History dictates that the early months of the year are not particularly great for eager gamers wanting to pick up and play the latest releases – and it would seem 2017 is no different. For January 2017 at least comes with just a few new additions to the Xbox One library, with two of the offerings already having been available as digital only titles in the past.
The third though? Well, let’s just say it’s going to be massively anticipated by many.
Hitman: The Complete First Season
In early 2016 it was announced that the popular Hitman franchise was to have its new title – simply named Hitman – releasing in a series of episodes that would span the length of the year. And that is exactly how things played out.
Agent 47 has been taken to Italy, France and Thailand to take out his targets in traditional Hitman fashion, with the serious and suave assassin usually dressed up in stupid outfits just for the hell of it, before proceeding to drop a piano on his target. Hitman can be played in a whole manner of different ways and as long as you reach the end result, noone will really care how you go about it.
After releasing digitally throughout 2016, the complete set of episodes will now be available to play on one disc. All the challenges in the game, bonus missions that have not been released individually, the Hitman Blood Money pack with a new costume and gadgets and a ‘making of’ Hitman documentary to sit back and watch will also all be included. That’s a lot of content!
Why Should You Buy It? Due to the sheer amount of content you will be getting with Hitman: The Complete First Season – IO Interactive’s bundle should be one of the first purchases you make in 2017.
Earthlock: Festival of Magic
Previously available to pick up on Xbox One as part of the Xbox Games with Gold scheme we all know and love, this fantasy, turn-based RPG is now also getting a full retail release.
By harvesting materials and crafting new items, as well as recruiting many colourful heroes to your party, all complete with their own personalities and combat abilities, Earthlock: Festival of Magic will see you fight it out against many mysterious enemies on the equally mysterious planet of Umbra in turned based combat.
There are a few twists though, namely with the player being able to switch up each party member’s stance to change strategies against different enemies, and each hero can be upgraded as you wish with individual talent trees.
As it has already released digitally, you can already find a full review of it on site. We urge you to check it out prior to purchase.
Why Should You Buy It? Earthlock: Festival of Magic builds upon the traditional turn based RPG genre with a wider range of ways for the player to influence combat, through a plethora of skills and heroes to unlock and fight with.
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
The recent Resident Evil games have been somewhat criticised for their over-reliance on guns – a lack of pure horror and jump-scares never goes down well either. In recognition of this, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is looking to strip Resi back down to its core.
Yes, that’s right. Resi 7 will be one of the most frightening games you will play this year as, through the eyes of protagonist Ethan trying to find his missing wife, Mia, you will have to roam the immensely creepy Baker household, which I am sure will play host to many supernatural beings ready to make you jump out of your skin in the first person view.
Don’t feel like you will be totally defenceless though, as you will have a few weapons such as pistols and flamethrowers on your side, allowing you to fight back against the various monsters that you will encounter on your journey. Just don’t fall into the trap of wasting your ammo.
Why Should You Buy It? While it doesn’t have the likes of Leon Kennedy and Albert Wesker involved, Resident Evil 7: Biohazard takes the series back to where it began – tight rooms and scares aplenty!
So that’s it for this month. Will you be picking up any of the titles listed above? Make sure you let us know in the comments below.
