As such, it’s more like a traditional city-builder than one would initially believe. You start with shacks to house people, take in survivors, set up Gathering Camps and Field Camps to harvest resources like meat, mushrooms, wood, iron and stone, and feed the populace – it just keeps spiralling from there.

"New Cycle offers three types of experiences – Sandbox, Campaign and Sanity. Sandbox is supposedly a more chill experience (even though it’s not – more on that in a bit), while Campaign injects more story."

Your people will have more demands, like clothes and access to medicine, and different milestones can pop up, such as storing a certain amount of water and food. However, they can also come forward with dilemmas, whether it’s to provide a day off every week or so, or asking you to keep satisfaction above a certain threshold. Fail, and their morale is affected, which can occur even if you’re not holding to their promises.

Of course, their morale will be affected anyway when a lightning strike destroys a building, a fire breaks out, a sandstorm rolls in, or even when the dreaded solar flares show signs of returning. If they fall sick without access to health facilities, they die off. Survive for long enough, and eventually, a new cycle is unlocked, opening up new technologies and buildings to research and build.

It all sounds typical and would be solid for its early access launch. Unfortunately, several aspects drag the experience of New Cycle down when they’re not adding to the overall frustration. Also, beyond the current premise of simply expanding and advancing your settlement, the game’s scope offers very little that’s fresh or noteworthy. Again, this is an early access release, but it’s worth keeping in mind if you’re hoping for something more to the experience.

New Cycle offers three types of experiences – Sandbox, Campaign and Sanity. Sandbox is supposedly a more chill experience (even though it’s not – more on that in a bit), while Campaign injects more story. Sanity is a completely different scenario, where you lead a more advanced settlement and have to contend with the appearance of a strange illness. It’s a race against time as you struggle to save the city. Unfortunately, Sanity is locked, presumably until you beat the Campaign.

"I can understand having to make such decisions under duress after a few people die, but being forced into it and giving up resources regardless is annoying."

When jumping into a playthrough, you can also choose different map types. Meadow is the cheery start, with 40 percent increased Morale whenever Spring rolls around, while Steppe has infertile lands that discourage agriculture, high temperatures and scarce water. Regardless of the map type, resources will inevitably dry up, and you need to rely on the stockpile or alternatives to get you through the long Winter. Sickness can also start spreading if your people don’t have access to housing, clean water or clothes, and by the time Spring arrives, you may find yourself dealing with several dead. But don’t worry, as strangers will come by, and more adults will join the ranks. At least, in theory.

People are your main resource, as you assign them to various tasks. Sure, they have needs and are the main backbone of the economy, but you don’t feel particularly attached to them. It also doesn’t help that most decisions don’t incentivize the other choice when it comes to making them happy. Of course, you’re going to select “take more time to train workers into craftsmen” if it means higher chances of the latter being made. Except when you don’t get any craftsmen, and it feels just as worthwhile as taking less time with more risk of the training failing.

Then there are the decisions with the illusion of choice. A destroyer may suddenly pull up into your harbor – a sight thought impossible in this post-apocalyptic landscape. However, not only do they have nothing to offer you, but insist that you help them. Refuse, and they’ll attack an empty space as a warning – understandable, but then you must cede to their demands, regardless.

I can understand having to make such decisions under duress after a few people die, but being forced into it and giving up resources regardless is annoying. It’s even worse when some random person with slaves shows up, and you’re forced to pay him off in materials to set them free. Why couldn’t the entire settlement take him down? Why am I pretty much forced into the transaction?

"Perhaps the most underwhelming part of New Cycle is that even when you get into the groove of building and planning ahead for any possible disaster, it doesn’t offer much to shake up the formula."

The difficulty and tuning, even in Sandbox mode, is also skewed. Despite touting a more chill atmosphere, I still witnessed freshly made mines destroyed by a lightning strike within seconds of being built, high temperatures affecting morale, and a sandstorm further impeding the town’s hope. Don’t even get me started on dozens of citizens dying in one fell swoop due to sickness.

The fact that medicine is so far down the research tree makes some sense from a historical perspective, but the occurrence and scale of sickness to this degree feels completely off-balance. I understand resources like mushroom collecting drying up in the Winter and reassigning workers to other tasks or giving them time off.

However, when people start dropping like flies anyway, the micromanagement feels pointless. The same goes for when fires break out. Even on Sandbox, the buildings are reduced to wreckage nine times out of ten. What’s the point of a full response then and wasting so much water?

Perhaps the most underwhelming part of New Cycle is that even when you get into the groove of building and planning ahead for any possible disaster, it doesn’t offer much to shake up the formula. Lack of content is one thing due to its early access state – it feels like there isn’t a unique hook behind developing the city. Even sending scouts out into the countryside to examine other locations for other resources and trading feels lackluster. Shout out to resetting my trade with a merchant, only to get the same items but with more in stock.

"New Cycle isn’t the worst city-builder out there, but it’s got a ways to go, especially when seamlessly incorporating its survival elements."

Presentation-wise, New Cycle is decent. Viewing most of your available resources at a glance is simple. Even if it doesn’t show everything at once, there are extensive progress reports to check each material. Even if structures tend to blend into the world, you can swap between different views to see which items are being produced where, how many workers are engaged in the activity and more.

It’s also easy to switch between multiple structures of the same type. It isn’t to say the visuals are superior to the genre’s best, but there’s some attention to detail, especially when stopping to observe your people at work. The music, as generic as it can be with its foreboding tones, also isn’t too shabby. The performance is also mostly well done without any major glitches.

