What is it?: After uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara Croft embarks on a journey throughout the most treacherous and remote regions of the world to find the secret of immortality. Forming powerful new alliances and relying on her intellect and survival skills, Lara will ultimately embrace her fate as the Tomb Raider.

Featuring epic, high-octane action moments set in the most beautifully hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a cinematic survival action adventure where you will join Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition and witness the rise of an icon.

Features:

• Awe-Inspiring Deadly Tombs: Explore huge ancient spaces littered with deadly traps, solve dramatic environmental puzzles, and decipher ancient texts to reveal crypts as you take on a world filled with secrets to discover.
• Woman vs. Wild: Conquer a world fiercely protecting its secrets, endure perilous conditions and unstable landscapes, face dangerous wildlife that act as guardians to ancient tombs, and explore huge interactive environments.
• Guerrilla Combat: Use the environment to your advantage, scale trees and dive underwater to avoid or takedown enemies, configure Lara's gear, weapons, and ammo to suit your play style, craft explosives on the fly to sow chaos, and wield Lara's signature combat bows and climbing axe.
• Unprecedented Visual Fidelity: Rise of the Tomb Raider comes alive with deeply immersive and interactive spaces delivering the most visually stunning Tomb Raider game ever made.

Similar to: Tomb Raider, Uncharted

Also worth noting:

• PS4 verison still to release Q4 this year.

Platforms: PC

What is it?: XCOM 2 is the sequel to the Turn-Based Strategy game XCOM: Enemy Unknown.
Earth has changed. Twenty years have passed since world leaders offered an unconditional surrender to alien forces. XCOM, the planet's last line of defense, was left decimated and scattered. Now, in XCOM 2, the aliens rule Earth, building shining cities that promise a brilliant future for humanity on the surface, while concealing a sinister agenda and eliminating all who dissent from their new order.

Features:

• XCOM ON THE RUN: Take command of the Avenger, an alien supply craft converted to XCOM's mobile headquarters. New open-ended gameplay lets you decide where to guide your strike team, how to grow popular support, and when to combat enemy counter-operations.
• RECRUIT RESISTANCE FIGHTERS: Five soldier classes, each with its own skill tree, let you create specific soldiers for your tactical plan.
• TACTICAL GUERRILLA COMBAT: New gameplay systems offer more tactical flexibility in combat. Use concealment to ambush enemy patrols. Loot enemies for precious gear and artifacts. Rescue VIPs and save fallen comrades by carrying them to the extraction point.
• EACH MISSION IS A UNIQUE CHALLENGE: Go on missions around the world, from wildlands to the heart of the alien-controlled megacities, to the depths of alien installations. There are virtually infinite combinations of maps, missions and goals.

Similar to: XCOM, Xenonauts, Invisible, Inc.

Also worth noting:

• Will have Steam Workshop integration - Community-focused tools allow you to create your own campaign, tactical gameplay, aliens, classes, strategy game features, and share within the Steam Workshop.

Platforms: PC

What is it?: The year is 1989. You are a man named Henry who has retreated from his messy life to work as afire lookout in the Wyoming wilderness. Perched high atop a mountain, it's your job to look for smoke and keep the wilderness safe. But when something strange draws you out of your lookout tower and into the world, you'll explore a wild and unknown environment, facing questions and making choices that can build or destroy the only meaningful relationship you have.

Features:

• A stunningly beautiful wilderness environment that expands as you explore.
• A tailor-made story: the choices you make shape the narrative and build relationships.
• An edge-of-your-seat mystery.
• Secrets and discoveries to be made over every hill.

Similar to: The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, Myst

Also worth noting:

• A thrilling story and script by Sean Vanaman and Jake Rodkin (The Walking Dead: Season 1, Poker Night at the Inventory)

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4

What is it?: The legendary fighting franchise returns with STREET FIGHTER V! Stunning visuals depict the next generation of World Warriors in unprecedented detail, while exciting and accessible battle mechanics deliver endless fighting fun that both beginners and veterans can enjoy.

Features:

• New and Returning Characters: Classic characters like Ryu, Chun-Li, Charlie Nash and M. Bison return! Many more new and returning characters will be added to the diverse roster, offering a wide variety of fighting styles for players to choose from.
• New Strategies and Battle Mechanics: Highly accessible new battle mechanics, which revolve around the V-Gauge and EX Gauge, provide an unprecedented layer of strategy and depth to the franchise that all players can enjoy.
• Next Gen Visuals: Unreal Engine 4 technology pushes the realism and next-gen visuals to new heights, making this latest entry the best looking and most immersive Street Fighter game of all time.
• Rise up: Ranking leaderboards track players careers and are integrated with the Capcom Pro Tour, the premier league destination for competitive fighting games.

Similar to: Street Fighter, King of Fighters, Killer Instinct

Also worth noting:

• PC and PS4 Cross-Platform Play.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4

What is it?: Welcome to the Stone Age, a time of extreme danger and limitless adventure, when giant mammoths and sabretooth tigers ruled the Earth and humanity is at the bottom of the food chain. As the last survivor of your hunting group, you will learn to craft a deadly arsenal, fend off fierce predators, and outsmart enemy tribes to conquer the land of Oros and become the Apex Predator.

Features:

• STONE AGE BY FAR CRY: The rich setting of the Stone Age provides a new setting filled with unpredictable mayhem, dangerous threats, and incredible stories that Far Cry is known for.
• RISE ABOVE EXTINCTION: Play as Takkar, a seasoned hunter and the last surviving member of your group. There is one goal: survive in a world where you are the prey.
• FIERCE WILDLIFE AND SAVAGE AND MAJESTIC WORLD: This is earth before man laid claim to it, where deadly sabretooth tigers ruled the world, giant woolly mammoths were kings, and herds of massive Elk stormed through the plains. Discover these and many more daunting creatures in the savage open-world of Oros within the towering redwood forests, harsh taiga, cold glacial mountains and humid swamps.

Similar to: FarCry, ARK: Survival Evolved.

Also worth noting:

• PC verison set to release March 1st.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

What is it?: Black Friday - a devastating pandemic sweeps through New York City, and one by one, basic services fail. In only days, without food or water, society collapses into chaos. The Division, an autonomous unit of tactical agents, is activated. Leading seemingly ordinary lives among us, these agents are trained to operate independently in order to save society.

Features:

• TAKE BACK NEW YORK - Welcome to a next-gen experience in a persistent and dynamic open world environment that is built from the ground up for co-op and where exploration and player progression are essential. Teaming up with other Division agents, your mission is to restore order, investigate the source of the virus, and take back New York.
• A LIVING, BREATHING WORLD - Enter a universe where time of day and weather conditions impact your gaming experience. Use the environment for strategic advantage to dominate fights and ambush your enemies. Utilize your gas mask to provide protection from the virus, and upgrade it to enter the most highly contaminated areas.
• GEAR UP AND CUSTOMIZE YOUR AGENT - Harness state-of-the-art technology, both networked and prototype, as a member of The Division. Customize your character and your backpack, your lifeline in mid-crisis New York. Communicate with other agents at all times with your smartwatch. Loot fallen enemies and customize and level up your weapons, gear, and skills.
• SEAMLESS MULTIPLAYER: THE DARK ZONE - Enter the Dark Zone, a walled-off quarantine zone in the middle of Manhattan where the most valuable loot was left behind when the military evacuated. It's also the most dangerous area in the game, where fear, betrayal, and tension are high. Team up with other players to take down your enemies and extract legendary loot via helicopter. It's your choice to collaborate with other agents, or attack them and steal their loot.

Similar to: Ghost Recon, Borderlands.

Also worth noting:

• Season Pass promises a full year of major expansions and exclusive benefits

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• 13th - The Banner Saga - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 16th - Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen - PC
• 20th - Resident Evil Zero HD Remaster - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 21st - Homeworld: Deserts of Kharak - PC
• 30th - Sebastien Loeb Rally Evo - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• The Witness - PC, PlayStation 4

• 3rd - American Truck Simulator - PC
• 10th - Unravel - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 24th - Plants vs. Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• Rocket League - Xbox One
• The Walking Dead: Michonne - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

• 2nd - Heavy Rain - PlayStation 4
• 5th - The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess HD - WiiU
• 12th - Hitman - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 25th - Killer Instinct: Season 3 - PC, Xbox One

Dying comes in 2nd runner up an impressive feat for a new IP released early on in the year a testament to its quality being able to keep mindshare throughout the year amidst many big name releases.

Dying Light comes from the Techland the previous developers of the Dead Island series a series that is met with mixed reactions and often described as repetitive and bug ridden which no doubt made many somewhat hesitant to pick it up at release. After the games release positive word of mouth spread encouraging more people to pick the game up, Techland managed to learn from its past releases and create a zombie game that was fun to play, being able to run and survive through a zombie ridden world with up to 3 of your friends.

Dying Light would definitely be up there this year for one of the more unexpected successes with many players expressing their surprise at the enjoyment it provided them it is a more then worthy second runner up for Game of the Year.

1st runner we have tie a testament to the amount of quality games released this year and the difficulty gamers faced in deciding their favourite games for the year.

BloodBorne developers From Software keep Bloodborne along the same vein as their previous games. The keep the punishing difficulty, and lack of hand holding that From Software Souls games gain their recognition and praise for.

It is no surprise that Bloodborne was one of the years most anticipated releases. Many fans were excited to get into the next challenging world to test out their skills. Of course Bloodborne offers players more than just its difficulty and lack of help, its world is riddled with detail with its setting and art direction suiting the game extremely well. It also has deep, detailed lore to build the world and give it its history for players who can brave and survive the monsters to find and piece together.

Gameplay, presentation, music and all other aspects reach a high standard as such it is no surprise BloodBorne features highly and is well worthy of its spot.

The Witcher 3 another much anticipated game of the year released to critical acclaim from critics and players alike. The Witcher 3 gave players a large world to explore filled with stories and lore, each side quest had a story behind it a reason why you were doing it. The world was large and gave players plenty to see and do allowing them to get lost for hours just exploring. Providing players with hours and hours of quests The Witcher 3 offers players plenty of playtime for their money.

The Witcher 3 is another high standard in games released this year, very popular and highly regarded it is right at home in the top 3 Games of the Year.

Fallout 4, one of the most anticipated games of the year, and one of the biggest perhaps only exceeded by the Call of Duty juggernaut. Bethesda’s latest game delighted and surprised many when announced early this year that it would be releasing this year. Bethesda’s games are well known for their bugs so they must be something special when they are still so widely anticipated and still excite so many gamers in spite of this.

Fallout 4 once again drops players into the post-apocalyptic playground with plenty to discover and explore all created in Bethesda’s unique style that makes their games so widely popular and anticipated. Many players enjoy worlds that they can just explore and not be tied to a path or order of things and the freedom that Fallout provides gives it its popularity, exploring the wasteland, gathering supplies, crafting and building Fallout has much to offer players to get lost in it for many hours.

Congratulations Fallout 4 and Bethesda for winning GoodGame.net.au’s community Game of the Year for 2015.

Having experienced the 2013 EB Expo and the first opportunity to play the then unreleased current generation consoles in Australia, I was curious to see how my visit to the 2015 EB Expo would compare in size and atmosphere. This year I would be joined by fellow GoodGame Admin I_live_4_fun(Live) who made the journey from Melbourne to attend the show.

"I was interested to see how it stacks up to PAX's event in Melbourne having attended that for the past two years and of course trying out new games", I_live_4_fun

Having two days available gave us a great opportunity to get around to most games to get some hands-on time with them, while also being able to view some presentations and have some time to walk around and take in other things offered by the Expo.

Read on below to get our thoughts and impressions for the games we got to play, presentations we saw and thoughts on the EB Expo itself.

Sony's area was quite large with close to half of it taken up by the 40 player Star Wars: Battlefront demo. A playable Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 demo as well as a viewable Uncharted 4 demo were also given some focus and floor space along with a room for the PlayStationVR (available via booking only). On the floor demos comprised of bigger titles such as Assassin's Creed Syndicate and Street Fighter 5, smaller titles including Alienation and Shadow of the Beast and several others so they offered a wide range of playable games.

Uncharted 4 Presentation

spectre51: Even though I've watched the full E3 demo already seeing it played live was still enthralling, interesting and engaged my full attention throughout it. Getting to see it played in person live really lets you appreciate how good it looks more so than from a videos watched on a PC and the amount of details that Naughty Dog has just crammed into the world.

Live: Seeing the E3 gameplay demo played differently was still very enjoyable indeed. I hadn't seen the extended version before where Drake's brother was being chased on his motorcycle so that (and the little cutscene at the end) was a pleasant surprise for me.

Alienation

spectre51: I enjoyed my hands-on time with Alienation immensely. It reminds me so much of Dead Nation in the controls, which was no surprise with Housemarque being the developers behind this as well. It had co-op setup between two PS4 systems and a single map with a few objectives. It controls well, feels responsive, uses an active reload mechanic has a few powerups and graphically it looks sharp. Alienation looks to be a definite future purchase for me.

Fat Princess Adventures

spectre51: I only had a few thoughts on the brief time we played - its colourful pleasant to look at but does feel a bit basic control wise though it does seem like straight forward fun little co-op game.

Live: This was such a colourful and oddly violent little game to play. I thoroughly enjoyed playing the co-op with Spectre on the same screen locally and learning to play more strategically with different abilities rather than trying to button-mash my way through the enemies.

Ratchet & Clank

spectre51: It felt good to be playing Ratchet & Clank again. I didn't notice the drop from 60fps of previous titles to 30fps as it still felt smooth and responsive to me. It looked good, very colourful, and pleasant on the eyes. It all felt familiar but different enough to not fell the same; definitely looking forward to playing the full release to see how all the old locations end up looking.

Assassin's creed Syndicate

spectre51: First little disclaimer, I am currently playing through the series and as such am a little behind with the most recent title I have played being Assassin's Creed 3.
I had a go with the Jacob level. Climbing felt fluid and quick and I was able to effortlessly climb up and down building with great ease and speed. Combat also feels so much better since I could be more aggressive with combos and not having to sit back waiting to counter-kill everyone. The crouching mechanic really added to the stealth and it is an oddity that something so simple went absent through so many entries in a game about stealth and staying hidden. Really though, gameplay-wise I am incredibly happy with the improvements this game brings. Being behind in the series does affect my opinions on it but getting some hands-on with Syndicate has reinvigorated my interest in the series tenfold.

Other games

spectre51: Being behind in making the jump to the newest generation of consoles and behind in playing recently released games I also took the opportunity to play a few already released games being Journey, Destiny: The Taken King and Tearaway: Unfolded. So just a few little brief thoughts on them: Journey feels so similar to Thatgamecompany's previous two games unsurprisingly. Destiny: The Taken King feels solid, I liked how the shooting and jumping felt and the sparrow was a nifty little thing to scoot around on. Lastly, Tearaway: Unfolded was enjoyable to play still being new to the PS4 controller I liked how it incorporated its new features into the game it added a new dimension to play.

The Xbox area had a nice open feel to it with Halo 5, Tomb Raider and Quantum break each getting their own roomed areas. On the floor Microsoft put forth a good variety of games, displaying their more popular series in Forza 6, Killer Instinct and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition as well as several ID@Xbox titles including Cuphead, The Flame in the Flood and several others.

Quantum Break Presentation

spectre51: Graphically it's a good looking game and how it plays, the combat looks interesting and fun with the use of time powers. It was mentioned the game will have 5 acts of gameplay and 4 episodes of the live-action television show at the end of each act. Each episode of the show will focus on the "bad guys'" point of view and will play out based on a decision you will make when you take control of the "bad guys" at the end of each act. The amount of effort they are putting into the story, making the show episodes such a big part of the game definitely intrigues me.

Live: The main character's time manipulation abilities seem very fun to use not only for strategic uses in battles, but also for exploration. For instance, the presentation showed a sequence where the main character was escaping huge buildings and towers that were crumbling down around him, but he made his way through with ease by using a time-rewind ability to reverse the fall of a walls or containers just enough to walk through or climb over before letting time lapse normally again. Similarly when engaging enemies, he could freeze time temporarily, create protective bubbles to slow down the trajectory of bullets around him and also perform a time-dash move to reach and dodge his enemies very quickly. I liked that the storyline has already been established with the fact that the main antagonist shares this same power as well so the soldiers under his command have some defences against time manipulation.

I also thought that the tie-in to the live-action television show complimenting the Quantum Break game seemed like a nice feature as well.

Rise of the Tomb Raider

spectre51: The playable demo was a previously shown gameplay demo from other conferences so I was able to progress through it quickly knowing what to do. It controlled well and the movement was quick and easy. Being a demo, obviously this could be forgiven for being a short tomb but it did show good potential for the full game. If they expand on tomb sizes this really can be an interesting part of the game to go through.

Live: The graphics looked really good and I especially liked the return of voice-overs when reading the description or contents of artifacts and letters - even if some of the voice-acting still sounded a bit melodramatic at times. There were also lots of platforming segments and puzzles to solve involved in the demo we played. Unfortunately though, I took too long to solve them all and progress so I was booted off (politely) before I got into what looked like the combat sequence near the end.

Other games

spectre51: I did get around to some hands on with Happy Dungeons, The Flame in the Flood, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. I don't have much to say on any of them though, Gears of War had a multiplayer demo and my time with the two ID@Xbox titles was short and I don't really know much about them.

EA's area was small and mainly consisted of a Need for Speed area and behind that was an area for Fifa 16, Plants vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 as well as a closed room for a Mirror's Edge Catalyst presentation.

Need for Speed

A special congratulations to Live who managed to score herself a t-shirt by topping the reputation point leader board for our group.

spectre51: They really are trying to bring back the in depth customisation. While it doesn't have the full control over parts like autosculpt in past titles there are still a lot of options available. Tuning provides a lot more options then you would usually expect in a Need for Speed title as well with options for tyre pressure and camber being able to be tinkered with. A negative I can see in regards to customising/tuning to me is that you only get 5 car slots.
Handling wise, like most of the series its handling is accessible while still lightly adhering to real world physics just made more forgiveable. I had sound issues with my demo so I can't really comment on the sound of the cars.

Live: Well, I definitely did not expect to place at the top of the leader board in our NFS demo group, but I was ecstatic that I did.
In regards to the game itself, I really liked that there were a lot of ways to gain reputation points to achieve a higher rank as I am usually not too great of a driver in many games (or so my friends often joke about). The police cars did not become super-aggressive and chase me down as soon as I passed the speed limit like in the previous entry, Need for Speed: Rivals, so I had a lot of fun performing stunts without having the police constantly hot on my heels. The slightly more accessible gameplay has made me much more interested in the game so I am looking forward to checking it out more details when it releases next year.

Mirror's Edge Catalyst Presentation

spectre51: I had already seen most of what was shown from previous gameplay reveals apart from maybe a few seconds of scenes at the start. The gameplay was nothing new but the laptop that I assume was used to play the video seemed to struggle at times as I noticed stutter, which I know is not from the actual game itself having seen the same gameplay video play smoothly elsewhere beforehand.

Live: It was a bit of a shame that the video had stuttering issues but the gameplay and parkour still looked extremely fluid and fast-paced, nevertheless. The presenter also made a point of saying that Mirror's Edge: Catalyst will have more of an open world environment compared to the original game so that players can approach objectives in many different ways and through lots of different routes.

Ubisoft brought four titles with it to the show for its section, Assassin's Creed: Syndicate, Rainbow 6: Siege, The Division and Just Dance 2016 with all managing to draw good crowds.

The Division

The demo began with our group of 3 human controlled players starting just outside the Dark Zone. We then entered the Dark Zone and proceeded a short way until we encountered and engaged a group of AI enemies to collect a piece of contaminated gear. We were then directed to an extraction zone where we encountered two other human teams and some more AI firefights until the demo time was up with no teams able to extract.

spectre51: Graphically, it doesn't give the wow that the original reveal trailer did but still it's quite an impressive looking game. I didn't notice any performance or visual hitches while playing. The controls are well laid out and going into cover, shooting and vaulting all felt good did take some adjustment to the layout though I tended to hit the 'vault' button instead of 'cover'.
The biggest oddity to me was dealing damage and how suited it is to the game. You look at it as a Tom Clancy game with a realistic setting, graphical style and all and like other similar games, I instinctively aimed high for head shots to get quick kills only to see numbers pop up and the enemy still have a noticeable amount of HP (healthpoints) left. It is the system they have decided to use to promote hunting for better gear and show improvement in levelling though and is what I think will be the main determining factor on whether someone may enjoy it or not.
But after playing the demo my interest in the game has still increased from what it was before. Even though I found the damage system odd it's not from disliking it just something that I need to adjust my mind for.

