Innholdsfortegnelse for January 2024 i PLAY

Getting you closer to PlayStation’s most exciting stories, people, and culture “As ergonomic and pleasing to game on as your home TV setup (and lighter than you might think).” Sure, we all thought PS Portal looked a little odd when it was announced; the Remote Play handheld resembled a big screen wedged between a bisected DualSense, after all. And while it’s just as odd to look at when we unbox it, it begins to make sense when we hold it. It feels just as ergonomic and pleasing to game on as your home TV setup (and it’s lighter than you might think). As you’d expect from PlayStation’s hardware designers, PS Portal is a lovely bit of kit. While a lot of that is down to the the DualSense’s impeccable design…

We’re big fans of action movies,” says Dmitry Pimenov, Nekki COO and Spine producer, when we ask about the studio’s shift from making mobile fighting games (it’s responsible for the Shadow Fight series) to its new console and PC single-player character action brawler. “We were thinking a lot about gun-fu movies, from Equilibrium and John Woo to John Wick and The Matrix and everything,” he continues. It’s not often that devs bring up Equilibrium (the infamous 2002 flick starring Christian Bale and Sean Bean – which is well worth an inebriated watch). But watching early footage, we can see it. Protagonist Redline dishes out high kicks to the face, dodges by launching into a horizontal spin, sprays graffiti in security guards’ faces for good measure, and, of course, shoots hot…

After nearly a decade, last month I cancelled my PlayStation Plus subscription. Ever since getting my launch-day PS4 I’d been paying for the monthly games – not all of them have been winners but Plus introduced me to big names like Yakuza Kiwami and Rocket League. After the recent price hikes, however, I’m no longer getting the same value. Plus was once solid competition for Xbox’s Games With Gold, though Game Pass’ emergence meant the landscape changed. Last year’s Plus revamp was long overdue for those who wanted more, providing further options across three tiers. I went all-in with Premium, gaining benefits like the games catalogue, cloud streaming, and retro games. Now I wish I’d saved the money. I don’t doubt there’s value in the games catalogue for those on…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 28 FEB PUB SQUARE ENIX DEV SQUARE ENIX PLAYERS 1 The RPG returns, but not as you remember it. Many of the familiar beats remain – Junon, Cosmo Canyon, uh, you-know-what towards the end of disc one – reimagined with modern-day graphics ready to break your heart all over again. Or will they? Cloud and co fought against fate at the end of Remake, appearing to win the opportunity to write the ending anew. As a result, Rebirth is set to continue remixing fresh surprises into its retelling – and we’re not just talking about another rousing dance number alongside Andrea Rhodea. Besides minigames, there are many more miles to explore. Many of FFVII’s iconic locations have been expanded in Rebirth. For just one example, we went…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB 11 BIT STUDIOS DEV FOOL’S THEORY PLAYERS 1 Thaumaturge’, in case you were wondering, is a rare word for a magician or worker of miracles. However, developer Fool’s Theory couldn’t have called its game ‘The Magician’ as that might conjure up images of a happy adventure about pulling rabbits out of hats. Instead, The Thaumaturge is so bleak it makes The Last Of Us look like Peppa Pig. It’s an isometric RPG set in Warsaw in 1905. We’re sure that in 2023 Warsaw is the loveliest place on Earth, but the alternate-history version we slump through here is about as jolly as a kitten’s funeral (that’s barely hyperbole; one plot point involves a strangled goose). The star of all this misery is Wiktor, who’s in…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB BANDAI NAMCO DEV SUPERMASSIVE GAMES PLAYERS 1-2 This series of charmingly tiny tales of terror returns, this time helmed by a new developer (albeit one known for its horror titles): Guildford-based Supermassive Games. Exploring a strange, spiraling space fuelled by childhood fears, you’re never alone; either in online co-op with a friend, or accompanied by an AI pal, this frightfest is designed for two. New protagonists Low and Alone both have their preferred tools, though neither can be classed as a fighter. Run, hide, or puzzle your way through the fear together.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB TINYBUILD DEV CASEY DONNELLAN GAMES PLAYERS 1-4 Multi is the name of the game in this arachnid-eradicating sequel. Your hunt has not only taken you beyond the first game’s small-town setting, it’s dragged you into the multiverse to make sure you get the job done across all permutations of reality. Portals will take you from spooky manors to space stations, and your exterminator’s arsenal, flames naturally included, has expanded to include lasers and more. Multiplayer also joins the mix, as the campaign’s playable solo or with a party of four. And if you want to go rogue, a PvP mode allows you to control a spider as you dodge death.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA SPRING 2024 PUB SLOW BROS DEV SLOW BROS PLAYERS 1 We’ve seen Harold Halibut several times during its years in development, and each time it looks a little bit more outlandish – in the best way. As being set on a spaceship under the sea isn’t noteworthy enough, the ship is city-sized and the ocean is on an alien planet. When Harold meets one of the resident aliens, he discovers a whole new world, much like a famous red-haired mermaid. For all this whimsy, however, you can also expect quite serious conversations about being part of a community, mutual understanding, and acknowledging each other’s differences.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB REVOLUTION SOFTWARE DEV REVOLUTION SOFTWARE PLAYERS 1 Before Uncharted there was Broken Sword, a series of point-and-click adventures in which lawyer George and journalist Colette investigated murders, unearthed mysterious artefacts, and chased cultists around the globe. Over a decade since the last entry in the series, still helmed by creator Charles Cecil, Parzival’s Sword should speak to fans old and new, thanks to a mix of 2D and 3D visuals and a modern take on point-and-click gaming, plus Revolution Software has proven its knack for puzzles.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB FUTURE FRIENDS GAMES DEV HELDER PINTO PLAYERS 1 Who would’ve thought space could look this lovely? Europa imagines the moon of Saturn that gives this adventure its name as a lush paradise, with an art style reminiscent of Studio Ghibli films. As android Zee, you’ll solve various puzzles in the planet’s dungeons, meet new lifeforms and try to uncover the story of the last surviving human. In order to get around, Zee uses a jetpack that lets him fly almost anywhere and allows him to dash on even ground. Intrigued by its smooth movement and fascinating world, we can’t wait to see more of the alien planet in 2024.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB MERGE GAMES DEV INFUSE STUDIO PLAYERS 1 There’s a good chance that you’ve played the previous Spirit Of The North, as the Enhanced Edition was one of the very first games available to buy for your shiny new PS5. If you haven’t, though, don’t worry, the sequel looks set to stand just fine on its own, although you still have time to catch up if you want to. You take control of a fox, but fortunately/disappointingly, there’s no rooting through people’s bins here. You’ll instead be exploring a fantastical world with a raven companion, seeking to free some mystical beings from the corruption that binds their bodies and souls. While there’s no danger of getting your snout stuck in an old crisp packet, you will…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 13 FEB PUB FOCUS ENTERTAINMENT DEV DON’T NOD PLAYERS 1 Things are complicated between Red mac Raith and Antea Duarte – mainly because Antea no longer dwells on the mortal plane. Before her departure, both were Banishers (spirit mediums, exorcists), though that doesn’t make such a significant shift any easier. For a start, Antea has always loathed spirits, and so the pair search for a way to return her to the land of the living. This action RPG sees the lovers combining abilities from both sides of the veil, and making tough, story-altering choices throughout their quest to retrieve what they’ve lost. Is this an impossible love? Perhaps it’s a matter of perspective.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB NACON DEV KT RACING PLAYERS ONLINE MULTIPLAYER What are Gran Turismo 7 and Burnout Paradise missing? Bragging rights, it seems. This motorhead MMORPG offers all the opportunity to do doughnuts that you’d expect, plus more than a side-order of living large like a socialite. Besides schmoozing in the towering Solar Hotel and exploring all a 1:1 recreation of Hong Kong island has to offer, you’ll always be working towards earning your next motor. Everything from drifting to overtaking earns you credits, though you’ll have to work at it to claim pristine ride.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB KEPLER INTERACTIVE DEV IRONWOOD STUDIOS PLAYERS 1 Survival gains a set of wheels. In this New Weird exploration game, your trusty station wagon is your constant companion, not only getting you from one area of the Pacific Northwest’s Olympic exclusion zone to the other, but protecting you from various bizarre hazards that pop up along the way. Wandering balls of lightning, strange glowing mannequins, and more… we’re glad they’re out there and we’re in here – until a touch too much rough driving means we’ve got to venture outside our car to make crucial repairs.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB BIGMODE DEV SHARED MEMORY PLAYERS 1 Looking for something different? This might be all the way up your alley, as it seems to be a game determined to avoid easy categorisation. This starts with the graphics. Yes, it’s retro-styled pixel art, but it sits somewhere between ye olde Spectrum games and what you might have seen on a NES – with modern effects thrown in. Gameplay draws inspiration from survival horror in addition to 8-bit adventures like Metroid and Zelda, and it promises to be “interesting and giving back far into the future, without the need for updates”, with players discovering new secrets “for years”.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB TEAM CHERRY DEV TEAM CHERRY PLAYERS 1 While it seems like we’ve been waiting for Silksong forever, it hasn’t been quite that long, and the release is edging ever closer. Some things will remain the same – that gorgeous art style is unchanged, it’s unlikely that the experience will be a pushover, and Christopher Larkin is providing another sumptuous orchestral score – but plenty is new. An unexplored world, over 150 fresh types of enemy, additional moves to use against them, and much more. Finishing the game unlocks a greater challenge in the form of Silk Soul mode, keeping things fresh long after the credits have rolled.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB BANDAI NAMCO DEV FROMSOFTWARE PLAYERS TBC Announced back in February, there’s still no release date for this at time of writing, but we expect it to land in 2024. FromSoftware has been coy about details (read: provided precisely none), with the image above all we have to go on. That’s been enough to spark fan theories, though. Who’s the riding Torrent? The most popular theories are that this is either Miquella (often mentioned but never seen in the main game) or Queen Marika (who bears a resemblance to the rider but may be dead depending on your ending).…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB BUNGIE DEV BUNGIE PLAYERS MULTI (ONLINE) Capping off the years-long Light And Darkness saga, Destiny’s eighth expansion follows in the footsteps of The Taken King, Forsaken, and The Witch Queen – it’s got big boots to fill. Its first big swing is taking you inside The Traveler, the friendly sphere that dominates not just the sky but so much of Destiny’s lore. You’ll finally discover whether there’s anything to Fenchurch Everis’ tales about journeying inside The Traveler (though the jury is still out on whether it smells like vanilla) as you blast back an infectious corruption. Besides that, there’s a new raid, new episodes, and a selection of Super abilities to acquire. Titans will enjoy hurling axes honed by the Void, Hunters become more…

