Gametraders LIVE October Magazine volume 10

October 2013 99 GTA V FULL REVIEW PAGES pg 28 of gaming goodness! NINTENDO: STILL BATMAN ARKHAM RELEVANT? ORIGINS PREVIEW! pg 22 pg 15 Win a double pass! MINECRAFT! pg 90 pg 14 www.gametraders.com.au

WELCOME TO october INSIDE Welcome to Live Magazine and New Releases Pages 4-8 our October edition! Nintendo: Still Relevant? October already and that means Christmas is just around the corner. Here in Pages 15-20 Australia that means warmer weather, beaches, daylight savings and the great outdoors. In the northern hemisphere it means you’re getting ready to rug up Previews and keep warm. Such contrasts in our lifestyle depending on our locations. So too with game playing. Some of us love nothing more then to put on the heater Pages 22-26 and get a few friends around on a cold night and play our favourite games. Whilst here in Australia it’s likely we’ll be organising a Barbie (BBQ for the rest of Reviews the world) and throwing snags (sausages) on the Barbie and having a beer Pages 28-40 or two. Then it’s sitting down in front of the Xbox or Playstation and few fghting games, racing games, FIFA 14 perhaps or some FPS action. Gametraders News: Penrith Opening No matter where you are, there’s a ton of gaming news and previews in this month’s Live magazine and to kick things off we take a look at Nintendo. The Wii Pages 50-52 U hasn’t been top of mind for gamers at present and many would say it’s a lack of great games and top third party titles. We ask industry writers what they think Comic & Graphic Novels about Nintendo and where they’re headed. You’ll either hate the comment or Pages 58-59 fnd yourself nodding in agreement. Either way it’s an important discussion as Nintendo is a much loved and important part of the gaming culture. Halloween Page 60 With a ton of previews and reviews plus our monthly cosplay feature and anime releases there’s lots of good reading inside. Keep warm or keep cool. Anime & Manga Rob Jenkins - Publisher Pages 61-67 Retro Round Up THE LIVE TEAM Pages 68-73 Cosplay Interviews Rob Jenkins: Publisher Johnathan Heng: Trading Card (Gametraders Operations Centre) Writer Pages 74-87 Giselle Capozza: Art Director Sticky Trigger Team: Gametraders Logan Hyperdome Interview (Gametraders Operations Centre) Alex Holmes Pages 88-89 Sam Babu Nick Getley & Kylie Tuttle (Sticky Trigger): Game Review & Preview Nick Pearce 2 Guns Competition Editors Pages 90-91 David Kudrev: Retro Writer Your Say Pages 92-93 Paul Monopoli: Retro Writer Trading Cards Pages 96-99

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preview NINTENDO 2DS Nintendo recently announced the design that the 2DS has hesitant about buying a 3DS it would be introducing a new been designed with a younger over issues with their eyes. One member of the DS family onto audience in mind. The 2DS has can also assume that it will also the market – the 2DS. When replaced the fiptop design stop mum and dad’s fears of the press releases frst came (made famous by the DS hearing ‘crack’ with the fip top out showing that the 2DS family) with an almost wedged being bent back too far! would look like, I was rather like shape. Size wise, the 2DS concerned that Nintendo were isn’t actually any bigger that Being that the control pads making a mistake by removing a 3DS. Surprisingly, looks are are located in the centre of the 3D option off their console deceiving with this console the unit, big and little hands and slapping the two screens and its actually smaller when will naturally and comfortably into a clunky looking piece compared to the 3DS side by be able to navigate their way of plastic – something ala side. around the game. Buttons LeapFrog like! such as ‘Home’ and ‘Select’ are “The removal of the 3D capabilities will allow younger children the opportunity to play games without mums and dads being concerned or hesitant about buying a 3DS over issues with their eyes.” However after closer inspection, The removal of the 3D much easier to control then I might take some of those capabilities will allow younger those found on the 3DS. thoughts back. children the opportunity to play games without mums There is no difference in the It is obvious just by looking at and dads being concerned or size of the screens in the 2DS

when compared to that of the 3DS. They are exactly the same, however the screen on the 2DS does feel like is made from plastic and could be prone to scratching. Screen protectors will be a must! Hang on....So where is the stylus? Where do games go? And does it take photos? The stylus on the 2DS can be found on the top right hand side of the console next to a slot for an SD card. No difference in the stylus design here. Exactly the same as the 3DS. What is different is where games are inserted. Instead inserted in the bottom like in the Verdict of the game cartridges being 3DS, they game cartridge slot is As noted above, it’s very evident now on the top of the console. that this console has been And yes, there is a camera... 2 made to fll the gap in the of them in fact. They do take younger market. There are no 3D photos, but don’t display real added features that make them on this console. Why this me want to personally go out feature has been included if and buy this console. I will you can’t view the images is however be recommending it rather confusing to me! to friends with kids. Durability will be a plus for parents The 3DS featured stereo based on the new ‘wedge’ speakers, whereas the 2DS will design, along with the lack of have only mono sound when 3D capabilities for concerned The 2DS will be played through the speakers. parents. The console layout is This may or may not be such clear and much easier in my availble from an issue for the kids, however opinion to navigate around an avid gamer will notice the than the 3DS, however all difference. However, all is not my thoughts lead back to 12 October. lost if a set of headphones are the evidence that this was attached to the jack awkwardly designed with kids in mind. located on the front of the In saying that, it does have a Check with console. kind of retro circa hand held Donkey Kong Jr feel to it! Was your local Another new added feature this a smart marketing ploy by is the ‘Sleep mode’. As the Nintendo? You be the judge! 2DS can’t be closed, the sleep store today! mode button will come in very handy! The 2DS will also be WRITTEN BY kylie tuttle backwards compatible. (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM)

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feature NINTENDO: STILL RELEVANT? What do you think of when you And it’s the Wii U that is simply But is it all that bad? Most hear the word Nintendo? Quality not selling in the expected commentators seem to think games? Mario? Zelda? numbers Nintendo expected. that the Wii U needs quality titles Nintendo released its’ annual to push sales of the hardware. Most of would say all of the report at the end of March Great new games will boost above, after all, Nintendo gave 2013 and this showed that sales, but Nintendo needs to us the SNES, N64, multiple Mario while the Wii U started strong market the system. They’ve not games and a whole lot more. in it’s launch, sales slowed done a great job in convincing And let’s not forget the ground considerably. customers to buy the hardware. breaking Wii with its’ unique controllers and quirky games. But is it all doom and gloom? A With Christmas just around the How many of us dragged out quick search on Google brings corner, Nintendo will be in a our Wii when friends dropped up quite a few news stories with battle with Microsoft and Sony in, for a quick game of Wii Sport a negative slant. TechCrunch for the big family purchase. Most including the mega popular on September 5th wrote an families looking to buy a console bowling game? So while the Wii editorial headed “The Death will budget for just one. Will it was a massive seller and now of Nintendo Has Been Greatly be the Wii U or will the other big the 3DS is also selling well, it’s Under-Exaggerated” and called guns win out. And if Christmas the sales of the Wii U that has the Wii U a “dud” saying “it’s doesn’t see a lift in sales where people wondering what next much worse then a dud. As of does that leave the struggling “WITH CHRISTMAS JUST AROUND THE CORNER, NINTENDO WILL BE IN A BATTLE WITH MICROSOFT AND SONY FOR THE BIG FAMILY PURCHASE.” for the former card company. right now it’s a colossal failure.” console? We asked some The Wii U is the the frst of the 8th Nintendo Life on the 23rd industry writers their thoughts on generation of game consoles, August had an article by Nintendo and you’ll either hate the Microsoft Xbox One and the Thomas Whitehead titled “Sales the comments or fnd yourself Sony Playstation 4 will soon be Data Demonstrates a Slow Wii nodding in agreement... launched fnishing the release to Wii U Transition Compared to schedule of the major players. Past Generations”

