VideoGamer.com Plays, 18th April 2015

Tom Orry, Editorial Director – Hotline Miami, PS4

I don’t know why I started to play this. Having finished Wolfenstein my options were wide open and I have Forza Horizon 2 and Sunset Overdrive both begging me to play them, but I’m lazy. My PS4 was on and Hotline Miami was already installed from a failed attempt to like it months ago.

I still don’t like it much. Maybe the gameplay just isn’t for me, but I’m finding it all rather awkward. I’m constantly dropping my weapon when I want to fire it, missing enemies when I go in to punch them, walking straight into shotgun fire… It certainly has that one-more-try appeal, but dying in this feels far more draining than in other games. It’s so brutal, so immediate that I wonder how long I’ll be able to keep going.

Simon Miller, Head Of Video Production – Mortal Kombat X, PS4

I really like Mortal Kombat X. Because it’s stupid. It upsets me that sometimes NetherRealm seems to forget this and takes it all far too seriously, but even then the experience still reigns supreme. After all, Mortal Kombat is ridiculous. It only takes a slow-motion, X-ray shot of someone’s testicles exploding after a punch to remind you.

Aside from this nonsense, however, I truly believe that Ed Boon’s creation is a good fighting game. Admittedly I may not be the best person to tout such praise. I’m not especially talented at the genre, and my exposure, to a hardcore fan, is limited. Street Fighter, Tekken and Virtua Fighter is about as far as I go. But I know what I like, and I do like this. It’s accessible, meaning new players won’t feel like they’ve entered an alien dimension, and the depth is there for those who want to find it. Once that’s all said and done you can then rip a man’s head clean off as well. Wonderful.

Admittedly X does push the boundaries when it comes to the grotesque side of things, but again, it’s done with tongue very firmly in cheek. Besides, it’s got an 18 rating slapped on it which is more than fair, and serves as a reminder as to who this is for.

All-in-all then, I’m pleased it has returned and shall continue to toy with it for some months to come.

Dave Scammell, News Editor – Star Wars Battlefront Hype Train

I’m writing this on Friday afternoon so haven’t yet seen the trailer, but the hype train has boarded and it’s rolling out the station. That screenshot, that teaser footage… If it’s legitimately in-game, DICE’s technical wizards may have just raised the bar again. And if it isn’t, I’ll be grabbing the popcorn and watching those comparison threads unfurl.

Brett McGleish – Auld Da’s son – Mortal Kombat X, PS4

I’ve completed Mortal Kombat X’s story mode, and I loved it. As I mentioned in the review, it’s refreshing for a fighting game to offer a substantial campaign for players to indulge in. Whether you buy into the plot or not isn’t really a big deal; the fact that we get to enjoy some cutscenes and expositions between the punches, kicks and testicle explosions is enough to make it fun.

Goro and Cassie Cage remain my two favourite characters. Goro because he feels incredibly overpowered (probably on account of the extra pair of arms), and Cassie Cage because she’s lightning fast and carries guns. Mortal Kombat, eh?