Hear that? That's the calm before the storm, because Paris Games Week is coming. It's been an absolutely agonising wait for Sony to take to the stage again, after it skipped its annual Gamescom press conference. Now the hype train's choo-chooing, and we're giving you front row seats for all of the action.
Reviews
Assassin's Creed Syndicate - 6/10
Much like the Victorian city that it's based upon, you have to dig into Assassin's Creed Syndicate in order to identify its problems. The core gameplay loop is solid and it's built upon a sound structure, but familiarity and filler lessen the appeal of this open world outing. Vastly improved performance and all around impressive presentation mean that London's most definitely not burning – but there may be a little panic in the offices at Ubisoft.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt - Hearts of Stone - 10/10
An utterly engrossing slice of content, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt – Hearts of Stone is a superb addition to an already incredible RPG, and is further proof that developer CD Projekt Red is at the absolute top of its game. Peppered with memorable moments, it's an expansion that'll have you yearning to step back into Geralt's gritty world to deal with some of the best characters that we've seen in years. Ultimately, Hearts of Stone sets the standard for what we should expect from premium content, and not just because of its price tag. This is DLC that puts many retail releases to shame.
Other Reviews
- Three Fourths Home: Extended Edition - 8/10
- XBLAZE Code: Embryo - 5/10
- One Upon Light - 5/10
- Corpse Party: Blood Drive - 4/10
- SkyScrappers - 4/10
- Life Is Strange: Episode 5 - Polarized - 9/10
- NOW That's What I Call Sing - 7/10
Features
Feature: What PS4 Announcements Should You Expect at Paris Games Week?
Sony's said that next week's Paris Games Week press conference will be comparable to a Gamescom media briefing. The platform holder skipped its annual stage show in Cologne this August, as it felt that the event was too close to E3 2015. There were mere weeks between the two major conventions, so it based its decision upon sound logic – but it's been a long wait since that staggering show in Los Angeles earlier in the year. Fortunately, its first ever French foray awaits, and we're expecting some big announcements to be made by the firm in the capital next week. As is always the case with these conferences, we've compiled some of our predictions below – but feel free to share your own speculation in the comments section.
Guide: Eight London Liberating Tips for Assassin's Creed Syndicate on PS4
Assassin's Creed Syndicate may be more of the same, but it's a dignified step forward from the flaky Assassin's Creed Unity. A traditional English Frye up with an extra helping of tower climbing, this open world outing sees you stealing back Victorian London from the grips of moustachioed mad man, Crawford Starrick. While many of the gameplay systems from previous instalments return, liberating one of the world's most iconic cities isn't going to be easy. Fortunately, we've compiled eight or so tips that should turn you into a master assassin in no time.
Other Features
- Talking Point: Does EA Access Really Represent Poor Value for PS4 Players?
- Talking Point: What Are You Playing This Weekend? - Issue 90
News
Sony Knows Exactly What PS4 Firmware Update Features You Want
There's been frustration over recent PlayStation 4 firmware updates. Sony's been slow rolling out system software overhauls, and while we're fond of features such as Communities, they don't feel like they should be a priority. But while the platform holder's not exactly implementing the kind of upgrades that we want, there's no question that it knows what people are asking for.
November's PlayStation Plus Freebies Will Be Revealed Next Week
Sharpen those pitch forks and prepare some picket signs in protest, because November's big PlayStation Plus update is days away from being exposed. Amid the panic of Paris Games Week, SCEE's ever-patient PlayStation Blog manager Fred Dutton told one eager fan that the lineup should be announced "mid-next week, all going well". We reckon that it will probably be mentioned during the platform holder's press conference in the French capital.
Surprise! Sony Isn't Working on First-Party Titles for PS Vita
In what many sites appear to think is a shocking revelation, it turns out that Sony isn't making any first-party games for PlayStation Vita. Of course, if you've been paying attention, then you'll already know that the company's commented on its support of the handheld before.
The Witcher 3 PS4 Patch 1.11 Finally Fixes Skellige's Most Wanted Quest
Following on from the game's previous and absolutely gigantic 1.10 update, CD Projekt Red has announced that it'll be releasing The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt's latest patch "shortly". Update 1.11 fixes a slew of bugs and adjusts numerous bits and pieces - some of which are to do with the title's first expansion, Hearts of Stone.
Destiny's Story Was Stitched Together Using Existing Assets in Less Than a Year
Well who would have thunk it? According to a massive report from Kotaku's always informative Jason Schreier, Destiny as we know it was cobbled together in a very short space of time following the decision to scrap its original story.
Other Noteworthy News
- Apparently, Hideo Kojima Has Already Left Konami
- September 2015 NPD: PS4 Sticks to the Summit as NBA, NFL Beat Metal Gear Solid
- Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter Gets to the Scene of the Crime in Spring 2016
- People Are Having Real Problems Paying with Credit Cards on the PlayStation Store
- Custom PS4 Faceplates Are Coming to Europe Next Month
Video of the Week
Watch One of the First Dreams Made on PS4
The sooner that Media Molecule clears up exactly what Dreams is the better. During a stream earlier this week, the developer shared one of the first ever "dreams" created in the PlayStation 4 exclusive – and it's suitably bonkers. We see a polar bear and its baby walking towards the horizon, where the illuminati happen to be waiting. Bizarre.
Comments 10
The Witcher: Hearts of Stone is hands down my favorite DLC so far this gen.