feature nintendo: still relevant? INDUSTRY COMMENT “no other company has aimed at casual gaming..” Seven years and over 150 million sales have passed since Nintendo released it’s dual screen handheld back in 2004, introducing true touch screen gaming to gamers for the frst time. The concept proved such a success that Nintendo implemented it in its home console, the Wii U, via a touch screen in the GamePad, essentially creating a giant home DS in a way. However it was so poorly marketed, that even a year after launch the console has sold well under the expectations. The Wii U is almost a write off with a lot of third party developers backing away from the system at alarming speed. Nintendo are heading down a very lonely path, a path that leads to a very grim future. Nintendo have always been known as marketing to the casual gamer, they never seemed to be interested in “hard core” games and so they shouldn’t. No other company has aimed at casual gaming and while Nintendo may pull through, you have to wonder where that breaking point is. When will the ship sink and what will happen if it does? No, Nintendo will forge on, however I feel we will see the end of Nintendo in the home console department. It would be a wise move if they did. But one does not simply drop it’s new console off the line, so what are we looking at? Nintendo need to boost sales to stay in the game, to do this they would need to re bundle the Wii U with some new titles. The Wii U could be re-marketed with Mario Kart, the heart and soul of its casual party games, along with a theme on the body of the console would drive a number of new sales. Also, if Nintendo brought out a new Pokemon Stadium game, it could revitalize sales for the system. To do this, they would need to link in the DS handhelds like Sony is with the Vita system. Imagine playing Pokemon X or Y out and about, and then coming home to be able to use these in a Pokemon Stadium game? Or better yet, worldwide Video Game Championship tournaments VIA the Wii U? Anything is possible, Nintendo aren’t out yet, only time will tell if they can stay in the game though. Al Caynes (www.tgeeknd.com)

nintendo: still relevant? feature INDUSTRY COMMENT “..BUT IS IT TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?” Nintendo and I were best friends at school, right up until year 11. Nintendo handed up the Wii as it’s fnal assignment. While at frst we all loved it, we soon realised that the Wii wasn’t really what we all wanted. It couldn’t live up to the previous work Nintendo had submitted, such as the Nintendo 64 and Gamecube. As we continued on with our schooling, Nintendo and I split apart. I became more close with my new friends Microsoft and Sony. They had innovation, and catered more for my needs. While my analogy may seem a bit weird, I feel it rings true for most Nintendo fans. There was once a day when Nintendo was the best around. You just weren’t a gamer if you didn’t have a NES, SNES or N64. For me, the NGC was just as infuential, for many others not so much. Nintendo then released the Wii, and while at frst it seemed great, the lack of HD support, with the rise of HD televisions ensured that features that the Wii lacked became more obvious. Nintendo have gotten with the times now, the Wii U has HD capabilities, but is it too little, too late? Personally I don’t think Nintendo are out of the picture yet, but if they don’t change their strategy, they will be. Nintendo seems to think that people want all their old games rereleased, in HD, or marketed as a new game with minor changes. The fact is until Nintendo release games that are new and innovative; they won’t be the gaming giants we remember them as. Sadly, the Nintendo we remember fondly may just be a vision of the past. John Wright (www.johnnoshark-reviews.com) “..THESE GUYS ARE THE ROYALTY OF THE GAMING WORLD, AND WITH GOOD REASON.” Nintendo have become something of a joke within the gaming community for sure, but are they really dead in the water? Despite being a constant punchline to many, the once undisputed gaming champions are actually still one of the industry’s biggest innovators, best marketers and consistent developers. In fact, they’re one of gamings most honorable and respectable companies. So why all the hate? Taking a look at the ‘next gen’ of gaming, Nintendo are the only real innovator of the lot – the only manufacturer straying from their own safe haven and taking risks, giving us something that isn’t proven to work within the confnes of their audiences. And who else could take gaming series’ older than a good 20 years or more, experiment with new technologies, and still deliver fun and exciting games that excel both commercially and critically? Sure, Nintendo are a far cry from the giants they once were – mainly due to the infux of competition and option – but these guys are the royalty of the gaming world, and with good reason. While Microsoft and Sony battle it out for ‘top spot’, taking jabs at each other and trying desperately to gain the market majority, Nintendo simply plot along at their own pace, make their own decisions, and keep pumping out the games their fans want, love and cherish. Nintendo today may be ‘irrelevant’ to certain crowds and audiences in the community, but – and correct me if I’m wrong – there’s nothing irrelevant about giving your fans what they want. JOHN ELLIOTT

feature nintendo: still relevant? INDUSTRY COMMENT “no single company is safe if they cannot adapt to the demands of the modern gamer.” I’d like to think that in this day and age, any games company with a history of quality games is immune to “dying” or becoming irrelevant. Unfortunately, companies like Sega and Atari have proven that no matter how unique your games are or how strong your early catalogue is, no single company is safe if they cannot adapt to the demands of the modern gamer. With the Wii, Nintendo managed to create a gap in the market that they cleverly were also able to fll. Using well-known game fgures like Super Mario, Nintendo created the casual games market for home consoles. Suddenly, people who had no prior interest in gaming were becoming hooked to laid back experiences like Wii Sports, Mario Party, and even exercise program-focused titles like Wii Fit and EA Sports Active. With a staggering 100 million titles sold as of June 2013, one would assume that the next Nintendo console would sell even more, the only problem is, it isn’t. This isn’t to say the Wii-U is an awful piece of tech. On the contrary, the Nintendo Wii did so well in establishing itself as a household necessity, that it has impeded its successor’s well… succession. The problem also stems from bad marketing, that is to say, an almost complete lack of marketing. Even at the release of the Wii-U, there was little-to-no awareness of Nintendo’s new console, despite it having a highly-marketable tablet controller. Nintendo are still relevant, and with a back catalogue of gaming’s favourite characters like Mario, Link, Kirby and Starfox, they won’t be going anywhere any time soon. Their loving fan base will embrace any console and games they release in the future. Nintendo’s consumers aren’t going to fx this problem, and therefore, major decisions must be made by Nintendo. The question they have to ask themselves now is “Do we pursue the casual audience again? Or do we try to win back the hardcore gamer and compete with Microsoft and Sony?” Nick Getley (www.stickytrigger.com)

