Games

Most people know that just buying a console is only the beginning of the costs involved with serious gaming and just like everything else the cost of games and subscriptions could be set to rise in the near future.

Buying new games as soon as they are released is important for some gamers even though they may complete the game within a few weeks or even days. Other people would rather wait a month or two and get the game at a reduced price. Sometimes this is a good idea because if there are any glitches in the game it gives time for the developers to rectify these. Buying preowned games is another way of getting games cheaper and many older games are still fun to play.

Subscription services where you can get access to games at a reduced price for a short time or even free are worthwhile especially if you play frequently. The subscription fee is usually recouped after a couple of purchases.

It is important to remember that the companies who design and make consoles, games and accessories always want gamers to purchase the newest items to get the highest revenue possible so unless you have plenty of money, spend wisely.

If you were born in the 80’s the chances are at some point you either owned or played on a Sega Mega Drive. Sonic was one of the most popular games for the Mega drive and although you can get newer versions, people still like to play the original games. Sega have recently re-released the Mega Drive with a few added modern extras. You can connect these devices to the TV via a HDMI cable and enjoy classic games on your large HD TV. The graphics are based on the old games so do not expect anything like you would get on a PlayStation 4, but this doesn’t seem to put many people off.
81 games have been pre-installed so you can start gaming straight out the box, plus there is a cartridge slot so you can play any old Mega Drive Games you still have lying around.
You may also be able to pick up original Sega Mega Drive games from places such as Ebay.
These consoles come in at around fifty to sixty pounds making them a great option for cheap gaming and with the easy controls, are often great for younger family members too.

Fifa game has been around for a number of years now and is released annually by Electronic Arts under the EA Sports label. It has been a popular game for many sports fan and over the years has really taken the next step when it comes to graphics and online gameplay.

Fifa 19 is due to be released on the 28th September this year and many thousands of people have already pre-ordered it.

Many shops such as Smyths or Game stay open until 1 am allowing people to buy the game at midnight on the day of release, and you may be surprised as to how many people do this.

With the Fifa games, you can either play on your own in the story mode, with someone in the same room as you or even across the PlayStation Plus network. This means you can be playing a game of football with someone at the opposite ends of the world.

Within the game, you have the option to buy packs which gives you players and consumables to use within the game. You can then sell these to build up your coins to buy better players and build up your own squad that you will use when playing online.

Dark Souls has been remastered, with some very slick results. Though the remaster isn’t perhaps one of the best, the game has kept the characteristics players loved, whilst also working better within the modern genre. It is the best version of the game that is available, which is a good enough reason to play it.

Dark Souls tell a deep and twisted story, which draws you in as you play. People are turning into ‘hollows’, or the undead, and the world is in severe decline. You play the game as a hollow, but unlike the others, you have managed to retain your mind.

It’s a difficult game, and death is around every corner. The world is very well put together though and is well designed within the mood of the game. It helps to keep you engaged in gameplay.

The game is newly released and available to buy now for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.

Channel 4 is launching a new programme dedicated to video gaming and its development. It will be hosted by Rob Beckett and will feature various celebrities, battling it out to see who can win some of the most classic games like Pac-Man, The Last of Us and various Mario titles. It is coming to the channel at the end of the month.

Many of us remember the nostalgic TV programmes of the 80s and 90s, featuring different video games and seeing players’ different gaming styles. Whilst it’s meant to be funny, some people have reportedly got a little heated, with Scarlett Moffatt described as a back seat gamer!

There will also be some more unusual games featured as well, such as A Dog’s Life. All in all, it’s a nostalgic exploration of gaming over time that audiences young and old will be able to enjoy – and it might inspire some to pick up a controller themselves again.

If money is limited and you can only buy one games console, you need to know which one to select. We have done the hard work for you and have put together a list of the best game consoles on the market right now. Here goes:

• PS4 Pro. An updated version of the PS4, this console boasts HDR video and 4K technology, which isn’t limited to video playback like on the Xbox One S. It’s a good choice for PlayStation fans and is also available in a slim version.
• Xbox One X. This boasts the title of the world’s most powerful console. This also uses 4k technology, and has an advanced cooling system that keeps it cool and quiet.
• Nintendo Switch. A handheld console, the Switch can be connected to the TV or used as a portable device. It doesn’t have as many game options, but it does have big names like Zelda and Mario.

Christmas is a time for joy, a time to be merry, and a time to buy lots of presents. If you are running slightly low on gift ideas, a games console or some new games for existing consoles are always good ideas that will go down well. Here is a summary of the main consoles available and the advantages of each:

• Xbox One X. This new generation of Xbox console is billed as the most powerful game console in the world. It uses 4K technology for beautiful graphics and immersive gameplay, but its memory won’t last forever with such great content.
• PlayStation 4. The PS4 has been around since 2013, but it is still doing a great job. A PlayStation will give lots of options for games but just be aware that the PS5 is due out at some point too.
• SNES Mini. A retro console that mimics older Nintendos with a new twist. It was only released this year and is in high demand.

Paris Games Week 2017 is happening. Sony have kicked off the event with a number of new announcements regarding games and consoles – however, in typical Sony style, they haven’t revealed a whole lot of information and haven’t been giving a lot away. The suspense is high. Here are some of the major announcements to have come from the event:

• Ghost of Tsushima – there is no release date, but there have been some teasers. Featuring interesting graphics and an open world setting, the game comes from Sucker Punch studio.
• Guacamelee 2 is coming – first released back in 2013, the game is being followed up by a release for PS4 soon.
• Megalith – this shooter game looks set to make a big impact. It is coming to PSVR and in fact, many of the announcements from the event features developments in the VR space.
• The Hong Kong Massacre – this will be released for PS4 in 2018 and a trailer has been released already.

Most of us have thought it – Game of Thrones would translate so well into a video game. All the action, the intricate story lines… It would work so well in the fantasy world of video gaming. It might just be coming true as well, with some supposedly leaked information coming out via a supermarket. It has been spotted on the supermarket’s website and it reads ‘Bethesda: Game of Thrones’. It could, of course, be an innocent mistake, but it has got lots of people talking.

Bethesda are behind massive games like The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and Fallout 4. They have two big projects on the go but none of the details are known, meaning it could well be a Game of Thrones title. Bethesda have said that no more Elder Scrolls games are on the card for now, meaning the possibility of a GOT game is looking all the more likely.

Tacoma is set to be released in August, for MacOS, Windows PC and Xbox One. It is described as being a game and story that has people at its centre, exploring how people can come together or be pushed apart depending on their circumstances and the situations around them. It is the second game to be released by Fullbright, following their earlier release of Gone Home. Originally, it was announced in 2014 and should have been released in 2016 but that release has now been pushed back.

Tacoma is set in a space station and uses the character of Amy Ferrier, who must retrieve records from the station with a limited supply of oxygen. The main angle of the game is the storyline, drawing players in with an intricate and compelling storyline that can be become as complex as you like. It’s in part about solving mysteries and in part about exploring the world and becoming immersed in it.