It put the Dragon Age: Inquisition DLC to shame. I love Dragon Age and BioWare but was very disappointed with the DA:I DLC.
Was just checking the metacritic scores of AC syndicate because I would have sworn you guys gave it a 5/10, when I noticed how sick this industry really is. Just take a look at the review scores and you instantly know what you're dealing with: the only outlets that have the guts to give AC a lower score than a 7 are the ones that don't really rely on Ubisoft to keep the lights on.
And I'm not saying everyone should feel as I do or that you can't enjoy AC syndicate, but after Unity it was kinda clear that reviews of Ubi games have little value and it seems not much has changed. Since when is it okay to give out 8s and 9s for a game simply because it isn't as busted as its predecessor, which also got very favorable reviews from the sites and magazines that lean heavily on Ubi's money.
And what bugs me even more is that in a lot of reviews you actually see the game isn't a an 8 or a 9, the game gets lots of criticism actually; but when it comes to giving a score, they reviewers know they can't hand in a 5/10, because that would mean no more free games next year, no more press trips and no more expensive goodies which sell like crazy on eBay. I'm not saying Ubisoft is literally holding these sites hostage or blackmailing them, as far as I know they don't do anything illegal, but it's so clear that you want Ubi to be on your side that most sites and magazines really don't have a choice, especially the smaller ones.
Most of you reading this probably wonder why this upsets me, you probably don't care about a reviewscore and judge every game for what it really is instead of letting someone else do it for you. Well, let me tell you that first of all this probably isn't true: review scores matter even to the most sceptical and independent of gamers and subconsciously influence people. But more importantly, most gamers aren't as critical as the ones you find here, actually reading a review: they just go online, check the 9 Gamespot gave them and buy the game simply to discover this could've easily been AC Unity with a skin pack.
@Boerewors Yep, one of the reasons I come to Pushsquare so much, they're not afraid to tell the truth and don't let politics get in the way, even when it comes to a big publisher's flagship title. If only more sites and magazines set such a good example. Solid integrity right there, well done Pushsquare, keep up the good work.
@LieutenantFatman
That's why I was looking for their review of Halo 5... But I have a feeling they're skipping this one. (I was litteraly checking the website for a review a couple of times till all of a sudden it dawned on me that "PushSquare" isn't likely to review it )
@Boerewors LOL! But PureXbox might have it.
@TheLobster
Surprisingly enough they don't. And there we have the major problem with that site, they're always a bit behind the curve it seems. On PS and NL you find all the news you care about (and more ) and if there isn't any news there is always a review, editorial piece or a video to keep you entertained (although we're seeing way too little of the latter), but on PureXbox you sometimes have to wait 2 days before they wake up and write about something that was news 48 hours ago. It isn't that hard, do it like PS does: follow DualShockers, come up with an awesome sub-title for the rehashed article and BAM!: you're a smash hit
With the biggest release thus far we don't see any activity over there which is mind boggling. For all the things Xbox has screwed up, this is their shot at redemption, this is the moment where all Xbox owners can be proud to own a One, even if they paid $499 for it. PushSquare has the luck they focus on the "winning side", so they can leave a critical note every now and then, knowing that while they wrote that article, 250k Ps4s have been sold. But PureXbox on the other hand need to be cheerleaders, cheerleaders of a team that has been losing for over 1,5 years. But it's those cute girls with their fit bodies shaking them asses, that keep you coming back to the stadium...coming back till they finally win because they send a friggin Spartan out to play!
Step up your game PureXbox, cause there's nothing "pure" about losing! (Dang...couldn't come up with something better)
@Boerewors LOL! Well I'm only on NL and PS so I wouldn't know. I never had and never will own an Xbox!
@LieutenantFatman I agree - I find no matter how many reviews I read, PS seems to pretty much get it right the most in my opinion. Good work guys
@TheLobster
As one of the great philosophers of our time once said: 'Never say never'.
With the OG Xbox I didn't want one, but played occasionally on my brother's Xbox, with the 360 I bought one because they were first on the market, but the moment the PS3 came out I bought one and hardly ever used my 360 again; even if multiplats were objectively better I'd choose the PS3 version, which didn't make sense because I hated the DS3. It's hard to explain to a "normal consumer" you don't want the best version of a product, simply because you feel the company behind the arguably better version is arrogant and has no business in "our" beloved industry.
But with the One something changed: because they are clearly struggling and trying to reverse everything they've done wrong so bad, for the first time I saw Xbox' vulnerability. They showed their weakness and admitted they were wrong. They are humble and do everything in their power to please the gamer, where Sony on the other hand shows signs of the Sony we knew from the end of the PS2 era when Sony thought they were almighty, showed almost un- Japanese arrogance and does a really bad job in the communications department.
Maybe it's my love for the underdog, but for the first time since its launch with the huge OG Xbox, MS' gaming division showed an almost "human" side that I never thought I would see. So where in the beginning I thought I would just buy a One for the inevitable Halo, GoW and more importantly Scalebound (huge Platinum fan here), the One grew on me and is now equally important to me as a gaming device as my PS4.
Edit: sorry for the walls of text, I'm actually waiting for halo 5 to be playable digitally
@Boerewors No, I can see that!
P.S. Good luck with Halo! My best friend manages a GameStop so she is stuck doing the midnight launch. I also work at (a different) GameStop but I'm a lowly seasonal employee who already worked today so I got out of the midnight deal. It's gonna be crazy! I know everybody is excited! It sounds like you won't be going to a brick and mortar store for yours, though.
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