nintendo: still relevant? feature INDUSTRY COMMENT “NINTENDO WILL RISE AGAIN WITHOUT DOUBT..” Nintendo defnitely are still relevant. They have a huge bank of money from the success that was the DS and the Wii. They defnitely need to bring some of their standards into the 21st century however. The fact that they still don’t have an account system on either the Wii U or the 3DS is an absolute farce. Nintendo also need to start taking more risks with their games. Everybody knows that Nintendo have some of the most creative developers in the industry but It seems like such a shame to see them working on the same recycled franchises. I think something that Nintendo could focus on is creating more smaller, budgeted titles for new and existing franchises. They have already attempted this quite a few times on the 3DS eShop and it has been a great success. My nephew absolutely loves Nintendo but unless it’s a special occasion his parents can’t justify spending $60 for a 3DS game when he could get more than 50 games on his iPad for the same amount. I also think that Nintendo need to handle their launches better. Both the 3DS and Wii U have gotten off on the wrong foot with horrible delays to their “launch window” titles. We have seen this especially with the Wii U. The non Nintendo hardcore have seen no reason to purchase it within the frst year due to a delayed lineup of their frst year games and the lack of an account system. Taking these things into consideration I think that the Wii U will struggle more than any Nintendo console before it. Nintendo just haven’t done enough to improve sales of the system before the release of the PS4 and Xbox One. Nintendo will rise again without doubt though. Shannon Grixti “HOW THE HELL DID THEY KNOW THAT WOULD WORK?” Nintendo are still relevant in every way, shape or form. As a cultural icon, as the name behind the biggest, most popular and most recognizable gaming franchises, they aren’t going to be forgotten to the annals of history in the foreseeable future. In regards to their business, one might look at the Wii U and think that now, now is the start of the end…if you’re to completely ignore the company’s handheld market, which is set to get bigger once they release the 2DS. As to whether they’re irrelevant – I think, more than anything, Nintendo have proven over and over again that a lot of us, especially in the media, don’t really understand the core consumer anymore. We scoffed at the 2DS just like we scoffed at the Wii, and you know what? Those ugly, door-stop handhelds are going to fy off shelves, and everyone who initially thought ‘what the hell are they doing?’ is going to be asking ‘how the hell did they know that would work?’. Personally, I’ve found it hard to like Nintendo as I played few of their games during my childhood – I’ve got no nostalgic ties, and I fnd Mario platformers to be incredibly banal. The thing about nostalgia, however, is that it not only lasts, but it can be passed on. Those kids you see today playing the latest Nintendo exclusives on the DS they all seem to own? Their eventual nostalgia is Nintendo’s insurance policy. When Nintendo eventually falls, as everything does, their cultural impact will give them a very special place in history, and they won’t be forgotten or irrelevant for many years to follow. Mark Ankucic (www.dustycartridge.com)

feature nintendo: still relevant? INDUSTRY COMMENT “THE WII U HAS SOLD ABOUT 3.6M UNITS WORLDWIDE..” Are Nintendo relevant? In my opinion Nintendo with the Wii U are not actually in competition with Microsoft or Sony, they are going to continue to do their own thing. Nintendo are a very stubborn company and they believe that their 1st party software lineup of Mario 3D, Zelda: WW HD, Donkey Kong: TF, Sonic: Lost World, Wii Fit U during this holiday along with Bayonetta 2, Mario Kart 8, Yarn Yoshi, Smash Bros. and X in early 2014 will get them back on track just like it did the 3DS after its poor start and Sony are hoping the Vita can do the same as sales for Vita have increased recently as well. In my opinion this is what the Big N should do to make sure they do stay relevant: • Increase the virtual console library with GameBoy, N64 and GameCube titles. • Merge Nintendo 3DS/Wii U Nintendo Network I.D’s so purchases can be synced and customers don’t have to purchase the same game twice at full price. • More exclusives like Bayonetta 2 for example a Resident Evil 2 remake, Eternal Darkness 2, even a new Mega Man are projects fans want. • Throw in a 3D Donkey Kong , Metroid and Pokémon RPG and realistic HD Zelda • And most importantly, reach out to third parties and pay for titles like Minecraft, Final Fantasy and EA titles and make Platinum Games a second party developer! Nintendo has the money to do this! They have billions sitting in the bank and are not going to go bankrupt if the Wii U fails. Here is some interesting sales information. The Wii U has sold about 3.6m units worldwide since November 2012, the same amount the PS3 achieved in its frst year. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 sold 7.5m in its frst 12 months but has recently just been joined by the PS3 in overall sales at 79m each. While the Wii sold an incredible 20m in its frst year and has sold over 101m worldwide! What these numbers show us is slow frst year sales don’t really mean anything at all just yet; let’s see what Nintendo comes up with in the next 12 months before we decide if they should stay or go. Nick Pearce (www.stickytrigger.com)

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preview BATMAN ARKHAM ORIGINS Batman: Arkham Asylum was a Bat-game? Let’s fnd out. From seems a lot more aggressive pleasant surprise to all fans of the trailer, we see that there’s and on occasion includes both Batman and video games a lot more emphasis on the the surrounding environment; alike. In a world where comic minor villains. Hopefully this however the fuidity of combos and flm games have a track means that characters such that has been a key part of record for being remarkably as Deadshot can be a part of the Arkham franchise is still average, such a game left the main campaign against the same. Another addition to a fond memory in all of our Black Mask, instead of being an combat is a new standard of minds. Next came Arkham optional side mission (I for one thug, the Martial Artist. The main City where most of the major am still waiting for Crazy Quilt difference between them and problems with Asylum (I’m to make an appearance.) The the regular enemy is his speed looking at you, Titan Joker) were trailer is mostly focused around and ability to counter Batman’s changed and we bat-hungry combat with Deathstroke, counters, which in turn can also “it seems that the developers of the Arkham series have again listened to the feedback and given the audience what they wanted gameplay wise without sacrificing the story.” fans were even more pleased. probably as an advertisement be countered. After each fght Now the time has come for for the DLC campaign. with selected groups of thugs, the third game in the series: there is a new grading system ‘Batman: Arkham Origins’. The From the gameplay released at which shows you statistics of question is, will it carry on the E3, there are many new features the fght you just came out tradition of improving the same introduced. One small change of including hits taken and formula to create a greater is Batman’s fghting style which experience earned. This is an

