STACK #150 Apr 2017

GAMES PREVIEWS

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GENRE: JRPG PLATFORM: PS4 RELEASE: 04/04/17 MULTIPLAYER: NO

PERSONA 5

Enjoy this trip... and it is a trip. If you’re scratching your head at this juncture, you’ve obviously never had the distinct pleasure that is a Persona game. It’s a Japanese role-playing series, but if that conjures visions of wide open plains with sword-schlepping warriors then you’re in for a bigger surprise than if you lobbed upon the teddy bears’ picnic. This psychedelic social sim-infused JRPG adventure with turn-based bits (pause for breath) takes place in Tokyo. You’re

a very silent type who saved a woman from molestation. Normally this would be applauded, but the assailant was a powerful politician who weaselled out of being charged. Instead you’re put on probation, expelled from your school and sent to Tokyo’s Shujin High School. It’s here that you and newfound friends gradually get to grips with your Persona powers – which are manifestations of your inner psyches. As a group calling yourselves the Phantom Thieves

of Hearts, you get your vigilante on and hit the supernatural realm to remove evil and corruption from the palaces of adults (which would be their hearts). Hey, we told you this was a trip! A truly emotional experience that’s designed to embrace fans but also welcome newcomers, there’s nothing quite like Persona. From the people who brought you... Catherine, Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE

PORTAL KNIGHTS

ATV RENEGADES

GENRE: ACT/RPG PLATFORM: PS4 | XBO RELEASE: 27/04/17 MULTIPLAYER: YES

GENRE: RACING PLATFORM: PS4 | XBO RELEASE: 21/04/17 MULTIPLAYER: YES

Usually if we suffer a fracture, a bit of plaster, some rest and maybe a few handfuls of painkillers get us by. But in the world of the Portal Knights, the fracture was so serious that it became capitalised! Imagine if somebody spilled a whole lot of Minecraft and a little bit of Diablo into Zelda’s Hyrule. You become one of the bravest of the brave, as you and up to three others

Hold onto your hats residents of Toorak and Vaucluse, for this experience features four wheel drive vehicles going... wait for it... off road! ATV Renegades sees you travel the world from the USA to Russia, Thailand and beyond, jumping onto tricked-out quadbikes and hitting the dirt for crazy up and down arcade racing. Do it single player against your console (which never cheats,

explore various randomly-generated lands, battle mean-bean monsters, gather resources, build stuff and level up in order to reverse the havoc that the Fracture caused. Oh, did we mention the Portal Guardian boss battles? Eep!

naturally) or with a couch-based buddy in split screen. Let loose on jumps, with the more tricks that you accomplish without coming a gutser meaning the more nitro you earn. First you get the nitro, then you get the power!

From the people who brought you... Don’t Starve, Brothers

From the people who brought you... RBI Baseball 2016, Marvel Pinball Epic Collection Vol. 1

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APRIL 2017

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