The Five: Sonic Mania And Other Video Games You Need To Play This Week

Keeping track of the latest video games is no easy task. Between PC, consoles, handhelds, and mobile, dozens of new games come out every week, and a lot of them aren’t very good. How do you separate the wheat from the chaff? Thankfully, you don’t have to, because every week in The Five I dig through the mountain of new releases to find the diamonds you may have otherwise missed.

Every edition of The Five will include a Pick of the Week and four other games you should be keeping an eye on. Whether you want to know about the latest triple-A blockbuster, or the hot new thing on Steam, The Five has you covered. So, without further ado…

Pick of the Week

Sonic Mania (Xbox One, PS4 & NS, Aug. 15)

Sonic, he’s really cool, Sonic, he’s got an attitude, Sonic, he’s the fasting thing aliiiive! The spirit of classic Sega Genesis Sonic games returns in Sonic Mania, a new 2D adventure bursting with chili-dog powered 90s ‘tude.  

Sonic Mania isn’t the work of Sonic Team, which, at this point, is probably a good thing. Instead, it’s being crafted by some of the series’ biggest fans, including Christian Whitehead, who has worked on well-received remakes and ports of games like Sonic CD and Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Sonic Mania is basically what Sonic the Hedgehog 4 would have been if 3D gaming had never happened, and it looks like whole lot of fast and furious fun. If you’re at all nostalgic for the days when “Sonic was still good,” you need to give this one a try.

This Week on PC

StarCraft: Remastered (PC & Mac, Aug. 14)

Hey, speaking of nostalgia, Blizzard’s classic StarCraft is also making a comeback this week! StarCraft: Remastered features all the content from the original game and the Brood War expansion with spiffy new 4K visuals, remastered sound, and leaderboards and other new online features. Like all Blizzard games StarCraft: Remastered isn’t available on Steam – you can grab it right here.

This Week at Retail

Agents of Mayhem (PC, Xbox One & PS4, Aug. 15)

Agents of Mayhem is the latest over-the-top open-world action game from the madmen responsible for Saints Row. Agents of Mayhem lets you tackle its challenges your way, choosing three super-powered Agents (from a total of 12) for each mission. There’s no “right” team for any mission, and explosive improvisation is definitely encouraged. This one looks like a lot of big, bold fun.

This Week on PlayStation Store

Matterfall (PS4, Aug. 15)

Matterfall is the latest thumb-spraining actionfest from Housemarque, makers of games like Super Stardust, Resogun, and Alienation. Unlike a lot of Housemarque games, which are typically overhead shooters, Matterfall is a side-scroller with plenty of challenging platforming mixed in with the regular gunplay. This one won’t be for the weak of heart!

This Week on Steam and PlayStation Store

Nidhogg 2 (PC, Mac & PS4, Aug. 15)

2014 indie breakout hit Nidhogg returns with a rather odd makeover. Like its predecessor, Nidhogg 2 is a quirky 2D fighting game where you have to battle past your opponent using a fencing sword – first to reach the edge of the stage, wins. Nidhogg 2 adds new weapons and stages, and a strange, rather grotesque new art style that’s vastly different than the previous game’s simple, stylized look. Check out Nidhogg 2 on Steam.

Between Sonic Mania and StarCraft: Remastered, this is a big week for the 90s kids out there. And hey, if you prefer something a little more modern, Agents of Mayhem and Matterfall also look great!