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Monday, May 22, 2017
05:04 PM - May 22, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
Last month, I documented my first-time experiences with MLB The Show as a self-confessed “noob” of the series. Since then, I’ve spent most of my time in Road to the Show, embarking on a virtual career in a sport I’m not overly familiar with.
This is a recap of my first ever season in Road to the Show in MLB The Show 17. Prior to getting started, I opted for the zone hitting system, armed with the brilliantly accessible dynamic difficulty setting to aid my gradual progression both at the plate and in the field.
It was a season of highs, lows and endless discovery. Give it a read, let me know your thoughts and feel free to offer tips in the comments box below!
Read More - Road to the Show: A Noobs Journey in MLB The Show 17
Friday, April 28, 2017
05:46 PM - April 28, 2017. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Fraser Gilbert
With EA Play just around the corner, it won’t be long until we get our first look at FIFA 18. The next entry in EA's bestselling soccer series will incorporate the Frostbite engine for the second year running, and has already been confirmed to feature a second season of story mode, The Journey, which debuted in FIFA 17.
Ahead of the inevitable reveal, I've taken this chance to highlight a few things I'd like to see in FIFA 18 later this year. Be sure to add your own ideas to our wishlist in the comments below.
Read More - FIFA 18 Wishlist: Features We'd Like To See (Written by: Fraser Gilbert)
Saturday, April 15, 2017
12:04 PM - April 15, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
I’m based in the UK, and my knowledge of sports such as baseball, basketball and American football is limited. I’ve always taken a great interest in the NHL since discovering EA Sports’ series back in ‘98, but those other sports have somewhat passed me by. Sure, I used to play Madden, NBA 2K/Live and past series such as High Heat: Major League Baseball when I was younger, but I never really sampled them to their fullest.
Last year, I detailed my more in-depth experiences with both Madden NFL 16 and NBA 2K17. Now, I’m doing the same with MLB The Show 17 -- the first iteration of the series I’ve ever properly owned. Until a few weeks ago, modes such as Diamond Dynasty and Road to the Show meant nothing to me. I didn’t know the difference between meter and analog pitching. I didn’t even have a favorite MLB team back then (I do now!).
With a couple of weeks playtime under my belt, this is my opportunity to give you some first impressions from a self-confessed noob.
Read More - MLB The Show 17: A Noob's Perspective
Saturday, April 8, 2017
01:56 PM - April 8, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
In recent weeks, I've noticed some OS forum dwellers stating their confusion about EA's Frostbite engine, and wondering what it means for the future of their favorite EA Sports games. For the most part, this discussion has emerged following the announcement that Madden NFL 18 will transition to the engine later this year.
There are many fans that don't know the difference between Ignite and Frostbite. For those of you in that boat, this is an opportunity to learn what the Frostbite engine is, how it's affected the games industry thus far, and what you might be able to expect from it going forward.
This isn't a technical discussion by any means. It's purely a basic rundown of the engine and how it operates based on known facts, interviews and my own personal perspective.
Read More - EA's Frostbite Engine: What is it, Why You Should Care
Friday, March 24, 2017
08:26 PM - March 24, 2017. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Fraser Gilbert
It’s almost that time of year again! Before you know it, we’ll be inundated with new information regarding the latest iteration of EA’s long-running hockey series. As we get ever closer to that date, it’s time to get our brains into gear and think about what we’re hoping to see in EA’s upcoming addition to the franchise.
What do we know about NHL 18 so far? Very little. It seems doubtful the Frostbite engine will make its debut, given there's been no indication of its inclusion during EA’s recent earnings conference call.
Here at OS, we’ve always loved creating wishlists for our favorite games, and the NHL series is no exception. I’ve used this opportunity to detail both my own personal desires for NHL 18, as well as including some items found in our forums over the past few months.
Read More - NHL 18 Wishlist: Features We'd Like To See (Written by: Fraser Gilbert)
Friday, March 3, 2017
02:32 PM - March 3, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
If you know me, you'll know I've been totally hooked on Pro Evolution Soccer 2017 for the past few months. While I've often enjoyed releases by Konami in its long-running series, the latest entry is the only title that has gripped me like the franchise did in its heyday, back when it was pumping out dominant iterations on a yearly basis for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PC.