Live: It took a little while for me to get used to the controls as well since there were separate buttons for moving into cover and for vaulting. The cover system seems to work very well though - the game highlights where you can easily snap into cover if you are near an object and, like with many third-person shooters, you can easily pop your head out to fire at enemies, stay in cover and hip-fire or utilise various gadgets and grenades that you may be carrying. Using cover was very integral to survival as the enemy AI were deadly accurate with their shots and easily took us down if we stood out in the open or popped our heads out of cover for too long.

I really enjoyed the seamless transition into Player versus Player (PvP) environment went it came to signalling an extraction from the Dark Zone. One of the members in my demo group accidentally fired at another neutral team, causing us to go "rogue” and become marked by other groups in the area. As we fought our way to extraction and waited for the helicopter to arrive, we had to defend against enemy AI that wanted to stop us from leaving while also staying aware of other player teams that also wanted to Extract and attack us for becoming hostile in the first place.

All in all, I really enjoyed the demo and I can see The Division being a great tactical co-op game to play with a great sense of risk and reward when exploring and fighting hostiles (both human and AI) for some very cool loot.

Of course, the above four publishers weren’t the only ones showing games at the Expo with plenty of other games represented around the hall. Games from Bandai Namco, Warner Bros, Square Enix and Gearbox to name a few could be found around the Expo Hall. Lego Dimensions and Skylanders both also had pretty substantial areas set up as well and of course, both were popular titles with the younger attendees.

WRC5

spectre51: The track available was based in Australia and it felt good. There was a nice balance of quick and slow corners, not too wide and the track itself had some length to it. Based on the settings of the demo I could feel that they were trying for a bit of a realistic approach to the games' handling while keeping it accessible. A few occasions I slid off the track a little bit and feathering the throttle was needed out of corners but it still felt accessible and didn’t punish me for little mistakes too much. I quite liked the balance of handling overall.

Dark Souls 3

Live: First off, I will just make it clear that I am by no means a great "Souls" game player. I tried the demo twice over the two days at the expo and died by the tougher normal enemies both times. Some of the other people I watched seemed to fair better though and I saw one of them reach a boss fight too.

To me, Dark Souls III felt a little faster than the older Souls titles in being able to get around and dodge enemies a little quicker. It wasn't to the extent of how fast Bloodborne plays though, where you can roll, sidestep and recover HP (healthpoints) from attacking quickly enough - Dark Souls III still felt like it required a more methodical approach to encounters like the old Souls games from the small segment that I played of it. This was especially because of the presence of shields and having to get around them to attack and parry enemies.

Both times that I played, I used a knight class with a sword and shield and had to get used to blocking properly again. The demo had other pre-made classes available to use at the demo stations as well though, like an assassin (which reminded me of Bloodborne), so I am sure there won't be a lack of different playstyles and character builds to try out when the game is released.

Just Cause 3

spectre51: This felt quite similar to Just Cause 2 on foot, unsurprisingly, just with the addition of the wing suit and some grapple hook improvements from what I noticed in my time with the demo. I only drove a tank but it felt weightier with more control over how it handled and felt more precise to drive. Hopefully this also translate sacross to other vehicles like they have mentioned as vehicle handling was one of the poorer aspects in the previous entries. Overall, if you enjoyed Just Cause 2 you will definitely enjoy this since it is more of the same good, old chaos.

Fallout 4 Presentation

spectre51: Honestly, I didn’t have much interest in Fallout before I sat in on this presentation. After watching and listening to it though, I have become more interested in the game and the customisation options look deep and varied. The snippet of the shooting really helped in gaining my attention it looked smooth and really reminiscent of a First-Person-Shooter, not just an RPG. You can definitely see ID Software's input in the gameplay mechanics. A Doom snippet that was also showed at the very beginning looked fast-paced and forward moving, just chaining kills from demon to demon with gory action and speed.

Other games

spectre51: We also got around to some hands on with Dragon Quest: Heroes, Yo-Kai watch and Homefront 2. Not too much to report on these titles, Dragon Quest: Heroes is a colourful bright looking game but we both struggle to make any real progress in the demo before the time ran out against the boss. Yo-Kai Watch another colourful game and looks good on the Nintendo 3DS, the combat is much more interactive then in Pokemon and Homefront 2’s demo didn’t really do much to stand out or differentiate itself from the time we had with it to stand out from the crowd.

The big presentations happened here, laid out differently to when I went really made use of the length of the room compared to the year I went. We sat at the front and also middle during the presentations we viewed and from the spots the video and audio were good didn't have trouble making out what was on screen nor struggling to hear what was being said.

EA

spectre51: EA's presentation felt short compared to the other two presentations we watched. Of course, they did only focus on two games and we were aware that they would only focus on Need for Speed and Star Wars: Battlefront beforehand but still it didn’t completely fill out its scheduled timeslot, which wouldn’t have helped with that impression. Both games are visual and audio standouts but honestly, the presentation didn’t do much for me. I found it the least engaging of the three that we went to see even though I do have interest in both the games they focused on.

Live: I was also quite surprised when EA's presentation ended so soon with only two games shown. They did, however, go through the details and gameplay mechanics of the new Need for Speed in quite a lot of depth which was nice to watch.

Ubisoft

spectre51: Ubisoft showed off its 4 playable games at the Expo in Just Dance 2016, The Division, Rainbow 6: Siege and Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate giving them all equal time on the stage. Overall Ubisoft’s presentation was good, they shared the time around well between the games and gave you a good look into each of them if you were unable to get your hands on to play them. Apart from Rainbow Six: Siege I enjoyed what was shown Just Dance looks like it could be fun. This was definitely a good presentation that made good use of the time and didn’t make any one game feel less favoured than the other.

Live: Ubisoft's presentation easily left the best impression on me. I was already interested in The Division and Rainbow Six: Siege for the co-op gameplay so the developer video walkthroughs made me even more excited for those games after seeing how well things could play out in team with good communication. The way that they showed off Assassin's Creed Syndicate made me very intrigued about the game too even when I had near zero interest in trying out the game at all beforehand.

Microsoft

spectre51: Microsoft’s presentation went, as expected, with a strong focus on their two big holiday titles in Halo 5 and Rise of the Tomb raider while also showing features and games to add value to the Xbox One. It was amusing when the actor posing as Lara Croft came up on stage and lit up a smoke flare that ended up covering the screen and impeded the start of the presentation. The Tomb Raider gameplay that they showed wasn’t anything brand new though. Forza 6 did kind of feel out of place with it already being released and wasn’t given much time. The segment for Halo 5 was great though as we got to see some new single-player sections for the first time as well as a new opening cinematic for Masterchief's team. I did feel that they were one game short though in the line-up compared to previous presentations. I think the focus on Xbox One backwards compatibility and the inclusion of certain previous Xbox 360 titles being bundled with certain Xbox One holiday releases was a good showing. It really is one step they have over Sony and can add quite a lot of extra value to their games getting full games as a bonus.

The EB Expo offered much more than just playing or watching games with a the EB Megastore and several pop culture stands sold merchandisesuch as keyrings, replica swords, dvds, figurines and many other items. There were also several cosplay competitions, fireworks, comedies shows, a history museum, rides and even laser skirmish were also available to keep everyone occupied at the show.

Live's Final thoughts

“Some of the cosplayers looked amazing and I was so delighted to see a giant Atoi from Tearaway hobbling around the Expo Hall with Sackboy and an EB Games assistant to guide them. It was really cool seeing so many small and big bits of merchandise to browse and buy around the Expo as well. I ended up purchasing a few gifts to give away to people from the EB Megastore and probably would have bought even more if I had brought more money with me (which is probably for the best that I didn't).

Overall, it felt like the EB Games Expo felt like it had a huge focus on enabling attendees to watch and play as many upcoming and new release games as possible on the show-floor. I enjoyed all the buzz and excitement of people lining up to try out their favourite games, especially when it was busier on the second day as it created a great and lively atmosphere all around the Expo. I am really grateful for having been able to attend this year and had great time with Spectre throughout the event.”

spectre51's Final thoughts

And now for my overall thoughts on this year’s show. Once again I enjoyed myself greatly.It understandably it didn’t have that same sense of excitement and felt less busy then 2013 but unlike my colleague, I preferred the less busy Friday show because it made it easier to move around and get hands on with games. In a time where less actual game demos are getting released fr people to try out upcoming and new release games, getting to try out so many games without buying them has been a great opportunity at the Expo. Many of the floor demos were easy accessible with many people being respectful of others and not remaining at stations past the demo’s completions or timers. It was good to have someone to chat to this time and share opinions and thoughts as it was experienced and fresh in our mind so many thanks for Live to make the journey from Melbourne as well.

Of course, our thanks go out to the EB expo for once again granting us the opportunity to experience and attend the show. Heres hoping that we will be able to do it all again next year.

What is it?: From the groundbreaking storytellers at Naughty Dog, comes the genre-defining epic that revolutionized adventure storytelling, rebuilt by Bluepoint Games with the power of the PS4 system. Experience one of the most revered game series of all time as you follow the perilous journey of Nathan Drake across the globe, from humble beginnings to extraordinary discoveries. Meet an unforgettable cast of characters as Drake puts life and friendship on the line in a race against ruthless enemies to uncover unimaginable treasure.

Features:

• UNCHARTED The Nathan Drake Collection includes the single-player campaigns for UNCHARTED: Drake's Fortune, UNCHARTED 2: Among Thieves, and UNCHARTED 3: Drake's Deception all with graphical, sound and gameplay improvements
• New Trophies - Brand-new trophies created exclusively for UNCHARTED's debut on the PS4 system
• Photo Mode - Freeze gameplay at any time and take control of the camera to capture your most memorable moments from the trilogy to share with friends directly from your PS4 system. Utilize graphical filters, camera controls, and other options to customize your shot.
• Explorer Mode is an all-new mode for beginners where combat difficulty is reduced greatly.
• Speed Run Mode adds a timer that allows players to track their gameplay time against their friends as they play sections of the game.
• Brutal Difficulty Mode is the ultimate challenge as the gameplay will be more punishing than Crushing Difficulty (unlocked after beating Crushing Difficulty in the same game).

Similar to: Uncharted, Tomb Raider

Also worth noting:

• Includes single player campaigns only no multiplayer is present in the collection.

Platforms: PlayStation 4

What is it?: London, 1868. The Industrial Revolution unleashes an incredible age of invention, transforming the lives of millions with technologies once thought impossible. Opportunities created during this time period have people rushing to London to engage in this new world. A world no longer controlled by kings, emperors, politicians or religion, but by a new common denominator: money.
Introducing Assassin Jacob Frye, who with the help of his twin sister Evie, will change the fate of millions in the upcoming Assassin's Creed Syndicate. Rise to rally and lead the underworld to break the corrupt stranglehold on London in a visceral adventure filled with action, intrigue and brutal combat.

Features:

• The First Assassin at the Birth of the Modern Age - As the brash, rebellious Jacob Frye, put up your dukes and take on your enemies. Use improved stealth tactics to elude your enemies and unleash your arsenal of weapons, including the kukri knife, brass knuckles, and sword cane. Utilize new technology like the rope launcher to scale buildings in seconds and take your enemies by surprise.
• Take Over the London Underworld - With Jacob as the leader, gamers can establish Great Britain's fiercest gang, the only force that can challenge the elite and defeat rival gangs to bring freedom to the oppressed masses. Enemy strongholds can be infiltrated by using an arsenal of weapons to dominate London's underworld. From robbing trains to rescuing child laborers, players will stop at nothing to bring justice to London's lawless streets.
• Traverse the Fast-Paced World of Industrial London - From Buckingham Palace to Big Ben, fight and triumph across the massive open world of Victorian London. Parkour across moving vehicles to track down enemies or escape after a daring raid, hijack carriages to engage in a no-holds-barred street race, or blaze a trail of destruction aboard steamboats along the River Thames.
• Master the art of stealth as Evie Frye - Play as Jacob's twin sister Evie, a relentless Assassin who has perfected the silent, swift and stealthy strike. Use parkour to navigate across the immense open world using your status in London's leading gang to change the city for the better.

Similar to: Watch Dogs, Assassin's Creed Series

Also worth noting:

• PlayStation 4 has 10 exclusive side missions.
• PC verison will release in late November.
• London map is approximately 30% larger than the Paris map in Unity.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: An unstoppable force threatens the galaxy, and the Master Chief is missing and his loyalty questioned. An epic story and two new multiplayer modes mark the greatest evolution in Halo history. Experience the most dramatic Halo story to date in a 4-player cooperative epic that spans three worlds.

Features:

• Campaign - An intense new story on a galactic scale: Play as the Master Chief and Spartan Locke as the hunt plays out across three new worlds.
• Co-Op - Your team is your weapon: Choose how to achieve objectives while playing solo with AI teammates or with friends in a 4-player cooperative experience
• Warzone - New, massive-scale multiplayer mode that supports 24-player battles with both friendly and enemy AI dropping in. It's nonstop action when you confront Spartans, Covenant, and Forerunners while trying to complete a variety of objectives
• ARENA MULTIPLAYER - In Halo 5: Guardians, the Arena multiplayer mode represents Halo's established legacy of pure, skill-based 4-vs-4 competitive combat.

Similar to: Halo Series, Call of Duty

Also worth noting:

• Has no Lan or splitscreen options

Platforms: Xbox One

What is it?: Discover the nocturnal open world of urban car culture, driven by five unique ways to play and win, in this thrilling reboot of Need for Speed. Carve your own unique path, via multiple overlapping stories, gaining reputation on your journey to become the ultimate icon.

Ventura Bay is your urban playground from sweeping hillside roads overlooking the city, to the police infested urban districts with tight city corners - the city comes alive while others sleep. Home to five real world automotive icons, the heroes of today's car culture, they will inspire you, push you, and test you.

Features:

• Five Ways to Play: Need for Speed returns with Five Ways to Play - Speed, Style, Build, Crew and Outlaw, enabling you to earn reputation and ultimately win your way. Combine all five to create that perfect Need for Speed moment; driving insanely fast, sliding through a corner in your customized ride alongside your friends, whilst being chased by the cops.
• Rich Authentic Customization: Build a car that reflects your character through extensive visual and performance customization. With hand-picked iconic cars, the hottest authentic after-market brands, performance tuning, and personalized handling. Set up your ride and hit the streets.
• Narrative: Five distinctive overlapping stories each inspired by a real world icon. Every choice, every second, every minute propels your playing experience on your journey to become the ultimate icon.
• West Coast Urban Setting: From dusk till dawn, discover an open world of urban car culture you never knew existed. Our stunning new world that combines the power of the new consoles and a supercharged game engine in Frostbite, to deliver a rich open world environment with roughly twice the drivable roads of Need for Speed Rivals.

Similar to: Burnout, Need for Speed Underground

Also worth noting:

• Requires a constant online connection.
• PC release date is not until next year.

Platforms:PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: Treyarch, developer of the two most-played games in Call of Duty history, returns with Call of Duty: Black Ops 3. For the first time with three-years of development, the revered, award-winning studio has created its first title for next-gen hardware in the critically acclaimed Black Ops series. Welcome to Call of Duty: Black Ops 3, a dark, twisted future where a new breed of Black Ops soldier emerges and the lines are blurred between our own humanity and the technology we created to stay ahead, in a world where cutting-edge military robotics define warfare.

Features:

• All new campaign, designed for 4 player co-op, re-playability and now, every player is completely customizable: from weapons and loadouts, to abilities and outfits, all with full progression systems and a personalized armory to show off accomplishments, providing a constantly-evolving campaign experience.
• Levelled-up multiplayer with momentum-based chained-movement system and new Specialilst character system.
• Multiplayer Maps are designed from the ground-up for the new movement system, allowing players to be successful with traditional movement, as well as advanced tactics and maneuvers.
• Black Ops 3 multiplayer also introduces the new Specialist character system, which allows players to rank up and master each specific character's battle-hardened capabilities and weapons. With this addition to Traditional and Weapons XP progressions systems, Black Ops 3 multiplayer gives players three different ways to rank up.
• The return of Zombies - No Treyarch title would be complete without its signature Zombies offering - a full-game experience with its own distinct storyline right out of the box. Black Ops 3 Zombies is the most immersive and ambitious Call of Duty Zombies to date, with a full XP-based progression system for players that adds depth and re-playability to the engaging gameplay Zombies fans have come to expect.

Similar to: Call of Duty, Titanfall.

Also worth noting:

• Call of Duty: Black Ops III on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 will have multiplayer and co-op Zombie modes only, no singleplayer. They will come with Black Ops 1 as bonus.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: Bethesda Game Studios, the award-winning creators of Fallout 3 and The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, welcome you to the world of Fallout 4 - their most ambitious game ever, and the next generation of open-world gaming.

As the sole survivor of Vault 111, you enter a world destroyed by nuclear war. Every second is a fight for survival, and every choice is yours. Only you can rebuild and determine the fate of the Wasteland. Welcome home.

Features:

• FREEDOM AND LIBERTY - Do whatever you want in a massive open world with hundreds of locations, characters, and quests. Join multiple factions vying for power or go it alone, the choices are all yours.
• YOU'RE S.P.E.C.I.A.L! - Be whoever you want with the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. character system. From a Power Armored soldier to the charismatic smooth talker, you can choose from hundreds of Perks and develop your own playstyle.
• COLLECT AND BUILD! - Collect, upgrade, and build thousands of items in the most advanced crafting system ever. Weapons, armor, chemicals, and food are just the beginning - you can even build and manage entire settlements.
• SUPER DELUXE PIXELS! - An all-new next generation graphics and lighting engine brings to life the world of Fallout like never before. From the blasted forests of the Commonwealth to the ruins of Boston, every location is packed with dynamic detail.
• VIOLENCE AND V.A.T.S.! - Intense first or third person combat can also be slowed down with the new dynamic Vault-Tec Assisted Targeting System (V.A.T.S) that lets you choose your attacks and enjoy cinematic carnage.

Similar to: Fallout 3/New Vegas.

Also worth noting:

• Has no level cap, able to keep playing after the main story is complete.
• Mods will come to Console arriving on Xbox One first then PlayStation 4.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: After uncovering an ancient mystery, Lara Croft embarks on a journey throughout the most treacherous and remote regions of the world to find the secret of immortality. Forming powerful new alliances and relying on her intellect and survival skills, Lara will ultimately embrace her fate as the Tomb Raider.

Featuring epic, high-octane action moments set in the most beautifully hostile environments on earth, Rise of the Tomb Raider delivers a cinematic survival action adventure where you will join Lara Croft on her first tomb raiding expedition and witness the rise of an icon.

Features:

• Awe-Inspiring Deadly Tombs: Explore huge ancient spaces littered with deadly traps, solve dramatic environmental puzzles, and decipher ancient texts to reveal crypts as you take on a world filled with secrets to discover.
• Woman vs. Wild: Conquer a world fiercely protecting its secrets, endure perilous conditions and unstable landscapes, face dangerous wildlife that act as guardians to ancient tombs, and explore huge interactive environments.
• Guerrilla Combat: Use the environment to your advantage, scale trees and dive underwater to avoid or takedown enemies, configure Lara's gear, weapons, and ammo to suit your play style, craft explosives on the fly to sow chaos, and wield Lara's signature combat bows and climbing axe.
• Unprecedented Visual Fidelity: Utilizing the full power of the Xbox One, Rise of the Tomb Raider comes alive with deeply immersive and interactive spaces delivering the most visually stunning Tomb Raider game ever made.

Similar to: Tomb Raider, Uncharted

Also worth noting:

• PC Version will release early 2016, PS4 version will release late 2016 both published by Square Enix.

