It's hard to believe we're already half way through the year; it feels like its gone way too quickly! There's been some great video games releases already, but here's what we're looking forward to in the second half of 2014.
By Alex Choros
It's hard to believe we're already half way through the year; it feels like its gone way too quickly! There's been some great video games releases already, but here's what we're looking forward to in the second half of 2014.
Destiny
PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
September 9
Destiny is former Halo developer, Bungie's, first game since leaving Microsoft. The game is described as an "online multiplayer action role-playing first person shooter"; what this means is that the gameplay is quite similar to Borderlands, but rather than limiting multiplayer to four players, the game is closer to a MMORPG in style. Players exist in a shared world, and can either play individually, or team up for certain missions. While I didn't have the chance to participate in the well-received alpha, I'm eagerly awaiting this month's upcoming beta.
Evolve
Windows, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
October 21
Evolve is a co-operative first person shooter where four human players hunt an alien monster controlled by the 5th. Hunters pick from one of four classes, trapper, support, medic or assault, and there will be five monsters to play as. The game will also feature a single player campaign. The game's asymmetrical multiplayer looks both satisfying and intense, and is reminiscent of The Hidden: Source, a Half Life 2 mod I was very fond of back in my LAN party days. Needless to say, I'm very excited for Evolve's release later this year.
Super Smash Bros 3DS
Nintendo 3DS
October 3
Super Smash Bros 3DS is the frantic fighting series' first portable outing. Previews so far suggest the game is just as much fun as it's big brother on the Wii. If only it came out while I was still at university. Actually, it's probably good that it didn't, otherwise I wouldn't have gotten anything done. Especially because of local, wireless multiplayer.
Civilization: Beyond Earth
Windows, OSX, Linux
October 24
Civilization: Beyond Earth is both the latest instalment in the Civilization series, and a spiritual successor to the revered classic, Alpha Centuari. While the game is built on Civilization 5 engine, it makes a number of changes to the traditional Civilization formula. Players no longer take on the role of a leader of a historical empire, but of an organisation exploring a new planet after Earth's downfall. The game also introduces hostile aliens, a refined "technology web" and an orbital layer, allowing battles both on the land and in the sky. Civilization: Beyond Earth will also function as a time machine; if you start playing on Friday, it will be Monday before you know it.
Alien: Isolation
Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360
October 7
Alien: Isolation returns to the movie franchise's horror roots, seemingly inspired by the critically acclaimed Amnesia: The Dark Descent. The game stars Amanda, the daughter of the Ellen Ripley, the first film's protagonist. In her search for her mother, Amanda is trapped on a spae station infested by an Alien. Featuring only one unkillable Alien, Alien: Isolation puts heavy emphasis on stealth and evasion. While the last Alien game was a critical disaster, what we currently know about Alien: Isolation has left me feeling cautiously optimistic.
Aside from these, there are a whole lot of other titles to look out for, including Call of Duty: Advance Warfare, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Assassin's Creed: Unity, Bayonette 2, and Sunset Overdrive!
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