It's hard to believe it's been seven years since Volition last released a new Saints Row game. Since then, the studio has put out a standalone expansion, some remasters, and one shared-universe offshoot in Agents of Mayhem, but for truly new installments, it's been a long time.

That gap is sometimes evident when playing Saints Row 4: Re-Elected on Nintendo Switch, where it recently landed on the eShop. Even in 2013, the series displayed the sense of humor of freshman boys, so it's fair to say those punchlines fall flatter today.

But in most other ways, Saints Row 4 holds up as an absurd sandbox loaded with toys.

Saints Row 4: Re-Elected Nintendo Switch Review — Signing Thrills into Law

During its inception, Saints Row existed as the latest in a long line of Grand Theft Auto clones trying to cut into Rockstar's market share on crime-laden open-world games. By the time the pitch-perfect Saints Row: The Third came around, Volition had stopped trying to emulate its big brother and grew comfortable in its own skin.

The identity it took on by then was one of irreverent humor, wacky weapons, and side missions that tended to be the best and funniest parts of the game. In Saints Row 4, those elements were all taken even further, though in 2013, it felt like the series had actually gotten too absurd. 

Seven years since I last touched a Saints Row game, it feels properly nostalgic now, removed from the shadow of its better predecessor — all of that despite the premise seeming so ridiculous.

In Saints Row 4, you are once again a member of the Third Street Saints gang, only now you're not fighting for turf with rival gangs, you're fending off humanity's enslavement from hostile aliens. And they've locked you in a simulation. And you have superpowers. Oh yeah, and you're the president of the United States. 

I've seen more ridiculous things happen in the political arena in recent years, but it's all still a bit silly.

To its credit, Saints Row uses your role as president in good fun, like the very first scene where you're signing bills into law and must choose to cure cancer or solve world hunger. That's before your next binary decision asks you to punch a rival politician in the face or the groin. These decisions have no impact on anything; they're merely there to (re)introduce you to the world of Saints Row, a place where violent aliens, intrusive mascots, and Republicans deserve equally high-impact nutshots.

Saints Row 4 loves being absurd like this, and though it's not my type of humor, it gives the game a certain style, even if it will seem so outdated for many players today.

It's a game where there are double-digit numbers of underwear options to choose from and your created character's "sex appeal" stat determines their breast size. Boyish and crude, it's like a modern-day Porky's now served to a modern-day audience that has likely already canceled Porky's. 

Should its writing survive scrutiny, the rest of the game is still tons of fun. The very first mission has you disabling a nuke by hand as it's zipping through the air to the tune of Aerosmith's I Don't Want to Miss a Thing, and neither in action nor in absurdity do they ever really relent from there.

Story missions have you working for your various allies taking down the Zin's simulated reality in a variety of one-off missions, and you'll even get to do loyalty missions for each of them to strengthen your alliance, but like in Saints Row: The Third, it's the side missions that are often the most fun. Stuff like UFO Mayhem, Mech Suit Mayhem, and different racing missions are repeatable side quests that help you chip away at your overlord's vice-grip on humanity.

Though Saints Row 4's suite of side missions is sometimes lacking compared to its predecessor's, what is here is still a lot of fun and defies the sandbox genre's pitfall of excessive, boring map-blip time-wasters. In Saints Row 4, everything is rigged to explode and dish out rewards of all sorts. It makes sight-seeing through its big city addictive.

I remember speaking with Volition before Saints Row 4 originally came out and they spoke about the game's design directive, asking: "is it fun?" That's never more clearly front and center than in the game's decision to bestow upon you many superpowers. It dishes the first few of these out very early in the game, so within minutes, you'll be scaling walls and sprinting like The Flash. A deep upgrade tree for everything you do only ensures your powers, guns, cars, and character get stronger and more fun from there too. 

While the humor has aged poorly because some players, and arguably the world, have grown up, its shooting mechanics similarly get left behind due to also feeling pretty dated. It's all a bit too floaty and imprecise to allow for stylish combat. More often than not, you'll run around spamming the necessary buttons until all the Zin have dropped, and on easy — and usually on normal — that's fine. It's not a strength of the game, despite the fun action and deep systems built around it. 

Luckily, with stuff like a Dubstep Gun, which forces anyone nearby to dance, and an Inflato-Ray, which quickly expands victims heads until they pop like balloons, the novelty and — I'll say it again — absurdity of its weapons cache makes up for Saints Row 4's otherwise troubled gunplay.

Driving can sometimes feel a bit too bouncy too, like when you crash into other cars and often send them flying like you flipped a pancake with a spatula. I think this effect is intentional given the overall intent of the game to never slow the player from going wild, but it ends up feeling like nothing in your way is ever really an obstacle. Then again, you so quickly earn super sprinting ability, cars are nearly obsolete in a hurry.

As this review focuses on the Switch version, it once seemed necessary to track any flaws this version had on Nintendo's relatively underpowered machine, but I'm happy to say it had no issues whatsoever, which is really how it should be for a game so old. I guess if the Switch can run The Witcher 3 like it does, Saints Row 4 shouldn't be an issue.

Saints Row 4: Re-Elected Nintendo Switch Review — The Bottom Line

Pros

• Deep upgrade and skill trees, including superpowers, to chase
• All mission varieties are enjoyable and worthwhile
• Cohesively built around fun first

Cons

• Its sense of humor only feels more juvenile seven years later
• Driving and shooting, while serviceable, both have lingering issues

Saints Row 4 isn't the best game from the series, but it is the fastest, wackiest, and most willing to get out of the player's way to let them enjoy their time in Volition's playground.

Playing Saints Row 4 for the first time since launch, I realized how much I miss this goofy series, and even if I hardly laugh at its alternating bathroom and slapstick humor, Saints Row 4 remains a fun open world to explore — and explode.

[Note: A copy of Saints Row 4: Re-Elected for the Nintendo Switch was provided by Volition for the purpose of this review.]

Game Pass for PC just keeps getting better and better. Earlier this year, Microsoft made a promise that it would bring more high-profile titles to game pass at launch. Over the past several months, it has done just that, and this newest announcement doubles down. 

October's Games Pass is highlighted by the much-anticipated The Outer Worlds, as well as a fan-favorite in Saints Row 4, specifically the Re-Elected edition, which includes all of the DLC for Saints Row 4. That's not all, though. Stellaris, F1 2018, Lonely Mountains Downhill, State of Mind, and Minit round out the fantastic lineup. 

The Outer Worlds will also be coming to Game Pass on Xbox One when it launches on October 25. None of the other games on the list have specific release dates for Game Pass. 

It's worth noting that the games available on PC are different from those on console, except for, presumably, The Outer Worlds, which was said to be coming to Game Pass at launch. Theoretically, that platform-agnostic statement from earlier in the year includes console as well, though there has been no official confirmation. 

Currently, the console version of Game Pass is confirmed to feature Dishonored 2, World War Z, and Yooka-Laylee. 

Sitting in your comfy gaming chair with your headphones on and your favorite game taking you into another reality, it can be easy to forget our favorite hobby is a business.

However, the business side of things sometimes leads to interesting bits of news, as is the case with THQ Nordic's recently released quarterly earnings report. If you want to go blind reading about adjusted EBIDTA and cash flow from the company's operating activities, feel free to be your bad masochistic self over here.

Otherwise, read on for the interesting stuff. 

While most of the info isn't directly relevant to gamers, there was an exciting tidbit tucked away in the legalese:

Volition is deep in development of a brand-new Saints Row game, the first full entry in this much loved series since Saints Row IV was released in 2013.

Yup, another Saints Row game is well underway, and gamers can expect bigger news with more specifics in the near future.

If that wasn't enough, the report also revealed that Deep Silver nabbed the TimeSplitters IP and is planning something on that front, although details are very scant.

With the new Saints Row title in the works, we've got to wonder: how on Earth (or Hell) can the franchise continue to one-up itself with each iteration?

If you aren't familiar with Saints Row, the first two games in the series leaned heavily on its GTA-styled influences. However, later entries took GTA's extravagance, doubled down on it, and turned it up to 13, featuring hyper-advanced aircraft, sex toy weapons, and a very naked giant.

As expected in the hierarchy of craziness, things got truly nuts in Saints Row IV, which takes place both in outer space and in a Matrix-like version of the Earth, where your crew has superpowers.

That game and quasi-DLC follow-up, Gat Out Of Hell, took place exactly where the title would indicate, bringing with it the absurd magic powers from the previous entry. It was also notable for bringing a Satanic musical out of absolutely nowhere in a truly bizarre cut scene.

Unfortunately, there's no news yet on a title a specific release date for the new entry. However, considering it seems that the game has been in development for some time, it's possible an official reveal isn't far off. 

Where do you want to see the next game take place, and how do you hope the gameplay will develop? Sound off in the comments below!

The Saint's Row series started its life as a crime-based game in the same vein as the Grand Theft Auto series. The first game and its follow-up were tough, rugged, and rife with dark moments, which is why it took players completely by surprise when newer games in the series didn't seem to follow that theme anymore. Saint's Row went from a more serious game to a more campy, irreverent game in a matter of years.