Platforms: Xbox One, Xbox 360

What is it?: Fight for the Rebellion or Empire in a wide variety of multiplayer matches for up to 40 players, or in exciting challenges inspired by the films available solo, split-screen or through online co-op. Star Wars Battlefront combines this epic action on a galactic scale with stunning visual recreations of some of the most iconic planets, weapons, characters, and vehicles in the Star Wars universe and the original sound effects from the films, to give Star Wars fans the ultimate, authentic and immersive interactive experience they've been looking for.

Features:

• The Most Immersive and Photorealistic Interactive Entertainment Experience - Visit classic planets from the original Star Wars trilogy, detailed with an unprecedented amount of realism and sense of authenticity that will transport you to a galaxy far, far away
• Ground-based Combat on a Galactic Scale - Engage in epic battles on iconic planets including Hoth, Endor, and Tatooine. Also, bring the fight to the previously unexplored planet, Sullust.
• Pilot a diverse set of ground-based vehicles - including nimble speeder bikes, massive AT-ATs, and more.
• Master the Battlefront with Iconic Star Wars Characters - Play as some of the most memorable characters in the Star Wars universe including Darth Vader and Boba Fett.
• Take to the Skies in Epic Star Wars Dog Fights - Pilot the Millennium Falcon, X-wings, TIE fighters, and more of your favorite vehicles in exhilarating aerial combat.
• Seamlessly swap between 1st person and 3rd person views.
• Battle alongside your friends online or in offline split-screen Co-op mode.

Similar to: Battlefield, Star Wars: Battlefront

Also worth noting:

• Will have no singleplayer campaign or narrative

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: Set in the sun-drenched Mediterranean island republic of Medici, a land crumbling under the ruthless rule of General Di Ravello, you take control of series' hero Rico Rodriguez, a man on a mission to liberate his homeland and the people of Medici... by any means necessary. With over 400 square miles of complete freedom from sky to seabed and a huge arsenal of weaponry, gadgets and vehicles, prepare to unleash chaos in the most creative and explosive ways you can imagine.

Features:

• Welcome to the sun-drenched Mediterranean island also known as the Republic of Medici. This 400sq-mile (1000 square km) vast land has a lot to offer and each of its parts has its own flavour and rich culture.There are three unique regions that you can explore: The Insula Fonte region, the Insula Dracon region and The Insula Striate region.
• The famous Rico's grapple hook - By grappling to any surface at any time, Rico can fast-travel through the map, hijack moving vehicles, or to give himself a speed boost when using parachute or wingsuit. The multiple grapple tethers allow Rico to connect and manually real-in objects together leading to creative destruction. With new upgrades, the grapple becomes even stronger. Attach soldiers to exploding fuel tanks, slingshot a car to destroy a checkpoint, smash a flying helicopter into the ground: the possibilities are limitless.
• The wingsuit - In a matter of seconds, Rico can bullet through the sky and ambush DiRavello's militia forces from above. Upgrading the wingsuit grants Rico additional abilities such as sling shooting while flying, triggering wingsuit while reeling in, or cancelling it in mid-air and landing, making Rico unstoppable.
• The Guns - With the mounted universal "gun rack", Rico can carry up to 3 weapons of your choice. Rico can tap into his firepower at any time whether he is free falling, wing walking, stunting or in a parachute. With an unlimited access to C4 and grenades, Rico is a force to be reckoned with.
• The Parachute - Is an essential part of Rico's arsenal. Besides being a handy means of transportation, the parachute helps Rico strike his enemies with great precision, using one or two handed weapons, while making him harder to target.

Similar to: Just Cause, Mercenaries, Mad Max

Also worth noting:

• Day 1 copies of the Xbox One version come with a digital copy of Just Cause 2 playable on Xbox One via Xbox 360 backwards compatibility.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

What is it?: The next massive sci-fi role-playing game from Monolith Soft, the creators of Baten Kaitos and Xenoblade Chronicles, comes exclusively to Wii U. A terrible intergalactic war leaves just a handful of Earth survivors trying to live in a beautiful yet hostile environment. Players engage in battles against powerful creatures of all forms and sizes using the deep battle system that builds on the triumphs of Xenoblade Chronicles for Wii.

Features:

• Riding and controlling a weaponized mech, players can explore every inch of the massive open world displayed in gorgeous high-definition graphics. The world is filled with strange and imaginative creatures, from small bugs to giant dinosaurs.
• As characters improve in different classes, they will learn new combat and defensive skills, or Arts. Players can customize the Arts palette as their characters learn new Arts. All Arts have a "recast" time - once cast, the player must wait out a "cooldown" period before that Art can be used again.
• Players can customize everything about the main character's appearance, including gender, shapes, height, skin color, voice and tattoos.

Also worth noting:

• Wii U gamepad acts as a Data Terminal or off TV play.

Platforms: Wii U

• 15th - Rock Band 4 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 15th - Dragon Quest Heroes - PlayStation 4
• 16th - Talos Principle - Deluxe Edition- PlayStation 4
• 16th - Wasteland 2 - Director's Cut - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 16th - Tales of Zestiria - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
• 20th - Guitar Hero Live - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 27th - Just Dance 2016 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 27th - WRC 5 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 29th - WWE 2K16 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

• 3rd - Anno 2205 - PC
• 12th - Sword Art Online: Lost Song - PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
• Delayed to 2016 - Trackmania Turbo - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• 1st - Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 18th - Yo-Kai Watch - 3DS

For anyone who has put countless hours of play time with their Dualshock 4, you'll know that it doesn't take long for the analogue sticks to start showing signs of wear and tear. The rubber wears smooth and they can even begin to crack and peel (which seems to be a common problem).

Enter Grip-iT Analogue Stick Covers.

Grip-iTs are simple rubber nubs that slip over your controller's thumb sticks. They provide added grip and do so extremely well. The units are simple to install and make a world of difference, preventing your thumbs from slipping and requiring you to constantly readjust their position, which can be particularly annoying in fast-paced games.

Our main concerns before reviewing the Grip-iTs were how well they would stick to the controller and if they could slip out of position during use. After several days of heavy use they have remained firmly in place with no signs of coming off during normal gameplay conditions.

The controller we tested the Grip-iTs on was very well used & about due for the rubbish. Fortunately, the Grip-iTs have saved it by covering the badly worn analogue sticks and made using it far more comfortable, especially during long gaming sessions. Not to mention they are a far cheaper alternative to installing new sticks or buying an entirely new controller.

Grip-iTs are available in a range of colours, and are a universal fit for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360 & Xbox One controllers. They come recommended by us here at Good Game ANZ and can be purchased direct from the Grip-iT website located at gripitaustralia.com.au or via eBay by simply searching 'Grip it'.

Links:
gripitaustralia.com.au
gripitaustralia on Facebook

What is it?: To celebrate its 30th anniversary, Rare brings together the adventures of its iconic characters in a collection that spans the decades. From its earliest 2D classics to Xbox 360 triumphs, Rare Replay delivers a gaming treasure trove for veteran players and newcomers alike.

Features:

• Rare Revealed: Enjoy over 60 minutes of behind-the-scenes interviews and footage
• 10,000 Gamerscore, 700+ hours of gameplay
• Snapshots: Small segments of the games are presented as challenges for the player
• Certain older titles will have an option to add scanlines
• Certain titles will also have an option to rewind the game

Similar to: N/A

Also worth noting:

• Banjo-Kazooie, Banjo-Tooie and Perfect Dark included will be of their Xbox 360 versions.
• Xbox 360 games that originally included online multiplayer will retain these features.

Platforms: Xbox One

What is it?: Shadowrun: Hong Kong is the third standalone game in Harebrained Schemes' critically-acclaimed Shadowrun cRPG series. Experience the most impressive Shadowrun RPG yet with an all new crew, expanded magic and cyberware, a completely revamped Matrix, an upgraded release of the Shadowrun Editor, and much more!

Features:

• A Classic, Story-Driven cRPG: Shadowrun: Hong Kong hearkens back to the golden age of computer RPG's with a novel-like branching narrative full of sharp prose and deep character development.
• Command Your Team: The members of your team are designed to play contrasting roles during missions, and each has a distinct set of skills, abilities, strengths, and weaknesses. Each team member also has challenges to face in their own lives, which you can choose to brush aside or play an important part in.
• Gripping, Turn-Based Tactical Combat: When you're running the shadows, every turn matters. Choose your actions wisely - move to better cover, charge into melee, or lob a fireball into a crowd of enemies. With over 200 weapons and spells at your disposal, every turn is filled with meaningful choices.
• Skill-Based Character Progression: Shadowrun: Hong Kong's classless skill system allows you to grow your character in any direction you choose.

Similar to: Shadowrun: Dragonfall - Director's Cut, Transistor, Invisible, Inc.

Also worth noting:

• Supports Steam Workshop: Create Your Own Stories! With the Shadowrun Editor, everyone is empowered to create and share their own stories and campaigns.

Platforms: PC

What is it?: Eight friends trapped together on a remote mountain retreat, and they aren't alone. Gripped by dread, with tensions running high, they must fight through their fear if they all hope to make through the night in one piece.

Play as each of the eight characters and experience fear like you never have before. Every decision you make in your terrifying search for answers could mean the difference between life and death, but for whom? Your actions alone will decide who survives Until Dawn.

Features:

• Choice & Consequence - Make the impossible choices, where every decision in your terrifying search for answers could mean the difference between life and death, but for who?
• Next-Gen Horror - Harnessing the power of an evolved Killzone Shadow Fall engine, Until Dawn will shock you with realistic graphics and terrify you edge-of-your seat gameplay.
• Butterfly Effect - Carve your path to survival with branching story lines that promise no two experiences will be the same. The choices you make may ripple unseen into moments of grave peril, or they may very well save a life.
• Gripping Story - Immerse yourself in a truly spine-tingling story written in collaboration with famed cult writer/directors Larry Fessenden & Graham Reznick.

Similar to: Heavy Rain

Also worth noting:

• Special Edition Includes Bonus DLC Chapter - This special bonus chapter sees Matt and Emily, a new couple, out on the mountain - but it's not long until they start to suspect they aren't alone...
• Originally annouced as a PlayStation 3 Move title.

Platforms: PlayStation 4

What is it?: Taking place nine years after the events of MGSV: Ground Zeroes and the fall of Mother Base, Snake a.k.a. Big Boss, awakes from a near decade-long coma. The game resumes the story in 1984, with the Cold War still as the backdrop, which continues to shape a global crisis. Snake's journey takes him into a world where he is driven by a need for revenge and the pursuit of a shadow group, XOF.

One of the most anticipated games of the year with its open-world design, photorealistic visual fidelity and feature-rich game design, MGSV: The Phantom Pain will leave its mark as one of the hallmarks in the gaming industry for its cinematic storytelling, heavy themes, and immersive tactical gameplay.

Features:

• Open-World - game design allowing players ultimate freedom on how to approach missions and overall game progression
• Buddy System - Bring buddies into missions using the Buddy System, providing you with allies in difficult situations.
• TOD & Weather - Realistic passage time and day/night cycles and Real-time weather
• Mother Base - it's up to Snake to rebuild it Mother Base into a customisable base of operations for Snake and his allies. From here, players will be able to use accumulated resources to craft and customise weapons and vehicles. Its appearance will alter according to the individual.
• Metal Gear Online - In MGO, players can compete in 6v6 or 8v8 team combat and pursue single, multiple, or alternate objectives.

Similar to: Metal Gear Series

Also worth noting:

• PC verison will be released 2 weeks later.
• Day One Edition - Metal Gear Solid V Phantom Pain Map lus additional digital content.
• Microtransactions will be present in the form of unlock shortcuts.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Mad Max delivers open world gameplay in a post-apocalyptic setting where cars are the key to survival. Gamers become Mad Max, a lone warrior who must fight to stay alive in The Wasteland, using vicious on-ground and vehicular combat against savage gangs of bandits. Following the theft of his iconic Interceptor, Max must align himself with a gifted, but peculiar, mechanic named Chumbucket and others to build the ultimate war vehicle as he works to escape from the dangerous Wasteland.

Features:

• Be Mad Max - Become the iconic post-apocalyptic warrior, crafting and upgrading Max's equipment and weapons to survive by combining melee combat, gunplay and tactical techniques. Gamers must make difficult decisions as they work towards the goal of escaping The Wasteland.
• Immersive Primal Wasteland - Explore the gritty, dynamic world while braving the treacherous landscapes, hostile weather patterns and deadly gangs of marauders.
• Trash is Treasure - Every scrap that's scavenged is important and can be utilised to upgrade and enhance equipment, weapons and vehicles. Gamers raid enemy encampments to gain access to valuable resources.
• Survive the Open-World Landscape - Staying alive isn't easy. Players clash with deadly factions and gangs through scores of dangerous side-missions and quests in the dynamic open-world full of exploration.
• Intense Vehicular Combat - Engage in dynamic inter-vehicular combat, taking down enemy vehicles with a range of powerful weapons. Car combat is entirely physics-based, so no two battles are ever the same.
• Build the Ultimate War Machine - Players design, customise and upgrade their ultimate combat vehicle - the Magnum Opus - choosing from different car bodies and a slew of upgrades including mounted weapons, armor and engines to survive another day.

Similar to: Just Cause, Combat(Batman Arkham series)

Also worth noting:

• Not directly tied storywise to the movies.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: A messenger's delivery adventure, through a papercraft world inside your TV.

Tearaway Unfolded for PlayStation4 is an expanded retelling of the BAFTA award-winning Tearaway. The adventure that was once held in your hands has been reimagined as a world inside your TV, with a bigger, more beautiful world to explore, and all new fourth-wall-busting ways to play.

Features:

• Unleash the power of the wind - Swipe the DUALSHOCK 4's touch page to send gestures of wind howling into the world, blowing obstacles out of the way, unfolding rippling bridges, or sending enemies tumbling off cliffs.
• Throw things out of the TV and into your living room - Catch objects your messenger throws to you as they fly out of the TV screen into your controller, before hurling them back into out of reach places to towards enemies with godlike force.
• Light the way for your papery pal - Shine the DUALSHOCK 4's light bar into the world to lighten up the dark and gloomy places, and help guide your companion along their way. You'll find the light also has some quite surprising effects too!
• Bounce your messenger - Press the touch pad button to squash these drum skins, then release to catapult your messenger up into the air.

Similar to: LittleBigPlanet, Puppeteer.

Also worth noting:

• 1080p, 60fps

Platforms: PlayStation 4

What is it?: The Mario experience of your dreams is about to get made... by you! Create and share your very own Mario levels using the Wii U GamePad controller, then play a near-infinite number of intensely creative levels from other makers around the world*! What was impossible in traditional Mario games is now impossibly fun, so let your imagination run wild!

Features:

• Create Mario levels by using the Wii U GamePad controller touch screen to add enemies, blocks, pipes and more
• Play a near-limitless number of Mario levels created by players around the world
• Upload and share your courses with players around the world
• Instantly playtest and edit your levels on the fly
• Switch between four classic themes, each with different art style and gameplay: Super Mario Bros., Super Mario Bros. 3, Super Mario World, and New Super Mario Bros. U.

Similar to: Super Mario, LittleBigPlanet

Also worth noting:

• Each retail copy of the game will come with a special booklet that offers fun ideas for designing courses.

Platforms: Wii U

What is it?: Collect and customize over 450 Forzavista cars in the most beautiful and comprehensive racing game of this generation. Compete in epic multiplayer races on world-famous tracks.

Features:

• As Real As It Gets - Breathtaking graphics at 1080p resolution and 60 frames per second. Wet weather, 3D puddles, and night racing test your driving skills. Cutting-edge ForzaTech engine powers the unrelenting action and state-of-the-art physics at simulation speed.
• Ultimate Car Fantasy - The most cars of any racing game this generation. More than 450 cars all immaculately recreated and customizable, and complete with working cockpits and full damage. Tour 26 world-famous locales including Daytona, Le Mans, and more.
• Never Race Alone - Home of the greatest racing, tuning and painting community in gaming. 2-player split-screen racing, 24-player races, and realistic Drivatar opponents deliver packed tracks and unrivaled action.
• By learning to drive like your friends, Drivatar technology and the Xbox Live cloud deliver real human behavior, giving you dynamic human-like opponents.

Similar to: Forza series, Gran Turismo

Also worth noting:

• Limited Edition Forza 6 Console available featuring 1TB storage, Matching blue console and controller, Racing-inspired design and sound effects.

Platforms: Xbox One

What is it?: Might & Magic Heroes VII makes a triumphant return bringing you the essence of turn based strategy gaming. Set in a fantasy universe with RPG progression with a strong story narrative, you will embark on a journey that you will never forget!

Features:

• Experience the "best-of" Heroes - Enjoy one of the most acclaimed turn based strategy franchises. Rediscover the authenticity of the classic Might & Magic Heroes, enhanced with modern graphics and game mechanics
• Master 6 Emblematic Factions - Take control of 6 unique factions, each with their own iconic creatures, charismatic heroes, and colourful environments. Draw upon their distinct strategic experiences to fight your way up to the throne!
• Explore a spellbinding world - Powered by the Unreal 3.0 engine, the world of Heroes VII has never been so detailed and immersive. Changing weather conditions and dynamic lighting effects with make the magic come alive.
• It ain't over 'til you say it's over! - Over 60 hours of game content in the massive solo campaign with virtually unlimited replayability in the Skirmish and Duel modes. The celebrated Hotseat local multiplayer is there, and the competitive LAN battles have made their comeback.
• Your voices were heard! - For the first time the power was handed over to the players! Players were encouraged to log in to the Shadow Council website to take part in the game development. 2 of the 6 factions were voted for by the fans and their favourite features were promoted through their interaction with the developers on the website. Heroes VII is the game experience the players want and deserve!

Similar to: Kings Bounty, Heroes Might & Magic

Also worth noting:

• Uses Uplay PC Client

Platforms: PC

• 10th - F1 2015 - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 15th - God of War III Remastered - PlayStation 4
• 16th - Godzilla: The Game - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
• 16th - Rory McIlroy PGA Tour - PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• 12th - Everybody's Gone to the Rapture - PlayStation 4
• 21st - Risen 3: Titan Lords Enhanced Edition - PlayStation 4
• 25th - Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One
• 27th - Dishonored: Definitive Edition - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 27th - Madden NFL 16 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 27th - One Piece: Pirate Warriors 3 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

• 15th - Mighty No. 9 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 17th - Pro Evolution Soccer 2016 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 24th - FIFA 16 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 28th - Lego Dimensions - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 29th - NBA 2K16 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• TBA - Adrift - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• TBA - Soma - PC, PlayStation 4

What is it?: Take up arms against an invading army in this remake of acclaimed RPG, Xenoblade Chronicles 3DS. Explore vast landscapes and beat down foes in battles that blend real time action with RPG strategy as you learn the truth behind the mythical sword, the Monado, that grants its chosen wielder the ability to see the future. Xenoblade Chronicles 3DS is available only on the New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL systems.

Features:

• Defeat enemies as the protagonist, Shulk, or five other characters on your adventure
• A blend of real-time combat and RPG strategy with the ability to customise the moves of your characters and chain combos.
• New and extensive control features thanks to the additional processing power and buttons on the New Nintendo 3DS systems.
• A new Model viewer to look over animated models of both enemies and allies.
• A new Jukebox feature to listen to the awesome riffs of the game's soundtrack.

Similar to: Xenoblade Chronicles, Final Fantasy XII

Platforms: New Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS XL systems

What is it?: Featuring a deep story mode that continues up to 25 years after the events of 2011's Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat X combines cinematic presentation with all new gameplay to deliver the most brutal combat experience in the series yet. For the first time ever, Mortal Kombat X gives players the ability to choose from multiple variations of the same character impacting both strategy and fighting style. And with a new fully-connected gameplay experience, players are launched into a persistent online contest where every fight matters in a global battle for supremacy.

Features:

• The return of classic characters such as Scorpion, Sub-Zero, Raiden and Kano, as well as new characters such as Cassie Cage, Kotal Kahn and Ferra-Tor.
• Three different versions of each playable character, all of which have their own fighting style, special moves, abilities and strategies.
• The return of brutal X-ray and finishing moves.

