September 4, 2021 — Though this week’s releases are a bit light as much bigger months loom ahead, there are still more than enough for game players and fans of murkier moods to celebrate. Let us dive right into September’s first edition of Video Games Weekly!

Song of Iron

Imagine a side-scrolling action game that combines all the fury of Game of Thrones and God of War, but is thrown into a thrilling new world of medieval madness. That is the stage Resting Relic has set with Song of Iron, which is now available on Steam. The game allows players to portray a quiet but devastatingly powerful warrior as he goes up against humans and monsters alike, all while trying to locate the Great Temple of the Gods to resurrect his lost people. Everything from goblins to dragons stands in the way, but he’s prepared for the journey, carrying an axe, a bow, and a shield to contend with whatever crosses his path.

Song of Iron should be just the thing action gamers need right now.

Lamentum

Old-school-designed survival horror games aren’t often released these days, so when one comes along, it deserves the praise and support of its community. Lamentum is such a game, a loving tribute to the games of old from the developers at Obscure Tales.

Victor Hartwell is a typical aristocrat who seeks to be rid of the disease that is slowly infecting his wife, Alissa. He finds himself visiting Grau Hill Mansion, where he hopes to find the answer to what’s hurting her within its forgotten sciences. But little does he realize the nightmares that await inside – which could lead him to certain death.

Lamentum appears to be a spooky thrill ride, packed with gameplay inspired by the likes of Resident Evil and Silent Hill. Fans of that kind of game can get it on Steam now.

Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous

After what felt like an eternity in development, Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous has finally arrived on Steam this past week. And judging by the feedback from critics and community members alike, Owlcat Games has another role-playing hit on its hands.

Following where Pathfinder: Kingmaker left off, Wrath of the Righteous lets players chooses from a number of classes and character races to create the ideal hero (or villain) for the journey. They’ll need to push back monsters that are pouring out of an open Abyss, using whatever abilities they have to turn the tide (we have written of Wrath earlier.)

The journey is not easy, as each choice comes with its own fair share of consequences. But the battles provide lots of room for advanced combat techniques and strong maneuvers. What’s more, players can decide whether they want to play the classic turn-based way or in real-time. Those that are curious may want to test them both out to see what works best.

Right now, Wrath of the Righteous is only available for PC. But Owlcat is hard at work on bringing it to PlayStation and Xbox consoles next year, so do not fret.

Dream Cycle

Perhaps one of the biggest releases on Steam this week, Dream Cycle reintroduces the gaming world to Toby Gard, the creator of the legendary Lara Croft from the Tomb Raider series. But whereas that franchise was more about adventure, Dream Cycle is more about using magic to rebuild a shattered dimension.

In the game, players will take control of Morgan Carter, an arcane apprentice who battles against the nefarious dwellers within the Dreamlands. What is great about Dream Cycle is how players can approach each battle. They can either take the stealth route and capture enemies with traps and spells, or they can challenge them head-on with conventional weapons.

Based on the H.P. Lovecraft series of the same name, Dream Cycle features a dazzling art style, along with a soundtrack from Tomb Raider composer Nathan McCree. It is moody and atmospheric, and just the perfect game to check out over a long weekend. Dare it be said that it is the stuff of dreams, even with its nightmarish territory. The game is available in Steam Early Access now.

Weapon of Choice DX

Finally, for those that grew up on games like Contra and Metal Slug, Mommy’s Best Games has something stir to drum up some nostalgia on game consoles. Prepare to wield the Weapon of Choice.

In this remixed version of the Steam game, players choose from a number of well-armed soldiers, then set out to blast anything that moves! This includes both creatures big and small, including some bosses that require serious firepower. Not only that, but a “Death Brushing” ability kicks in right on the verge of the character’s death, where every last move is devastatingly powerful. That said, it could also be their last, so proceed with caution.

Packing a heavy metal soundtrack (like Valfaris which we wrote about in the previous roundup) and challenging gameplay, Weapon of Choice DX seems like an easy draw for fans of the genre. Besides, it is reasonably priced, going for a mere $5.99! Get it now on PlayStation and Xbox consoles, as well as Nintendo Switch.