STACK #182 Dec 2019

GAMES FEATURE

stack.com.au

GAMES OUT THIS MONTH DECEMBER

SNIPER GHOST WARRIOR: CONTRACTS

GENRE: SHOOTER PLATFORM: PS4 | XBOX ONE | PC

RELEASE: OUT NOW MULTIPLAYER: NO

Speak softly and carry a big stick – and preferably a stick that takes bullets! Forget any ideas of gung-ho, run-and-gun “diplomacy”, for to really succeed in the latest in the Sniper Ghost Warrior series, it’s all about strategy – and that old friend, stealth. Unlike its predecessor, Contracts leaves behind

large open world action in favour of specific free-roam, Siberian mission zones, and a return in focus to that which the series is renowned for – it’s referred to there in the title, sniping! Accept a contract and set off to succeed in your mission. Scope out the area, tag hostiles and deal with them as you hunt down your key quarry. Make the shot in style – aided by your newly-enhanced scope – and trigger the bullet-cam feature, which follows said projectile from go to, well, whoa. Miss your shot and it’s time for a new strategy – and quick, as you have the slight disadvantage of your adversaries now knowing that you’re out there. It’s white knuckle stuff – will you be able to tough out the tension?

Did you know? This really is no simple point- and-shoot arcade experience. With every shot, players have to take distance, wind, height and bullet drop into account.

G: SIMULATOR P: SWITCH M: NO Switch strategy buffs have been able to go about their Civ VI empire building for a while, and now PlayStation 4 and Xbox One gamers get their chance. The legendary turn-based game of strategy has players exploring, researching, plundering and taking on some of history’s most famous – and infamous – leaders, while trying to construct the greatest civilization that the world has ever seen. This comes with DLC packs that include Australia, too. SIDE MEIER’S CIVILIZATION VI Get all the benefits of the Latin dance-influenced fitness sensation in your own home – or anywhere you may happen to roam with your Switch. You’ll get bits of meringue, cream, raspber... wait, that’s pavlova! Ah, merengue, salsa, samba, mambo, flamenco, rumba and even bits of hip-hop and belly-dancing, as real-life superstar instructors help you contort your way through more than 30 songs, featuring a mix of chart hits and originals. ZUMBA BURN IT UP! With its arrival on the Switch, you can have all the fun of mowing fields, tilling them, seeding them, harvesting them, plopping the grain in silos, selling the grain then doing it all again, without the need to ever get a lick of sun! Real farming is really hard work, but the game allows you to do it from the comfort of your own bottom, with this version adding new machinery, crops, activities and more that are exclusive to Nintendo’s console. FARMING SIMULATOR 20 As the final thrilling instalment arrives for the latest Life Is Strange story, so too does a physical copy of the game for collectors to treasure. This is the tale of brothers Sean and Daniel Diaz, who are forced to run away from their Seattle home and head to Mexico after a tragic incident. Like previous iterations, this is a game of decisions and their consequences, and one that’s sure to pluck the odd heartstring or three as its journey plays out. LIFE IS STRANGE 2 R: 3/12/19 G: STRATEGY P: PS4 | XBOX ONE | SWITCH M: YES R: OUT NOW G: FITNESS P: SWITCH M: YES R: OUT NOW

G: ACTION RPG P: PC M: YES Prepare for a game of biblical proportions – literally, as it’s chock full of fire, brimstone, apocalyptic horsemen, angels, demons and stuff – as the latest Darksiders chapter touches down, with console versions set to follow in February. This is actually a prequel to the series, wherein you take the reins alternately of gunslinging Horseman Strife and sword-wielding War in single player – or go co-op chaos with a cohort – to take out Hell’s master demons. DARKSIDERS GENESIS With the last movie relaunching the story of Jumanji with an adventure based on a video game, we’re surprised that this actual video game of the video game within the movie took so long to arrive! Up to four local or online players can step into the boots of Dr Smolder Bravestone, Ruby Roundhouse, Franklin “Mouse” Finbar or Professor Sheldon Oberon, searching for the jewels to save the world of Jumanji – and your avatars! JUMANJI: THE VIDEO GAME Since first hitting the world back in 2014, Shovel Knight has delighted players with its combination of slick modern gameplay with oodles of retro appeal. This is the ultimate complete collection of everything Shovel Knight , all in one collectible package. From the original Shovel of Hope through to the new final two instalments in King of Cards and Shovel Knight Showdown , this is a collection that all fans of great platformers are sure to dig (sorry). SHOVEL KNIGHT: TREASURE TROVE Initially an Xbox exclusive, Super Lucky’s Tale now bounds onto the Switch in a newly-expanded package. This classically-styled (mostly) 3D platformer, which reminds us in good ways of Super Mario 64 , introduces us to Lucky – a very energetic, very foxy hero who has to summon the courage to help his sister rescue the Book of Ages from the nefarious Jinx. If not, their world will be changed forever. It’s a fairly standard story setup, but a very delightful experience. NEW SUPER LUCKY’S TALE R: 5/12/19 G: PLATFORMER P: PS4 | XBOX ONE | SWITCH M: YES R: 10/12/19 R: 6/12/19

G: ACTION ADVENTURE P: PS4 | XBOX ONE | SWITCH M: YES

G: ADVENTURE P: PS4 | XBOX ONE M: NO

R: 3/12/19

G: PLATFORMER P: SWITCH M: NO

R: 13/12/19

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DECEMBER 2019

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