The newest releases in gaming provide an array of options to keep you entertained this month with just a controller in hand. From reimagining one of the most iconic horror games to strategizing through World War II, and from zany spy games to a variety of other options, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

RESIDENT EVIL 4 REMAKE

In an era of remakes and remasters, many gamers are wary of any changes made to already-perfect games. Resident Evil 4 was one such game, released in 2005 to widespread acclaim.

Thankfully, the RE4 Remake manages to retell the franchise’s most compelling story while also being a masterpiece in its own right.

The player takes on the role of Leon Kennedy, a special agent for the US government. The president’s daughter has been abducted by a mysterious cult, and Leon tracks down a promising lead to a remote village in Spain.

The opening moments of the game establish an ominous and suspenseful tone, with snarling sounds coming from locked doors, dimly lit spaces, and a bloodied ID badge on the ground. As the game prompts you to draw your weapon, you anticipate the worst.

The RE4 Remake maintains this high level of tension throughout the game. The camera angle is positioned just behind Leon’s shoulder, putting you in the middle of the action. Every visceral takedown, savage grapple, and chainsaw evasion is portrayed in graphic detail.

The DualSense controller on PlayStation 5 enhances the already high-stakes atmosphere of Resident Evil 4. When playing, the controller’s heartbeat rhythm becomes almost unnerving when Leon is mortally injured, as he was for most of my playthrough.

Every inch of the game is crucial for finding healing herbs and other supplies. The ammo you scavenge is met with a sense of dread because, while the game is equipping you, you know that it is not nearly enough to survive what is coming.

As you retrace your steps to find a quiet spot to heal and restock, villagers set bear traps to keep you on your toes. Climbing onto roofs is not a safe haven, as enemies somehow find ladders to come up and attack you. The pause menu becomes your only refuge.

The game’s environments are intricate and labyrinthine, with interconnected passages, tunnels, walkways, and windows to explore. These areas are filled with grotesque carcasses or entrails. Leon, the protagonist, takes it all in stride as you guide him through unknown horrors.

A retelling for the ages

The Resident Evil 4 Remake is a superb example of psychological horror. The game instills a sense of appreciation for the supplies you collect but also teaches you not to rely on them. It is important to enjoy the moments of silence in the game, but you can never completely trust them. Despite some changes to the game’s structure, the original storyline remains intact. Furthermore, Leon Kennedy is still the most capable hero in the franchise.

The upcoming Mercenaries DLC in April, as well as the potential for additional content, make now the perfect time to revisit this beloved game, which has been remade in a groundbreaking and terrifying manner.

COMPANY OF HEROES 3

Company of Heroes 3 offers a refreshing take on real-time strategy games. It combines strategy, resource management, and military tactics to create a game that appeals to tacticians of all stripes. The game is set in World War II and offers two distinct play modes: multiplayer and two single-player campaigns.

The Italian campaign is the standout mode, as you take control of British and US forces in a quest to liberate the Italian coastal towns. The campaign is replete with secondary missions that appear organically as you march toward Rome. The decisions you make throughout the campaign will affect the happiness of three generals, which, in turn, will earn you unique bonuses.

The maps are beautifully designed and fully display the chaos and destruction of war. You’ll need to scout through debris for cover, sites for medical tents, or simply plan a tank’s path to steamroll the road ahead. Combat is fast-paced and requires you to micro-manage units to gain ground. Knowing when to push forward or retreat is a critical part of victory.

The game’s second campaign, which is much more vehicle-heavy, has been criticized for casting players as the villainous Desert Fox, Erwin Rommel. While the cut-scenes help ground the story, players may find it difficult to play the villains.

Both campaigns prepare you for the highly competitive multiplayer mode, where you’ll duke it out with seasoned players across a wide array of maps. The game also offers mod support, which ensures that there will be an endless supply of content from an already-creative community of players.

Overall, Company of Heroes 3 is a must-play for gamers interested in strategy and wartime. It’s a welcomed reminder of the appeal that slower-paced RTS games can have and is a fitting extension to the legacy that the series has paved since its first release in 2006.

DECEIVE INC.

Deceive Inc. is a multiplayer spy game that involves infiltration, stealth, and combat. The objective is to extract with the objective from the hidden depths of a level while remaining undetected. To do so, players must adopt different costumes that allow them to blend seamlessly into the game’s natural environment. However, several other spies are also walking around the level, and each type of costume adopted has its specific behaviours. Guards patrol crucial areas, and staff members serve drinks, among other things, and players must maintain this facade even when stealing intel and key cards, as any lapse of character can trigger suspicion.

Every wrong step, stuttered movement, or lingering in an area for too long can single a player out for assassination. Players will feel unexplained paranoia, tailing suspicious characters for a few minutes after seeing something odd. They wait for their moment to take them out with their gun, only to realize they made a grave mistake of murdering an innocent NPC.

Deceive Inc. is an enjoyable game that works as both a solo and co-op game with friends. It is a refreshing blend of Fortnite, Among Us, and SpyParty that, with a big enough player base, could very well be the next big thing in multiplayer gaming. The game’s arsenal of spy gadgets can save players in a pinch and adds a welcome dash of whimsy to the game.

DREDGE

Dredge is a fishing game set in the open sea with the added allure of sunken treasures and supplies. Players assume the role of the captain of a trawler who is stranded on a remote archipelago, and as they fish along the shoreline, they start to make a profit. However, things become more intriguing when the mayor requests that they catch fish that only come out at night. In this sense, Dredge offers a delicate balance between curiosity and fear. In the game, players will quickly realize that the open waters are not what they seem.

At night, fish become monstrous, and the thick fog can cause fatal crashes into rocks. The game has a panic meter that measures the player’s state of mind. As time passes, panic replaces curiosity, and the environment becomes more sinister. Ghost ships appear out of nowhere, disguised as angler fish, and attack players. The game ultimately teaches that some treasure is better left untouched. Nonetheless, players will be drawn back into the game’s haunting world and gameplay, along with its Tim Burton-inspired cast of natives, tempting them to explore the unknown depths of the ocean.