STACK #193 Nov 2020

YOUR TO FILM, TV, MUSIC, GAMING & LIFE TECH ESSENTIAL GUIDE

.com.au

ISSUE 193 Nov ’20

STACK Issue 193 NOVEMBER 2020 “You’ve got to ask yourself one question. Do I feel lucky?”

FILM & TV

ISSUE 193 Nov ’20

ISSUE 193 Nov ’20

MUSIC

Something for Kate

INSIDE: PS5/XBOX SERIES X • SMART HOME

hot

YOURMONTHLY FILM & TV GUIDE TOWHAT’S IN-STORE AT hot

YOURMONTHLYMUSIC GUIDE TOWHAT’S IN-STORE AT

SAMSUNG’S THE PREMIERE TRIPLE LASER 4K SMART PROJECTOR

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION

NOVEMBER 12, 2020

“ 1 ”,“PlayStation”,“ 5 ”and“PlayHasNoLimits”are registered trademarksor trademarksofSony InteractiveEntertainment Inc.“SONY” isa registered trademarkof SonyCorporation. ©2020Sony InteractiveEntertainmentEurope.DevelopedbyLucidGamesLimited.“DESTRUCTIONALLSTARS” isa registered trademarkor trademarkofSony InteractiveEntertainmentLLC. ©2020Sony InteractiveEntertainmentEurope.DevelopedbySumoDigital.Sackboy isa registered trademarkor trademarkbySony InteractiveEntertainmentEurope. “Demon’sSouls” isa registered trademarkor trademarkofSony InteractiveEntertainment Inc.PublishedbySony InteractiveEntertainmentLimited.All rights reserved.

1 2 . 1 1 . 2 0

Violence

STANDARDEDITIONALSOAVAILABLEON 4

“ 1 ”,“PlayStation”,“ 5 ”and“PlayHasNoLimits”are registered trademarksofSony InteractiveEntertainment Inc.Also,“ 4 ” isa trademarkof thesame company.“SONY” isa registered trademarkof SonyCorporation.Marvel’sSpider-Man:MilesMorales©2020MARVEL©2020 Sony InteractiveEntertainmentLLC.PublishedbySony Interactive EntertainmentEuropeLtd,10GreatMarlboroughStreet, London,W1F7LP.Developedby Insomniac Games,LLC. PSONY08102002

ISSUE 193 NOV

NEWS 8 Coming soon GAMING 10 Roving Reporter 12 PS5 and Series X launch titles 14 PS5 15 Xbox Series X|S 18 Cyberpunk 2077 20 Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War 22 Godfall 24 Yakuza: Like a Dragon 26 Assassin’s Creed Valhalla 30-32 Screens to game on CONTENTS 34 New gen accessories 36 Games out this month 37 STACK recommends FILM & TV 42 Roving Reporter 44 Local Hero 46 Bob J’s Movie Trivia 48- 49 The Crown 50 Westworld 52 Apartment 1BR 54 The Bay of Silence 56-57 Ray Harryhausen Ultimate Collection 58- 60 Reviews 62- 65 4K Ultra HD MUSIC 70, 74-78 The Music Room: Interviews and Bulletins 72-73 The 2020 ARIAs: Nominees and Predictions 80-82 AlbumTales: 84 Something for Kate - Worth the Wait 86 This Month at JB 88 The STACK Record Club 90-94 Album reviews LIFE TECH 4 Intro 6-10 Smart Home Ecosystems 12 Mesh Networks 14-20 Smart Home Lighting 22-30 Smart Home Security 32 Smarts around the home 34 The future of the smart home 36-40 Projectors 42 New at JB Mariah Carey’s Music Box (1993) FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK

2020

WELCOME November is the month that gamers have long awaited, with the release of the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and the official commencement of a new generation of gaming. Among the exciting range of games available for the consoles are Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War , Godfall and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla . If you’re looking to create your own smart home, add to an existing one or just find out what all the fuss is about, Life Tech has you covered with our comprehensive smart home feature. We also look at the new and exciting developments in projectors for home entertainment enthusiasts looking to create their own home cinema experience. It’s a big month in TV, with the hotly anticipated third season of The Crown introducing a new cast led by Oscar-winner Olivia Colman ( The Favourite ), while Westworld: Season 3 enters a whole new world. And in movies, we delve into the stop motion magic of the Ray Harryhausen Ultimate Collection . Something for Kate lead a killer-diller cache of music interviews (Tim Minchin, Tired Lion, Kate Miller-Heidke), we plunge deep into Mariah Carey’s beloved Music Box (1993), the informative STACK Record Club delivers another batch of must-have LPs, and we review newies from Nick Cave and Kylie Minogue. Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Film & TV Editor Scott Hocking

Marketing Manager Fleur Parker Chief Contributors Bob Jones, Gill Pringle Contributors Bryget Chrisfield, Glenn Cochrane, Jeff Jenkins, Simon Lukic, Billy Pinnell, Denise Hylands, Simon Winkler, Nathan Lawrence, Jake Cleland, Tim Lambert, Holly Pereira, Adam Colby,

Anthony Horan, Nicholas Kennedy, Dan Nicholson, Alex Deutrom, Bec Summer Social Media Manager Imogene Lewis-Granland Production Manager Craig Patterson Correspondence STACK 33 Jessie Street, Richmond, VIC 3121

Music Editor Zoë Radas Online Editor Amy Flower

Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando Music Consultant Mike Glynn

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended formature audiences

Notsuitableforpeople under15.Under15smust beaccommpaniedbya parentoradultguardian

Restricted to18andover

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2020 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

6

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION

JOIN STACK and enter at

stack.com.au/ competitions/ projector

screen size: Up to 130”

