VideoGamer Plays 23 February, 2014

Simon Miller, Editor-In-Chief – Rambo: The Video Game, PC

A lot has been made of Rambo: The Video Game, but all you need to know is that it’s a ridiculous amount of fun. A handy flow diagram can be found here. Or the below video if you need more assistance…

Dave Scammell, Deputy News Editor – Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2, Xbox 360

The ever-baffling review embargo scene means that I’m unable to offer too much of my opinion on the final build of Lords of Shadow 2, even though you’ve already seen scores from two major media outlets.

What I will say, though, is that the scores are an unfortunate start for MercurySteam, whose game may now be painted in a poorer light than it deserves. Lords of Shadow 2 isn’t a bad game (as that 4/10 may suggest), but one whose handful of questionable design choices threaten to overshadow a largely enjoyable blood-sucking adventure. Don’t cancel those pre-orders yet.

Brett Phipps, Staff Writer at Sportra.com – Danganronpa: Trigger Happy Havoc, PSVita

I love this game – I mean, REALLY love it. I have a weird relationship with Japanese games. I usually hate JRPGs, but Persona 4: Golden was one of my favourite games of last year. I also have a soft spot for video games that play like interactive novels, with Phoenix Wright and Professor Layton being two of my favourite series.

The best way to describe Danganronpa is Phoenix Wright meets Virtue’s Last Reward meets reality show Big Brother.

A group of highly talented students are selected to attend the nation’s premier academy. On the first day, the kids realise there’s trouble’s afoot. The 15 students are trapped in Hope’s Peak, forced to live the rest of their lives locked away from the outside world.

There is, however, one way out: if a student can kill a fellow attendee and get away with it, they ‘graduate’.

The plot is gripping, with twists and turns that will catch even the most cynical players off-guard. At first I was put off by the lack of player autonomy; there aren’t as many dialogue choices as I was expecting, and movement around the school feels clunky. But I soon found myself totally encapsulated in the narrative; hours past and I was completely engrossed. The soundtrack only helps fuel the tension, and the game’s lead villain, Monokuma, is brilliantly portrayed.

I’m a dozen hours in, with plenty of game left to go, and I can’t wait to see more of it.

Tom Orry, Editorial Director – FIFA 14, PS4

I bought my first 7,500 Gold Pack in Ultimate Team, having slogged through an offline league and a half to earn enough coins. I didn’t really know what to expect, but I did get a quality LB in Leighton Baines, a decent second-choice CB and CM, and a nice selection of consumables. Hopefully I’ll have a pretty strong squad in another week, and I might try my hand in some online games again – fingers crossed I can avoid more 6-0 drubbings.