Nothing on Netflix catching the eye? Why not flick on the console and kick back with an hour or two of gaming? New releases, gaming over lunch or just reminiscing about the play of yore, we bring you five games that will be as challenging for the grey matter as they are for the thumbs this March.
The newbie
Yakuza: Like a Dragon
If you decided to part ways with a sizeable amount of money for Sony’s latest creation, the PS5, then the date of Tuesday March 2 would no doubt have been circled in the diary. And as you have a new consule, it’s time for a new game. Yakuza: Like a Dragon is back to bring mayhem to the streets of Yokohama and our screens. Gone is main protagonist Kazuma Kiryu from the previous editions and in his place comes Ichiban Kasuga, a man who after 18 years in prison is betrayed by his former boss and well, you can piece the puzzle together from here. Having been remastered for the PS5 after being initially released for the PS4, expect faster loading times, better graphics and improved handling.
Overall rating: 8/10.
The social one
War World Z
Recognise the title? World War Z is based off the horror hit from 2013 starring Brad Pitt and it most certainly gets the heart racing. Set in the post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, the premise is simple; do whatever it takes to survive. And being solely a multi-player option, gamers will need to enlist the assistance of friends to battle the hordes in various cities such as New York, Tokyo and Moscow while trying to complete various tasks and objectives. Just you and your mates fighting it out against swarming zombies – we’ve all thought about it.
Overall rating: 7/10
For the lunch break
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild
Don’t want to return to work early from lunch because you have scoffed all that was in the lunchbox? The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild for Nintendo Switch was made for those 20 minutes of bone idleness after devouring the cheese sammies and crisps. Based on the mega hit in the ’90s, gamers return as Link who has awakened from a hundred-year slumber to defeat Calamity Ganon and save the kingdom of Hyrule (he must be fed up at this stage). Saving an imagery kingdom from destruction or submitting those reports? We’ll let you decide which is more important. (Disclaimer: your boss won’t agree.)
Overall rating: 8/10.
The sports jock
Madden NFL 21
As with many sports games, their popularity will be everlasting as millions of sports fans gorge themselves on being able to play like their heroes. But with the entirety of this gaming genre based on mirroring real life, any upgrades to the experience is based on changes to the sport. We digress and for our sporting fix this gaming week, it is Madden NFL 21 for those still hyped by the Super Bowl. Face off against socially distanced friends to prove that you are the only gamer worthy of filling Tom Brady’s sizeable cleats (in gaming land). An online league can even be created to remind everyone who is the best (and rub noses in it).
Overall rating: 7/10.
Old is gold
GoldenEye (007)
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We’re taking a step back in time for this gaming classic. GoldenEye (007) for the N64 is the yardstick to by which all first person shooter games are measured (we will have no dissenters to this). From using a laser watch to escape an exploding to using a tank crush sheer destruction on the streets, GoldenEye pulse pounding covert operations over 18 levels is enough to get any hardened gamer misty-eyed about the good auld gaming days. Also there is none of this downloading nonsense from online. Simply pop the game cartridge in the console and receive your license to thrill. An oldie, but, erhm a goldie.
Overall rating: 10/10.