easy way to keep track of your walking around the virtual experience and to show you crime to collect more evidence what you need to improve and gain better understanding on, however I think that after of the plot’s development and multiple small gang fghts the Batman’s deductive power. large block of text in your HUD could get slightly tedious. Even from these small examples and the other One of my favourite additions evidence available, it seems to gameplay builds on the that the developers of the detective side of Batman. Arkham series have again Previously, the world’s greatest listened to the feedback and detective could simply look given the audience what they at some evidence and scan wanted gameplay wise without it immediately, showing him sacrifcing the story. Batman: everything he needed to Arkham Origins is shaping know. With the small addition up to be an equal if not of a crime reconstruction greater game than it’s famed visualisation, the Bat-computer predecessors. can take us through what really happened at the crime scene. WRITTEN BY alex holmes Once the visualisation is played (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM) out, the player can now interact with the reconstruction. From rewinding, pausing and even format: PS Vita | Xbox 360 | Wii U | PS3 | PC | 3DS Out: October 25

preview ANGRY BIRDS STARWARS A long, long time ago in a Angry Birds Star Wars looks to Chewbacca, R2-D2 and several galaxy far away, the force be very lucrative for distributor versions of Luke Skywalker (Pilot was strong, as were the… Activision who has picked up Luke, Endor Luke and Jedi pigtroopers?!? That’s right! the title. Luke) and the pigs taking on The epic and internationally the forms of Darth Vader, Storm popular mobile game ‘Angry Game play wise, if you are Troopers and Boba Fett from Birds: Star Wars’ has been unfamiliar with the previous the original Star Wars trilogy remastered for gaming systems Angry Birds games its simple, and a setting obviously in the and will be out this month! well kind of! You use a Star Wars universe and that is slingshot to launch birds at pigs Angry birds Star Wars! Bird finging takes on a whole stationed on or within various new meaning when you are structures, with the intent of Using the same core game yielding a light saber and destroying all the pigs. As design as the mobile game, “Using the same core game design as the mobile game, Angry Birds Star Wars injects new characters, challenges and pays homage to the Star War’s universe.” Rovio Entertainment are piggy you move through the game, Angry Birds Star Wars injects backing (pardon the pun) of new types of birds become new characters, challenges the success of the Angry Birds available some of which have and pays homage to the Star franchise by pushing Angry special abilities. War’s universe. In comparison Birds Star Wars to console. to the mobile version¸ players Downloaded more than 100 Swirl that in with the birds taking will be able to enjoy 20 levels million times via mobile app, on the personas of likes of which have exclusively been

designed for the console game (on top of 200 levels already on the mobile version) totalling over 25 hours of light saber wielding, pig popping fun! And for the frst time ever, players will be able to enjoy multiplayer mode. Playing in two-player co- op mode will help to achieve a combined high score or if you want to, play against them (with up to four players) in competitive mode. In addition to this, players will still get achievements and trophies, access to leader boards, high-def graphics as well as unlockable bonus levels, items and content. This game will be addictive, at times frustrating but will defnitely have you wanting to claim 3 stars every time! If you are already a fan of the Angry Birds or the Star Wars franchise you will be thoroughly entertained! If you’re not already a fan… are you ready to join the porkside? WRITTEN BY kylie tuttle (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM) format: Xbox 360 | PS3 | PC | WII U | WII | PS VITA | 3DS Out: October 30

preview WATCH DOGS 2013 appears to be the year interesting story though, the aspect in which one player of the urban sandbox with game boasts a proprietary joins another player’s game Saints Row IV, GTA V, and graphics engine to give it that secretly and attempts to hack newcomer Watch Dogs all next-gen sheen, and packs their smartphone in order to releasing. However, Watch Dogs the usual toolbox of sandbox obtain data. Developer Ubisoft is that rarest of things – a new abilities – large virtual city to Montreal has said that secretly intellectual property from a AAA explore, the ability to drive entering players will integrate developer – Ubisoft Montreal. vehicles, stealth elements, seamlessly with non playable Watch Dogs looks to be worth gunplay, hand to hand combat characters, providing for getting excited about. and nifty parkour to get some healthy paranoia and you from place to place on psychological tension, though Watch Dogs takes place in foot. But where Watch Dogs’ more information is yet to come Chicago in 2012, in a world gameplay truly seems exciting in regard to the multiplayer not unlike our own, and has is its hacking elements. In the aspects of the game. the player assume the role of Watch Dogs universe almost Aiden Pearce – hacker and all major cities are controlled If Watch Dogs can live up to vigilante. Aiden is an expert by a Central Operating System the grand scope of its ideas hacker and is bent on using (CtOS), and Chicago is no and its potential, it looks to his skills to better society and different. Aiden’s hacking be an urban sandbox that seek justice for past tragedies prowess allows him to get inside fully embraces the true virtual and wrongs as he sees ft, a the CtOS and control the city interconnectivity of our age morally grey anti-hero. With systems. Police chasing you? – both in storytelling and in Aiden as its focus, Watch Dogs No problem, hack the nearest gameplay. “POLICE CHASING YOU? NO PROBLEM, HACK THE NEAREST TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND CAUSE A THIRTY CAR PILE-UP TO STOP THE COPS!” looks to examine the role of traffc lights and cause a thirty WRITTEN BY alex holmes technology in our increasingly car pile-up to stop those cops! (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM) computerised world. Watch Dogs also contains Watch Dogs isn’t just an an innovative multiplayer format: Xbox 360 | PS3 | WII U Out: NOVEMBER 21 format: Xbox ONE | PS4 Out: NOVEMBER 29

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review GRAND THEFT AUTO V Grand Theft Auto - the design choices, such as the Andreas. The driving has also granddaddy of all open-world overuse of motion blur. Many been overhauled to be more games and the franchise fans cited that the game was accessible, which is defnitely a that opened the door to true nowhere near as fun to play as good thing. Overall, there is a anti-heroes in gaming. Since Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, fantastic mix of familiarity and its humble beginning as a which had more RPG elements innovation, which will win over simple car-boosting game on (such as character stats and long-time fans, newcomers and PC and the Sony PlayStation, better character customisation) even people who didn’t enjoy Grand Theft Auto has evolved and more arcade-style driving GTA IV (myself included). into one of the most popular mechanics. and successful franchises in Grand Theft Auto V opens with gaming, and with good reason. Grand Theft Auto V is fnally a prologue mission, which also Grand Theft Auto mixes clever here and Rockstar have both serves as the game’s tutorial “Everything about GTA V is impressive. Every single thing! It’s as though Rockstar have taken the best parts from all their games and injected them into their best franchise.” writing, fast-paced vehicular listened to the criticisms of (introductory missions designed carnage and action-packed fans and offered something to introduce the player to shooting in a realistically- original, which is a balancing the game’s mechanics, story portrayed open world. act that few can pull off. For and controls). In it, players Grand Theft Auto IV, though starters, the game returns to assume the role of a criminal successful, received some the most popular location on a heist (though later, the criticism for its “bland” story and in the franchise’s history, San ability to play as and switch