FORMAT PS5 ETA TBC PUB DEVOLVER DIGITAL DEV NOMADA STUDIO PLAYERS 1 If arty side-scroller Gris focussed on its theme of grief to the detriment of the action, then Nomada Studio’s follow-up appears more substantial. Its hand-drawn art style still looks luscious, realising a world that’s plagued with a curse that also leads to the death of the wolf that was a loyal companion to a young woman called Alba. Instead of being absorbed by her grief, she takes up the blade to fight the shadowy entities sweeping over the land. She also has a wolf cub in her charge; we expect their relationship to evolve to an emotional level on a par with The Last Guardian. Tissues out!…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 23 APR PUB 505 GAMES DEV RABBIT AND BEAR STUDIOS PLAYERS 1 If four’s a crowd, we can’t say what this is – a mosh pit? Led by Yoshitaka Murayama, the director of the first two Suikoden games back in the late ’90s and the creator of the hero-collecting RPG series, Eiyuden carries the torch forward as spiritual successor. The scene is set in Allraan, a land of many people (elves, humans, and beast men included) under threat from the Galdean Empire. Unlikely heroes emerge from all over, coming together as the titular hundred heroes – if you can find them.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA TBC PUB KONAMI DEV KONAMI, VIRTUOS PLAYERS 1 The most surprising thing about this MGS3 redo is that it’s the first proper remake in the series (MGS1 reusing Metal Gear 2’s best set-pieces aside). Chronologically the first in the series, it sees Naked Snake (Solid’s precursor, who has a very familiar face) infiltrating a Russian base in the 1960s, and taking on his mentor, The Boss, who defected. In-engine demos have been striking for two reasons. For one, the game’s Unreal Engine 5 overhaul is gorgeous, and plays especially nicely with the early forest setting (and the critters which inhabit it, which can be caught and eaten by Snake to stay alive). But secondly, the animation and map design are almost uncannily faithful to the original, giving…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA TBC PUB SONKA DEV SONKA PLAYERS 1 Small-town Poland in 1992 isn’t an obvious setting for a survival horror. Yet just a few years after the peaceful fall of communism, and with religious fervour in the country at its peak, it has plenty of potential for a rich and unique atmosphere even before you throw in monsters and a creeping sense of dread. Your friend Bartek has gone missing, so you travel to the isolated town where he was last heard from to find out what’s going on. There is, of course, evil afoot, and you soon find that, in addition to locating your missing friend, you have a new objective: don’t go missing yourself. “WE APPRECIATE THE ABILITY TO DISMEMBER ENEMIES.” We play two demos…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB ATLUS DEV ATLUS, STUDIO ZERO PLAYERS 1 This one’s been in development for ages – Atlus isn’t taking any chances its first brand-new RPG series in years. Still, with veteran talent from the Persona games working on it, there’s plenty that’s familiar here, from a stylish combat system to wonderful character designs (one of your party members is a weird wombat thing). It mixes a European fantasy style of elves, fairies, and the like with similarly Euro-gothic architectural styles, mixed with more out-there body horror beasts and steampunk skyships. A unique class based system with rewind mechanics freshens up battles.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 8 FEB PUB SONY DEV ARROWHEAD GAME STUDIOS PLAYERS 1-4 The chaotic multiplayer bug-blasting action of the first game is intact here, as is the tongue-in-cheek Starship Troopers-esque ‘ooh-ra’ gung-ho. Yet Helldivers 2 is also a departure, and it’s all a matter of perspective. Literally. The top-down viewpoint has been brought right down to make this third-person. The increase in fidelity to support this makes everything more of a spectacle, and makes the insectoid enemies more threatening thanks to them being in your face. Best enjoyed with friends, you’ll need to co-ordinate the likes of turrets and weapon drops to expertly exterminate the hordes.…

