A closer look at the current PS4 launch titles

As the official release of the PS4 draws ever so near, we thought it might be a good idea to take a closer look at the list of impending launch titles.  Needless to say, it’s a pretty diverse sampling of wonderful titles which future PS4 owners are no doubt going to spend hours upon hours delving into.

Assassin’s Creed IV: Black Flag

A continuation of the mega-popular Assassin’s Creed series, the fourth installment, “Black Flag” is set to expand the winning formula even further.    This time, taking on a decidedly naval / pirate theme, ACIV is set to be perhaps the most “open” installment yet, where players are free to begin exploring the world, by land or sea, almost right away.

Watch Dogs

NOTE: This game has now been delayed, and won’t be released until 2014. Simply put, “Watch Dogs” is the game that a lot of people have their eye on.  It’s a breathtakingly beautiful game which will not only take full advantage of the PS4’s graphical capabilities, it’s also set to push the boundaries of what’s possible in an open world (GTA-like) title.  This upcoming open world action / adventure / stealth title will undoubtedly be one of the more popular PS4 titles, without question. Read here: Watch Dogs Preview.

Battlefield 4

For fans of intense FPS-style action, the Battlefield series has become one of the more popular destinations for online multiplayer matches.  With Battlefield 4, gamers are essentially presented with more of the same (but in this instance, that’s not a bad thing).  In other words, if you really enjoyed BF3, BF4 is going to scratch that itch in almost exactly the same way, albeit with and entirely new story, setting, and some minor changes /upgrades, of course. Read here: Battlefield 4 Preview.

Call of Duty: Ghosts

The success and popularity of the “Call of Duty” series is very well known within the gaming community and the latest installment, “Ghosts”, certainly won’t disappoint.  Sure, it might present something of a bleak future for US audiences with its “fall of the superpowers-laced storyline”, but it’s a true descendent of its predecessors and features all the hallmarks of the franchise.

DC Universe Online

With DC Universe Online, PS4 owners are going to be treated to a true MMORPG experience.  The story itself is a bleak one and is to take place in the sprawling city of Metropolis.  All of your favorite DC characters will be featured herein, and the highly convoluted story will intrigue and excite you as well.  In terms of gameplay, DC Universe Online is said to be inspired by The Incredible Hulk: Ultimate Destruction, so expect to encounter plenty of wild action.

Killzone: Shadow Fall

The 6th game in the Sony-exclusive Killzone series, “Shadow Fall” is set to expand upon the FPS formula that Playstation gamers can’t seem to get enough of.  Taking place 30 years after the climax of the events that took place in Killzone 3, Helghan is left in ruins yet a cold war of sorts is still raging.  Relocated to planet Vekta, Helghast refugees find themselves in a situation where they are confronted by the Vektans (and vice-versa).  In terms of the gameplay, it’s a true Killzone game and certainly won’t disappoint fans.

DriveClub

NOTE: This game has now been delayed, and won’t be released until 2014, read here. Simply put, DriveClub is a racing game that is neither a dedicated simulation nor a swarthy off-road mudslinger.  In short, DriveClub is what you might call an “arcade racer” with exemplary graphics and plenty of action.  At its heart, the game heavily promotes what might be called the “car culture” and also incorporates a stunning number of environments, car models as well as amazing graphics (overall).  Moreover, the title will also promote community through its multiplayer mode(s). Read here: DriveClub Preview.

FIFA 14

The latest in a long line of extremely successful and popular football titles, FIFA 14 emerges as the result of years of tinkering and tweaking with the basic gameplay model which has been developed over the long-term.  FIFA 14 is being released across many different platforms, but the PS4 version will feature distinctively updated and top-notch graphical appointments courtesy of the Ignite engine.  In other words, expect to see more realistic movements, better-looking / more realistic crowds and the like…  If you’re already familiar with the basic ins and outs of the FIFA franchise, then this latest installment will feel like an old friend. Read here: FIFA 14 Preview.