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO SAMSUNG’S THE PREMIERE TRIPLE LASER 4K SMART PROJECTOR WIN Turn your home into the movies with a screen that goes up to 130”

PRIZE INCLUDES: Samsung The Premiere LSP9T Triple Laser 4K Smart Projector

Already a member? Enter now and view full competition details at stack.com.au/competitions/projector

Terms and conditions apply at stack.com.au/terms-and-conditions

NEWS

visit stack.com.au

STACK's COMING SOON

MACCA IS BACK! J ust like you and your wonky new veggie patch, Sir Paul McCartney has been working hard on a lockdown project: a fresh album. It'll be the third in a triptych of solo records which began 40 years ago with 1970's McCartney , and continued with 1980's McCartney II . McCartney III is slated to arrive on December 11, and was created from snippets of old ideas. Says Macca: "It was about making music for yourself rather than making music that has to do a job. So, I just did stuff I fancied doing. I had no idea this would end up as an album."

W arner Bros. Home Entertainment has announced the release of The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and The Hobbit Trilogy on the 4K Ultra HD format on December 2. The sets will include both the Theatrical and Extended versions of all six films, which have been remastered in 4K by director Peter Jackson. Bonus features and technical specs are still to be confirmed, although it's tipped that both will support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ as well as Dolby Atmos audio. Speaking on TheOneRing fansite, star Sean Astin promises "the most incredible experience possible." Pre-order your copies from JB Hi-Fi now! WORTH TOLKIEN ABOUT!

BIGGER ON A BUDGET

A rlo has added a new XL spotlight camera to its Essential range designed for the budget-conscious. The big improvement here is a whopping 12-month battery, ideal for those mounting positions that are tough to reach. Alongside the extended battery life, the weatherproof cameras have two-way audio, colour night vision, a siren to deter would-be intruders, and a 130-degree viewing angle. Arlo's Essential range connects directly to the Wi-Fi network, eliminating the need for an Arlo SmartHub or a Home Base. The Arlo XL Essential is available in-store this month.

New and existing STACK members have the opportunity to win one of 30 $50 JB Hi-Fi digital gift cards every month!* 50 $ MEMBER REWARDS If you’re already receiving STACK 's newsletters, you’re in with a chance to win – if not, join now for free: www.stack.com.au/member/ Thanks to JB Hi-Fi

1 of 30

GIFT CARDS EVERY MONTH *

*Terms and conditions apply. Full terms and conditions at www.stack.com.au/competitions/members-rewards-50/

JULY 2020

jbhifi.com.au

6

Gaming to the power of QLED 8K Don’t play fair

$1,000 Bonus JB Hi-Fi Gift Card 1 to upgrade your gaming experience

Level up with breathtaking QLED 8K. A revolution in resolution, Samsung QLED 8K TVs offer incredible picture detail with powerful upscaling for an immersive experience. 2 Be one step ahead of your competition and come game-ready every time with Auto Game Mode (ALLM), plus enjoy seamless motion in fast paced games with Free Sync Premium.

Low input lag Fast Motion Response gives you the power to dominate the competition. FreeSync Premium Enjoy less stuttering for seamless motion – brilliant for fast-paced games. HDMI 2.1 connectivity Get ready for an immersive gaming experience with 8K resolution at 60Hz.

Dynamic Black Equaliser Boost brightness in dark game scenes, for vivid contrast and incredible detail. Game longer Samsung QLED TVs use inorganic materials with no risk of burn-in or after-glow. Auto Game Mode Your settings are automatically optimised to give you the best gaming experience.

75” Q800T QLED 8K Smart TV QA75Q800TAWXXY

1 O eravailableuntil23/11/2020onselectSamsungQLED8KTVsonly,whilestocks last.O ervalidatparticipatingretailersonly,withgiftcardbeing fortherelevantretailerwherepurchasehasbeenmade.Seewebsiteor in-store fordetails. 2 Native 8K content availability is very limited. Picture quality of upscaled content will vary depending on the quality and resolution of source content.

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

I could talk about Switch all day, but I get paid to do it, which is great!

I

STACK ROVING REPORTER

for her, as she loves sharing her passion for gaming with her customers.

that Naomi loves spreading the word about. “I’ve been getting a lot of kids

BEST SELLERS at

“I love being able to work in a department

coming in who have been looking for suggestions, and it’s nice suggesting Animal Crossing: New Horizons . I started playing Animal Crossing when I was nine years old and it may be a little bit sappy, but I love that I’m passing it on to the next generation of people.” It’s no surprise that the Animal Crossing series is an all-time favourite for Naomi, but she’s a newcomer to another enduring Nintendo franchise. “I love Animal Crossing and also Breath of the Wild . Zelda is new to me, but Breath of the Wild has solidified my alliance to that game, I’m a big fan now. I even went and got a Master Sword tattoo for it – I love that game so much! It really set the bar for open world games for me.” As for future favourites? “Ooh, Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity , because it’s the prequel to Breath of the Wild !” didn’t get it until March the next year. After the PS3 didn’t set sales charts on fire as much as Sony had hoped – although that isn’t to say that it was a failure – the company listened to what people wanted. We got a machine that was friendly to developers and consumers alike, with a vastly improved controller and support for sharing and remote play. In another occurrence of two, the PlayStation 4 has since gone on to become the second-best selling games console of all time, with almost 103 million units out in the wild at last count. Now it’s November once again, and we have the launch of the

Date ending: 16/10/20

SHOP TALK

that I’m actually passionate and knowledgeable about. I could talk about Switch all day, but I get paid to do it, which is great! I just really enjoy making sure everyone’s got what they need to play the games, and especially helping out younger gamers and parents when they come in. I love making recommendations for them.” There’s one game in particular

