Category: Video Games

The Game Awards 2024 Nominees

- Elena Leave a comment

The Game Awards is an annual awards ceremony hosted by game journalist Geoff Keighley, honoring the year’s achievements in the video game industry. In addition to the celebrated Game of the Year award, awards span a wide variety of genres, technical and accessibility achievements, and esports. The following games have been nominated for this year’s awards and are available at Davenport Public Library. (Descriptions below provided by publishers.)

Metaphor: Refantazio – Game of the Year, Best RPG

From the creative minds behind Persona 3, 4, and 5 comes Metaphor: ReFantazio. Enter a unique fantasy world where your protagonist will journey alongside his fairy companion, Gallica, to lift the curse from the kingdom’s lost prince… Control your destiny, face your fears and awaken magical ‘Archetype’ powers that lie dormant in your heart. By awakening to an ‘Archetype’, you will unlock the power to channel and combine the abilities of unique job classes. Strengthen your bonds and build your party to take down powerful foes and discover the kingdom’s true nature.

Available on: PS5, Coming Soon to: Xbox Series X|S

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth – Best RPG

Two larger-than-life heroes brought together by the hand of fate, or perhaps something more sinister… Ichiban Kasuga, an unstoppable underdog who’s no stranger to crawling up from rock bottom, and Kazuma Kiryu, a broken man facing down his last days, explore Japan and Hawaii in an RPG adventure so big it spans the Pacific.

Available on: PS4 and Xbox Series X|S

Stellar Blade – Best Action Game

The future of humanity rests on a knife’s edge. Earth has been abandoned and is now home to strange and powerful creatures. The only remnant of humanity has fled to a colony in outer space. After traveling from the colony, EVE embarks on a mission on the scarred planet: to save humanity and reclaim Earth from the Nova sapiens – the evil beings who devastated the world. But as EVE confronts Nova sapiens one by one among the ruins and remnants of human civilization and begins to piece together the truth of what happened, she realizes that her mission is anything but simple. In fact, nothing is what it seems.

Available on: PS5

Star Wars: Outlaws – Best Action/Adventure Game

The Galaxy is full of opportunity. Experience the first-ever open world Star Wars™ action-adventure game and explore distinct locations across the galaxy, both iconic and new. Risk it all as scoundrel Kay Vess, seeking freedom and the means to start a new life. Fight, steal, and outwit your way through the galaxy’s crime syndicates as you join the galaxy’s most wanted.

Available on: Xbox Series X|S, Coming Soon to: PS5

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown – Best Action/Adventure Game

Dash into a stylish and thrilling action-adventure platformer set in a mythological Persian world where the boundaries of time and space are yours to manipulate. Play as Sargon and evolve from sword-wielding prodigy to extraordinary legend as you master acrobatic combat and unlock new Time Powers and unique super abilities.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Helldivers 2 – Best Action Game, Best Multiplayer

Fight for freedom across a hostile galaxy in this frenetic third-person co-operative team shooter. Do you believe in freedom? Can you stand in the face of oppression – and defend the defenseless? Wage war for peace. Die for democracy. Join forces with up to three friends and wreak havoc on an alien scourge threatening the safety of your home planet, Super Earth.

Available on: PS5

Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 – Best Action Game, Best Multiplayer

Your Craft is Death. Embody the superhuman skill and brutality of a Space Marine, the greatest of the Emperor’s warriors. Hold at bay the horrors of the galaxy in epic battles on far-flung planets with your deadly abilities and devastating weaponry. Uncover dark secrets to drive back the everlasting night and prove your ultimate loyalty to humanity. Crush the Tyranid swarms. Defend humanity.