Well, this is a fine mess they’ve gotten us into. While the core multiplayer experience has received a shot in the arm, everything around it has received a shot in the foot. With a rocket launcher. Online has been Call Of Duty’s main draw for decades, but that doesn’t prevent the overall package from feeling like a spectacularly missed opportunity. It’s unlikely that you’ve missed the criticisms of the campaign that have been spread far and wide, and chances are everything you’ve heard is true. The relatively short length (perhaps four hours) isn’t a problem for us, even if it is out of step with recent entries. It’s the number of mistakes made within that short period that we take issue with. The odd thing is, there are signs that…

Shiokawa, where our hero lives, isn’t the only thing that’s cursed – this game is too. This 1-bit mono-colour love letter to UI maximalist PC games of old is constantly ‘bugging out’ with graphical distortions and strange faces in black loading screens. The cosmic horror soaks the city’s streets just as it does the interface you play in. It’s explicitly inspired by works by the likes of Junji Ito and HP Lovecraft; you’re a young adult drawn into investigating the disturbing things that have been happening around town. Each run has you solving five mysteries (or four if you’re playing on an easy mode) out of a current total of 21 possibilities to gain access to the lighthouse that’s part of a ritual to summon an elder god. As you’d…

Many games list retro-inspired visuals as part of their appeal, but Little Goody Two Shoes genuinely nails ’90s anime charm, with a dash of old-school Disney mixed in for good measure. That doesn’t just apply to the character art and frequent fully-drawn scenes (CGs); even the pixel sprites and menus take a ‘more is more’ approach, with plants and fruit twisting around intricate frame borders. It’s a pleasure to take in the details, even when things aren’t going your way in-game. On top of having a strong sense of style, it toes the line between being properly creepy and shamelessly adorable. By day you mingle with townsfolk and do chores; at night you venture into the woods and prepare for a dark ritual that’ll make your heart’s deepest desire come…

Fighting vampires is okay, we guess, but being one is where the fun is really at, especially in VR. Clearly made with love for the World Of Darkness source material, this is one of the most pleasant surprises of the year – with a few caveats. Although there’s a skill tree that allows you to unlock and upgrade abilities, you start off pleasingly powerful, with the ability to teleport short distances and an instakill leap attack. Your fists can send puny mortals flying (although this is a last resort). One of the best bits is feeding. Grab your prey, lean your head in, and enjoy your numnums for a triple threat of minor Hunger (increased each time you use a power) satiation, slight health regeneration, and a kill. There’s a…

Played Persona 5 Strikers? Then the beginning of Persona 5 Tactica will feel like déjà vu: the Phantom Thieves come together at Café Leblanc at the end of the school year to spend a last afternoon together. However, for reasons unknown they’re suddenly transported to a different dimension, where a group of brave rebels needs their help. It’s been six years since the main game’s first iteration, and, counting Persona 5 Royal, we have by now reached the fourth game featuring the Phantom Thieves. Whether it’s because we’re getting impatient for any and all Persona 6 news or because it features radically different activity, Tactica can feel like the odd one out, as nice as it is to see the gang again. This feeling is exacerbated by the setting –…

No-one has left Timber Hills (a colourful vision of an otherwise dying town in America’s Pacific Northwest) quite like Jala Jayaratne. After a tumultuous on-off relationship with her soulmate, Tyler, Jala leaves town with another woman – ten years older and the mayor’s daughter to boot – without so much as a text. Now Jala’s back, and all of her youthful mistakes have also come home to roost. With her exes lining up to give a piece of their mind, what follows is decidedly reminiscent of Scott Pilgrim. However, rather than finding herself at the mercy of someone else’s narrative à la Ramona Flowers, Jala will rescue herself and the relationships she holds dear. In between not-so-evil exes, Jala wrestles with the expectations of her Desi upbringing, often literally as…

When we meet our nameless, silent protagonist, he’s already hard at work climbing the Tower, a giant structure reaching straight up into the sky. Unlike the mythical Tower of Babel, however, this tower isn’t entirely an expression of humanity’s hubris – it’s also its last chance at survival in a slowly dying, slowly drying world where rain is nothing but a memory. This is the world post-Jusant, the word meaning ‘a receding wave’. Simply put, it’s the world after the water went away. Your task is clear from the moment you take control: just climb. The mechanic is easy enough to understand and will feel vaguely familiar if you’ve ever played another game with lots of climbing, such as Uncharted or Assassin’s Creed. The main difference between those two games…

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Following three years of totally digital awards shows, the Golden Joystick Awards returned to in-person form this year at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London. Hosted by prolific performer Troy Baker, it was a night of massive wins – with only a few technical issues and a very merry crowd betraying any sense of the event being out of practice. A record number of votes from the public meant history-making wins for certain high rollers. The heaviest hitter was Baldur’s Gate 3, a crunchy RPG that somehow manages to bottle the lightning of your most electric Dungeons & Dragons sessions. Cleaning house at this year’s Joysticks, it picked up wins across seven different categories, and achieved a feat no other game has managed in the awards show’s 41-year history. REWARDING…

RIG 600 PRO HS HEADSET NACON 99.90 NACONGAMING.COM These wireless headphones have got you covered thanks to cushions crafted from breathable fabric and 40mm speakers, offering well-balanced audio in comfort. Rather than adjusting the headband for size, you click the earcups in and out of place. It may take some getting used to but, like the tuck-away design of the attached microphone, it makes sense. REVOLUTION 5 PRO CONTROLLER NACON 229.90 NACONGAMING.COM If you’re tired of ergonomic curves and subtle texturing, the Revolution 5 Pro really gives you something to hold onto. Chunkier than many other options, this Nacon pad is rather sturdier too. Featuring magnetic Hall effect tech, the Revolution 5 Pro promises to be far less prone to the ever-infuriating controller curse of stick drift. SCUF REFLEX PS5…

