Issue 146 march 2018 gamesradar.com/opm
expert review
shadow of the colossus It’s back! But is Sony’s
GOD WAR of
classic still essential? we’re #1 for
far cry 5 We go hands-on with the
Everything you need to know about Kratos’ killer comeback
epic hell-raising shooter
18
indie games you need to play in 2018
The Japanese GTA runs riot on PS4! Kazuma’s return is unmissable
what’s the future of PS VR?
From new games to PS5, leading developers discuss the rise of VR
monster hunter: world reviewed this issue call of cthulhu devs discuss the old one capcom hits back with sFV: arcade edition
Welcome W
ISSUE 146 / mar 2018 Future PLC Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA
Editorial Editor Ian Dean @IanDean4 ian.dean@futurenet.com 01225 442244 Art Editor Milford Coppock @milfcoppock Operations Editor Miriam McDonald @crinolinerobot Games Editor Ben Tyrer @bentyrer Staff Writer Jessica Kinghorn @KoeniginKatze Group Editor in Chief Tony Mott Senior Art Editor Warren Brown Contributors Simon Bramble, Anne-Marie Coyle, Mike Diver, Joseph Donnelly, Jordan Farley, Sam Greer, Johan Grenier, Alex Jones, Luke Kemp, David Meikleham, Dominic Peppiatt, Alex Spencer, Alan Wen Advertising Media packs are available on request Commercial Director Clare Dove clare.dove@futurenet.com Account Director Kevin Stoddart kevin.stoddart@futurenet.com 01225 442244 International Official PlayStation Magazine is available for licensing. Contact the International department to discuss partnership opportunities International Licensing Director Matt Ellis matt.ellis@futurenet.com
game of the month Monster Hunter: World best game gangster Tommy Vercetti
Subscriptions Email enquiries contact@myfavouritemagazines.co.uk UK orderline & enquiries +44 (0)344 848 2852 Overseas order line and enquiries +44 (0) 344 848 2852 Online orders & enquiries www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk Head of subscriptions Sharon Todd Circulation Head of Newstrade Tim Mathers Production Head of Production Mark Constance Production Project Manager Clare Scott Advertising Production Manager Joanne Crosby Digital Editions Controller Jason Hudson Production Manager Vivienne Calvert Management Managing Director Aaron Asadi Commercial Finance Director Dan Jotcham Editorial Director Paul Newman Head of Art & Design Rodney Dive Printed by William Gibbons & Sons Ltd on behalf of Future Distributed by Marketforce, 5 Churchill Place, Canary Wharf, London, E14 5HU www.marketforce.co.uk Tel: 0203 787 9060 ISSN 1752210 We are committed to only using magazine paper which is derived from responsibly managed, certified forestry and chlorine-free manufacture. The paper in this magazine was sourced and produced from sustainable managed forests, conforming to strict environmental and socioeconomic standards. The manufacturing paper mill holds full FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification and accreditation All contents © 2018 Future Publishing Limited or published under licence. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be used, stored, transmitted or reproduced in any way without the prior written permission of the publisher. Future Publishing Limited (company number 2008885) is registered in England and Wales. Registered office: Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All information contained in this publication is for information only and is, as far as we are aware, correct at the time of going to press. Future cannot accept any responsibility for errors or inaccuracies in such information. You are advised to contact manufacturers and retailers directly with regard to the price of products/services referred to in this publication. Apps and websites mentioned in this publication are not under our control. We are not responsible for their contents or any other changes or updates to them. This magazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein. If you submit material to us, you warrant that you own the material and/ or have the necessary rights/permissions to supply the material and you automatically grant Future and its licensees a licence to publish your submission in whole or in part in any/all issues and/or editions of publications, in any format published worldwide and on associated websites, social media channels and associated products. Any material you submit is sent at your own risk and, although every care is taken, neither Future nor its employees, agents, subcontractors or licensees shall be liable for loss or damage. We assume all unsolicited material is for publication unless otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit, amend, adapt all submissions.