I'm not biased towards PES or FIFA. I've adored both franchises with varying degrees of passion over the past 20 years, and at present, I enjoy them both. That said, I've found myself more enticed by Konami's game over the past few months, and I want to take this opportunity to discuss why PES 2017 emerged as my surprise game of the year.
Read More - Why PES 2017 Was My Game of the Year
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
02:57 PM - February 14, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
I can still remember the moment I first laid eyes on a copy of FIFA: Road to World Cup 98 as a kid. I was just beginning to discover my affection for video games at the time, but I was instantly captivated by its addictive gameplay, and it'd go on to dominate my spare time over the next year.
I don't know where the last 20 years have gone, but my love for that game remains strong. I still fondly recall many of its unique features, such as its famous intro sequence with the sound of Blur's "Song 2" providing the perfect background. I even put The Crystal Method's "Busy Child" on my local bar's jukebox recently, purely to reminisce about FIFA 98's fantastic soundtrack. I was the only one in there that seemed to know it.
If you ask many fans who can remember back that far, they'll tell you that indoor mode was one of FIFA 98's most memorable qualities. Amazingly, we've yet to experience another iteration of the mode in EA's main FIFA series over the past 20 years, so let's take a trip down memory lane and remind ourselves of this classic feature.
Read More - Looking Back at FIFA '98's Indoor Soccer Mode
Monday, February 6, 2017
12:41 PM - February 6, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
Okay, hands up, who can remember the disappointment that was NHL 15? The jump to current-gen was a tough transition for the NHL series, as it was for many other long-running franchises. In the midst of the move, a whole range of features were stripped away, including the ultra-popular EA Sports Hockey League. In some ways, it felt like a lockout year for our beloved hockey series as our collective, team-based aspirations of virtual glory went on hold for 12 months.
As disappointing as it was to be a fan during this time period, that first current-gen release implemented a wide variety of gameplay and presentation upgrades, thereby establishing a solid base for the future. Since then, an additional two iterations of the series have been released on Xbox One and PS4, and while upgrades have been made across the board, certain presentation features have been left largely untouched. Of course, NHL's visual and audio aspects aren't exactly sub-par in general, but while many of them remain impressive, others have simply grown stale.
I personally love EA Sports' NHL series, and above all else, I'm a huge fan. Like any dedicated supporter, I've got bugbears and wishlist items to detail, so here are my thoughts on the future of NHL's presentation suite.
Read More - How Could Presentation Be Improved In NHL 18
Wednesday, January 18, 2017
11:05 AM - January 18, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
I've never been the biggest Formula One fan, but I've played my fair share of F1-related games over the years. Those familiar with these games will likely recall memories of Geoff Crammond's Grand Prix series and EA's F1 2002, among others.
Since 2008, Codemasters has been in possession of the F1 license, and they have built a franchise that has impressed more often than not. Last year's F1 2016 was released in August, and OS' own Robert Kollars described it as, "an outstanding race sim, and should be in any race fan's rotation." He's not the only one who lavished praise on it, with many suggesting it might have surpassed its predecessors as the best Formula One game of all time.
Despite the acclaim, I haven't seen it on all that many Game of the Year lists thus far. With Forza Horizon 3 releasing just a month later, F1 2016 arguably hasn't enjoyed the recognition it deserves. Of course, that's not to suggest the game has sold poorly, topping the UK sales charts in its debut week. But, Formula One doesn't have the same appeal across all areas of the globe, so for those of you who have never heard of Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen, here are three reasons why F1 2016 should be in your collection.
Read More - F1 2016: The Most Overlooked Sports Game of the Last Year?
Friday, January 6, 2017
03:32 PM - January 6, 2017. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
It's a tough ask to expect consumers to give up their hard-earned money on a yearly basis. There's only so much developers can do to make worthwhile changes in 12 months, and that's partly why new features are a necessary addition.
