NEWS
THE BOX TO BEAT
In a great turn of events for Microsoft fans, the Xbox One has become the best-selling video game console in Australia since the launch of the Xbox One S in August. The refreshed system features High Dynamic Range (HDR) gaming, 4K streaming and a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
“We’d like to thank our fans for their continued support and passion for Xbox in Australia. It’s great to see such enthusiasm for the new Xbox One S,” said Jeremy Hinton, Xbox business lead at Microsoft Australia. “With the upcoming launches of Dead Rising 4 this December and Halo Wars 2 in February 2017, there has never been a better time to be an Xbox gamer.” Also worth noting is that the Xbox One S is now also the highest-selling 4K Blu-ray player in Australia.
PLAYSTATION GOES PRO
Been holding out on buying a PlayStation 4? Well now’s the time to jump on board, as Sony’s PlayStation 4 Pro has hit store shelves. Retailing for $599, the system “supercharges” the console you know and love with features designed to boost your gaming experience.
That includes double the GPU power, HDR to make visuals more realistic and 4K support, both in terms of games and video streaming services like Netflix. If you already own a PS4, an upgrade is not essential, but developers are planning on making the most of the extra power for future titles.
Review:
Battlefield 1 (PS4, XBO, PC)
With the majority of shooters going down futuristic roads lately, Battlefield 1 changes the pace a little by taking things back to the First World War, and the result is a wonderfully refreshing experience.
A large part of that stems from the formula changes that DICE has injected into its shooter. The single-player campaign is a perfect example, presenting six well-crafted short stories that focus on different aspects of the Great War and elevate the game’s storytelling well beyond the franchise’s last few attempts. Destructibility is also back in full explosive force, helping constantly change the battleground and how you act within it.
Needless to say, with an incredibly solid and entertaining multiplayer suite to back everything up, Battlefield 1 has shot for success and nailed it.
★★★★
Review:
Titanfall 2 (PS4, XBO, PC)
The original Titanfall was a fast-paced experience that was hamstrung by a couple of factors. The first was it being exclusively tied to Microsoft platforms, preventing mass market adoption across both major consoles. The other was a lack of single-player campaign, which meant those looking for a more focused experience were left disappointed by a purely multiplayer affair. Titanfall 2 addresses both of those issues, transforming itself into 2016’s must-have shooter.
In the incredibly impressive campaign you fill the futuristic shoes of Rifleman Cooper – a pilot in training who, after an ambush by an evil corporation, is left stranded on a mysterious planet. Once he comes to, Cooper eventually finds himself in control of a Vanguard-class Titan BT and is charged with finishing a secret mission involving something called The Ark.
It’s not necessarily a highly engaging plot, but much like competitors such as Call Of Duty, it’s an excuse to funnel you from one location to the next completing various objectives. Yet while Call Of Duty presents very closed-off spaces, Titanfall 2 often presents open playgrounds with multiple ways to tackle your problems.
It also leads you to some truly jaw-dropping set pieces, many of which take you to unexpected places and employ unexpected mechanics. You will be amazed how well one idea works, only for it to be tossed out the window for a brand new idea in the next level. It’s brave, bold and makes for one of the greatest FPS single-player campaigns in recent memory.
Not to say the multiplayer isn’t enjoyable. With eight multiplayer modes and some great maps, Titanfall 2 certainly expands and improves upon its predecessor. Possessing a larger amount of customisation options like more abilities and weapons, new grenade types, better perks and a slew of new Titans only breathes more life into proceedings. You can even give your Titan a paint job to add an extra layer of personalisation. Hopefully, with all these improvements and a little luck, the online community will have longer legs this time around.
Regardless, here is a game that is incredibly worthy of your shelf space for the single-player component alone. Titanfall 2 faces some stiff competition this holiday season, but rest assured, if you give it the time of day you won’t be disappointed.
★★★★☆
