Sports games rule the roost this week – PES 2016, EA Sports NHL 16, Rugby League Live 3 and Forza 6 Motorsport are all due this Friday. What’s that you say? Forza 6 isn’t a sports game? The clue is in the title, chum.
PES 2016 has arrived to a steady string of glowing reviews, including a few prestigious 10/10s. “Sure, it doesn’t have all the licenses, but on the pitch, where it actually matters, PES 2016 is phenomenal†said God is a Geek. “How crazy it is to think that Konami has made thetwo best games of 2015†they then concluded. Even US publication Game Informer was smitten, giving it 9/10. “It ushers in a new era for the franchise that needs to be experienced†was their verdict.
Reviews of NHL 16 have been pretty good too, including 8/10 from EGM and 4/5 from the Official PlayStation Magazine. The latter did however warn that there’s still a lot of work to be done for it to fully achieve former greatness. Incidentally, the PS3 and Xbox 360 iterations of NHL 16 are merely ‘Legacy Editions’ this year so don’t expect much more than kit and transfer updates. And a new title screen.
As for Rugby League Live 3, just one review is available at the time of typing. That review comes from IGN, who gave it 6.5. “It’s certainly the best rugby game on new- and last-gen systems, but its steep learning curve, lack of training, AI weirdness, and returning sins from past games hold it back. It’s a shame, because when all the pieces click into place, this can be a compelling experience†they said. Although not a glowing review, it’s clear that it has a lot more going for it than BigBen’s official Rugby World Cup game.
It appears to be business as usual for Forza 6 – another year, another solid and visually slick racer. Review scores include 5/5 from US Gamer, 9.5 from Destructoid and 9/10 from GameStyle. GamesRadar wasn’t as impressed however, awarding Turn 10’s racer 3/5. “This is a true showcase for Xbox One in every area except the racing. Inconsistent difficulty, random payouts and way too many dull events seriously spoil the party†came their verdict. Most reviewers did seem to agree though that it’s the game that launch title Forza 5 should have been.
Four games into this round-up and we haven’t even looked at (arguably) the biggest release of the week – Destiny: The Taken King. It was rumoured as far back as a year ago that Bungie would be releasing a Destiny GOTY Edition this September, but The Taken King is beyond that – this is Destiny 2.0, with a long list of improvements and additions plus – of course – a whole new expansion to play. Reviews are thin on the ground at the moment, presumably because critics are waiting for the first Raid to open before comitting a score. Early word has it though that this is a vast improvement over the polarising original.
Point and click adventure The Book of Unwritten Tales 2 is the week’s only other retail release, arriving on PS4 and Xbox for around £20. Reviews of the PC version – released earlier this year – were favourable, with the Metacritic standing at 80%.
A quick round-up of the week’s downloads beckons. The worryingly IAP heavy Frozen Free Fall: Snowball Fight hits Xbox 360, Xbox One and PS4 – which we reviewed here – while multi-player brawler Overruled! arrives on both Xbox One and PS4. The PS4 also gets firefighting RPG Flame Over and Arcade Archives TERRA CRESTA while party game Quiplash launches on both PS4 and PS3.
This leaves us with Xblaze Code: Embryo, out on PS3 and PS Vita. This visual novel has received something of a critical mauling, including a miserable 1/5 from US Gamer. To quote: “You’re a masochist who wants to fill your deathbed with regrets over time lost on a lousy visual novel, you might be in XBlaze’s target demographicâ€.
If a super mystery game or two arrives on Xbox One this Friday we’ll report back.
Update: The Trials Fusion alike Pumped BMX+, end of the world simulator Plague Inc: Evolved and rhythmic platformer Inside My Radio are available now, with discounts for Gold members.
Another Friday, another bunch of new Xbox One games: pic.twitter.com/VMJqFjDpkR
— Games Asylum (@gamesasylum) September 18, 2015
Next week: FIFA 16 (Multi), Blood Bowl 2 (PS4/Xbox One), Saint Seiya: Soldiers’ Soul (PS4) and physical releases of Ether One (PS4) and Tower of Guns (PS4/Xbox One).