Skylanders: Swap Force

Skylanders: Swap Force is the third official installment of the series and will continue the established format ushered in by its predecessors.  There are some changes however, as this new title will all the Skylanders to jump and new characters are also being introduced which allow their top and bottom halves to be switched / substituted with one another.  Likewise, the portal is going to be completely compatible, as expected, and the new characters will feature unique ways of moving which are integral to progressing throughout the game.

Just Dance 2014

Departing from its usual numbered series and opting to go with a qualifier based on a year instead, Just Dance 2014 is going to be one of the better casual PS4 launch titles it would seem.  The 5th title in the series, Just Dance 2014 will be able to support up to 6 players simultaneously and will feature a number of astoundingly fun modes to play around and experiment with.  Perhaps most interestingly, a new game mode called “world dance floor” has been included this time around.  In short, this new mode will allow gamers to compete against others from around the world.  As expected, the title will also ship with a playlist featuring a number of popular tracks both new and old.  Moreover, you’ll also be able to share short clips of your dance antics via Twitter and Facebook.

Knack

What do you get when you combine a lovable platformer with hack and slash mechanics and an eccentric storyline concerning war, class struggle and even evolution?  If you said “Knack”, you’d be extremely close in your approximation.  To make a long story shot, Knack is a game that introduces us to a character which was apparently designed in some type of top-secret military facility who has the ability to change its physical makeup.  In other words, Knack’s (the character’s) abilities might allow him to either increase his size, become metallic, etc…in order to circumvent environmental challenges or topple enemies.  As far as the story is concerned, it’s somewhat similar to that of an interactive movie where the goal is to instill a certain sense of morality.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes

Keeping in line with its tendency to create Lego versions of popular movies or other franchises, TT Games brings us LEGO Marvel Super Heroes.  This splendiferous little action/adventure title is essentially a cute version of the Marvel universe, replete with blocky, brick-shaped versions of all your favorite characters.  As far as the story is concerned, Silver Surfer’s board is shattered into several pieces (Cosmic Bricks, as they are referred here) which a number of super villains then become interested in retrieving for their own purposes.  Naturally, this leads to none other than Nick Fury calling out for help to the heroes of the Marvel universe.

Madden NFL 25

Keeping in line with the extraordinary number of other annual titles present in the Madden series, the latest, “25” ups the ante once more.  This American football title will feature all of the gameplay hallmarks which have made the franchise successful as well as incorporate a few new things.  Aside from the wonderfully updated graphics of Madden NFL 25, gamers can expect to encounter better controls, physics, and even reactive environments.  The new Ignite engine is responsible for making Madden NFL 25 more realistic, reactive and addictive than perhaps any other installment up to this point.

NBA 2K14

Those who found 2k Sport’s previous installment, NBA 2K13, to be adequate will probably completely lose their minds over NVA 2K14.  You know what they say, give the people what they want, and they apparently want more of the winning formula offered by this series.  Aside from updated visuals, 2K14 will also be the first game in the series to introduce Euroleague teams to the mix.  Moreover, expect the title to carry a likeable soundtrack which sports fans will most certainly enjoy.

NBA Live 14

Not one to be left behind in any area, EA games is bringing a new basketball title to the forefront for the PS4.  NBA Live 14 will also utilize the Ignite engine, so you know it’s going to be graphically on par with most modern sports titles coming out for the PS4.

Warframe

Last, but certainly not least, we have a game that’s going to be free-to-play on the PS4 called “Warframe”.  This cooperative 3rd person shooter will see you assuming the role of a recently awakened soldier who has been brought out of cryo sleep to help deal with a dangerous group of radicalized humans.  The title “Warframe” of course stems from the armor that you and your people, the Tenno, adorn yourselves with when going into battle.  Featuring 4 player coop missions as well as multiple factions, Warframe will traverse multiple environments as well as a full range of player movements.