STACK #181 Nov 2019

GAMES REVIEWS STACK

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GRID

GENRE: RACING

PLATFORM: PS4, XBOX ONE, PC

MULTIPLAYER: YES

The first “now-gen” GRID has entered a crowded field, as there's no shortage of good race game competition nowadays. But Codemasters are old hands at this car racing caper, and haven't re-entered the fray blindly. Basics-wise, they bring 12 core tracks with assorted variations that total some

80-plus. More are promised – free! The same goes for cars, although there's a healthy selection to begin with, from JDM specials to muscle cars, stock, trucks, high-spec Euro- motors and Aussie classics.

ROUND AND ROUND! The initial set of tracks take us on quite the grand world tour. From our own backyard in Sydney’s Motorsport Park, we can head up through Asia to Okutama in Japan, then on to Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia and the Chinese double whammy of Shanghai and Zhejiang. Europe is represented by Barcelona and the UK’s Brands Hatch and Silverstone. In the Americas, hit the Havana streets, Crescent Valley, Indianapolis and finish up in San Francisco.

with the neatest way to hit them being the 'Career' mode. Complete four championships and you'll open the big money/big glory GRID World Series. Grind away for big points, nabbing speed, technique and bravery notches to help that all important XP grow. Codemasters have also spun something new into the mix, with a nemesis system. Basically, ram, nudge or otherwise irritate another racer too much and they'll be out to get you any chance that they get. This is assuming that they can catch you, of course… GRID is a slick racing entry, and doesn't waste too much time getting in and out of races – big ticks. It ultimately nails the most critical requirement for a good racer, in that no matter whether you dial the assists up to stun, or down to insanity, cars handle like a dream. Basically, it's playable like crazy. AF

All the tracks look fab, with settings for various times of day. GRID supports HDR if your telly does, too, which brings an added level of visual flair to proceedings. Sounds vary neatly between cars, from the little pops and farts of the Ford Focus through to the downright grunty V8 behemoths. Several racing disciplines are included,

TOM CLANCY’S GHOST RECON BREAKPOINT

GENRE: SHOOTER

PLATFORM: PS4, XBOX ONE

MULTIPLAYER: YES

Imagine Jurassic Park, but with dinosaurs replaced by high tech drones, artificial intelligence, deadly mercenaries and The Punisher. The latest release in the popular Tom Clancy series, you don’t need to have played its predecessor, Ghost Recon Wildlands , to understand and enjoy Ghost Recon Breakpoint . The USS Seay has sunk near

PLACE WITHOUT A POSTCARD The location of Auroa is beautiful. Imagine if Google bought an island and all of their various technology, drones and weapons (hey, search history can be a weapon!) were developed and tested there. The architecture – labs, warehouses and mansions – are fantastic, but what’s missing is civilian life. Wildlands took place in a fictional Bolivia, with civilians all over the place. Driving through Auroa you’ll mostly just interact with Walker’s army, private military and drones. But look at those views!

the island of Auroa, the home of Skell Tech. The US government can’t establish contact with the island, so they deploy 32 ‘Ghosts’ to discover what’s up. Shortly after arriving, your helicopter is attacked by drones and, upon surviving the crash, you learn that former Ghost Cole D. Walker (played by Jon Bernthal) has gone rogue, not only taking over the island – including Skell Tech’s assets – but also amassing his own army! After creating your character, you’ll get a pistol and be left to fend for yourself. This introduction to the mechanics of Breakpoint

is all about timing and approaching situations. Yes, you can go in loud like John Spartan in Demolition Man , or you can sneak around guards like John McClane in Die Hard . Basically, combat doesn’t involve simply popping into cover and shooting – you’ll need to be more strategic. Do you have enough ammo to go in loud? Is there anything nearby that’ll attract more unwanted attention? If you quietly take out a roaming guard, will his friend notice? As Auroa is hostile territory, there aren’t many areas to return to and heal, so you’ll need to find a safe place to camp, replenish health and give yourself sustaining buffs. Breakpoint plays like the lovechild of Wildlands , The Division and Splinter Cell . If you’ve never played a Ghost Recon title before, it’s accessible, but more importantly it can be played your way. AD

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NOVEMBER 2019

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