Available on: PS5, Coming Soon to: Xbox Series X|S

Tekken 8 – Best Fighting, Best Multiplayer

Fist Meets Fate in Tekken 8. Holding a record for the longest-running video game storyline, the Tekken series begins a new chapter as Tekken 8 continues the tragic saga of the Mishima and Kazama bloodlines, and their world-shaking father-and-son grudge matches starting from 6 months after the closure of the last match. The story of Jin Kazama’s growth and determination marks a new chapter in the timeless saga.

Available on: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Pacific Drive – Best Debut Indie

Take a ride through a surreal and wild Pacific Northwest. Pacific Drive is a run-based, first-person driving survival game. Your car is your only companion as you navigate a surreal and anomaly-filled reimagining of the Pacific Northwest. Structured as a “road-lite”, each excursion into the wilderness brings unique and strange challenges, as you restore and upgrade your car from an abandoned garage that acts as your home base. With the car as your lifeline, you’ll unravel a long-forgotten mystery as you make your way to the heart of the Olympic Exclusion Zone.

Available on: PS5

Unicorn Overlord – Best Sim / Strategy

From the masterminds that brought 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim and Odin Sphere, ATLUS x Vanillaware presents the rebirth of tactical fantasy RPG. Fight against fate and embark on a royal adventure to regain your reign alongside trustworthy allies. Unicorn Overlord combines the timeless tactical RPG genre with overworld exploration and innovative battle system for a unique epic fantasy experience in the iconic Vanillaware style.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom – Best Action/Adventure Game, Best Family

Save Hyrule—this time with Princess Zelda! After Princess Zelda was captured by Ganon, the swordsman Link stormed in to rescue her. After a fierce battle, Link appeared to defeat the villain, but was suddenly dragged down into a mysterious rift in the ground and disappeared. These strange rifts began to appear all over Hyrule, swallowing up others, including the King and his advisors. Left alone, it’s now up to Princess Zelda to save her kingdom in a brand-new adventure in the Legend of Zelda series!

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Super Mario Party Jamboree – Best Family, Best Multiplayer

Join the jumbo jamboree! The Mario Party series is back and more jam-packed than ever! With over 110 minigames, new online and offline modes, and plenty of customization choices, there’s something for every kind of partygoer! Get in the groove with 3 motion modes! Cook to the beat! Flap to fly! Roll to the goal! It’s Bowser vs. the world in 2 online modes!: Koopathlon; Bowser Kaboom Squad.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Princess Peach: Showtime – Best Family

Take the stage as Peach! Help Peach save the Sparkle Theater from the wicked Grape and the Sour Bunch, who have set the stage for the ultimate tragedy. Joined by Stella, the theater’s guardian, Peach is ready to save the day! Power up with transformations and use showstopping abilities to call curtains on this tragedy. What transformations are hiding just behind the curtain?

Available on: Nintendo Switch

TopSpin 2k25 – Best Sports / Racing

Play tennis as or against today’s up and coming tennis stars as well as iconic players in Grand Slam competitions and international arenas, and choose to study at TopSpin Academy with court master John McEnroe.

Available on: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

WWE 2k24 – Best Sports / Racing

Experience a gripping retelling of WrestleMania’s greatest moments in 2K Showcase of the Immortals in WWE 2K24, where you can relive a collection of some of the most unforgettable, career-defining matches.

Available on: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

 

Have a favorite among these games? Cast your vote on The Game Awards website until December 11th at 6:00p CST. Tune in on December 12th at 6:30p CST to watch the Game Awards ceremony on major social and gaming platforms.

New Horror Video Games

- Elena Leave a comment

Spooky season is upon us! Check out these new horror video games available at Davenport Public Library. (Descriptions below provided by publisher.)

The Last of Us Part II Remastered: Five years after their dangerous journey across the post-pandemic United States, Ellie and Joel have settled down in Jackson, Wyoming. Living amongst a thriving community of survivors has allowed them peace and stability, despite the constant threat of the infected and other, more desperate survivors. When a violent event disrupts that peace, Ellie embarks on a relentless journey to carry out justice and find closure.