Though Saints Row: The Third and its sequel Saints Row: IV have incredibly wacky moments -- whether it's the ridiculous collection of guns, zombies, or alien invasions -- the games actually have a softer and more emotional side to them as well, which may be missed by many due to the tonal shift from the first two entries.

There is no denying that Saints Row: The Third is markedly different from its predecessor, but that doesn't mean it's less serious. Behind all the zany weapons and the off-color jokes, it shows the humanity of the Saints and their bond with each other, as well as some incredibly hard-hitting emotional moments.

Saints Row: The Third starts out with a bank robbery gone wrong and the Saints getting locked behind bars. They soon meet with the leader of the criminal organization The Syndicate, Phillipe Loren, who gets them out of prison to cut them a deal, but the meeting goes off the rails when Johnny Gat gets loose from his binds and attacks Phillipe, leading to an exciting escape and a devastating loss for the Saints.

The themes throughout the third game are loss, revenge, and grieving, all the while trying to find yourself in a new place. The Saints struggle to bring up their gang numbers in a new city while also wondering if their commercialization isn't their own undoing. Where do they belong?

The game's story solidifies the relationship of the Protagonist with the gang members and shows them as more of a family than simply another gang, with sweet moments such as singing with Pierce in the car or protecting Kinzie from getting shot at by a rival gang. These simple things show that the Saints are not just brutal thugs, but humans who are trying to move on in a new city while grieving the loss of their former friend.

These themes are even more present in the fourth game of the series, Saints Row IV. When the Saints find themselves kidnapped from Earth during the invasion of the Zin Empire, they're separated and placed in simulated prisons. They must fight against the invasion and save each other. There are missions throughout the game where you must rescue your homies, and each individual simulated prison is a reflection of the character's deepest fears and insecurities. From Shaundi's survivor's guilt to Pierce's fear of success, as well as the Protagonist and how everyone views them versus how they view themselves.

The Saints have always previously been in control of each situation they were placed in, or they found a way to get control. The fourth game shows what happens when everything is taken away from them, even their own home planet. There are some incredibly deep and moving moments in the fourth game, such as Johnny Gat and Shaundi's conversation about how hard it was for her to deal with his death, and the fear that she might lose him again, as well as Shaundi and the Protagonist being forced to deal with who they were and who they had grown to be, and learning to come to terms with their past. Both games deal heavily with the idea of change and what it means to go forward after a devastating loss; how do you heal from that, and how can you keep going?

Much of the reception for the third and fourth installments was divisive, with many believing the games changed too much and weren't as great as their predecessors. Ultimately, Saints Row has struggled to find its place in a world of violent first-person shooters, crime-based role-playing games, and Grand Theft Auto.

Did the series change direction? Possibly, but I think that's the point. The Saints grew up, and the series had to grow with them.

Saint's Row IV: How the Saints Saved Christmas

What else can top the events of the original Saints Row IV? Oh how about saving Christmas? Everyone's favorite gang is back at it again, to save Christmas from who else but Santa Claus? In this DLC exclusively for Saints Row IV, the boss isn't in the spirit of Christmas, but worse than that, he doesn't feel like saving Santa. So the Saints must cheer him up and show the true meaning of Christmas (not that true meaning).

A futuristic Shaudi meets with the gang and tells The Boss that the future is in trouble, and he must save Santa Claus and the spirit of Christmas from Santa Claws, an evil creation from Zinyak. The gang must go to the North Pole and stop Claws from his evil deeds. Successfully completing three missions in the game means the gang will be erased from Santa's Naughty List.

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Santa means different things to different people, and there's no denying his video game appearances certainly embody this concept. From a giant sumo wrestler to dreadful impersonators, developers have taken quite a few liberties with the jolly old elf over the years. What's your take on these different appearances for Santa? Post your comments below, and thanks for reading!

Dead Rising 4

Being trapped in an environment filled with zombies sure can turn ordinary people into crazy maniacs. In Dead Rising 4, Frank is at it again. When Frank goes into a field of Christmas trees, he sees dead elves around Santa's Workshop. At first, Frank is in shock and is puzzled over seeing this, until Santa Claus, or Sadistic Claus, is overheard. While listening to him, an electric fence surrounds and traps Frank inside the workshop where he gets attacked by elves.

Sadistic Claus comes equipped with an electric axe, and it ain't easy to defeat him. It's not quite the cheerful, loving Santa Claus we all know, but hey, everyone has a dark side. Right...?

World of Warcraft

In a world filled with elves, goblins, warlords, witches, dragons, and other fantasy characters, World of Warcraft would be wrong not to include Santa Claus in some form or another, and players got a real treat for the holiday season last year. In a very special update for the Christmas season, World of Warcraft celebrated Christmas with weapons, outfits, festivities, and other holiday themed items. But of course, it wouldn't be Christmas with Santa Claus, or in the game, GreatFather Time. Now, if you find GreatFather Time in the Highlands, you will receive a special gift of 500 Resources for upgrades, weapons, and other things you might need for the game. Ol' Saint Nick sure knows how to fill everyone with joy.

Clay Fighter 63 1/3

So, if you see Frosty The Snowman on the front cover on this game, who do you believe will also appear in the game? (No, it's not Bigfoot). In Clay Fighter 63 1/3, Santa is not an unlockable character under normal conditions, but if you play through whole game as Mr. Frosty, you get to unlock Santa Claus, better known as "Sumo Santa," and his sumo outfit. Which is both blessing and curse.

Santa Claus can attack opponents with his over-sized belly by slapping it around in the face of his opponents. Even though he is overweight, he can jump really high and even kick people in the face. His power-up feature is, of course, slapping his belly in his opponents face multiple times, really fast. This is a weird game to begin with, but playing as barely-dressed Santa and beating opponents with his massive gut certainly is a unique take on the holiday theme.

Bully: Scholarship Edition

To those who never played Bully: Scholarship Edition, here's the scoop. The scholarship edition features more missions and activities than the previous Bully game released, and one holiday-themed one in particular. When it's Christmas time in Bullworth, Jimmy can roam the streets and see what kind of trouble he can get into. Back behind an alley, Jimmy stumbles upon Saint Nick.....peeing. It appears Santa's real name is Rudy, who is just a drunk, homeless guy. But Rudy gives Jimmy the task to fix up his back alley way as Santa's Workshop anyway.

In the first mission "Miracle on Bullworth St.", Rudy tells Jimmy that there is another Santa Claus who is an imposter, and Rudy wants Jimmy to destroy the imposter's workshop set, and Jimmy gets to beat up elves in the process. Then there's the "Rudy The Red Nosed Santa" mission. Jimmy has to collect ornaments for the workshop, while trying not to get attacked at the same time, and has to take pictures while kids sit in Santa's lap.

The days are shorter, the temps are falling, and many children everywhere are planning on leaving sweets for an elderly home invader -- yep, it's Christmas time again! There is nothing like opening presents, decorating houses and trees, watching our favorite Christmas movies, and leaving milk and cookies for jolly ol' Saint Nick himself. But Santa Claus doesn't only appear once a year. Sure, he's in M&M and Coca-Cola commercials, but he also appears in video games. We aren't talking about Animal Crossing, Jingle-type Santa Claus here, though. Whether he is a playable or non-playable character, he has definitely left his mark, and some of these might surprise you more than others.

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   Battling With A Demonic Figure – Saints Row: Gat Out Of Hell

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The main character has been kidnapped by a demonic figure, and Gat and Kinzie have to save him or her -- only to find out that the demonic figure is... Satan himself?!

Well, the game is called Gat Out of Hell, so what did you expect? In this game, you must complete challenges and missions in a hellish version of Steelport to meet Satan.

Also, you need to save your boss from marrying Satan's daughter. As always, Saints Row brings humor and chaos to open world gaming.

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What other in-game moments do you remember? Be sure to leave your comments below, and thanks for reading!

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   Prof. Genki Murder Time Fun Time – Saints Row Series

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Japanese game shows sure are something else, aren't they? However, there's something about that craziness that makes them so much fun to watch.

Saints Row thought they could do something like that with the last two games by having the main character participate in Professor Genki's Murder Time Fun Time show.

The main character grabs a gun and annihilates Professor Genki mascots, earning cash as they go along. This game show's concept is simple, crazy, and fun to watch.

If only they didn't include fire, electricified wires, and murderous mascots -- otherwise I'd sign up for the show in a heartbeat!

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   Waking Up – Saints Row IV

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You have been beamed up by aliens to their spaceship, and you awaken to find yourself in an alternate universe where Zin has total control to change and manipulate things as he sees fit.

The main characters are now in a world where people are now glitchy, there are hotspots and towers everywhere, demonic and electronic monsters, and a whole lot of other sorts of craziness.

Not to worry, though, as the main character's super smart friend, Kinzie, is there to help. After they find a door that will lead the main character into the real world, he wakes up from a pod and escape while in the nude.

