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FEATURE
GAMES
GTA V
Yes, it looks absolutely
fabulous, but it’s all
about the first-person
mode here and that’s
worth the price of
admission alone.
Middle-earth:
Shadow of
Mordor
Borrowing the best
from others while
carving out its own
identity,
Shadow of
Mordor
is unique – it’s a game set in
Middle-earth that is actually good.
Destiny
Bungie’s ambitious
vision for a new
franchise unfurled its
wings in September.
And we flocked to it
like moths to a lamp –
with very good reason.
Alien: Isolation
The Creative
Assembly’s faithful
recreation of Ridley
Scott’s
Alien
aesthetic
is just part of a
harrowing survival-
horror experience that
will have you on the edge of your seat.
PES 2015
Utilising the powerful
FOX Engine, the game’s
debut on the new-
generation of console
hardware is an exciting
glimpse of what’s to
come.
Mario Kart 8
Leading the way
with this year’s Wii
U releases is
Mario
Kart 8
, a game
that superlatively
blends tradition with
innovation. This is the
kart racer to own.
Dark Souls II
For gamers who like a
challenge, the Souls
series will push you
to the limit. From
Software’s
Dark Souls
II
, a superb follow-up to
the brilliant
Dark Souls
,
is no exception.
Watch_Dogs
After a number of
delays, Ubisoft’s
Watch_Dogs
has
opened the door to
a new franchise for
the French publisher.
A compelling
action-adventure title where just about
everything can be hacked.
Titanfall
Titanfall
comes with
an incredibly talented
development team
behind it – and that
pedigree shows. The
game is one of the best
multiplayer shooters
you’re likely to play in 2014.
Dragon Age:
Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition
is a visual tour de force,
complemented by an
enthralling story and
engrossing gameplay.
It’s the Dragon Age
game we’ve been asking for.
Wolfenstein:
The New Order
For a lesson in
franchise reinvention,
look no further than
MachineGames’
Wolfenstein: The New
Order
. Furnished with a
strong story, this shooter is fun from the
very first squeeze of the trigger.
Not so much a definitive ‘best of’ list
as a compilation of the games we
have enjoyed and spent the most
time with this year. And of course
our game of the year – never an easy
decision.
STACK’s
Forza Horizon 2
It’s big, it’s bold and
it’s beautiful. Turn
10’s unmissable racer
should be a required
purchase for any new
Xbox One owner.
Halo The
Master Chief
Collection
Whether you’re coming
to the series as a
new player or you’re
keen to see what your
favourite Halo titles
look like with new-gen gloss, you won’t
be disappointed.
Super Smash
Bros. 3DS
We filed this before we
could sample
Smash
on
the Wii U, but the game
on 3DS is simply a
must. Not a reinvention of the wheel, just
a solid game that adds first-rate content
to well-honed formula.
Far Cry 4
Swapping the
tropical beach for the
Himalayas,
Far Cry 4
is a true open-world
experience that allows
players to dictate the
game they want to
play. Real estate agents would call this
‘the entertainer’.
Bayonetta 2
Always a big fan of the original
Bayonetta
, we knew this sequel was special after spending a little time with
it at E3 this year. Directed by Devil May Cry series progenitor Hideki Kamya,
Bayonetta 2
sticks to the adage of
if it ain’t broke don’t fix it. Instead, enhancements have been applied that, for the most part, work extremely well.
Sporting a new shorter haircut, Bayonetta’s lethal balletic battle combos remain as spellbinding as the original. There’s more
colour this time around and it explodes in your face like a letter bomb. The intense and invigorating gameplay delivers relentless and
uncompromising slabs of absurdity – it is undoubtedly the best fun we’ve had with a video game all year.
Bayonetta 2
isn’t just an
accomplished follow-up, it’s an entertainment blockbuster that will feed your gaming desires from kick-off to the final whistle.