Similar to: Injustice: Gods Among Us, Mortal Kombat series

Also worth noting:

• Pre-ordering Mortal Kombat X will also allow players to play as Goro.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: The climactic third game in the fantasy RPG series, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt is a unique combination of a non-linear story and an open world -- a character-driven, non-linear story experience focused on player choice, tactical combat and a rich, living environment. This world is populated with intelligent inhabitants and animated by new mechanics that make it a dynamic, living, breathing place. As players travel the world, witnessing many a sunrise or sunset, enduring torrential rains or sweltering heat, they see predators hunting their prey, villages defending themselves against monsters, lovers meeting by moonlight.

Features:

• Play as a Highly Trained Monster Slayer for Hire: Trained from early childhood and mutated to gain superhuman skills, strength and reflexes, witchers are a distrusted counterbalance to the monster-infested world in which they live.
• Explore a Morally Indifferent Fantasy Open World: Built for endless adventure, the massive open world of The Witcher sets new standards in terms of size, depth and complexity.
• Chase Down the Child of Prophecy: Take on the most important contract to track down the child of prophecy, a key to save or destroy this world.
• Fully Realized Next Generation: Built exclusively for next generation hardware, the REDengine 3 renders the world of The Witcher visually nuanced and organic, a real true to life fantasy.

Similar to: Fable, Gothic

Also worth noting:

• 6 free DLC for everyone
• 36 different final gameworld states and three different playable epilogues
• A vast open world - 35 times larger than that in The Witcher 2 Multiple ecosystems and cultures that players can move between at will

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: Splatter enemies and claim your turf as ink-spraying, squid-like Inklings in Nintendo's ultimate mess-fest! Challenge players online in chaotic 4-on-4 turf wars and unleash squid powers to ink your way to victory. May the best mess win.
Leave no territory clean! In these all-out, online turf wars, you'll need ink blasters, ink rollers, ink bombs and squid-power on your side! Every splat of ink you spray gives you a chance to transform into a squid and hide, climb walls, or travel at super speed. Rank up in online battles to unlock new weapons and fresh gear for your Inkling, complete with unique gameplay perks! Or earn your stripes in single player mode - where an evil octopus army has kidnapped the electric catfish used to power the city of Inkopolis! This underground adventure has octopi to splatter, ink puzzles to solve, and bosses to beat. No time to blink, prepare to ink!

Features:

• Multi-Player - Team up in fierce 4 vs. 4 online* battles to cover arenas with as much ink as possible.
• Transformations - Transform into a squid for new powers and abilities! Travel at super speed by swimming in your ink, lurk in your ink to surprise foes or climb up walls to access hard-to-reach areas.
• Upgrades - Upgrade your Inkling's style and firepower at the shopping mall, where you can get weapons, headgear, clothes and shoes.
• Unlocking - Unlock special perks with each piece of gear.
• Super Weapons - Unleash powered-up super weapons that can be used to attack rivals or cover more turf.
• Battle - Infiltrate the headquarters of an evil octopus army and recover the stolen electric catfish in a single-player adventure filled with tricky contraptions.
• The Ink Roller - Leave no territory clean these online turf wars! You'll need ink blasters, ink rollers, ink bombs and squid-power on your side!
• Solo Splatter - take on the evil octopus army in single-player mode. Splatter octopi solve ink puzzles, and beat bosses
• Fresh style - Customize your Inkling with different weapons and gear, complete with unique gameplay perks.

Also worth noting:

• 1080/60fps

Platforms: Wii U

What is it?: The most authentic, beautiful, intense, and technically-advanced racing game on the planet.

Create a driver, pick from a variety of motorsports, and shift into high gear to chase a number of Historic Goals and enter the Hall Of Fame. Then test your skills online either in competitive fully-loaded race weekends, leaderboard-based time challenges, or continually-updated community events.

Featuring world-class graphics and handling, a ground-breaking dynamic time of day & weather system, and deep tuning & pit stop functionality, Project CARS leaves the competition behind in the dust.

Features:

• CARS - With a huge range of cars and motorsports on offer - everything from road cars, US muscle, and supercars, to GT, Le Mans Prototypes, open wheel, and even karts; whatever your passion, there's something perfect for you - with more being added regularly!
• Bond With ULTIMATE VARIETY - Race on over 60 unique tracks including closed circuits and point-to-point locations at any time of day and in ever-changing weather conditions.
• ONLINE - Create your own public and private race weekends including full practice, qualifying, and warmup sessions or browse and search all games currently being played across the globe to find the perfect game with others of your skill level and preference
• COMMUNITY - Challenge your friends and the worldwide community in asynchronous Time Trial challenges with full downloadable ghost leaderboards, or compete in a regularly-updated season of special community events for real-world prizes.

Similar to: Gran Turismo, iRacing, Forza

Also worth noting:

• Runs at 60fps on both consoles.
• Funding for the game was raised by the community and the developers themselves.
• PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were cancelled, Wii U version announced as coming.
• Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and Sony's PlayStation 4 virtual reality headset Project Morpheus will be supported

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?:

Features:

• UNLIMITED ADVENTURES, NO GAME SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED
• THE ELDER SCROLLS. ONLINE. - After 21 years of best-selling, award-winning fantasy role-playing games, the Elder Scrolls series goes online on consoles.
• PLAY THE WAY YOU LIKE - Battle, craft, fish, steal, siege, or explore. The choice is yours to make in a persistent Elder Scrolls world.
• A MULTIPLAYER RPG - Adventure alone, quest with friends, or join an army of hundreds in epic PVP battles.
• TELL YOUR OWN STORY - Discover the secrets of Tamriel as you quest to regain your lost soul and save the world from Oblivion.

Similar to: World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online.

Also worth noting:

• Monthly subscription to play the game has been removed, PC/MAC versions sub requirement was removed Mid-March.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: In the explosive finale to the Arkham series, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect. The Scarecrow returns to unite an impressive roster of super villains, including Penguin, Two-Face and Harley Quinn, to destroy The Dark Knight forever. Batman: Arkham Knight introduces Rocksteady's uniquely designed version of the Batmobile, which is drivable for the first time in the franchise. The addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the acclaimed gameplay of the Batman Arkham series, offers gamers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as they tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City. Be The Batman.

Features:

• "Be The Batman" - Players will become The World's Greatest Detective like never before with the introduction of the Batmobile and enhancements to signature features such as FreeFlow Combat, stealth, forensics and navigation.
• Introducing the Batmobile - The Batmobile is brought to life with a completely new and original design featuring a distinct visual appearance and a full range of on-board high-tech gadgetry. Designed to be fully drivable throughout the game world and capable of transformation from high speed pursuit mode to military grade battle mode, this legendary vehicle sits at the heart of the game's design and allows players to tear through the streets at incredible speeds in pursuit of Gotham City's most dangerous villains.
• The Epic Conclusion to Rocksteady's Arkham Trilogy - Batman: Arkham Knight brings all-out war to Gotham City. The hit-and-run skirmishes of Batman: Arkham Asylum, which escalated into the devastating conspiracy against the inmates in Batman: Arkham City, culminates in the ultimate showdown for the future of Gotham. At the mercy of Scarecrow, the fate of the city hangs in the balance as he is joined by the Arkham Knight, a completely new and original character in the Batman universe, as well as a huge roster of other infamous villains including Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Two-Face and the Riddler.
• Explore the entirety of Gotham City - For the first time, players have the opportunity to explore all of Gotham City in a completely open and free-roaming game world. More than five times that of Batman: Arkham City, Gotham City has been brought to life with the same level of intimate, hand-crafted attention to detail for which the Arkham games are known.
• New Combat and Gadget Features - Gamers have at their disposal more combat moves and high-tech gadgetry than ever before. The new 'gadgets while gliding' ability allows Batman to deploy gadgets such as batarangs, the grapnel gun or the line launcher mid-glide while Batman's utility belt is once again upgraded to include all new gadgets that expand his range of forensic investigation, stealth incursion and combat skills.

Similar to: Batman Arkham Series, Prototype

Also worth noting:

• Batman: Arkham Knight will be available on SteamOS, Linux and Mac later in 2015.
• Pre-Order to play as Harley Quinn

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• 2nd - Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 14th - Grand Theft Auto V - PC
• 22nd - Shovel Knight - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
• 29th - Tropico - PlayStation 4
• TBA - Mighty No. 9 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, Xbox On
• TBA - Galactic Civilizations III - PC

• 6th - Wolfenstein: The Old Blood - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 13th - Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster - PlayStation 4
• 19th - Ride - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 26th - Magicka 2 PC, PlayStation 4

• TBA - F1 2015 - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• TBA - Lego: Jurassic World - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• TBA - MotoGP 15 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• TBA - Payday 2: Crimewave Edition - PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: If you thought the remake looked good, wait until you see the HD version! This is the game that defined the survival-horror genre and launched a franchise that has sold over 61 million copies.

In 1998 a special forces team is sent to investigate some bizarre murders on the outskirts of Raccoon City. Upon arriving they are attacked by a pack of blood-thirsty dogs and are forced to take cover in a nearby mansion. But the scent of death hangs heavy in the air. Supplies are scarce as they struggle to stay alive.

Features:

• Improved Graphics - The environments come alive with detail thanks to resolution upgrades and non-static 3D models.
• Post-processing effects - like Bloom filters, which were not easy to do at the time of the original release, have been added to make the HD graphics even more realistic.
• High-Resolution Environments - We've increased the resolution of the background environments by recreating them with a mix of high-res static images, plus animated 3D models.
• Widescreen support - You can play in the original 4:3 screen ratio as well as 16:9 widescreen. CG cutscene movies also support the new widescreen ratio. In widescreen mode, the screen will scroll. The parts of the screen that get cut off on the top and bottom will scroll into view automatically depending on the character's position.
• High-Quality Sound - The audio has been remastered to increase the sampling rate, and of course 5.1ch output is also now supported.
• New Controls - You can play using the original control scheme or an alternate control scheme that lets you just push the analog stick to move in the direction you want to go.

Similar to: Resident Evil, Evil Within

Also worth noting:

• Digital Only, Only Asian territory releases will see a disc version.
• PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 will run at 720p

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: After the space faring antics of Saints Row IV, many fans asked what we could do next... the answer? Shoot The Devil in the face. Play as either Johnny Gat or Kinzie Kensington as you tear apart Hell in a quest to save the leader of the Saints' soul. Historical icons, old friends, older enemies, a talking gun, a full length musical number, and a whole lot of other shenanigans all await you in the open world standalone expansion playground that is Saints Row: Gat Out Of Hell.

Features:

• Play as Johnny Gat or Kinzie Kensington - For the first time ever, play as the fan favorites Johnny Gat and Kinzie Kensington, alone or in 2-player online co-op.
• An Open World from Hell - Wage war against the Prince of Darkness through-out the 5 unique districts of hell any way you want: rescue allies, pick a fight with nightmarish Arch-Dukes, rob Satan's soul processing plants… dozens of options await you in an all new city unlike any that's been seen in Saints Row before.
• New Supernatural Powers - The acclaimed super powers of Saints Row 4 are back with a hellish twist - Soar through the air on fallen angel's wings, summon devilish imps to attack your foes, and surround yourself in a divine aura that forces all to worship you.
• Outrageous Weapons - Put the 7 deadly sins to good use with an arsenal of underworld themed arms: fire exploding frogs at enemies, shoot swarms of locusts, and even deal destruction from afterlife's most comfortable (and lethal) armchair.
• Kill Dex - We promise you can do it this time. Pinky swear.

Similar to: Saints Row 3/4, Prototype, Infamous

Also worth noting:

• Will be released in a combo pack with Saints Row IV Re-elected on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
• Standalone does not require ownership of Saints Row IV
• The Boss will not be a playable character in this standalone exp pack, importing a Saints Row IV save will let you replace the default boss your custom one.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox On

What is it?: Dying Light is an action survival game presented in first-person perspective. The game is set in a vast and dangerous open world. During the day, you roam an urban environment devastated by a mysterious epidemic, scavenging for supplies and crafting weapons to help you defeat the hordes of mindless, flesh-hungry enemies the plague has created. At night, the hunter becomes the prey as the infected grow in strength and aggression - but even more lethal are the nocturnal, inhuman predators that leave their nests to feed. You will need to make use of all your skills and any available means to survive till dawn.

Features:

• Survive the Night - During the day, players roam free and scavenge for supplies and weapons. But at night, the world undergoes a deadly transformation: the hunter becomes the hunted as the infected grow more aggressive and numerous, and something far more sinister awakens to stalk its prey.
• Free Running Movement - Whether tracking prey or escaping predators, Dying Light lets players swiftly navigate the world by seamlessly leaping between buildings, grappling up walls and pouncing on unsuspecting enemies.
• Welcome to the Quarantine - Dying Light is set in a vast open world, delivering expansive and varied environments, a wide variety of enemy classes and a hopeless tale of survival where resources are scarce and the infected are not the only threat.
• Brutal Melee and Ranged Combat - get up-close using a variety of light and heavy weapons including knives, bats, axes, sledgehammers and more exotic weaponry or utilize guns and other firepower to take down enemies from a distance.
• Craft Your Weapon - Why use a wrench when you can use a wrench wrapped in electrified barb wire? Dying Light's sizeable crafting system enables players to create a slew of new, more potent weapons and equipment, as well as specialized ammunition.

Similar to: Dead Island, Mirrors Edge(Free Running)

Also worth noting:

• Pre-Order Exclusive mode BE THE ZOMBIE, Be the Zombie is a PvP game mode and offers players the ability to stalk other players as a night hunter - a lethal predator with unique and deadly skills.
• Dying Light: Day & Night Edition - Special edition is available
• PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions were cancelled.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

What is it?: In a savage world of man vs nature, are you the hunter or the hunted? The creators of Left 4 Dead, Turtle Rock Studios, bring you Evolve, the next-generation of multiplayer shooters where four hunters face-off against a single, player-controlled monster.

Stalk your prey, execute your attack and prove you are the apex predator in adrenaline-pumping 4V1 matches.

Features:

• 4V1 - Grab three friends and hunt the monster or stalk the humans as the evolving beast. Whichever side you choose, you will have access to powerful weapons and abilities that deliver balanced, competitive gameplay.
• Hunt Together or Die Alone - Choose a hunter that fits your play style. Whether you play as the Trapper, Support, Assault, or Medic, every role is vital and teamwork is key in surviving an encounter with the monster.
• Beast of Prey - As the monster - the lone predator - you are the boss battle. Use savage abilities and an animalistic sense to wreak havoc, kill the humans and prove you are the dominant species.
• Savage Planet - Neither flora nor fauna are friendly on planet Shear. Fall victim to natural hazards or use them strategically against your prey.
• Character Customisation - Level up to unlock new upgrades, skins and perks for your favorite class: hunter or monster. Earn your infamy on the leaderboards and become the apex predator.
• Game modes - Hunt, Nest, Rescue, Defend and Evacuation.

Similar to:

Also worth noting:

• Pre-order to receive the Behemoth Monster free when its released.
• 2K Games acquired the game after its original publisher THQ went under.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: The Order: 1886 is a deep, story-driven single-player experience that introduces players to a unique alternate history and a dark vision of a 19th century Victorian-Era London. It is the dawn of a new age, an age of scientific marvels, but underneath the dense London fog, in the shadows of the Industrial Revolution, enemies both old and new threaten to throw the city and the world into chaos. Watching over the city are humanity's only protectors, an elite band of Knights known as The Order, and the outcome of this struggle will determine the course of history forever.

In this alternate history, a dangerous foe known as Half-breeds emerged centuries ago. In response to this new threat, an elite order of Knights formed to protect humanity from this deadly threat. Strengthened by a mysterious liquid called Blackwater, the Knights of The Order are able to heal their wounds and extend their lifespans in order to engage this supernatural foe.

Features:

• Danger Around Every Corner - Assume the role of Galahad, and engage both Half-breed and rebel as one of the most experienced Knights of The Order. Armed with a deadly array of advanced weaponry, utilize the third-person view and expansive cover system to float in and out of cover as you hunt your enemies.
• The Right Tool for The Right Situation - Fire bolts of electricity to take out long-range targets with the Arc Gun, or rain down fire on enemies with the Thermite Rifle by dousing them in a cloud of flammable dust and igniting it with a superheated flare. The weapons of The Order: 1886 are all based on plausible science and technology.
• Ahead of Their Time - Every member of The Order wears a wireless device to communicate with each other and the airships that patrol the skies. A variety of gadgets aid them in the work, such as the monocular that allows the Knights to see across great distances, signal airships via Morse code and more.
• Filmic Vision - Immerse yourself in the gritty world of The Order: 1886 through the stunning, cinematic presentation made possible with realistic lighting and rendering techniques and a visual presentation that mimics the nuances and imperfections of actual motion picture cameras and lenses. The dirt on the camera lens, the dust in the air and the light passing through broken and boarded-up windows all make for a more realistic and believable presentation.
• Rich Storytelling - The cinematic experience is furthered by the deep, sophisticated narrative, featuring full performance capture for characters and scenes. Seamless transitions between action and story sequences work together to bring the rich narrative, rife with conspiracy, intrigue and betrayal to life.

Similar to: Uncharted

Also worth noting:

• The Order 1886 will be presented in a 2.40:1 ratio.
• Collector's Edition Available

Platforms: PlayStation 4

What is it?: The essential survival horror experience returns with the all-new Resident Evil Revelations 2. Terror follows you every step of the way as the startling truths hidden behind a veil of treachery and deceit are uncovered.

Claire and Moira are knocked unconscious and awaken later to find themselves in a dark and abandoned detention facility. Working together, they must find out who took them and to what sinister end. With the terrifying Afflicted enemies waiting around every dark corner, players will need to use their ammo and weapon supply wisely, in classic survival horror style. Will Claire and Moira make it out alive and discover what's led to them being taken to this remote island? Who else will they come across? A story of twists and turns will have players guessing the next step at every turn.

Features:

• Claire Redfield and Moira Burton star - Fan favourite Claire returns to the horrors that haunted her in the past alongside Moira Burton, daughter of Resident Evil legend Barry Burton.
• Evil is watching - Set in what appears to be an abandoned detention facility on a remote island the horror awaits players around every dark corner. Will there be a way to escape?
• A brand new type of enemy - Not as mindless as zombies, the scary design of the 'Afflicted' means they are able to move quickly and attack the player with basic weapons, making them a genuine threat to players' survival.
• Assistive co-op play - Players will need to switch between the two characters to overcome the nightmares in either single player mode with an AI partner or offline co-op mode for two players. Utilize Moira's torch to temporarily blind the enemy before Claire takes them out!

Similar to: Resident Evil: Revelations

Also worth noting:

• Barry Burton will also be a playable character as he looks for his daughter Moira
• The Complete Season pass gives players an extra 2 spin-off episodes and a bonus Raid character(Hunk).
• A complete boxed version will be released once all 4 episodes are released, including the above season pass bonuses will also include Albert Wesker for Raid Mode as well as 4 alt costumes and 4 Raid maps from previous Resident Evil Titles
• Episode 2 Release Date: March 4th
• Episode 3 Release Date: March 11th
• Episode 4 Release Date: March 18th
• Complete disc Release Date: March 20th

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Live out your cop and criminal fantasy in Battlefield™ Hardline. This action-packed blockbuster combines intense signature multiplayer moments of Battlefield with an emotionally charged story and setting reminiscent of a modern television crime drama.

In a visceral single-player campaign you'll play the role of Nick Mendoza, a young detective who embarks on a cross-country vendetta, seeking revenge against once trusted partners on the force.

In multiplayer you'll hunt criminals, raid vaults, and save hostages in new cop and criminal inspired modes like Heist and Rescue. Welcome to your new playground.

