Blimey, can you believe it’s April already? 2016 is flying by, just like this week did thanks to the very welcome bank holiday.
Let me know if you got up to anything good over the Easter weekend, as we begin this week’s Community Round-Up!
I noticed that last week Tef broke protocol with the reviews, and didn’t put the reviews in high score order – shocking, I know. Fear not, as I will restore peace and harmony to the world, as we’ll begin today with the first of our joint high scorers. DiRT Rally was awarded an 8/10, as Codemasters head back to their rallying roots. Stefan praised the ‘tough and unforgiving’ nature of the game, while Dom described Quantum Break as “an engaging and enjoyable narrative experience”. With fantastic visuals and solid gunplay, it’s certainly one that Xbox One owners should check out.
Dropping a point to 7/10, we had Stikbold!, a silly and funny dodgeball party game which Stefan reviewed. Next, and on a 6/10, there was République, which Aran said had an incredible story but was simply let down by the execution of the game, with poor AI and a sometimes annoying camera.
Also sharing the 6/10 spot was Nights of Azure from Dave. With ‘horrendous voice acting’, and a ‘dull and boring plot’, the main redeeming feature is the addictive hack ‘n’ slash gameplay. Finally, Jim reviewed Kholat, a horror game set around the mountain of Kholat Syakhl and the mysterious deaths of 9 ski hikers. With an interesting premise – I just spent 5 mins reading up on the incident on Wikipedia – and creepy locales, it’s a shame that the ‘dull core gameplay’ and performance issues result in it being given a 4/10.
Meanwhile in the previews Tef jumped behind the wheel of VR Karts, a game that introduces virtual reality to karting game (I bet it took them a while to come up with that name!). With fun handling and bright colours it looks like it could be fun, and the same can be said for Carmageddon: Max Damage in which you can cause all kinds of carnage.
Our last preview was for Homefront: The Revolution, which is releasing in a little over a month’s time and sees you fighting with the resistance against North Korea. Courtesy of Jim, Mobile Watch this week looked at Disney Magic Kingdoms, which lets you build and run your very own Disneyland.
The Open Forum wondered if we should be worried about the decline of first party studios following Evolution’s demise, which was also a Hot Topic in the Chronicle along with the fake Nintendo NX shenanigans. Those fakes were a bit premature for April fools, weren’t they?
Finishing up, Tef and Dom joined Kris for some MOBA chat in Episode 215 of the Podcast, while What We Played #247 featured Quantum Break, Enter the Gungeon and TSA’s Fluffy Unicorn makeover.
Time to open up the Forums and have a look!
- Ron asks if you spotted any good gaming April Fools yesterday?
- JamesGoblin wants to know what are you hyped for?
- And Ron also wonders who else is enjoying Trackmania Turbo and if they want to share their creations and tips
That’s it for today, I hope you enjoy your weekend and I’ll be back again next week!
Avenger
WTF at that DiRT Rally score. I’ve only just noticed it. In my opinion it’s well worth a 10/10 when compared to other rally games at the moment (and even just racing games in general).
I’ve not seen many gaming April fools myself, but the one over at GTPlanet was hilarious. Had me up until the point they implied that Gran Turismo’s AI was advanced and that Polyphony were leaders in AI design and that they should feel confident.
hazelam
yeah, the best April fool’s jokes have to be plausible. ^_^
camdaz
Although I read the review I never noticed Dirt Rally’s score either, can’t wait to play it. Except I’m having to wait, the postman placed the packet in my hand this morning just as I was getting into my car and won’t be home till tomorrow. Hopefully I’ll be home early enough to have a go before the F1 race starts.
gazzagb
How much longer do people thing we will have to endure the new F1 qualifying format? I hope not much longer but the stuff Bernie and Todt are saying makes it sound like it’ll stick around…
ron_mcphatty
Oh my wrinkly scrotum it was awful and especially cringeworthy when Lewis was already celebrating pole in front of the press before the session had ended. At least you’re watching it on Sky, 4 have that knob from T4 presenting. Another year where I feel like I can’t be arsed with F1 :(
And apart from Tef and TC’s Pink Fluffy Unicorn antics I didn’t see any April Fools jokes, I feel like I missed out!
Avenger
The C4 crew aren’t too bad as it goes, although I think BBC’s Suzi Perry would’ve been a better fit. It’s just the advert breaks which are annoying.
Otherwise I hope the FIA issue changes soon. Even if it’s just reverting Q3 back to normal and/or giving extra allocations of tyres. It might help if laps that were started could be finished too. Might being the operative word.
ron_mcphatty
Ah okay, dunno his name but the T4 guy just winds me up! Suzi was really good, if only because she’s genuinely into F1! Yeah the old qualifying format seemed fine, I always watched it back in 2014, the end of Q3 was regularly more exciting than the race day.
Stefan L
It’s alright, you’ll only have to put up with the Channel 4 gang until 2019…
gazzagb
I’m quite liking the new C4 coverage (I think it’s DC’s production company again which is why the features are so good) and I love having Webber as a pundit. The new guy seems alright, I’ll give him a few races before I make my mind up – I wasn’t a big fan of Suzi Perry so I was glad we were getting a change!
Avenger
Don’t even get me started on the TV coverage from 2019 :(
All of a sudden I think I’d rather have C4 broadcasting with adverts.
The Lone Steven
Goddamnit, Tef.
I do one round up and then you decide to nick my no score way of doing the reviews part.
Goddamnit hippy bearded bendict toeshoes.
gazzagb
Wait, your Round up actually had a planned structure to it?! :P
The Lone Steven
I make the best round ups! Everyone says i make the best rounds up. I make TSA great whenever i do the round ups! :P