 Merry Christmas! Yesterday was the big day and hopefully everyone managed to make some cherished memories, or, at the very least, get a solid gaming sesh in! For this festive feature, we’ll be sharing the moments in our lives where those two things combined to form our fondest gaming-related Christmas crackers
 Liam For my most cherished yuletide gaming memory, I’m going with Christmas 2006, the year I received a Nintendo Wii and the fantastic The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. By this point in my life big Christmas gifts had become a thing of the past (thanks very much, gainful employment), so unwrapping Nintendo’s odd-looking console was a bit of a surprise. As far as last hurrahs go, it was a good one. Twilight Princess was excellent, easily one of the best Zelda games to date, though, as a proud member of team southpaw, it was disconcerting to see Link forced to wield the legendary Master Sword in his right hand, when the Wiimote was in my left. It also marked the first time a console had successfully brought the family together for some gaming-led fun since the glory days of Buzz! on PS2. Unsurprisingly, Wii Sports was an instant hit, providing plenty of amusement as non-gaming relatives ironed out old grievances in boxing matches and bowling tournaments. I may have ended up shelving the Wii in favour of an Xbox 360 a few years later, but I still got plenty of mileage (and some light structural damage to a few walls) out of Nintendo’s unorthodox console, and a decent set of memories to boot.  Chris Christmas morning, 1995. A bright-eyed nine year old, I’d been waiting patiently (or as patiently as one can) for this day for quite some time. The SNES and the Mega Drive had been my go-to consoles up to that point, but I’d asked for a Mega CD for Christmas, knowing nothing at all about it aside from that it used discs, rather than cartridges. Now THAT was fancy! Welcome to the future, young Chris. My parents looked pretty happy with themselves so I knew they'd managed to get the one thing I'd asked for. I eagerly tore into the biggest present under the tree to find... something different. I attempted to hide my disappointment over the bland box I’d been gifted. It would’ve been completely unremarkable, save for the fact that its profound unremarkable-ness was in itself remarkable.
James Being a December baby, my early Christmas and birthday memories are often rolled into one, but, as far as gaming goes, it was new consoles which really stuck in my mind. While the original PlayStation is up there (I got one of the first DualShock versions in the UK to boot), receiving a Sega Mega Drive 2 back in the early 90s is what’s burned into my mind most brightly. I unwrapped the huge package, kneeling on the floor at the young age of six, revealing the glistening console bundled with the sublime Sonic the Hedgehog 2. Aside from speeding through Green Hill Zone, I also experienced the delights of Disney's Aladdin, which takes you through the film in classic platforming fashion. The third and final title I got to enjoy that year was Streets of Rage 2, which took the crown of being the first game I ever completed, in the process cementing a love of gaming that persists to this day.  Rob I believe it was Christmas of 1998 that I first ventured onto the glorious slopes of a true Nintendo classic - 1080 Snowboarding! These were the days when new games would only turn up on birthdays and Christmas (I wish that was still the case for the current generation of kids, I really do), and having received the 64 itself in April of that year, Turok Dinosaur Hunter was starting to get Jurassic. Right from the get-go, 1080 thrilled me in ways no sports game had before: a cool cast of characters (particularly Dion Blaster for his baritone delivery of "Yo"), beautiful mountains and that trademark Nintendo playability all made for a totally gnarly experience. I was never too great at the trick attack modes (though apparently nobody was, as I only knew one person capable of executing the titular 1080), so spent most of my time with either the competitive racing or time attack modes. It's here where I really fell in love. Whether it was slicing through the firs of Golden Forest (man, I wish it were a real place), flying over buildings in Mountain Village, or tackling the gargantuan ice-pipe of Deadly Fall, I was hooked. Everything else was just brandy sauce on the Xmas pud. Please Nintendo, reboot 1080, it'd make this kid's Christmas 2019!  Once again, we'd like to wish you and yours Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
If you've got a favourite gaming-related Christmas memory, we'd love for you to share it with us in the comments below. If nothing comes to mind, did you get any gaming gifts this year? Why I like Fallout 7623/12/2018  I’m exploring the south western portion of Appalachia to undergo a final initiation for a faction called the Responders, when a strange building catches my eye. Unlike most of the other former dwellings scattered throughout the wasteland, this structure looks recently lived in, with automated turrets guarding four symmetrical walls and a set of stairs leading to a door.