Features:

• Battlefield Multiplayer: Featuring the strategic team play, variety, and immersion of Battlefield, set in a gritty and glamorous world of cops and criminals.
• Visceral Singleplayer: From the award-winning studio that brought you Dead Space, Battlefield Hardline delivers an innovative and dramatic story presented in the style of a modern television crime drama.
• Downtown Destruction: Shoot out the inside of a subterranean grow-lab, blow open a gleaming bank vault, or blast apart a Los Angeles car dealership. The wide array of urban environments is modern, sexy, and highly destructible.
• Gadgets and Guns: Play with a full arsenal of military-grade weapons and fictionally inspired gadgets, such as sawed-off shotguns, stun guns, zip lines and grappling hooks. Gadgets can be used anywhere, on every map, making for chaotic and unpredictable combat.
• Vehicular Mayhem: Fly across the map to reinforce your crew, turn enemies into fresh road kill, or blow past cops on a loot-laden motorcycle. Vehicle gameplay in Battlefield Hardline is fast, fresh and intense.
• Modes: RESCUE(Maps 3), HOTWIRE(Maps 2), BLOOD MONEY(Maps 3), HEIST(Maps 3).
• Maps: GROWHOUSE, GATOR HUNT, HIGH TENSION

Similar to: Battlefield, RainbowSix

Also worth noting:

• Will use BattleLog
• Deluxe version includes the Versatility Battlepack, Precision Battlepack and Suppression Battlepack and 10 Gold Battlepacks.

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Final Fantasy Type-0 HD is a remaster of the Japanese PlayStation Portable blockbuster from 2011. Set in the world of Orience, the land is divided between four warring nations known as the “Crystal States" where each nation is blessed with a crystal that grants its people with unique powers. Here, players take control of a group of students from an elite military academy known as Class Zero whose country is attacked by an aggressive neighbouring Empire. In the brutal and harrowing struggle that follows, you must engage a range of powerful magical and combat abilities to defeat the Empire and uncover the secrets behind the war.

Features:

• High Definition Visuals.
• A total of fourteen playable characters, each with distinctive weapons, abilities, and combat styles.
• Real-time action-based battle system similar to Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII with the ability to control and swap between three characters.

Similar to: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Tales of series

Also worth noting:

• The Collector's Edition Includes the , Golden SteelBook, 200 Page Manga, Hardcover 80 Page Artbook. Composer's Selections Soundtrack, Ace's Cards and Final Fantasy Type-0 HD game.
• Pre-ordering Final Fantasy Type-0 will give exclusive access to the Final Fantasy XV Playable Demo while stocks last.

Platforms: PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: Slightly Mad Studios brings their most authentic, intense and technically advanced racing simulator yet in the form of Project Cars. Featuring world-class graphics and handling, a ground-breaking dynamic time of day & weather system, and deep tuning & pit stop functionality, Project Cars lets players race in huge range of cars and tracks both both alone and with friends online.

Features:

• A huge range of cars, motorsports and tracks to race with.
• A Career mode where you can create your own driver with the ultimate aim of being recognised in the Hall Of Fame.
• Create your own public and private race weekends including full practice, qualifying, and warmup sessions or browse and search all games currently being played across the globe.
• Challenge friends and the worldwide community in asynchronous Time Trial challenges, or compete in a regularly-updated season of special community events for real-world prizes.

Similar to: Forza Motorsport series, Gran Turismo series

Also worth noting:

• Project Cars also features Oculus Rift support for PC.
• The Wii U and SteamOS/Linux have been delayed till later on in 2015

Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

What is it?: Bloodborne is the latest Action-RPG from renowned Japanese developer FromSoftware, makers of the hit Dark Souls series, and coming exclusively to the PlayStation 4. Set in the gothic and ancient city of Yharnam, a strange endemic illness has spread through the streets like wildfire. Danger, death and madness lurk around every corner of this dark and horrific world, and like the unforgiving gameplay in the Souls series, you must use your wits, strategy and reflexes to survive the nightmarish creatures and unravel the city's darkest secrets.

Features:

• Join friends and survive together with up to three-player co-op.
• Fast-paced strategic combat against agile and intelligent enemies that guard the city’s dark secrets.
• Attack enemies with an arsnal of weapons, including a shotgun in one hand and a saw cleaver in the other that transforms as you fight.
• Use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast, procedurally-generated underground ruins, filled with traps, beasts, and rewards, to explore and conquer alone or with others.

Similar to: Demon's Souls, Dark Souls

Also worth noting:

• The Bloodborne: Nightmare Edition includes a Bloodborne PS4 Game, SteelBook case, Premium Art Book with exclusive concept art, Digital Soundtrack of the game, Bloodborne Gothic Notebook, Quill & Red Ink Set, "Top Hat" Messenger Skin and Bell Trinket.

Platforms: PlayStation 4

• 20th - Saints Row IV: Re-Elected - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 27th - Dynasty Warriors 8 Empires - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 27th - Grim Fandango: Remastered - PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
• 29th - Heroes of Might and Magic III: HD Edition - Android, iOS, PC

• 17th - Dead or Alive 5: Last Round - PC - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 17th - Total War: Attila - PC

• 17th - DmC: Definitive Edition - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 24th - Grand Theft Auto V - PC
• 31st - MLB 15: The Show - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

• TBA - Hearts of Iron IV - PC
• TBA - Helldivers - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

The Evil Within promised a return to traditional horror genre a genre that has been dwindling as of late outside of indie devs.
The Evil Within provides a welcomed entry for survival horror fans with sound, enemies and Environment designs will worthy of the Horror genre but graphical issues, poor story/characters give it a good but flawed feel and would be the reason it doesn’t feature any higher than 2nd Runner up.

Alien Isolation and Creative Assembly had an undesirable position in creating a new entry in the set in the Aliens universe a universe that has been tainted by past games promising but then failing to deliver the same feel as the movies.

Alien Isolation managed to pull it off not only creating a respectable entry into the survival horror genre but being able to capture the atmosphere and fear from the movies and make the game believable within in the Aliens universe. It manages to redeem and repair the damage done to the Aliens videogame name by Aliens: Colonel Marines.

Dark Souls II, brings the same formula that its predecessors (Darks Souls, Demon Souls) have used to gain a strong following amongst those looking for a game that offers death at every step.
Unsurprisingly it features in this list as Souls games have been well received by people looking for a game that challenges them and the series provides that and provides it in an attractive package.

Dark Souls joins 2 others in the 1st Runner up position with its well-known and now familiar formula perhaps being the reason it just misses out on the top spot.

Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes arrived to give fans a little taste of what to expect in the highly anticipated Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pains. While it’s only a little look into what the main entry into the series will provide it’s a promising taste giving players a large area and the freedom to tackle the mission however they like with the game providing many different approaches.

Metal Gear Solid: Ground Zeroes is well put together package albeit a small one which is probably what costs it top spot here but it shows that Metal Gear Solid: Phantom Pains will be fighting for the top spot the year it releases.

Dragon Age: Inquisition had its work cut out for it after Dragon Age 2 soured many fans on the series but Bioware has managed to bring those fans back and satisfy them with Dragon Age: Inquisition launching to many favourable reviews from critics and players alike.

Giving players plenty of distractions to keep them off the main story and successfully drawing players back into the Dragon Age universe it is no surprise Dragon Age: Inquisition has been voted GoodGame's GOTY 2014.

EB Expo 2014 has really exceeded all of my expectations, sure a couple of games I was looking forward to seeing or even trying appear to have been absent, but on the whole the event was simply an incredible experience. The organisation. The spirit & enthusiasm of those involved. The variety. And of course the games. Simply incredible!

Our attendance at the Expo was made possible due to EB simply being switched on when it comes to knowing how to promote & run a good show. I was really quite taken at numerous times during the event, coming across many who had been invited or given media access due to running gaming sites, gaming blogs or youtube channels. Some of them quite young kids running about with cameras, reporting & conducting interviews throughout the 2 days we were there. Not only is it smart of EB to do this as it will have & will continue to fill the internet with news of the Expo, but it's also excellent seeing EB essentially supporting these little freelancers (including us here at GGANZ) at a grass roots level.

Attending the event we had 2 days & 2 passes to attempt to experience all the big titles at the event, but also get amongst the side attractions & indie developers at the show. It sounds like a long time, but in reality there's simply so much on offer you really could stay for the entire 3 days & still miss a lot.

Games. Well this is what the entire event was for me, seeing & playing the latest games. So here's a list of what I was able to get amongst & my personal thoughts ...

Studio: Bethesda

Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 3

I rocked up to this booth wearing my Nuka Cola shirt & right away started chatting with one of the devs. Unfortunately all I could talk to him about was the Fallout series as my eyes just glazed over & I thought how much better it would be if I was about to start playing Fallout 4 lol.

Without mucking about this game is a must own for me. That simple.

I spent about 7 minutes playing Chapter 9 in a demo of the game. In that time I only managed 1 kill & died once. I also disarmed an explosive & solved a puzzle.

The game is a real game play mix between the early Resident Evil titles & Alan Wake, but with a real grit & terror of Silent Hill (one of the characters reminds me a ton of Pyramid Head). If you like any of those games then I really can't see you being disappointed with The Evil Within.

Developer: Creative Assembly

Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 3

It wasn't until Saturday that we were able to sit down & take a look at Isolation. I'm not sure if the guys were simply getting tired but their presentation simply didn't have the enthusiasm we'd experienced at other presentations.

We viewed a narrated play through from one level of the game, where you play Ripley's daughter who is seeking answers about her missing mother. The level we watched is located on a VERY authentically recreated space station that could easily have been in the original 'Alien' movie.

The game is a survival horror where you're continually under threat of detection from the Alien, but also from surviving crew members & synthetic humans who will react unpredictably to your presence (be it helpful or hostile). Pretty much everything revolves around stealth, but every situation appears to have many possible ways of getting through it. Be it hiding under a bed or inside of a cupboard (complete with holding your breath), or choosing to fire your weapon which will in turn attract the Alien (that can't be killed from best I could tell).

Unfortunately for me there was little beyond how authentic & true everything remained to the movie for me to get excited about, so Alien: Isolation doesn't appear on my list of gaming must haves.

Studio: DICE / EA

Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 3

I own many of the Battlefield games, but I'm admittedly not an avid fan of the series (I actually detest how the Medal of Honor series was butchered into a Battlefield clone), but I really didn't mind Battlefield 3 & had a lot of interest when I heard a little spin off from 4 was coming by the way of Hardline.

The Hardline booth had a great amount of effort & creativity placed into it, with part of getting to play the game was moving along a line to have a mug shot & be 'processed' as if you were going to prison.

After a bit of a wait, we were able to play one of the multiplayer game modes which was very similar to traditional 'Conquest', but involved capturing marked cars & driving them to burn up your oppositions tickets. The mode is a great twist on an old classic, having the objective points not only moving about the map but also capable of being destroyed, but I found the biggest issue was a lack of anything going on. I'm unsure how many people we had in our game, but we could've probably used twice as many as often when driving a captured car, or trying to hunt an enemy captured car, the map was simply too large & everyone too spread out for anything cohesive or deliberate to be happening.

As with the other BF titles, Hardline had great gun on gun play with perfect hit registration, but in this iteration driving is now very important but unfortunately the cars & their physics are borderline terrible, making driving them more a chore than pleasure.

The version I played was on the PlayStation 4 which ran perfectly smooth, but the detail in the environment, vehicles & weapons was quite lackluster & all appeared quite dated.

Studio: CI Games / Deck 13 Interactive

Platform: PC, Xbox One & PlayStation 4

This is Dark Souls for next gen, which was the very intent of the creators.

After playing a few different game titles it was becoming fairly clear that a lot of places weren't keen on things like 'new ideas' or 'creative thinking', more than 'that was great in that game so lets do the same' type of thinking. Lords of the Fallen is one of these, but since I love Dark Souls I found myself playing this game for ages & more than once.

The detail in this game is absolutely brilliant. Everything is sharp, clear & beautifully created to present the player with hideous beasts & an overwhelming sense of 'I can't possibly beat this guy but one more try can't hurt', which is what I found myself doing during the demo ... when whatever Windows PC I was playing the game on didn't crash & burn (2 different boxes died for me just for the record).

There were 3, maybe 4 systems setup for people to try Lords of the Fallen, people would go over, play for a couple of minutes & simply give up. The game is that challenging & unforgiving. Even after many many tries at different times on both days I still didn't end up beating the boss (he had maybe 5% of his health bar when the last PC died on me). Since it was so unforgiving people just weren't playing it. At most points during the Expo all 3 systems were just sitting there unused (one had over-scan set wrong & you couldn't see anything, another was frozen due to Windows update or something & another had no sound). It was a massive shame as the game, once you figure it out a bit, is extremely good.

As per Dark Souls if you die you lose more than just your temper, but also your experience points. As per Dark Souls patience, timing & relentlessly dying & trying again are the keys to winning. But most importantly the game's mechanics are pretty much identical to Dark Souls with rolling, attacking & spell use being pretty much a carbon copy. What differs though is the ability to change classes complete with weapon load outs at any point. I'm not sure how this was working entirely, but I could flick between a mage type class & warrior type class as often as I liked & there were 4 to pick from. It may be that you have classes premade as per Call Of Duty etc that you can call up, or that you can level up 4 classes independently. I really don't know but I'm keen to find out when I own the game (or if you can't wait hit up Google).

Studio: Slighty Mad Studios

Platform: PC, Xbox One, PlayStation 4 & Wii U

There was a ton of racing games at the Expo, but Project Cars was truly in a league of its own.

Sitting out on the floor with no fancy booth, just 4 screens hanging on the wall hooked to hidden super PCs, it wouldn't have been hard to walk past Project Cars & simply miss out on easily the best racing game at the Expo. We played only using an Xbox 360 controller but the physics simply felt right. Time & time again we see a game promise that it'll be a true racing sim, only to find it's sold out to the arcade racing crowd & totally compromised its realism in the process.

The handling of the cars in this game is amazing & we found ourselves playing time & time again, in fact it was the most played game for us in our time at the Expo. Visually the game is incredible also. Sure there were some issues as the cars became damaged but it was still only a demo, but as far as detail on the track & cars, weather effects, lighting & the incredible engine sounds you'll struggle to find anything else that simply pulls it altogether with the right physics to give an authentic racing experience as Project Cars did for us.

For me, the best way to sum up this game is the handling & physics of Gran Turismo, with the grit, damage & effects of Shift 2. Project Cars really should be a winner (please let it be the racing game we need !!!) & GGANZ may even be receiving a media copy or 2 so lets cross our fingers & toes for that !

Studio: CD Projekt RED

Platform: PC, Xbox One & PlayStation 4

The one liner for this game; best looking & probably best game at the Expo !

We had a presentation from CD Projekt RED & we really could see the genuine love & enthusiasm they have for this game.

Everyone in the room sat, listened & watched attentively as they played through a Griffin hunt, a side quest & a ride through on horseback of a township that was absolutely gorgeous. I can't be sure, but I'm fairly positive the screen we were viewing was about 55" and 4K resolution & the game made use of every pixel to its full potential.

To say this game looked sensational or amazing would be an understatement. The world is enormous but everything is heavily detailed, not only visually but apparently every character in the world has a unique script or storyline, so it's not simply big to be big, it's big as it needs to be.

The game is also extremely gory as well, which really makes battles & cut scenes that much better & near on that of watching a movie over playing a game. In fact, I could happily watch someone else play this game for a couple of hours it is that beautiful & the story & characters that engaging.

Yet another must own title.

Studio: Ready at Dawn

Platform: PlayStation 4

Sitting down having lunch at the Expo I was watching some game footage on a big screen, no idea what game it was, only that it looked incredible. That game was The Order 1886. While finishing our meal we located the booth on the map & made our way over to the line of people waiting to play.

After a short wait (thanks to being allowed to use the Express Gamer lane), we found ourselves playing a 5 or so minute demo of the game, all presented in a really great looking Victorian era meeting hall or dining room (except it had 8 Sony big screen televisions coupled to PlayStation 4 consoles).

Throughout the Expo we'd played games on very big screens at very close distances &; one thing I noticed was how bad many games/screens looked when played so near. The Sony screens used for The Order 1886 though had no sign of any dot pitch or any detectable blocky-ness. I'd love to know what model they were as I'm due for a new screen & would jump at one of these.

The Order 1886 presents itself as being in a similar state to games such as Bioshock, where an alternative reality exists with old world technology coming together with more modern equipment leading to a very intriguing & interesting setting.

Playing as someone who would look at home on Captain James Cook's ship, but carrying a machine gun that looks like a WWI Lewis machine gun, our demo took us past a distillery (which we destroyed) & through an area of hostiles all trying to kill us.

The detail in the characters is in the league of Last Of Us & everything is beautifully created & detailed. The game itself is great fun, but still essentially a shooting game set on rails, where you move from place to place killing everyone.

The Order 1886 is not a must own in my eyes, but it'd still be a great pick up if you're after a really good looking & polished action game.

Studio: Ubisoft

Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 3

Far Cry has become one of my most played titles, with Blood Dragon being my last & probably favorite of the series. Far Cry 4 will most definitely find it's way into my games library, more so now after having played & enjoyed it at the Expo.

The area I played was at an enemy held outpost, which was fully walled off & had large closed doors. I was able to ram the doors open while riding on an elephant no less, which made for quite a dramatic if not practical way to storm an enemy stronghold. I replayed it several times, quite liking the movement & gun play, which for better or worse is now strongly mirroring that of the Call of Duty franchise (as most FPS games are these days). The A.I. of the enemies was a little so-so, they were definitely stronger than I'd experienced in past iterations of the game, but they still stood out in the middle of nowhere with guns blazing, not using any particular strategy.

As you would expect the game is far more detailed & glamorous than previous versions, but playing on a PlayStation 4 console meant incredibly long load times between deaths etc (it was a demo so this may not be the case in the final product).

Yet another title I'm looking forward to, but with so many games coming out in the last quarter of this year I'm thinking I'll pick this up early next year.

Studio: Techland

Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 3

Yet another zombie game & yet another zombie game I've been looking forward to

Dying Light brings the promise of being a big budget, open world zombie survival horror game, which is probably having most zombie game fans drooling, but in playing I found it to be a little mediocre. Sure the graphics are great, sure the mechanics in bludgeoning zombies to death are great & sure it's great to be able to & need to avoid many mobs of zombies by using roof tops & mantling over pretty much anything you can find. But I just felt it lacking in a single player type way, it just needed something else which the demo didn't provide.

Thing is though I found Dead Island to be pretty mediocre when playing on my own as well, but it was when in a game with friends that the game truly blossomed & I'm sure the same will be true of Dying Light.

I'm on the wait & see list as far as Dying Light is concerned right now. I'll be waiting to see the final reviews & also who on my friends list is hammering it before making any commitment to buy.

Studio: Sledghammer

Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4 & PlayStation 3

Argh, Call Of Duty, for me it's like a really really hot, but really psycho ex-girlfriend that comes to visit each year. I can't look away, I know I shouldn't play, but I just end up giving in & fighting with it.

The best way for me to describe Advanced Warfare is to take Modern Warfare 2 & somehow meld it with Titanfall ... not exactly something that many will find positive in anyway, sounds awful actually.

I stood & played Advanced Warfare on the Xbox One & visually the graphics are so so similar to Modern Warfare 2 it's not funny. Sure it's a 'little' cleaner & nicer, but hardly any, which is a real shame given we're talking a next-gen title being compared to a vintage one. One of the positives with it looking like Modern Warfare 2 though is that the maps are back to being a bit nicer & a bit cleaner than we've experienced in more recent years (mind you I only played on 2 maps so there may be some messy ones about).

I only played 2 games modes, Team Death Match (I haven't played in almost a year so only managed 19-6) & a new game mode (I think it was called 'Uplink') that's very eSports geared, where teams need to pick up a ball of sorts & move it to the objective.

New gadgets, along with double jumps etc are present, I didn't get a great deal of time with the game & customising classes but there also appeared to be an auto aim gun or sight (sounds terrible doesn't it) that pretty much aims for you. I guess it's in keeping with the easy of playability Call Of Duty is renowned for.

Not sure how to recommend the game, if you're a fan of the franchise you could really either hate this version or love it. If you're a fan of Titanfall & Call Of Duty you will likely love it. Personally, it really just wasn't for me even with dominating the games we played after having not played a CoD or a console in almost a year.

