Play Station Official Magazine - UK (2020-11)

072

REVIEW

INFO FORMATPUB EA SPORTS PS4 ETA DEVOUT NOW EA VANCOUVER

UFC 4

In for a pound

Y

ou’ve got the skills to pay the bills,”

coach Davies bellows seconds before

we enter the Octagon. At first, we’re

not sure, but after getting a few clean jabs

in and then pulling off the ground takedown

he’s just taught us, who are we to disagree?

UFC 4’s career mode is full of such hammy

moments. Melodrama aside, it’s a better

way to learn the basics of MMA than UFC 3’s

sterile training mode. Slight enhancements

have also been made to the mechanics,

ensuring that the two-and-a-half-year wait

between entries has mostly been worth it.

First off, the good. That pesky Ultimate

Team has been done away with, resulting in

uncomplicated 1v1 online bouts where luck

is never involved, and a more streamlined

progression system that reflects your

success in other modes.^1 Career, as

mentioned, has also been improved, primed

to smoothly introduce anyone new to

performing submissions, blocking the head

and body, and managing a stamina gauge.

Fighting from a standing position remains

largely unchanged, though a new feature

dubbed ‘Real Player Motion Tech’ does a lot

to help UFC 4’s realism when clinching, as do

added takedown animations. Less realistic

are the revised ground minigames,^2 like the

one where you must rotate your right stick

and avoid your opponent’s cursor during a

choke, but it relays the necessary tension.

Long-time players will be disappointed at

Joe Rogan’s absence from the commentary

booth this time around, even if Daniel

Cormier and John Anik’s excitable tones are

perfectly serviceable. And that’s

a phrase which perfectly sums

up UFC 4 in general. It won’t

surprise MMA fans, but it should

delight. Aaron Potter

FOOTNOTES 1 You use evolution points, earned during matches

and training, to upgrade your custom character. 2 These are

triggered when you or your opponent are taken to the ground.

INFO FORMATPUB DEEP SILVER PS4 ETA OUT NOW DEV FIVE LIVES STUDIOS

WINDBOUND

Smooth sailing ahead

T

rue to classic indie game style,

as Windbound’s protagonist Kara

you wash up on an island with little

instruction as to what you need to do.

However, it soon becomes apparent that you

need to seek out the beacon-like structures

scattered across a handful of small isles in

order to open up a pathway to the next area.

Of course, to travel between those isles

you’ll need a boat, and that means staying

alive long enough to craft one. Windbound is

a survival game. You need to monitor Kara’s

hunger meter, as well as her health bar, at

all times. Since resources are scarce, each

island can only sustain you for so long.^1

The crafting tab is where you assemble

weapons, boats, and campfires to cook

meals. (Eat raw meat and you risk becoming

sick and lose health.) As you proceed

through the story and visit more Forbidden

Islands, discovering new raw materials in

the process, your crafting skills will broaden.

In Windbound, exploration is rewarded.

Though colourful and charming, there

is still a tough grind behind those visuals.^2

Most of the action takes place on the water

but during the early game moving between

islands can be tedious. You’re limited to

one speed and, aside from the islands in

the distance, there’s little to look at as you

travel. Once you reach an island you may

have to face off against aggressive wildlife in

an enjoyable, if simplistic, combat system.

Where the game really excels is in its

beautiful, colourful graphics and the relaxing

atmosphere they help to create. There is

also a deep lore to discover

as you travel across the

archipelago, culminating in a

seafaring experience that’s sure

to make waves. Rebecca Stow

FOOTNOTES 1 Essentially, you’ll discover a new land teeming with

beautiful wildlife, then eat it all before moving on. 2 If you’re hoping

to speed from island to island, you’ll have to learn patience.

INFO FORMATPUB 2K GAMES PS4 ETA DEVOUT NOW HB STUDIOS

PGA TOUR 2K21

Stroke of genius

T

he game formerly known as The Golf

Club is the most fun you never knew

you could have in a badged sports

blazer.^1 But while the new layer of licensed

content grabs the limelight, it’s the refined

gameplay that shines.

The core of what worked in The Golf

Club returns, but the grind of the game is

improved. Putting, in particular, is now a joy,

with shot power easier to manage, ensuring

those replay-grabbing 50-foot putts are

achievable. PGA Tour 2K21 does an excellent

job of turning us armchair Scottie Schefflers

into on-par performers. You can select clubs

and stances using the D-pad, and holding

o enables you to adjust the ball’s spin, loft,

fade, and draw. Those and the timing meter

mean you will be dropping the ball onto

the green like a champ in no time. It’s easy

to grasp but hard to master, as tougher

courses, windy conditions, and merciless AI

rivals make mastering your nerves as well

as the controls is necessary to win.

A robust career mode sees you compete

across 30 events, including 15 real-world

courses. A new rivalry system has you going

head-to-head with a licensed pro,^2 and there

are plenty of difficulty adjustments to ensure

repeated plays remain competitive. This year

also offers MyPlayer inclusion, so you can

use your created player across all modes.

The only downside to this year’s game,

as with The Golf Club, are the visuals. Even

knocking balls about a clifftop woodland

can feel sterile. But then the game offers

an easy-to-use course creator and all is

forgiven. Placing accessibility on

par with accuracy, this is a golf

sim so realistic you can smell

the freshly laundered acid-blue

chinos. Ian Dean

FOOTNOTES 1 Kiss our face! 2 You can literally win the shirt off

Sergio García’s back by meeting various in-tournament objectives.