I’m shown each of the three floors in turn, along with their rather fine collection of power armour, and even get treated to some guitar music. A series of trades follows, my host showering me with crafting plans, recipes and high-level gear. I reciprocate with what I can - mostly spare tat, chems and a couple of bobbleheads – though it doesn’t come close to making for a fair trade. The gesture at least seems to be appreciated, though, keen not to outstay my welcome, I’m out the door to waves and thumbs up from both parties. Fallout 76 may have more than its fair share of detractors, but I’m surprisingly hooked by Bethesda’s online take on the franchise. Due to its negative stigma, I went in with exceptionally low expectations - in fact, were it not for a Black Friday deal that saw it arrive bundled with Battlefield V, I’d probably never even have played the game - but after an initial test to see just how bad it could be, I find myself more than 12 hours deep and still coming back for more.  Am I a glutton for punishment? Do I have poor taste? Or is it a case of Fallout 76 not being the total dumpster fire it’s been made out to be? I’ll admit, this is only my second stab at the series after Fallout 4, so perhaps my limited exposure means I’m not as averse to the fundamental changes, like a lack of NPCs and dialogue. It could also be that 76 features more of what I enjoyed most in Fallout 4, namely plenty of exploration and environmental storytelling, as well as slightly wonky shooting mechanics that feel oddly suited to the ramshackle nature of the series’ post-apocalyptic technology. After an initial test to see just how bad it could be, I find myself more than 12 hours deep and still coming back for more. While traipsing through the shells of broken buildings may feel oppressively lonely at times (the game cries out for an AI companion like Dogmeat), it does help to invoke the feeling that you’re an isolated survivor, piecing together the tales of those who went before you with holo tapes, computer files and scrawled notes. There may be a dearth of characters in the traditional sense, but 76 isn’t exactly lacking for emotional clout when it comes to narrative, you just have to be willing to go looking for it. And then there’s the much-maligned online element of the game, something that’s easy to forget considering the size of the map and the relatively low player count per server. It’s possible to go entire sessions without seeing another player, but the rarity of such an event does add weight to each encounter, such as the memorable one outlined above.  There’s little risk of hostility due to Bethesda’s rather limiting PvP restrictions, but it’s not something the player base appears to be interested in anyway. Most players, including myself, are more likely to help than hinder one another, sharing a sort of ‘we’re in this together’ sense of comradery. The small player count might also be considered a boon for those worried about the unpredictable, often immersion-breaking presence of human players - an issue that spoiled my opening hours with Bethesda’s other online take on a flagship franchise, The Elder Scrolls Online.
That’s not to say the positives I’ve found totally overshadow the criticism aimed at Fallout 76. Microtransactions feel unnecessary (not to mention overpriced) and the game struggles technically at times, with the frame rate occasionally tanking for no apparent reason. The lack of a manual save system and respawning enemies can make clearing out difficult areas a chore, and, at one point, I found my character assailed by invisible Liberator bots, whose bodies hadn’t yet loaded, every time I entered a world because that’s where the game consistently decided to spawn me. According to their most recent blog post, Bethesda look intent on sticking with Fallout 76 well into 2019 (a new mode without PvP restrictions is being added at some point), so there’s a good chance the more pressing issues will eventually be ironed out. Still, in its current state, it’s hard to fully recommend 76, despite having sunk a dozen or so mostly enjoyable hours into it. Other big releases available right now are honestly more deserving of your time and money, but, if you had even a fleeting interest in 76 before, it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on as things progress. Rob's 2018 Christmas Stocking Stuffers20/12/2018  Christmastime, beige platters and booze, enough of Dad’s jokes, I’m off for a snooze… It’s that time of year again, folks: tubs o’ Twiglets, too many choccos, and wondering what to get that discerning gamer in your life. Luckily for you, we’ve got that last one covered!
