New Games This Week! —Halfway through November and the releases just keep getting better! This week has only a handful of big releases, but they are just that – BIG.
Grand Theft Auto V
Nov 18th — R18+ — PlayStation 4, Xbox One.
Oh deer, this game sure does look amazing.
One of the top selling franchises of all time finally makes its debut onto our glorious current gen consoles, and it is indeed glorious. Sporting some shiny new technical upgrades thanks to the power behind the PS4 and X1 consoles, Grand Theft Auto has received improvements to visuals, AI, and weather and damage effects, for the ultimate Grand Theft Auto experience.
Most notably however, is the introduction of first-person view. While not a first for the series, this time it’s a pretty big deal as Grand Theft Auto V is the first in the series where the entire game can be played in this viewpoint.
For those who pre-ordered at EB Games, you will be receiving an exclusive double sided poster on top of the $1,000,000 of in-game cash you receive as well for pre-ordering, the same as JB Hi-Fi.
Far Cry 4
Nov 18th — MA15+ — PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC.
The best thing to come out of the announcement for Far Cry 4 wasn’t just the fact that it existed, but the introduction of the “metro-sexual Patrick Stewart” character. Seriously. Look at him. Best.
Just remember – someone else coined that phrase, not me.
Far Cry 4 is (in my opinion) Ubisoft’s best title for 2014. For those who have been living under a rock, Far Cry 4 is a ridiculously fun first-person shooter set in the exotic, wild landscapes of the Himalayas, in the middle of a civil-war under the regime of a self-appointed king.
In this gorgeous, massive open-world abundant with wildlife, you’ll be able to experience drop in/out co-op, a diverse range of weapons for whatever your needs are, an assortment of various vehicles (including elephants), eccentric character personalities, and an action-packed single player campaign where anything can happen.
There are two editions of the game available to purchase – the Limited Edition, and the Kryat Edition. The Limited Edition is your day one edition available at all retailers (cheekily being advertised as a “free upgrade” though there is currently no lesser option to choose…), including an extra 60 minutes of gameplay via the Hurk’s Redemption Mission Pack, and new weapon — The Impaler Harpoon Gun. Pre-ordering the Limited Edition at EB Games also nabs you two new weapons, and an exclusive single player mission.
The Kryat Edition, which is exclusive to EB Games, comes with the game, a 20cm statue of Pagan Min (metro-sexual Patrick Stewart), a propaganda poster, travel journal, and a map of Kryat, all together in a pretty box.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Nov 20th — MA15+ — PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC .
Ooh, How To Train Your Dragon!
Medieval and fantasy do not come together more perfectly in a video game than they do in the Dragon Age series. The third in this stunning and award-winning action RPG series, Dragon Age: Inquisition is once again set in the Thedas world in an all-out war between mages and Templars. The area traversable is said to be much larger than the previous two titles, including the entirety of the country from the first Dragon Age (Ferelden), and Orlais, so you know — there’s a lot to do.
Dragon Age: Inquisition is more open-ended than its predecessors, providing the player a more in-depth gaming experience where every decision has an impact on how your character and story plays out, meaning choices made by the player can ultimately mean closing off entire areas and quests altogether.
Aside from the normal version of the game (which pre-ordering from EB Games gives you the Flames of the Inquisition weapon pack and horse mount, and the Flames of the Inquisition Armour set from JB Hi-Fi), there is also the Deluxe Edition exclusive to EB Games, featuring all of the above and more DLC, and the Inquisitor Edition, another EB Games Exclusive. This version comes with all of the above DLC, a case wrapped in faux reptile skin with the Inquisition mark stamped on the top, a full scale six piece lock set, four full scale map markers, Inquisitor’s badge, quill and inkpot, 40-page journal, Orlesian coins, 22” x 32” cloth map of Thedas, a steelbook, and a 72 card tarot deck with custom artwork.
Pokémon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire
Nov 21st — PG — Nintendo 2DS/3DS.
Because you know I’m all about that base.
The best-selling game from the Game Boy Advance generation, was Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire. It had the first major upgrade in graphics in the series (other than you know, colour), introduced double-battles, and opened our eyes to the obsessive statistics of abilities and natures. After years of speculation about a remake, Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have finally arrived, and can hopefully bring some of the older Pokéfans who may have abandoned the series with Black and White, or X and Y, myself included.
With returning features such as the Secret Base (now Super Secret Base), and the Mach and Acro bikes, you’ll also get to encounter most of the eleventybillion Pokémon available, experience at least ten new Mega Evolutions debuting in this game, and still be able to cosplay your Pokémon in Pokémon-Amie.
Sorry, I just had to.
New Nintendo 3DS/3DS XL
Nov 21st.
New Nintendo 3DS.
As tradition with all Nintendo handhelds, there is a new revision for the 3DS model — the New Nintendo 3DS — and with this revision comes some great additions to the hardware.
The “super-stable 3D function” will provide a more comfortable gaming experience for those who walk on the wild side, and play with 3D on. Notice how when if you aren’t staring at your console straight-on, the 3D is blurry? That is now no longer a thing — clear, crisp 3D from all angles.
New ZR and ZL buttons have been added on the top, along with a tiny little C stick above the ABXY buttons. For games that will require these buttons, this means that more precise and subtle movements can be made by the player.
Buttons!
For those excited about everything amiibo, you will want to be picking up this unit in particular as the previous models do not have the NFC capabilities that are required for amiibo to work.
Improved battery life, automatic brightness adjustment, and upgraded camera functionality are also a few more things under the belt of the New Nintendo 3DS.
New Nintendo 3DS XL.
And last but definitely not least, are the new swappable face plates for the New Nintendo 3DS. This is a HUGE thing for me personally, as every time I have purchased a Nintendo handheld I have gone out of my way to try and get a rare or limited edition one — just so I can be different to everyone else around me. Being able to easily customize the appearance of your New Nintendo 3DS in just a matter a couple of minutes, follows the same personalization psychology as customizing your mobile device — it is an extension of your personality, something that you are proud to show, and something that will become very costly for some people. I’m already excited for the near future when small businesses and Etsy shops selling custom plates. Really excited.
Apparently the felt ones feel real nice.
