With plenty of releases on the horizon, we don't want anything to get lost in the shuffle. These are games that you should consider not letting pass you by. Not only are they less known, but each title also provides something different and exciting for gamers.
Gone Home (PC)
Release: August 15
What It Is: The first game from The Fullbright Company, Gone Home focuses on exploratory storytelling by having you search a house to unfold the story.
Why You Should Care: The Fullbright Company is taking on a unique venture to explore if story and your own curiosity can drive an entire game. The gameplay is light as you're merely stepping inside a house and trying to figure out what's going on by reading notes, listening to phone messages, and having objects hint at the issues surrounding a family. Those who enjoyed finding the audio logs in the BioShock games are sure to get a kick out of Gone Home, as members of The Fullbright Company worked together on the BioShock 2 DLC, Minerva's Den. Gone Home is set in the '90s, so part of the magic is finding all the nostalgic elements like Street Fighter II and 90210 posters. For those who play games for story, this is an experiment you shouldn't miss.
Hate Plus (PC)
Release: August 19
What It Is: Christine Love 's visual novel Analogue: A Hate Story was met with much praise; Hate Plus is its sequel, where you interact with a young female AI.
Why You Should Care: Love is a great writer and her passion for creating a narrative shines through. She challenges the audience with her characters and takes the creative steps necessary to make her stories memorable. Hate Plus should be no different, as the official site forecasts it as, "A dark visual novel about transhumanism, cosplay, cake-baking, and the slow patriarchal erosion of freedoms taken for granted." Love isn't afraid to tackle complex subject matter and she's intelligent about it, making text adventures feel fresh and exciting again.
Hatsune Miku: Project
DIVA F (PlayStation 3)
Release: August 27
What It Is: The only rhythm game available in English featuring lots of J-pop songs sung by virtual idol Hatsune Miku.
Why You Should Care: If you're a fan of Japanese culture, there's a good chance you've already got this on preorder, but even if you're not, Hatsune Miku has become an icon across the Pacific. Based on the vocal synthesizer of the same name, tons of songs have been ascribed to this blue pig-tailed virtual star. Even non-otaku rhythm game fans should consider Miku, though, as it's reminiscent of old-school Bemani games, with strict button timing and some incredibly difficult songs. With no new Rock Band or Guitar Hero games in sight, this could just be your finger-tapping fix.
Sweet Fuse: At Your
Side (PSP)
Release: August 27
What It Is: A visual novel where you visit Mega man creator Keiji Inafune's theme park and encounter puzzles and romance.
Why You Should Care: Come on, you're trying to rescue Inafune; does it get any better than that? Yes, the premise is crazy enough, and it comes from Inafune's company Comcept, but that's only scratching the surface. Aksys Games has been picking some interesting and quirky titles to localize, like underground hits 999: Nine Hours, Nine Persons, Nine Doors and Zero Escape: Virtue's Last Reward. With Sweet Fuse's 14 different endings and dating-sim elements intertwined with the action-packed tale, Sweet Fuse: At Your Side is sure to keep things interesting. Let's not forget, the promise of unique characters that test your ability to keep your composure or "blow your fuse." Now that's the type of visual novel drama we're looking for.