By Reece Merryweather-Brown
Well, April is upon us, bringing us such delights as April Fool’s Day, the Easter Holidays and my birthday (I know it’s not your birthday let me enjoy it! Unless it is, in which case HAPPY BIRTHDAY) But that’s not all this wondrous month is bringing us, so let’s look at the interactive digital treats that we’ve got in store for us (but namely me.)
Well, April is upon us, bringing us such delights as April Fool’s Day, the Easter Holidays and my birthday (I know it’s not your birthday let me enjoy it! Unless it is, in which case HAPPY BIRTHDAY) But that’s not all this wondrous month is bringing us, so let’s look at the interactive digital treats that we’ve got in store for us (but namely me.)
5. Titanfall/11th April 2014/X-Box 360
The debut title from Respawn Entertainment, Titanfall pushes you, the player, into the future, where warfare has changed drastically. Now, both man and machine fight as one by hopping into heavily armoured mech suits to smash, shoot and otherwise tear your enemies to pieces. Titanfall doesn’t offer a singleplayer campaign, but instead puts all the set-pieces and storyline into a ground-breaking new multiplayer mode. Players will start off by parkouring around the maps, hopping from building to building. Then, similar to killstreaks, the mechs arrive, allowing players to unleash massive amounts of devastation on their surrounding enemies. While the game has a lot of potential, especially with the company being co-founded by Call of Duty creators, there’s a lot of things that could go wrong, and if the story’s told purely in multiplayer then it could lead to most people not caring. And let’s face it, it’s produced by EA. You’ve already paid full price for half the game. How much are they going to make you pay for the rest?
The debut title from Respawn Entertainment, Titanfall pushes you, the player, into the future, where warfare has changed drastically. Now, both man and machine fight as one by hopping into heavily armoured mech suits to smash, shoot and otherwise tear your enemies to pieces. Titanfall doesn’t offer a singleplayer campaign, but instead puts all the set-pieces and storyline into a ground-breaking new multiplayer mode. Players will start off by parkouring around the maps, hopping from building to building. Then, similar to killstreaks, the mechs arrive, allowing players to unleash massive amounts of devastation on their surrounding enemies. While the game has a lot of potential, especially with the company being co-founded by Call of Duty creators, there’s a lot of things that could go wrong, and if the story’s told purely in multiplayer then it could lead to most people not caring. And let’s face it, it’s produced by EA. You’ve already paid full price for half the game. How much are they going to make you pay for the rest?
4. Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn/14th April 2014/PS4
Final Fantasy XIV (or as I like to call it ‘Final Fantasy Please Change the Name to Something That Doesn’t Use Roman Numerals) is the 14th game of the series in case you’re not Roman and is looking at a PS4 release date now. The original, for PC only, wasn’t able to find the proper computing power on the PS3 and X-Box 360, but now, with PS4’s upgraded specs and online community the game will find a new home on the next-gen giant. Players will be able to unite with others around the globe, share their amazing exploits thanks to the controller’s share button, and even use the track pad to scroll menus with more efficiency. And if that doesn’t float your goat then it even allows you to plug in a mouse and keyboard to access the full range of features. With unreal enemies, breath-taking scenery and powerful weaponry, this console take on an already well-established PC game looks to be a great game and may open the gateway for other PC games to come out for the consoles.
Final Fantasy XIV (or as I like to call it ‘Final Fantasy Please Change the Name to Something That Doesn’t Use Roman Numerals) is the 14th game of the series in case you’re not Roman and is looking at a PS4 release date now. The original, for PC only, wasn’t able to find the proper computing power on the PS3 and X-Box 360, but now, with PS4’s upgraded specs and online community the game will find a new home on the next-gen giant. Players will be able to unite with others around the globe, share their amazing exploits thanks to the controller’s share button, and even use the track pad to scroll menus with more efficiency. And if that doesn’t float your goat then it even allows you to plug in a mouse and keyboard to access the full range of features. With unreal enemies, breath-taking scenery and powerful weaponry, this console take on an already well-established PC game looks to be a great game and may open the gateway for other PC games to come out for the consoles.
3. LEGO: The Hobbit/11th April 2014/X-Box One, PS4, X-Box 360, PS3, Wii U, 3DS, PS Vita, PC
Honestly, I’m surprised this hadn’t happened sooner. With the Hobbit films becoming increasingly popular, it was only matter of time before the toy company that made you build the toys came up with a video game for it. Following the same tried and tested formula for success as all the other games, players will be able to experience the events of the film (and sometimes even the books!) as little plastic versions of their favourite characters. Players will go around, beating the snot out of orcs, goblins and cave trolls to collect studs so they can buy stuff. Players can play as all of the dwarves as well as Gandalf and Bilbo. Each dwarf will also have their own unique special abilities, adding a strategic element to the game. While this does sound a bit same-y, the idea of walking around with all of your dwarven friends, and being able to make them a benefit to the team does sound like great fun.