Available on: PS5

 

Alone in the Dark: Deep in the 1920’s south, Emily Hartwood’s uncle has gone missing. Together with private investigator Edward Carnby, she embarks on a journey to Derceto Manor, a home for the mentally ill where something is lurking. You’ll encounter strange residents, nightmarish realms, dangerous monsters and ultimately uncover a plot of rising evil. At the intersection of reality, mystery, and insanity, an adventure waits that will challenge your core beliefs.

Available on: PS5

 

Lies of P: You are awakened by a mysterious voice that guides you through the plagued city of Krat – a once lively place that has been poisoned by madness and bloodlust. In our soulslike, you must adapt yourself and your weapons to face untold horrors, untangle the unfathomable secrets of the city’s elites, and choose whether to confront predicaments with the truth or weave lies to overcome them on the journey to find yourself.

Available on: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

 

Doki Doki Literature Club Plus!: A terrifying world of romance and poetry awaits! Write poems for your favorite club member and erase any mistakes you make along the way to ensure your perfect ending. Now’s your chance to discover why Doki Doki Literature Club is one of the most beloved psychological horror games of the decade!

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch

National Video Games Day

- Elena Leave a comment

September 12th is National Video Games Day. Celebrate by checking out these new video games at Davenport Public Library.

Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator: If you enjoy cozy life simulator games, this one is for you! In Garden Life: A Cozy Simulator, you are in charge of restoring an abandoned community garden to its former glory. In story mode, complete tasks given by neighbors to unlock garden sections, as well as tools, seeds, and ornaments. Or instantly unlock all seeds and decorations in creative mode, and let your imagination go wild.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Dragon’s Dogma 2: In this action RPG, you play as the Arisen, the chosen one destined to slay the Dragon. With a single save file, your choices are important– and permanent. This title offers deeply immersive mechanics, including limited fast travel and campsites, rest-dependent health bars, and interconnected side quests. Explore a deeply detailed map where new discoveries and dangers wait around every corner.

Available on: PS5 and Xbox Series X|S

Sea of Stars: This award-winning indie title invokes nostalgia with retro pixel art, a clever turn-based combat system, and a stunning soundtrack. Play as Valere or Zale, Solstice Warriors who use Eclipse Magic to fight monstrous creations made by the evil Fleshmancer. On your journey to defeat the Fleshmancer, explore the intricately designed map, solve unique puzzles, play a slots-based board game called Wheels, and more.

Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch

Opus: Echo of Starsong: The latest installment in the Opus series, Echo of Starsong is a breathtaking visual novel that incorporates narrative-driven gameplay with audio puzzles and light resource management. Jun, exiled by his clan, searches for asteroids known as “starsongs” to redeem himself. Eda is a witch who can hear the sounds of these asteroids. Join them as they venture into space on an unforgettable journey.

Available on: Nintendo Switch

Ultros: Ultros combines a sprawling metroidvania-style map with the intensive combat and looped gameplay of a rogue-like. You awaken stranded on The Sarcophagus, an eternally looping black hole containing the ancient demon ULTROS. Explore the map to discover secrets hidden in the psychedelic storyscape, with each loop bringing you closer to the truth of this strange world.

Available on: PS5

During the month of September, look for the “National Video Games Day” displays at all three branches. Or check out our Video Games LibGuide for more video game suggestions!

Replay, Renew, Repeat: The Dragon Age Series

- Elena Leave a comment

Excited for the release of Dragon Age: The Veilguard this fall? Now is the perfect time to replay the rest of the series, available at Davenport Public Library. (Descriptions below provided by publisher.)

Dragon Age: Origins

You are the Grey Warden. With the return of an ancient foe, the kingdom is engulfed in civil war and you have been chosen to unite the shattered lands and slay the archdemon.