4/5 figgy puddings Retro-Bit Super Retro-Cade Well, this one was a real find. Throw the PlayStation Classic away, retire the SNES Mini, and get stuck into an arcade emulation machine with a world of expansion opportunities. Included in the fabulously decorated box are 90 - yes, 90 - arcade and console titles from the likes of Data East, Irem and Capcom that were popular during the late 80s through to the mid 90s. Add to that two SNES-style controllers, and you have a decent package straight out of the box. The whole thing is worth it for Magical Drop and the SHMUPS alone, if you ask me… Victory in the mini-console wars is achieved, however, with the ease that one can customise the Retro-Cade, simply by loading games onto an SD card and then banging it in the back. Brilliant! 4.5/5 mince pies Northgard Platforms: PC The last time I really got into a strategy game was late 1999, when Command & Conquer launched on my beloved N64. I’ve flirted with Civilisation, and given a cursory glance to Tropico, but Northgard really is up my street. A good old RTS game set in a Norse world of Vikings, Northgard tasks you and your band of Northmen with plundering a new continent, building bases and conquering foes. You don’t need a roided-up PC to play it either, and it’s ruddy good value at £24 on Steam. 4.5/5 toy viking warships The Videokid Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC Imagine a combo of 80s arcade hit Paperboy and Hipster Whale’s mobile smash Crossy Road, and you’re pretty much there. A pop culture-packed arcade-athon, The Videokid will appeal to people who grew up in that glorious age of gaming, as well as youngsters with a love of all things instant. It’s under £4 across the platforms, so perfect for stuffing that digital stocking! Tech-decks/5 Owlboy Platforms: PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC A charming independent adventure game that provokes memories of many 16-bit, side-scrolling classics, Owlboy possesses gorgeous art, amusing dialogue and a signature mute protagonist. Our personal highlights are the excellent orchestral soundtrack, vast dungeons, big bosses and fun-fuelled flight mechanic - imagine Nights into Dreams funnelled through Nintendo-vision! 4.5/5 pixelated Santas Will you be picking any of these suggestions up as last minute prezzies? Perhaps you're hoping to receive one yourself? Let us know in the comments below.
Regardless, have a great Christmas and we'll see you back here for more stocking stuffers in 2019!  Another prime year in gaming is drawing to a close and so, naturally, we find ourselves looking back on the releases we each played and recall most fondly.
 Chris | Forza Horizon 4 As someone who’s generally not a fan of racing games (despite having also plumped for one in last week’s feature), I was pleasantly surprised by how easy Forza Horizon 4 is to pick up and play. Microsoft's chief racing title looks stunning, as one may expect, and has a satisfying amount of depth. Cars are weighty, yet responsive, and those looking to get the most out of their ride can spend forever upgrading them and tweaking a multitude of options, from gear ratios to tire pressure. If that's not your thing and your only desire is to tear around the British countryside in a vintage Aston Martin, you can opt to do just that, using the stock tuning or even another player’s custom settings. Earning reputation and unlocking events is done simply by playing; whatever activity you prefer to partake in, whether it's creating your own street races, searching for huge jumps or carelessly drifting through fields of wheat, you'll soon be making a name for yourself and building an expanding collection of motors, from classic sports cars to modern supercars. New vehicles are awarded consistently and, coupled with changing seasons that mix up environmental aesthetics and car handling, there’s plenty of reason to keep coming back.  Liam | Battlefield V As much as I enjoyed DICE’s First World War expedition, the decision to give Battlefield V a WW2 backdrop was a welcome one. It’s a choice that means the game manages to retain a historical setting whilst increasing the pace and intensity of its multiplayer, thanks to the more ‘advanced’ capabilities of 1940s tech. Despite the hyperbole surrounding the launch build-up, and the fact that I’ve yet to meaningfully sample the single-player campaign, I can safely say this is easily the most fun I’ve had with the series since I first laid hands on Battlefield 3. Not only does it look and play great, but it sounds superb. From the snap of incoming fire and the metallic (slightly terrifying) grinding sound an approaching tank, to the ominous silence preceding the impact of a V1 flying bomb, this is a game best enjoyed with a decent set of cans. The total number of maps available at launch may be low, but more free content is on the way, including an obligatory Battle Royale mode. If a small opening salvo is the price paid for the removal of the community-splitting Premium Pass, then so be it.  