Now, why does that look familiar? Oh yeah, its the same thing that happened in The Matrix.

You might be wondering, "What ever happened to taking a red or blue pill?" Well, that happens right after the main character saves Matt.

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   Meeting The Mayor – Saints Row: The Third

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A toxic gas has been released, causing people to turn into zombies, and you've been called upon by the mayor to solve the problem.

The main character is pretty reluctant at first, but who could've guessed that the mayor of Steelport is none other than Burt Reynolds?!

Paul Crewe -- er, Burt Reynolds --needs the main character to take down the zombies and, being a huge Burt Reynolds fan, the main character is more than happy to oblige.

What's makes it even better is that Reynolds is dressed like his character, Dilbert L. Dilbeck, from Striptease.

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   They Live – Saints Row IV

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Okay, for those of you who thought that this was the ultimate surprise in the game, please raise your hands.

Yeah, same here.

After Keith David (yes -- the actor himself) aligns himself with Zin and the rest of the aliens in Saints Row IV, the main character is out for revenge.

However, once the main character manages to convince Keith of the error of his ways, causing him to turn his back on the aliens, Zin uses his powers to sends both of them to parts unknown.

When the main character finally meets up with Keith, he is found fighting with... "Rowdy" Roddy Piper?! Yeah, weird right? An actual re-enactment of the fighting scene from the film, They Live! They even destroy a satellite dish like at the end of the movie.

I don't know how Piper got a role in this, but this was awesome.

There are a whole lot of things that you might remember about the later entries in the Saints Row series -- lots of awesome moments, parodies, memorable characters, cameos, and plenty of WTF moments as well.

This list aren't ranked in any order, but it'll help rekindle your memory. (And don't worry, there will be a Vol. 2 of this list!)

Volition, the developers behind the Saints Row and Red Faction series, have reportedly laid off about 30 members of the studio over the past week. Although the company recently released Agents of Mayhem, a spinoff of the Saints Row franchise, neither of their main franchises have released a proper full-length game in several years, with no known releases in either currently set.

Despite the recent release of the game, Agents Of Mayhem, has not been performing well since release. The game was the first major title released by the developer since Saints Row: Gat Out Of Hell. 

As of this writing, neither Volition nor Koch Media has released a statement in regards to the reported layoffs.

Around the same time that Saints Row: Gat Out of Hell was released in 2015, publisher THQ - which owned Volition at the time - went into bankruptcy, with Volition and all of the developer's IPs being sold off to Koch Media/DeepSilver.

Stay tuned to GameSkinny for more news about Volition, Deep Silver, and Agents of Mayhem as it develops. 

Sandbox+

Modder: IdolNinja
Download on Saints Row Mods

This mod is a little different from the others on this list. What it essentially does is gives you the ability to revisit older areas in the game that you normally wouldn't be able to return to. It comes with several designated teleport points that you can jump to with a few key presses. It even gives you the ability to hotkey in your own custom teleport points.

The creator of this mod has a great deal of renown in the game's community -- so much so that he was hired by Volition, the developers of Saints Row, themselves. That, plus the amount of freedom this mod gives you, makes it well worth checking out. 

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Due to the relatively small size of the community, finding good mods for Saints Row 4 can be difficult. But that shouldn't dissuade you from checking out sites like Steam Workshop, ModDB, NexusMods, and Saints Row Mods for more awesome fan creations like these if you're interested. You might just stumble on something great!

Bigger, Blacker Holes

Modder: Alo81
Download from Saints Row Mods

This is another mod by the creator of the giant mech mod from before, and you can probably see a theme emerging here. You can unlock a Black Hole Gun by completing a side quest in the game, but this modder was seemingly disappointed by the power of the black holes it launched. This mod fixes that and should serve as an effective reminder of the terrifying power of black holes. Don't cross that event horizon, kids.

Broken Horse Outfit

Modder: Admixon
Download on Steam Workshop

Ever want to turn Saints Row 4 into Goat... er, Horse Simulator? Well, this mod will likely be helpful, as it does pretty much what it sounds like. It replaces your character with a horse. With broken animations. That can fly.

It's definitely one of the less elaborate mods out there (it was even an April Fool's Joke), but it should be good for some laughs if you want to see what happens when you completely throw immersion out the window.

Control a Giant Mech

Modder: Alo81
Download on Saints Row Mods

You actually do get to control a mech over the course of the game's story, but it's fairly small by mech standards, likely to add a little balance and keep you from feeling too overpowered. If you don't care about that, though, this mod will give you a much larger model that you can use to wreak havoc on just about everything in sight. You don't play Saints Row to be subtle, after all.

Saints Row 4 is not a game that's meant to be taken seriously. When a game's premise is that the player takes on the role of the President of the United States -- with superpowers, no less -- and pits them against a megalomaniacal alien overlord bent on conquering Earth, it's hard to imagine things getting even more over-the-top.

That hasn't stopped players from trying, however. While the modding community of Saints Row isn't as big or varied as some others (see: Skyrim or Fallout 4), there are still a few gems in the pile of Saint's Row 4 mods that are worth checking out that give you a bunch of new toys to play with.

Here are some of the most entertaining mods you can find for Saints Row 4.

Anew: The Distant Light is a 2D Action-Adventure Metroidvania exploration game planned to launch soon on Kickstarter.

The game revolves around the mysterious story of a child who walks up on an alien planet 20 light years from Earth, who must battle and puzzle his way through a hostile alien environment in order to "carry out a mission of critical importance."

And we're quite interested to learn what that mission is.

According to the game's official Kickstarter page. Anew: The Distant Light will feature a variety of different weapons and gear that are meant to each switch-up the gameplay, and all weapons can be upgraded in order to customize your own personal playstyle.

Anew will follow a classic Metroidvania structure, where the player will unlock new parts of the world as they discover new gear and abilities and grow in strength. This will in turn create new gameplay opportunities when revisiting previous areas.

The environments will also feature a day-to-night cycle, featuring varying atmospheric conditions and weather effects. These will affect the way in which you play the game more than just visibly passing time.

The game will include a hub-world in the form of the ship that you traveled to the alien planet on. As you explore the world, you will find and collect power cells, which will allow you to unlock more rooms inside the ship and increase gameplay options. Players can also pilot giant mechs, shuttles, and tanks as the explore the world, which all open up new combat and explorations possibilities.

The gradually unlocked spaceship hub.

The Kickstarter page also claims that it's, "inspired by classic games like Metroid, Cave Story, and Dark Souls, Anew: The Distant Light will appeal to fans of platforming, combat, exploration, and visual storytelling."

The game is being developed by the newly formed small team of Resonator Games, consisting of veterans of the AAA gaming industry veterans including Jeff Spoonhower, Steve Copeland, and Wilbert Roget II.

The logo for Resonator Games.

Collectively, Resonator members Jeff Spoonhower and Steve Copeland have worked in various positions from animation to gameplay and sound design at a number of high-end AAA developers such as EA, BioWare, Sony Computer Entertainment, Deep Silver, and 2K. Their work includes contributions to the development of Bioshock 2, Borderlands 2, Saints Row 1-4, Spec Ops: The Line, and Uncharted: Golden Abyss. 

The composer at Resonator games, Wilbert Roget II, is a veteran to the industry as well, and has created music for Monkey Island 2, Star Wars: The Old Republic, and Lara Croft and the Temple of Osiris. 

While only a few tracks have been made available to the public so far, what has been shared so far has been quite impressive. The music can range from massively oppressive and action-oriented to calm and emotional, and from the official trailer it seems as though it will be thematically appropriate.

If you're curious about the soundtrack, you can here one of the game's tracks by clicking here.

The last thing to mention must of course be the art style. Resonator Games sought to give Anew a very distinct, and wholly alien aesthetic, and it seems that they have succeeded. The entire game was not just hand-drawn, but apparently "hand-painted" by Jeff Spoonhower, and it shows.

Every environment is loaded with detail, each of them distinct in their atmosphere and setting, as well as a different yet appropriate choices of color-palette, and all of them clearly falling under the same "alien" style that the team was hoping for.  

 A dim and desolate forest-like area.

 A cozy and curious family living room.

 A deadly and sun-baked cavernous location.

Based on what we've seen so far, Anew: The Distant Light looks like a standout member among Kickstarter games, especially with so many 2D competitors in that department. It's a gorgeous, mysterious, and deep-looking adventure that you very well may want to keep your eye on.

Anew: The Distant Light will launch it's campaign on Kickstarter on Tuesday, February 14th, 8 AM Eastern Standard Time.

The game currently has target release date of July 2018 on PC.

You can watch the Kickstarter trailer for Anew: The Distant Light down below:

(Access to the early Kickstarter page and press kit provided by Resonator Games.)

What did you think of our list of the most absurdly expensive gamer gifts, and have you managed to actually nab anything here for yourself or that special someone in your life?

For those who can only dream of Emperor chairs and pricey limited edition game packages from afar, don't fret! We've already covered all the gamer Christmas gifts that are actually affordable and have got you covered right here.

