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Simon Miller, Editor-In-Chief – Batman: Arkham Origins, PS3
I love Batman. I mean that, too. I am in love with him. I’m well aware how weird and creepy that sounds, but if I were given the choice, I’d happily don the cowl and walk out into the night to fight crime. It’s also why I’m a huge fan of the Arkham series of games.
Admittedly some may find it a tad unfair to prefer a title simply because The Dark Knight is in it, but hey, why fight your feelings? This may be why I was genuinely impressed with Arkham Origins’ multiplayer, that was revealed this week, and why I think it actually improves on an already excellent single-player offering.
Borrowing from the likes of Spies vs Mercs while also making the formula its own, the three on three on two dynamic really works, and shows that big blockbuster games can be smart with the extras they work in. Will it blow people’s minds when the finished experience arrives? Hopefully so. For now, though, I’m more excited about it than I was. Which is good.
David Scammell, Deputy News Editor – Ridge Racer Driftopia, PC
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Welcome to Drift-f**king-topia. It’s pretty much the same urban dump you visited last year, but enhanced with numerous opportunities for you to waste your cash. So, let’s get started!
Now whenever you crash your car (which given the city designer’s fondness for 90 degree turns, you often will do) you must repair it using the limited repair points we’ve provided, or spend real money to help get you back on track. Don’t have the points or cash to repair it? No problem! We’ll just take the car away from you. Forever. It’s a bit like theft, but… video games!
If that does happen, though, you can always spend a little bit of your money on buying a new one, or a lot to improve your chances of getting a good one. No need to panic, though: we’ll always give you at least one vehicle to fall back on to let you continue your voyage through our dystopian free-to-play hell.
And if you’re struggling to win races, don’t worry: it’s deliberately designed that way. There are plenty of booster packs available in the store to give you an extra helping hand, all the while removing any sense of skill and fair play you may have otherwise been expecting.
Oh, and one more thing, Driftopi-fan. There’s a special ‘fun’ button hidden in here somewhere, but I’ll be damned if I can find it.
Steve Burns, Reviews and Features Editor – PES 2014, Xbox 360
Last week I told you that I couldn’t talk about PES 2014. This week, I can! And I can tell you that it’s got elements of genius sadly mixed with madness, like Gazza. The Gazza of football games? Can’t see that going on the box, personally, but you know what I mean.
Anyway, the shooting is great, the passing is phenomenal, the graphics are good (if a bit waxy-looking at times), and the new engine powers some wonderful-looking animations. The problem is that it takes too long to enter and exit these animations, making for some horribly bogged-down midfield play and the feeling you’re fighting the controls.
It could just be the preview build, of course: this isn’t final code. If it’s fixed, then this could be a classic. Let’s hope it is. Read more by clicking this lovely line of text…
