STACK NZ Sep #77

GAMES PREVIEWS with Amy Flower

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GENRE: SPORTS PLATFORM: XBO | PS4 | 360 | PS3 RELEASE: 29/09/16 MULTIPLAYER: YES

FIFA 17

Another FIFA game? It’s going to be just like last year’s, but with a different cover star, right? Dear sir or madam, you couldn’t be more wrong! This year’s model sees FIFA given its biggest overhaul since 2007, with EA basically rebooting the whole enchilada. This doesn’t mean that established fan favourites such as player and manager careers have been booted though. Gameplay mechanics, modes and visuals have been enhanced – the latter incredibly so, thanks

to EA’s natty graphical powerhouse the Frostbite engine. Then, of course, there’s the online world of FIFA Ultimate Team, where you can take your team (or teams) to the ultimate glory – well, if you’re good enough! This is just one facet of the vast array of connectivity in FIFA 17, all handled through the EA Sports Football Club network. The biggest new arrival of all, though, is a story mode. Dubbed ‘The Journey’, you’re young wannabe Alex Hunter, trying to make your name

in the cutthroat world of English football. Your actions on and off the pitch affect your career progression, adding a whole new level to what many already regard as one of the greatest soccer games ever. Just watch out for Borussia Dortmund’s Marco ‘Woody’ Reus hurtling at you on the cover.

If you liked this, you may also like... PES 2017, Rocket League: Collector’s Edition

GAMES

NBA 2K17

DESTINY: RISE OF IRON

GENRE: FPS PLATFORM: XBO | PS4 RELEASE: 20/09/16 MULTIPLAYER: YES

GENRE: SPORT PLATFORM: PS4 | XBO | PS3 | 360 RELEASE: 16/09/16 MULTIPLAYER: YES

Prepare yourself, Guardian, for your services are required once more. Fallen mutants have broken into the Plaguelands. Why does this matter? Well, the area was off limits for good reason, as back in the Golden Age, powerful self-replicating nanotechnology called SIVA turned against humans, so the Iron Lords sealed it deep underground. Having released it, the Fallen relish the opportunity to use the tech to get their mech on – but without understanding the consequences... A

The only excuse for dribbling (unless you take your meals in a highchair); 2K’s annual NBA release finally hits. Naturally

there’s a raft of improvements to most everything that moves or makes a noise, with honed presentation making the whole shebang seem like an actual TV broadcast. Fans of the MyGM and MyLeague management modes will love expanded customisation options and teams – including the Boomers (Oi! Oi! Oi! etc...) Of course the other big draw is the soundtrack, with 50 tracks curated by Imagine Dragons, Grimes and Canadian producer Noah ‘40’ Shebib. Get in quick and nab the ‘Legend Edition’, featuring Kobe Bryant on the cover and enough physical and in-game swag to satiate a Kardashian.

huge expansion for last year’s The Taken King, Rise of Iron bulges with opportunity, from the new story, raid, strike and crucible modes, to new weapons and armour – and the return of the almighty Gjallarhorn!

If you liked this, you may also like... Fallout 4, Borderlands: The Handsome Collection

If you liked this, you may also like... MLB: The Show 16, Rocket League: Collector’s Edition

SEPTEMBER 2016

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