CI Games’ Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts has got an Indian release date and a price. The game will be available in India from November 22 for Xbox One, PS4 for Rs. 2,999 and for PC at Rs. 2,499.
Sniper Ghost Warrior Contracts is the third game in the Sniper Ghost Warrior series wherein players can play the role of a sniper in a contracts-based system. The game brings new gameplay like dynamic reticle system, arsenal of gadgets, stealth and even death match modes.
The game is distributed by Sunder Electronics.
gaming
Electronic Arts ropes in e-xpress as the Indian distributor
Mumbai-based e-xpress Interactive announced that they have entered into a distribution agreement with Electronic Arts. This deal means all EA games, including their predominantly strong titles like FIFA, Battlefield, Need for Speed, Star Wars will be available at E-Xpress’ physical stores across the country and online on Gamestheshop.com.
Electronic Arts is one of the world’s leading video game publishers and delivers some of the best content to consumers. Their commitment, innovation and passion to create high-quality content is admired by gamers across the world and in India. Through this partnership, we will work hard to support their success in our country”. – Amit Khemani, founder, e-xpress Interactive Software Pvt Ltd.
e-xpress is one of the leading game distributors in the country and have been selling games since 2000 from more than 15 gaming publishers.
Review: Devil May Cry 5
Hack and Slash, Baby!
Rs. 3,999; Xbox One, Sony PS4, PC
T3 GAMING RIGCPU AMD Ryzen 7 2700 RAM Corsair Vengeance Pro 32GB DDR4 GPU Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 STORAGE Teamforce T-Force Delta RGB OS Windows 10 MOTHERBOARD Asus ROG Strix X470-F CHASSIS Corsair Obsidian 500D with Asus ROG Thor 850P PSU KEYBOARDCorsair K70 RGB MK.2 MOUSE Asus ROG Gladius II Wireless
Devil May Cry 4 (DMC 4) came out in 2008 and it goes without saying that fans were looking forward to the next instalment with great anticipation. Here we are 11 years after and we’ve finally got Capcom’s latest hack and slash action-adventure, Devil May Cry 5.
Set a few years after the events in DMC 4, the game brings three characters in focus – Nero and Dante from the previous games and V, a new character who brings different combat play with the end goal of slaying demons and in style.
It pays to know the background of the almost two-decade-old franchise but if you’re just jumping into the action-packed world of Devil May Cry, Capcom has got a nice introductory video at the start of the game for newcomers to bring them up to speed with the series.
The new game follows a storyline, but that’s not why everyone likes a DMC game. It’s the fast-paced action and the ability to better oneself with every battle is what keeps everyone hooked. While button mashing works to a certain point, it always helps to learn some combo moves that help to earn a stylish rank. It’s the rank that displays on the right-hand side of the screen showing how a player is faring in that particular combat.
Capcom’s RE Engine did wonders to its last two Resident Evil games and DMC 5 also takes full advantage of it. DMC 5 looks beautiful with realistic character design, combats and world detail.
Devil May Cry 5 is a game that takes around 10-12 hours for its first playthrough but it’s the replayability factor and impressive combat makes the game fun.
RATING 4/5
WE’RE IMPRESSED Gameplay
WE’D IMPROVE Story
THE LAST WORD If fast-paced hack and slash combat is what you’re looking for, Devil May Cry 5 will not disappoint
Review: Red Dead Redemption 2
Rockstar Games’ last major game release was Grand Theft Auto V (GTA V) in 2013, which was first released on previous-generation platforms only to come in a year later to the PS4 and Xbox One. While GTA: Online filled up the coffers, Rockstar was also working on a game meant for this console generation. Enter Red Dead Redemption 2 (RDR2). The big, ambitious game made solely for this console generation.
Prequel to the 2010 Red Dead Redemption, the game is set in 1899 where America is on the cusp of the modern age and outlaws are being captured or killed. Players assume the role of Arthur Morgan, one of the outlaws who is on the run along with fellow gang members to settle far away from the law and civilisation, thus, beginning the epic journey of Red Dead Redemption 2.
This is a story that makes you feel like an outlaw. Live like an outlaw. And more importantly, it tests your decisions and
The first act slowly reels you in by introducing to the gang members and make you get used to the game mechanics and controls, which only feels natural. However, the game really shows off its Rockstar DNA after it opens up the map, throwing you in the vast open world.
An open world game often seems empty and heartless but that’s not the case here. The world is gorgeous with beautiful vistas, snow-clad peaks to even the swampy lands where alligators discreetly hide to hunt on their prey. Then, of course, there are these little things that we do in the real world has to be emulated here. For instance, you gotta make Morgan eat regularly to keep the body well-maintained. Eating less will make his stamina burn faster or eating more will make him slow. Morgan’s facial hair needs trimming or shaving every few days and so on. The dynamic weather and clothes Morgan wears also affects his overall stamina.