ART STAR I recently bought a PS5. I was getting rather excited with the prospect of GTA 6 coming out soon hopefully. Has to be close. I think Rockstar are one of the best developers of all time. They are top-tier in what they do and I have massive appreciation for them doing what they are doing and have done. With the fact GTA 6 is going to have a large playable map in rumours from leaks makes me awfully excited and I can’t imagine what the graphical fidelity will be like with this being made for PS5. I have appreciated smaller indie games as a result of your recommendations. Sam Power Glad to hear you’re enjoying the indies. You might need them – while we’re hoping to see GTA…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB SONY DEV TEAM NINJA PLAYERS 1 The developer of soulslike heavyweights Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty and Nioh is turning its attention to the open world RPG. Set in 1863, the dying days of Japan’s Edo period, in Rise Of The Ronin the centuries-long oppression of the Tokugawa Shogunate is at an end, leaving a power vacuum that forces from the West hope to fill. Through this era of plague and political turmoil, a lone swordsman carves his path – literally. But in addition to sharp wits and blades, you can engage your enemies with period-accurate firearms. As a masterless warrior, your choices are your own, but will your story spell revelation or ruin for the land?…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 1 FEB PUB CYGAMES DEV CYGAMES PLAYERS 1-4 Gather your party and take to the skies, crossing blades, hurling magic, or firing a hail of bullets along the way. Real-time combat has you throwing everything you’ve got at a whole host of cloud-busting Big Bads, either solo alongside AI party people, or with up to three other actual human pals. Link Attacks and Chain Bursts see you lining up each of your most face-melting special moves for massive damage – though don’t forget everyone needs a healer from time to time.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB KASEDO GAMES DEV BEARD ENVY PLAYERS 1 Ever had a landlord so persistent that even your death wouldn’t protect you from rent payments? That’s how things are for Wilbur, a space mechanic under the thumb of the tyrannical Uncle Chop. In this roguelike fix-’em-up, you repair ships brought to you by the galaxy’s quirky characters, which involves odd minigames, and often consulting dense documentation (similar to Keep Talking And Nobody Explodes). What Uncle Chop doesn’t take from you can be invested back into the chop shop, carrying across to your new life should you perish. Even death won’t stop the rent piling up.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA Q4 2024 PUB PARADOX DEV THE CHINESE ROOM, HARDSUIT LABS PLAYERS 1 Development on Bloodlines 2 has been a journey, to put it mildly. First announced in 2019, internal turmoil at then-developer Hardsuit Labs plus the pandemic led to repeated delays. Now The Chinese Room, the studio behind horror games such as Amnesia: A Machine For Pigs, has taken over production. Fans can rest easy – apparently the studio will retain most of what’s already done. A gameplay reveal is expected early in 2024, so we hope to be making the streets a little unsafer as vampires by next autumn.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB SQUARE ENIX DEV TOYLOGIC PLAYERS 1-4 We’re not saying PlayStation-exclusive Foamstars is without its similarities to a certain other colourful non-violent shooter, but it is more than that. Its big selling point is – you guessed it – foam, because the suds that accumulate during each 4v4 match stack up into platforms, mountains, and obstacles. Cleverly used, it’s not just a weapon but a tool. So far, we’ve seen two game modes: Smash The Star, where the best player becomes the target after seven players have been eliminated; and the dodgeball-like 2v2 Happy Bath Survival. It’s early, but this could be frantic fun for players of most ages.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA Q4 2024 PUB SECRET MODE DEV BILLY GOAT ENTERTAINMENT PLAYERS 1 Jet Set Radio enjoyers may recently have been treated to Bomb Rush Cyberfunk, but what developer Billy Goat is doing with Parcel Corps doesn’t seem too different to one of the most stylish games to ever let you take on a totalitarian regime. In this comedic action-adventure, you race other delivery riders to keep your precarious job. In order to beat the competition and stay out of reach of the police, you need to wallride, grind, and generally make the city your skatepark. It’s not a matter of life or death, but you don’t need to be a chosen one all the time, do you?…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA SUMMER 2024 PUB SQUARE ENIX DEV SQUARE ENIX PLAYERS MULTI (ONLINE) Here’s the inside scoop: every time they showed the latest trailer for this expansion at London Fan Festival, the crowd cheered when hungry catboy G’raha Tia bit into his well-earned taco. After the cataclysmic climax of this MMORPG’s initial ten-year story arc, G’raha and the other Scions Of The Seventh Dawn are taking time off from saving the world and instead getting knee-deep in a messy rite of ascension on the sunkissed shores of Tural. On top of exploring this new location, and getting to grips with the just-announced dual-wielding Viper job, and racing towards the expansion’s level cap of 100, the story sees you and plenty of your favourite characters taking different sides in…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 26 JAN PUB SEGA DEV RYU GA GOTOKU STUDIO PLAYERS 1 While for us it’ll have been a few months since we left Kiryu in a Hawaiian church in Like A Dragon Gaiden, it’s only seconds for him as we pick back up the series star’s thread in Like A Dragon: Infinite Wealth, which begins our time with the game. Naturally, our favourite former yakuza can’t just be allowed to take a holiday. Having faked his death to protect his loved ones, he’s now under the thumb of the Daidoji, a shadowy organisation which helps him keep his secret – for a price. His trip to the sunny island has come with some caveats, as a phone call pointedly reminds him as he leaves the church:…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB BANDAI NAMCO ENTERTAINMENT DEV GAME STUDIO INC PLAYERS ONLINE MULTIPLAYER Resource scarcity is core to this post-apocalyptic mech game, which pits you against not only other human pilots scrambling for survival, but also xenomorphic beasts known as Drifters. Harvesting AO crystals is a lonely but necessary mission, though your AI companion Magus is always floating along beside you, ready to cheer you up. In addition to the solo story campaign, you’ll be able to dive into PvPvE multiplayer – with only so many crystals to be mined, it’s kill or be killed whichever way you slice it.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB FULQRUM PUBLISHING DEV KARACLAN PLAYERS 1 This adventure straddles two worlds, following protagonist Cyrus as he discovers the ability to zap between his mundane life and a fantastical floating archipelago. Featuring impactful choices throughout a non-linear story, hand-drawn art, and a turn-based combat system with a roguelite edge, it’s a unique beast, even before you get into the soundtrack’s blend of folk and hip-hop influences. As Cyrus ducks and weaves between enemy blows, we can’t help wondering if this multifaceted RPG will also stick the landing.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA SPRING 2024 PUB D3 PUBLISHER DEV SANDLOT PLAYERS 1-4 The EDF adventures have always been gaming’s equivalent of B-movies. We’ve seen nothing at all to indicate that the latest entry will differ significantly from what’s come before – and that’s perfectly fine by us. Overwhelming numbers? Check. Silly story? Check. Even sillier dialogue? Check. It’s all about action, and lots of it. Playing as one of four different soldier types, you’ll blast your way through hordes upon hordes of giant ants and other monsters, with more missions and more weapons than the series has ever offered before. You’ll soon be screaming “ET go home… in pieces!”…

