We have fought through the barren month of January, and so we must therefore be rewarded with decent games! Do not despair, as there are a shed load of games coming…most of which will be exceedingly decent.
Well, that’s the plan anyway! So which new Xbox One and Xbox 360 games will we be seeing on store shelves this month? How do the following sound to you?
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 – Xbox One
Naruto Shippuden Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will take the anime-fighting experience to new heights. With a new stratospheric roster and a whole ton of new features such as Rounds, Elemental Effects, Costume Damage, Linked Awakening, Advanced Facial expressions depending on the situation and New Filters, Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 promises to be the most complete, most rounded Naruto title to date.
Why Should You Buy It? Naruto is the heart of anime, and Bandai Namco have created an in-depth fighting game with that fun, bright Japanese art style.
Dying Light: The Following – Xbox One
Similar to Bungie’s huge expansion to Destiny, Techland have made a bold move and done the same with Dying Light: The Following. Around a year after the original game released, the expansion tells a untold chapter of Crane’s life as he takes to a new area of the apocalypse.
But the big new addition to the game is the introduction of upgradable, customisable buggies. With just a few bits of scrap found in abandoned buildings, you could transform what is essentially a roll cage on wheels into a flamethrower equipped, two seater, nitrous infused super buggy to mow down the undead to your hearts content!
Why Should You Buy It? Part of Dying Light’s appeal was being able to use a whole array of weapons to take on your foes, now the expansion presents a new challenge – with vehicular firepower added in!
Far Cry Primal – Xbox One
After they explored pirate islands, Africa and the snowy mountains of Asia, Ubisoft have decided to go back in time and stage their new entry into the ever-developing Far Cry series in the year 10,000BC – the world of the caveman. So, out go the cool grapple hooks, rocket firing helicopters and any gun you can think of, and instead we see them substituted for spears, a bow and arrow… and an owl?
The big new addition that has been introduced into Primal is the ability to tame animals found in the wild, and use them to attack fellow cavemen and other animals. Each beast has varying stats like strength and speed, with the bear working like a tank, and the sabretooth tiger an all-important silent killing machine.
Why Should You Buy It? By now, Ubi should have mastered the Far Cry series, so Primal could be their most in depth, developed game in the series to date. And besides, who doesn’t want to have a pet sabretooth?!
Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 – Xbox One
After PvZ Garden Warfare was an unexpected hit, the sequel has been quite anticipated – with EA hopefully taking the few criticisms of the first and fixing them. So far, Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 2 looks to be good, with the open beta last month showing off the new features in the game, such as a single player campaign, a well thought out quest system, and new characters for both Team Plant and Team Zombie.
The early favourites look to be Kernel Corn, a nippy machine gunner type plant, and Imp, a small but quick zombie that, after a short wait, can call in a huge Z-Mech to rip plants to shreds. There will also be the opportunity to battle it out in the base defence mode, Backyard Battleground, just outside each hub area in the game.
Why Should You Buy It? The first was a bit of a sleeper hit – this one should build on all things good.
Alekhine’s Gun – Xbox One
The next title in the Death to Spies series, Alekhine’s Gun is a third person stealth action game set during the Cold War, complete with flashbacks to WW2. Alekhine’s Gun describes itself as a non-linear game similar to the Hitman line of games, so you could choose to go all guns blazing, or play it stealthily – staging an ‘accident’ or tracking your target down and complete the hit with no witnesses.
Each of the levels included will see you getting graded on Noise and Accuracy to name a few, earning points to purchase and upgrade weapons.
Why Should You Buy It? If you need something to satisfy you hunger for stealth before the release of Hitman, then Alekhine’s Gun should definitely do it.
Arslan: The Warriors of Legend – Xbox One
The Arslan series of novels, starting in 1986, seem to be quite popular as it has been adapted into a tactical-action game, with cell-shaded graphics and an extremely engaging narrative, all based around the hit manga books. The game is based on the anime series for the Arslan franchise.
Why Should You Buy It? With a beautiful art style, engaging narrative and a new step into the tactical-action genre, any manga lover should give Arslan a try.
Agatha Christie: The ABC Murders- Xbox One
If you’re looking to try something a little different to the norm, you’ll soon be getting the chance to check out a new adventure title based on the classic Agatha Christie novel. ‘The ABC Murders’ is an investigation game which offers you the chance to step into the shoes of the iconic Hercule Poirot.
Help the the famous detective unmask the elusive ABC murderer by solving puzzles and exploring crime scenes, all whilst taking in the rather stylish cel-shaded, realtime 3D visuals.
Why Should You Buy It? …because you’re in need of something slower paced from the norm.
Which of the games out this month will you be buying? Let us know in the comments section below.