The summer may be coming but we’re still being treated to a wide variety of new Xbox One and Xbox 360 games. In fact, this coming month sees one game break out from the Xbox Game Preview, gamers given the chance to jump onto two wheels or rely on their own two feet, as they freerun their way across the rooftops of the city of Glass. Oh and there’s another LEGO Star Wars title to help us pass the time too. Everyone needs some LEGO humour in their lives!
The following will be available in stores near you soon.
Rocket League Collector’s Edition – Xbox One
Rocket League was simply an indie game that virtually nobody had heard of, but now it is one of the most popular Xbox games of the year and that really shows how far the rocket car-football mashup has come. Debuting as a Playstation exclusive at the back end of last year, after seeing that Rocket League was very good, us Xbox fans got our wish and the frenzy made its way to Xbox earlier this year. Maybe it’s just me, but the quick five minute matches full of colourful automobiles boosting around the arena trying to get the ball into the goal, just makes the game so addictive, and the numerous variations included doesn’t give us a chance to stop playing.
If you are one of the few who haven’t picked up the game already, then you can jump into the action with the retail version of Rocket League complete with all new bodies for your cars and of course, all the DLC.
Why Should You Buy It? There is nothing like Rocket League on Xbox. The simplicity the game offers, blended with the near on endless customisable options to pimp your ride, makes it one of the must-get games of the year.
Mirror’s Edge Catalyst – Xbox One
Considered one of the best games on the Xbox 360, the wonderful world of Mirror’s Edge is back. Finally we can get back into Faith’s running boots to overthrow the Conglomerate, the latest evil group to reign over the City of Glass. Of course, the core elements of parkouring from rooftop to rooftop, trying to conserve momentum to navigate particularly difficult sections of the city remain in Catalyst, but this is all pushed up to the next level with the introduction of a grapple hook and new tech.
While you can choose to unleash devastating attacks on the various soldiers littered across the world, the game tries to encourage you to quickly zip past your enemies before they have the chance to attack – however if you are anything like me then you will smash into every wall in the City and fall to your death. As is the norm in most adventure games nowadays, the whole world will be open, with various side missions and collectibles to complete/collect aside from the main story missions.
Why Should You Buy It? While there is still a debate about whether Mirror’s Edge will be as good in the new open world setting, you cannot deny that the idea of controlling Faith with all the new-gen slickness the Xbox One brings is an idea that is massively exciting.
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens – Xbox One and Xbox 360
It was only a matter of time before TT Games started working on this LEGO title. The fifth instalment in the LEGO Star Wars franchise, covering the story of The Force Awakens movie, has levels set in between the events of Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Like in all LEGO outings you are able to pick from a range of characters from within the Star Wars universe and break stuff to get those precious studs.
This time round we are introduced to devoted shooting sequences in which your character will rush from cover to cover and engage in ranged battles. Also new to the series are Multi Builds which allow the player to build an object, but then break it and form another object.
Why Should You Buy It? LEGO. Star Wars. Multi-builds. What more do you want?
The Technomancer – Xbox One
200 years after humans colonized Mars, during the War of Water, The Technomancer hands the life of rookie technomancer Zachariah over to you – and Zachariah just so happens to be wanted by the secret police force operating on the red planet.
An action RPG at heart, The Technomancer allows you to recruit new people to your party, craft your own weapons and resources, improve your various combat abilities and hone your skills through four different skill trees. The technomancy in question is the art of using magical abilities through technology, so you’ll be sure to see plenty of that when The Technomancer hits the shelves.
Why Should You Buy It? Any Dragon Age or other action RPG fan will instantly see the similarities with The Technomancer. A 25-30 hour main story should just about drag you in.
Prison Architect – Xbox One and Xbox 360
Remember all those jerks that you encountered during your time in The Escapist? Well, now you can get your own back with Prison Architect.
Prison Architect does exactly what it says on the tin – you will plan out your custom-made prison, be responsible for assigning guards and wardens to different cells, manage the jobs and activities to keep your inmates happy, and purchase new facilities and buildings to make your prison the best the world has ever seen. You will even have to decide where to specifically place your lights, drains and any other services to ensure everything is connected and working. Just make sure your inmates are content, or you may have to go to the trouble of tracking down an escapist.
Why Should You Buy It? Prison Architect is one of the most in depth building games in recent years so, if you fancy yourself as a budding architect, then you could do much worse than pick this game up.