Taco Bell Xbox 360

Bummed out about the long-reigning Xbox 360 officially leaving production? Missing all those cheesy gordita crunch and Mountain Dew-fueled nights with your best gamer bud?

For that friend of yours who freaking adores all things Taco Bell and is an Xbox fanatic, well, you can't get a better gift than this console literally bearing the bell itself... if you can find one.

Good luck getting it though, as there's only a handful in existence handed out as part of a Canadian promotion and they very, very rarely go for sale online. As it turns out, there are some things even money can't buy!

Full Size Master Chief Costume

Get It Here! 

I'm sitting here imagining this friend I know who is all about Halo opening a box containing this life-size, multi-piece cosplay of Master Chief, and I can just picture the absurd grin and hysterical happiness that would ensue.

You don't need to be a kid and it doesn't need to be Halloween to suit up as a Spartan and go to war... if you've got $500 - $700 burning a hole in your pocket at the moment, that is.

Nintendo 64 Coffee Table Base

Get It Here!

You are going to need somewhere to set that Pikachu N64 you bought your gamer spouse, right? That's where this nifty little item comes in. At a mere $150, it's practically a steal in comparison to anything else on this list! Just don't forget to buy the glass to set on top, otherwise you just have a really big knick knack sitting in the corner.

Pikachu N64

Get It Here!

There's just something about these old consoles that can't be matched by modern gaming, with a whole generation of gems now forgotten by the gamers of today.

If you want to relive the glory days of the Nintendo 64, then do it in style with this limited edition Pokemon branded version that can go from anywhere between $350 - $700 online.

They came in blue, purple, and orange color schemes, and yes, there really is a raised Pikachu coming out of the side of the console that lights up - that's not just a packaging image.

Saint's Row 4 Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition

OK, I love Saints Row 4. I mean seriously, I LOVE it. I've dubstepped a gazillion aliens. I saved Christmas with the Saints and killed that evil Santa Claus. I've done horrible, terrible things to destabilize the simulation that no sane person should ever consider.

But never would I be deranged enough to go for the Super Dangerous Wad Wad Edition. Only one is available and it will cost you precisely $1 million dollars. 

You also have to contact Deep Silver directly, as presumably PayPal isn't going to be cool with that sort of transaction. But hey, you get a Prius, some elective plastic surgery, and a “spy training day" along with a copy of this amazing game.

For those with less disposable income, there was also the Super Dangerous Wub Wub Edition for a mere $100, which does comes with a rad dubstep gun replica.

Final Fantasy Cold Casts

Search For Them Here!

There is an absolute horde of Final Fantasy memorabilia and collectible figurines from throughout the years covering every last nook and cranny of this massive franchise.

One of the spendier and harder to find series are the old cold cast line covering classic scenes from older games, like Mt. Ordeal from FFIV or the Opera House from FFVI.

There's not too many of them left, so when available they typically go in the $500 - $800 range at eBay.

Space Invaders Couch

Check Out This One!

Or This One Instead!

Designer furniture gets crazy expensive, and designer furniture based around video games is no exception. There are several different versions of this Space Invaders-themed blocky monstrosity that go in and out of availability and are very limited edition, usually running from $5,000 - $9,000 when they are being made at all. Betcha anything they aren't that comfy though.

Fallout 3 Limited Survival Edition

Get It Here!

Oh sure, Fallout 4 gets all the love these days, but this Amazon.com exclusive for its genre-redefining predecessor is absolutely worth it for the Capital Wasteland fanatic.

The Survival Edition - featuring a lunch box, Vault-Tec Bobblehead, all sorts of physical maps and manuals, and yes, even a wearable Pip-Boy - now goes for a pretty penny and will run you $700 - $1000 for one of the few sealed copies still remaining.

Skyrim Daedric Helmet

Get It Here!

For that cosplayer in your life, this is a gift that won't be soon forgotten. What's most impressive is that despite appearances, this isn't actually a licensed outfit from Bethesda.

Some very crafty person just got inspired by the Daedric armor from Skyrim and decided to start making these hand fashioned helmets based on the design, which are very highly rated at Etsy and will set you back $299.

Emperor Gaming Chair

Get It Here!

Calling this a "chair" is perhaps doing it a disservice. MWE Labs describes it as a "work environment," and even that doesn't really capture what's going on here.  

Anti-glare lighting, total sound and imagery immersion, completely adjustable (and heated!) seating in multiple dimensions... this thing is nuts!

The price tag matches the insanity of what's on display, starting at a mere $5,300 with none of the extra bells and whistles and going way, way, way up from there as you add on more features.

Oculus Rift

Get It Here!

How are VR devices still seriously around the $500 price point? At the cost (or in same cases, even higher) of a brand new console before any price drops come into play, it's going to be awhile before this trailblazing medium catches on and becomes more mainstream. But that's OK, because you're absurdly, filthy rich and plan on buying at least two, right?

Titan X Graphics Card

Get It Here!

Got an extra $1,200 lying around? Some sites are selling it for as much as 2 grand, but savvy shoppers can always find graphics cards cheaper than the going rate.

The absolute top of the line at the moment, the Titan X will chew up and spit out any Ultra settings 4K gaming experience you throw at it, and then still ask for more. Make sure your gamer's motherboard and power supply can actually handle this behemoth first though...

You've seen all the lists online: coolest gamer gifts under $20, awesome gamer secret Santa presents for $10 or less, and those are well and good... but what about the really, absurdly ostentatious gifts when money is no object?

We're talking about the things nobody in their right mind would buy, like 8 grand retro video game furniture or 20 grand gaming chairs. That's just the tip of the iceberg, at least for those with a whole lot of disposable income and a gamer they really want to treat well this holiday season.

We're going to cover it all here, from collectibles that are "just" a few hundred dollars all the way up to -- and we're not joking -- limited edition games running a cool million.

Buying video games can get pricey, so when a discount comes along it's always worth taking a look. Today, there's a pretty sweet line up for some recent releases and oldies but goodies. Get your collection up to speed or fill in the gaps of your game collection with these discounted titles. 

Deus Ex: Mankind Divided 

Normally priced at $59.99, save 18% when you purchase the latest title in the series. Adam Jensen is a real BAMF. 

DOOM 

Scoop up this title at 50% off normal price. At least the price is kind, the game is guaranteed to kick your ass. 

Rocket League 

Rocket League is a crazy popular game. if you haven't had the chance to play this one yet, buy it now at 40% off normal cost. 

Mafia II 

Even though the game is 6 years old, it's still a ton of fun to play. You can purchase a digital download at an 80% discount! 

Sword Art Online: Lost Song 

Explore the world of ALfheim Online at a 25% discount for PS4. 

Mirror's Edge Catalyst

Let's be honest, we all wanted to try parkour after playing Mirror's Edge. If you're still not comfortable leaping from rooftops, pick up this game at a 25% discount. 

XCOM: Enemy Unknown 

Another 80% discount deal, pick up this award-winning game and save Earth from a horrifying alien invasion. 

Saint's Row IV

For $5 (an 83% discount) you can own the game and all the DLC. Wait are you waiting for?

BioShock 2

Now, you can be a Big Daddy for real as you travel through the city of Rapture. You don't have to have Big Daddy bucks though, as the game is available for purchase at an 80% discount. 

BioShock Infinite

More BioShock! More discounts! Pick up the latest game in the series for $6 smackaroos. 80% discounts are amazing. 

Sid Meier's Civilization V

If you don't have this game, you're a disgrace to mankind. Atone for your failings and purchase today for $10. You owe it to humanity.

* * *

I’m always looking for new awesome products, so please send me your favorites at commerce@LaunchMediaNetwork.com.

And That's The List!

Thank you all very much for reading we hope you enjoyed it. If you have a superhero game that you felt belonged in the list, or could help to fill out a potential list in the future, feel free to tell us in the comments!

We know there were a fair few other games we could have mentioned, but we couldn't fit them all into one list. So recommend some more and we may do a follow-up in the future!

The Wonderful 101 (Wii U)

The Wonderful 101 is a like a childhood dream of being a superhero brought to life. While it isn't the most tightly designed title from action game experts Platinum Games, it is one of the most fun they've made, and without a shadow of a doubt the most impressive and ambitious. 

The Wonderful 101 takes Hideki Kamiya's trademarked style of character-action gameplay displayed in impressive past titles like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta. It simplifies it slightly, lightens the tone a bit -- It makes up for it's lessened depth by cramming the game with more color and organic variety than a farmer's market. 

You play as The Wonderful 100, a group of colorful masked heroes all armed with super-powered suits. Their task is to defend the Earth in the wake of it's third invasion by the evil alien organization, Geathjerk. You must control them all at once in an isometric environment as you hack, slash, punch and more through the alien menace. 

The gameplay of The Wonderul 101 is what truly sets it apart, as it is consistently fun and extremely creative.

