The Month in Games – December 2017

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Xenoblade Chronicles 2

Paradise awaits in this action RPG sequel. In Xenoblade Chronicles 2, players take on the role of Rex, a Driver. Accompanied by Pyra, a Blade who can harness fire-elemental power, the two are on a quest for Elysium. Their journey across the world of Alrest is made more perilous by the discovery that the land is dying. While trying to return Pyra to her home on Elysium, the pair must also try and save this cloud-covered land for the sake of all humanity.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will also be released with a special Limited Edition featuring a copy of the game, a sound selection CD and a 220-page hardbound artbook all contained in a specially designed metal case. Also releasing will be the Expansion Pass – allowing players to access all the upcoming DLC planned for the coming months. Starting with new item packs later in December, the pass will unlock new quests and Rare Blade in early 2018, with a new challenge mode and new story missions planned for a Summer/Autumn 2018 release.

Xenoblade Chronicles 2 will be available on Nintendo Switch from December 1*


Doom VFR

The nightmare world of Doom gets a new twist in this VR release. Set shortly after the demonic invasion of the UAC’s Martian research facility, the player is the last known human survivor. Under a top-secret UAC operational contingency protocol, players will find that their character’s consciousness has been transferred to an artificial brain matrix. At this point, the player’s mission is clear: restore operational stability and use any means necessary to stop the onslaught of demons.

With this move to VR, players will be able to experience Doom in a whole new way by interacting with the hellish world and fight through the halls of the UAC Facility like never before, with a little help from jet-strafe movement and teleportation. Doom VFR will also feature an all-new UAC Martian facility to explore and will also allow players to take on the role of a cybernetic UAC security operative.

Doom VFR will be available on PS VR and HTC Vive from December 1*


Steep Winter Games Edition

The slopes of the world await in this special edition of the winter sports title. In Steep, the mountains and snow-covered valleys of the world are your playground. Whether skiing, snowboarding, paragliding or taking a wingsuit for a spin, the frozen landscapes are yours to explore and conquer. Race other players down mountains or test out your best tricks for medals as you travel through the Alps and the formidable peak of Denali.

The Winter Games Edition will feature a copy of the game along with the Road to the Olympics expansion pack. With this new expansion, players will be able to experience all the ups and downs of Olympic competitions as they try out for a spot at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. From training in the mountains of Japan to the excitement of the Olympic finals, players will be able to compete against each other for the glory of gold.

Steep Winter Games Edition will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from December 5*


Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package

Head back to where it all started for Frank West in this special edition release. Following on from the Xbox release, Dead Rising 4 comes to PlayStation 4 with Frank’s Big Package. After over a decade away from the series, Frank West makes his return to the franchise – and to Willamette – for this survival horror title. With word of a new outbreak in the town, the photojournalist finds himself reluctantly heading back to the quiet town and the infamous mall to, once again, discover the truth.

For the jump to PlayStation, Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package will feature the core game and all DLC. This includes the Capcom Heroes Pack – featuring weapons, costumes and signature attacks – the single player Frank Rising story missions, Super Ultra Dead Rising Mini Golf game and a whole host of bonus weapons, vehicles, outfits and other in-game gifts to help the festive season have some extra bite.

Dead Rising 4: Frank’s Big Package will be available on PlayStation 4 from December 5*


The Walking Dead – The Telltale Series Collection

One of the most beloved game series of recent years comes together for the first time in this collection. Set in the zombie apocalypse, Telltale’s The Walking Dead takes the brutal world created by Robert Kirkman and makes it truly come alive with original stories, new locations and intriguing and complicated characters, who come across some familiar faces along the way in their quest for survival in the new world.

The Collection features all three series of the episodic story so far, allowing players to follow Lee, Clementine and their fellow survivors from the very first days of the apocalypse. The collection also includes 400 Days – the special mini-series set between seasons 1 & 2 featuring five intertwined stories over the titular timespan – and The Walking Dead: Michonne – the three-part story which gives players a special insight into the sword-wielding warrior.

The Walking Dead – The Telltale Series Collection will be available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 from December 8*


PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds

One of the biggest games on Steam comes to console this month. In PlayerUnknown’s Battleground the task is simple – be the last one standing. All that’s standing in your way is a limited number of supplies, an ever-decreasing safe zone and the other players – up to 99 of them on a single map. Starting out with just the clothes on your back, players will have o fight for every step they take in the sprawling open-world environments, keeping their wits about them at every turn.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0Tnp-3W3z4

Following its launch on Steam, PlayerUnknown’s Battleground has become one of the most popular games on the platform, with over a million active players to date. The console release brings with it all the action of the PC version with enhanced visuals and the inbuilt connectivity of Xbox Live, making it easier for player to decide if they want to be part of a four-person team or try and go it alone in one of the most challenging multiplayer experiences ever brought to gaming.

PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds will be available on Xbox One from December 12*


Free to Play

For December, Xbox Gold subscribers will have four titles to download and play for free. On Xbox One, Warhammer: End Times – Vermintide will be available from December 1-31*, with Back to the Future: The Game – 30th Anniversary Edition available from December 16-January 15*. On Xbox 360 (and Xbox One via Backwards Compatibility) Child of Eden will be available from December 1-15*, with Marlow Briggs and the Mask of the Death free to download on play from December 16-31*

 

Over on PlayStation, active Plus subscribers will have a wide variety of games to try for free in December. Starting on December 5*, Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition and Kung Fu Panda: Showdown of the Legendary Legends will be available on PlayStation 4, with Xblaze Lost: Memories and Syberia Collection on PlayStation 4. Those with a PS Vita will be able to download Wanted Corp and Forma 8 (which will also be available on PS4) for free. As an extra bonus, That’s You! (PlayLink) and Until Dawn: Rush of Blood (PSVR) will be available for free as well.

 

Also Released This Month

December 1* – Demons Age (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Stern Pinball Arcade (Switch), Super Putty Squad (Switch), LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 (Switch), Gear Club Unlimited (Switch), Syberia 2 (Switch), Soma (Xbox One)

December 5* – This is the Police (Switch), Horizon Zero Dawn: Complete Edition (PS4), The Surge: A Walk in the Park (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

December 6* – Bravo Team (PSVR), Silence (PS4), Chaos on Deponia (PS4), Minecraft Super Plus Pack (Xbox One)

December 7* – SpellForce 3 (PC)

December 8* – Vegas Party (Switch), Hello Neighbor (Xbox One, PC), Superbeat Xonic EX (Switch)

December 9* – LocoRoco 2 Remastered (PS4)

December 12* – Okami HD (Xbox One, PS4, PC), Fallout 4 VR (HTC Vive), Resident Evil 7: Gold Edition (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

December 13* – Final Fantasy XV: Episode Ignis (Xbox One, PS4)

December 31* – Under the Night In-Birth Exe:Late[st] (PS4)

 

*Dates listed refer to UK release dates. International dates may vary and are subject to change. All dates correct at time of writing.

Words by Megan Roxburgh

 

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