BATMAN: ARKHAM KNIGHT
Rocksteady sends the Bat out with a bang. A
compelling, cathartic story adds new layers to the
Dark Knight, while PS4 allows Gotham to blossom
with a truly amazing engine. The stealth still sings,
the fisticuffs are fab, and the Batmobile is brilliant.16
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PERSONA 5
Atlus’ anime wonder dazzles thanks to its mix of
friendship building, stylish dungeons, and speedy
turn-based combat. Add a story oozing with
darkness and taboo-busting confidence and you
have the gold standard for JRPGs on PS4.THE LAST OF US REMASTERED
This modern masterpiece just gets stronger with
age, like a full-bodied stilton. A brutal, emotionally
honest take on the end of the world, Naughty Dog’s
stealth shooter is simply one of the best games
ever, even if this PS4 port doesn’t add much to it.
111retrostationDISHONORED 2
The follow-up to a PS3 great, mixing a creative skillset
with impressive level design to create a Kaldwin-
ning immersive sim. From the shifting rooms of The
Clockwork Mansion to learning to link your powers,
there’s so much scope for experimenting.SHADOW OF THE COLOSSUS
Bluepoint completely overhauls the visuals of Team
Ico’s masterpiece but still manages to match the
original step-for-step in its remake. New controls and
a beautiful photo mode add to the package. Wander’s
tragic quest has never looked or played better.METRO EXODUS
Larger but maintaining an emphasis on storytelling
and experimentation, this sequel to Last Light pulls
no punches. If you’re looking for one of the best
narrative-led shooters on PS4 this mix of FPS,
horror, stealth, and survival shouldn’t be ignored.RESIDENT EVIL VII: BIOHAZARD
Capcom’s greatest series returns to terrifying
form thanks to a trip to Louisiana to meet the Baker
family, who stalk you around their mansion. While the
second half of the game doesn’t match the intensity
of the first, this is still essential for any horror fan.DEVIL MAY CRY 5
Another classic PlayStation series returns to form
on PS4. Slicing up demons and doing so stylishly has
never felt better, especially when each of the three
characters (Nero, Dante, and V) plays so uniquely. It
looks stunning, and plays even better.19
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NIGHTMARESFROMTHEDEEP:
THECURSEDHEART
OscarTaylor-Kentsleepswiththefishes
I havea softspotforallhiddenpicturegames,
buttheNightmaresFromTheDeepsagaalways
keepsmecomingback.In whatothergamecan
I playa motherona questtosaveherdaughter
fromanundeadpirate?Solvingpuzzles,she
boardsships,blowsupgates,and...findshidden
objects.Nothingfazesher.Workingtowarda
Platinumin thesegamesis a perfecteveningin.EARTHDEFENSEFORCE:
IRONRAIN
IanDean’sant-icswillsavetheworld
Sometimesyoujustwanttoshoota giantalien
antin itsantennae.Thelatestmade-for-PS4
entryin theEDFseriesenablesthatsimple,guilty
pleasuretotakeplace.IronRainis a relentless
assaultofwaveshooting,andwitha scriptas
trashyasitsvisuals,I shouldn’tloveit asmuch
asI do.ButI don’tcarebecauseyetanotheralien
anthasexplodedatmyhands,andit feelsgood.Weminethelibraryforgold.This
month:it’sourguiltypleasures
PICK #1PICK #2PICK #3I’MA MOTHERONA QUEST
TOSAVEHERDAUGHTERFROM
ANUNDEADPIRATE.QRandom destruction, oversized insects, alien mechs... what’s not
to love about the latest instalment of Earth Defense Force?BUBBLING UNDER
Alternative picks
VAMPYR
Jess Kinghorn’s guilty pleasure won’t die
Wooden character animation, overwrought
dialogue, ‘wonky Bloodborne’ combat, an honest-
to-goodness ‘Dr Acula’, and Anthony Howell’s
voice – how could I say no? For every hokey line
from my fellow Londoners, there’s a genuinely
melancholic nugget to sustain me. Olivier
Derivière’s score is the perfect accompaniment
for a gloomy wander around London, elevating
the material and beckoning me back each night.TOWERFALL ASCENSION
You haven’t lived until you’ve enjoyed a four-player
free-for-all in this instant couchplay classic. The solo
campaign is fine by itself, but almost nothing beats
the arrow-grabbing, death-defying last-second kills
of local multiplayer’s mayhem.DAYS GONE
A beautiful, epic story told at its own pace, Days
Gone is a modern western played out across a
society that’s just crumbled. The challenge of the
hordes and the emotional clout of the narrative
manage to push above the cookie-cutter ideas.