More clubs and clothing can be bought in the in-game store.

072

REVIEW

INFO FORMATPUB EA SPORTS PS4 ETA DEVOUT NOW EA VANCOUVER

UFC 4

In for a pound

Y

ou’ve got the skills to pay the bills,”

coach Davies bellows seconds before

we enter the Octagon. At first, we’re

not sure, but after getting a few clean jabs

in and then pulling off the ground takedown

he’s just taught us, who are we to disagree?

UFC 4’s career mode is full of such hammy

moments. Melodrama aside, it’s a better

way to learn the basics of MMA than UFC 3’s

sterile training mode. Slight enhancements

have also been made to the mechanics,

ensuring that the two-and-a-half-year wait

between entries has mostly been worth it.

First off, the good. That pesky Ultimate

Team has been done away with, resulting in

uncomplicated 1v1 online bouts where luck

is never involved, and a more streamlined

progression system that reflects your

success in other modes.^1 Career, as

mentioned, has also been improved, primed

to smoothly introduce anyone new to

performing submissions, blocking the head

and body, and managing a stamina gauge.

Fighting from a standing position remains

largely unchanged, though a new feature

dubbed ‘Real Player Motion Tech’ does a lot

to help UFC 4’s realism when clinching, as do

added takedown animations. Less realistic

are the revised ground minigames,^2 like the

one where you must rotate your right stick

and avoid your opponent’s cursor during a

choke, but it relays the necessary tension.

Long-time players will be disappointed at

Joe Rogan’s absence from the commentary

booth this time around, even if Daniel

Cormier and John Anik’s excitable tones are

perfectly serviceable. And that’s

a phrase which perfectly sums

up UFC 4 in general. It won’t

surprise MMA fans, but it should

delight. Aaron Potter

FOOTNOTES 1 You use evolution points, earned during matches

and training, to upgrade your custom character. 2 These are

triggered when you or your opponent are taken to the ground.

INFO FORMATPUB DEEP SILVER PS4 ETA DEVOUT NOW FIVE LIVES STUDIOS

WINDBOUND

Smooth sailing ahead

T

rue to classic indie game style,

as Windbound’s protagonist Kara

you wash up on an island with little

instruction as to what you need to do.

However, it soon becomes apparent that you

need to seek out the beacon-like structures

scattered across a handful of small isles in

order to open up a pathway to the next area.

Of course, to travel between those isles

you’ll need a boat, and that means staying

alive long enough to craft one. Windbound is

a survival game. You need to monitor Kara’s

hunger meter, as well as her health bar, at

all times. Since resources are scarce, each

island can only sustain you for so long.^1

The crafting tab is where you assemble

weapons, boats, and campfires to cook

meals. (Eat raw meat and you risk becoming

sick and lose health.) As you proceed

through the story and visit more Forbidden

Islands, discovering new raw materials in

the process, your crafting skills will broaden.

In Windbound, exploration is rewarded.

Though colourful and charming, there

is still a tough grind behind those visuals.^2

Most of the action takes place on the water

but during the early game moving between

islands can be tedious. You’re limited to

one speed and, aside from the islands in

the distance, there’s little to look at as you

travel. Once you reach an island you may

have to face off against aggressive wildlife in

an enjoyable, if simplistic, combat system.

Where the game really excels is in its

beautiful, colourful graphics and the relaxing

atmosphere they help to create. There is

also a deep lore to discover

as you travel across the

archipelago, culminating in a

seafaring experience that’s sure

to make waves. Rebecca Stow

FOOTNOTES 1 Essentially, you’ll discover a new land teeming with

beautiful wildlife, then eat it all before moving on. 2 If you’re hoping

to speed from island to island, you’ll have to learn patience.

INFO FORMATPUB 2K GAMES PS4 ETA DEVOUT NOW HB STUDIOS

PGA TOUR 2K21

Stroke of genius

T

he game formerly known as The Golf

Club is the most fun you never knew

you could have in a badged sports

blazer.^1 But while the new layer of licensed

content grabs the limelight, it’s the refined

gameplay that shines.

The core of what worked in The Golf

Club returns, but the grind of the game is

improved. Putting, in particular, is now a joy,

with shot power easier to manage, ensuring

those replay-grabbing 50-foot putts are

achievable. PGA Tour 2K21 does an excellent

job of turning us armchair Scottie Schefflers

into on-par performers. You can select clubs

and stances using the D-pad, and holding

o enables you to adjust the ball’s spin, loft,

fade, and draw. Those and the timing meter

mean you will be dropping the ball onto

the green like a champ in no time. It’s easy

to grasp but hard to master, as tougher

courses, windy conditions, and merciless AI

rivals make mastering your nerves as well

as the controls is necessary to win.

A robust career mode sees you compete

across 30 events, including 15 real-world

courses. A new rivalry system has you going

head-to-head with a licensed pro,^2 and there

are plenty of difficulty adjustments to ensure

repeated plays remain competitive. This year

also offers MyPlayer inclusion, so you can

use your created player across all modes.

The only downside to this year’s game,

as with The Golf Club, are the visuals. Even

knocking balls about a clifftop woodland

can feel sterile. But then the game offers

an easy-to-use course creator and all is

forgiven. Placing accessibility on

par with accuracy, this is a golf

sim so realistic you can smell

the freshly laundered acid-blue

chinos. Ian Dean

FOOTNOTES 1 Kiss our face! 2 You can literally win the shirt off

Sergio García’s back by meeting various in-tournament objectives.

More clubs and clothing can be bought in the in-game store.