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Our Year in Games 2016 – Chris (Part Two)

Our Year in Games 2016 – Chris (Part Two)

 

Hello, and welcome to part two of my contribution to Our Year in Games 2016. I’m continuing my tale of my year in games by talking about another selection of games that weren’t necessarily released in 2016. I have played new games this year, honest! But a lot of older games have played some part in shaping my year in games. Here’s four of them.

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Playstation 4 – First Weeks in the New Generation

Playstation 4 – First Weeks in the New Generation

As the new generation (and the new war) of consoles rumbles reluctantly into second gear, I have decided that, for once, I won’t be jumping on this particular bandwagon only as it hurtles into retirement. For once I will be at the cusp of the technological curve, and damn all those who say “wait”. Damn them and their stupid neckbeards. So I took the step to a brighter future and bought myself a Playstation 4, along with Killzone and Battlefield 4. Four weeks on, here are my thoughts.

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Our Week in Games – Week 71

Our Week in Games – Week 71

Games journalism is moving forward and breaking new ground with prominent figures such as Matt Lees and Cara Ellison use Patreon to crowd-fund support for exploring new avenues. Matt looks to be branching into doing YouTube on his own terms while Cara is travelling and getting into embedded journalism with indies. And then of course we get articles which spend the first half talking about how to breathe. I won’t link to that, save to say I didn’t see the point. The question is, what can we do here at Reticule Towers to give you what you want. Let us know in the comments.

On a less serious note, lets get on with Our Week in Games.

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New Video Game Releases – December 2013 Schedule

New Video Game Releases – December 2013 Schedule

Welcome to The Reticule’s definitive roundup of gaming releases throughout December 2013. All release dates stated are for the EU, across all currently available platforms including Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Still catching up with this months games? November’s release schedule can be found here.

3rd
Rainbow Moon
PSV

Battlefield 4: China Rising
PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, XO

Battlefield 4 China Rising Screenshot Expansion DLC December release date

In the China Rising expansion pack, the all-out war of Battlefield 4 is expanded with four massive maps, using all-new vehicles and high-tech military equipment. Ten new assignments and a new game mode, Air Superiority, are also available.

4th
Broken Sword: The Serpent’s Curse
PC

Broken Sword The Serpent's Curse Screenshot December release date

Paris in the spring. Shots ring out from a gallery… A robbery – a murder – and the beginning of another epic, original Broken Sword adventure. An adventure that will hurl intrepid lawyer George Stobbart and sassy journalist Nico Collard onto the trail of a murderous conspiracy forged in the cauldron of war-torn Europe. A conspiracy whose roots lie in mysteries older than the written word. Armed only with logic, integrity and a wry sense of humour – can George and Nico outwit evil forces both ancient and modern and save mankind from disaster? From a Curse forged by the Devil himself?

5th
3D Sonic the Hedgehog
3DS

3D Altered Beast
3DS

6th
Bravely Default (First Impressions)
3DS

Gran Turismo 6
PS3

Gran Turismo 6 Screenshot Super car December release date

Gran Turismo 6 will introduce new locations where the drama will continue to unfold: the Goodwood Hillclimb course, a very exclusive track that only a few selected guests had experienced until now, is recreated for the first time in a video game; the Silverstone Circuit, the holy ground of the GT Academy that nurtured gamers into professional racing drivers; and the legendary Brands Hatch of UK fame, for a total of 7 new tracks included at launch. No matter if you’re driving alone or if you are challenging rivals, GT6 will set the stage for your new drama.

Scribblenauts Unlimited
Wii U, 3DS

Zumba Fitness World Party
XO

10th
Unity of Command: Black Turn
PC

11th
Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise
PC

Europa Universalis IV Conquest of Paradise Screenshot December release date

Europa Universalis IV: Conquest of Paradise is the first expansion for the critically praised empire building game Europa Universalis IV, focusing on exploration of the new world and the Native American nations. The expansion allows you to send your ships off to the west and discover a new world, unlike any you’ve seen before – for the first time in a Paradox Development Studio game, you are given the option to discover a completely randomized American continent.

Angry Birds Go
Android, iOS, PC

12th
Let’s Sing
PC

13th
Wii Fit U
Wii U

17th
Dementium II HD
PC

31st
Flower
PSV

Battlefield 4 – The Verdict

Battlefield 4 – The Verdict

Battlefield is and should be about team based gameplay whether that be single player with AI or multiplayer with a team of friends. With that in mind it’s strange that the campaign of Battlefield 4 does such a terrible job of making you feel like part of a team. Instead you are a mostly silent bystander who opens a lot of doors and watches as everyone else engages in conversation with their backs to you. Sometimes they push you and trap you in corners as the in game scenes unfold. Sometimes they order you, the leader of the team to help move an object, get to a position or open yet another door and that’s about the extent of the interactions. I wish I could tell you that was the worst of what’s wrong with Battlefield 4‘s campaign, but unfortunately I’m only getting started.