One Piece Burning Blood – Xbox One
It’s time for another anime fighting game to drop onto store shelves with June playing host to One Piece Burning Blood, a cel-shaded fighter based on the anime series, One Piece.
Players will be able to unleash strong attacks on their opponents, but what One Piece Burning Blood does that other fighters doesn’t is that it has the option to fight it out in full-on 9v9 battles, which, as you can imagine, will be a frantic frenzy of colourful characters and attacks being thrown across the screen!
Why Should You Buy It? OPBB is not your normal fighting game – with fun characters, devastating devil fruit filled abilities and crazy attacks you can be sure you will never be stuck with nothing to do!
Mighty No.9 – Xbox One
Mighty No.9 focuses on the story of Beck, an android who is trying to get to the source of a computer virus that turns all his fellow androids rogue. Primarily a 2D platformer, Beck will jump from platform to platform shooting his way past the various enemies he will encounter on his journey towards the end of stage ‘Mighty’ unit.
Aside from the regular jumping, Beck can use a dash to cross large gaps and, when they have been weakened, our android friend can dash through enemies and gather Xel to enhance his abilities. Increased speed anyone?
Beck also has a companion called Call (see what they did there?) who can use her shield to deflect any oncoming projectiles.
Why Should You Buy It? Anyone with a brain should be able to figure out the Mighty No.9 took lots of its inspiration from Mega Man, so fans of the series or indeed anyone who likes 2D platformers should enjoy spending time with Beck and Call.
Deadlight: Directors Cut – Xbox One
We all love zombies, don’t we? But rarely do we decide to run away from the undead, instead tending to reach for the nearest baseball bat and kill them again. However in Deadlight: Directors Cut doing that will get you nowhere, most likely seeing you become another victim to the hoard.
Deadlight will see you platforming across an apocalyptic 1986 Seattle as Randall Wayne, trying to reach your family in the safe zone. Along the way, you will have to avoid the masses of zombies littering the streets, whilst also steering clear of the ‘New Law’ who claim to be the new authority in charge of maintaining the city.
Why Should You Buy It? If you need a break from the regular zombie shooters and want a taste of how surviving through a zombie apocalypse should be done (with a decent narrative on the side) then Deadlight: Directors Cut should satisfy those needs.
Moto GP16: Valentino Rossi – Xbox One
The release of the latest MotoGP title has very much gone under the radar, but with the Rossi name attached, we hope it’ll prove to be a bit of a hit.
Whether you decide to participate in the official MotoGP championship, set about retracing the iconic Rossi’s career from the very beginning right up to the present day or, quite strangely, take control of a Rally car and go mad on various tracks such as the Monza Rally, MotoGP 16: Valentino Rossi will obviously appeal to all two wheeled petrolheads.
Why Should You Buy It? With the Rossi name in the title, any hardcore bike fan should be getting involved.
Le Tour de France 2016 – Xbox One
As regular as the real world Tour, the latest Le Tour de France title appears on our consoles.
Giving you the opportunity to jump aboard a carbon race machine and pretend you’re Chris Froome, Le Tour de France 2016 promises to bring all the challenge of the climbs, all the speed of the descents and all the excitement of a fast paced bunch sprint to the line. With its previous iterations struggling to bring a decent cycling experience to our consoles, all we can do is sit and pray that the official videogame of Le Tour de France 2016 delivers.
Why Should You Buy It? If you like your cycling, then the latest Tour de France videogame should be firmly set on your radar. Whether it turns out to be a yellow jersey winner this time round is anyone’s guess.
Sherlock Holmes: The Devil’s Daughter – Xbox One
Originally set for a May release, Sherlock will now finally be showing up in June. I am not Holmes’ biggest fan, instead planting myself firmly in the camp of The Dark Knight as the world’s greatest detective, but if you are a fan of mysteries and adventure games then this could well be the title for you.
The story is based around the disappearance of young Katelyn. You, as Sherlock Holmes, must analyse clues related to the mystery and enter your mind palace, trying to decide on the best course of action. The Devil’s Daughter will draw you in, make you judge your own decisions and ultimately leave you feeling like you are the illustrious detective himself. You still won’t be Batman though!
Why Should You Buy It? If you just want to play a story driven, dark and gritty mystery game, then who better to experience it with than Sherlock and co?
So, what will you be picking up? Let us know in the comments below or give us a shout via the Youtube comments.