FORMAT PS4 ETA 2024 PUB CYGAMES DEV CYGAMES PLAYERS 1-4 Not familiar with Umamusume? Well, it’s set in a world in which horses can be reborn as girls while retaining their speed, endurance, and – for some reason – ears and tails. No questions? Good. In Party Dash the ‘Slapdash Grand Prix’ consists of four events: Hurtling Hurdles, Blazing Baskets, Dodgeball Demolition, and Gourmet Gauntlet. The alliterative athletics are presented with retro-styled pixellated art, and promise simple but over-the-top action with a dash of humour. This may prove the neighsayers wrong.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 18 JAN PUB UBISOFT DEV UBISOFT MONTPELLIER PLAYERS 1 It’s got a metroidvania structure with a 2.5D perspective – and you may be thinking you’ve heard this story before. However, this time you’re not playing as the prince. Prince Ghassan’s been kidnapped, so the Immortals leap to his rescue, and you play as Sargon, the youngest member of that elite squad. Even so, he’s not to be taken lightly. While he favours dual-wielded twin blades, as you explore Mount Qaf you’ll get to grips with bows and arrows, aerial acrobatics, and (of course) time-shifting abilities.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA MID 2024 PUB NIS AMERICA DEV NIHON FALCOM PLAYERS 1 As one Trails ends, another begins. The continent of Zemuria is vast, and the next arc takes us to the Republic Of Calvard, a nation undergoing unprecedented economic prosperity but also experiencing tensions over immigration, and with political reforms in the headlines. Against this backdrop you play as Van, who works as a spriggan – essentially a jack-of-all-trades where you might be detective, negotiator, or bounty hunter. Unlike bracers, they’re an underground profession and don’t have any scruples about who their clients are, as long as the price is right. Van’s quite a contrast from fresh-faced idealists like Rean or Lloyd, then. But a case he takes from the mysterious Agnès sets them both on an…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB 11 BIT STUDIOS DEV 11 BIT STUDIOS PLAYERS 1 There simply aren’t enough hours in the day – so what if you could cheat time itself? In this genre mashup of survival-meets-management, that’s exactly what got you into this mess. In a resource-depleted future, Rapidium is the solution to many of the Earth’s problems. Harvest coming up short? Plant a fresh crop, douse the plants in time-warping Rapidium, put on a cuppa, and then reap what you’ve sown after your fresh brew. The stuff’s a magic bullet – as long as you can get more of it. Protagonist Jan Dolski is the man the powers-that-be shot out into space to mine more. Unfortunately, his vessel has crash-landed on a desolate planet, killing the rest of his…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB 10:10 GAMES LTD DEV 10:10 GAMES LTD PLAYERS 1-4 Funko is looking to gobble up Lego’s lunch with this foray into videogames. Featuring properties geared towards adult audiences such as The Thing, Shaun Of The Dead, and the Umbrella Academy, the roster here is chock-full of characterful abilities to throw out during combat and exploration. Whether you’re creeped out by their beady little eyes or have a whole shrine dedicated to these vinyl figurines, if you’ve ever had a bizarrely specific daydream of a Simon Pegg caricature wrestling a Jurassic Park dino, Funko’s got you covered.…

FORMAT PSVR2 ETA TBC PUB TEAM17 DEV PAW PRINT GAMES, VTIME PLAYERS 1 Manning a border station, you, a human, have to decide which robots to let through, and which to turn away. Inspired by Papers, Please, this is a more colourful and tongue-in-cheek approach in VR that leans into the tactile side of checking over the quirky ’bots who want to get through. Bust out the barcode scanner and beep them, screen them for contraband, or perhaps even deploy the stun gun. But it’s not completely dehumanising (pun possibly intended), as you can chat to both these travelling robots and your talkative appliances at home to get a sense of their evolving consciousness. After all, what gives you the right to stand in their way?…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 28 FEB PUB NIGHTDIVE STUDIOS DEV NIGHTDIVE STUDIOS, LUCASARTS PLAYERS 1 Long ago (well, the ’90s), and in a galaxy far, far away (well, on PC), Star Wars didn’t just get its first FPS, but delivered one of the era’s very best science-fiction shooters. And there are no disturbances in the force here as Nightdive Studios – a specialist in revitalising past classics – is behind this remaster. In this chonky Doom-like, you play as Kyle Katarn, a former Imperial turned mercenary, hired by the Rebel Alliance to throw a wrench (and many blaster shots) into the Empire’s plans to mobilise its elite Dark Trooper project. The maze-like levels, hefty weapons, and slick movement feel delightfully old-school, and although Dark Forces has been prettied up it’s still…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 8 MAR PUB SEGA DEV VANILLAWARE, ATLUS PLAYERS MULTI (PVP MODE) Every Vanillaware game feels ambitious and luxurious, thanks in part to an unmistakable art style and a willingness to switch genres. Here the studio has teamed up with Atlus to craft a tactical RPG with huge scope. As exiled prince Alain, you journey across the five kingdoms of Fevrith, accumulating an army to help you retake your throne. Which means befriending over 60 optional party members as you trot around the open world, where it’s possible to encounter some plot threads in any order, getting into scrapes as you amass your forces. Eat your heart out, Suikoden!…

WHAT YOU DO IN: COD: MWIII MULTIPLAYER The larger-scale modes return, but they’re no better or worse than before. Modern Warfare III shines brightest in 6v6 matches, with the maps (admittedly all ones we’ve seen before, at launch anyhow) making for good Free For All matches too. There’s no sign of Gun Game yet, sadly. THE DUALSENSE DIFFERENCE LOVING/HATING RIGHT ON TARGET Classic multiplayer modes like Team Deathmatch and Domination are the best they’ve been since 2019. Terrific fun. BOREZONE We’re not huge Warzone fans, to be honest, and we certainly don’t welcome its design creeping into the campaign mode. TROPHY CABINET BRONZE In the campaign, grab the major’s keycard within 90 secs without being detected. SILVER Find and use all weapons in the Open Combat Missions… if you can…

The Yakuza series rebrand, announced with much fanfare, was supposed to spell the end of long-time protagonist Kiryu Kazuma. The series took its original Japanese name, Like A Dragon, for all territories, and introduced a turn-based combat style and new protagonist. Yakuza was ready for something different. Or was it? Gaiden proves Kiryu’s retirement to be rather short-lived. There’s no-one quite like the Dragon Of Dojima, and so maybe it wasn’t the biggest surprise when he popped up in Yakuza: Like A Dragon. But how did he end up there after spectacularly faking his death and renouncing the Yakuza lifestyle at the end of Yakuza 6? Like A Dragon Gaiden (‘side story’ in Japanese) seeks to answer that question. Only… it doesn’t. Not really. Well. Somewhat? Let’s start at the…

Codemasters bought the WRC licence, EA bought Codemasters… and you? You have to buy this game. EA Sports WRC is the most convincing rally sim ever made, combining superlative driving physics with gorgeous visuals and a deep career mode. But best of all? It’s fun. Proper, vintage racing game fun that oozes from every turn. If you grew up loving Colin McRae Rally, your dream game is here. Your career can begin in WRC’s junior category, the mid-tier WRC2, or you get stuck straight in with the WRC monsters. You can build a rally car yourself, choosing components while watching your budget level, or just buy a stock vehicle. It’s all straightforward and easy to get started. Seasons are split into weeks, each allowing a single card to be completed,…

With a PKE meter on one hip, ghost trap on the other, and your proton wand slung over your back, you’re equipped just like a Ghostbuster should be. In this VR co-op shooter you work for the new, younger San Francisco division, where you’re tasked with cleaning up the Bay Area’s ghost problem. The big one, of course, is the Ghost Lord himself, who you unwittingly release in the prologue mission when you’re first collecting your gear. Oops. The mechanics of ghostbusting feel solid, as you shoot streams out from your proton wand first to take out a ghost’s shield (a blue gauge on their right), then to hammer down their energy (an orange gauge on their left). Pulling back the wand feels almost like a fishing game,1 as you…

