This week saw the final winter test for Formula 1, with questions being asked about whether Ferrari can truly challenge the dominance of Mercedes. Although we can stare at the impressive lap times, we won’t have a clear idea until the lights go out in Melbourne in two week’s time!
We’ve also got the penultimate weekend of the Six Nations, and after last night’s bruising battle in Cardiff between Wales and Ireland, England have a chance at winning the championship today, if they can beat an in form Scotland.
Elsewhere, I hope you’ve had a good week gaming as there’s lots out at the moment. 2017 has got off to a brilliant start wouldn’t you say?
In the News This Week
- Nintendo Sets New Personal Records With First Day Switch Sales
- PlayStation 4 System Software 4.50 Is Actually Out Tomorrow
Updates include External HDD support, PSVR improvements, wallpaper customisation and, most importantly, gif support! - Tekken 7 Director Reveals Hurdles For Xbox To PlayStation Cross-Network Play
- Nearly 400 Games Join Massive EU PS Store Sale”
“Oh goodness, so many games in my Wishlist are now reduced….” says Tomhlord - Farpoint And PSVR Aim Controller Bundle To Cost £74.99
It doesn’t look like the controller is available separately yet - No Man’s Sky Path Finder Update Live, Adds Permadeath Mode
“Great update”, says camdaz, “The vehicles will make it a lot easier exploring the planets.” - BAFTA Announces Game Awards Nominations
- Gran Turismo Sport Closed Beta Taking Place From March 17th
Everyone can apply! - Nintendo Do Not Consider Dead Pixels On A Switch Screen A Defect
Tuffcub breaks out the analogies in the comments…
Games in Review
It was a super busy week for the reviews, especially when you consider it’s only March and usually a quiet time of year! To be fair, it’s largely down to the launch of the Switch, even if that console had only a small launch line up.
- NieR: Automata – PS4 – 9/10
- Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove – PS4, XBO, PC, Switch, 3DS, Vita – 9/10
- Fast RMX – Switch – 7/10
- Atelier Firis: The Alchemist And The Mysterious Journey – PS4, Vita – 7/10
- Loot Rascals – PS4, PC – 7/10
- Snipperclips – Cut it out, together! – Switch – 7/10
- Super Bomberman R – Switch – 6/10
- Warhammer 40,000: Deathwatch – PS4 – 3/10
- Deus Ex: Mankind Divided: A Criminal Mind DLC – PS4, XBO, PC – DLC, No Score
- Resident Evil 7: Banned Footage Vol. 2 – PS4, XBO, PC, PSVR – DLC, No Score
This Week’s Features
Stefan kicked off the previews with a look at Warhammer 40,000’s Dawn of War III. Relic have also taken the step of introducing 2v2 multiplayer, a first for the series. Ahead of it’s release next month, he also sat down with Producer Matt Kernachan to discuss how Relic brought certain MOBA elements to the RTS genre.
Later on in the week, Tef looked at the hack ‘n’ slash Dragon Quest Heroes II, and took a trip to Middle-Earth for Middle-earth: Shadow Of War. The sequel to the popular Shadow of Mordor will feature an evolved Nemesis system and a much expanded world. Tef also spoke to Kevin Stephen, Studio Head of Monolith Productions, about the game and why they didn’t call it Shadow of More-dor.
If you’re on the fence about getting a Nintendo Switch, but still want to experience the brilliant new Zelda game, Tef’s had a look at how the two versions compare on the Wii U and the Switch:
Dave took a look at how SNK’s NeoGeo games on Virtual Console shaped up. While the Switch has received mostly high praise from critics and fans, there are still a few key features that Nintendo need to address sooner rather than later – do you have any suggestions for improvements too?
Lastly, What We Played held no surprises as it included plenty of Switch, NieR: Automata & Ghost Recon Wildlands.
Trailer Park
Check Out Mass Effect Andromeda’s Launch Trailer
New Styx: Shards Of Darkness Trailer Released Ahead Of Next Week’s Launch
Trailer Released For Victor Vran’s Fractured Worlds Content
FlatOut 4: Total Insanity Gets A Gameplay Trailer
Your Achievements
Checking in with the trophy hunters, Crazy_Del polished off the collectables for Sniper Elite 4 with the help of Youles and bagged himself the platinum. Alongside that, he’s also spent a bit of time on For Honor with Tony C and Roynaldo.
Meanwhile Pixel_nme also had a busy week, as in between the usual sessions with R1MJAW, Forrest, Toutski and Berzerka, he also bagged the platinum for Sniper Elite, and has somehow found the time to fit in some Horizon, Ghost Recon and NioR.
The Week Ahead
Here’s some of next week’s gaming goodness:
- Dead Rising 4 – PC – 14/03
- Styx: Shards of Darkness – PS4, XBO, PC – 14/03
- Danganronpa 1&2 Reload – PS4 – 17/03
- Nier: Automata – PC – 17/03
- Turok 2 – PC – 17/03
I’ll see you again soon, but until then have a great weekend!