It's unlike any other game out there, and that starts with it's very controls. Using either control scheme, you must draw specific shapes in order to have large numbers of Wonderful 100 members join up to form giant objects. Ranging from fists, whips, bombs, and more each object has its own unique property.

Fists can be set on fire and be used to throw fireballs, swords can conduct electricity and deflect laser attacks, and whips can rip spiked armor off of enemies, these are a few of many dynamic options within the title. 

These objects are also used for intense combat against savage alien forces that only get bigger and more impressive as the game goes on. Alongside battle, there's also creative puzzles which involve the use of several different powers, which keeps the pace constant.

In addition, the game also manages to include many different 2D shooter segments, all of high quality, and even a boss fight modeled after an NES classic, which I dare not spoil -- There is creativity and variety at every single turn.

With all that said, however, the game is far from flawless. The fixed camera and perspective can make combat and platforming frustrating and confusing at times, which is unfortunate in a game so heavy in both.

The combat and spectacle of the game also doesn't get truly interesting until after a few hours. This is after you've gotten used to the unorthodox controls and have purchased a few key upgrades. 

Most of all, the sections where the main focus is on the game pad screen, while creative and mostly functional, can be pretty finicky. Here, the camera is at it's absolute worst but it can be adjusted. 

But despite all the negatives, do not let that stop you from trying this game out if you can, because the positives far outweigh the negatives. The game is worth it for it's uniqueness and constant jaw-dropping high-points alone.

There just isn't any other game quite like The Wonderful 101. It has its flaws like all games, and if they stop some people from giving it a shot, that's totally understandable, if unfortunate.

There is no game that makes you feel more like a proper, tight-wearing, crime-fighting, and good-natured superhero. If you own a Wii U, you owe it to yourself to buy this game or, at the very least, try the free demo on the Wii U eShop.

Without the player, there is only a Wonderful 100, and the last one, is you. If the director's cut trailer below doesn't convince you, then nothing will: 

Viewtiful Joe (1&2) (Gamecube/PS2)

We live in an age where many video games are trying to be more cinematic, and attempt to evoke the feeling of a tightly-directed film. Unfortunately this occasional comes at the cost of gameplay. There have been few games in recent memory that have succeeded in making themselves feel cinematic without heavily compromising their gameplay. Among those few is Viewtiful Joe, and its one of the best. 

Viewtiful Joe's unique presentation is reminiscent of both American comic books as well as Japanese sentai heroes. With the combination of its fluid combat and unique time-manipulation mechanics it resulted in a game like no other. This game loves slow-mo sequences in action movies, as well as any shot that makes the good guy look cool. It succeeds at implementing shots like this into both its narrative and gameplay.

Viewtiful Joe does have a story and characters in addition to it's great gameplay. Now, while neither are by any means deep, the characters are all distinct and memorable. The story is also surprisingly poignant in a simple yet effective way.

Joe himself is one of the best kinds of heroes in gaming, and one that is all too rare today -- being the kind of protagonist that loves being a hero more than anything.  

Viewtiful Joe is a game that proudly trumpets the moral that old-fashioned heroes will never go out of style and manages to reflect this in both it's gameplay and plot. It is a classic cheesy action flick in playable form and it loves being what it is.

Hey, if you don't believe us, just ask Tom from Toonami:

Saints Row IV (Various Platforms)

Saints Row IV bids farewell to whatever remaining sense of restraint that the series had after Saints Row the Third, and gives way completely to scattershot, ridiculous, video-gamey fun.

Saints Row IV takes the player through the destruction of Earth and the extinction of most of humanity, and the leader of the Saints -- the now president of the former United States -- must stop the evil Zin empire and their foppish leader Zinyak.

The story is over-the-top and full of surprises, all of them good, and it's topped off by a surprisingly strong character focus and witty, often intelligent dialogue. It's a game that does a great job of looking childish and stupid when it's actually pretty smart.

Throughout the course of it's robust campaign, Saints Row IV gives the player piles of creative guns, effective superpowers, and kooky appearance customization options to mess around with.  The sandbox city, while reused from Saints Row the Third, feels new and fresh. This is thanks to new content accessible via the new super-speedy running and jumping somewhat similar to Prototype, but done with more fluid and smoother controls.

The story is comedic and loaded with memorable moments, high-quality comedic banter, and a truckload of fantastic gameplay set-pieces. Some set-pieces are so fleshed-out that they could have come from a completely different game. 

With all of these different mechanics coming and going, some may say that the game lacks discipline, and that's somewhat true -- but that's a big part of the game's main appeal and charm.

To quote Ben "Yahtzee" Croshaw in reference to the game:

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It's a mess, but it's a fun mess.

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Saints Row IV is the epitome of power fantasy.

It's bite-sized sort-of-sequel Saints Row: Gat out of Hell is also a blast, and built directly on the foundation of IV, so if you end up liking four, jump straight onto Gat out of Hell and enjoy another couple of hours on the fun-train. 

Prototype Series (Various Platforms)

Both Prototype and it's sequel Prototype 2 gave their players excellent murder playgrounds to frolic around in. Which isn't that surprising, as you'd probably expect the same developer as The Simpsons: Hit & Run, to understand chaotic gameplay pretty well.

There isn't much to say about the gameplay of the Prototype series, as the two games are very similar, and the gameplay is pretty simple, but just deep enough to be involving and challenging.

Both Prototype games are highly visceral murder-centric sandboxes that guide the player through a sinister conspiracy plot unfolding in New York City. The protagonist becomes unwillingly involved and is turned into a super-powered mutant with killer superpowers.

The story isn't the best in either installment, although that isn't for a lack of trying. It's mostly because it's too difficult to rationalize all of the horrible things that the protagonists do to really call them heroes.

Both Alex Mercer and James Heller are more villains or anti-heroes than traditional heroes. But if this was necessary in order to allow the player the previously mentioned freedom in gameplay, I'd call it a fair sacrifice.

You are free to kill, maim, and cause property damage in a number of wonderfully creative, and most importantly -DESTRUCTIVE ways- Everything from disguising yourself as a soldier by eating one alive, to hijacking tanks and helicopters with your tentacle arm, to even turning human enemies into bombs and throwing them into a huge crowd to watch everything get pulled into them before exploding.

Prototype 2 improved on a lot of the minor flaws found in the first game, by improving on the slightly frustrating controls, changing the upgrade system, and making the sandbox a great deal larger with much more colorful and high-end graphics. Despite these obvious improvements, both games are different enough from each other to be worth playing, and are both easily recommendable.

It's a true shame that Activision closed Radical Entertainment's doors even after Prototype 2's excellent sales, but if nothing else, Prototype 2 was a great game and a great swan song for an overall great developer.

Take a peek below at how fun it can be to murder your maker:  

Batman Arkham Series (Various Platforms)

Alright, let's get the really obvious one out of the way.

Yes, the Batman Arkham games are almost all excellent. In an industry full of competitors, they stand out as grand examples of both how to handle a license. They're also great examples of how to immerse a player in a fictional world, and really get inside the head of the main character.

From the original Arkham Asylum to the fairly recent Arkham Knight, everything in these games allow you to really feel like Batman. From the colorful rogue's gallery, the utility belt, and to the Batmobile itself.

Each Installment in the series is similar in gameplay and controls, but all distinct enough from each other to be sold on their own merits. All of the titles (except possibly Arkham Origins) can be easily recommended. 

Video games allow us to make believe in so many different ways. There are video games that let us escape from reality to become; space marines, cartoon animals, and even futuristic bartenders serving drinks to robots.

But of all the escapist alter egos that gaming provides us with, none are quite as popular, or immediately gratifying, as the superhero.

There are loads of classic superhero comics and graphic novels, and we're now in the middle of a renaissance for superhero films.

But video games actually let you become a superhero. Watching Spider-Man swing between buildings and smack The Green Goblin around is all well and good, but it can't compare to actually getting the chance to do it yourself.

There have been a number of good games where you can be a superhero. Unfortunately, most fall victim to be tie-in shovel-ware. This list is dedicated to those few games that go above and beyond and actually manage to make the player believe-- even if just for a moment -- that they are a true hero themselves.

Also, for the sake of representing some more original games, the number of games with licensed superheroes like Spider-Man or Superman (pfft, yeah right) has been kept low. With all that said, let's put on our tights and capes, and answer the cry for justice!

The name THQ has been out of the spotlight for a while, as the publisher declared bankruptcy in December 2012 and its assets were auctioned off to various developers a month later.

Following the demise of THQ, Crytek acquired Homefront, Sega snapped up the Warhammer 40,000 series, and South Park: The Stick of Truth went to Ubisoft -- while Metro and Saints Row were bought by Deep Silver. Many of the remaining IPs, including Darksiders, Red Faction, and Destroy All Humans!, were auctioned to a little known publisher called Nordic Games.

In addition to acquiring many of the company's major franchises, Nordic Games bought the rights to the THQ trademark. In order to more closely associate itself with the the recognizable brand, the publisher will now operate under the name THQ Nordic.