enormous silencers for shotguns, similar to Payday 2: The Heist. GTA wouldn’t be GTA without some automobile-related activities though, would it? And after the somewhat clunky driving from GTA IV, players could be forgiven for assuming that the driving in GTA V would feel similarly heavy and diffcult to master. Thankfully, the driving has been refned, and though some vehicles feel heavy, it’s drastic the improvement to Grand Theft Auto’s physics and only the ones that should feel shooting mechanics were. At heavy, namely vans and trucks. one point I shot and wounded The cars also handle and drive a police offcer, with his body differently depending on what visibly being pushed back from type of car they are, unlike the force of the bullet. I then Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas shot him in the knee, and he where the majority of cars shifted his weight onto his other drove similarly. To put it simply, knee, and attempted to draw the driving in Grand Theft Auto his weapon with his off-hand. V is a drastic improvement over When attempting to gather Grand Theft Auto IV, but the my thoughts for this review, I sports cars and luxury vehicles replayed the tutorial mission still prove to be a challenge to fve times, and each time that master. between multiple characters I played it, the game’s artifcial is unlocked). Taking hostages, intelligence attempted different In addition to refned gameplay the thieves plant explosives on tactics to bring my criminal and story elements, there are the doors of a bank vault, and cohorts and I into custody. now more RPG elements to blast their way inside. Normally GTA. In GTA V, Rockstar have I can’t stand tutorial missions, Everything about GTA V is brought back the stamina, as they are normally overused impressive. Every single thing! strength and driving stats, in much simpler games (who It’s as though Rockstar have and also added new stats doesn’t know that the right taken the best parts from all such as lung capacity, trigger shoots in every game their games and injected them special ability, shooting and nowadays?) however in GTA into their best franchise. The stealth. Completing different V, the mission is still highly shooting mechanics are the actions and activities (such entertaining, and the game has best I’ve played in a Grand as triathlons, shooting range enough mechanics to warrant Theft Auto game, which is challenges and street races) a tutorial. largely due to the fact that they will reward the player with a are identical to the shooting stat related to the activity being Upon making their getaway, mechanics from Max Payne increased. the criminals are confronted 3 (another Rockstar game) by police, who of course, open which was undeniably fawless The aforementioned special fre. I assumed that the game (in terms of gameplay). In ability stat increases how would play and look a lot like addition to the shooting itself quickly a characters special GTA IV, with a simple face lift. being refned and almost move bar replenishes. Michael How wrong I was. During my perfect, guns themselves has the ability to focus his shootout with the police, I was can now be modifed and shooting (the game enters in awe of just how detailed customised to suit any players slow motion), Franklin has the the textures were, and how preferences. There are even ability to focus his driving skill (also a slow motion ability, but

review grand theft auto v with added driving control) are uncensored, and although pure entertainment. It really is and Trevor has the ability they could be a lot worse, they the best Rockstar game to date. to withstand extra damage certainly aren’t suitable for minors to play or witness. and deal extra damage with When looking at these activities What about his special ability (think the closing scene of Scarface, and from a mature and adult frame multiplayer? you’d be about right). The new of mind, they are perfectly special abilities are a lot of acceptable, given the cleverly At the time of writing this fun, and can often mean the created world of Grand Theft review, multiplayer in Grand difference between surviving Auto V. Rockstar both glorify Theft Auto V is yet to launch, a diffcult mission, or winning a and parody Hollywood flms, making it impossible to review. diffcult street race. their past games and even real From the available information life in GTA V. In my opinion, what and preview videos though, Speaking of diffcult, GTA V is can seem harmless and even GTA V looks to be just as the frst time in the series I have comedic to an adult, may not much fun online as it is in been genuinely challenged by be interpreted as so by a child. single player. Players create the missions. Some missions, their own character, and are I would say, feel almost too Comparisons are inevitable to offered much more than simple diffcult. This is due to the other Rockstar games, but to games of team Deathmatch random an unpredictable do so in a negative way would or capture the fag. Players “Using the same coreWith Grand Theft Auto V, all the problems from GTA 4 have been removed or rectified. There is no more overuse of motion blur, there are no more boring or bland characters (or cartoon-like stereotypes like Roman) and all that’s left is pure entertainment. It really is the best Rockstar game to date.” game world Rockstar have make no sense. Rockstar are a are able to form crews (using crafted with GTA V. This is both developer and publisher that is Rockstar’s Social Club website) a good and bad thing, as even always learning from their past and engage in a variety when you have full health, it is games, and always fnding new of match types, from Team possible for you to do if you are ways to improve. Grand Theft Deathmatch to more unique shot in the head, or set on fre. Auto 4 was a huge leap forward features such as competitive for the franchise, but a focus on heists and bank jobs. Now, like all GTA games, there a realistically-portrayed open- is a signifcant amount of world meant that things such Footage from the multiplayer adult content in GTA V. I do as character movement, the component showed the not endorse or condone an story and physics suffered. hugely-open world of GTA V underage child playing GTA V. functioning online with multiple The game is rated R 18+, and With Grand Theft Auto V, all the players without skipping a with good reason. From the problems from GTA 4 have beat, or suffering from lag very start of the game, there been removed or rectifed. or framerate issues. I was an is a fair amount of swearing, There is no more overuse of avid fan of Max Payne 3’s and after completing the motion blur, there are no more multiplayer, and if it is anything frst mission, I had access to boring or bland characters (or to go by, Rockstar will have stripclubs, and other risqué cartoon-like stereotypes like huge plans and loads of fun in scenarios. These adult situations Roman) and all that’s left is store for online play in Grand Theft Auto V.

