STACK #243 January 2025

GAMING FEATURE

visit jbhifi.com.au/stack

It may not have been jam-packed with new releases like some years, yet 2024 certainly delivered us some superb gaming experiences.This, of course, meant that STACK ’s games team had to debate which were our favourites - and here are the results, listed alphabetically… Words Amy Flower, Dan Nicholson, Michael Caverzan

Sonic X Shadow Generations PLATFORMER MULTIPLAYER What we said: “An absolute no brainer

for anybody who worships at the church of Sonic, Sonic X Shadow Generations is a top value package

that delivers two challenging games that look stunning, and while sure we’ve seen one of them before, we’ve not seen it looking this good, or playing as well.” AF Stellar Blade ACTION ADVENTURE MULTIPLAYER What we said: “Shift Up have created something very special in Stellar Blade , giving us an experience that’s reassuringly familiar but also excitingly new, while in EVE they’ve added another member to the pantheon of classic PlayStation heroines. You know, like Disney princesses, but a lot more kick-butt...” AF The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom ACTION ADVENTURE MULTIPLAYER

Astro Bot

allows you to relive it the way that you felt like it played in 1997. Even if we wait another four years, we’re super excited for the gripping conclusion to possibly the most iconic Final Fantasy game to date.” DN Helldivers 2 SHOOTER MULTIPLAYER What we said: “ Helldivers 2 is the unholy, unauthorised, and individuals. Whether it's storming the misty swamps of Malevelon Creek or dodging heatseeking fire tornadoes on Hellmire, every heart pounding moment feels like it's been dragged directly from the pages of Michael Bay's dream journal.” DN Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER underworld (or at least a darkly comedic approximation), or playing the many, many, minigames, nothing feels like filler here. Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth is pure entertainment, 100% of the time.” DN Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown ACTION ADVENTURE MULTIPLAYER What we said: “ Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is a slow burn that gradually morphs into an exciting journey of exploration and challenging combat. The simplistic graphics and almost complete lack of an engaging story bely the deeply enjoyable and continuously replayable nature of this cracking Metroidvania experience.” DN unbelievably fun time that begs to be played with a squad of likeminded What we said: “Whether battling giant sharks or riding dolphins, taking in the crazy story of the lifestyles of the Japanese

PLATFORMER MULTIPLAYER What we said: “When we think classic platform games, most times thoughts turn directly towards a certain plumber who’s a rather dab hand at a

run and a jump and a 'Wahoo!'. In Astro Bot , the PS5 now has a game that’s as fine as anything that's ever involved that moustachioed tradie. Yes, it really is that good.” AF Dragon Age: The Veilguard ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER What we said: “It drops the old-school, to be. As with Shepard in BioWare's magnum opus Mass Effect , player character Rook and their companions take centre stage, so when the narrative demands that you make difficult choices, the consequences feel all too real.” MC Dragon’s Dogma 2 ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER What we said: “ Dragon's Dogma 2 thrilling battles against massive, climbable monsters and a labyrinthine world filled with secrets to explore. The first game was unique, and now with this sequel ten years later, there's still nothing else quite like it.” MC Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth ACTION RPG MULTIPLAYER What we said: “Weird and wonderful in pen-and-paper inspirations for something flashier, becoming the thrilling action RPG it always wanted fulfils the promises that the first game only hinted at. It's bigger, it's better, and it's a blast to play, serving up

What we said: “Our titular princess finally gets her own adventure that reminds us why she bears the Triforce of Wisdom. Exploration is wonderful

and the puzzles are imaginative, resulting in a Zelda game that’s both refreshingly modern and deliberately old-school - a perfect midpoint between the creativity of Tears of the Kingdom and the traditions of the SNES era.” MC

Black Myth: Wukong, Dragon Quest 3 HD-2D Remake, LEGO Horizon Adventures, Metaphor: ReFantazio, Persona 3 Reload, Princess Peach: Showtime!, Silent Hill 2, Star Wars Outlaws, Tekken 8, Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Honourable mentions

all the best ways, Final Fantasy VII Rebirth feels like playing a memory. It brings all the magic of the original and

16 JANUARY 2025

jbhifi.com.au