WHAT YOU DO IN: PERSONA 5 TACTICA HOW TO… DO A TRIPLE THREAT ATTACK Triple Threats can turn the tide of battle. Position your teammates in a triangle around an enemy without cover – a rough triangle of blue lines appears when they’re in position. Now move the trio around until the triangle catches fire and the Triple Threat command appears. FRIENDS & ENEMIES ERINA The leader of the rebel corps is the only one capable of reversing Marie’s mind control. TOSHIO This young politician is connected to Marie, who kidnapped him from the real world. LADY MARIE The first villain. Marie has subjugated the populace with mind control magic. SECOND OPINION WOEFUL TACTICIAN The XCOM-like free movement and ever-stylish Persona wrapper make Tactica surprisingly easy to engage with for…

Should you feel anything like we do, you’d probably appreciate a good time loop by now – with all the games and books to enjoy and magazines to make, there just aren’t enough hours in a day to fit it all in. Unfortunately, the loop In Stars And Time features requires death, and it’s altogether more serious than dying for a good book. The world is going to end tomorrow. Well, it is if you die. After a long and arduous journey (which you do not play through), Siffrin and his adventuring party – including Mirabelle, the Chosen One – are about to enter the final castle and challenge the King, a malevolent entity who has frozen most of the world in time. Defeating him will break the curse, and…

WHAT YOU DO IN: JUSANT HOW TO… MANAGE YOUR STAMINA If you keep an eye on your stamina meter, there is technically no way to run out, as pressing will always replenish it a little. However, to make bigger climbs, you must either find a flat surface to stand on to have a rest or hook in at one of the generously placed mobile rope stations. STATPACK 05 Mysterious stone mechanisms left behind by the tower’s long-gone residents to find and activate as you make your ascent to the top. 0 Creatures that mean you any harm – you’re safe here. Thanks to your rope, you can’t even fall too far. Danger is not the point here. 20 Times you have to hug your small friend to earn a trophy.…

Malindy Hetfeld CONTRIBUTOR Reporting live from Sotenbori, she’s got the scoop on Like A Dragon’s street fights, from spin kicks to… rocket shoes? GAME OF THE MONTH Jusant BEST CRIMINAL Kefka (Final Fantasy VI) Jess Kinghorn GAMES EDITOR Raise your spyglasses toward the River Avon and you may see Jess sailing the SS FF, getting a bit too into Dawntrail. GAME OF THE MONTH Thirsty Suitors BEST CRIMINAL Goro Majima (Yakuza) Miriam McDonald OPERATIONS EDITOR Working on Edge as well as PLAY, Mim could use The Alters’ cloning tech – and the nifty jumpsuits too. GAME OF THE MONTH Little Goody Two Shoes BEST CRIMINAL Tommy Vercetti (GTA Vice City) Milford Coppock MANAGING ART EDITOR You can’t show PS Portal with screenshots, so it’s photoshoot time to show it off.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB SFB GAMES DEV SFB GAMES PLAYERS 1 What the hell happened here? We were thrilled to learn the new game from the developer of the excellent Tangle Tower was set in a theme park. True, Tangle Tower is about solving a murder, but it has a great sense of humour and colourful characters full of life. Crow Country is full of the opposite; it’s a run-down abandoned theme park where the theme seems to be ‘nauseating dread’. What inspired such a horrific new direction? “It’s not as much of a departure as you might think,” claims Adam Vian, creative director at SFB Games. “Crow Country is a narrative-focussed atmospheric game about exploring a single location, solving puzzles, and unlocking secret rooms. So is Tangle Tower.”…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2 FEB PUB WARNER BROS GAMES DEV ROCKSTEADY STUDIOS PLAYERS 1-4 Brainiac is putting ideas in the heads of Metropolis’ very best, resulting a very hostile takeover. In response, Amanda Waller is sending in her absolute worst: Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. The latest entry in the Batman: Arkham universe, this title was last seen fighting for its life after the announcement of its live service features. A negative reaction greeted details of its cosmetics-only battle pass and compulsory online connection. A fresh delay followed. It has been MIA ever since; will we see it in the new year?…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB SONY INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT DEV KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS PLAYERS 1 Babies, beaches, and big bad mechs – it’s all here. Beyond heaps more surreal visuals you’ll want to tease apart with a fine-toothed comb, there’s a new cult on the scene that worships a figure bearing a strong resemblance to Princess Beach herself, Amelie. Masked, and displaying a serious ability to shred, we’ll accept hypotheticals on a postcard. The cast is welcoming a few more famous faces besides the returning Norman Reedus, with Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna taking to the sequel’s stage in as-yet-unrevealed roles (though that won’t stop anyone, us included, from theorising).…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB SECRET MODE DEV SUMO LEAMINGTON PLAYERS 60 While we might not need another twist on a battle royale in our lives, it’s hard to say no to getting behind the wheel of another Sumo Digital racer. (The studio was behind the impeccable Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed, among others.) Especially when the price of entry is absolutely nothing at all. Servers are live when we play, meaning we have 59 other real live racers to beat in the pack, whittled down over three rounds. Pushing the pedal to the metal, our kart feels great to control (we go for a Balanced one, though there are three weights to choose from – unlocks are all cosmetic-only). Karts are responsive to little nudges, drifts are rewarded…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB DEVOLVER DIGITAL DEV ALL POSSIBLE FUTURES PLAYERS 1 Literary characters coming to life is always a treat, but it’s never been done in quite the way Plucky Squire does it. In this adventure-platformer hybrid, you play as Jot, the hero of his own picture book. Within the pages, Jot has the distinct advantage of being the hero, destined to win against the evil sorcerer Humgrump. But what about in a world where the ending isn’t written yet? One day, Humgrump uses his magic to kick Jot out of his book, forcing him to fight his way back to his happy ending. CARE A JOT Other games have catapulted their heroes to and from the real world, for example Sayonara Wild Hearts and Lost Words: Beyond…

FORMAT PS5 ETA SUMMER 2024 PUB DEVOLVER DIGITAL DEV GABE CUZZILLO, MAXI BOCH, BENNETT FODDY PLAYERS 1 If you love games that test your patience as much as your skill, look no further than Baby Steps. Developed by two of the minds behind Ape Out and Getting Over It, Baby Steps is about a man who can use his legs, and only his legs. Seeing this concept in action is something else – the vocalisation of 25 year-old Nate, who appears to be wearing a giant onesie, makes his flailing around ten times funnier than it already is. You thought Death Stranding was a walking simulator? Think again! Here, even an uneven stone could spell the end for our ‘hero’.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA Q4 2024 PUB TERNOX DEV TERNOX PLAYERS 1 Who hasn’t dreamed of being a stockbroker? You haven’t? well, perhaps after playing Stonks-9800 by Ukranian solo developer Ternox, you will. You’re running a company trading on the Japanese stock exchange in the ’80s – what could go wrong? You need to manage stocks, pay off the yakuza, and invest your hard-earned money in properties, at the bar, or in betting on horse races. If you were unbeatable at Like A Dragon’s business management game, Stonks-9800 could well be the game for you, as it takes itself about as seriously as Sega’s adventure in the criminal underworld.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA SPRING 2024 PUB SECRET MODE DEV THE CHINESE ROOM PLAYERS 1 Caz McLeary is on the run – from a difficult personal life and an assault charge waiting for him back home in Scotland, and from the situation at his workplace. That’s the thing about life: it always gets you in the end. But forget a clash of personalities or an uninspiring lunch menu; McLeary’s workplace problem is far from mundane. An average day aboard this oil rig falling into disrepair was already risky, and then the team aboard drilled into an unknowable terror. There’s no fighting it, leaving Caz with no options other than hiding and (what he does best) running.…