Pros • Huge amount of content. • Three likable anti-hero protagonists, instead of the usual one. Summary • Diverse missions and side activities make for the best Grand Theft Auto V returns GTA yet. the series to its most popular location, but with more Cons missions, side activities and detail than ever before. The • Some minor texture pop- game has a ton of content 9.5/10 up (more present on Xbox (which is also well-varied), a 360) well-written story and brilliant game mechanics making it • Some minor bugs (though they are currently being the perfect open-world action WRITTEN BY NICK GETLEY addressed) game to ride out the rest of this console cycle. A must-have. (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM)

review RAYMAN LEGENDS Originally designated as a and kidnapped 700 Teenies This is pretty much a direct Wii U exclusive title due out (Little blue creatures, no not sequel to Origins but in my in February this year, Ubisoft Smurfs, the ones from Rayman opinion it’s much more polished appears to have had concerns Origins). Murphy then awakens and fun with a lot more variety. over the low Wii U console our heroes with a smack, and Each level has a skull rating sales and decided to delay Rayman & his friends have a to determine diffculty from Rayman Legends until late mission to rescue all the Teenies one (easy) to fve (insanely August and release on Xbox they can fnd. You can play hard), and trust me they do 360, PS3 and PS Vita alongside single player or four play co-op get hard towards the end with the Wii U. With the delay, this has with friends. To complete this every level throwing something allowed Michel Ancel and his adventure Rayman and co. different at you! Collecting lums team to add a whole bunch of must run, jump, climb, swing from hidden coins, enemies or extra content with more levels and swim to collect thousands turnips that you have to pull “The Visuals are absolutely gorgeous and a lot of work has gone into every animation..” and a much more polished of Lums (small yellow creatures) from the ground, each level experience. along the way to rescuing the also has a reward system for Teenies. Each level has ten the amount of lums you collect The story in Rayman Legends Teenies to fnd, some are in 150 = Bronze Cup, 300 = Silver in very basic. Whilst our heroes hidden doors that open up Cup, 450 = Scratch Card, 600 = have slept for a hundred new areas with puzzles to solve Gold Cup the more you collect years, the nightmares have to reach the Teenie. the more levels or bonuses you invaded The Glade of Dreams unlock like new characters,

9/10 new but they are very clever any platformer enthusiast or and really show off the visuals anyone who thinks Nintendo with lots of animation going or Way Forward are the only on in the foreground and 2D platformer developers background during the battle. left. I reviewed the Xbox 360 The level select screen is a map version but I recommended of paintings and can get a bit to anyone with a Wii U to go confusing to navigate through get this game now, it has be at times, and allows you to go designed specifcally for that to different worlds all which are platform and it shows. This is not very different from the last some something I thought I would levels are timed, some require be saying about this game stealth which is a nice surprise but it is the best Non-Nintendo and adds a lot of variety unlike platformer ever made everyone costumes, art work, bonus some other platformers that should go buy it! Note. If you levels, scratch cards giving tend to rehash the same levels purchase the PS Vita version it access to more Lums, even over and over. will be missing 28 levels, these bonus levels from Rayman will be added later as free DLC. Origins, which have been The Visuals are absolutely updated to match Legends gorgeous and a lot of work has visual style. Pros gone into every animation and level videos online really don’t The diffculty increases at a do the game justice until you • Four player co-op (Five on steady pace, and expect to see it in HD on your own screen; Wii U) spend a few hours extra if you the art style is very reminiscent • Lots of levels all with variety wish to fnd all the hidden of an oil painting and that’s a rooms, lums and Teenies. One good thing. Match that with the • Amazing art/visual style thing that deserves a mention amazing sound track and the • Gameplay is incredible is the musical levels that incredible accurate controls require you to control Rayman (Unlike DuckTales/Castle of Cons to the musical cues of actual Illusion) which manage to songs like Black Betty or Eye of immerse you into some of the • Sometimes frustrating the Tiger! These are very well best gameplay available in • Rayman Origin levels only designed and show off how 2013. appealing to new players the diffculty can increase with some of these levels requiring And with over 120 levels • Some levels can be quite ninja like refexes to select (Including forty updated levels long Rayman’s correct ability at from Rayman Origins) and the right millisecond! The boss a crazy soccer mini game WRITTEN BY NICK PEARCE battles don’t really off anything (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM) make this title a must buy for

review TOTAL WAR: ROME II Reviewed on PC. men clashing across the feld. large scale naval forces which The single player campaign can be used simultaneously The original Total War: Rome has been expanded with over with ground forces allowing was released in 2004 by 150 regions and more than 100 for some spectacular developer Creative Assembly different factions. Controlling coastal conquests. All of this and was a critically acclaimed this vast empire however has is set out on an absolutely best seller, becoming one of been made a little bit easier beautiful model of the the most loved games of the with the new province system ancient continents with small Total War series to date. Fans of that allows player to manage enhancements such as seeing the series loved the epic scale multiple regions in the same the expansion of cities on the of the battles that previously province reducing the need map in real time, adding to the could only have been read for micro-management. The grand scale of it all. about in the pages of history. management of units has “it’s a visual delight with an in-depth campaign that is sure to satisfy the most hardcore strategy gamer. ” Huge campaigns and gigantic also been streamlined with But while armies play their part, battles was what this game was recruitment and movement politics must also be managed. all about. now taking place in armies Within each playable faction that are raised under a general you choose one of three parties Rome II takes that scale to the instead of individually. The for which you must amass next level with an enormous largest addition however is power while plotting to take campaign and large scale the inclusion of naval battles down your rivals. This can be battles that see more than 5000 including sea regions and achieved through diplomacy,

an advantage as they tend to make suicidal attacks and can sometimes even ignore your forces all together. The game also has some technical issues with sudden game crashes and in game bugs that can make for some frustrating moments. Yet despite these faws the game still begs to be played. It could be the amazing visuals that show off some remarkable textures in the landscape and bribery, or even assassination. charging, and slamming ranks fantastic character details as Each decision affects public with cavalry all too cause each unit fghts for survival opinion of you and as your panic and break the lines of showing pain, anger, and fear empire grows can lead to regimented troop formations. in equal measures. Or it could a number of problems like Using these tactics successfully be the excellent soundtrack ranging from small rebellions can make all the difference that immerses the player with to full blown civil wars. You can meaning that you don’t have grandiose orchestral tones that also employ different types to fght to the last man and that create the perfect atmosphere of agents including spies, you won’t need to risk the lives for the era. Honestly though, I dignitaries and champions of your own men doing it. But think it comes down to seeing and assign them different tasks in the end the thrill of getting the huge armies crash into to which they each can take up close and personal to the each other on the battlefeld unique approaches too. The action is where the fun really and the satisfaction watching endless machinations of the begins. Things like being able your cities slowly expanding out various competing parties and to control and follow siege into a vast empire. enemies make you feel like weapons in the frst person and every small detail matters as watching your ships crash into The latest instalment of the your empire balances on the the enemy really make you Total War series Rome II offers edge of knife. appreciate the detail in which some of the best turn based the battles are re-created. More strategy gaming to date. It’s a The battles themselves however often than not you will fnd visual delight with an in-depth are still the best part of the yourself zooming in to witness campaign that is sure to satisfy game and with the features like the gory details. the most hardcore strategy true line of sight, which adjusts gamer. The culmination of a a units view according to Sadly the grandness of it all great historical setting with both their terrain and type, the begins to wear away as the such a rich tactical experience tactics that you can employ number of factions begins to really makes this game a are endless and with over 500 take its toll in the later game. joy to play. Unfortunately the different types of units available With so many turns to complete experience is let down by an you will never be short for they can take up to 3 minutes incompetent AI, multiple game choices when building your to cycle through and by turn 80 bugs and issues. Overall though armies. Being able to fortify they can take up to 5 minutes Rome II is a solid strategy game your armies or force them into which does slow down the but it’s let down by technical a quick march for more action action considerably. This also issues and minor bugs. points allows for a great range becomes more frustrating to of control of your forces. Even watch as the main problem of WRITTEN BY SAM BABU the skill trees can be built up the game is the foolishness of (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM) as traditions so that your new your enemies. The AI is about as recruits can obtain the same far removed from the Caesars bonuses as the rest of your and Scipio’s as you can get. forces. Once the battle starts Creative Assembly have let you’ll fnd yourself fanking themselves down with AI that 7.5/10 enemy forces, bombarding frequently makes decisions that troops with projectiles, give the player far too much of