“PlayStation’s heritage Is a gateway into a world of unique Ian Dean experiences.” Editor
Chief executive Zillah Byng-Thorne Non-executive chairman Richard Huntingford Chief financial officer Penny Ladkin-Brand Tel +44 (0)1225 442 244
Secure OPM #147 + free retro PlayStation stickers Subscribe on p72 by 20 February.
this month’s thugs for life
Ben Tyrer
Jess Kinghorn
Miriam McDonald
Milford Coppock
game of the month Celeste best game gangster 50 Cent
game of the month Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life best game gangster Kazuma Kiryu
game of the month Monster Hunter: World best game gangster Vito Scaletta
game of the month Shadow Of The Colossus best game gangster Max Payne – he’s undercover.
Games editor Ben reviewed platformer Celeste (p82). The climbing game made him yell so loudly in frustration he gave us mountain-ear ache. Future plc is a public company quoted on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR) www.futureplc.com
e’re leaning heavily on Japanese games this issue, which recalls PS2 in its heyday. Though cover game Yakuza 6: The Song Of Life (p32) is bringing Kazuma Kiryu’s story to an end, there’s no better time to catch up than now – exclusive to PlayStation 4, it’s shaping into one of the year’s best open world games. The overseas influence continues with Shadow Of The Colossus. The Team Ico classic has been remade for PS4 and we review it this issue (p86), where it’s joined by Monster Hunter: World (p76). The Japanese line-up concludes with Ni No Kuni II: Revenant Kingdom – we go hands-on with the latest JRPG from hit-maker Level-5 (p44). All these titles are timely reminders of PlayStation’s heritage as a gateway into a world of unique experiences. That’s not to say we’ve neglected PS4’s Western games. Our God Of War feature (p50) rounds up all the latest info on Kratos’ return, while starting on p62 we pick the 18 most impressive-looking indie games coming your way in 2018.
staff writer Not one for violence, Jess found her inner gangster in Yakuza 6 (p32) when she got to open a cat cafe. It was her purrrfect day.
operations editor Monster Hunter’s adorable Palicoes (p76) put Mim in a spin. She’s purr-sueded the team to play more. [Paw-lease – ed.]
managing art editor After three hours with Shadow Of The Colossus (p86), we told Art Editor Milf he had to play it, not just gaze at the graphics.
003
highlights The big 10
010 jurassic world: evolution 004
Life finds a way, and so will you when you’re running your very own dino theme park. preview
032 yakuza 6: the song of life Kazuma Kiryu, running a cat café? We go hands-on and discover gangstering’s not what it used to be. feature
050 god of war Hammering out the facts about Kratos’ next outing – and adventures beyond. the big interview
058 Call of cthulhu Romain Wiart, lead level designer at Cyanide, reveals what it takes to give gamers a scare. feature
062 18 indies for 2018 From Mexican wrestlers to a field of dancing turdlets, 2018’s packed with innovative fun. review
076 monster hunter: world Can Capcom deliver the thrill of the hunt to a global audience? We’d slay so… review
086 shadow of the colossus More beautiful than ever, and every bit as moving as you remember. This is a giant-sized heap of yes.
Click link for your free MGS e-book! www.bit.ly/opm_mgs_book
ISSUE 144 JANUARY 2018
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
ISSUE 144 JANUARY 2018 £5.99 gamesradar.com/opm
gamesradar.com/opm twitter.com/OPM_UK facebook.com/OfficialPlayStationMagazine
065
042
T HE YEAR OF PS4
gamesradar.com/opm
See these special covers? Only subscribers get them. Take a look at our latest subscription offers, including free Venom headphones, on page 72!