I played & watched a ton of other titles while at the Expo, these included Halo, Forza Horizon 2, Middle Earth: Shadow Of Mordor, Lego Lord Of The Rings, Evolve, Dead Island 2, Mortal Kombat X along with a ton of games already mainstream like League of Legends & Skylanders.

I haven't included them in the above summary, either because I don't have any strong feelings about them or simply because I'm not into those games enough to give any type of opinion or impression on them, but if you've got any questions about them please post up & I'll do my best to let you know.

EB Expo wasn't just huge because of the slew of games on offer. In addition to the games there were a ton of other novelties & attractions.

The Evil Within game demo was accompanied by a Warner Bros 'Teaser' Maze, a 90 second sneak peak of their upcoming maze that will feature in full at Warner Bros Movie World & it was absolutely excellent. All I can say is that the guy in front of me heading in was behind me by the time we'd worked our way to the end lol.

There was a ton of driving games at the Expo, but Driveclub at the PlayStation booth certainly had the best display. A Lamborghini was accompanied by a Mercedes, along with 2 very attractive young ladies. The setup was really popular, with gamers lining up for photos throughout the event.

Turtle Beach had a great little competition going, a racing simulator setup with Forza 3. We came across it at the start of Friday before the doors had opened. Pantera & I both chucked a lap in just for the fun of it & they recorded our times. At about 4pm that day we returned & my time wasn't anywhere on the list, when I asked where it was they said I hadn't returned to collect my prize of a $350 Turtle Beach headset at 3pm so the person in second place (way behind me) received them by default lol. When we raced we had no idea it was a contest etc, so we chucked up even better times (Pantera shaved another several seconds off) & we sat at the top of the leader board again. I checked with 30 minutes remaining & Pantera was still the leader by several seconds, but between then & the close of the session someone knocked him off by a hundredth of a second & that was that. Great fun though.

League of Legends had a tournament running throughout over by the food court. Not knowing much about the game I could only watch on as teams competed on a giant screen.

The Army had a recruiting stand complete with weapons, an armed 4WD and an APC, along with another stand for Battlefield 4 with an APC which had the consoles setup inside of it for gamers (who donned military helmets before entering & playing).

Robot Wars had matches several times a day & they were fantastic. The large robots weighed in at a cool 100kgs and were complete with CO2 powered titanium axes or systems designed to flip their opponents. They were literally ripping up the concrete as they clashed & during one of the rounds the reigning champion (Ripper) took some pretty hefty damage, they weren't holding back at all !

Of all the sideshows we experienced, my favorite was The Dark Room with John Robertson. It's an old school almost text based game brought to life as he essentially plays the role of the game, providing the audience options as to what to do next. John Robertson was incredibly witty, having completed over 200 shows & no matter what smart comment was made he had several lined up to sling back. It truly was hilarious.

All in all 2014 EB Expo was a 10 out of 10 for me. Full credit to EB Games for putting on such a great event right here in Australia. This little wrap up hasn't covered even a drop in the ocean on what was available to experience at the show. There were indie games & developers by the bakers dozen, a full racing sim setup, Tiltron-2000, where the cockpit pitched & rolled as you raced (I was one of the only people to experience it as it had broken down & I was chatting to the creators at length while they fought to repair it) & PC hardware & peripherals from Logitech, Thermaltake & Razer that I haven't even mentioned above.

Here's to next year's event & here's to hoping GGANZ may have the privilege of attending again.

What is it?: Follow up to the Xbox 360 open world racer Forza Horizon. Race through a wide-open world featuring dramatic weather and day to night cycles while being able to Instantly connect with friends in the ultimate celebration of speed, style, and action-packed driving. Forza Horizon 2 takes you out of America and off to southern Europe, focusing on southern France and northern Italy Locales.

Features:

• Single-Player, Online Multiplayer
• Instantly Connect with Friends - Only on Xbox One.
• Action-Packed Driving - Take risks and earn rewards for showing off your driving skills and style.
• Your Ultimate Car Fantasy - Drive more than 200 of the world's greatest cars.
• Explore a Massive, Living Open World - A world of beauty and freedom awaits. Approximately three times more drivable area than that for the original Forza Horizon.

Similar to: Forza Horizon, Test Drive Unlimited

Also worth noting:

• Day One Edition of Forza Horizon 2 Includes a download code for three unique cars featuring an exclusive Day One livery and tuning package from Turn 10.
• Tier-based rewards system to give you more items. Experience you have earnt playing past Forza games, from the miles you've driven to the DLCs you own, will be counted towards the tiers to unlock cars from the beginning for free.

Availability: Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: Set in 2137, 15 years after the events of Alien and 42 years prior to Aliens. Ripley's daughter, Amanda enters a desperate battle for survival, on a mission to unravel the truth behind her mother's disappearance.
As Amanda, you will navigate through an increasingly volatile world as you find yourself confronted on all sides by a panicked, desperate population and an unpredictable, ruthless Alien.

Features:

• Single-Player
• Overcome an ever-present deadly threat - Experience persistent fear as a truly dynamic and reactive Alien uses its senses to hunt you down and respond to your every move.
• Improvise to survive - Hack systems, scavenge for vital resources and craft items to deal with each situation. Will you evade your enemies, distract them or face them head on?
• Explore a world of mystery and betrayal - Immerse yourself in the detailed setting of Sevastopol, a decommissioned trading station on the fringes of space. Encounter a rich cast of inhabitants in a world scarred by fear and mistrust.
• Survivor Mode - is you versus the creature, against the clock and in a desperate bid for survival. With few resources on each map, players will have to take full advantage of what they can find to complete objectives and escape.

Similar to: Outlast, Amnesia

Also worth noting:

• Alien: Isolation Nostromo Edition/ Alien: Isolation Ripley Edition - Includes Crew Expendable: This bonus content sees the original crew reunited aboard the Nostromo. Brett and Kane are dead; alongside Ash and Lambert, it is now down to you as Dallas, Parker or Ellen Ripley to find a way to isolate the alien and overcome the torror that confronts them.
• Season Pass: will give you access to all five Survivor Mode add-on packs

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: A 3rd Person action RPG set in the Lord of the Rings Universe. You are Talion, a Ranger of the Black Gate, keeping watch over Mordor which has remained undisturbed for ages. In the blink of an eye, everything is taken from you - your friends, your family, and even your own life. Resurrected by a vengeful spirit, you must now embark on a relentless vendetta against those who have wronged you.

Features:

• Single-Player
• Explore an Open-world at Your Leisure
• Varied Combat, Not for the Faint of Heart - The combat system in Shadow of Mordor empowers you with choice. Talion has a number of different attacks, born from both his skills as a Ranger and also his connection to the wraith.
• Employ Stealth and Magic - Although the combat system in Shadow of Mordor has plenty to offer, you can leverage Talion’s stealthy abilities to eliminate watchful archers, straggling sentries, or unguarded captains.
• Defy Death, Wield Great Power - Even when Talion is "defeated" by an enemy, he is simply resurrected at the nearest tower of the wraith, even stronger than before.
• A Unique Army Stands Against You - The captains of Sauron's army will differ from player to player, their strengths and weaknesses evolving dynamically as the enemy ranks shift.

Similar to: Batman Arkham series(Combat), Assassin's Creed

Also worth noting:

• The game takes place between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings, but the story is separate to The Lord of the Rings canon.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: DRIVECLUB brings to life the heart and soul of car culture. An incredible, authentic and immersive driving experience, DRIVECLUB makes you feel the exhilaration of driving the most powerful and beautifully designed cars in the world, all rendered in staggering detail, inside and out. Race them in richly detailed real-world locations, alongside your teammates.

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer
• Join A Club: Get more by playing within a Club. Gain access to more races, special challenges and events by joining a Clu
• DRIVECLUB LIVE: There's always something new to do and big rewards to play for. Take on individual challenges where you can go at it alone and earn prizes for yourself, race in special events with Clubs around the world, or enter weekly tournaments to see who the ultimate driver behind the wheel is.
• Immersive Driving Experience: Every detail of high-speed racing has been painstakingly recreated to give you an authentic and thrilling first person driving experience.
• The World's Coolest Cars: Hand-picked for their power and beauty, each car in DRIVECLUB is a pure pleasure to drive, recreated with an insane level of detail and accuracy both inside and out.

Similar to: Project Gotham Racing

Also worth noting:

• PS+ Users get a free slimmed down version PS+ Edition. 10 Cars(2 From each Class) And 5 tracks from the India Location. PS+ Users also get a discount on the full game bringing it down to $AU56.95.
• Season Pass will add 38 cars, 176 Tours, and 80 Liveries with 11 new tracks and 9 new cars being free. (Free DLC Not available to PS+ edition free users)

Availability: PlayStation 4

What is it?: A third-person survival horror were scavenging for supplies and learning when to fight or run are key factors in surviving. While investigating the scene of a gruesome mass murder, Detective Sebastian Castellanos and his partners encounter a mysterious and powerful force. After seeing the slaughter of fellow officers, Sebastian is ambushed and knocked unconscious. When he awakens, he finds himself in a deranged world where hideous creatures wander among the dead.

Features:

• Single-Player
• Pure Survival Horror Returns - Shinji Mikami, the father of survival horror is back to direct a chilling new game wrapped in haunting narrative. Tension and anxiety heighten dramatically as you explore the game’s tortured world.
• Brutal Traps and Twisted Creatures - Face unthinkable horrors and cruel traps as you struggle to survive against overwhelming odds. Turn evil against itself by using the same diabolical devices against overwhelming deadly creatures.
• Unknown Threats in an Uncertain World - Mysterious and wicked fears loom ahead in a world that warps and twists around you. Corridors, walls, doors, and entire buildings change in real-time, ensnaring players in a reality where threats can appear at any time and from any direction.
• The New Face of Horror - Highly-crafted environments, horrifying anxiety, and an intricate story weave together to create an immersive world that will bring players to the height of tension.

Similar to: Resident Evil

Also worth noting:

• Developed by Shinji Mikami -- creator of the seminal Resident Evil series

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Taking place on the Moon after the events of the original Borderlands game, Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! explores the story behind the infamous Handsome Jack and his rise to villainy and power in Borderlands 2. While providing more of RPG and shoot 'n' loot action fans have come to love about Borderlands, The Pre-Sequel! also features four new characters classes from the series to tackle the story and introduces new elemental effects and gameplay unique to the Moon setting.

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer
• Athena the Gladiator, Nisha the Lawbringer, Wilhelm the Enforcer and Claptrap the Fragtrap as playable characters.
• Low gravity physics, oxygen tanks and new vehicles for your journey across the Moon's surface.
• New laser weapon class and Cryo elemental effect, where Cryo acts as a damage multiplier like the Slag in Borderlands 2.
• Up to four Stingray vehicles can be used at the same time in the game (individual vehicles for travelling).

Similar to: Borderlands 2

Also worth noting:

• Players can pre-order Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! to receive the bonus "Shock Drop Slaughter Pit" downloadable content.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

What is it?: A third-person hack and slash and climactic sequel to the critically acclaimed BAYONETTA action game, players will be on the edge of their seats from start to finish. Brimming with epic, gorgeous cut scenes and battles that are more exhilarating than ever, this game never lets up on the action.

Features:

• Single-Player
• New weapons and abilities - Armed with new weapons and abilities, Bayonetta has her enemies baffled by her new moves and torture attacks. In exchange for magic points, she can unleash a new ability called Umbra Climax to summon demonic monsters and deliver mighty attacks repeatedly.
• Choose between Normal and Touch play styles
• The Normal Mode represents the technical control scheme unique to BAYONETTA, an acclaimed control scheme that fans of the previous game love and all action game fans will enjoy.
• The Touch Mode, on the other hand, offers a more convenient play style for those unfamiliar with action games or simply looking for a new spin on action. Players can use the Wii U GamePad controller’s touch screen controls to easily manipulate Bayonetta as she moves, attacks and evades enemie
• Bayonetta’s longtime friend and fellow Umbra Witch, Jeanne, appears in the game (as a non-playable character) to assist Bayonetta in performing combination attacks and in doling out intense punishment against enemies.
• Take the action off the big screen and enjoy off-TV play using the Wii U GamePad controller.

Similar to: Bayonetta, Devil May Cry

Also worth noting:

• Bayonetta 2 comes with a copy of the original Bayonetta

Availability: Wii U

What is it?: Sunset Overdrive is an always changing, open-world shooter set in the not-so-distant future. A catastrophic event has left your city overrun by mutants after consuming copious amounts of a newly launched energy drink from the FizzCo Corporation. While the majority perish or transform, you flourish. As an employee of FizzCo, it turns out your calling isn't picking up trash or serving food; it's mutant destruction. With an arsenal of kick-ass, overpowered weapons and a knack for traversing the city with hyper agility, it's not the end of days for you. Your story is just beginning

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer(8 player co-op)
• Extremely colourful and vibrant environments.
• Carry up to eight weapons at once.
• Huge focus on vaulting, wall-running and using zip-lines and grind rails to traverse the environment while using a deadly & unconventional arsenal.

Similar to: inFAMOUS: Second Son, Just Cause 2

Also worth noting:

• Players can pre-order Sunset Overdrive to receive the Day One Edition of the game, which includes bonus digital content.

Availability: Xbox One

What is it?: Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare is the next instalment of the blockbuster Call-of Duty franchise and is developed in full by Activision's third dedicated Call of Duty development team, Sledgehammer Games. Set in the future where a terrorist organisation has effectively devastated the military and government infrastructure of many countries all over the world, Private Military Corporations (PMCs) have become the dominant armed forces for countless nations outsourcing their military needs, redrawing borders and rewriting the rules of war. As former U.S. Marine, Jack Mitchell, you have joined one such powerful PMC known as the Atlas Corporation to fight for the highest bidders across the world and change the global balance of power.

Features:

• Powerful exoskeletons that deliver enhanced player movement, including covert cloaking abilities and the ability to perform double jumps.
• Interactive Environments for Multiplayer Maps.
• Interactive Environments for Multiplayer Maps. All information is relayed to the player via holographic projections from the weapon equipped rather than the traditional heads-up display from other instalments in the franchise.
• Multi-award winning actor, Kevin Spacey lends his voice and talents in the Single Player campaign as Atlas Corporation's founder and CEO, Jonathan Irons.

Similar to: Call of Duty series, Counterstrike

Also worth noting:

• Players can pre-order Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare digitally or on disc to receive access to the Advanced Arsenal, Day Zero early access 24 hours before the official launch date and other digital bonuses.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Microsoft's best known and biggest game series, for the first time ever, Master Chief's entire story is on one console. Featuring a re-mastered Halo 2: Anniversary, along with Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary, Halo 3, and Halo 4, new digital series, Halo: Nightfall.

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer
• The Complete Master Chief Story - Honoring the iconic hero and his epic journey, a total of 45 campaign missions plus more than 100 multiplayer (including the original Halo Combat Evolved maps) and Spartan Ops maps. Along with new prologue and epilogue cut scenes foreshadowing Halo 5: Guardians, this is the collection Halo fans have been waiting for, all on Xbox One.
• Halo 2: Anniversary - Celebrating the 10 year Anniversary, the iconic fan favorite returns. Featuring a fully re-mastered campaign with "Classic Mode" allowing you to instantly switch between the re-mastered game and the original game from 2004.
• Master Menu - Seamlessly navigate The Master Chief's story using the all-new Master Menu. Play all four completely unlocked campaigns, beginning to end, or jump around as you choose.
• New Halo: Nightfall Live Action Digital Series - A strange and treacherous world exposes elite UNSC operatives to a much deeper danger in this live action series from 343 Industries and Scott Free Productions. Executive-produced by Ridley Scott and Scott Free TV President, David Zucker and directed by Sergio Mimica-Gezzan ("Battlestar Galactica" "Pillars of the Earth," "Heroes"), Halo: Nightfall is an exciting new story for Halo fans and fresh audiences alike.

Similar to: Halo

Also worth noting:

• Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta - Be among the first to experience a new generation of Halo multiplayer in the Halo 5: Guardians Beta.
• Halo: Nightfall: 5 episode live action series is streaming only, with episodes releasing on a weekly basis.
• Unlock exclusive content: Gear up for the Guardians beta by unlocking exclusive content in The Master Chief Collection and Halo: Nightfall. These exclusive items will carry over into Halo 5: Guardians.

Availability: Xbox One

What is it?: The next-gen evolution of the Assassin's Creed series takes it to Paris, 1789. The French Revolution turns a once-magnificent city into a place of terror and chaos. As the nation tears itself apart, the player takes a young man named Arno upon an extraordinary journey to expose the true powers behind the Revolution.

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer(co-op)
• UNITE WITH YOUR FRIENDS- Invite your friends to join your Brotherhood, and for the first time, play seamless 2-4 player co-op in Assassin's Creed Unity. A master assassin knows when to call in re-enforcements, and Assassin's Creed Unity's co-op missions allow you to fight alongside other players in challenging and dynamic scenarios. These co-op missions, which exist alongside the single-player story, have been crafted specifically for assassins to work in tandem as they take down targets throughout the city.
• EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED- In Assassin's Creed Unity, we've created a brand new Parkour system that gives you a wider and more precise range of movement as you dash through and vault over the dense landscape of Paris.
• DISAPPEAR ANYWHERE- Stealth is the most important skill in the assassin's repertoire. There are now limitless opportunities to stalk your enemies, strike them down from the shadows, and disappear into the crowds of Paris.
• COMBAT: THE ART OF THE KILL- We reinvented Combat in Assassin's Creed Unity to be more artful, challenging, and varied than ever before. No two battles are alike, but if you master your technique, they all end the same way - with your opponents at your feet.

Similar to: Assassin's Creed Series

Availability: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

What is it?: Hidden deep in the towering mountains Himalayas lies Kyrat; a breathtaking, perilous and wild region struggling under the regime of a despotic, self-appointed king known as Pagan Min. In this exotic, open world landscape of Far Cry 4, players take on the role of Ajay Ghale who is returning to his home country to scatter the remains of his mother's ashes and fulfil her final wish. Little does he know that he will soon become heavily involved in a long-standing rebellion founded by his family against Pagan Min, but by making tough decisions and learning to use a vast array of weapons, vehicles, and animals, Ajay can steer the rebellion towards the liberation of Kyrat, one way or another.

Features:

• Drop in/drop out for two-player co-operative play in the open world sections of the game (not during story mode).
• A living and breathing world filled with an abundance of wildlife - from the lush forests and snowcapped Himalayas to deadly leopards, rhinos and vicious honey badgers.
• New ways to travel - from flying up high with your gyrocopter, to gliding through the vertical terrain with a wing suit and riding six-foot elephants across the land.

Similar to: Far Cry 3, Assasssin's Creed

Also worth noting:

• Players can pre-order Far Cry 4 to receive a free upgrade to the Limited Edition of the game, which includes bonus digital content.
• The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 versions of Far Cry 4 will include 10 digital Keys to Kyrat, whereby players can use the keys to invite a friend to join their game for a limited time co-operative play in the open world (not story missions); even if the friend does not actually own a copy of Far Cry 4 themselves.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: A cataclysmic event plunges the land of Thedas into turmoil. Dragons darken the sky, casting a shadow of terror over a once-peaceful kingdom. Mages break into all-out war against the oppressive Templars. Nations rise against one another. It falls to you and your allies to restore order as you lead the Inquisition and hunt down the agents of chaos.
BioWare's latest action-adventure delivers an unparalleled story set in a vast, changeable landscape. Explore hidden caves, defeat truly monumental creatures, and shape the world around you based on your unique play style.

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer(co-op)
• Become The Inquisitor - Wield the power of the Inquisition over the course of an epic character-driven story, and lead a perilous journey of discovery through the Dragon Age.
• Bond With Legends - A cast of unique and memorable characters will develop dynamic relationships both with you and with each other.
• Discover the Dragon Age - Freely explore a diverse, visually stunning, and immersive living world.
• Change the World - Your actions and choices will shape a multitude of story outcomes along with the tangible, physical aspects of the world itself.
• Play Your Way - Completely control the appearance and abilities of your Inquisitor, party of followers, outposts, and strongholds. Decide the makeup of your Inquisition forces and your own style of combat.

