With summer already rolling, we gamers at the Clog can finally play those spring-released video games that we couldn’t get our hands on during the busy semester.  Of course, if you’re one of those who had a game setup here in Berkeley, then please disregard this. Regardless, here is a list of five games that we recommend starting this summer:

1. “DmC: Devil May Cry.” Is vanquishing demons with a super cool sword and a pair of sweet guns named “Ebony & Ivory” your idea of fun? Then this reboot of the famous iconic action game series known as Devil May Cry just might be for you! Play as a demon hunter named Dante — a man who, as a half demon and half angel, must come to terms with his birthright and destroy the demon responsible for the murder of his parents, all while stylishly kicking massive amounts of demonic butt along the way. This game is definitely a keeper for people who love playing action heavy hack-and-slash games like “God of War” and, of course, the original “Devil May Cry.” (Available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.)

2. “Bioshock: Infinite.” This is the successor of the critically acclaimed game entitled “Bioshock.” In the world of gaming, the excitement surrounding this game matches the hype that surrounded Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight Rises.” “Bioshock: Infinite” is a first-person shooter set in 1912 that tells the story of Booker Dewitt, a former Pinkerton agent tasked with rescuing a girl capable of opening rifts in time and space who has been imprisoned since childhood in the flying city known as Columbia. The gameplay mixes shooting with character-building RPG elements and an abundance of special abilities. Of course, the brilliantly immersive narrative storytelling and intense skyline-traveling thrills also add to the rich elements of the game. This one is definitely a candidate for Game of the Year 2013. We at the Clog recommended this to people who love mind blowing stories and solid first-person shooter gameplay. (Available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.)

3. “Tomb Raider.” Who hasn’t heard of “Tomb Raider?” Be it from the classic games or the films starring Angelina Jolie, we’ve all been exposed to the famous archaeologist Lara Croft. Well, a reboot of the franchise has been made, and it brings back Lara Croft in a light we’ve never seen her in before. Rather than having Croft be her typical adventurer self, the game is set during her formative years. After a huge shipwreck on her way to an island to conduct research with her team, Croft must survive the perils of the island while trying to rescue her friends from a pack of insane survivors who occupy the island. The game has players jumping through tombs, surviving through hunting and salvaging while also fighting with third-person shooter cover mechanics. Of course, there’s a mix of stealth for good measure! This reboot also features heavier emphasis on storytelling that displays Lara as a stronger and more relatable character than in previous games. So if you’ve ever been turned off by Tomb Raider games in the past, we suggest trying this one out. It really sets itself apart from past entries! (Available for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC.)

4. “Deadly Premonition: Director’s Cut.”  Are you looking for a supernatural detective story that is as wacky and ridiculous as something like “Twin Peaks?” Then look no further, as this re-release of the cult classic hit from the Xbox 360 (which has polarized gamers across the board) has come out just in time for summer gamers who missed out on the offering the first time. This game has you in the shoes of special agent Francis York Morgan, who must investigate the murder of a young teenage girl amid the backdrop of Greenvale, a small American mountain town. The game plays much like a survival horror game, with third-person shooting and features an open world area in which to travel and receive missions from. While not as graphically sound or particularly solid in the gameplay department as most modern games, this one is recommended for its story alone. It should definitely be considered only by gamers who can keep an open mind. The PS3 version features remastered graphics and updated control scheme, while the original Xbox 360 does not. Regardless, both are worth looking into! (Director’s cut available for PS3; original version available for Xbox 360.)

5. “Last of Us” (June 14). The much-anticipated game from developer Naughty Dog, who are known for classic PlayStation franchises such as “Uncharted,” “Crash Bandicoot” and “Jak and Daxter.” This one tells the story of Joel, a survivor of one of the few last remaining Quarantine Zones set up by the military after a dangerous zombifying fungal outbreak has devastated mankind. He is a man of thin morals and smuggles contraband for the black market of the city. Yet one day, at the request of a dying friend, Joel is tasked with the simple job of delivering a 14-year-old girl by the name of Ellie to another Quarantine Zone. The job soon becomes embroiled in a brutal fight for survival that challenges both Joel and Ellie to trust each other while they persevere through the threat of infected humans and savage survivors. With a mix of deep narrative storytelling, amazing enemy AI and open-ended action gameplay tailored to all forms of play — be it shooting or stealth based-combat — this game of intense survival is definitely one to keep an eye on when it comes out on June 14. (Available for the PS3.)

Do you have any games you’re hyped to play this summer? Let us know in the comments!

Image source: Psygeist, under Creative Commons.