STACK #232 February 2024

GAMING FEATURE

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WHAT’S COMING IN MARCH?

VP of NBA development on NBA 2K24 at 2K/ Visual Concepts. ERICK BOENISCH

DRAGON’S DOGMA II It’s taken a dozen years, but finally a sequel to Capcom’s Dragon Dogma is heading our way. This single-player, third person action RPG offers players new levels of choice, from their look to their vocation, the make-up of their party, and more. A deep fantasy world awaits, as your Arisen is joined by helper pawns. You’ll employ swords, bows, and magic as you explore an open world that’s four times larger than that of the original.

PRINCESS PEACH: SHOWTIME! It’s been nearly 20 years since Super Princess Peach on the Nintendo DS, but the pink-loving royal is finally back as the cover star in a whole new adventure. A simple outing to the Sparkle Theatre goes awry when evil sorceress Grape and her minions the Sour Bunch literally steal the show. Pairing with the theatre’s guardian Stella, Peach must transform her way to save the day. She’ll swordfight, she’ll go detective, she’ll turn kung fu master, and more!

1 What was the first game that you played? Pitfall on the Atari 2600.

2 What was the last game that you finished? Either Elden Ring or Vampire Survivors . At the time of this writing, I’m nearing full completion of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom . 3 What’s your favourite video game/ series of all time? NBA 2K (believe it or not, I play it a LOT at home), Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest, The Legend of Zelda, and Elder Scrolls .

ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER?

ACTION ADVENTURE MULTIPLAYER?

22/3/24

22/3/24

4 What do you think is the most

underrated game of all time? SubSpace .

5 What’s the game that you most wish you’d worked on? A game in the Dragon Warrior/Dragon Quest universe. After having finished all of the games (even some not released in North America, with English translations), I feel like I have many ideas on how to expand that game in modern ways.

RISE OF THE RONIN Dead or Alive , Ninja Gaiden , Nioh … now the Team Ninja masters bring us a new IP that’s set to feature all the action you’d expect from a developer with their pedigree. Set in the dark late 19th century Edo period, create your custom Ronin, and take part in the Boshin war, using a vast array of weaponry of the time to fight your way through. This action RPG will also offer many story branch choices, as you align with or fight those you encounter.

SOUTH PARK: SNOW DAY! It’s time to head on down to South Park once again, with the arrival of a whole new 3D adventure set in the snowed-in mountain town. The New Kid returns from The Stick of Truth and The Fractured but Whole , joining up with Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny in a celebration of that most magical of days – the school-free snow day! Up to four can play at once, in combat against warring factions, equipped with unique weapons and devastating special abilities.

ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER?

ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER?

22/3/24

26/3/24

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1984 saw Nintendo let loose a new assault on Japanese arcades, with the rest of the world soon following, in boxing game Punch-Out!! . Unusual in that it featured two monitors, it soon became a huge hit (ahem) worldwide, and spawned ace home versions later on.

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54 FEBRUARY 2024

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