Still, most of them aren't just there to fill a void. Many of 2016's sports games introduced features that greatly enhanced or even revolutionized each series.
We gave you the chance to vote on your favorite new feature of 2016, and the results were incredibly tight. Check out the video above, subscribe to us on YouTube and click below to see the results of this year's reader's vote.
Read More - 2016 Sports Game of the Year: Best New Feature/Mode
Monday, December 26, 2016
12:21 PM - December 26, 2016. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
It's no secret that PES 2017 was released to great acclaim this year, building upon previous iterations to provide a soccer simulation that not only rivaled its biggest competitor, but arguably surpassed it.
If you've been following PES' progression in recent years, you'll know the markings have been on the wall for years now. The introduction of the Fox engine marked an upward turn in fortunes for the series, and although its sales figures might still be dwindling in certain parts of the world, it's finally being taken seriously by fans of the sport once more.
I'm going to use this year-end opportunity to discuss why PES 2017 is such a dramatic improvement over its predecessor. Like others, I came into 2016 with only a moderate interest in rekindling my love affair with the PES series, but I'm coming out of it with an intense appreciation for the latest release. Here's what PES 2017 got particularly right this year.
Read More - PES 2017: Another Successful Release in the Books
Tuesday, December 20, 2016
11:55 AM - December 20, 2016. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
I've always enjoyed the thrills of NHL's EA Sports Hockey League, but this year's iteration of the ultra-popular mode is my favorite yet. It builds on last year to deliver not only a balanced gameplay experience, but a tailored level of customization unlike anything we've seen before.
Read More - Has Customization Revitalized NHL?
Thursday, December 8, 2016
03:44 PM - December 8, 2016. Posted by Steve_OS. Written by Fraser Gilbert
It's always pleasing to see virtually underrepresented sports getting full-blown game releases in this day and age. In the case of Handball 17, the game marks the second iteration of a re-branded series that got off to a disappointingly rocky start 12 months ago, suffering a generally negative reception from critics and fans alike.
Read More - Handball 17 Review (PC) - Written by: Fraser Gilbert
Friday, December 2, 2016
12:31 PM - December 2, 2016. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
As a UK-based contributor, I'm lucky enough to possess a unique perspective on the world of sports gaming from across the pond. Unfortunately, I'm also left out of my depth in regards to certain sports, and basketball is one such example. It's not that I don't understand the basics. I've played my fair share of basketball games over the past twenty years, but I've never ingrained myself in the culture of the sport to the point where I understand the tactical techniques or terminology involved.
Back in February, I published a 'noob's perspective' on Madden NFL 16, and following the recent weekend-long trial of NBA 2K17 on Xbox One, I set myself the task of tackling a new variation of this challenge. In the process, I gathered further impressions from a copy of last year's game to add extra longevity to my playing time.
Keep in mind that these are a small selection of initial thoughts from someone who doesn't understand the sport or the mechanics of 2K's NBA games all that well, but it might be illuminating to you as to how a more casual fan sees the games we play. Go easy on me, folks!
Read More - NBA 2K: A Noob's Perspective
Monday, November 28, 2016
12:11 PM - November 28, 2016. Posted by RaychelSnr. Written by Fraser Gilbert
If you've had a chance to get your hands on FIFA 17, you've probably spent some time with The Journey. It's a big part of the experience this year, utilizing the power of the Frostbite engine to deliver a story-based, single-player feature for the first time in the series' history. It has been generally well-received thus far, and player engagement has been high, as noted in a recent EA infographic.
Still, it isn't perfect. The mode follows a fairly structured form that never deviates from the script too dramatically, whether you're excelling in front of goal or making countless blunders. The mode's detractors will understandably point to this as a negative factor, but fail states do exist, and the game will adapt to your inconsistencies to a point if you're unable to perform up to scratch.
We're going to take a look at a few fail scenarios you might encounter, but keep in mind that spoilers are ahead.
Read More - What Happens If You Fail in FIFA 17's The Journey?
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