FORMAT PS4 ETA 2024 PUB ANIPLEX INC DEV TYPE-MOON, HUNEX PLAYERS 1 A troubled family history, a string of murders, and vampire royalty, baby! With a blend that tempting, it’s unbelievable that this classic visual novel, which debuted in 2000, should only now be receiving an official English-language release. This remake greatly expands the bloody tale, to the point it’s been split into two. The two routes in this half see you getting better acquainted with vampire princess, Arcueid, as well as totally ordinary high-school student (and sole member of her school’s tea ceremony club) Ciel.…

FORMAT PSVR2 ETA 2024 PUB RED BARRELS DEV RED BARRELS PLAYERS 1-4 The horror series that was always in-your-face with its frights takes the perhaps predictable step into VR. This time set during the Cold War, you and up to three other ill-fated chums take on the role of test subjects for the Murkoff Corporation. You’re still skulking around in the dark, keeping one beady little eye on what’s lurking too close for comfort thanks to night-vision goggles. When avoidance is no longer an option, you can stun or blind your enemies… or close your eyes real tight and hope it will all be over soon.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB PANIC DEV COAL SUPPER PLAYERS 1 The tale of a travelling salesman, even one with an appointment to meet the mayor of a town in Northern England, doesn’t sound particularly interesting. When that salesman is suspiciously small compared to literally everybody that he meets, though, and when the story is delivered with bold hand-drawn graphics and huge dollops of absurd humour, there’s a chance we might already be looking at GOTY 2024. The developers firmly thrust their collective tongue into their collective cheek, and describe this as a “slapformer”. That’s actually a pretty good description. During our short but oh-so-sweet hands-on time we run, jump, slap things, and… that’s it. Oh, and we laugh. We laugh a lot. TGYH! doesn’t so much wear its Northern…

FORMAT PS5 ETA TBA 2024 PUB GAME SCIENCE DEV GAME SCIENCE PLAYERS 1 With the industry dominated by American, British, and Japanese devs, it’s always exciting when a promising game from a different country appears on the horizon. So we’re excited for this one, an action RPG developed by a Chinese studio and based on Journey To The West, one of the Four Great Classical Novels of Chinese literature (Romance Of The Three Kingdoms is another). In addition to your trusty staff you’ll have access to other weapons, abilities, and equipment, and even spells. You’ll need them; a wide variety of creatures are lying in wait, some of which are absolutely huge.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB FOCUS ENTERTAINMENT DEV SABER INTERACTIVE PLAYERS 1-3 We’re tempted to make a joke about missing the first 39,999 games, and oh dear we just did. But despite our silliness, there’s no denying that this has the potential to be something special whether you’re a fan of 40K or not. A grim but strikingly designed world, combined with pleasingly gory combat and a dedication to the narrative, puts this on our radar. With the ability to slay alone or alongside up to two others, sometimes against hundreds of enemies at once, you won’t have time to get bored, soldier.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2 FEB PUB SEGA DEV ATLUS PLAYERS 1 Persona 3’s preoccupation with death and despair earned it a special place in the hearts of many RPG weirdos of a certain age (a crowd our own games editor includes herself among). Now, thanks to this ground-up remake, a fresh generation of players can see if they’re cut out to join the ranks of the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad. Why such an intimidating name for a gaggle of highschoolers? Let’s get into it: playing as a transfer student returning to Tatsumi Port Island for the first time since a deeply traumatic event years previously, you soon discover this school year has more than a few unusual extracurricular activities in store. Balancing studying for exams with school club responsibilities…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 2024 PUB KEPLER INTERACTIVE DEV HADOQUE PLAYERS 1 The Sarcophagus is an acid-toned, cosmic realm bursting with life – so why does everything here want to kill you? Caught on the edge of a black hole, this place is a looping prison for the titular demonic presence, and every creature within has their eyes on you in case you throw the cycle off its axis. What follows is a 2D metroidvania built around close-quarters combat that often erupts into sharp spurts of, uh, chunky jam. On the other hand, you’re tasked with planting seeds and watching the garden grow, suggesting your role in the cycle is anything but straightforward side-picking.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB PRIVATE DIVISION DEV EVENING STAR PLAYERS 1 A 3D platformer might not be what you’d expect from a studio founded by key members of the team behind Sonic Mania, but there are some similarities between this and that as the eponymous heroine is on the run from an army of blue penguins. She’s paired with a sentient yo-yo (named, well, Yo-Yo), so spin attacks will be plentiful. Feed Yo-Yo snacks and it transforms temporarily, becoming a grapple point so Penny can swing to other platforms, or growing into a giant ball to smash through obstacles and enemies, helping her navigate the colourful world of Macaroon.…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA 25 JAN PUB ARC SYSTEM WORKS DEV FRENCH BREAD PLAYERS 1-2 LOCALLY, 1-9 ONLINE We could try to decode every syllable of that title, but ultimately it’s going to take up more space than we have here. What you actually need to know is that this is a seriously swish 2D anime fighter featuring rollback netcode and a roster of 24 children of the Hollow Night duking it out with a collection of truly improbable weapons. Sys:Celes also promises to cap off a wild story that involves reincarnation and magical powers known as EXS, as well as interdimensional and invisible beasts.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 26 JAN PUB BANDAI NAMCO DEV BANDAI NAMCO, ARIKA PLAYERS 1-2 When Street Fighter 6 burst onto the scene, it not only proved itself one of the best entries (the best entry?) in Capcom’s legendary series, it managed to remain one of the best games released in a year that saw a quite frankly ridiculous number of top-quality experiences. This fight’s not over yet, though; if any series can steal Street Fighter’s claim to the title of best beat-’em-up of the generation, Tek-kan. Tekken has always been a slightly slower, more weighty experience, and our time with the beta proves that there are no plans to change this. The slower pace is part of the charm; mistakes are more glaring, counters more satisfying, moves with extra frames…

