This week sees the release of what’s likely to become one of 2016’s biggest sellers – EA’s annual update of FIFA. It’s all change for the franchise this year, with the current-gen and PC versions moving over to the Frostbite engine and a new, blatantly NBA 2K16 inspired, single player story mode.
As usual, the supermarkets have commenced a price war. Morrisons appears to be the cheapest – £38 on all formats until Sunday. According to Smyths’ Twitter feed, the toy shop chain is selling PS4 500GB FIFA 17 bundles for £150 during tonight’s midnight opening. How many they’ll have in stock is a mystery, however. We’d wager just two or three bundles per store.
Reviews for FIFA 17 went live earlier this week. “Not the transformative experience offered by this year’s PES, but still unmatched in the genre for atmosphere, licenses, and finer details†said GamesRadar before handing out 4.5/5.
The Metro also thought that it isn’t up to the standard of this year’s PES, but went for a far lower score – 7/10. “The match gameplay is often mediocre, with poor passing and a lack of responsiveness. Pace is now too fast and shielding the ball too easy†read their list of complaints.
Backed by a steady string of almost perfect review scores, Forza Horizon 3 also looks set to become a strong seller this autumn. We have a feeling that it’s going to end up being the highest scoring Xbox One-exclusive this year too, bettering ReCore, Gears of War 4 and Dead Rising 4.
We’d like to think that XCOM 2 is going to do well, but fear it may end up getting pushed to the wayside. Rest assured that you’re in for a top quality time though – the first review out the door is a lofty 9/10 from GameSpot. “Some technical issues have migrated from this year’s PC release: characters sometimes freeze in place while the turn progresses; soldiers can take almost 10 seconds to execute commands; and cutscenes have a tendency to drop frame rates throughout campaigns. But the layered tactics, impactful meta-game, and deep character-building are all intact on PS4 and Xbox One. XCOM 2 remains a superb strategy title†they said.
As for Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice, our UK top 40 chart prediction is outside the top 20. Scores have been vastly mixed – everything from The Metro’s 3/10 and Twinfinite’s 1.5/5 to God is a Geek’s 8/10 and IGN’s 7.5. Thinking of picking it up? We suggest reading as many reviews as you can beforehand.
On the download services things are extraordinarily quiet, with no new digital-only games whatsoever on the Xbox One store. That’s at the time of typing, at least – something may make an appearance before the week is out. Hitman does however receive its fifth episode – Colorado – while King’s Quest finally receives its fourth chapter, subtitled Snow Place Like Home.
The PS4 and PS Vita owners can also descend into the Darkest Dungeon, while the neon-hued spear lobbing score-chaser Lichtspeer hits PS4. Featuring such enemies as hipster ice giants and penguin Vikings, it’s safe to say that it has more than a slight comedic streak.
Next week: Mafia III (PS4/Xbox One/PC), Paper Mario: Color Splash (Wii U), Mario Party: Star Rush (3DS), Ride 2 (PS4/Xbox One/PC), WRC 6 (PS4/Xbox One/PC), Aragami (PS4), Steam World Collection (PS4), Rainbow Six Siege: Gold Edition (PS4/Xbox One) and Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide (PS4/Xbox One/PC).