1 WATCH DOGS: LEGION (PS4/XBO) 2 PIKMIN 3 DELUXE (SWITCH) 3 FIFA 21 (PS4/XBO/SWITCH) 4 MARIO KART 8 DELUXE (SWITCH) 5 SUPER MARIO 3D ALL-STARS (SWITCH) 6 CRASH BANDICOOT 4: IT’S ABOUT TIME (PS4/XBO) 7 MARIO KART LIVE: HOME CIRCUIT (SWITCH) 8 ANIMAL CROSSING: NEW HORIZONS (SWITCH) 9 STAR WARS SQUADRONS (PS4/XBO) 10 NBA 2K21 (PS4/XBO/SWITCH)

S ome people were just born to be gamers, like Naomi Sharp at JBWetherill Park in NSW. “I’ve seen home videos from when I was a baby and there’s a SNES in the background, so I was literally born into a family with video games,” Naomi tells us. “My first game would have been Banjo Kazooie , that’s what I can immediately remember. Nintendo 64 was my first console, so Banjo Kazooie and Pokémon Stadium were probably my defining games. Then the DS, Wii and PS2 era was what I grew up on, which is why I’m fairly PlayStation and Nintendo oriented now. I love the Switch because it’s portable, so I can bring it to work and play it on my lunch break!” Naomi has been at JB for around three and a half years now, working in games the whole time. There couldn’t be a better fit 2000: While the Y2K bug was a total fizzer, it was a year of twos. Toy Story 2 and Mission: Impossible 2 got bums on cinema seats, Teenage Dirtbag hit number two on the ARIA end of year charts, and people obsessed over the pairing of Brad and Jen. The video gaming world wasn’t going to be left out, and so in November of 2000 Australian gamers received a gift in Sony’s PlayStation 2. Able to be installed as a monolithic tower, this impressive chunk of black plastic delivered a big advancement in graphics and sound over its predecessor, and introduced many to the joys (and often not so much) of online gaming. You could play all NOVEMBER

Naomi Sharp at JBWetherill Park with two of her favourite things

A little slice of gaming history…

your old original PlayStation games on it – backwards compatibility rocks – plus, if you needed a break from the DualShock, you could use it to play those newfangled DVD thingies. The PS2 went on to become the biggest selling console ever, with over 155 million units sold worldwide… November has since become a choice time to release consoles, with the run-up to end of year celebrations a big

PlayStation 5. We wonder, how will this one fare?

GAMES RELEASED IN NOVEMBER Alex Kidd in Miracle World (1986) Super Mario World (1990) Mega Man 6 (1993) Hitman: Codename 47 (2000) Mass Effect (2007) Call of Duty: Black Ops II (2012) Dishonored 2 (2016)

carrot for sales. So it’s no surprise that with their PlayStation 4 in 2013, Sony repeated the November launch in the west – Japan

500 the size of the team that worked on Cyberpunk 2077

8 Call of Duty games that developer Treyarch has worked on

126 million active users of Minecraft

26 years since The Elder Scrolls: Arena was released

20,000 spoken lines of dialogue in Mass Effect

10 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

LAUNCHES IN NOVEMBER

and enter at stack.com.au/ competitions/ aegisti5 JOIN

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN

$7,999 INVALUE!

MEMBER EXCLUSIVE COMPETITION

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

WHAT TO PLAY? You’ve got the ace new console, now you need some games to play on it.We’ve selected five great releases on both PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S that you’ll be able to play right from day one (or nearabout). Words Amy Flower & Anthony Horan

PLAYSTATION 5

XBOX SERIES X|S

ASSASSIN’S CREED VALHALLA Vikings! Longboats! Scenery! And undoubtedly many, many hours of exploration and adventure in the latest massive Ubisoft open world hit. NBA 2K21 Get your dribble on with the next-gen debut of the massive basketball franchise, which boasts some truly incredible graphics. WATCH DOGS: LEGION Grand Theft Auto meets TV’s Mr. Robot as you recruit anybody you encounter to your cause to take London back for the people.

SPIDER-MAN: MILES MORALES Our web-slinging Spidey friend gets a sequel to his smash hit PS4 game – which is also getting a swish PS5 remaster. DEMON’S SOULS The brutally hard game that started the whole Souls franchise gets a lavish PS5 remake – come on, “git gud” agin – erm, again! SACKBOY: A BIG ADVENTURE The cute woolly star of the LittleBigPlanet series returns in an actiontastic platformer that, as the title suggests, is stuffed with big adventure. GODFALL Become a godlike warrior, arm yourself to the teeth and let loose in an epic Gearbox slash ’em up that’s a PlayStation 5 console exclusive.

FORTNITE: THE LAST LAUGH BUNDLE

The global phenomenon gets an early next-gen upgrade for the Xbox Series X|S launch, with even more visual upgrades due in 2021.

DIRT 5 The latest entry in

YAKUZA: LIKE A DRAGON

Codemasters’ durable rally series will be the one PS5 driving game that fans will want to race for at launch!

Definitely not “like a tiger,” the latest entry in the brilliant Yakuza franchise makes its flamboyant way onto the new Xbox.

