This week was all about the biggest names, as both Destiny and the PlayStation 4 port of Grand Theft Auto V dominated the headlines. The latter received a surprise release date mere moments after reports leaked about a behind-the-scenes presentation, while the former managed to smash new intellectual property sales records – despite dividing critics. We bet that you’re just glad that the past seven days weren’t all about indie games, right?
Reviews
Destiny - 8/10
Destiny's budget was out of this world, and it's there for all to see in the finished product. Bungie's smash hit isn't the gameplay revolution that some wanted, but its accessible RPG systems, sublime gunplay, and incredible presentation over all aspects of the release elevate it beyond some of the very best shooters on the market. And although its flaws keep it from becoming legend, group together with friends, and you'll partake in an intergalactic experience that's a beacon of light in an increasingly darkening genre.
Minecraft: PS4 Edition - 8/10
Even without the ability to install mods and play on infinite worlds propped up by dedicated servers, Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition is still a strong addition to your next-gen library. The improved visuals and larger settings alone make for a significantly better experience than is currently available on older consoles. Granted, the title’s not to everyone’s tastes, but there’s a reason that it’s dug a path into the hearts of millions of players since its initial release in 2011 – and you’ll probably have an inkling of whether you’re a fan by now.
Other Reviews
- The Golf Club - 6/10
- Flockers - 7/10
Features
First Impressions: What's Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare's Frontline of the Future Like on PS4?
The Call of Duty series is perhaps one of the most popular yet widely criticised franchises in the modern era of gaming. Fans of the brand adore the game to its core, playing every iteration for countless hours on a quest to reach the maximum prestige; others feel quite opposed to the series and the impact that it has made on the gaming industry as a whole. We were lucky enough to go hands on with the latest entry Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare at Fan Expo Canada in late August, and gather our first impressions of the title. But is this the revolution that hardcore players want and deserve, or is it a desperate attempt to recapture the hearts of fans lost?
Feature: No Games November - PS4's Lineup Is Starting to Look Silly
No new system launch would be complete without barbed comments about the quality of the box’s lineup. It’s something that both the PlayStation 3 and Vita have gone through, as well as rival formats such as the Nintendo Wii U and 3DS. We’ve always felt that the PlayStation 4 has been unfairly treated in this instance, as rarely a week has passed without some kind of noteworthy release. And as the system sizes up a stunning 2015 with exclusives such as The Order: 1886, Bloodborne, and Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End, we reckon that this Christmas isn’t looking too shabby either.
Other Features
- Out This Week: Destiny PS4, Destiny PS3, and, Er, Some Hockey
- Poll: What Are Your First Impressions of Destiny on PS4?
- Community: Become Legend in Our Official Destiny Clan
- Feature: Man on the Moon - Our Early Intergalactic Impressions of Destiny on PS4
- Guide: Minecraft: PlayStation 4 Edition PS4 Trophy Guide & Road Map
- Reaction: Destiny's PS4 Launch Proves PSN Isn't Tied Together with String
- Round Up: Destiny PS4 Reviews Shoot for the Moon
- Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 38
News
Grand Theft Auto V PS4 Hijacks the Next-Gen on 18th November
The best thing about Rockstar – aside from its award winning games – is the manner in which it goes about announcing them. While other publishers pre-empt reporters with Twitter teasers and cryptic press releases, the Grand Theft Auto V developer prefers to nonchalantly drop bombs – usually when we expect them the least.
Free PS4 DriveClub Taster Will Come in Addition to Usual PlayStation Plus Allocation
You may have a few concerns with the quality of PlayStation Plus right now, but Sony’s aiming to shepherd you into the holiday season in style this October with a bumper update – including the hotly anticipated DriveClub PS Plus Edition sampler. While this doesn’t represent the full release, developer Evolution Studios has promised that you’ll get a sizeable chunk of content – and it won’t be taking up one of the free game slots for the month, either.
August NPD: PS4 Outshines Xbox One for Eighth Consecutive Month
Sony’s staggering turnaround in the United States has continued in August, with the PlayStation 4 once again topping the hardware charts for the eighth consecutive month. Even more impressively, Madden NFL 15 sold best on the Japanese giant’s next-gen system, which is something of a shock considering the strong historical popularity of the property on Microsoft's machines. It is worth mentioning, however, that there was an Xbox One bundle featuring the American Football release which does not contribute to the software figures tracked by the NPD.
Sony Reckons That No One Will Be Able to Beat Bloodborne's TGS Demo
Were you one of the people harbouring concerns that Dark Souls spiritual successor Bloodborne would be too easy? Well, that fear can now be safely put to bed, as recent statements from Sony staffers suggest that the title will absolutely be living up to its perilous pedigree. As you may be aware, the game will be taking centre stage at the Tokyo Game Show in the weeks to come.
Batman: Arkham Knight Removes Its Cloak on PS4 from 2nd June
Despite originally being pegged for October, the PlayStation 4 will be forced to wait until 2nd June for the Dark Knight to spring into action. Warner Bros has revealed that Batman: Arkham Knight will deploy on the aforementioned date on Sony’s next-gen super machine, occupying that increasingly popular summer slot just prior to E3.
Other Noteworthy News
- Wow, the PlayStation 4 Is Utterly on Fire in the UK
- Sorry! PlayStation Plus Will Play Host to Plenty More PS4 Indie Games Yet
- Approximately How Long Does Destiny's Story Take to Beat?
- Rumour: Minecraft Maker May Be Purchased by Microsoft for $2 Billion
- Sony: PS Vita's Remarkably Resilient, and Won't Fade Away
Video of the Week
Grand Theft Auto V PS4 Hijacks the Next-Gen on 18th November
The best thing about Rockstar – aside from its award winning games – is the manner in which it goes about announcing them. While other publishers pre-empt reporters with Twitter teasers and cryptic press releases, the Grand Theft Auto V developer prefers to nonchalantly drop bombs – usually when we expect them the least.
Comments 5
Ive googled a few non-official articles about the Minecraft deal being announced tomorrow for $2.5Bil. Apparently the extra $500mil is to retain Notch. No really.
@rjejr It's all hearsay at the moment, though, innit. His silence on the matter suggests it's definitely happening, though. I still find the whole thing a bit weird to be honest.
@get2sammyb - Silence. Yeah, I mentioned last week that Notch had been Tweeting every day and then he just stopped when this news broke. All he needed was to post one of his usual "#Microsoftsucks" comments and this all woukd have gone away. So tomorrow then?
How come there's no push rewind equivalent on Nintendo Life? Also, @rjejr and @get2sammyb, do you think that Microsoft would pull Minecraft from PS hardware if/when they buys Mojang?
@eaglebob345 - If I were MS I would pull the Vita version since it hasn't released yet and the first platform I would want my new companie sgmae releasing on would not be a competitiors platform. (Sorry that sentence is a grammatical nightmare, hope you catch my drift.) Also, there aren't that many Vita in the world (2 million total maybe?) so they wouldn't lose a large chunk of money. And it's not like the Vita version would ever see an update.
Oh Sam-meeeeee - it' sOh-fish-ul.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-agrees-to-acquire-creator-of-minecraft-1410786190
@get2sammyB
As to why no weekly round-up on NL, you'ld have to ask TW, but I'ld say just too much to cover.
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