STACK #182 Dec 2019

GAMES REVIEWS STACK

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CALL OF DUTY: MODERN WARFARE

GENRE: SHOOTER

PLATFORM: PS4, XBOX ONE

MULTIPLAYER: YES

Call of Duty has always offered fast, explosive action, the likes of which might make Michael Bay quiver in his gasoline-filled boots. Fluid graphics, satisfyingly huge sound and attention to detail in weaponry are all hallmarks of the series, and they’re all present and accounted for here. At last, we have a single player mode

that rivals that of the original Modern Warfare in 2007. It’s an exciting turn for the series, with a deep and engaging story that takes the best aspects of the first two Modern Warfare

COD SQUAD Good news everyone, crossplay is here! Should you wish, you can hook up with your friends on other systems by using your Activision account details – then it’s as simple as finding them on your preferred platforms. You won’t even be able to tell the difference, unless you’re looking at the player list before entering a match.

the system, especially for anyone who hasn’t played Call of Duty for a while. Once you’re up to speed, the combat is fluid and accessible. It does take time to adjust to the different maps and game modes, but it’s the most accurate experience of trial by fire you can have from the edge of your couch. Levelling up, like the combat, is superbly quick. Two hours in will see you at level 10, and you’ll already have unlocked some cool toys. There are also daily challenges and missions that unlock special weapon skins and profile badges. With compelling storylines and Hollywood blockbuster level action, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare is a return to what made CoD great, and stands out as a strong contender for the best FPS of 2019. DN

outings and melds them together into something compelling. The single player mode is strongly recommended to get into the spirit of the game, as it offers a solid standalone experience that’s easy to enjoy. The online multiplayer is lightning fast and reactionary. The experience of logging in for the first time is like jumping headfirst into an ice bath. It’s a shock to

LUIGI’S MANSION 3

GENRE: ACTION ADVENTURE

PLATFORM: SWITCH

MULTIPLAYER: YES

Mario’s little bro does his best Shaggy impression as the ultra-reluctant ghost- busting hero of Luigi’s Mansion 3 . You’d think by now that Luigi might twig that the mysterious invite is a bit suss, but nope. So, he and his trusty Polterpup join Mario,

Peach and a trio of Toads on a bus trip to the ominously titled Last Resort. No mere mansion, it’s a swanky, multi-storey hotel, but it

YAY FOR THE BOO! Good old Professor E Gadd returns in Luigi’s Mansion 3 to assist the star of the show in the gizmo department. Chief amongst these is this game’s communication tool, the Virtual Boo. Not only is this a reference to Nintendo’s 1990s mega-flop Virtual Boy console (that we wish we had in our collection, because red!), it also proves that the Big N can have a bit of a laugh at their own expense.

doesn’t take long for our crew to learn that it harbours many spooky secrets. The hotel manager, one not-at-

increasingly wild and challenging puzzles, with a bit of satisfying ghost-whomping chucked in for good measure. The ante is upped here with 15-plus levels, and new ways in which Luigi can bust those ghosts. Plus, the coolest part… Gooigi! A Luigi clone made from goo, it can be flipped to as the playable entity for times when you need to access tight spots that a skin and bones Luigi just can’t manoeuvre through. As well as a plethora of increasingly challenging and mostly interesting puzzles, there are brilliantly creative boss battles that are great fun to tackle. With just the right amount of humour, challenge and progression desire, Luigi’s Mansion 3 is up there with some of his brother’s best escapades. Yes, bustin’ will make you feel good. AF

all-dodgy-sounding Hellen Gravely, is in cahoots with big bad King Boo, who traps the visitors in paintings. Well, save for our hero Luigi, who makes good a whimpering – but successful – escape. Now it’s up to him to save everybody – eep! Like the GameCube original and 3DS sequel, Luigi’s Mansion involves our reluctant hero clearing out assorted ghostly entities floor-by-floor via solving

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DECEMBER 2019

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