After a barren couple of months, the game store shelves will soon be buckling under the pressure from a number of new releases. September kicks off a few months filled with multiple new releases on Xbox One and Xbox 360…but what are they? And more importantly, why should you buy them?
Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain – Xbox One and Xbox 360
This time last year, fans of Konami’s third person shooter got a glimpse of how MGS will play on current gen consoles with the small retail release of Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeros. With keeping the stealth gameplay and distraction techniques the main focus of Big Boss’ next outing, Konami have added extra ways to complete a mission and new things to carry out to see the game reach the highest standards. However, the thing that intrigues me most about MGS: The Phantom Pain is the Fulton Balloon Recovery system. It may seem complicated but all this new gameplay feature involves you doing is taking anything you find on your adventures through the semi open world (and I mean anything), attaching what is just a big balloon and it will be magically hoisted up into the air…unconscious bodies, containers, sheep. You name it, it can be hoisted.
Why Should You Buy It? MGSV looks to be an amazing example of what can happen when love and skills get put into a stealth game.
Mad Max – Xbox One
In some ways Mad Max is going to be like Ride to Hell Retribution with its desert like wasteland as a setting and with over half the game seeing you in a vehicle fighting enemies, we only hope Avalanche Studios make it worth your time. The game is based on the events of the movie and comic book Mad Max: Fury Road which sees the player character Max Rockatansky fight through a post-apocalyptic wasteland complete with caves and a variety of weapons, one of which is Max’s trusty shotgun. However, if Avalanche Studios want it to be as good as their other series, Just Cause, they are going to have to nail the vehicular combat. The plot seems a bit simple, Max just has to find his car, The Interceptor and build the ultimate vehicle – Magnum Ops.
Why Should You Buy It? You never really see a developer confident enough in their own game to focus it mostly on the tricky to do vehicle combat so this unique game could be worth your time.
Rugby World Cup 2015 – Xbox One and Xbox 360
From time to time if you have had enough of the elegance and beauty of football and FIFA, you may decide to watch (or play) a game of Rugby. Bigben Interactive have made Rugby World Cup 2015 do exactly what is says on the tin, recreating a rugby match with all the big international teams competing in this year’s England Rugby World Cup.
I am not a massive (or even small) rugby fan but I can grasp the concepts of the strong but smart game. Pick one of 20 countries and off you go, converting trys and the like. This seems to be one of the most complex rugby titles to date and will see you controlling pretty much every aspect of a match, from lineouts to conversions.
Why Should You Buy It? If you are a hardcore rugby fan and want a game which really lets you step into the boots of a World Cup team, then look no further than Rugby World Cup 2015.
NHL Legacy Edition – Xbox 360
If you are not a sport enthusiast you might be surprised to hear that EA create other sports games other than FIFA. These games are highly underrated however fans of NHL – that’s hockey for those not in the know – are in for a treat as EA have compiled a mash-up of the best and most popular NHL features and game modes over the nine years of the series and piled them into NHL Legacy Edition. EA have promised realistic hockey gameplay in single player modes such as Be a Pro which lets you create a character and see it go from a hockey rookie to a superstar, and also in multiplayer matches. You can also expect to see eight hockey leagues from around the world and of course Hockey Ultimate Team which allows you to compile a team by signing players.
Why Should You Buy It? NHL Legacy Edition packs everything you have already enjoyed into one game, surely if you are a hockey fan you should get it.
FIFA 16 – Xbox One and Xbox 360
Among all the sporting titles releasing this month, FIFA 16 is the one with the most anticipation and excitement. Jump into the most realistic and innovative football game to date (in my opinion, sorry PES) with new additions including extended commentator dialogue and pre-season tournaments in career mode to allow you to expand your player budget. EA have said there will be “innovation across the whole pitch” and this is no more present then in the smarter AI, different outcomes on shooting depending on where you strike the ball, and an overall smoother feel to the already stunning graphics.
But the biggest additions to FIFA 16 concern the most popular game mode, FUT – FIFA Ultimate Team. If you are an eager FUT fan, you know what I mean when I say FIFA 16 will bring new legend cards to FUT; Ryan Giggs and George Best to name a few and a new Draft mode which lets you play in a tournament with the best players from around the world.
Why Should You Buy It? Personally, FIFA 15 is one of my favourite games this generation, and FIFA 16 just plans to take that perfected gameplay, and add new things to it, creating the full package for football fans and FIFA fans alike.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 – Xbox One and Xbox 360
In this day and age, when there are many hardcore FIFA fans, it is hard for a “soccer” game other than FIFA to shine through. But, thanks to YouTube, the Pro Evolution Soccer series by Konami has gradually gained attention in recent years. At its core, Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 is a game of smooth graphics and dynamic weather – with leagues and new innovations in myClub, PES’ answer to FUT. Now you can assign managers and coaches to your team, as well as player levelling.