Available on: PS3 and Xbox 360

 

Dragon Age II

Embark on an all-new adventure in the Dragon Age saga. You are Hawke, one of the few to survive the destruction of your homeland. Now, forced to fight for survival, you must gather the deadliest of allies, amass fame and fortune, and seal your place in history.

Available on: PS3 and Xbox 360

 

Dragon Age: Inquisition

Recruit legendary warriors to fight by your side as you hunt down agents of chaos and lead the Inquisition. A blast rips a hole in the sky, unleashing an army of demons from the mysterious realm known as the Fade. As the blast’s sole survivor, only you and your team can bring the world back from the brink of destruction.

Available on: PS4

My Next Life as a Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom! : Pirates of the Disturbance

- Elena Leave a comment

Originally a light novel series, My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom! (or Hamefura, for short) has been adapted multiple times, receiving a manga, an anime, and now… a visual novel game! My Next Life as a Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom! : Pirates of the Disturbance is a non-canon addition to the series, set after season one of the anime.

You play as protagonist Catarina Claes, a Japanese highschooler reincarnated into the game Fortune Lover. As the game’s villainess, Catarina was doomed to an ending of exile or death! Somehow, she managed to befriend the main characters, survive the game’s ending, and make it to spring break. Pirates of the Disturbance finds her spending spring break on a luxury ship voyage with her adoptive brother Keith. After boarding the ship, she finds that all of the main characters are onboard. When the ship is attacked by pirates who hold the passengers hostage, Catarina recalls the plot of a Fortune Lover fan book and realizes she’s on her way to yet another bad end!

The game is made up of one common route and six romance routes, for a grand total of 25 endings. The six romance routes include four existing love interests (Geordo, Keith, Alan, and Nicol), as well as two new additions (Rozy and Silva). The routes share an overarching storyline, with each one revealing different plot details. For the best story experience, the developers recommend the following order: Geordo → Keith → Alan → Nicol → Rozy → Silva. The common route’s friendship ending unlocks after the first playthrough and can be played at any point in this order.

The Council of Catarinas (game screenshot)

While familiarity with the original series is helpful, the game does a great job of introducing the setting and characters for new players. The writers preserved the humor and charm that made the series popular, including fan-favorite comedic gags like the Council of Catarinas. For completionists like me, the 100 save slots and visible character affinity levels makes it easy to reach the different endings. Completing all 25 endings takes around 40-45 hours, but the visual novel style is great for playing at your own pace. Pirates of Disturbance does have its flaws (the English translation is awkward in places) but overall, it is an enjoyable and light-hearted game, perfect for both long-time fans and newcomers.

My Next Life as a Villainess All Routes Lead to Doom! : Pirates of the Disturbance is available on Nintendo Switch.

Love Your Library During a Reading Slump

- Callen Leave a comment

If you just can’t read a book right now, don’t feel bad! You’re not a worse person because you can’t get yourself to read anything more than a cereal box or social media post. Whether you’re busy with schoolwork, family obligations, or just plain burnt out, you can still love and support your library and be part of our bookish lifestyle without picking up a single book.

Tip #1: Do something cool! Try the TechKnow library (featuring a digital camera, a mobile scanner, Snapchat spectacles, and MUCH more), our collection of board games (from Scrabble to Super Mario Checkers), or a community experience pass to a local museum like the Figge.

Tip #2: Go multimedia! Save some serious money by checking out a new movie (like Till or the new season of You), music CD (maybe Charlie Puth’s latest?), or video game (including PS5 games like Dying Light 2) so you can try before you buy.

Tip #3: Read without reading! Skim a heartwarming graphic novel like Moonstruck, or listen to a book on playaway or CD (pro tip: pick a short one like The Poet X, a 3.5 hour listen) for a quick lit fix. (Disclaimer: these are definitely real books and count as real reading, but since they may be easier than traditional print, I’m including them.)

Tip #4: Just show up! Come exist in our spaces – read magazines and enjoy the view at Eastern, warm up at Fairmount’s fireplace, or schedule a Makerspace tour at Main.

