Initial Crash and Mysterious Fog
You find yourself pulled from a car crash and immediately confronted with a world suffused with a strange fog. It's not the symbolic fog of repressed trauma; it's more like a stinking haze. Some of this fog erupts from the ground in stinking geysers, while some fills the heads of the mutants that lurk to murder you. These mutants are victims of a strange addiction, and their origins may lie in the industrial areas or the tunnels beneath.The lore of the game seems to justify a fanciful reinterpretation of piss thermodynamics. Piss exists in different forms - as liquid that must be disposed of correctly to avoid adding to the fog, and as powder that dusts storage cases and forms stalactites. And your character must also regularly excrete piss to attend to survival needs.
Dealing with the spread of wee-wee is a challenge. You might need to relieve yourself at times, and if you don't have potable fluids, you can even drink the stuff. Piss can also be transformed into fuel for abandoned vehicles, creating a cycle of fog intensity as you build and craft to minimize spills.
Enemies and the Golden Apocalypse
The more fog there is, the more enemies appear. These enemies range from giant yellow spiders to chainsaw-wielding hazmat-clad dudes and tall, hollow-eyed creatures that resemble urine cakes. Piss meteors and piss lightning add to the surreal atmosphere.Surviving in Urge requires delicacy and discretion. You must carefully manage the spread of piss to avoid bringing about a golden apocalypse. It's a unique survival game that challenges you in ways beyond the ordinary.
From a design standpoint, it offers an interesting take on survival. It makes you think about how your actions can have consequences, not just in terms of survival but also in the world around you. It's a game that invites you to explore and strategize in a way that is both captivating and thought-provoking.
You can read more about Urge on Steam and discover the full extent of this fascinating game.