Christmas is almost on us and if you haven’t already figured out what you want to ask Santa for maybe Pastie Bap can help. In this bonus edition of Octogeek we venture into the world of games to give you a rundown of the most sought after titles available.
We’ve only specified which next gen console they are available on to make it easier to compare prices so you may be able to get other consoles as well. As time goes on though more and more games are being developed for next gen only though. The prices are for the standard version of each game unless otherwise noted. There are plenty of different collector’s editions for some of these games but I think you’ll agree it’s best to just stick with the standard versions to compare prices. I’ve also gone with Amazon for pricing as they are usually cheapest and it again helps with comparisons.
Without further ado here are the games vying for your Christmas lists this holiday season.
Highest Amazon scores at the top, lowest at the bottom.
Super Mario Maker
Wii U
£34.99
The Mario experience of your dreams has arrived and is bursting with creativity… including yours!;Play a near-limitless number of intensely creative Super Mario levels from players around the world. It’s easy enough to create your own levels with the Wii U GamePad controller that it may feel like you’re simply sketching out your ideas on paper, but you can now bring enemies and objects into a playable course in ways you could only dream of before. What was impossible in traditional Mario games is now impossibly fun, so let your imagination run wild!
This one is such a unique title that it deserves to be at the top of the list. At £34.99 its one of the cheaper titles on the list too. What may be your problem though is your lack of the Wii U console. Its no secret that Nintendo haven’t shifted as many as the PS4 or Xbox One. If you have one though you’re in for a treat. Super Mario Maker gives you a near limitless number of levels you can create using nearly every block, item, background, music and enemy from Mario’s 30 year history. This is all made exponentially easier with the touch screen gamepad of the Wii U. They even throw in a booklet offering fun ideas and tips on designing courses. It may be what the Wii U was made for.
Assassins Creed: Syndicate
XBOX One/ PS4
£38.99
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.
The 9th major game in the series and still going strong. After setting games in Jerusalem, Florence and revolutionary France, Assassins Creed is now taking us to Victorian England. Meeting characters such as Dickens, Darwin and Queen Victoria with just a splash of Jack the Ripper. If you like your history as well as your games this one should be right up you ally. Just as long as that ally isn’t anywhere near Whitechapel.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
XBOX One/ PS4
£26.00/ £32.85
The world burns as the Empire of Nilfgaard pierces through the heart of the kingdoms in the north. Geralt of Rivia is pursued by an enemy devoid of mercy-the Wild Hunt, a mythical cavalcade of ghastly riders, harbingers of doom and destruction, capable of destroying entire settlements overnight. Driven by a deeply personal agenda, Geralt must navigate a maze of hostile forces to find and protect the one described in an ancient prophecy. Gritty and merciless, the world the adventure plays out in sets new standards in terms of size, ecosystem complexity and meaningful non-linearity. Experience realistic day and night cycles, observe weather changes that influence gameplay, and conquer the lush environment using arcane witcher lore.
This game sold 6 million copies in the 6 weeks of it’s release so it must be doing something right. It won best role-playing game at E3 as well as a Golden Joystick award. If you ever thought you’d like to try it, you won’t be let down by quality. With it’s fully fleshed out characters and realistic time and weather systems, The Witcher is one of those games that really draws the player into it’s world. This game has a lot to explore. Endless customization of weapons, armor and potions as well as a varied range of missions. What’s stopping you?
Rise of the Tomb Raider
XBOX One
£39.57
In her first adventure, Lara Croft was forged into a true survivor, but she glimpsed a deeper, secret world. In the next chapter of her journey, Lara must use her survival skills and wits, learn to trust new friends, and ultimately accept her destiny as the Tomb Raider. Rise of the Tomb Raider builds upon the formula that made Tomb Raider a success, and features the return of Camilla Luddington as Lara Croft. Luddington will take character performance to new heights as Lara pushes herself beyond human limits and is confronted with what it means to become a hero. Once again, Crystal Dynamics is proud to have the award-winning author Rhianna Pratchett as a key member of the writing team, helping craft a story that delves into Lara’s inner turmoil and motivations in this critical second act of her journey.
We all remember Lara Croft right? Well lately they’ve given her a long overdue revamp. They’ve scaled back the chest and instead put their energy into making a great game again. Lara is one of very few female character to make it in the world of gaming so it’s nice to see her doing well again. This time around, as well as the action and puzzle solving there’s more of an emphasis on stealth and sneak attacks. There’s also a weather system and a day and night cycle to keep you on your toes. Want a warmer winter coat? You’re gonna have to hunt down a wolf to get it. It won’t be easy, especially since the wolves only come out a specific time of day during specific weather conditions. This one is currently an Xbox exclusive so if you’re looking to add it to your PS4 collection, you’ll have to wait until late 2016. Maybe next Christmas eh?
Fall Out 4
XBOX One/ PS4
£39.99
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.
Massive open world with literally hundreds of locations, characters and quests? In this post apocalyptic world you’re gonna need your wits about you. Fallout 4 allows you to switch between first and third person views which for me is always a nice touch and relies on that RPG staple of collection and customization. This is a truly immersive with an inordinate amount of hours of gameplay. If you like getting your money’s worth from a game, Fallout 4 is definitely an option. Your family may not be seeing much of you over the holidays though. Maybe just pop your head in around March and see how they’re doing, yeah?
Just Cause 3 Day 1 Edition
XBOX One/ PS4
£36.00/ £38.00
The Mediterranean republic of Medici is suffering under the brutal control of General Di Ravello, a dictator with an insatiable appetite for power. Enter Rico Rodriguez, a man on a mission to destroy the General’s hold on power 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. Includes 3 x exclusive vehicles primed for action.
If you like open worlds, gadgets and destruction. Look no further. The signature tools of the trade, grappling hook and parachute, are back as well as the focus on chaos and exaggerated physics. This time though players can travel the open world in a wing suit that’s permanently equipped. There’s the wide range of weapons that’s expected in this kind of game as well as vehicles, fighter jets, planes and ships which for the most part can be customized and used as weapons. If you like your action with more than it’s fair share of humor. Look no further than this well-crafted bundle of joy and explosions.
Still not decided? Proceed to page 2 for those titles that didn’t quite make it above 4 stars. Some of them may make it on your Christmas list yet.
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