Frostbite 3 is an engine well known for it’s ability to produce amazing graphics, DICE have obviously made the most of this and for the most part Battlefield 4 has some of the best graphics I’ve seen on the Xbox 360. Visual effects seem to be the only thing they have focussed on however, as the gameplay in the campaign suffers from the age old problem of being all style and no substance.

A big example of this is during one of the games set pieces, as a building you’re standing on collapses around you. You fall helplessly through floors and past enemies, all the time not being able to do a single thing about it and it sucks. Sure, the set piece moments look amazing but my guess is that because so many people complained about the QT events in BF3, the developers removed the majority of these and we now have the watch-as-cool-stuff-happens-around-you-and-you-cant-to-jack-about-it events, which are much worse. Would you still buy a game knowing you can’t play the best parts of it?

Hey it's... thingy and... the other one.... what were we doing again?!
Hey it’s… thingy and… the other one…. what were we doing again?!

Thankfully Battlefield 4‘s multiplayer is an entirely different beast. A beast that has just been let out its cage and is hungry for fast paced action, destruction and the slumped bodies of soldiers recently crushed by falling skyscrapers. Thanks to the pre-release beta, the Siege of Shanghai map might well be the best known for anyone who doesn’t yet own the game. You might be surprised to hear there are actually ten maps in total and two new game modes in the base game, along with new vehicles and three playable factions. This news alone is enough to get me interested in the idea of playing battlefield multiplayer again and the new games modes really do fit in well to the roster.

The first of the new game modes, Obliteration sees both teams with high value targets that need defending from the enemy. A bomb will randomly spawn on the map and it’s your task to transport that bomb to the opposing teams high value targets whilst simultaneously defending yours in case of a counter attack. This game mode calls for high amounts of team co-operation and usually works best when everyone travels together across the map, aiding the bomb carrier until he reaches one of the targets. When planted the bomb has to be defended for a short amount of time until it detonates, so it’s not simply a case of making it to the target.

For those who are veterans of Battlefield, Defuse the second game type added to BF4, is a rather different kettle of fish. For starters you only get one life per round, once you die you can either quit or watch over your team mates shoulders as they continue with the game and respawn as the next round begins. Secondly, Defuse focuses on infantry only gameplay in small maps much like you would see in team deathmatch. The aim of the game is for one team to defend a point on the map, whilst the other carries a bomb to that point and attempts to detonate it. The game will be over if the attacking team detonates their bomb or if all players on one side die, unless the bomb has been planted with only one defender still alive, in which case they would still need to defuse the bomb before it detonates in order to win the round.

I would be quite happy if EA/DICE focussed solely on multiplayer for the next Battlefield release.
I would be quite happy if EA/DICE focused solely on multiplayer for the next Battlefield release.

This game type produced mixed reactions from me at first as I wasn’t sure it fitted into the Battlefield style of play, but after a few games the hardcore feel to this game type really affected me. I found myself being more cautious, aiming faster and more accurately and sticking with team members more often. This could in turn transfer to the other games and improve your play style overall. The only problem is if this is the game you favour above all, unlocking new weapons and levelling up would take forever as you gain little XP from playing it.

If I was considering Battlefield 4 simply as a multiplayer game, this review would certainly score much higher praise. But as things are it seems like a brilliant multiplayer game has had a single player campaign tacked onto it in order to justify another full priced retail release. Did DICE/EA really need to release a new game for what is essentially the same experience with some new game modes and vehicles? Certainly not and it shows, almost as if the campaign was one big afterthought. Poor AI, buggy checkpoints, forgettable characters, ghastly textures in startlingly obvious places like the sky, and an unusual system of unlocking guns in a single player campaign simply don’t work and drag down the fine work that has been moulded and improved upon in the multiplayer portion of the game.

Verdict – Headshot

Platforms Available – PC, PS3, Xbox 360, PS4, XO
Platform Reviewed – Xbox 360

Review based on a purchased copy.

Please check this post for more on our scoring policy.

New Video Game Releases – November 2013 Schedule

New Video Game Releases – November 2013 Schedule

Welcome to The Reticule’s definitive roundup of gaming releases throughout November 2013. All release dates stated are for the EU, across all currently available platforms including Playstation 4 and Xbox One.

Still catching up with this months games? October’s release schedule can be found here.

1st
Battlefield 4
PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Battlefield 4 Screenshot November 2013 European release date

Battlefield 4 is the genre-defining action blockbuster made from moments that blur the line between game and glory. Fueled by the next-generation power and fidelity of Frostbite 3 it provides a visceral, dramatic experience unlike any other. Only in Battlefield will you blow the foundations of a dam or reduce an entire skyscraper to rubble. Only in Battlefield will you lead a naval assault from the back of a gun boat. Battlefield grants you the freedom to do more and be more while playing to your strengths and carving your own path to victory.