Similar to: Mass Effect 3(Co-op Multiplayer), Dragon Age Origins

Also worth noting:

• The DragonAgeKeep website will allow you to transfer some of your choices from the previous games in the series across into Inquistion.
• Tactical view is available to all 5 platforms

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Project Cars is a new simulation racing game from Slightly Mad Studios. Create a driver, pick from a variety of motorsports, and shift into high gear to chase a number of Historic Goals and enter the Hall Of Fame.

Features:

• Single-Player, Multiplayer
• CARS - With a huge range of cars and motorsports on offer - everything from road cars, US muscle, and supercars, to GT, Le Mans Prototypes, open wheel, and even karts; whatever your passion, there's something perfect for you - with more being added regularly!
• Bond With ULTIMATE VARIETY - Race on over 60 unique tracks including closed circuits and point-to-point locations at any time of day and in ever-changing weather conditions.
• ONLINE - Create your own public and private race weekends including full practice, qualifying, and warmup sessions or browse and search all games currently being played across the globe to find the perfect game with others of your skill level and preference

Similar to: Gran Turismo, iRacing

Also worth noting:

• Targetting 60fps/1080p on both consoles
• Funding for the game was raised by the community and the developers themselves.
• PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 were cancelled
• Oculus Rift virtual reality headset and Sony's PlayStation 4 virtual reality headset Project Morpheus will be supported

Availability: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Delayed to March 2015

What is it?: Pokemon Omega Ruby and Pokemon Alpha Sapphire are paired Generation VI enhanced remakes for the third-generation Pokemon Ruby and Pokemon Sapphire games, which were launched back in 2003 for the Game Boy Advance system. Set in the Hoenn region, these new versions promise to take players through a dramatic story within a spectacular new world and players will yet again make the journey to capture all Pokemon and battle against the world's best Pokemon Trainers to become Pokemon Masters.

Features:

• Pokemon Contests, Super-Secret Bases and the Mach and Acro bikes make a return to the series with enhancements.
• Enhanced graphics to the original titles as well as the introduction of numerous features from other recent Pokemon games, such as brand new Mega Evolutions and Horde Encounters.

Similar to: The Pokemon series, Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch

Also worth noting:

• The legendary Pokemon, Groudon (Omega Ruby) and Kyogre (Alpha Sapphire), can both undergo Primal Reversion, which work in a similar manner to Mega Evolutions and sends the Pokémon back to their Primal state.

Availability: Nintendo 3DS

What is it?: Kingdom Hearts 2.5 ReMIX is the sequel bundle to Kingdom Hearts 1.5 HD ReMIX and features the next compilation of Kingdom Hearts titles exclusively for the PlayStation 3. The 2.5 HD Remix lets players watch the HD cinematics from Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, continue Sora's journey in Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix and, in the formerly PSP-only Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Final Mix, uncover an even deeper lore and mysteries surrounding Xehanhort's bleak past and how Sora and Riku came to wield the keyblade in the first place. The Final Mix versions for both these titles feature extra content that was exclusive to Japan, making this a first for the Western release.

Features:

• Compilation of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts Birth By Sleep Final Mix and cinematics from Kingdom Hearts Re:coded; all remastered in High Definition.
• New cutscenes, mini-games and weapons and many more extras with the Final Mix titles.
• Even more world's to discover and characters to meet in Kingdom Heart's unique Disney and Square-Enix crossover universe.

Similar to: Kingdom Hearts series, Final Fantasy XII, Rogue Galaxy, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

Also worth noting:

• Players can pre-order Kingdom Hearts 2.5 HD ReMIX to receive a free upgrade to the Limited Edition as well as an exclusive Disney Collectible Pin Badge.

Availability: PlayStation 3

• 02/10 - Assassin's Creed: Birth of a New World - The American Saga - PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• 02/10 - NAtURAL DOCtRINE - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
• 04/10 - Super Smash Bros - Nintendo 3DS
• 09/10 - NBA Live 15 - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 09/10 - NBA 2K15 - PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 09/10 - Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 09/10 - Project Spark - Xbox One
• 16/10 - F1 2014 - PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• 23/10 - Just Dance 2015 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 23/10 - Shadow Warrior - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• 24/10 - Sid Meier's Civilization®: Beyond Earth - PC
• 29/10 - Freedom Wars - PS Vita
• 30/10 - WWE 2K15 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One
• 31/10 - Lords of the Fallen - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

• 08/11 - Grand Theft Auto V - PlayStation 4, Xbox One
• delayed to 02 Dec) - The Crew - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox ONe
• 13/11 - Assasssin's Creed Rogue - PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• 13/11 - World of WarCraft: Warlords of Draenor - PC
• 14/11 - PlayStation TV
• 19/11 - LittleBigPlanet 3 - PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
• 20/11 - Escape Dead Island - PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
• 20/11 - Watch_Dogs - Wii U

• 02/12 - The Crew - PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Child of Light is a platforming RPG set from a side-scrolling perspective with an Active-Time Battle System for battles against enemies. Players control Princess Aurora, the daughter of an Austrian duke, in Lemuria in her quest to recapture the three sources of light.

Features:

• Single-player
• RPG elements (Stat Building)
• Turn-Based battles
• Beautifully crafted Visuals.

Similar to: Final Fantasy series(Battle System), Trine Series.

Also worth noting:

• Child of Light Complete Edition includes 7 DLC's

Availability: PlayStation Vita

What is it?: The original and multi-million units selling Ratchet & Clank trilogy returns in the Ratchet & Clank Trilogy for the PlayStation 3.

Experience the classic adventures of the universe's favorite Lombax, Ratchet and his robotic sidekick Clank in this classic PlayStation 2 trilogy now fully remastered in high definition.

Features:

• SinglePlayer/multiplayer
• Large amount of unique and original weaponry and gadgets
• Explore whole solar systems filled with wide array of different planets
• Complete puzzles and planets with an array of gadgets and gear.

Similar to: Jak & Daxtor, Sly Cooper.

Also worth noting:

Availability: PlayStation Vita

What is it?: A Remaster of ours and many others GOTY for last year The Last of Us has been rebuilt for the PlayStation 4 system. 20 years after a pandemic has radically changed known civilization, infected humans run wild and survivors are killing each other for food, weapons; whatever they can get their hands on. Joel, a violent survivor, is hired to smuggle a 14 year-old girl, Ellie, out of an oppressive military quarantine zone, but what starts as a small job soon transforms into a brutal journey across the U.S.

Features:

• Single-player/Multiplayer
• Scavenge and manage supplies and ammo. Craft weapons and items.
• In-game cinematic commentary from the cast and creative director
• 60fps 1080p, higher resolution character models, improved shadows and lighting, in addition to several other gameplay improvements.

Similar to: Uncharted.

Also worth noting:

• Will have an official PS4 bundle
• Multiplayer progress will not carry over
• Includes additional game content: "Delve into Ellie's past in Left Behind, the single-player prequel chapter" and "Eight new multiplayer maps in the Abandoned and Reclaimed Territories packs"

Availability: PlayStation 4

What is it?: Set in the war for Ancaria. Choose from legendary heroes and fight together against the rise of evil. You will face hordes of grimmocs, brute beasts, legions of mercenaries and undead wizards. Develop your character's skills and abilities and band together to use powerful co-op abilities and tactics.

Features:

• SinglePlayer/multiplayer(co-op(1-4))
• Play as 1 of 5 heroes, each with unique skills and weapons
• Master special attacks and quickly decimate hoards of enemies
• Perform powerful co-op combat arts to defeat epic bosses together
• Level up and customize your hero, outshine your fellow warriors

Similar to: Diablo, Torchlight.

Also worth noting:

• Sacred Citadel a side-scrolling action brawler is the prequel to the Sacred 3 story.
• The First Edition is exclusively available during pre-order and will give you additional DLC.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

What is it?: Diablo III: Reaper of Souls Ultimate Evil Edition bundles together the deep, corrupted universe of Diablo III with the new Reaper of Souls expansion exclusively for consoles. Having only barely survived through the devastating war brought upon by demons set on invading humanity, the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary is once again threatened by the exiled demons and Prime Evils from the depths of Burning Hell. The heroes of yore are long gone and now it is up to you, the new champion, to stand against the demons alone or with friends as you slay hordes of monsters, learn new skills and find many great items of power to defeat these demons once and for all.

Features:

• 4-player same-screen and online co-op multiplayer with the ability to share treasures with other players on your friends lists.
• Includes the original Diablo III game and new content and updates from the Reaper of Souls expansion.
• A new Apprentice mode that boosts low-level players' powers while adventuring with high-level friends.
• A new Adventure Mode that gives players the freedom to go anywhere and slay anything.
• Nephalem Rifts that provide fully randomized dungeons to explore and loot.
• Level Cap increase to 70.

Similar to: The "Diablo" series, Torchlight.

Also worth noting:

• Pre-ordered copies of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition will also include the exclusive Infernal Pauldrons bonus in-game item.
• Players can transfer their previous characters from the original Diablo III on PlayStation 3 to the new Ultimate Evil Edition on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, and similarly from original Diablo III on the Xbox 360 to this new edition on the Xbox 360 and Xbox One.
• The PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 versions of the game will feature a Nephalem Rift inspired by The Last of Us (including Clickers, Stalkers and Bloaters), and the "Guise of the Colossi" transmog set from Shadow of the Colossus.

Availability: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: A multiplayer third-person shooter set in the Plants vs Zombies universe. Players can control Zombies or plants as they battle it out against each other or work together across the games multiplayer modes.

Features:

• 4-player online co-op/ 24-player multiplayer action
• 1(Garden Ops) cooperative mode and 3(Team Vanquish, Gardens and Graveyards, Gnome Bomb) competitive multiplayer modes.
• Customization: Personalize your favorite plants and zombies with hundreds of unique items and customizations
• New plants and zombies: Powerful new plants and zombies with a huge variety of abilities
• Expansive world: Over 10 unique multiplayer and cooperative battlegrounds
• Night and day have an effect on gameplay.

Similar to: Battlefield(Game modes).

Also worth noting:

• Downloadable content for the game which will be released free of charge.

Availability: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4

What is it?: Tales of Xillia 2 is the follow up to the original Tales of Xillia that was released last year on the PlayStation 3. Set one year after the events of the first game, Tales of Xillia 2 centres around Ludger Kresnik, a young man and a skilled chef who lives with his brother Julius and their cat. Ludger aspires become an agent in the prestigious Spirius Corporation just like his brother but has failed the interviews and currently works in a cafeteria at the station. On one fateful day though, Ludger meets Elle Marta with whom he accompanies to to reunite with her father at the mythic "Land of Canaan". Throughout their journey, Ludger and Elle must make hard choices and decisions that affect not only their own welfare, but that of the world and people around them.

Features:

• A darker story and noir atmosphere.
• Choices that affect how the story will branch out.
• Enhancements to the Linked Combat System from the original Tales of Xillia game
• Newly incorporated battle features including Chromatus transformations and the Weapon Swap System.

Similar to: Tales of Xillia, the "Tales of" series

Also worth noting:

• The Day One Edition of Tales of Xillia 2 will include special tracks selected by the dev team and an exclusive metalcase for the game.

Availability: PlayStation 3

What is it?: Madden NFL 15 lets you play out the National Football League with your favourite teams and players from right from the seat of your lounge. This latest instalment from the Madden NFL series delivers everything fans need to beat their rivals on both sides of the field, including all-new tackling mechanics, smarter AI and the most immersive defensive gameplay control in franchise history. Take control of the defense and challenge the best offenses in the game. It's not just football, it's Madden Season.

Features:

• All-new player-lock camera angles, pass rush tools, open-field tackling mechanics, and smarter AI.
• A revolutionary crowd-sourced play-calling system with three distinct ways to run offense and defense: coach suggestions, Madden community picks, and concept plays.
• Dynamic pre-game and halftime shows, in-depth player profiles, as well as enhanced on-field graphics.

Similar to: The "Madden NFL" series

Also worth noting:

Availability: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: A upcoming post-apocalyptic turn-based and party-based RPG with tactical combat. Wasteland 2 is set in an alternate history timeline, in which a nuclear holocaust took place in 1998 in relation to an impact event involving a cluster of meteors that sparked a global nuclear war.

Features:

• Single player
• Up to 7 characters will fill the player's party. 4 player-designed characters and up to 3 non-player characters
• One Size Does Not Fit All: Don't feel like finding the key for a door? Why not try a Rocket Launcher! Basically the same thing... right?
• Enhanced Classic RPG Game Play: Classic RPG game play ideas updated with modern design philosophies.
• Decision Making... with Consequences: With both short and long term reactivity to the players choices, every decision matters in the outcome of the story.
• Huge & Customizable: Dozens of hours of game. Hundreds of characters. Thousands of variations on your Rangers' appearance. Over 150 weapons. Dozens of skills. Even the UI can be customized.

Similar to: Wasteland, Fallout

Also worth noting:

• Early access beta is available on steam now
• Crowd funded through kickstarter

Availability: PC

What is it?: The Sims 4 is the newest life simulation game from the ever popular The Sims series. Boasting more intelligent Sims with complex emotions, social and environmental interactions as well as much more intuitive customisation tools for building and decorating your Sim's home, The Sims 4 will let you control and shape many stories for your Sims the way you want and then watch as your creations come to life.

Features:

• Create new Sims with intelligence and emotion.
• Experience all new intuitive and fun creative tools to sculpt your Sims and build unique homes.
• Easily see, share and download new Sims and homes from The Gallery.

Similar to: "The Sims" series, Second Life

Also worth noting:

• The Sims 4 comes can be purchased as part of various standard and Collector's Editions that come with extra digital and physical content.

Availability: PC

What is it?: Omega Force brings its new and ultimate re-release of Warriors Orochi 3 hack 'n' slash adventure to both past and current gen consoles. Taking place several years after the battle against the Serpent King, Orochi, the Warriors Orochi universe has been almost totally demolished by the sudden rise of the eight-headed serpent demon. With a hybrid cast of characters and stages from the likes of Dynasty Warriors, Ninja Gaiden 2, Atelier and Samurai Warriors, the remaining warriors are only just barely surviving and still trying to battle the demon with what little army and resources they have left. But it isn't enough. Fortunately, a mysterious woman appears and grants the surviving warriors the power to travel back in time to save other warriors who died in the initial wave of carnage, and also a chance to change the fate of the future.

Features:

• Single Payer, Local and Online Co-op.
• Ability to switch between a party of three characters on the battlefield in real-time.
• A new Duel Mode, a mix of team 3 vs. 3 combat and card battles.
• 145 playable characters, including nine new to the series.
• Cross-Play and Cross-Save between the PS3, PS4 and PS Vita versions of the game.

Similar to: Dynasty Warriors 8, Samurai Warriors

Also worth noting:

• Players can import save data from Warriors Orochi 3 on PS3 to the new Ultimate version.

Availability: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One

What is it?: Destiny is a brand new and ambitious sci-fi and open-world first-person shooter from the the makers of the Halo series. Long ago, a mysterious entity known only as the Traveler breathed life and miracles to our solar system; bringing rain to Mars and cleansing the poisonous skies of Venus, which allowed for human colonisation of those planets in what became known as the Golden Age. However, the Traveler had an ancient enemy that followed its journey and devastated the Earth with its powerful darkness. Now, only one city is left standing and protected by the Traveler, and you, a Guardian and survivor of these Dark Ages with the ability to wield some of the Traveler's incredible power, are destined to defend the last safe haven on Earth and explore the ancient ruins of our solar system to discover all that we have lost and find hope for our future.

Features:

• Enormous and persistent open-world environments to explore, complete quests and traverse alone or seamlessly with friends and other players throughout the Solar System.
• Three different classes to choose from - the Titan, Hunter and Warlock - with differing skills, abilities and equipment to use for battle.
• A Competitive PvP Multiplayer arena known as The Crucible.

Similar to: Borderlands 2, Halo

Also worth noting:

• PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4 copies of Destiny will include timed-exclusive digital in-game content at release.

Availability: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: The delicate balance of the Triforce has been disrupted and Hyrule Kingdom is once again being torn apart by a dark power, this time led by Sorceress Cia. Cut down entire legions of enemies as Link, Zelda, Midna and other characters from The Legend of Zelda franchise using over-the-top powerful Dynasty Warriors-style moves.

Features:

• Single player/multiplayer(1-2)
• Heroic Link carves through a huge onslaught of enemies as he executes flashy moves with combat attacks. This also marks the first time that many other iconic characters from The Legend of Zelda franchise are playable for any length of time, including Princess Zelda, Impa and Midna.
• Protect and reclaim recognizable landmarks from multiple games in The Legend of Zelda series, including such classic areas like Hyrule Field and the Palace of Twilight.
• Push back armies of classic enemies from The Legend of Zelda, as well as powerful enemies making their debuts in Hyrule Warriors.
• Advance the story to unlock new playable characters, each with unique moves and weapon types. Collect Rupees and other useful items to upgrade weapons and craft badges, which players can use to bolster each warrior's abilities.

Similar to:

Also worth noting:

• Other developer: Nintendo SPD
• Two players can play local co-op, with one player joining with the Wii U GamePad controller and another with the Wii U Pro Controller or Wii Remote + Nunchuk controllers
• The game is a collaboration between Tecmo Koei and Nintendo, and will contain elements of Nintendo's The Legend of Zelda series and Tecmo Koei's Dynasty Warriors series.

Availability: Wii U

What is it?: Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star is a sci-fi RPG from the developers of the popular Atelier series. Exclusive and localised in English and other European languages for the PlayStation 3 so far, Ar nosurge tells the compelling story of a civilisation that lost their planet and has been roaming the edge of space for 2000 years in search of a new home. The player follows two sets of characters: Delta and Casty, who wish to protect all of humanity, and Ion and Earthes, who wish to find Ion a way back home to Earth. In this world, music and song can create magic, and Ar nosurge also places heavy emphasis on character relationships in the game where closer bonds between a player's characters can mean that their overall party will grow stronger in battle too.

Features:

• Interchange between the two sets of characters throughout the story.
• An intricately deep turn-based RPG battle system.
• A detailed synthesis system for players to create their own items.
• A unique character development system that focuses more on the relationships between the main characters than their success in missions and battles.

Similar to: The "Atelier" series, the "Ar Tonelico" series

Also worth noting:

• Ar nosurge: Ode to an Unborn Star will include both European and Japanese voiceovers.

Availability: PlayStation 3

What is it?: FIFA 15 brings football to life in stunning detail so that fans can experience the emotional intensity of the sport. Many enhancements and improvements have been made across the board for FIFA 15 to deliver better AI intelligence, more dynamic realism and control on the field and even greater incredibly detailed visuals for the players.

Features:

• Improved AI intelligence such as recognising various team tactics on the field.
• Players have memories and will show emotion based on the context of the match.
• Ability to control set piece, such as positioning off-the-ball teammates during throw-ins, corners, and free-kicks.

Similar to: The "FIFA" series, the "PES" series

Also worth noting:

• Pre-ordering FIFA 15 will give players up to 40 gold packs to build their dream clubs in FIFA 15 Ultimate Team, depending on the edition.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii, Xbox 360, Xbox One

What is it?: Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends is a new expansion to Dynasty Warriors 8 and based on the ancient Three Kingdoms period of China. Building on the original game, Xtreme Legends includes a new storyline focusing on the legends of the mighty Lu Bu, a wealth of new characters and weaponry to play with throughout the game and much more to make for an even deeper, more enjoyable experience in the long-standing Dynasty Warriors universe.

Features:

• SinglePlayer, Online/Offline Co-Op, Multiplayer.
• Cross-Play and Cross-Save between the PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita.
• New content and game modes and enhancements to Free Mode and Ambition Mode.

Similar to: Dynasty Warriors 7, Warriors Orochi 3.

Also worth noting:

• Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends comes as a standalone add-on for the original Dynasty Warriors 8 on the PlayStation 3 while it comes bundled as the brand new Dynasty Warriors 8: Xtreme Legends Complete Edition on the PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita (which includes the original game).

