Keeping track video game releases isn’t as easy as it once was — the volume of games released each week is constantly expanding, and they’re spread over a mind-boggling array of platforms (consoles, PC, Mac, handhelds and mobile).

Well, I’m here to make things a little easier on you. Every week I’ll rattle off five games I think you should check out. These articles are not meant to be comprehensive lists of everything coming out that week — think of them as a nice rounded tasting menu. Each week I’ll try to highlight several games from different corners of the gaming landscape (handhelds, consoles, indie, PC, you name it) then finish up with a “Pick of the Week”.

Hit the jump for the five games you’re going to want to check out this week…

This Week’s Obscure PC Remake

Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny (PC, July 30th)

Realms of Arkania: Blade of Destiny, based on the tabletop RPG The Dark Eye, is getting a remake in honor of its 20th anniversary. If you’re German (The Dark Eye is the tabletop RPG series of choice there) you might be pretty excited about this! If you’re from anywhere else, you’re probably not, but that’s okay! Consider this entry a special gift to our German readers. Here’s it’s Steam page.

This Week’s Uh, Other Obscure PC Remake

Rise of the Triad (PC, July 31st)

Yup, I guess it’s “Forgotten PC Game Remake Week” around here! An early Doom clone (actually, the game began its life as a Wolfenstein 3D sequel) Rise of the Triad is fondly remembered by those who played every new PC FPS that came out in the early 90s, and not-so-remembered by everyone else. Well, now Rise of the Triad is getting a remake! Or, uh, reboot. Or something. It’s even being published by Apogee Software, which believe it or not, still exists. The new game looks pretty fun in a dumb, nostalgic sort of way. Steam page here.

This Week’s Castle Defense Game

CastleStorm (PC, July 29th)

CastleStorm came out a couple months ago on Xbox Live, but now it’s hitting the PC for us non-Xbox owners. CastleStorm is, of course, a castle defense game, but unlike most other games in the genre you aren’t limited to a defensive role — you can “defend” your castle by levelling your opponent’s castle first. It’s basically a mix of castle defense, brawler and Angry Birds-like “toss and destroy” gameplay. So yeah, it’s every phone game ever combined into one, except it’s not available on phones. Go figure. Steam page here.

This Week’s Dry-As-Mars Simulation

Take On Mars (PC, August 1st)

Well, this one gets included just for being unique. Take On Mars is a super dry-looking simulation game in which you take control of various Mars rovers and, well, rove around Mars. This is meant to be a realistic game, so the rovers don’t have any special abilities a real rover wouldn’t have, and your missions are of the “collect rocks and zap dirt with small lasers” variety. There’s also a strategic mode in which you take control of a space agency and have to balance your budget as you develop new rovers and send them to the red planet. I dunno, I’m oddly intrigued. Steam page here.

Pick of the Week

Cloudberry Kingdom (PC, Xbox 360, PS3 & Wii U, July 31st)

At first glance, Cloudberry Kingdom looks like just another indie 2D platformer, but it’s actually more interesting than that. All of Cloudberry Kingdom’s levels are procedurally generated, meaning you potentially have an infinite number to play through. The game’s challenge level is also supposed to automatically adapt to the player’s skill level. Sounds like pretty groundbreaking stuff (if it works).

An all indie week this week — treasure this slow period, because the big releases start coming fast and heavy in August! Planning to grab any of the above-mentioned games? Any games you’re itching to get your hands on that I failed to mention? Hit the comments and let everyone know.