WWE 2K14
PS3, Xbox 360

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
PS3, Xbox 360

Lilly Looking Through
PC

Monster High 13 Wishes
DS, Wii, Wii U, 3DS

5th
Call of Duty: Ghosts
PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360

7th
Wii Sports Club
Wii U

8th
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow Collection
PS3, Xbox 360

Assassin’s Creed Heritage Collection
PS3, Xbox 360

Mario & Sonic at the Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games
Wii U

Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy
3DS

11th
PixelJunk Shooter
PC

12th
Disney Frozen: Olaf’s Quest
3DS

SimCity: Cities of Tomorrow
PC

13th
Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus
PS3

World of Warplanes
PC

15th
XCOM: Enemy Within
PC, PS3, Xbox 360

XCOM enemy within screenshot November 2013 european release date

XCOM: Enemy Within is the expansion to the 2012 Game of the Year award winning strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown. The new content adds an incredible array of new abilities, upgrades and weapons to combat new enemy and alien threats. It also introduces new maps, new tactical and strategic gameplay, and new multiplayer content providing a fresh new gameplay experience.

Baldur’s Gate II — Enhanced Edition
Andriod, iOS, PC

Deadfall Adventures
PC, Xbox 360

X Rebirth
PC

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360

Adventure Time: Explore the Dungeon Because I DON’T KNOW!
PC, PS3, Wii U, Xbox 360, 3DS

18th
The Lord of the Rings Online: Helm’s Deep
PC

19th
Need for Speed Rivals
PC, PS3, Xbox 360

22nd
Ryse: Son of Rome
XO

Ryse Son Of Rome Screenshot European release date November 2013

Ryse: Son of Rome tells the story of Marius Titus, a young Roman soldier who witnesses the murder of his family at the hands of barbarian bandits, then travels with the Roman army to Britannia to seek revenge. Quickly rising through the ranks, Marius must become a leader of men and defender of the Empire on his quest to exact vengeance – a destiny he soon discovers can only be fulfilled much closer to home.

Dead Rising 3
XO

Crimson Dragon
XO

Forza Motorsport 5
XO

Peggle 2
XO

Killer Instinct
XO

Tearaway
PSV

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds
3DS

Young Justice: Legacy
PC, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii, Wii U, 3DS

Battlefield 4
XO

Call of Duty: Ghosts
XO

Fifa 14
XO

Need for Speed Rivals
XO

Assassin’s Creed 4: Black Flag
PC, PS4, Wii U, XO

Assassin's Creed 4 Black Flag Screenshot European release date schedule November 2013

Assassin’s Creed IV Black Flag begins in 1715, when pirates established a lawless republic in the Caribbean and ruled the land and seas. These outlaws paralyzed navies, halted international trade, and plundered vast fortunes. They threatened the power structures that ruled Europe, inspired the imaginations of millions, and left a legacy that still endures.

Just Dance 2014
XO

Madden NFL 25
XO

Skylanders: Swap Force
XO

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
XO

NBA 2K14
XO

29th
Killzone Shadow Fall
PS4

Knack
PS4

Pinball Arcade
PS4

Warframe
PS4

The PlayRoom
PS4

War Thunder
PS4

One Piece: Romance Dawn
3DS

Injustice: Gods Among Us Ultimate Edition
PC, PS3, Xbox 360

Super Mario 3D World
Wii U

Minecraft
PSV, PS3, PS4

Blacklight: Retribution
PS4

DriveClub
PS4

Battlefield 4
PS4

Call of Duty: Ghosts
PS4

FIFA 14
PS4

Madden NFL 25
PS4

Need for Speed Rivals
PS4

DiveKick
PS4

Just Dance 2014
PS4

DC Universe Online
PS4

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes
PS4

NBA 2K14
PS4

Skylanders: Swap Force
PS4

E3 From the UK – A Quick Look at EA and Ubisoft Presentations

E3 From the UK – A Quick Look at EA and Ubisoft Presentations

I didn’t watch the conferences from EA or Ubisoft live, I followed them on Twitter while watching Game of Thrones and Banshee. However much I love games, I do sometimes wonder whether they will ever quite match the story-telling and action found in shows from studios like HBO. Certainly nothing I’ve seen from E3 so far leads me to think we are entering a truly new generation of games, more that the consoles are finally catching up with the power found on PCs for a few years now. Despite this negative view, a few bits grabbed my attention from the EA and Ubisoft events.

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Battlefield 4 Confirmed [Updated]

Battlefield 4 Confirmed [Updated]

[Update]An official website is now live right here, and a press release is now available after the break.

Lo-and-behold, Battlefield 4 has been confirmed by way of a Medal of Honor blog-post which reveals that you will get Beta access to Battlefield 4 if you pre-order Medal of Honor. It should be no surprise that there is another Battlefield game, but I can see some people wondering why it isn’t another Bad Company game and instead is going to be the fourth instalment of the main franchise. This must also be a kick in the teeth for fans of Battlefield 3 who might have been hoping to further long-term support for the title beyond the current planned DLC packs. One can only assume that the Battlefield Premium pack will be involved in the future game. Of course, I might be wrong and this reveal might in fact be for Bad Company 3, time will tell.

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