STACK #167 Sept 2018

GAMES REVIEWS STACK

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Out now at JB Hi-Fi RECOMMENDS

WORLD OF WARCRAFT: BATTLE FOR AZEROTH

GENRE: MMORPG PLATFORM: PC MULTIPLAYER: YES

Since 2004, World of Warcraft has reigned supreme as one of the best MMORPGs. Players have battled the Lich King Arthas, travelled back in time to Draenor, and faced the might of The Burning Legion. With the recent release of Battle for Azeroth , it’s back to the roots of Horde vs. Alliance, with two new areas, a level cap of 120, new raids, expedition mode, and eight new races.

Battle for Azeroth is a great starting point for new players, and a familiar adventure for returning ones. Upon purchasing the expansion, your account is given a level boost to 110 so you can instantly join the action (most characters start at level 1). The new zones and levelling your character to max has never been this entertaining. When starting

in the new zones, you’re tasked with going to three separate districts of Kul Tiras/Zandalar, each with their own series of quest lines. In previous expansions, certain zones had a suggested level, but with Battle for Azeroth , the game scales to your character’s level, allowing you to do any questline you’d like right from the start. There's never been a better time start, if you haven’t already. Battle for Azeroth ’s plot is simple and returns to basics, allowing new players to begin their adventure either fighting for the Alliance or for the Horde, straight away.

F1 2018

GENRE: racing PLATFORM: PS4 | XBO MULTIPLAYER: YES

Look at the cover of F1 2018 . Hmm… Frowny face, smiley face, frowny face. Yes, of course the smiley one is Daniel Ricciardo, who’s likely perennially grinning his head off as he has one of the coolest gigs in the entire world. Don’t you love it when people actually look grateful for their good fortune? His obvious delight is infectious, as is this latest – and by far the best yet – iteration of Codemasters’ officially-sanctioned F1 game.

The most appealing aspect of the F1 series is that it caters for most every whim a true F1 fan could require in a racing simulator without bolting actual wheels to it, while also letting those who want

to take an arcade-styled blast around Albert Park stay on the track and have fun. Yes, there are assists coming out of every car’s wazoo. You can dial them right up and pretty much cruise about with your eyes shut, or zero the lot and discover that these F1 drivers aren’t just pretty boys going for Sunday joyrides. Hit the seriously deep career mode, or just assail one track. Race in three-lap bursts, or however many you want. Heck, take on a full race if you have the stamina – and encounter variables that come into play, such as tyre wear plus fuel (and, if you’re us, damage repair) stops. Add classic F1 machines on top of all the current crop of vehicular hardware, and this is one truly special racing game. We drink to Codemasters for a job masterfully done – but not out of our shoe (eww!). Sorry, Dan.

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SEPTEMBER 2018

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