Whether it's a gripping storyline, pristine graphics or perhaps novel gameplay mechanics, games have the ability to transport us into any world, any life, or any scenario, in an instant. And no matter who you are, trust that there is a recent release tailor-made for you.
From a gorgeous Irish puzzling debut to a cleaning simulator with a dangerous spin, a cosy shop sim to the resurrection of a legacy franchise and more, here’s what you can play this week.
Eálú (PC)
Eálú is an Irish stop-motion puzzle game that is quite unlike anything I have ever played before. And this is no easy feat in the world of gaming. Equal parts beautiful and haunting, it will leave a lasting impression on you long after your quest ends, and your screen turns off.
The story is simple. You're tasked with helping a wooden mouse escape from a labyrinth. The mouse dreams of life outside, and given its adorable appearance, you're more than happy to oblige it. I mean, how hard can it be?
As a point-and-click game, controlling the mouse is straightforward. Interact with objects or direct the mouse's movement by simply clicking. But then, you quickly begin to realise these simple mechanics are a ploy to the game’s clever array of puzzles and hidden dangers. This is a puzzle that will stop you in your tracks, command you to think, plan, reflect, and more.
I’m careful not to give out any spoilers, but suffice it to say that the first time I died, the mouse reappeared back at base, with this hilarious picture on the wall documenting my demise. Little quirks like these take the sting out of each defeat and will have you chuckling all the while, as you retrace your steps, careful to protect your nameless charge from any further dangers in the maze.
As you revisit your little nest over the course of the game, a gallery takes form on the walls, documenting the silent hero’s epic voyage. All the while, whimsical music plays in the background, serving as a sort of pseudo-narrator to the silent movie adventure on screen.
What's equally impressive is discovering how the game was made by just four people, with every animation captured via photography, frame-by-frame, using hand-crafted props and real sets. When you see the fluidity of movement in the game, you not only appreciate the style of animation, but also its polished execution, too.
Make no mistake, Éalú is a stop-motion game that exercises both your curiosity and imagination, all while valuing your time. Playable as Gaeilge, it is a testament to the quality and calibre of games coming out of Irish studios. Kudos to studio Beyond the Bark on a wonderful video game debut.
You can check out the game by visiting the Eálú Steam page here
skate. (PS4/5, Xbox One & Series X/S, PC)
It may have taken 15 years, but EA have finally decided to resurrect their Skate franchise from 2010, in the form of skate., a free-to-play online multiplayer game. It is currently in early access, so players can experience the fast-paced action right now, ahead of the formal release in the future.
Although free, is the game worth your time and effort? Well, skate. opens with a description of the skateboard as a 'vehicle of infinite possibility', and within the first few minutes of play, I believe it. My custom-made character is shooting down an enormous ramp, then soars through the sky doing unimaginable tricks, landing perfectly while I sit back with minimal input. Already, I can tell it’s a game that is just as fun to watch as it is to play.
The graphics and attention to detail will come as a surprise, as the city of San Vansterdam, in which the game is set, looks polished, clean and ultra-pristine. For skating purists, it might be missing that punk-edge that you’d get from the likes of Tony Hawks Pro Skater, but the city is very user-friendly and inviting. Every corner, edge or bump on the road promises endless stunt possibilities, and you’ll want to scale every building in sight, just to see the heights from which you can launch yourself off.
In the backdrop, you’ll see other players skating through the city, which builds a silent sense of community from the outset. No matter where you’re skating to, someone is on your screen, and you are on theirs. While multiplayer play is always welcomed in my book, it does introduce the bone of contention facing skate.
As it is a live-service game, players may be concerned about its future – even before the official release. With no offline playability, unless it proves a success through microtransactions, how long will EA continue to keep the city lights on? Time will tell.
But for now, skate. is an undeniably fun, quick and free way to satisfy that skateboarding itch, where you can jump in and out of the available content without getting too bogged down with complex controls.
Goblin Cleanup (PC)
As concepts go, Goblin Cleanup is hilarious; players are sent directly into dark dungeons filled with all manner of dirt, to spruce the place up before the next brave adventurer presents themselves.
On each level, you'll strive to wipe clean any trace of hellish battles, reset fatal traps, dispose of scattered remains, and refill chests with goodies, so as to set the scene for future heroic deeds. Sounds simple, right?
Well, you must remember that dungeons are not the safest space for goblins, even if they seem 'relatively’ empty. Because what if the last adventurer failed in their quest to clear enemies? As such, the blood you’re eager to wash away should serve as a constant reminder of the possible dangers still present around you.
The game’s cookie challenges and devilish traps spring all manner of surprises, especially if you join forces with three mates in a multiplayer session. Expect plenty of chaos as you balance your focus between purging stains, completing objectives, and watching (and collecting) your fallen mates from the floor.
Currently in early access, Goblin Cleanup does more than deliver a chaotic clean-up game, and as more levels are released, expect it to grow in potential. Just remember, all it takes is one wrong step and you’ll become part of the problem.
Discounty (PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, Nintendo Switch)
Discounty is a deceptive game. On the surface, it may look cute with its pixel graphics and shop management setup, but underneath, there's a layer of strategy, depth and drama to it that puts a much-needed spin on the cosy genre.
In the game, players arrive at the harbour town of Blomkest, at the behest of your aunt to run her supermarket. As the manager, you’re given free rein to customise and organise the shop to your liking, including designing its appearance, managing stock, and of course, selling exclusive items.
Like any manager worth their salt, you’ll need to manage customer mood on a near-constant basis, ensuring the shop is clean and presentable, easy to navigate, and that everyone’s needs are met in a timely fashion. Only then will the townspeople be happy to part with their money.
But being a business with big dreams in a small place can have consequences. Locals may not be too receptive to an empire unfolding before them, especially as you witness the sorry state of their own locality. As such, you’ll want to try to balance personal profit and expansion with improving the town, and strike trade deals with local suppliers to help them reach their dreams, too.
Overall, Discounty is a well-executed supermarket simulator, and then some. Its slick gameplay loop keeps you focused, with a smart message woven into its narrative. The pixel graphics are beautiful, the music atmospheric, and the local townspeople and their drama engaging; it’s the perfect little pickup for cosy gamers looking for something that offers plenty of new things, but follows a predictable tempo.
