As showcased in our feature entitled ‘Top 5 Most Anticipated Games of 2014,’, the PlayStation 4’s immediate future is bright, with many top notch titles ready to both enthral and entertain in equal measure well into the New Year. Let us not forget however, that amidst the PS4’s heavy hitters there are a number of titles that have found themselves under the radar as of late, but are nevertheless some of the more exciting prospects heading to Sony’s machine in the coming months. Here’s a rundown of our favourite five, each of which deserve the attention of the gaming public.
Octodad: Dadliest Catch
For those of an eclectic disposition, it doesn’t come much zanier than Young Horses’ Octodad: Dadliest Catch – the sequel to the freeware namesake, which caught the attention of critics and players alike when it was released independently on PC back in 2010. Since the announcement that PlayStation 4’s arrival was imminent, Sony’s mission statement has been one of support for Indie titles; giving prospective developers a hassle-free avenue to project their ideas and hone their talents. Now it’s crunch time, and Octodad’s certainly the type of videogame to test the theory of how faithful Sony’s intentions are. In typically idiosyncratic fashion, you play as – you guessed it – an octopus posing as a human, trying to keep his true identity under wraps from his increasingly-suspecting human family. This involves finally venturing out of the confines of the household and travelling to the likes of the supermarket and the aquarium, places which will only present more issues than they’ll solve; seemingly mundane tasks such as opening doors and picking up cushions prove difficult for Octodad, and with that the controls can take a little while to get used to. Once mastered, the results are hilarious. So, while the premise is a tad peculiar, there’s certainly a distinctive charm that may well resonate with PS4 gamers; a matrimony which will hopefully translate into success. Only time will tell.
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The Evil Within
Survival Horror games are experiencing somewhat of a resurgence at the present moment, namely on PC with games such as Amnesia and Penumbra. Sure, consoles have been gifted the likes of Dead Space and the Condemned series, but they’ve been distinctly lacking in the true psychological terror of old. Luckily, newly-founded Japanese studio Tango Gameworks has stepped up to the plate – heralded by the father of modern Survival Horror videogames, Shinji Mikami – with The Evil Within, a psychological showcase, which is sure to both terrify and thrill in equal measure. After all, who better to lead the horror rebirth than the producer of such horror staples as Resident Evil 2 and 4, arguably the two best in the acclaimed series. The game deploys that over-the-shoulder viewpoint made famous by Resident Evil 4, and looks to explore psychologically underpinnings of a demonic force, which is wreaking havoc on civilians and police officers alike. Its scheduled release looks set to be mid-to-late 2014 and while Mikami’s been conspicuously absent in the horror stakes as of late – instead choosing to lend his genius to niche titles such as the much-loved Vanquish and God Hand – he’s now back where he arguably belongs, delivering frights and thrills to the masses. Sign us up.
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Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty!
During the PlayStation 3’s lengthy lifespan of some seven years, fans and commentators alike decried the lack of a real mascot among the console’s extensive library of games. The days of Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Parappa were gone, having long been relegated to the annals of PlayStation history. And while this dry spell isn’t exactly over per say, we do get the next best thing – a remake of a classic of old. Back in ’97, gamers were bemusedly treated to the idiosyncratic adventures of Abe, a Mudokon slave with a penchant for flatulence and a burning desire to escape his labour confines, in Oddworld: Abe’s Odyssey. The game proved to be a massive hit, spawning a sequel before jumping ship to Microsoft’s Xbox for the proceeding generation. Fast forward to the present and Abe’s maiden adventure’s getting a new lick of paint and a fresh release on Sony’s newest machine – about time, too. Entitled Oddworld: New ‘n’ Tasty, developer Just Add Water has taken the reigns, the same team which has presided over the other Oddworld HD remakes and has pencilled in the expected release date of Spring 2014. After some 16 years it looks as if Abe’s back where he so rightfully belongs, in the arms of the PlayStation family, and we for one cannot wait to escape from the confines of Rupture Farm once again.
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Outlast
Much like the aforementioned The Evil Within, Red Barrel Games’ Outlast is another title that’s at the forefront of the horror renaissance – looking to put the fear firmly back into gamers across the globe. The ported PC game’s success hinges on two intrinsic gameplay factors; firstly, the game’s protagonist, investigative journalist Miles, is incapable of defending himself, instead choosing to run instead of fight. This dynamic creates an immense level of tension and stress. The second factor revolves around the darkened desolation of the asylum, where the game takes place. Due to its unlit inclination, players must avail of the night vision mode on Miles’ video camera to traverse the sanatorium – maintaining its power through the collection of batteries scattered around the areas. A nerve-shattering gameplay addition, we can attest to. The game received its fair share of praise when it released on PC back in September, with critics commending its approach to combat, or lack thereof, and its use of the night vision gameplay mechanic. Fortunately, much like Evolution Studios’ DriveClub, Outlast will be available free of charge through the PlayStation Plus subscription service for its first month of release. So there’s no excuse not to jump right in when it’s unleashed early into next year. Make sure you’re got an extra set of underwear at the ready – just in case.
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Dragon Age: Inquisition
Gamers could readily be forgiven for harbouring a tentative approach to BioWare’s new Dragon Age sequel, given the lukewarm reception its predecessor’s direction initially received upon its release back in 2011. Fortunately, the developer seems hell bent on rectifying its shortcomings by combining the championed aspects of the last two games and delivering the best of both worlds with its newest sequel, Dragon Age: Inquisition. The game will feature more exploration-based gameplay with significantly larger areas in comparison to that of its predecessors. In addition, playable race selection makes its long-awaited return and BioWare has confirmed that the choices you make throughout the story will affect its outcome in a far bigger way than previously seen in the series. The relationships within the narrative will be overhauled, too – with BioWare promising ‘tasteful’ conclusions to the game’s more romantic endeavours. In all honesty, BioWare’s approach has been a complete breath of fresh air; listening to fans’ concerns and adjusting the game’s direction accordingly, in the hope of achieving the best result possible. Dragon Age was one of the shining RPG beacons of the last generation, and despite stumbling over its own feet with its immediate sequel, Inquisition looks to usher in a new era of Western RPG’s on PlayStation 4 when it appears in the latter half of next year.
Are any the games mentioned above in your most anticipated list for the New Year? Let us know below.