review DIABLO III Console RPG fans have 1 and 2 (the game is much The protagonist (a character certainly had to wait a long brighter and more cartoon-like created by the player), ventures time between good RPGs. Since than Diablo 1 and 2). While into New Tristram to investigate the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, there there is no denying Diablo III the fallen star. Hordes of the has been a trickle of RPGs (on both PC and console) has undead rise from the ground, released on the Xbox 360 and a very different look to previous attacking the village and PlayStation 3, ranging from games, the gameplay itself the soldiers protecting it. The terrible to mundane, but all is thoroughly enjoyable. How player intervenes, and meets that has changed. Diablo has does the game rate overall? Leah, who asks for his help in returned to consoles with a port Well, “stay a while, and listen”. rescuing Deckard from the of Diablo III. crater in the cathedral. The Set twenty years after the player agrees, and thus the The PC version of Diablo III events of Diablo 2, Diablo 3 bloody adventure begins. “it serves as both a great RPG for experienced adventurers and also a fantastic introductory title to inexperienced Role-playing gamers.” launched back in May of opens with Deckard Cain and If you’re unfamiliar with 2012, and had more than its his niece Leah reading ancient dungeon-crawling RPGs, fair share of problems. There texts that foretell the “end days” that’s perfectly fne. There were bugs, glitches, and even and the events leading to it. The hasn’t been one on a home complaints from fans that the cathedral is hit by a falling star, console in years (apart from game had become too easy which tears open the ground, the fantastic port of Torchlight). and that the art direction had swallowing Deckard into it. The original Diablo wasn’t the deviated too much from Diablo original dungeon crawler, but

8/10 it certainly is one of the best. action games. This added unlock additional skills and Combining a dark, bloody and much excitement when Diablo their stats improve. What’s great mature atmosphere elevated 1 was released, as many about Diablo III though, is how Blizzard’s original RPG above console owners were used to Blizzard have embraced the the competition. Ambitiously, RPGs having turn-based battles, arcade-style combat of the Blizzard even managed to port a design technique of many game. There are challenges Diablo 1 to the Sony Playstation, Japanese RPGs, which were which reward buffs (temporary and even added local co-op. booming at the release of status improvements) and/ Diablo 1 (1996). or bonus experience for Dungeon crawler RPGs completing them. It adds an are usually played from an Diablo III’s combat and controls extra challenge to the game, isometric viewpoint, and usually are extremely simple, almost and also makes levelling up from a zoomed out view. This too simple. In my opinion, it has fun, and not a chore. allows game designers to hide perfectly found the delicate enemies and treasures in fog balance between simplistic Visually, Diablo III is quite or darkness, but also allows for arcade controls and that of a a departure from previous many enemies to appear on more complex RPG. Combined games. That’s not a bad thing, screen at once. Diablo III seems with Diablo III’s graphics, which as the game certainly has its to have hundreds of enemies are also simple, players could own unique look, but there on screen at times, and players be forgiven for thinking that isn’t anything that particularly must carefully decide whether Diablo III is a shallow game “wows” me about its graphics. to engage in combat with with not much depth to it at all. That being said, we are three hordes of monsters or fee, There is, however, a very well- months away from the next- depending on a number of written story with some highly- generation of consoles and things such as the number of enjoyable gameplay. PC games, which means it is healing potions, or their current extremely hard for anything to equipment, etc. As with most RPGs, each kill come out and be graphically and completed quest rewards superior compared to other Also in dungeon crawlers, the player with experience. recent games. combat is in real-time, like in Upon levelling up, players Diablo III is certainly a lot of fun (I can’t stop playing it), and it serves as both a great RPG for experienced adventurers and also a fantastic introductory title to inexperienced Role-playing gamers. If you’re after a great co-op game or an entertaining RPG to ride out the rest of this console cycle, Diablo III won’t disappoint. WRITTEN BY NICK GETLEY (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM)

review lost planet 3 Capcom’s Lost Planet series of The story takes place before and if it’s not mo-cap, it’s damn games has always managed the events of previous Lost fne animation. Every single to sell decently and score Planet games, which is great character behaves and moves generally favourable reviews, for inexperienced Lost Planet like a real person. Everyone is but never really blow the minds players, but it also opens up the realistically written (with the of fans or critics. ‘Lost Planet 3’ opportunity to give the story the exception of the annoying manages to tell an interesting polish that it deserves. Players Frenchman, Laroche), and and even emotionally are introduced to Jim Peyton, the conversations are a well- moving story, whilst refning an extremely likable and crafted balance between a combat and stripping away human character, who gains Hollywood movie, and what you meaningless grinds and co- employment with NEVEC (who would realistically expect if the op gameplay. I questioned are not quite yet the sinister conversation were to happen some of the decisions made by antagonists they are in previous in real life, particularly the video “The facial motion capture is the best I’ve seen in any Capcom published game, and if it’s not mo-cap, it’s damn fine animation. Every single character behaves and moves like a real person.” Spark Unlimited and Capcom Lost Planet games) and is sent message scenes between Jim when I read press releases, but to the planet E.D.N. III to help and his wife, Grace (who is thankfully the main campaign further NEVEC’s interests there. back on Earth). is better written and also plays better than every other entry in The facial motion capture Lost Planet 3 begins as a the Lost Planet franchise. is the best I’ve seen in any typical action game. There is Capcom published game, shooting, agile enemies, cover-