Addressing the decision to rebrand, CEO Lars Wingefors said:

"Whilst we take great pride in our Swedish roots and accomplished a great deal under the Nordic Games masthead, we decided it was time to incorporate the THQ name. Those key brands will continue to shape our business in a meaningful way going forward, and THQ Nordic represents a core approach of doing much more than “owning” a highly competitive portfolio of IPs. We cherish them, and align them with the very best development resources to expand upon them with the level of experience that communities and established fan bases expect and deserve."

THQ Nordic has reportedly 23 games in development, 13 of which have yet to be announced -- with the majority of these based on former THQ-owned franchises. Given the recent emphasis on the Darksiders series (Darksiders 2 got a remaster last year and the original is set for the same treatment with Darksiders: Warmastered Edition) our money's on Darksiders 3 being among them.

If you aren't bleeding red, white, and blue after playing these 11 ultra-patriotic games, then you need to go drop a couple of hundred dollars on unnecessary fireworks and try again.

What's your favorite pro-America game, and how many of the titles we mentioned have you managed to beat? Let us know what other 4^th Of July-friendly games we should be dusting off this summer in the comments below.

Homefront: The Revolution

A re-imagining of the occupied America presented in the previous game, second title The Revolution switches to an open world style as you run a guerrilla resistance against the Korean invaders. 

While sadly the game had a bit of a bumpy start and still suffers from some frame rate issues, if you like open world games along the lines of Far Cry 3/4, you should make a point of checking this one out.

Modifying guns on the fly or building makeshift explosives out in the field is a cool twist, and there's some iconic characters to meet in this dark dystopian future.

Everything Duke Nukem

What better exemplifies America than lowest common denominator misogyny and a love for all big guns and bigger jugs? Duke couldn't be any more American if he shat bald eagles!

Sure, these games are awful and several of them are essentially unplayable, but America does things the hard way damn it, and you should too.

Saints Row IV

Not only do you become President of the grand old U. S. of A. (by totally legitimate and not at all ludicrous means), but you also get to avenge the country's death at the hands of annihilating aliens. Eat your heart you Bill Pullman!

Rather than seeing the new Independence Day flick no one asked for, just play Saints Row IV instead. It's not often you get to be a nude Matrix-style savior while beating gang members and aliens to death with a big floppy dildo – and after all, isn't that what America is really all about?

Assassin's Creed III

In the never-ending Assassin's Creed series, Ubisoft went a very unexpected route in entry #3, allowing you to be part of the founding of America itself, but as an assassin of course.

The glorious American revolution can't succeed without your stealth take downs, so sharpen up those tomahawks and get on birthing the greatest nation in the world already.

Both the Revolution and later Civil War period of history are rife for gaming, and that really begs the question: when are we going to get an Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter video game adaptation?

Christian Founders 3D Computer Game

This amazing little title – which lets you know its in 3D straight in the title! - is (sort of) a platformer where you run around a mansion covered in full-wall size portraits of various American history personalities.

While traveling through this bizarre fun house of horror, be sure to grab all the flag collectibles and and read all those tiny commentary text boxes. Personally, I'm convinced this is satire and making fun of exactly the sort of person who would un-ironically buy this, but others aren't so sure.

What clinches it for me (other than the hilarious graphics) are the notoriously inaccurate quotes used to teach the lessons, like perpetuating the myth that George Washington said “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.” Despite the fact that such a phrase never actually appeared in his farewell address, the urban legend lives on anyway.

Grand Theft Auto IV

What's more patriotic than a down-on-his-luck immigrant coming to Liberty City by boat and achieving the American Dream?

He works his way up from nearly homeless drifter to driver at a cab company and then breaks out as an entrepreneur trying his hand at many diverse and lucrative businesses.

Best of all? Nico Bellic is very second amendment friendly. GTA IV is as American as apple pie, and just as kid-friendly.

Patriotic Pinball

For the true patriot who already has a flag draped across his wall and never goes out unless he's sporting some stars and stripes duds, there's the game-changing Patrotic Pinball.

It's exactly like regular pinball, just, you know, with more patriotism. It even has a whole whopping TWO different levels to play: “America on Duty” and “Roadtrip Coast To Coast.”

Broforce

Remember those extremely outlandish pro-America cartoons you can watch while flipping through the television channels on the later Grand Theft Auto games? Developer Free Lives turned them into a side scrolling, platforming shooter, and we can't thank them enough!

When the world is in trouble, the over-powered Broforce is called in to annihilate evil, bro style. Just how patriotic is this game? The top Steam review simply reads “Bought this game as a European. Now I'm an American.”

Bioshock Infinite

A legitimately awesome game even independent of the story and themes, Bioshock Infinite also has its fair share of social commentary on the past and present state of America.

The people of the floating city of Colombia absolutely adore John Wilkes Boothe, and they have more than a little in common with a certain wing of American politics... so much so that a tea party group in Florida once made headlines by un-ironically using the above image as their Facebook banner.

The fact that “It is our holy duty to guard against the foreign hordes” and a very clear focus on white purity didn't tip them off the negative nature of the image is mind-bogglingly hilarious.

No matter where you fall on the political spectrum though, Bioshock Infinite offers an amazing FPS experience (maybe the best the Xbox 360 had to offer?) that is way outside the norm and has a mind-bending story to keep you intrigued from beginning to end.

Great Wall Of America

Make America great again by building a yuuuuuge wall (a beautiful wall, the best wall) out of the heads of your political rivals! You don't want to be berated for having small hands, do you? Better build that wall even higher then.

Best of all, it's completely free on mobile devices, since they made Mexico pay for it.

Pick it up here, and don't forget – if a blond woman beats your high score, you are duty bound to tweet that blood must be coming out of her “wherever” when you throw your losing temper tantrum. Anybody else desperately ready for November to be over already?

It's not just Android developers getting in on the Trump action lately either, as even the latest Pokemon to be revealed is clearly inspired by his iconic hair cut!

Turning Point: Fall Of Liberty

Although certainly not without flaws (for some reason your aim is better if you AREN'T using the iron sights), this perennially underrated FPS is actually a pretty good time, and it does have a unique setting and premise.

In this shooter, America actually fell to Nazi invasion (making it a perfect accompaniment to Amazon's The Man In The High Castle series), and you as a simple construction worker in the '50s get drafted into rebelling against the German invaders.

More than just trying to reclaim your homeland, the story shifts to preventing the Nazis from finishing the atomic bomb before anyone else does, radically changing history forever.

While grilling up your 10% beef hot dogs with a side of greasy Freedom Fries this 4^th of July, why on earth would you try to save a place like Sera or Reach from invasion? Don't you know there's a gob of games out there that let you keep America safe and beautiful while kicking some star-spangled ass?

Ditch those alien frontiers or European battlefronts and go for the gold. With these 11 games you can repel Nazi invaders in alternate timelines, build a wall to keep out the foreigners, play only the most patriotic of pinball machines, achieve the American Dream, and even become President!

Volition Studios has been silent since the release of its Saints Row game last year. Now they have broken that silence with the release of a new trailer for Agents of Mayhem on YouTube.

Deep Silver, the publisher, announced the game through IGN, who described the game as, “an exclusively single-player-open-world action game featuring characters with cool guns, gadgets, and abilities to toy around with.” The game follows MAYHEM (Multinational Agency for Hunting Evil Masterminds), a rag-tag group of superheroes that are trying to thwart the plans of LEGION (League of Evil Gentlemen Intent on Obliterating Nations).

Players will get to lead a squad of three agents from a roster of twelve. Based on the trailer, it also appears that you can switch characters as you play the game. Each agent has his or her own gadget that can be upgraded and customized.

The game takes place in the same universe as Saints Row, and will be released in 2017. In the coming month, we can expect to see the first-ever gameplay footage, a look inside Volition and the making of Agents of Mayhem, and a few other things.

"Free" is a word that is music to everyone's ears. And Microsoft is the Pied Piper leading you to the goodies. Over the weekend, Microsoft added Sunset Overdrive and Saints Row IV to their lineup of free games for those with Xbox Live Gold memberships.

Microsoft has been offering games for free like this for years, and it has been an enormous success for Xbox Live Gold. Those paying for the service expect to get their money's worth. Luckily for Microsoft, they really shine on this front and put out valuable content.

Every couple of weeks, Microsoft makes certain big titles available for free for around two weeks to a month. Please note (to those who don't know) that this doesn't mean that you get the game free forever. You are able to download it for free and play it for as long as Microsoft makes it available for free. Currently, the games that are listed for free are:

• The Wolf Among Us (April 1-30)
• Sunset Overdrive (April 16-May 15)
• Saints Row IV (April 16th-May 15th)

Saints Row IV is actually the Xbox 360 version, but it can be played on both Xbox 360 and Xbox One (due to its backwards compatibility.)

If you want to download the games, you can get Sunset Overdrive here and Saints Row IV here.