12 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

Months don’t come much bigger than this one if you’re a gamer, with rivals Sony and Microsoft each releasing hot new consoles. Some know exactly which one they want, while others are yet to make a decision. If you’re in the latter camp, read on for our guide to the incredible next-gen power that the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S are packing. Words Anthony Horan

Just one glance at the PlayStation 5 and you’ll know immediately that you’re looking at next-generation hardware. PLAYSTATION 5

T he official product photos and videos of the new console say it all – long, lingering camera pans over gently rounded curves, glowing LEDs and cooling vents that suggest raw power beneath an almost soothing, sculpted exterior. Sony seems to have had one mission with the design of their new console – make it look like the future. If that actually was the brief, they’ve outdone themselves. And yes, those curved white side panels are user-replaceable, which means we’re likely to see a thriving market for customised PS5 skins and game-themed console releases. While most are interested in what’s under the hood, rather than the eye- catching piece of living-room furniture the PS5 undeniably is, you may want to start thinking about where you’re going to put yours when you get it home. Because the PlayStation 5 is a very big console. Sitting vertically on its supplied stand, it’s 39cm tall – more than half the height of a 55-inch TV screen. Of course, that also means it could be a challenge to fit it in the space beneath your TV where the old console lived, but you’ll be using the stand regardless, as the PS5’s gentle curves mean it “floats” off the shelf in horizontal mode. The reason for the hefty size is a

seriously big cooling system that takes up the bulk of the space inside the console. It’s designed to keep the PS5 running cool and quiet no matter what – something that’ll be appreciated by anyone who’s endured the fan noise on a PS4 Pro pushed to its limits! Under the hood it’s next-level gaming power, with a Ryzen Zen 8-core processor and Radeon RDNA 2 graphics doing the heavy lifting, including support for ray tracing. The PS5 is designed to manage its power intelligently, keeping the console cool while delivering raw power to games when it’s needed. Storage-wise, PlayStation make the move to using a Solid State Drive (SSD) – and an extremely fast SSD it is, thanks to Sony’s onboard custom chip cleverness, allowing the entirety of the console’s 16GB memory to be loaded up with game data in as little as two seconds. The launch console’s SSD has an 825GB capacity, but you can expand the storage using an off-the-shelf NVMe SSD of any size, as long as it meets the console’s speed requirements. You can’t store your PS5 games on an external USB drive – they’re simply not fast enough to run PS5 games directly. However, you can put your PS4 library on a USB HDD and run them on the PS5 using the console’s backwards

compatibility support – you’ll be able to save that speedy SSD space for the new games that are ready to take full advantage of it! Your trophies carry over to your new console, too, making the upgrade feel even more like home. The PlayStation 5 comes in two versions, one with no optical disc drive (you’ll need to buy all your games via Sony’s online store) and the other with a Blu-ray drive that, as well as loading games, can also play 4K Ultra HD Blu- rays (and there’s even a futuristic-looking new media remote available for the occasion!). With its audacious design and next- level tech, the PlayStation 5 is already looking like a winner – and with a batch of great-looking PS5-exclusive games at launch, it’s getting this next generation off to a stellar start.

14 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

FEATURE GAMING

When Microsoft announced the Xbox Series X, we got something that’s built for raw power – and its bold look wants everyone to know it. XBOX SERIES X|S

T here’s a choice of two new Xbox consoles for this generation and they’re very different indeed, both in external appearance and the tech that’s inside. Obviously the big headline-grabber is the Series X, which, as the name suggests, is aimed at those who upgraded to the Xbox One X last generation and want to stay ahead of the curve in terms of raw graphics power. If you’ve got a 4K TV or monitor, this is the new Xbox for you (we’ll explain why shortly). The Series X is a hefty monolith, a plain black chunk of a thing that rises 30cm high when used vertically, and when installed on its side (small silicone feet are built in for this purpose) it’s literally two and a half times as high as the Xbox One X – 15cm versus the older console’s 6cm height. That should still fit into most shelves okay, but make sure you leave space at the sides for ventilation, as this Xbox does most of its heat removal at its pointy ends (with the main fan ominously glowing green under the console’s only non-flat surface).

Alternatively, if you opt for the Xbox Series S you’re getting a classically compact Xbox, almost exactly as tall horizontally as the Xbox One S. So, with such a huge disparity in size between the two consoles, what’s the difference? The Series X was designed from the ground up to be as much of a beast as a game console can be. With its 8-core CPU and latest-gen AMD graphics onboard, it’s for gaming at full 4K at 60 frames per second, with 120fps a very real possibility (the console’s HDMI output supports it on the latest TVs). The Series S backs off on the graphics side of things, capable of up to 1440p for games, upscaled to 4K by the console if needed. It’s aimed more at those who want the power of the new console generation but don’t need full 4K. One other big difference, though – the Series S is digital-only, so you won’t be able to play disc-based games on it. The Series X has a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drive built in. Storage is a blindingly-fast NVMe Solid State Drive (SSD) – 1TB in the X, and 512GB in the S. You can expand this

storage using a single slot in the back of the consoles, but you can’t use just any old SSD to do it. At launch there’s a 1TB expansion module available. The SSD storage is designed for (and required by) Series X|S games – you can’t store them on an external USB hard drive. If you’ve got a USB drive filled to the brim with your Xbox One games, though, bring it over and plug it in. The new consoles continue Microsoft’s stellar backwards compatibility support, now letting you play original Xbox, Xbox 360 and Xbox One games on your new console, often with vastly improved frame rates and graphics. If you’re a long-time Xbox fan, your old games will never be forgotten! Microsoft is taking a big chance by releasing two compatible consoles with such different specs, but it may just turn out to be a smart move – for a second generation in a row you can choose how much Xbox you want, rather than paying for power and features you may never use.

15

• Your home is the circuit. • Create your own real world courses. The only limit is your imagination! • S ee the action come to life on your screen! Ready, set-up, go!

OUT NOW

© 2020 Nintendo / Velan Studios

Requires Nintendo Switch™ console or Nintendo Switch Lite system (each sold separately) and Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit™ software (free download) to operate.

Mario and Luigi sets sold separately

PREORDER NOW

THE NINTENDO SWITCH FAMILY OF CONSOLES

A story set 100 years before The Legend of Zelda: Breath of theWild … Unfolding a century before the events of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild , the fate of Hyrule hangs in the balance. Lead your forces onto the battlefield, then battle against the might of Calamity Ganon in the ultimate struggle for survival.

