The GameAxis Playlist: January 2019

Welcome to the latest issue of the GameAxis Playlist! Yeah, we know the timing is a little way off but that shouldn’t pose much of an issue. Without further ado, and in no order of merit, here are some of the new game releases we’ve got our eyes on this month.

1. Kingdom Hearts 3 (29 Jan) (PS4/Xbox One)

Don’t lie to yourself — everyone’s hyped for this. As far as the storyline is concerned, Kingdom Hearts 3 will finally bring protagonist Sora’s epic journey to a masterful climax. Once again, he’ll have an entire roster of support characters from the various Final Fantasy, Pixar, and Disney franchises. There’ll be some new faces and all of the old ones, but one thing’s for sure: they’re all equally wacky in some way.

Some new gameplay introductions include the new “Attractions” mechanic, as well as certain tweaks to the combat system. Developer Square Enix is even setting the bar higher by saying it’s the best game in the franchise to date. That’s one hefty claim, and we’ll let players be the judge of that.

Just kidding. Of course we’ll be playing it too. Oh and in case you missed it, there’s a limited edition Kingdom Hearts 3 PS4 Pro bundle up for grabs. Might want to be quick about it.

2. Resident Evil 2 (25 Jan) (PC/PS4/Xbox One)

Zombie games are like pine trees: evergreen. It doesn’t matter if it’s Halloween, Christmas, or your third uncle’s fifty-second birthday — anytime is a good time for some moaning undead. And what better game to embody that experience than this remake of Resident Evil 2?

The two-decade-old classic returns to haunt us with a fresh new look and the same gripping story (with some surprise tweaks). Plunged headfirst into the zombie-infested Raccoon City Police Station, Special Agent Leon S. Kennedy and his accidental ally, Claire Redfield, must endeavour to find a way out.

There are a lot of gameplay, tactical, and cosmetic changes as compared to the original, but one thing’s for sure: the game is infinitely scarier. Players will have to stay on their toes if they want to make it out alive.

Oh, so you think it’s going to be a piece of cake, eh? Well, why not put your money where your mouth is and take on RE2’s unique “One-shot” demo?

3. Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown (18 Jan) (PS4/Xbox One)

If you’re a fan of aerial dogfights then we recommend freeing up some space and money for Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The game was previously featured at the Tokyo Game Show several months back and saw a number of delays, but we’re still pumped for its 18 Jan release date.

Whether you’re a returning ace or the greenest of pilots, you’ll get to take to the skies in some of the most advanced war planes ever created. That’s not the clincher, though — it’s the graphics.

Developer Project Aces is touting magnificently rendered skylines and cityscapes for AC7, more so than any other game in this two-decade-old series. While your attention should remain on staying alive the intense dogfights, we won’t blame you for taking a second to marvel at all of the awe-inspiring environments.

4. Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition (11 Jan) (PC/PS4/Xbox One/Switch)

The Tales series is an enormous franchise, one that spans a whopping sixteen games to date (and that’s only counting the mainstream titles). Tales of Vesperia: Definitive Edition is the latest addition to that family, celebrating Vesperia‘s tenth-year anniversary with a flurry of improvements.

For those who haven’t played it, the story puts you in the shoes of a young Imperial soldier named Yuri Lowell and his guild, Brave Vesperia. He’s tasked with aiding the aristocrat Estelle against various factions in Terca Lumireis, all of whom seek to appropriate the energy source known as “blastia” for themselves.

Not only does the remaster feature updated graphics, soundtracks, mini-games and bosses, it also brings with it two all-new playable characters! These include Flynn Scifo, Yuri’s best friend and fellow Imperial Knight, as well as pirate lass Patty Fleur, who is on the search for treasure and her lost memories.

As far as JRPGs go, the Tales series is one that rivals even Final Fantasy in breadth and depth. Even among them, Tales of Vesperia is one of my personal favourites (the other being Tales of the Abyss). On that note, this is one game I know I won’t regret buying.

Check the GameAxis Playlist archives for any major releases you may have missed, or our Games This Month series to fatten your library for cheap!