Availability: PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita

What is it?: Return to Tamriel in The Elder Scrolls Online, the latest chapter of the award-winning series, and bring the legendary experience online for the first time. Explore the vast world with friends or embark upon an epic adventure alone — the choices you will make will shape your destiny.

Features:

• Adventure in Tamriel with your friends and guild mates for the first time ever.
• Develop your own style with deep character customization and abilities.
• Massive PVP battles - Fight for your alliance against enemy armies of hundreds across the battlefields of Cyrodiil.

Similar to: World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings Online.

Also worth noting:

• Game will require an ongoing subscription to play, like World of Warcraft.
• 04/04/14 (PC, Mac), June 2014 (PS4, XB1).

Availability: MAC, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One.

What is it?: Another entry by Traveller's Tales to the already massive LEGO videogame series. The LEGO The Hobbit video game will have the player travel through locations and events covered by the first two Hobbit movies; An Unexpected Journey and The Desolation of Smaug.

Features:

• Single-player, Online/Offline Co-Op.
• Each playable dwarf will have his own unique ability.

Similar to: LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, LEGO The Lord of the Rings, other LEGO game series.

Also worth noting:

• The Wii U version will be released on 7th May 2014
• There and Back Again will be included as DLC

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: The Amazing Spiderman 2 is the new action-packed, open world adventure game with an alternate take on the events of the live-action movie. Building on the story of the previous game, players once again assume the role of Spiderman and his alter-ego, Peter Parker, as he continues his search to find the murderer responsible for his uncle's death and to fight against the new foes and menaces that threaten his beloved New York City.

Features:

• Playable as Peter Parker, who takes on a greater role to investigate motives and unique personalities of villains throughout the game
• "A new "Hero or Menace" system with rewards and punishments for good and evil deeds
• Deeper and more intuitive open world gameplay
• More classic and new Spiderman costumes to unlock, each with their on unique set of perks and drawbacks

Similar to: The Amazing Spiderman, inFamous, Batman Arkham City.

Also worth noting:

• The PlayStation 4 version features Remote-Play and optimised controls for the PlayStation Vita

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: Child of Light is a platforming RPG set from a side-scrolling perspective with an Active-Time Battle System for battles against enemies. Players control Princess Aurora, the daughter of an Austrian duke, in Lemuria in her quest to recapture the three sources of light.

Features:

• Single-player, Offline Co-Op.
• RPG elements (Stat Building).
• Turn-Based battles.
• Beautifully crafted Visuals.

Similar to: Final Fantasy series(Battle System), Trine Series.

Also worth noting:

• Cross-Buy for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4.
• Available as a download only.
• Child of Light Deluxe Edition available in stores for, PC, PlayStation 3/PlayStation 4 will provide extra goodies and a code for the digital version.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: Bound by Flame is a heroic fantasy RPG that has you playing as a mercenary possessed by a demon in flames. In the grasp of the demon, you must choose between the demonic power within you, and your humanity.

Features:

• Single-Player.
• Human/Demon Duality: Choose between increasing your Demon powers or heroic talents. Your choice will affect your appearance, reactions of your companions and the very story itself.
• Crafting: make new pieces of equipment, improve current ones or make consumables with items you find thought out your journey.

Similar to: Dragon Age 2.

Also worth noting: N/A

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360.

What is it?: Wolfenstein: The New Order re-imagines the FPS classic in an alternative 1960s where the Nazi's won the second world war and rule with an iron first. As Captain B.J. Blazkowicz, the American War Hero, you must launch an impossible counter-offensive against the monstrous Nazi regime.

Features:

• Focussed single-player, cinematic experience
• Stunning visuals powerd by ID Tech 5

Similar to: Call of Duty (single player)

Also worth noting:

• Wolfenstein: The New Order, the first-person action-adventure shooter, reignites the franchise widely recognized for pioneering the first-person shooter genre.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: A new IP from Ubisoft. Watch_Dogs is an ambitious open world, third-person action shooter set in a contemporary Chicago, a future where everything is connected by the Central Operating System (ctOS) network. As Aiden Pearce, you are a man shaped by violence and obsessed with surveillance who can readily hack into the city-wide cTOS and secretly monitor your family 24/7 to protect them from something that happened in the past.

Features:

• A massive, dynamic and intricately detailed city. Deep real-life smartphone and tablet interactivity.
• Single-Player, Online Multiplayer.
• 8 Player Online Freeroam.

Similar to: Sleeping Dogs, Grand Theft Auto.

Also worth noting:

• Watch_Dogs comes with exclusive and special content in its various Collector's and Pre-order Standard Editions.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Wii U, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: Mario Kart 8 is the latest instalment in the enjoyable and much-loved Mario Kart series. Exclusive to Wii U, Mario Kart 8 introduces bikes and new gameplay elements and racing circuits to the series while bringing back the vibrant and colourful tracks, fun road-rage battles and everyone's favourite and iconic characters from the Mario Universe to play with from previous titles.

Features:

• 12-Player Online Matches
• New Racing Circuits
• Anti-gravity feature to drive upside-down
• Bikes

Similar to: Mario Kart 7, LittleBigPlanet Karting

Also worth noting:

• Mario Kart 8 Limited Edition comes with the Wii U game and a Spiny Shell Collector's item (better known as the powerful Blue Shell)

Availability: Wii U

What is it?: In this brand new IP created by Airtight Studios, you tak on the role of Ronan O'Conan - a detective with a checkered past who gets caught up in a burglary and brutally murdered by an unknown, relentless killer. Shocked to find yourself in the afterlife, the only way to escape from this limbo world of "Dusk" is to use your new-found supernatural abilities and the help of a girl named Joy, a young medium who witnessed your death, to investigate the truth about your killer and bring him to justice.

Features:

• Ability to possess the living and walk through walls as you search for clue
• Combat against demonic creatures that wish to devour your soul

Similar to: Heavy Rain, Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Also worth noting:

• The Murdered: Soul Suspect Limited Edition will include a copy of the journal used by Ronan and Joy to hunt down the killer and access to a Digital Strategy Map.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

What is it?: Sniper Elite 3 is the next entry into the Sniper Eltie series. It is a tactical sniping game focusing on Observing, Planning and Executing rather than the more common run and gun in most FPS's. Set in WW2's North Africa conflict you go up against Germany's infamous Afrika Korps.

Features:

• Single-Player, Mulitplayer, Competitive(5 Modes), Co-operative(Campaign and 2 Modes)
• Expansive new environments - Stalk multi-route environments up to THREE times larger than levels seen in Sniper Elite V2. Never play a level the same way twice.
• Adapt to any situation - Use stealth, distraction, sound masking and traps. Your approach. Your way. If things go hot, use the new 'Relocate' mechanic to slip into the shadows and find a new weakness in enemy lines.

Similar to: Sniper Elite V2, Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2

Also worth noting:

• Pre-Order for Free DLC Mission 'Hunt the Grey Wolf'.

Availability: PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One.

Don't Starve is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. You play as Wilson, an intrepid Gentleman Scientist who has been trapped by a demon and transported to a mysterious wilderness world. Wilson must learn to exploit his environment and its inhabitants if he ever hopes to escape and find his way back home. Enter a strange and unexplored world full of strange creatures, dangers, and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures that match your survival style. Play your way as you unravel the mysteries of this strange land.

Unlike many modern games, this one doesn't hold your hand but rather tests your mettle. There are no instructions. There is no help. Start with nothing and craft, hunt, research, farm and fight to survive. With randomly generated worlds, the game is new every time. At any time you can generate a new living and breathing world that hates you and wants you to die.

Don't Starve is out January 8th on PS4 and is available free for PS+ users.

This fully re-built version features an obsessively detailed Lara and a fully realised lifelike world.

Lara Croft presented in unprecedented high definition detail:

• An all new Lara model created to take advantage of the power of next-gen consoles
• TRESS FX technology that delivers realistic hair simulation and motion with every strand being physically active
• Shader and lighting reworked to showcase the raw physicality of Lara's journey through sweat, mud, and blood materials and effects

A physical world put in motion thanks to brand new hardware architecture:

• The world has been dynamically brought to life using complex physical world simulation on trees, foliage, cloth, weather, lighting and effects
• All texture resolutions have been created at 4x resolution for maximum resolution and detail
• In-game characters, enemies and destructability have been enhanced for added depth and realism
• Subsurface scattering technology implemented to capture the most physically accurate lighting simulation and deliver a great sense of believability
• Native 1080p gameplay gives outstanding visual fidelity and showcases the beauty of Yamatai in all its high definition glory

The Definitive Edition of the award-winning action-adventure includes all of the original downloadable content, plus digital versions of the Dark Horse comic, Brady Games mini-art book and the Final Hours developer videos.

Tomb Raider Definitive Edition is out January 31st.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is a new Final Fantasy adventure that gives the player direct control over iconic heroine Lightning in a constantly moving, expansive environment, on a quest to save a doomed world from complete destruction. How will you spend your final days?

• Lightning under your control: Lightning will be the playable character - with a highly evolved range of techniques for battles and exploring the environment. Customise Lightning with a large range of different outfits and weapons, that affect not only the way she looks, but also her actions and abilities.
• Action-oriented combat: A new battle system gives a level of direct control over the action unlike any Final Fantasy game, while having iconic elements that are known and loved throughout the series too.
• A constantly moving, beautiful world: Stunning artistic direction depicts a doomed world filled with choice and diversity. Living, expansive environments featuring a rising and setting sun provide unique experiences for every player.
• Use your time well: A world on a course for total annihilation presents unique challenges where certain areas, missions, and people will only be available during selected periods. How will you use your remaining time?
• A connected experience: Stay connected to Final Fantasy and its characters, with unique features that link the in-game world to the real world.

Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII is out February 13th.

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 returns in an epic adventure set in an open, modern day world. Fans of the series will play as Dracula for the very first time and uncover the shocking secrets behind the "Lords of Shadow" saga!

Dracula is resurrected once again, weakened and yearning for release from his immortal bonds. He is threatened by Satan, who has returned to bring about the apocalypse and ultimate revenge for his defeat all those centuries ago. Dracula must reacquire his powers of old and make a pact with Death in order to defeat the Devil, and gain his eternal rest.

Also seeking Dracula's destruction is the famed Belmont clan who has entered Dracula's Castle. Here lies the truth behind their mysterious ancestry. The fight between good vs. evil comes to a close as Dracula is faced with his nemesis, Satan, and his ancestors' unyielding quest for revenge.

• Become the ultimate villain - Play as Dracula for the first time! Collect all of the vampire lord's deadly powers and abilities.
• Discover new Lords of Shadow environments - Enter a world of deep exploration within a "modern day" setting and the massive labyrinthine corridors of Dracula's castle.
• Utilize powers of the great vampire lord - Master Dracula's vampiric aspects for deep strategic combat and devastating evil powers!
• Dominate your adversaries with new abilities - Transform into mist, glamour and control enemies and disappear into the dark unseen.
• Navigate through elaborate environments and boss battles - Traverse through levels using new platforming mechanics and massive Titan fights that utilize real time physics for "on the fly" player choice.
• Drink blood for eternal strength - Intensify your immortal powers by drinking the blood of your enemies. Blood fuels your abilities!

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2 is out February 27th.

You are Garrett, the master thief. Step into the silent shoes of Garrett, a dark and lonely thief with an unrivaled set of skills. The most challenging heists, the most inaccessible loots, the best kept secrets: nothing is out of your reach. Explore the sick and troubled City, from its shady back alleys to the heights of its rooftops. Sneak into rich houses, Infiltrate the best-guarded mansions and lurk in every dark corner... unnoticed and unsanctioned.

Choose your approach: Leverage Garrett's arsenal to take down guards with your blackjack, shoot one of your many arrow types or use your newly acquired focus abilities to manipulate the environment and outsmart your enemies. What kind of master thief will you be? Unprecedented immersion: Become one with the world thanks to ground-breaking visual elements and a truly tactile and visceral first-person experience. Through jaw-dropping New-Gen technical possibilities, Thief delivers unprecedented immersion through sights, sounds and artificial intelligence.

Thief is out February 27th.

Rayman, Globox and the Teensies are back to embark on a new fantasy adventure through a series of legendary worlds with new environments, characters and enemies. Rayman Legends features a variety of uniquely-themed levels including several musical maps intricately set to creative soundtracks and a spooky medieval theme.

Players can also connect online with friends through a variety of challenges to test their skill and speed, and see where they rank on the worldwide leaderboards. Rayman Legends retains the fantasy appeal of its predecessor while adding a multitude of clever and entertaining gaming modes, new characters, new environments and a new soundtrack. The award-winning team of artists, designers and composers behind the UbiArt framework has also returned with an advanced engine to include multi-dimensional gameplay elements, an improved lighting system and updated game rendering that elevate Rayman Legends to the next level.

Thief is out February 27th.

From the perilous battlefields of the fourth-grade playground, a young hero will rise, destined to be South Park's savior. From the creators of South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, comes an epic quest to become... cool. Introducing South Park: The Stick of Truth.You begin as the new kid in town facing a harrowing challenge: making friends. As you start your quest the children of South Park are embroiled in a city-wide, live-action-role-playing game, casting imaginary spells and swinging fake swords. Over time the simple children's game escalates into a battle of good and evil that threatens to consume the world. Arm yourself with weapons of legend to defeat crabpeople, underpants gnomes, hippies and otherforces of evil. Discover the lost Stick of Truth and earn your place at the side of Stan, Kyle,Cartman and Kenny as their new friend. Succeed, and you shall be South Park's savior, cementing your social status in South Park Elementary. Fail, and you will forever be known... as a loser.

• The Definitive South Park Experience - Written and voiced by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, The Stick of Truth brings their unique brand of humor to video gaming.
• An Epic Quest To Become... Cool - Earn your place alongside Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny, and join them in a hysterical adventure to save South Park.
• Friends With Benefits - Recruit classic South Park characters to your cause.
• Intense Combat - Arm yourself to the teeth with an arsenal of magical weapons and mystical armor.
• South Park Customization - Insert yourself into South Park with something like a billion character, clothing, and weapon combinations.

South Park: The Stick of Truth is out March 6th

Developed by From Software, Dark Souls II is the highly anticipated sequel to the punishing 2011 breakout hit Dark Souls. The unique old-school action RPG experience captivated imaginations of gamers worldwide with incredible challenge and intense emotional reward. Dark Souls II brings the franchise's renowned difficulty & gripping gameplay innovations to both single and multiplayer experiences.

• Prepare to Die... Again: Dare yourself to engage against intense gameplay in a vast world powered by an all new engine that leaps graphics, sound & FX forward like never before
• A Labyrinth of Monsters & Bosses: Immerse yourself into mind-blowing environments filled with new twisted monsters and deadly bosses that could only come from the imagination of From Software
• Sensory Assault: A wide range of threats will prey on human senses & phobias - auditory hallucinations, vertigo, acrophobia, etc
• Deeper and Darker: More intricate customization options provide weapons and armor tailoring to player style
• Evolved Multiplayer: Updated multiplayer system enables improved online interaction to bring forward cooperative & competitive play
• Go Beyond Death: Dark Souls II features fluid motion-capture animations, upgraded combat system, a vastly expanded suite of characters, deeper customization options, new weapons, armor abilities, and balanced player progression system.

Dark Souls II is out March 13th.

Final Fantasy X
'The world lies on the brink of destruction. Only a select few may be able to save it.' In ages past, the world of Spira experienced a golden age of perfection, brought about by an advanced civilization through the use of wondrous machinery called machina. However, around one thousand years before the present day, a colossal menace known only as "Sin" appeared and sundered all before it. Though a line of summoners have since brought Sin low many times, it inevitably returns in an unending cycle of destruction. In the face of this ever-pervasive threat, the people of Spira flocked to the teachings of Yevon, which tell that Sin is a punishment to those who relied overly on machina. Tidus is a young Blitzball star that mysteriously finds himself in Spira after his home city of Zanarkand is destroyed by Sin one thousand years in the past. Believing Sin to be the key to returning home, Tidus joins a young summoner named Yuna on her pilgrimage to destroy Sin and bring about the Calm.

Final Fantasy X-2
'Last time she saved the world. This time it's personal.' Two years have passed since Sin was destroyed. Since her victory and becoming a high summoner, Yuna has lived on her childhood home of Besaid Island. Then one day, Rikku comes to Besaid and shows Yuna a sphere. The recording is of him. Or is it? Yuna can't tell whether it's him or just someone who looks like him. If it is him, Yuna might be able to see him one more time. No matter what the truth may be, the answers she finds may change things forever.

Both Final Fantasy X | X-2 have received HD make overs both featuring improved character models, textures, lighting , shadows, improved voice audio and have select music tracks remastered. The game now plays at 16:9 widescreen and both HD remasters will be of the games' International versions add extra gameplay, options and missions. The game will be cross-save compatible between PS3 and Vita.

Final Fantasy X | X-2 HD Remaster is out March 20th.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes acts as a prologue to Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain and takes place one year after the events of Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Assuming control of the legendary Snake (a.k.a. Big Boss), players are charged with the infiltration of Camp Omega where both Paz and Chico are held. The hostages hold key information concerning Snake and his private military organisation that Snake and his ally Kaz Miller must prevent from being exposed. Ground Zeroes charts the rescue and the subsequent fallout that leads into the beginning of the The Phantom Pain. Ground Zeroes also acts as a bridge between previous Metal Gear Solid titles, easing players into the vaunted open world of MGSV.

• THE POWER OF FOX ENGINE: Ground Zeroes showcases Kojima Productions' stunning FOX Engine, a true next-generation game engine which revolutionises the Metal Gear Solid experience.
• INTRODUCTION TO OPEN WORLD DESIGN: The first Metal Gear Solid title to offer open world gameplay. Ground Zeroes offers total freedom of play: how missions are undertaken is entirely down to the user.
• UNRESTRICTED STEALTH: Imagine classic Metal Gear gameplay but with no restrictions or boundaries. Players use intelligence and cerebral strategy to sneak their way through entire missions, or go in all guns blazing. Each will have different effects on game consequences and advancement.
• MULTIPLE MISSIONS AND TASKS: Ground Zeroes boasts a central story mode and additional side-missions ranging from tactical action, aerial assaults and “covert” stages that will be sure to surprise.
• REDESIGNED INTERFACE: Ground Zeroes users will benefit from a clean in-game HUD that shows the minimal amount of on-screen data to give a more intense gaming experience.
• VARIOUS IN-GAME WEATHER SETTINGS: Ground Zeroes will test the player in a variety of time and weather environments that will be central to METAL GEAR SOLID V: The Phantom Pain. Use night conditions to your advantage, or poor weather as strategic cover.
• TRUE NEXT GENERATION GAMING: Available simultaneously with the current generation of gaming consoles, Ground Zeroes will give PS4 and Xbox One consumers the chance to showcase the power of their new machines.

Metal Gear Solid V: Ground Zeroes is out March 20th.

Surrounded by a society that fears them, superhumans are ruthlessly hunted down and caged by the Department of Unified Protection. When Delsin Rowe discovers his powers he's forced to run, searching for other superhumans in order to save those he loves from the oppressive D.U.P. now hot on his tail. The choices he makes along the way change the future of everyone around him. The third full-sized Infamous game, and the first for PS4, looks to take the series to a new level with more powers, more detailed worlds, destruction and an immersive story.

Infamous: Second Son is out March 21st.

DRIVECLUB is all about you and your friends. It's about teamwork; it's about everyone fighting for one another and earning rewards together - and most importantly it's about sharing in the sheer thrill of every race. It permanently connects you and your friends, always allowing you to share your experiences, send and receive challenges, and keep up to speed with your team's performance.

DRIVECLUB brings to life the heart and soul of car culture. An incredibly authentic and immersive driving experience, DRIVECLUB lets you feel the exhilaration of racing the most powerful and beautifully designed cars in the world, all rendered in staggering detail, inside and out. Share in the thrill and excitement of high-speed solo racing, or join a racing Club to discover what DRIVECLUB is all about. Created specifically with the next-generation gamer in mind, DRIVECLUB connects you and your friends, allowing you to share your experiences, send and receive challenges, and keep up to speed with your team's performance.