3 MODES TV / TABLETOP / HANDHELD

20 th November

© Nintendo © KOEI TECMO GAMES All rights reserved. Licensed by Nintendo.

HANDHELD-DEDICATED

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

SUMMER NIGHT CITY Following up a game that’s considered by many to be near-perfection isn’t easy. For CD Projekt Red, the huge success of TheWitcher 3:Wild Hunt and its two massive expansions is a hard act to follow, but they’re confident that next mont ’s long-awaited Cyberpunk 2077 is up to the task. Words Anthony Horan

member of a band called the Metadwarves. Yes, the music of the future – and the future’s fictional past – plays a big role in Night City – more than just a background blast on your vehicle’s sound system. As with The Witcher 3 ’s world, the entirety of Night City has been handcrafted by CD Projekt Red’s designers. Famously having spent huge amounts of time hand-placing objects inside towns (and inside the houses in those towns) in that game to give the world a more authentic, lived-in appearance, they’ve taken it to similar lengths with Night City. But the density of the environment and the vast array of options available has given them the chance to get even more creative. This isn’t a static, cut-and-paste city; it’s been deliberately sculpted to work as a vital part of the game’s character and the stories being told, and exploration is often rewarded. After the game launches, CD Projekt Red will still have a lot of work to do – there’s a bunch of free DLC to be released, and multiple expansions are planned which, if the two Witcher story expansions are anything to go by, should be very much worth the money. And, in 2021, full- scale PS5 and Xbox

S elling over 20 million copies, winning countless awards and catapulting the developer into true triple-A status, the story-rich, lavish open-world of The Witcher 3 could have defined everything CD Projekt Red did going forward. Instead, as soon as work was done on the Blood and Wine expansion, the team went in a completely different direction, turning to an outside source unfamiliar to most – a 1988 tabletop game designed by Mike Pondsmith. Cyberpunk 2077 puts the player into the body and

(yet still huge) multi-zoned monster of a city where verticality comes very much into play. This time, the game is played in first-person, a design choice that suits the genre perfectly and also avoids some of the awkward character animations (and associated gameplay delays) of the studio’s previous games. The game’s big reveal last year saw the announcement of Keanu Reeves’ voice and rendered likeness as a key part of the game, as Johnny Silverhand, a member

• Cyberpunk 2077 is out Dec 10

Series X versions of the game are coming – free upgrades for anyone who owns the PS4 or Xbox One versions. Which makes Cyberpunk 2077 , appropriately, future-proof.

of a gang of musicians called the Rockerboys (excellent!) However, there’s since been another notable addition to the cast – popular multi-genre electronic singer and musician Grimes, who appropriately plays Lizzy Wizzy, the only human

IT’S ABOUT TIME! While they haven’t revealed exactly how long the game’s story will keep us playing for, CD Projekt Red have decided to focus more on replayability this time around, and claim that Cyberpunk 2077 will be “slightly shorter” than The Witcher 3 . But don’t worry – the constantly branching quests will easily keep players involved for 40 to 50 hours, with the idea being that there’ll be new tales to find on subsequent playthroughs.

mind of a character named V, navigating six densely-packed districts of the fictional west coast metropolis known as Night City, a futuristic dystopia where heavily stylised gangs rule territories, commercialism and technology is everywhere, and almost everything (and everyone) is for sale at the right price. Cyberpunk 2077 runs on a vastly upgraded version of the REDengine used for The Witcher 3 – but while that game was set in a sprawling, lush and massive open world with vast spaces between destinations, Night City is a densely packed, intricate

18 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

AVAILABLE 12.11.20

©2005-2020Take-Two InteractiveSoftware, Inc. and its subsidiaries.2K, the2K logo, andTake-Two InteractiveSoftware are all trademarks and/or registered trademarksofTake-Two InteractiveSoftware, Inc.TheNBA andNBAmember team identifications are the intellectualpropertyofNBAProperties, Inc. and the respectiveNBAmember teams.©2020NBAProperties, Inc.AllRightsReserved.Officially licensedproduct of theNationalBasketballPlayersAssociation.Patents andPatentPending:www.take2games.com/Legal.PlayStation”, “PlayStation FamilyMark”, “PS5 Logo”, and “PlayHasNoLimits” are registered trademarks ofSony InteractiveEntertainment Inc.

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

3D audio

that Cold War ’80s vibe. One of the things that really resonated with us and was a touchstone was that it’s a vintage look through a modern lens. That was said a lot through the office and that theme ran through our entire game, specifically multiplayer, obviously in campaign. Can you please tell us more about any cool new weaponry that we get to play with? You’ve got new tech that just isn’t seen in the field very often. Like the field mic, which is one of my favourite pieces of new content. You can plant it down and it projects a radius.

is going to immerse us in the world of Call of Duty combat like never before. Treyarch have employed tech known as Project Triton, which allows them to bake sound occlusion into the map. So, if you’re moving through a room, this system knows precisely where everything is and creates the sounds that

players hear accordingly.