FORMAT PS5, PS4 ETA TBC PUB ASYMMETRIC DEV ASYMMETRIC PLAYERS 1 Don’t let the black-and-white stick-figure aesthetic fool you, this follow-up to West Of Loathing (which was never released on PlayStation) is packed with more expressive charm and humour than almost any other game we’ve played. Featuring turn-based combat (which can be turned off), you’ll need to wrangle with cosmic horror forces that are invading the exaggerated Jazz-Age-New-York-flavoured Ocean City as you investigate the disappearance of your antiquarian uncle. It’s filled with bizarre quests and characters – yourself included. One class you can take on is the Cheese Wizard, who battles using cosmic curds and whey.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 16 JAN PUB THQ NORDIC DEV PIECES INTERACTIVE PLAYERS 1 The granddaddy of survival horror makes a luxurious return with this reimagining of the original title, now with an over-the-shoulder perspective. Still, there’s no overthinking it – you’re alone and in the dark of a southern gothic mansion with some creepy ghoulies out to get you. You being either detective Edward Carnby (David Harbour) or his employer Emily Hartwood (Jodie Comer). While the house does have some inhabitants, they’ve all gone a bit strange, only providing marginal assistance in your search for the missing Jeremy Hartwood.…

FORMAT PS5 ETA 2024 PUB UBISOFT DEV MASSIVE ENTERTAINMENT PLAYERS 1 Sure, you could roll your eyes at yet another open world game from Ubisoft. But for a certain type of Star Wars fan Outlaws is ticking all the boxes. It’s the first Star Wars open world, you’re playing as a Han Solo-style scoundrel, and you’ve got the goal of pulling a daring space robbery. We have a good feeling about this. And in case you’re feeling cynical, this isn’t just slapping a licence on standard Ubi-fare. Massive is building the game in its Snowdrop Engine, meaning we’ll get something closer to the likes of The Division 2 and (the imminent) Avatar: Frontiers Of Pandora. These space worlds will be worth exploring. FAR, FAR AWAY And what worlds they are!…

The planet Regis III is one of the most gorgeous videogame locations of the year. Its lush orange deserts look hand-painted, its starry skyboxes truly justify the word awesome, and the [SPOILER REDACTED] you discover there are truly, thrillingly alien. What an unmitigated triumph of art design and direction! Shame about the game. You’re Yasna, an amnesiac protagonist (uh-oh) searching for her missing crew. For its opening hours, The Invincible gets by on its stunning scenery and intriguing central mystery. But the revelation of what’s happening on Regis III isn’t nearly as horrifying as the discovery of how little you get to do. The Invincible is based on a novel. To read a novel, you have to use your hands to turn the pages. You’ll find a similar amount of…

WHAT YOU DO IN: LAD: GAIDEN FRIENDS & ENEMIES AKAME An information broker (and singer) who takes care of the homeless in Osaka. KIHEI HANAWA A handler of sorts, he acts as the middleman between Joryu andthe Daidoji Clan. HOMARE NISHITANI III High in the Omi Alliance and ruler of the Castle. SECOND OPINION YAKUZA DIE-HARD Kiryu’s back! As is real-time combat! And Sotenbori! But once my fanboying subsides, I’m just left with ‘why?’ The story lacks weight, and the Agent combat feels pointless next to Yakuza style’s powerful hits. It feels more like a Greatest Hits excuse to return to pocket racing, cabaret clubs, the coliseum, and more. But sadly, not much else besides. Roll on, Kasuga’s return. Oscar Taylor-Kent THE FIRST SIX HOURS IS IT BETTER THAN? YES…

Compared to zombies or hellspawn, some folk find spiders more terrifying, so an FPS that has you trying to eradicate the eight-legged freaks sounds like a great idea, and compared to the previous PS4 version, VR feels like a perfect fit. Across nine levels, which take you from the living room to the local convenience store to the office, your mission is to seek out the arachnids hiding among the objects and furniture,1 and then squish, smash, shoot, or indeed burn them out of existence. Your phobias aside, they’re not exactly a challenge to kill, though you might run into slightly tougher subspecies, such as one that shoots webs to stick your hands in place for a few seconds. But the fun comes from the escalating disproportionate force you use…

Asimov’s classic series of Foundation novels has a narrative spanning centuries, represents the hardest of hard science fiction, and has influenced everything from Dune to Star Wars to real-world economics and, well… Elon Musk. And after all that, it’s now a PSVR game. On paper it reads like Journey To Foundation shouldn’t work; the source material is just too dense. But developer Archiact has been cute in its approach by using Asimov’s world to set up its own story behind the events of the books. As a spy within the Galactic Empire you must infiltrate a group supporting The Foundation – a disruptive bunch of hippies who pray to a God-mathematician on the edge of the galaxy – and take them out. Or will you? GOOD FOUNDATIONS This is an…

Our death toll sitting at 180 for one level isn’t normal. Indeed, dying over 100 times is normally a sign that a game is too hard. But not in the case of Ghostrunner 2, which doesn’t punish your failures, instead teaching you to perfect your movement through trial and error until you’re essentially speedrunning each section in a flurry of wall-running and dismembered limbs. Did it in 181 tries? You’re a legend. It’s one of the most intense experiences on PS5. Every second in combat is an array of threats and traversal possibilities. Bullets and energy waves come at you from all sides – and everything will kill you in a single hit. Movement can feel clumsy as you attempt to become death rather than dead. Melee attacks feel messy,…

WHAT YOU DO IN: IN STARS AND TIME FRIENDS & ENEMIES MIRABELLE Unaffected by the King’s time-freezing curse, Mirabelle has to defeat him. LOOP A star who helps you get to grips with your strange time-looping ability. THE KING Took self-optimisation so far that he learned to use his magic to manipulate time. HOW TO… UNLEASH A GROUP ATTACK Group attacks both do a lot of damage and heal your party. If you use five attacks of the same type in a row, you get a free turn with a group attack, like an all-out attack in the Persona games. To achieve that, you will have to give away some turns and potentially even pause attacking. LOVING/HATING CRACKING CHARACTERS The character art and text animations are super-cute. You can tell…

Someone at Teyon is having a lot of fun. Between the hair metal soundtrack, distressed neon, a villain with a passing resemblance to Alan Rickman, and liberal use of ‘creep’ and ‘scumbag’, delivered in RoboCop’s trademark deadpan manner, this feels like a perfect use of the licence. And yet… There’s so much wrong with RoboCop: Rogue City, from haphazard framerates to stilted dialogue (lifeless mannequins delivering info-dumps), and borrowed, surface-level game design. In any other game the faults would add up to a killing blow, but with this licence, delivered with a genuine love for the source material it, well… works. MURPHY’S LAW The way RoboCop and his world are designed suit being worked into a videogame, and in a way, fit within Teyon’s limitations. At times the game, running…

Has there ever been a bad Steamworld game? Thunderful has published two great metroidvanias (SteamWorld Dig 1 and 2), an ace turn-based strategy (SteamWorld Heist), and a fantastic deckbuilder (SteamWorld Quest). Now it’s taken on the city builder, and while original developer Image & Form has been replaced by The Station for this latest SteamWorld, the results are characteristically terrific. It starts simple, with you building a few worker residences and then putting your new robot friends to endless work. Soon after you head underground to plunder all the natural resources beneath, such as gold, rubies, and, er, filthy water (well, we suppose you can’t drink rubies). As usual, all the little details are nailed, like the pleasant noises you hear when clicking a new part of your town into…