Tip #5: Be social with it! Engage on social media from home — repost our news and events, browse databases and digital resources, and check out challenges in the Beanstack website or app.

However you engage with the library, we appreciate you and we want to hear from you! What’s your favorite way to ride out a reading slump – or your favorite way to love the library?

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games for Nintendo Switch

- Callen Leave a comment

It’s no secret I’m largely a fitness gamer – my most-played games for 2021 were Just Dance 2021, Fitness Boxing 2, and RingFit Adventure. Recently I realized that I’ve been neglecting a very fun and relatively active game that also acts as a somewhat ironic time capsule: Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. The actual games were postponed to 2021, though still held in Tokyo, but luckily Mario, Sonic, and friends had no such restrictions.

Reminding me most of the Wii Sports suite that was popular when I was younger, Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games features a variety of Olympic events, including sprints, long jump, discus throwing, archery, canoeing, swimming, boxing, and many more. Using physical activity to simulate the actual athletics is one way to play (and the way I chose) but there’s flexibility built in so that controller buttons can also be used.

I loved that this game was active but not as strenuous as others, and it has a lot of flexibility. It would make a great party game or group activity since it takes pretty much an equal mix of skill and luck to do well. Longtime gamers might enjoy the 1964 Olympics mode or the story mode that makes it a more cohesive experience. But I advise anyone who’s looking for a lively gaming experience with old friends Mario and Sonic to give this game a try – especially if the cold of winter makes you long for summer sports!

Did You Know It Was a Book First? The Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski

- Callen Leave a comment

I love comparing books to their TV or movie adaptations – ask me about The Devil Wears Prada sometime. Right now, as the new season of The Witcher launches on Netflix, I’m reflecting on my recent read of The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski, the book which first introduced Geralt of Rivia to the world – and eventually rocketed him to fame in video games and now as played by Henry Cavill. Here’s my breakdown of this iconic fantasy franchise, then and now.

ON THE PAGE

I expected a much darker, gritter fantasy than this actually turned out to be. This first book, The Last Wish, acts as a series of short vignettes as highly-trained and lightly superpowered Geralt goes on his adventures fighting monsters for money, and in fact most of these vignettes read as retellings of classic fairy tales. I identified, among others, one like Snow White and one like Beauty and the Beast, both of which seem to echo the source material with wry humor and a good dose of feminist reality check. Along the way, interspersed chapters start to hint at a larger story to come, linked to Geralt’s history with sorceress Yennefer – who’s finally introduced in the book’s final story revealing how Geralt and Yennefer first met. Important themes include what makes a monster, lesser vs. greater evils, and the losses in lifestyle and belonging that happen as society changes. While obviously standing apart from the rest of society, Geralt is very human and sympathetic, and his good friend Dandelion adds even more lightness and humor.

ON THE SCREEN

The show (currently only available on Netflix, and not on DVD or Blu-Ray) takes full advantage of its medium to expand as much as possible – Yennefer gets her own dose of screen time instead of only being seen from Geralt’s perspective, and Geralt’s backstory including his childhood is explored in much more detail. Geralt himself, however, is much less talkative in the show than in the books, which may be because in a visual medium, more nonverbal communication is possible. Another obvious change is one in translation – in the books Geralt’s troubadour friend is identified as Dandelion, but on the show they kept his Polish name, Jaskier, which actually literally translates to ‘buttercup’ in English. And of course, because The Last Wish functions more as an introductory book than a plot-driven one, the stories in the show are also from later books than the one I read, and expand more on various battles and events. In the interest of full disclosure, I drew most of these insights from others’ perspectives, as at the time of writing I haven’t yet seen enough of the show to comment.