based mechanics, and a naïve let me explain: these rigs do (at frst) hero who is baptised nothing exciting, ever. If you are by fre, or in this case, thermal a keen sailor in your spare time energy. There is even the over- and enjoy tying down rigging, used technique of the clever then maybe you will fnd the introduction sequence, which is robot repair segments exciting. dangerous planet. What really a typically unrelenting assault For me, having a giant and works in LP3 is just how ordinary on the protagonist, after which therefore slow mech slow down and unspectacular Jim Peyton the camera stays in place, to a snail’s pace in a blizzard really is. He’s just a man, doing and the character fades into his best in a decently paying the distance only to reveal After reading other reviews job where death is a constant the game’s title. The opening of Lost Planet 3, I feel like I’m threat. mission and the intro afterward the only person who actually made me expect a rather understands the game. Pardon Despite a decent main story, boring, by-the-numbers game. I me if that sounds arrogant, but and a touching romantic was pleasantly surprised. to review Lost Planet 3 based sub-story, the gameplay in purely on gameplay (which Lost Planet 3 is quite dated. Of course, there is only so much is still pretty solid) is to do the That isn’t to say it’s bad, it’s innovation that can be put into game a disservice. There really just unimpressive. Gameplay a third-person action game is a good story present here, missions usually take place on this end of the current console and it’s delivered extremely well foot or in your rig, the former generation, and while Lost (for the most part). Between feeling a little too Gears of War Planet 3 is certainly accessible, missions, a video message is and the latter failing to pique it doesn’t offer any new played from Jim to Grace or my interest. gameplay or overly-exciting from Grace to Jim. The player thrills at all. gets to see both sides of Jim Quite often, there is a repair and Grace’s relationship, and or mining mission in which Gone are the bipedal mechs a lot of the conversations you pilot Jim Peyton’s rig. from previous Lost Planets, and are what you would expect. When interacting with broken in their place are giant mechs, I actually smiled at the machinery or drilling through called “rigs”. I knew the second characters sending messages the frozen wastes, different I saw one that I would probably to each other. These messages actions are required to be getting one as well, and that (and other things, such as “simulate” the experience of the game would try to make a a photo of Grace in your controlling the mech. These are big song and dance about it, Rig’s cockpit) are a constant however, too simple or just too which it did. Even if getting your reminder of why a man would awkward to enjoy. The earliest own mech does sound exciting come to such a desolate and rig mission involves fxing

lost planet 3 review 7/10 rigging which supports NEVEC’s even matches that make use home base, but it is so simple of the story in the single player and over so quickly, it really campaign. Surely instead of does break any immersion the Team Deathmatch, we could player may have experienced. have teams fght over control Why couldn’t anyone else of thermal energy hotspots. To do it? I was already rescuing summarise, the multiplayer is people and fghting giant garbage, and not worth your crab monsters, but apparently time. nobody else could be bothered piloting their rig the meagre 30 If you consider yourself a fan metres distance to the rigging. of a good story, check out Lost No, Jim Peyton must do that, Planet 3 before you write it off despite being a few kilometres for its tired gameplay. Ultimately, away and single-handedly with dated and unexciting exterminating a nest of alien gameplay, Lost Planet 3 feels beasts. like something you have done hundreds of times before in Lost Planet 2’s co-operative other games, with a few odd gameplay has been axed and occasionally awkward in favour of competitive mech mission thrown in to multiplayer in Lost Planet 3, break up the monotony. which leaves me confused. In Thankfully, the story is told well a game where humans are and quite enjoyable. constantly fghting to survive in a sub-zero temperature, WRITTEN BY NICK GETLEY why bother making uniform (WWW.STICKYTRIGGER.COM) characters compete against each other online. There aren’t



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CONFIRMED LISTS OF NEXT GEN GAMES.. PS4 GAMES Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Final Fantasy Project The Order: 1886 Battlefeld 4 Final Fantasy XV Outlast Beyond Good & Evil 2 Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn Secret Ponchos Call of Duty: Ghosts Galak-Z Shadow Warrior Carmageddon: Reincarnation Human Element Skylanders Swap Force Contrast Infamous: Second Son EA Sports UFC The Crew Just Dance 2014 Sniper Elite V3 Crusade Killzone: Shadow Fall Star Wars Battlefront Daylight Kingdom Hearts III Thief Deep Down Knack Tom Clancy’s The Division Destiny LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Transistor Diablo III Mad Max Trials Fusion Dragon Age: Inquisition Madden NFL 25 Watch Dogs DriveClub Mercenary Kings Warframe Doki-Doki Universe Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain War Thunder Don’t Starve Mirror’s Edge 2 The Witness Dying Light NBA 2K14 Warhammer 40,000: Eternal EA Sports UFC NBA Live 14 Whore of the Orient The Elder Scrolls Online Need for Speed Rivals The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt The Evil Within Octodad: Dadliest Catch Wolfenstein: The New Order FIFA 14 Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty XBOX ONE GAMES Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag Just Dance 2014 Sniper Elite V3 Battlefeld 4 Killer Instinct Star Wars Battlefront Below Kinect Sports Rivals Sunset Overdrive Call of Duty: Ghosts Kingdom Hearts III Thief The Crew LEGO Marvel Super Heroes Titanfall Crimson Dragon LocoCycle Tom Clancy’s The Division D4 Mad Max Trials Fusion Dead Rising 3 Madden NFL 25 EA Sports UFC Destiny Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain Watch Dogs Dragon Age: Inquisition Minecraft The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Dying Light Mirror’s Edge Wolfenstein: The New Order EA Sports UFC NBA 2K14 Zoo Tycoon The Elder Scrolls Online NBA Live 14 Zumba Fitness World Party The Evil Within Need for Speed Rivals Fable Legends Peggle 2 Fantasia: Music Evolved Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare FIFA 14 Project Spark Fighter Within Quantum Break Pre-order all Xbox One Final Fantasy XV Rabbids Invasion or PS4 Games at any Forza Motorsport 5 Ryse: Son of Rome Halo Xbox One Skylanders Swap Force of our stores!

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gametraders news Gametraders live penrith store opening! On Saturday September 21st, concept of giving gamers some quality card time. the very frst Gametraders a bigger range of product Live store opened in Penrith. choice and extends it to Most Gametraders stores now It’s a new concept in game include product experiences. offer tournaments, events and stores, one that offers fun and Mark Langford, Gametraders’ activities and the “Live” store activities for a larger audience. Managing Director and franchise is built around having Traditionally game stores have founder recently said in an the space in-store to hold more been about video games interview “ I would describe activities. On just about any and consoles. Gametraders Gametraders Live as an week you will fnd Gametraders changed that around fve entertainment destination stores holding trading card years ago with the addition of unlike anything in Australia”. tournaments and the aim is to new products such as trading Gametraders Live Penrith grow those event offerings in all cards, collectables including showcased that philosophy stores. Penrith store will focus on “..an entertainment destination unlike anything in australia” fgurines, anime movies, manga on their opening day with a events and will be promoting books and clothing lines. These number of events including a them via their new FB page. pop culture related product Dr Who dress up competition, So if you’re into cosplay, anime lines quickly grew in popularity a cosplay competition, or trading cards or perhaps and with no console releases Warhammer painting displays Warhammer, check in regularly at that time those secondary and tons more. Customers were with your store’s Facebook lines quickly grew into some of able to try out new cosplay page and keep up to date the stores’ most popular selling costumes in changerooms and with what’s on and whats hot. items. card players could sit at the tournament tables with a hot The new “Live” store takes the coffee or cold drink and enjoy