Honestly, I’m surprised this hadn’t happened sooner. With the Hobbit films becoming increasingly popular, it was only matter of time before the toy company that made you build the toys came up with a video game for it. Following the same tried and tested formula for success as all the other games, players will be able to experience the events of the film (and sometimes even the books!) as little plastic versions of their favourite characters. Players will go around, beating the snot out of orcs, goblins and cave trolls to collect studs so they can buy stuff. Players can play as all of the dwarves as well as Gandalf and Bilbo. Each dwarf will also have their own unique special abilities, adding a strategic element to the game. While this does sound a bit same-y, the idea of walking around with all of your dwarven friends, and being able to make them a benefit to the team does sound like great fun.
2. Elder Scrolls Online/4th April 2014/PC
Yes, in a few short days what seemed to be something only a modder would be interested in making is coming to PCs everywhere. The Elder Scrolls Online will soon be hitting virtual shelves with a monthly fee of around $15, which to us English gents is around £8. Like all the other Elder Scrolls games it will take place in the land of Tamriel, a millennia before Skyrim where the Deadric Prince Molag Bal is trying to do what the Daedra do best; mess up your shit. Players will be able to choose between four different classes; Dragon Knight, Sorcerer, Nightblade and Templar(scum.) Depending on which race they’re also able to join one of the three factions; Daggerfall Covenant, the Aldmeri Dominion and the Ebonheart Pact, each with their own different agendas, but the main one being take over as much ground as possible. Oh and try and stop ol’ Molag Bal. And for all you console owners out there worry not, The Elder Scrolls Online will soon be making an appearance on your PS4s and X-Box Ones (though for X-Box One you have to pay the monthly fee and pay for X-Box Live Gold. Sorry).
Yes, in a few short days what seemed to be something only a modder would be interested in making is coming to PCs everywhere. The Elder Scrolls Online will soon be hitting virtual shelves with a monthly fee of around $15, which to us English gents is around £8. Like all the other Elder Scrolls games it will take place in the land of Tamriel, a millennia before Skyrim where the Deadric Prince Molag Bal is trying to do what the Daedra do best; mess up your shit. Players will be able to choose between four different classes; Dragon Knight, Sorcerer, Nightblade and Templar(scum.) Depending on which race they’re also able to join one of the three factions; Daggerfall Covenant, the Aldmeri Dominion and the Ebonheart Pact, each with their own different agendas, but the main one being take over as much ground as possible. Oh and try and stop ol’ Molag Bal. And for all you console owners out there worry not, The Elder Scrolls Online will soon be making an appearance on your PS4s and X-Box Ones (though for X-Box One you have to pay the monthly fee and pay for X-Box Live Gold. Sorry).
1. Dark Souls II/25th April 2014 (my birthday! - ED)/PC
Possibly the most brutally challenging game the world has seen since videogames stopped being so damn cruel returns for the third instalment in the series. Known for its crippling difficulty, players will battle their way through tough enemies and even tougher bosses. Small changes have been made to the gameplay and overall difficulty. Now, enemies don’t respawn after a set number of deaths, meaning players can bypass a particularly difficult passage by simply killing the enemies enough times will allow you to then stroll through the level until you reach the next checkpoint. Sounds easier. But now, you slowly lose your maximum health until it’s half that of the original amount. Sounds harder. But this is the whole system of checks and balances. Online also plays a more central role in the game. Up to two players can join a third player’s game up to a boss battle to give them a hand on some of the incredibly difficult stages (note: EVERY stage) and there are also quite a few PvP areas and duelling areas, where people don’t have to face the consequences of losing. Covenants are also in the game. What are covenants you ask? Say you join the Bell Keepers covenant. You are then granted with a special ring that summons you to the respective bell tower when it comes under attack by other people (see: dicks) which sounds like a great way almost to add a sense of community and friendliness in an otherwise harsh and unforgiving environment.
Well, that’s it for this month. Think I somehow missed something massive that you can’t wait to get your hands on? Teach me a lesson in the comments below. Join me again in May when we have a look at what’s coming out…in May. No, really.
Possibly the most brutally challenging game the world has seen since videogames stopped being so damn cruel returns for the third instalment in the series. Known for its crippling difficulty, players will battle their way through tough enemies and even tougher bosses. Small changes have been made to the gameplay and overall difficulty. Now, enemies don’t respawn after a set number of deaths, meaning players can bypass a particularly difficult passage by simply killing the enemies enough times will allow you to then stroll through the level until you reach the next checkpoint. Sounds easier. But now, you slowly lose your maximum health until it’s half that of the original amount. Sounds harder. But this is the whole system of checks and balances. Online also plays a more central role in the game. Up to two players can join a third player’s game up to a boss battle to give them a hand on some of the incredibly difficult stages (note: EVERY stage) and there are also quite a few PvP areas and duelling areas, where people don’t have to face the consequences of losing. Covenants are also in the game. What are covenants you ask? Say you join the Bell Keepers covenant. You are then granted with a special ring that summons you to the respective bell tower when it comes under attack by other people (see: dicks) which sounds like a great way almost to add a sense of community and friendliness in an otherwise harsh and unforgiving environment.
Well, that’s it for this month. Think I somehow missed something massive that you can’t wait to get your hands on? Teach me a lesson in the comments below. Join me again in May when we have a look at what’s coming out…in May. No, really.
RSS Feed