Why Should You Buy It? If you are looking for a decent, ambitious football game… and you don’t like FIFA… PES is for you.
Mighty No.9 – Xbox One
I must admit before writing this, I had never heard of Mighty No.9, but it seems to be a popular action-platformer game published by Deep Silver which went stratospheric with many backers on Kickstarter. Gameplay looks a lot like a new Mega Man, and you’ll find yourself guiding a robot called Beck throughout a 2D platformer. You will then dash through numerous things called Xel which give you temporary enhancements. At the end of each stage, you will face one of your former robotic friends – former because they have gone rogue through a virus.
Why Should You Buy It? If you have been a fan of Mega Man, Beck’s adventures in defeating his foes are exactly what you have been looking for on current gen.
Skylanders: SuperChargers – Xbox One and Xbox 360
If you are a fan of the family friendly, figure collecting Skylanders series, then with Activisons new entry to the franchise you can happily sit down with maybe a friend or family member and enjoy the Skylanders once again. The only major new thing Skylanders: SuperChargers brings to the table is the use of vehicles which you can control with each Skylander in races through air, ground or water. About 50% of the game will be completed through driving so Activision have to nail it.
Why Should You Buy It? If you have been excited for the driving mechanic of Skylanders: SuperChargers, then you are in for a treat.
NHL 16 – Xbox One
Whilst NHL Legacy Edition is only available on the older generation consoles, NHL 16 will release exclusively on Xbox One and PS4.
Step onto the ice and prepare yourself for the best NHL title to date. With complete control for every player, precision skating, seamless pickups and a story driven game commentary, NHL 16 will without a shadow of doubt drag you onto the ice like never before.
Why Should You Buy It? New gen gamer? This is going to be the hockey title for you!
Rugby League Live 3 – Xbox One and Xbox 360
If you aren’t bothered about checking out Rugby World Cup 2015, then Rugby league Live 3 should just about suffice. With over 100 teams available from around the world, Be A Pro mode and all the usual gimmicks that we have come to expect from a sports title, Rugby League Live 3 and its enhanced career mode should be checked out.
Why Should You Buy It? Rugby fan but don’t want to focus on the World Cup? Check out Rugby League Live 3.
Forza Motorsport 6 – Xbox One
I’m not sure Forza Motorsport 6 needs much selling.
The series has gone from strength to strength right from the get-go and although Forza 5 was a slightly stripped down version of the premier Xbox circuit racer and Forza Horizon 2 has gained the plaudits for the most open world racer, you can fully expect Forza 6 to step things up a level once more.
Why Should You Buy it? Um, it’s Forza and will possibly be the best damn racer ever created. Need any more convincing!?
LEGO Dimensions – Xbox One and Xbox 360
Most people are sceptical about splashing the cash on “Toy to Life” games such as Skylanders and Disney Infinity, but LEGO Dimensions’ loveable charm and overall appeal will probably make you spend a few pounds for just that one more character.
LEGO Dimensions arrives in sets, and each set is a place either previously visited by TT games like Lego Batman, or appearing as a new idea like Doctor Who. But the thing that makes Dimensions unique from other games in the genre, is that you have to build from LEGO the thing you need in the game. For example, if you had the Batman set and you required the Batmobile in game, you would build said Batmobile and place it on the portal…the one you made of course. And the real innovation comes when you have to dis-assemble whatever you have made and turn it into something else, like the Batmobile turning into the Batwing. The game could be played in single player or co-op like all other LEGO games.
Why Should You Buy It? If TT manage to get all this building system right, we could be looking at one of the best family friendly games to date.
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 – Xbox One
The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 is a fantasy, point and click, comedy game which sees four heroes of different species attempt to stop their fairy world being turned into a little girls playground. In Aventasia, magical beasts are turning into puppies and castles into pretty dollhouses….who would want this?
Why Should You Buy It? TBOUT2 seems to be heaven for fans of the point and click genre so if you are one of those fans, you should definitely grab it.
Blood Bowl 2 – Xbox One
Now this is a proper sports game! Based on American football, Blood Bowl 2 pits two races against each other in a good old fashioned match…with everyone beating the hell of each other. Each race has different types of players with different skills and the teams take turns to move a player and execute a move, whether that be brutally murdering an opponent or just trying to score.
Why Should You Buy It? Get the gory game if you want to see a funny but brutal variation on American Football.
NBA 2K16 – Xbox One and Xbox 360
2K have been going big with NBA 2K16, dropping news regarding its soundtrack, cover stars and more on a weekly basis. The most true-to-life NBA experience ever sees you take your player on a journey, take control of a whole franchise or compete against gamers online from around the world.
The most realistic and authentic basketball title to date is just about to get even better!
Why Should You Buy It? If you’re after a basketball title, then you’d be silly to not check out NBA 2K16.
So that’s it for this month. After a couple of quiet ones, the crazy gaming season is upon us. Let us know what you’ll pick up in the comments below.
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