PLT144.cover_subs.indd 1
018
036
010
032
044
069
043
094
041
s e c t i o n s at a g l a n c e
the big 10
previews
006
031
Latest info, screens and playtests All the hottest news
features
reviews
network
retro STATION
To-the-point, detailed analysis
In-depth verdicts on every big new game
Max out your PS4, online and off
Classics revisited
050
075
099
106
2018 preview special Limited Edition Subscriber Cover
04/12/2017 19:27
THE Games index 071 a pe out 041 battalion 1944 085 beholder 058 Call of cthulhu 082 celeste 093 crossing souls 018 dark souls: remastered 066 donut county 094 dynasty warriors 9 036 far cry 5 011 final fantasy XV royal ed. 068 flipping death 050 god of war 016 Gravel 064 Guacamelee 2 093 innerspace 010 Jurassic world: evolution 068 just shapes and beats 069 knights and bikes 071 laser league 093 Little red lie 092 lost sphear 095 minecraft: story mode – season 2 042 my hero project: one’s Justice 048 MX vs ATV all out 044 ni no kuni II: revenant kingdom 014 pixark 063 shape of the world 048 slime-san 071 spelunky 2 039 state of mind 085 steven universe: save the light 096 street fighter V: Arcade edition 086 shadow of the colossus 064 super meat boy forever 064 the adventure pals 068 the church in darkness 064 the forest 068 the gardens between 090 the inpatient 071 the swords of ditto 038 tt isle of man: ride on the edge 084 UFC 3 085 under night in-birth exe: late[st] 043 warhammer: vermintide 2 065 Wattam 032 Yakuza 6: the song of life 071 yoku’s island express
005
Sunsoft’s Dark Eclipse is bringing MOBA gaming to virtual reality.
The Big10 Stories everyone’s talking about
006
the simple fun of inhabiting a VR space with 1:1 tracking is enough to blow minds.
10 dino delight
New Jurassic World info and screens
12 future focus
A glimpse of what games could look like
18 Soul sucker
Dark Souls gets a PS4 remaster
TheBig10 Stories everyone’s talking about
PlayStation VR has proved itself – so what’s next?
In 2017 PS VR had its best year ever. Here’s what the devs think 2018 will offer The bubble has to burst. We keep hearing this same old mantra, but this stance ignores the facts. In 2017 Sony sold over two million PS VR headsets worldwide (as of 3 December, 2017). That’s a staggering number for a ‘fad’. It could be argued that the VR bubble is set to burst – just not when it comes to Sony’s hardware. PS VR is cheaper than rival PC headsets, is comfortable, has a fantastic screen, and is lightweight. “The fact that the headset works with PlayStation, which millions of players already own, lowers the barrier to entry significantly,” says Neill Glancy, creative director at Aspyr Media, which is working on horror adventure Torn. “Sony’s strategy of coupling the device as an accessory for an established console is genius.” Talking to devs, the feeling is that PS VR offers exactly what
01
we need right now; the simple fun of inhabiting a VR space with 1:1 tracking is enough to blow minds. Samurai Punk’s Winston Tang, director, writer, and programmer of satirical VR shooter The American Dream, says: “PS VR has proven itself as an affordable, consumerfriendly VR headset, but from here, the platform needs to prove that it can support a breadth of highquality content.” Virtual variety Even in this regard PS VR looks to be ahead of the game. If variety is the spice of life, then Sony’s headset is a pick ‘n’ mix of tasty delights. In 2017 the most downloaded game for the system was Job Simulator, a quirky series of comical mini-games based around real-world jobs. But also big on the system was FPS Superhot VR, open-world RPG The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim VR, and sim-cade racer Driveclub VR. The challenge for Sony is to build on this momentum in 2018. The recently released updated headset,
007
The Big10
immerse yourself
There are currently 150 games available for PS VR, and Sony expects 130 more titles to release for the system in 2018. Coupled with a price drop to £225 last October, there’s no better time to be immersed.
Stories everyone’s talking about
which features improved, built-in earphones and cabling, is a start, but we need more original games argues Tam Armstrong, studio director and co-founder at Polyarc, developer of mouse adventure Moss. “People will appreciate what VR has to offer when it can show them something that they respond to. This will require variety of tone, design, price, and scope in the games available.”
