STACK #212 June 2022

GAMING FEATURE

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WHAT’S COMING IN JULY?

F1 22 This year’s official Formula One game is getting ready to roll, heralding a new era in F1. As well as incorporating this year’s rule changes, there’s the inclusion of the new Miami International Autodrome circuit. The broadcast system has been beefed up and the AI improved, while the official line-up of 20 drivers and 10 teams all feature. As well as the return of the MyTeam career mode, the F1 Life hub is set to deliver all the glitz and glamour of the world of F1 for a true fan experience.

MATCHPOINT: TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS It’s been a while since we’ve had a dedicated tennis game on console, and Matchpoint: Tennis Championships is set to be the first for new-gen machines. Kalypso Media and Australia’s Torus Games are behind this latest trip to the courts, with the simulator set to serve up true-to-life ball physics, realistic character animations and new levels of player control. There’ll be classic local multiplayer as well as online, plus 16 real-life international tennis pros, including Nick Kyrgios.

MULTIPLAYER?

MULTIPLAYER?

RACING

1/7/22

SPORTS

7/7/22

LIVE A LIVE In 1994, Japanese Super Nintendo players were treated to Square’s Live A Live , a meeting of turn-based tactics and RPG from Final Fantasy IV writer/designer Takashi Tokita. While never released outside its homeland, its reputation grew and now, finally, we can all play it via this faithful Switch conversion. Travel through time and take on several different tales, playing as characters ranging from a peace-seeking caveman to a sneaky as-you-go ninja to a rootin’, tootin’, bold-as-brass cowboy.

XENOBLADE CHRONICLES 3 Prepare for grand adventure as the open world series continues, with some hot new features. We’ll journey to the world of Aionios, where war rages between the nations of Keves and Agnus. Our two featured protagonists are Noah, an off-seer from Keves, and Mio, an off-seer from Agnus, joining forces in order to discover the truth behind their conflict. A big new feature is the ability to have up to seven active party members, while character classes can be changed as the adventure continues.

MULTIPLAYER?

MULTIPLAYER?

RPG

22/7/22

ACTION RPG

29/7/22

1 What was the first game that you played? I was lucky enough to receive an Atari 2600 one year for Christmas with a copy of Raiders of the Lost Ark to play… and I have to say it’s probably still one of the most obscure games I’ve ever played! I think the memory of this game sticks with me more than any other at that time as it was the first game that I’d played that wasn’t just a question of timing jumps, dodging enemies, and so on. 2 What was the last game that you finished? Halo Infinite (campaign) – loved it! I spent many years at Rare (ultimately working for Microsoft) and have fond memories of being around for early Halo launches. There’s something ultimately satisfying about the core mechanics of Halo, and the team has knocked it out of the park with Infinite . 3 What’s your favourite video game/series of all time? Elite . This changed everything for me as a child. The sense of adventure and exploration was like nothing else that had come before, and it was the first time I felt I could lose myself in a game experience. 4 What do you think is the most underrated video game of all time? I’m going to say a game I’ve worked on, and I think that Viva Piñata is up there. Under the cute presentation is a deep and complex experience where players must essentially attract and ultimately sacrifice piñata that make it into their garden for their own gain. Our focus at the time at Rare was to bring broader content to the Xbox. It’s great that it’s now on Game Pass, so hopefully more people are enjoying what I feel is a proper gem of a game. 5 What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? The Project Gotham Racing series is one that immediately springs to mind (as I’ve now fulfilled my other goal of working on GRID...). Oh, and Elite , of course!

Associate creative director on GRID Legends at Codemasters/EA. STEVEN BRAND

16 JUNE 2022

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