STACK NZ Mar #60

PREVIEWS

GAMES

BATTLEFIELD HARDLINE

GENRE: FPS PLATFORM: PS4 | PS3 | 360 | XB1 | PC RELEASE: 20/03/15 MULTIPLAYER: YES

For a while there was something else certain other than death and taxes, that a new Battlefield game, taking the player to soldier-infested war in some way, would release every year. Until 2014; for Battlefield Hardline was held back to make it bigger and better. It also eschews traditional ideas of warfare for something closer to home – [adopts gravelly voiceover tone] the war on crime. Yep, leave your drab drabs at home and either get into uniform or wear whatever you think best befits a ne’er-do-well, then take to the streets. Weapons range from mundane stuff like handcuffs through to the rather more statement-making Black Hawk helicopter, as you assail various heists, carjackings, rescues and more, with a big eye on multiplayer. Singletons, meanwhile, get to go episodic like The Wire . Remember, drugs are bad, m’kay?

MARIO PARTY 10

RIDE

GENRE: PARTY PLATFORM: Wii U RELEASE: 21/03/15 MULTIPLAYER: YES

GENRE: RACER PLATFORM: PS4 | PS3 | 360 | XB1 | PC RELEASE: 20/03/15 MULTIPLAYER: YES

A 4v1 multiplayer that has one person play as the final boss? No, it’s not Evolve ; it’s Mario Party 10 . Following the success of the countless (nine) previous plumber parties, the latest instalment features the same fun- loving mini-games and stars, and now includes the new Bowser Party mode. Finally taking advantage of the WiiU GamePad, a fifth player can join in as Bowser and wreak havoc on Mario and his friends – death by fire being the most common occurrence. Of course, the traditional four- player party games get some new additions, and Nintendo have cleverly kept in the vehicular warfare in the first high definition Mario Party. Pair that with amiibo characters such as Toad, Yoshi and Princess Peach crashing the party, and you have a penniless consumer. Party on, Mario.

Here’s a challenge. Think of motorcycles while not hearing ‘Born to be Wild’ in your head. Right, now that we’ve planted the earworm, it’s time to get your motors running etc with what is possibly the biggest, baddest and hairiest bike game ever. Intended to be the best thing a biker’s encountered this side of straddling a Hog, the game’s packed with great rides from 14 of the top manufacturers, and offers more customisation options than tattoo parlours have regretful customers. Take to 15 circuits dotted around the world – from open road to street to racetrack – and hit the scoreboard solo, or lay down online challenges to other riders from all over the globe. It’s all about celebrating the passion of getting around on two wheels and, apparently, exploding into space...

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