Call of Duty: Black Ops ColdWar hits this month, and many will be in it for the multiplayer action. We had a chat with Matt Scronce, multiplayer lead game designer at developers Treyarch. Words Amy Flower

If enemy players are moving through that radius, they’re going to get pinged on your mini-map. What extra things should players expect from the next generation PS5 and Xbox Series X versions? We’ll be supporting 120 Hertz on next gen consoles, so that’s exciting. The hardware ray-tracing we’ll make full use of. On the PS5, I’ve been working with our engineers on the new DualSense controller, trying to dial in the haptic feedback – that’s going to be really exciting. Then, of course, there’s been a ton of work done on the solid- state drives. They’re something that

What inspired the multiplayer maps this time around? One of the maps, Cartel , is CIA versus a drug cartel headed up by Menendez. If you’re familiar with the Black Ops series, you’ll recognise that name. But it’s all about going in and moving through this drug cartel’s hideout – you’re

What challenges do you face when melding real history with fiction? I don’t know if there’s really any challenges for us, it’s really all about opportunity. Of course, there are so many stories and historical moments dealing with the Cold War that we just really draw inspiration from those, which you can see, for example, in our level design. It’s drawing off those real-world moments,

• Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is out Nov 13

we, as a studio, are very excited about, because they give players those instant

moving through the coca bushes. So that’s the inspiration, it’s really

load times where possible. All of that stuff is really going to let us show Black Ops Cold War in the best light possible. What do you most wish for players to gain from the Call of Duty: Black Ops ColdWar experience? As a multiplayer lead game designer, it’s all about the fun when it comes down to it. We say that a lot around the studio, ‘Find the fun’. If what you’re working on isn’t fun, then the rest of it doesn’t matter.

and digging into those, and figuring out how to weave them into our design. With maps, like Crossroads , where it’s on the border of Uzbekistan and Afghanistan, you’re fighting across the frozen tundra over these Soviet bunkers, so even just that as a level design concept is super-inspiring. Then, for somebody like me, a game designer, to be able to go in and say, ‘OK, what game modes do we want to play in this?’

If what you’re working on isn’t fun, then the rest of it doesn’t matter

20 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

Gearbox bring the action for the launch of the PlayStation 5 with looter-slasher Godfall .We probed Keith Lee, CEO and game director at developer Counterplay Games, for more info. Words Amy Flower

playstyles and adapt to a broader range of encounter scenarios opened up.” As with almost every game ever, Godfall doesn’t exist in a vacuum. So, what other games inspired the development team? Lee is quick to answer, “The Monster Hunter series, the Diablo series, and God of War .” Namechecking that trio backs up that intention to genre mash, with elements of action and more traditional RPG. When it comes to what sort of split between the two playstyles we should expect, Lee sums it up succinctly. “It’s evenly split between action and RPG elements. As a result, players will index towards combat efficiency rather than difficulty.” Hitting the streets at the launch of the new console, there’s a lot of expectation. Naturally, Counterplay were eager to harness the much- vaunted new features of the PS5. “ Godfall focuses heavily on

• Godfall is out Nov 12

K eith Lee can neatly sum up the essence of Godfall in one sentence. ” Godfall is a loot-driven ARPG with third person real-time melee combat that you can play in solo or co-op.” So far, so interesting. Obviously, however, we’d like to know more of what we can look forward to in one of the most high- profile PS5 launch window games, and Lee is eager to provide further insight into the game’s fantasy-inspired story. “Born from the

of the world in ruins.” The seed of Godfall was a desire to get into a bit of genre mashing.

“It was the desire to push the envelope that blended together two different combat philosophies: skill-driven mechanics versus gear-driven loot,” Lee explains. While the genre mash remains, the Godfall that we get to play has changed somewhat since the Counterplay team first began work on it. “We started developing Godfall as a slower paced, more methodical and defensive combat

We wish our players to get a sense of personal

mastery and satisfaction

the DualSense haptic features, fast loading times, and 3D audio.” Ultimately, Lee hopes that players gain a feeling of accomplishment from the Godfall experience. “We wish our players to get a sense of personal mastery and satisfaction, be that from improved mechanical execution all the way to domain knowledge and environmental expertise.”

game,” reveals Lee. “This style, however,

unstoppable divine hunger of the Great Dragon Kosmera, Aperion is both the name of the world and the universe in which it resides.

PARTY OF THREE As well as classic single-player, Godfall supports up to three players in drop-in/drop-out online co-op.

limited the desire by players to switch loot and

skills once they’ve locked down on a dominant playstyle. Once our team transitioned to a faster paced, active combat system that embraced multiple enemies simultaneously, the opportunity for players to explore new

Aperion is a world of breathtaking majesty beset by eldritch monsters and defended by heroic Valorian knights outfitted with powerful Valorplates. It’s a world shaped by a vast cyclical history and defined by a thousand-year conflict that ended a golden age and left much

22 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

Releasing Nov 12, 2020

©2020CounterplayGames Inc.All rights reserved.Published and distributed byGearboxPublishing.Gearbox and theGearboxSoftware logo are registered trademarks, and theGearboxPublishing logo is a trademark,ofGearbox Enterprises,LLC. “PlayStation”, “PlayStation FamilyMark”, “PS5 Logo”, and “PlayHasNo Limits” are registered trademarks ofSony Interactive Entertainment Inc.

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

YAKUZA A QUICK CHRONOLOGY Yakuza 2006 (PS2, PS4)

The story of Kazuma Kiryu begins – a tale of injustice, greed, an orphan and product placement.

Yakuza 2 2008 (PS2, PS4)

YEAR OF THE DRAGON Back in 2006, SEG unleashed a PlayStation 2 action- adventure series in the west that has since seen many main story entries and several spin-offs. Now, Yakuza: Like a Dragon makes it our way, and there are changes in store. Words Amy Flower

The saga continues, with a trip to Osaka, alliance wars, a missing child, love and Virtua Fighter 4 .

Yakuza 3 2010 (PS3, PS4) A new location opens up – Ryukyu – plus an orphanage, legitimate business and instant noodles. Yakuza 4 2011 (PS3, PS4) An expanded Kamurocho delivers murder, honour, money, a mysterious woman and karaoke. Yakuza 5 2015 (PS3, PS4) Kazuma’s quiet taxi-driving life makes way for a broken truce, clandestine meetings and dance battles. Yakuza 0 2017 (PS4, Xbox One) It’s prequel time – an ’80s tinged tale of debt collection, murder, wrongful arrest and cabaret. Yakuza 6:The Song of Life 2018 (PS4) Moving right along, we encounter a helpless child, unlikely allies, family and a Nyan Nyan Café. Yakuza: Like a Dragon 2020 (PS4/PS5/Xbox One/Xbox Series X|S) We’re bang up to date, as Ichiban Kasuga takes on prison, betrayal, cracking skulls and go-karting.