Speaking for myself, I think I’ll enjoy both equally as each uses their medium to full advantage; I prefer a chatty, relatable Geralt but I love the idea of showing Yennefer’s perspective and keeping Dandelion’s original name. I’m definitely looking forward to reading more books in this series and catching up with the show. If you’re into fantasy that’s exciting but not too heavy, I recommend reading The Last Wish for a bit of adventure, or at least background context for your next binge-watching session.

Cris Tales for the Nintendo Switch

- Mary Perez Leave a comment

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to experience the past, present, and future all at the same time? Do you like games filled with adventure, fantasy, and cute animal side kicks? Cris Tales might be the game for you!

This Japanese Role-Playing Game (JRPG) follows the story of orphan, Crisbell. Crisbell is an ordinary girl, until one day she discovers she is a Time Mage. With her new found abilities to jump from the present to the future or the past, the fate of the Four Kingdoms lies in her hands. She must defeat the fear mongering Time Empress! However, Crisbell isn’t alone in her fight; allies from around the kingdom Christopher, Willhelm, and more band together. She also relies on her animal sidekick, Matias, who guides Crisbell through this brand new world of being a Time Mage.

Cris Tales is surely to be a new favorite JRPG. Right off the bat, the player is immersed in the drama surrounding the Four Kingdom’s fight against the Time Empress. The player learns a lot of the important skills at the beginning of the game. Cris Tales also allows you to venture off and explore. You can talk to multiple townsfolk and learn more. The plot is fun and easy to follow.

The turn based fighting style, allows the player to think through the moves they want to make. I liked this concept for the game. Some traditional RPG’s can get intense with the fight scenes, and by the time you think about what to do, you have to start over. The turn based element keeps the fight scenes simple and kid friendly.

Cris Tales is available on the Nintendo Switch and the Xbox One/Series X.

Fitness Boxing 2 for Nintendo Switch

- Callen Leave a comment

Need to get out a little frustration, but still like to move to the beat? Then you might like Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm and Exercise, a game for Nintendo Switch. I came to the game hopeful, because I’ve liked the boxing and kickboxing I’ve tried in the past, but skeptical that it would measure up to the other, very robust, fitness games I’ve already discovered on Nintendo Switch.

Fitness Boxing starts with a comprehensive tutorial walking you through the moves and the basic game interface and how to set your goals and customizations, and only after you’ve completed the tutorials can you unlock other portions of the game. I liked that this was a cumulative and careful learning process, but sometimes I like to drop in and figure things out as I go, so I thought it was a pity you couldn’t skip some of the early steps to just start experimenting. The more I played, however, the slow and steady unlocking of more features made the game addictive and rewarding. Not to mention the fact that jumping into new moves and routines without knowing what I was doing led to some serious sore muscles.

The game integrates the instrumentals of some well-known pop songs (Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, and Marshmello, among others) into its workouts, which I found really helpful when trying to stay on the beat (apparently boxing is all about rhythm?) though I did get distracted trying to sing along. And distraction is BAD in this game, because timing is everything. If you don’t move at just the right time you’ll miss your punch and lower your score, and along with it your “estimated fitness age” that’s calculated at the end of the workout. Me personally, I didn’t really appreciate some trainers’ vaguely judgmental commentary on your performance and estimated age, but maybe that’s just me. Either way it wound up working a number of muscles I forgot I had, and even virtual jabs and uppercuts are strangely cathartic. The specific punches are surprisingly technical and hard to get right, and the instructors (of which there are a pretty good variety to choose from and personalize) are animated in a vaguely unsatisfying style that doesn’t move totally naturally with the actual movements you’re doing – this is mostly concerning in the stretching portion, where doing it incorrectly has real consequences.

All around, it wasn’t the best Nintendo Switch fitness game I’ve tried (Zumba Burn It Up still holds that spot), not least because it’s oddly challenging in unexpected ways, but it’s a solid contender to have in your rotation of virtual workouts. If you like fitness video games, learning in cumulative chunks, boxing, and lively animation, you might enjoy Fitness Boxing 2.