008
game gamers Samurai Punk’s Tang says current PS VR players should be given credit for encouraging developers to try harder and experiment. “I think the current population of VR players are the innovators, people who want the latest and greatest, so it’s natural for them to be attracted to new experiences.” It means developers have greater freedom to experiment with PS VR. There are no rules and currently no guaranteed model for success, “which is equal parts liberating and terrifying,” says Tang, adding: “Until the audience decides what they like in VR it’s up to creators to just make the best, most interesting content they can.” The American Dream is a prime example of a dev testing to see what works. It’s a satirical blend of FPS, on-rails shooting, and point-and-click adventure; it even
has RPG elements. Tang explains: “We put the player into a bunch of ridiculous scenarios where they can act things out physically because their bodies are truly present in the game’s world.” If you wondered how you feed a baby with a gun, then now you can find out, safe in the knowledge it’s ‘virtually’ real. Like Samurai Punk, Aspyr Media is developing a ground-up game especially for PS VR. Called Torn, the game blends horror and puzzling into a walking sim set in an abandoned house in the middle of the dense Vermont forest. Neill Glancy believes games built for PS VR have a distinct advantage over those transferred to the system, and he goes further, saying: “Personally I think we are going to see a new type of game archetype emerge for VR that is unique to the medium. This hybrid will be a combination of conventional gameplay but with a major emphasis on touristic engagement.” Over at Grab Games, the developer of arcade boxing sim Knockout League, Harold Vancol,
dev talk “In Blood & Truth we’re looking at new methods of locomotion, animation tech and photogrammetry and working towards creating a AAA experience. The result is a truly immersive game which puts you right in the middle of the story, letting you discover for yourself what it feels like to be the action hero.” Stuart Whyte
Director of VR product development, SIE London Studio
as the amount of great content goes up, the price of hardware goes down.
agrees: “A lot of VR experiences are just fundamentally different from the way we’ve all been used to playing, and that’s really exciting.” With a varied lineup coming this year, including the MOBA Dark Eclipse, fantasy adventure Golem, and Vacation Simulator (sequel to 2017’s best-selling Job Simulator) the future, according to Vancol, looks bright. He predicts with an increase in games will come a price drop: “As the amount of great content goes up, the price of hardware goes down, which gets us to a sweet spot. I think the first generation of VR is approaching that sweet spot.” next-gen vr What of PlayStation 5? Should Sony’s next console come with VR built in or is it better to keep the systems separate? Vancol says: “Buying a new console is a big undertaking for a lot of people, and buying the headset that I think people want to see in the future of PlayStation can almost be like buying a new console. So having these purchases separated gives each thing its own time to shine.” However, the developer believes PlayStation 5 and PS VR together “should be considered essential.” What do you think? Let us know your thoughts on PS VR: twitter.com/OPM_UK.
Torn is a Twilght Zoneinspired adventure that’s set to tax your nerves and your brain.
■ Arcade boxer Knockout League shows
variety is PS VR’s strength.
■ Are you ready to rumble? It’s so good
you can feel the punches.
Golem is a PS VRexclusive adventure set in a vast and detailed virtual fantasy world.
009
■ The American Dream proves even tried and tested ideas, like first-person shooting, can be spun in new directions for PS VR.
Forthcoming VR game The American Dream mixes satire and shooting – and the shooting’s good.
The Big10 Stories everyone’s talking about Epic cinematic moments will liven up managing your Jurassic Park.
010
Jurassic World: Evolution has bite Frontier’s putting extra peril into its prehistoric park life With a new blockbuster film around the corner it’s time to get excited about Jurassic World, and the news that Frontier’s game will be putting risk into the worldbuilding genre gives us hope this could be the one to bottle the peril prevalent in the films. That’s a tough ask in a game that revolves around building and managing a dino theme park. “The one thing lacking from management games is a sense of peril and drama,” says Jurassic World: Evolution’s game director, Michael Brookes. “We want players to be park manager, but we also
02
want them to feel the same way they feel when they watch the movies – caught up in the action, scared, excited – and that’s a challenge for a management game.” The developer is keen to harness the type of thrilling cinematic action reserved for the likes of Uncharted. Brookes even hints Jurassic fans will get the chance to experience classic scenes in their park. He says: “If you mismanage your park, I expect life will find a way to recreate lots of classic scenes from the movies!” Being fans themselves has aided the team at Frontier when it comes to bringing cinema’s favourite dino movies to PlayStation 4. Brookes says when work began the team had lists of references they wanted to
We really want this to be the ultimate fan game.