A nybody familiar with the Yakuza saga will have fond memories of Kazuma Kiryu’s exploits, which kicked off with him serving time for a crime that he didn’t commit, and last saw his story reach its final act. We’ve been with him for seven episodes, so he’s a bit

If all of this change isn’t enough, the fighting system has also undergone an overhaul, eschewing real-time biffo for more of a turn- based strategy mechanism, in keeping with a focus on group battles. Moves are chosen from a menu, be they an attack, a guard or unique ability, all of which are tied to the chosen members of your party’s line of work. It brings an

like family – but now he makes way for a new recruit, aspiring yakuza Ichiban Kasuga. The protagonist switch isn’t the only big change to the series, as the setting shifts from the edgy fictional streets of Kamurochō (a thinly veiled take on Tokyo’s Kabukichō district) to the wilds of Isezaki Ijincho (itself a fictionalised Isezakichō , a district in Yokohama). This also

So much newness, yet Yakuza: Like a Dragon promises much for long-time fans of the series to experience

added element of strategy that will take some getting used to for long-time fans, but bigger picture- wise it does make sense in practice. With all of this change, fans may worry that the combination brawler/ gangster life simulation that

seriously golden. Kart racing hits the streets, while there’s everything from batting cages to running your own company. Naturally the arcade action of Club SEGA returns, with claw machine challenges and playable

• Yakuza: Like a Dragon is out Nov 10

careened between extreme violence, full-on heartstring plucking

means a much larger map to explore than that of Yakuza 6 (the seventh instalment, due to the timeline insertion of prequel Yakuza 0 ). DID YOU KNOW? The Yakuza series is known in Japan as Ryū ga Gotoku , which literally translates as “like a dragon”.

and going gloriously bonkers – often in quick succession –- also goes south. Relax, as it doesn’t. Peeling away the layers while getting to know Ichiban promises several surprises, and then there are all the wild minigame pastimes that the Yakuza series is renowned for. Speaking of minigames, if you’re looking to kill time in Yakuza: Like a Dragon then you’ll be

classics including Space Harrier , Out Run , Super Hang-On , Virtua Fighter 2 and underrated shmup gem Fantasy Zone. So much newness, yet Yakuza: Like a Dragon promises much for long-time fans of the series to experience.

24 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

TheVikings are coming this month with the arrival of Assassin’s CreedValhalla .We fi ed some questions across the bow of Eric Baptizat, game director at Ubisoft Montreal. Words Amy Flower

Yes, it was really important for us to let the player choose between a male or female character and let the player switch gender at any time. We have focused on giving as much choice as possible to the player: gender selection, hair and tattoo customisation, settlement decorations, longship customisation, horse visuals and even changing the appearance of Sýnin, your raven.

they see from the waterfront, or use the horn to call their longship from the shore if they spot a location they want to raid. Attacking a location with your crew members offers support during fights, but it’s also an excellent tool to distract enemies, work together to smash barred doors, and break open some precious cargo chests. What extra things should players expect from the next generation versions? Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will take full advantage of the next generation consoles enhanced graphics, giving players the opportunity to experience the open world of Norway and England down to the very last detail. On Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla will run at 60fps in 4K resolution. What do you most wish for players to gain from the Assassin’s CreedValhalla experience? We will be very proud if we succeed to change the vision people have of the Viking time

The Assassin’s series has taken us through so many great moments in history.What sparked the decision to go withVikings? The Viking invasion during the ninth century is both a pivotal moment of history and a fertile ground for storytelling. This time period will allow players to witness the clash between the Norse and Anglo-Saxon cultures and beliefs. Assassin’s Creed Valhalla offers the

player a grounded, intimate and deeply personal exploration of Viking life; their culture, values and motivations. The player will experience the brutal battles a Viking warrior like Eivor would encounter, but they will also understand the complex implications beyond those battles and the political choices a leader must face in order to take care of their clan.

Please tell us more about the new weaponry… During the Dark Ages of England, a large variety of weapons were accessible: Dane and bearded axes, flails, heavy shields and hammers are a few examples of the new weapons introduced in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla . Players will be able to unleash the ruthless fighting style of a Viking warrior through

Players will be able to unleash the ruthless fightin style of a Viking warrior

the dual-wielding system, which allows you to play with any combination of weapon in each hand. This system opens new fight opportunities and allows each player to experiment in order to find their favourite playstyle. Can you please tell us more about raids? The raid is the most iconic Viking activity. Players have the possibility to raid numerous locations that

How faithful is it to historical events? Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is inspired by real historical events and characters. We work closely with historians and experts to offer an authentic experience featuring many historical moments and characters, such as King Aelfred, and the Vikings Ubba Ragnarsson and Ivar the Boneless.

period during the Dark Ages of England. The quests and systems try to make you live through what it was like being a Viking leader in this time period, and the intricacy of being a clan leader. We’ve put so much

With protagonist Eivor playable as male or female, will their attributes be identical?

effort into capturing the Norse lifestyle, but also the appeal of the Anglo-Saxon territory and culture. We invite players to a long and beautiful journey and hope everyone will be proud of having accomplished their own saga.

SHH…WE’REHUNTINGWASCALLY SAXONS! Social stealth makes its return in Assassin’s Creed Valhalla . Eivor will have a hood and a cloak, which can be manually activated. As Baptizat says, “Vikings in ninth century England would be super noticeable in towns full of Saxons, so it would be natural to be able to activate social stealth as a way to evade detection in enemy areas.”