The world is filled with NPCs wherein you can strike a conversation or encounter characters who’ll ask for help like sucking out venom after a snakebite or when you commit a crime, an eyewitness will report to the Sheriff. The world is filled with this kind of randomness, minute detail and full of life that makes one appreciate Rockstar’s attempt to make this virtual world as real as possible.
Horses are important and instead of making them just a means to travel, they are more of a companion with feelings who’ll respond to you better when you bond with them. Hitting them will make them run away or pat and feed them to increase the bonding. Combat is super fun with lots of weapons, customisations and auto aim (can be turned off) that helps when you’re ensnared in a bloody gun battle with half of the town. Stealth and melee combat is possible, but it is not as satisfying as shooting with guns, which is a visual treat when one activates Dead Eye to slow the time.
The 60 hour-odd storyline is excellent with well sketched out narratives, filled with plot twists and turns and equally enjoyable side missions that don’t feel like fillers. If you’re a completionist, you’re easily looking at 100+ hours worth of playtime.
Red Dead Redemption 2 took a few years to develop but as it’s clear, it was worth the wait. It’s a game that’s got everything right from the gripping story, mechanics and a lively open world.
RATING 5/5
WE’RE IMPRESSED Story, gameplay, lively open world
WE’D IMPROVE N/A
THE LAST WORD One of the best games this generation. Must play
Review: Marvel’s Spider-Man
Sony’s having a great year so far with their line-up of exclusives. God of War and Detroit: Become Human brought excellent single-player experiences, albeit, catering to a specific audience. Spider-Man, on the other hand, has a lot of fans — thanks to comic books, cartoons and movies. Besides, it’s important to deliver a game that satisfies its fans and gamers.
Insomniac Games’ iteration shows Parker in his mid-20s, as an active superhero and has progressed with a new career and his personal life.
We quite like how the game does not focus on how Peter Parker became Spider-Man, but instead, jumps right in showing us the ropes by throwing in a fight with Spider-Man’s nemesis, Fisk. The first fight could prove daunting if you’re not used to fast-paced action, but give it an hour or two and you’ll have a first-hand understanding of what it’s like to be your friendly neighbourhood superhero.
The reason behind this is Insomniac’s impressive mechanics that nails Spider-Man’s actions, including traversing through Spider-Man’s world. Holding R2 and pushing forward, the left analog stick makes Spider-Man reach the extreme ends of the city with utmost ease. The gameplay’s fast travel as well but web-swinging is so much fun.
Spider-Man is a superhero based out of New York, and the game beautifully captures the essence of the city complete with its tall, glossy skylines and bustling cityscape with that buzz of activity on the ground, if you do decide to take a walk. The crowd is reactive to spidey’s actions and will respond to his presence by clicking selfies or ducking when he’s swinging low to the ground. Spider-Man can also high-five random New Yorkers and earn XP in return. Citizens will also take on a Twitter-like social media to comment on politics, crime and of course, Spider-Man’s actions. However, a dynamic follower count for our favourite superhero depending on his positive or negative action would have added that extra touch to the little details that make the game a realistic depiction of a modern-day setting. But, we’re okay with our without it because their virtual world is lively and beautiful nonetheless.
Interestingly, the time is not dynamic and changes according to the mission. The game allows you to control night and day as you progress in the story. However, that works only when you’re not on any missions.
When it comes to combat, Spider-Man generally tackles multiple enemies at once, and it all depends on how good your reflexes are when it comes to dodging an incoming attack, with a quick maneuver to counter attack in the next move. The fights can overwhelm sometimes but with a combination of dodging, counter attacks, use of gadgets and swinging in the air, it’s easy to best even the fiercest of enemies with some practice.
If you’re a fan of Spider-Man suits, the game has plenty. Most of the suits possess a special power and the best part is that once unlocked, you can use your favourite suit with any power. Spider-Man’s abilities can be upgraded as well, and making him learn new tricks allows for better prowess when handling more powerful enemies.
The 20-22 hour main story feels predictable, but it certainly keeps you hooked with its exciting gameplay and good voice acting from all characters, including the anti-Spider-Man guy, J. Jonah Jameson. That said, we experienced a few glitches but they were few and far between, which can easily be solved with a future update.
All said and done, Marvel’s Spider-Man is an excellent effort by Insomniac with its simple and addictive traversal mechanics and combat.
RATING 4.5/5
WE’RE IMPRESSED Beautiful graphics, web swinging and combat
WE’D IMPROVE Random glitches
THE LAST WORD Spider-Man fan or otherwise, the game is a must buy