It seems Microsoft is really pulling one out the bag this month after announcing the free games on offer for the April edition of their Games With Gold program. It's even better news for Xbox One users, who can get both Xbox 360 titles even if they don't own the last gen console, due to Xbox One's backwards compatibility feature. The games on offer are as follows:

Xbox One

• The Wolf Among Us (available April 1-30)
• Sunset Overdrive (available April 16-May 15)

Xbox 360 (backwards compatible)

• Dead Space (available April 1-15)
• Saints Row IV (available April 16-30)

A pretty strong lineup, I think most would agree -- reviewers certainly did anyway, with all four games scoring at least 81 or higher on Metacritic. It seems like there's something for almost everyone on offer too, whether it be The Wolf Among Us to scratch your adventure game itch, Dead Space for your survival horror needs, or you just want some zany, over-the-top action in Sunset Overdrive or Saints Row IV.

What do you think about this month's offering? Let us know in the comments.

That wraps up our analysis of the least inspiring quotes that video games have to offer. Let us know which one you thought was the best and which ones we missed that should have been included! For a look at the opposite side of the coin, don't forget to take a gander at our roundup of the most inspiring quotes in all of gaming.

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“Soon, pitiful worms! Soon I will rule, and your lives will have their doneness setting turned to... darkest!”

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“Have you ever tried to indulge an all-consuming urge to kill when you don't have opposable thumbs? Or hands? Or anything other than a bread slot? You'd have a lot of pent-up anger too!

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-- The Toaster from Fallout: New Vegas expansion Old World Blues

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This may be the one and only game featuring a genocidal toaster who is genuinely unhappy to learn the world was already destroyed in a nuclear Armageddon before he could get around to annihilating all life.

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“We broke it. Yes, we were naughty. Completely naughty. So, so very sorry. But just between you and us, it felt quite good.”

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“We get it, its a slacker thing. What next? Video store clerk? Screenwriter? Whatever it is, we are so not paying for it. Poor, poor, Us, stuck with a L-O-S-E-R like you!”

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-- King Of All Cosmos, Katamari Damacy

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The King Of All Cosmos destroys the whole universe and nobody says anything, but if The Prince makes one little mistake the string of berating comments arrives. He's really not a very good dad.

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“How low can you get? I love it! All right, I'll help you. Nothing to lose but my life.”

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-- Setzer, Final Fantasy VI

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Way to put it all in perspective Setzer. His philosophy here after being swindled and convinced to fight a world spanning empire is what I like to call "optimistic nihilism."

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Nobody's d*ck's that long. Not even Long Dick Johnson, and he had a f*cking long d*ck. Thus, the name."

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-- Cass, Fallout: New Vegas

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Even surprassing "your face looks like my butt," there is some truly bizarre dialog in the Fallout series when characters try to explain concepts in ways the Courier or Vault Dweller can understand.

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“I'm afraid that if you were to remove that... I would be naked.”

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-- Fall From Grace, Planescape: Torment

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When's the last time a succubus gave you a gentle reminder about how clothes work? I'm sure you all heard this little voice acted gem in a totally innocent way when you were trying to give Grace's bodice to another character in need of some armor, right?

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“Sh*t, the hell you so calm about? You bustin' up my rhythm."

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-- Barret Wallace, Final Fantasy VII

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You always had a way with words Barret, and you have the honor of being the very first video game character I ever saw use a curse word on my television screen. Congratulations!

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“Hey Kinzie, you wanna f*ck?”

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-- The Boss, Saints Row 4

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Geeze, Boss, buy a girl a drink first? The Boss doesn't waste any time on romance in this iteration of the series. Guess that's what happens when the earth has been destroyed and you're becoming the new Neo messiah in the Matrix. In Boss's defense though, the line totally works, although Kinzie does punch him first.

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“The last time a big naked dude said he could help me, it did not end well.”

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-- Pierce Washington, upon meeting naked Oleg, Saints Row The Third 

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Pierce is a continuing source of comic relief in the series, but there's a darkness to his need to be funny. Pierce has SEEN THINGS.

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“You'd find that lady luck was actually a hooker, and you were fresh out of cash.”

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-- Max Payne

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Before wowing us with his quote about needing passion for life to be worth living, our tortured detective was also spinning some low grade noir analogies.

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“Please note that we have added a consequence for failure. Any contact with the chamber floor will result in an 'unsatisfactory' mark on your official testing record, followed by death. Good luck!”

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“Well done. Here are the test results: You are a horrible person. I'm serious, that's what it says: 'A horrible person.' We weren't even testing for that. Don't let that horrible-person thing discourage you. It's just a data point. If it makes you feel any better, science has now validated your birth mother's decision to abandon you on a doorstep.”

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-- GLaDOS, Portal and Portal 2

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For being an all-seeing AI with total control over your environment, GLaDOS sure is passive aggressive.

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“You have died of dysentery” 

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-- The Oregon Trail

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It doesn't get much more succinct that than, does it? What kid who grew up in the late '80s or early '90s didn't get a screen like this a couple of dozen times in computer lab?

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“Suck the tears off my d*ck, you ugly mud f*ckers!”

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-- General Sarrano, Bulletstorm

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I know there's somebody out there who desperately wants this profound quote inscribed on their tombstone. This character from the ridiculous Bulletstorm is a foul-mouthed drill sergeant that would put R. Lee Ermey to shame, and this is actually one of his less offensive quotes. He always knows exactly what to say to let people really know how he's feeling.

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“Real bad asses eat chocolate chip cookies. Wait a minute... those aren't chocolate chip cookies... those...are...RAISINS. Why do bad things happen to good people?”

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“BURN ALL THE BABIES!”

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“That's right. Twin sisters, man. Hhhahhhhhh. Take 'em. Take 'em take 'em take 'em take 'em”

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-- Tiny Tina, Borderlands 2

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Tina Tina accomplishes the impossible – she is both more psychotic and more entertaining to listen to than Vaas from Far Cry 3. She also makes me genuinely terrified of 13 year old girls. She alternates between disturbing sexuality towards stuffed animals and an intense lust to blow up trains and bandits. There's too many good ones to pick, so just listen to all of them together below!

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“Some trees flourish, others die. Some cattle grow strong, others are taken by wolves. Some men are born rich enough and dumb enough to enjoy their lives. Ain't nothing fair”

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-- John Marston, Red Dead Redemption

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Talk about a downer! It's like all those "you are in control of your own destiny" quotes from our most-inspiring article, but taken down the bleakest path possible. Maybe John's a nihilist... or just a realist.

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“You know what? Your face looks like my butt.”

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-- The Vault Dweller, Fallout 3

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There are a horde of hilarious dialog options to be found in the Fallout series if you try all the different perks and varying stat builds (give either Fallout 3 or Fallout New Vegas a try with no points in intelligence and see what happens). This one, only available with the Child At Heart perk, fell a little flat.

After taking a look at some of the most inspiring and unexpectedly thought-provoking quotes across gaming, we'd be remiss if we didn't head the opposite direction. There's plenty of major downers in any given storyline to offset those uplifting moments.

Should it be any surprise that there's some truly cringe-worthy text and hilariously offensive quotes to be found in the zany, outlandish world of gaming? What's interesting is that in quite a few cases, the least inspiring quotes and the most inspiring quotes actually come from the same games.

After trudging through a deluge of horrifying (and OK, frequently quite amusing) lines of dialog, we've found all the best of the worst on display in the following slides. Have fun in the filth, and don't forget to fill out the poll at the end to let us know your favorite!

Saint's Row IV - Wastes of Money You Don't Have

This one's a lot to take in. A truly mind-boggling attempt at a pre-order, even for the developers of the wacky Saint's Row series. The aptly titled 'Million Dollar Package' bundle lived up to it's name as a single unit with a million dollar price tag that offered:

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• Saint's Row IV Commander in Chief Edition
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• Full-sized replica of the Dub Step gun
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• Hostage rescue experience
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• a trip to space on Virgin Galactic's shuttle
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• Plastic surgery (vague)
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• a spy training day
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• a personal shopper
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• capsule wardrobe
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• 7 nights at the Top Royal Suite of the Burj-Al-Arab in Dubai
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• A week for two at the Jefferson Hotel in Washington, DC
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• First class flights to both Washington and Dubai
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• a Lamborghini Gallardo
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• A Toyota Prius with one year of insurance
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• a Super Car Membership
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There are no words to describe this package. Considering it didn't sell (surprise, surprise), it feels like more of a marketing stunt but was a legitimately offered package.

Fallout 4 - Socks

This one probably had a lot of fans scratching their heads. The highly anticipated Fallout 4 has been shining proudly in the spotlight for months, doing no wrong with it's impressive trailers. Out of nowhere, it seems as though Bethesda has decided to release a Best Buy exclusive bundle that comes with the season pass and, you guessed it, socks.

There is nothing left to say about this one. Go home Bethesda, you're drunk.

Infamous: Second Son - Condoms

Sometimes pre-orders differ geographically as much as they do from vendor to vendor. Infamous: Second Son is a perfect example of how strange things can get once we start crossing borders. The Italy-exclusive pre-order bundle of the game came with a box of Infamous-themed glow in the dark condoms, complete with two cans of red bull and the slogan 'Enjoy Your Power'. 

