Two games went gold last week that I’ve been aching to play since they were announced: Until Dawn and Tearaway: Unfolded.

For those not familiar with the term, “gone gold” means a master copy of the game code has been finalized, and the game has gone into the duplication process for distribution.

I have been following the development of Until Dawn since it was initially announced back in 2012 and was being developed as a PS Move exclusive for PS3. When Supermassive Games announced it was still coming, only this time for PS4 with more traditional controls, I was overjoyed.

I had a chance to play a demo of the game last year at a trade show, and it was tense and atmospheric, both things I enjoy in games (and film). What I wasn’t expecting, but was quite fond of, were the Heavy Rain style interactions. Moving around was easier and more intuitive than Heavy Rain, but the interaction options definitely rang of that style.

I can’t wait to find out more about the story, and I can’t wait to try to make it through with all eight characters alive (Supermassive confirmed that you can make it through with everyone alive, everyone dead, or some combination thereof). I’m excited to see how various choices I make ripple through different playthroughs of the game.

Color me super, super excited.

Until Dawn releases on August 25th and is a PS4 exclusive.

Tearaway remains one of the most beautiful, whimsical, and moving games I’ve ever experienced. Just thinking of the ending (and I mean this sincerely) forms a lump in my throat. It was such a thoroughly beautiful experience; I was disappointed more people didn’t get a chance to play it, as it was a PS Vita exclusive.

So when Media Molecule announced Tearaway: Unfolded, a retooled version of the game for PS4, I was (again, I mean this sincerely) ecstatic. I was jumping around and so excited that this game had the potential to be experienced by exponentially more people out there.

The first thing I thought of was the screenshot capability on the PS4 and how much I would be using it to try to share this beautiful world with…well…everyone. There were so many times in the game where I longed to see it on a larger screen.

Now I will be able to.

The environments in the game are incredible. Every thing you see is something that could be created in actual papercraft. The way things respond to your presence is deeply whimsical and often moving. There were so many times when I just stood in a new area to look around and take it all in.

The score is equally moving (those squirrels when they sing choke me up every time), and is perfectly suited to the game.

Honestly, I don’t think I could gush enough about this game. There were a few drawbacks with the controls on the Vita in the last 25% of the game, but I have a feeling that will be remedied with the Unfolded edition. I can’t wait to experience it all over again. I’m looking forward to the changes implemented by Media Molecule and to seeing it on a far bigger screen.

Tearaway: Unfolded releases September 8th and is also a PS4 exclusive.

I thought I’d leave you with a trailer of Tearaway: Unfolded. It is truly a mesmerizing world and I hope everyone who is remotely interested will pick up a copy to experience it. An added bonus: it retails for $39.99, a full $20 less than most new retail releases.

What are the games releasing this year that you are most looking forward to?

Cheers, friends!