040
PREVIEW
“IT’S A TALL ORDER
TO BREAK THROUGH
THE BEAST’S
NATURAL ARMOUR.”
DAUNTLESS
Doing the monster mash, a PS4 smashYou catch wind of a big beastie just
beyond your homestead. It’s a scaly
creature, so it’s going to prove a real
tall order to break through its natural
armour for even a chance of putting it down, and
if it gets its gums around some aether during
your confrontation there’s no telling what could
happen. But those very same impenetrable scales
are just what you need to make the armour set of
your dreams. What do you do?This is a familiar gameplay loop and Dauntless
makes it free-to-play. As a Slayer, you have a
selection of weapons at your disposal, including
marvellously mobile chain blades and fully
customisable Ostian Repeater firearms. It’s up to you
to protect your home and stop the greedy Behemoth
from sapping the land’s lifeblood, aether. Without
aether, the floating Shattered Isles may fall and
shatter once more. And if the Behemoths are left
to their own devices and absorb aether, they may
transform into something a lot more difficult to
put down. It’s up to you alone or with a crew of up
to three other players to defend the Isles, and craft
some sweet threads while you’re at it.NO FEAR
Given Dauntless’ knock-down, drag-out fights
against an eclectic selection of kaiju, we can’t avoid
comparing it to a certain other game. So yes, this
is akin to a free-to-play Monster Hunter: World,
and it’s a comparison the dev, Phoenix Labs, isn’t
shying away from. But can this freebie set itself apart
enough to draw you away from Capcom’s classic?The answer can be found in the
game’s bright, Pixar-esque art, which
sets it apart visually from the more
realistic direction of its inspiration.
Furthermore, there are plans to work
towards a cross-platform vision from
launch that the developer is calling
One Dauntless. You’ll retain all
progression, items, and customisation
regardless of where you log on, as well
as cultivating a universal ecosystem
that all everyone can enjoy. It’s
certainly ambitious.
Dauntless has proved to have
staying power of its own, a dedicated
band of Behemoth-bashers having
built up since its PC Early Access
release way back in 2016. Now, it’s
coming to PS4, polished and perfected
for us to sink our teeth into. You’ll
be able to venture into these science-
fantasy, post-cataclysm Isles with
plenty of pals later this year.FORMAT PS4 / ETA APR / PUB PHOENIX LABS / DEV PHOENIXLABSDAYS GONE
This rhythm-action
throwback takes you to the
bygone rave era. A surly
biker refuses the rhythm
of Darude’s Sandstorm
but the beat will get him
in the end... either that or
the zombies’ surprisingly
in-tune groans will.
FORMAT PS4 ETA 26 APRCATHERINE
FULL BODY
Scratchy frills, underwires
stabbing from Hell’s heart
and the tyranny of limited
cup sizes, Vincent takes a
deep dive into the world of
ladies’ lingerie in the name
of his gal pals’ comfort.
FORMAT PS4 ETA SUMMERTHE LEGEND OF
HEROES: TRAILS
OF COLD STEEL
Zoolander’s Blue Steel
college is taking on female
models and has expanded
its curriculum. ‘How to tote
a polearm bigger than you
are’ is a popular class.
FORMAT PS4 ETA TBC 2019on
the
box
judged only by
their coversAbove Munching on aether causes changes in
a Behemoth – Koshai’s grown new horns.Called a Shrike, this owl-
bear can get airborne
enough to cause Slayers
serious trouble.