dev talk “Some animals don’t want to be caged. These creatures are smart and can judge whether an enclosure is appropriate for them. Lock a large dinosaur in a small paddock or an otherwise inappropriate habitat, and it won’t be long before that animal starts looking for a way out.” Michael Brookes Game director
squeeze in. “We really want this to be the ultimate Jurassic fan game – and that includes material from the novels as well as the movies.” There’s a huge wealth of material to draw upon, so how will it all make it into the game? Brookes has the answer: “The game takes place after the events of Jurassic World but before Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and we’re drawing upon and referencing every corner of the Jurassic canon in all kinds of ways. I want to leave a lot of them as Easter eggs and surprises so players can discover them first-hand.” We hope there’s a Jeff Goldblum Easter egg! island hopper Depth of content isn’t something Frontier is shying away from. The game will feature a full campaign which takes place across five islands of Jurassic World’s Muertes
Finally complete
Featuring all previous DLC, including Episode Ignis, the multiplayer Comrades expansion, and all previous weapon drops, this is the game Final Fantasy XV always promised to be.
The Big10 Stories everyone’s talking about A beautiful game you can lose yourself in – and now there’s even more of it.
Final Fantasy XV gets a Royal Edition New game modes, dungeons, and more inbound… More than just a ‘complete edition’, the new Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition features all previous DLC, plus new content that expands the game’s already vast world, and adds new ways of playing. Due for release 6 March, Final Fantasy XV Royal Edition’s new content includes an expansion of the Crown City Of Insomnia map to include Insomnia City Ruins – where new side-quests and battles with Cerberus and Omega, as well as the Rulers Of Yore, await. There’s more. If you’ve ever looked at the map of Eos and wondered what hidden gems lay between Cape Caem and Altissia, now you can find out. The Royal Edition includes a new boat – the Royal Vessel – to scoot around in and explore. The Regalia Type-D isn’t forgotten; a new quest enables you to strengthen and
03
archipelago, and you’ll be tasked with challenges and missions from the Hammond Foundation’s scientific, entertainment, and security divisions along the way. How you mix these strands into your park will change the type of reserve you have to manage, and the kinds of dinos you need to control. “You can engage with the game how you choose,” says Brookes. “If you want to spend hours on one island even after you’ve achieved all that’s asked of you, go ahead!” But whatever you’re doing, and whichever path you take, you’ll have a lot to manage at any given moment. “It should be a challenge to run a successful Jurassic island – it hasn’t been done in almost 30 years, after all,” says Brookes. Get up to speed on Jurassic World: Evolution on Twitter at: @JW_Evolution.
develop the boys’ off-road roadster, which came with last year’s 1.2 content update. If you prefer to focus on Final Fantasy XV’s combat you’ll be pleased to hear Noctis’ Armiger Limit Break is expanded in this edition. A new accessory hidden somewhere in the game’s world will enable you to activate the new Armiger Unleashed summon. One of the best new modes added in FFXV Royal Edition is the option to play the entire game in first-person mode – now we can see what Noctis sees. If you already own Final Fantasy XV then you can download the Royal Pack on release and get all the new content. Die-hard fans should hunt out the boxed edition, which features reversible inlay artwork by series legend Yoshitaka Amano.
Die-hard fans should hunt out the boxed Edition.
For more info visit Square Enix’s website at finalfantasyxv.com.
011
The Big10 Stories everyone’s talking about
012
Imagine if Firewatch looked like a Final Fantasy cutscene.
SPECIALS & GUIDES
myfavouritemagazines has over 100 one-off guides and specials which celebrate your favourite subjects. There’s something for everyone treat yourself or give gift.
DELIVERY INCLUDED
https://www.myfavouritemagazines.co.uk/guides
Or call now – UK: 0344 848 2852 Overseas: +44 344 848 2852 MyFavouriteMagazines is the official magazine subscription store of Future. You can save up to 74% on a huge range of popular magazine titles. Every magazine subscription will be delivered direct to your door, and includes free UK delivery; guaranteeing you don’t miss a copy of your favourite magazine.