What's most ironic about this package (no pun intended) is that it completely contradicts the age-old stereotype of virgin gamers. Maybe Italian gamers get laid more.

Resident Evil 5 - Snow Globe

Resident Evil was one of the pioneers of survival horror games, and produced some of the greatest hits of modern gaming. Naturally, you'd think Capcom would take the opportunity to create some truly terrifying bonuses for the sequel to the biggest title in the series, however, this was not the case...at all.

Instead of scaring players, Capcom decided to give out horrifying, blood-curdling...snow globes. Yep.

Super Street Fighter IV - Super Thumb Fighters

It's not uncommon to find toys accompanying a game in a pre-order bundle. Whether it's action figures or statues, this makes the perfect physical addition to a bundle. What doesn't make a perfect addition is something no one wants to play with, like Super Thumb Fighters. 

These finger condoms were decorated with various characters from the game, with the intention of having buyers wear thumb during their thumb wrestling bouts. If only anyone actually thumb wrestled...

Pre-orders have become a standard marketing strategy for video game developers to sell more units. Pre-ordering ensures that units are sold before the game's actual release. This can prove risky for gamers, as many games can be misleading prior to their release with fancy trailers.

Buyers' rewards to taking the pre-order plunge are certain bonus incentives. Whether they're in-game or physical extras, sometimes (more often than we'd like to believe) we're presented with something so useless and completely out of left field, we're left wondering what the developers were thinking. 

1. HDoom mod

You know what I always thought would make Doom better? Turning it into a hentai-like sex game that featured tons of naked female demonic creatures, a dildo-equipped chainsaw and a load of human-on-demon interspecies humping. If only someone would make a mod that could do that...

What? Someone actually did? Awesome! Yes, HDoom really does bring those dodgy anime sexy-demon fantasies to life. The mod’s actually a very impressive piece of work, technically, as it overhauls the whole game. There's plenty of new (usually sex-based) weaponry and a whole host of big-breasted monsters to kill and/or make love to. Be warned – this is pretty graphic, even with the low-res visuals.

HDoom gets the number one spot because it's so imaginative, the creator has obviously put loads of work into it, and it's very, very filthy. 

Download HDoom from creator hdoomguy's official blog.

Have you used any of the mods on our list? Which mods would you add? Let us know in the comments!

2. Saints Row 4 naked mod

Considering that Saints Row 4 featured the mighty Dildo Bat (aka the Penetrator), it’s a bit surprising that there wasn’t a nudity option already included in the base game. For those who prefer to carry out their open-world shenanigans in the guise of a totally naked, large-large breasted woman, then check out the mod below.

There’s also a link to the YouTube video showing the mod in action. If you watch it (not at work, remember), you’ll notice that it’s actually very well done. Rather than have her body resembling various textures that have obviously been overlaid onto clothes, the lady in question does really look like a naked character designed by the game-makers. I watched the video several times and paused it often, just to make sure.

Get the Saints Row 4 nudity mod from this Deposit Files link.

Or just watch the YouTube video of the mod here

3. Adult Borderlands 2 texture mod

Most people know that if you type ‘video game sexy images’ into a search engine, half the results you’ll get back will be of Borderlands’ Mad Moxxi in various stages of undress, usually manipulating a variety of...things.

This mod shows more imagination than merely revealing more of Moxxi’s already fairly exposed chest; instead, it replaces a number of the textures around Pandora with content of a more ‘adult’ nature. This includes plastering vending machines, signs, posters and walls with things such as sex cards, adverts for adult toys, naughty graffiti and, naturally, pictures of Moxxi’s fully exposed boobs.

Make Pandora that little more dirtier by downloading the mod from this Nudemod page.

4. Mass Effect mods

The Mass Effect series is not only the greatest game trilogy of all time, but it shows that intergalactic sexual relations with aliens can be a very beautiful thing - something I’ve argued for years. Unfortunately, many believe the one area where the game is lacking is when it comes to showing off some alien (and human) boobage. Time for the modders to step up and make things right.

There are a selection of nude mods on offer here, including a particularly impressive naked female Shepherd one - holding humanity’s fate in her hands while running round like she’s at a nudist colony makes for an interesting juxtaposition. There are also several other mods which ‘improve’ the romantic cutscenes and give the female characters a variety of outfits that wouldn’t be suitable for wearing to church.

Get yourself a selection of naked Mass Effect characters from Girl Plays Game.

5. The Sims naked mods

The problem with ‘life-simulator’ The Sims is that it doesn’t represent every aspect of real life - like walking around naked or dressing up as if you’re on the set of a Ron Jeremy movie. Now, thanks to the magic of modding, you can add some harsh, jiggly reality to your Sim’s existence.

There are numerous mods available for the Sims 2, 3, and 4. They range from dressing your tiny avatars up like they’ve just escaped from a S&M dungeon, to having them walk around completely butt-naked. If, like me, you want to justify your filthy actions by telling yourself it adds realism, then only download the mod that removes the shower mosaic grid.

You can download this and a whole host of other naughty Sims mods from the Sims2xsims website.

Or download a nude mod directly from File Planet here.

6. Skyrim Better Males mod

Seeing as every other mod on this list is based on women losing their clothes, here’s something where the gender being stripped bare is male.

Taken from the insanely popular Sex and Violence: The top 10 Best NSFW Skyrim mods list, the ‘Better males mod’ lets the testosterone-fuelled beefcakes of Skyrim walk around like they can’t even feel the biting cold. You even get the option have your men smooth skinned or seventies-style hairy monsters, now that’s some attention to detail.

See the naked men of Skyrim strut their stuff by downloading the mod from the Nexus Mods website.

7. Half-Life 2 Naked Alyx Vance mod

With Alyx Vance, Valve showed how to make a strong, smart female character without putting her in a bikini and a pair of glasses. She was the cool girl-next-door who you wanted as a girlfriend, the kind of lady you could bring home to meet your mother – then the Internet came along and decided she would be better off without clothes.

If you’d like to see Alyx strutting around wearing nothing but her birthday suit, then download the mod below. I’ll have you know I only did it for research purposes, you dirty, dirty people.

See Alyx sans clothing by downloading the mod from File Planet.

8. Fallout 3 nude Hi-Rez patch

Few things get the blood pumping to the nether regions like the thought of mutated creatures, death by radiation poisoning and a bleak, post-apocalyptic society - which obviously makes Fallout 3 a damn sexy game. But if that’s not enough for you, then there’s a whole slew of mods out there that gives Bethesda’s RPG a more... porny feel.

Out of all these mods, it’s this ‘nude patch Hi-Rez’ one that’s considered the best - and by best I mean dirtiest. Basically stripping every female character in the game of their clothing, the mod can be made all the more sinister by utilizing V.A.T.S to have a long, lurky look at them. How do they manage to find so many razors in the wasteland?

Want more nudity in Fallout 3? Then download the mod from Nudemod.

9. Dead or Alive 5 nude mod

The thing about Dead or Alive 5 is that the female characters in it are flashing a fair bit of flesh as it is. But that’s just not enough for some people, especially those who want to see these ladies fighting au natural.

Luckily for those gamers who want to see more of Momiji, Ayane, Marie Rose, and Kasumi, a series of nude mods are available that will make concentrating on fighting all the more difficult.

Surely these outfits are massively impractical for hand-to-hand combat?

Find the various nude character mods at this Game Vixen Zone.

Editors Note: No longer available.

10. Catwoman nude mod for Batman: Arkham City

If you’re the kind of person who looks at Catwoman’s sexy catsuit in Batman: Arkham City and thinks: “Niiiiice. But is there any chance we can remove the chest, ass and crotch parts?” Then this very, very graphic mod will be right up your alley.

If you look closely, you can see it’s a just a simple texture change, but it certainly makes for a pretty 'detailed' effect. Install this mod and the opportunity to make countless p***y jokes and will be yours - as well as being able to see Catwoman’s bits, of course. You pervert.

You can download the nude Catwoman mod at Nudepatch.

Game mods really are an amazing thing. They allow creative people to alter a number of aspects of a game - from the graphics to the gameplay - and come up with something totally different, and often better, than the original product. This can lead to the development of entirely new titles that become more popular than the base games they spawned from, like the way Defense of the Ancients did with Warcraft III. Mods can also keep a game looking fresh for years after its release date by adding new graphical updates; Skyrim, for example, has had its visuals updated frequently by modders since its 2011 release. Modding is a truly wonderful thing.

And, of course, it’s often used to take video game characters' clothes off.

Yes, it may be seen as a bit seedy, but a lot of mods do revolve around getting people in games (usually females, let's be honest) naked. Whatever your thoughts on this matter, you have to applaud these modders' technical skills, imagination, and ability draw a massive pair of boobs.

So, whether you’re here for research purposes, to laugh at others, to download these mods, or to show utter disdain at the fact that this kind of thing goes on, here are the 10 best NSFW nude mods ever made.