New Cycle isn’t the worst city-builder out there, but it’s got a ways to go, especially when seamlessly incorporating its survival elements. Based on the roadmap revealed thus far, interesting features are in the works, though how significantly they affect the gameplay loop remains to be seen. For now it scraps by with its gameplay and little else.

This game was reviewed on PC.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

While the Prince of Persia: Sands of Time Remake continues to chug along, Ubisoft Montpellier has something different coming up with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. It stars a new playable character, Sargon, who must rescue Prince Ghassan.

As a 2D action side-scroller with Metroid-style exploration, it features several time-focused powers, with Sargon also capable of slashing, dashing and parrying attacks. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown could be an interesting spin-off to the main series with an interconnected world with secrets to discover and a fresh story. We’ll find out when it launches on January 18th for PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC and Nintendo Switch.

The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered

The Last of Us Part 2 is getting the “remastered” treatment on PS5, with PS4 owners able to upgrade for $10. Available on January 19th, it adds two modes – Fidelity for native 4K and Performance for 1440p upscaled to 4K while improving other visual aspects like shadow quality, level of detail distances and more.

Developer commentary from director Neil Druckmann and narrative lead Halley Gross is included, with actors Troy Baker, Ashley Johnson, and Laura Bailey along for the ride and three Lost Levels cut from the game. Those expecting more gameplay can also jump into No Return, a roguelike survival mode with various playable characters, each having unique abilities and randomized challenges. There’s also a new Speedrun Mode, Photo Mode options, new skins for Ellie and Abby, and more.

Tekken 8

Bandai Namco’s flagship fighter is finally getting a sequel, built from the ground up in Unreal Engine 5. Tekken 8 is more than just a graphical leap – it continues the story of Jin Kazama and Kazuya Mishima while adding the new Arcade Quest. Select an avatar and venture through the world of arcades, battling challengers and building your crew’s reputation. There are 32 playable characters, from classics like Jin, Paul, Nina, Alisa and more to newcomers like Azucena, Victor and Reina.

The mechanics have also been revamped, with the new Heat system leaning into more aggressive play. Sharpen your skills in Super Ghost Battles, take a break with Tekken Ball or improve your combos thanks to the overhauled My Replay and Tips. Tekken 8 launches on January 26th for Xbox Series X/S, PS5 and PC and looks to set a new standard for the series.

Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth

Touted as the longest game in the series – so long that the development team is worried you’ll get sick if you keep playing continuously – Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth launches on January 26th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5 and PC. Ichiban Kasuga returns, venturing to Honolulu City to meet his mother, who was assumed dead for years.

After some shenanigans, he meets up with Kazuma Kiryu, who is on a mission for the Daidoji faction. Old friends return, new characters are introduced, and the turn-based combat offers new mechanics like area-of-effect attacks, easier combos with allies and more. You also have several new activities, from arcade games to Dondoko Island, an entire island community that you build and populate, Animal Crossing-style. Is it too much? Probably, but it also looks amazing.

Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy

Ryunosuke and Phoenix Wright have had their contemporary compilations, and it’s finally the turn of Apollo Justice. Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is out on January 25th for Xbox One, PS4, PC and Nintendo Switch, and collects Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice into one collection.

It also includes two Special Episodes previously DLC-only, an Animation Studio for creating custom scenes, an Art Library to view illustrations and other artwork, the Orchestra Hall and much more. If you want to complete the Phoenix Wright journey, Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney Trilogy is worth picking up.

Bulletstorm VR

It’s been a while since People Can Fly’s Bulletstorm launched, showcasing all the kicking, sliding, environmental destruction and Skillshots that a first-person shooter could offer. With Bulletstorm VR, players can pull enemies close or redirect them for some makeshift shields. There’s also dual-wielding to add more spice to combat and two exclusive levels starring Trishka Novak, who can utilize energy blades to dismember foes. Bulletstorm VR launches on January 18th and will be available for PlayStation VR2, Meta Quest and PC via Steam VR.

Graven

It’s hard to believe that Slipgate Ironworks’ Graven launched in early access almost three years ago. On January 23rd, it will finally be available for PC (later for other platforms), offering several regions to explore and old-school combat. The full release promises nine new enemies, 13 new weapons and mods, new unique bosses and other challenges. As a Hexen 2 spiritual successor, Graven should offer a compelling dark fantasy.

Enshrouded

Survival crafting games in the vein of Valheim have begun to pop up more recently, and Enshrouded looks like a potential hit (at least based on its demo). Described as “Valheim meets Zelda,” you awaken in the world of Embervale, with a pestilent fog consuming the kingdom.

Explore various locations, from dungeons and caves to forests, while collecting materials and building a base, with NPCs able to take shelter and lend assistance. Craft powerful gear and weapons, then venture into the Shroud to tackle bosses and other threats. With support for up to 16 players and sleek-looking combat, Enshrouded is worth checking out when it launches on January 24th for PC via Steam Early Access.

New Cycle

Have you ever looked at Frostpunk and thought, “But what if with solar flares?”, there’s New Cycle from Core Engage. With the Old World in ruins, it’s up to you to build up a colony of survivors by gathering resources and expanding to thrive. The current state of the world brings unstable seasons and “destructive events,” as the developer describes them, for more challenges to your colony. You also must manage your people’s efficiency and morale, lest they become unruly. New Cycle launches on January 18th for PC.