• Assassin's Creed Valhalla is out Nov 12

26 NOVEMBER 2020

jbhifi.com.au

ROG phone 3 • Stunning 6.59”144Hz display • Monster 6000mAH battery • Side charging design with front facing speaker

ASUS 3 Degrees of Gaming

TUF Gaming A15 AMD® Ryzen™ 7 4800H Processor

ROG Strix GA15 • AMD® Ryzen™ 7-3700X processor

• • •

NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 Ti 4GB GDDR6 15.6”FHD 144Hz Refresh Rate Gaming Screen

• Up to NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX 2070S graphics • Large 512GB SSD storage with 16GB RAM

asus.com.au

GAMING FEATURE

visit stack.com.au

The new console generation has finally a rived, and this time it’s all about raw power. Both the PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X are packing some serious gaming grunt under the hood, and both are ready to be put to use with the very best TVs you can buy right now. Words Anthony Horan

I f you haven’t upgraded your TV for a while, the launch of the new consoles is the perfect time to do it. While this next generation of gaming goodness is going to take things to the next level no matter what you plug them into, you won’t get to enjoy some of the nifty next-gen features until you’re sitting in front of a TV that can handle them. You’ve probably heard about TVs that can handle 8K and wondered what all that extra

resolution could be used for. In the world of video games, the boundaries have been pushed constantly for years, as gamers got hungry for more and more detail and realism. That’s why both the PS5 and Xbox Series X support gaming at full 8K resolution (and can upscale to 8K on the fly if needed).

What is HDMI 2.1 and why does it matter? Up until now, the version of the HDMI inputs on your TV has been all about keeping up with new video tech. HDMI 1.4 added support for 3D and 4K, for example, while HDMI 2.0 opened the way for HDR video (and games!). With HDMI 2.1, though, the main benefits go straight to gamers, with support for 120fps in both 4K and 8K, an Auto Low Latency Mode that lets TVs automatically switch to Game Mode when a console or PC is detected, and Variable Refresh Rate for silky-smooth gaming. Both the PS5 and Xbox Series X are equipped with HDMI 2.1, so make sure to look for it on your next TV.

jbhifi.com.au

30 NOVEMBER 2020

FEATURE GAMING

Variable Refresh Rate? Huh?!

While games target a particular frame rate – usually 30 or 60 frames per second – when there’s a lot of action going on it’s not always possible to stick exactly to it. That can result in a problem called “tearing” – when the frames output by the game don’t exactly match your display. VRR solves that problem by keeping the TV’s frame rate in perfect sync with the game. If your TV supports it, it makes for a much smoother game experience.

just yet, there are still some truly stunning 4K TVs that are great for gaming – and you’ll get a lot more screen size for your buck, too. Sony’s 4K TVs have been acclaimed for years, and the X9000H continues that tradition while amping things up to a 75” screen size. That’s enough screen real estate for a truly immersive gaming experience while not dominating the loungeroom, and you’ll see a lot more detail in all your 4K content, from games to movies. It has full-array local dimming for deeper blacks than most LED TVs – great for HDR gaming – and a very fast response time for minimal lag. And, thanks to a forthcoming update to its HDMI 2.1 features, it’ll be ready for the new consoles with variable refresh rate, auto low latency mode and 120fps support.

But to properly take advantage of such a high resolution, you’ll want a screen size to do it justice – you won’t see too many 55-inch 8K TVs on the market, with the starting point being a suitably large 65” heading up to living room dominating sizes from there. Leading the pack with 8K is Samsung, who launched the first 8K TV here last year and have been refining their industry-leading tech ever since. Their 2020 range of 8K TVs includes the well-priced 65” Q800T, a TV

perfect for next-gen gaming with remarkably low input lag (the time that it takes for a button press on your controller to register on the screen) giving you the jump on online opponents, and excellent brightness and contrast control to enhance graphics. The quantum dot panel boasts ultra-wide viewing angles, something that’s especially vital for gaming, and Samsung’s Game Mode offers full 120fps support – absolutely perfect for the new consoles. If you’re not ready to make the jump to 8K

PROJECTION!

Of course, you don’t need to stop at a 75-inch display if you really want to immerse yourself in your games. More and more people have discovered the visceral thrill of gaming on a screen as big as the walls of your home will allow by using a projector. We’ve come a long way from the days of super-expensive

popularity of

gaming on a

projectors throwing a dim, hazy image onto the nearest wall. Technologies like DLP (Digital Light Projection), used in most cinemas,

truly big screen,

BenQ has come

What’s “Game Mode”? You’ll find a setting named “Game Mode”

up with a projector specially designed

for this purpose. Their W1210ST has a remarkably

boasts highly accurate colour out of the box, with plenty of user-tweaking possible. And despite it being a compact, portable thing that you can take with you anywhere (it even comes with a carry bag), BenQ has managed to fit 20 watts of stereo sound right into the clever little unit. This one’s a “short throw” projector, too, meaning you don’t need much space to project a huge image (it does 100” at only 1.5 metres, and can project an image as big as 300 inches).

or similar on pretty much every TV made in the last decade or so – but what makes it so special? Basically, no matter what type of flat-panel TV you have, there’s a delay between the video going into the TV and the result appearing on the screen – all the picture-tweaking cleverness that the TV does takes a little time. That’s not great for gaming, since it can cause a delay between your controller input and the action happening onscreen. Game Mode switches off most of the picture pro- cessing to make response time as fast as possible.

low input lag – less than 17 milliseconds – which easily outdoes conventional projectors for gaming responsiveness. It

can now be had in home projectors at a surprisingly low price. And with the growing

31