Rob | Valkyria Chronicles 4 Those of you who read last week’s underappreciated games of 2018 feature may remember that yours truly has been rather occupied this year, failing to find the time to play too many games. With that in noggin, I could easily have chosen charming platformer Yoku’s Island Express, Far Cry 5 and its lashings of murder, or the bald heads and daddy issues of God of War, but alas, tis none of those. Valkyria Chronicles 4, you’re up… It’s no secret that I'm a massive Sega fan, who cries a little bit every time they release a good game (it doesn’t happen nearly enough these days), especially when it’s one that harks back to their glorious Dreamcast days. Valk 4 boasts everything this girl wants in a video game: gorgeous art, superb sound, a triumphant blend of action and strategy, hours of glorious gameplay, and some of the most ridiculous characters and hair to come out of the silicone world. If all that isn’t enough to get your gaming fluids flowing, then I don’t know what is.  James | The Spectrum Retreat While it isn't the flashiest or most well-known game, The Spectrum Retreat’s expert handling of story and highly-polished finish place it amongst the greats of the oft overlooked first-person puzzle genre. While Portal is a clear influence, the narrative and motivation built around the central puzzle mechanics make for an overall more compelling game in my mind (much like fellow indie offering QUBE 2, which also wrestled for 2018’s top honour). The contrast in setting between the stark, futuristic puzzle rooms and the Art Deco hotel is extreme, and is particularly effective as the two worlds start to bleed together as the story unfolds, using the most effective deliberate screen tearing I've come across in games. Not something which influenced it's acclaim here, but it helps that creator Dan Smith is a passionate and friendly chap, as I found out at the beginning of the year, and his painstaking piecing together of the title over five years shows in the deliberate nature of every nook and cranny. Plus, the divergent ending had me happily replay the entire experience again, which isn't something many games can motivate me to do.  So, what's your personal Game of the Year for 2018? Agree or disagree with any of our picks? Let us know in the comments below.
Taken for a Quickie | The Gardens Between18/12/2018  As we hurtle towards 2019, there’s time for one final quickie of the year, with puzzler The Gardens Between our lucky recipient.
With that in mind, does it come recommended?
If you’re fine with the price (or subscribe to Xbox Game Pass, where it’s available at no extra cost), then yes. The Gardens Between has a gorgeous art style and exemplary soundtrack that blend beautifully with simple, effective gameplay to create one of our favourite sleeper hits of 2018. We’ll definitely be keeping an eye on what developer The Voxel Agents have planned next!  Every year seems to boast more and more huge game releases, to the extent that it’s been difficult to keep up with everything for a good long while now. The usual suite of heavy hitters monopolise a lot of people’s time, but, as 2018 comes to a close and the release schedule settles for all of a few weeks, we thought it’d be nice to shine a light on a few of the year’s less-loved games. Who knows, maybe we’ll find them homes for the holidays.
 Chris | ONRUSH Despite largely favourable reviews (including our own), ONRUSH has failed to take the world by storm. In fact, if not for its inclusion in the Xbox Game Pass catalogue, I wouldn't have even considered giving it a try. The game mimics the best parts of Burnout, that being the smashing and crashing, without the pretence of racing. Each non-race has objectives and yes, they involve going as fast as possible, but the real reason we're here is to twist steel. Being smack bang in the middle of a furious fracas is not only the most fun aspect, but it's also the most prominent, as dropping too far behind the pack will see you teleported right back into the action and if you happen to be flying ahead solo it won't be long before others materialise around you. There are minor differences in how each vehicle performs but the arcade handling means every bike or truck is as viable as any other. Whilst this trait may be seen as a negative in any traditional racer, ONRUSH is neither traditional nor a racer, and it serves to enhance the experience by ensuring a playing field that's as level as it can be.  Liam | Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China Cast your mind back to the very beginning of the year and you probably won’t recall Flying Tigers: Shadows Over China sneaking its way onto Xbox One as a console exclusive. Arriving with little fanfare during a period when most people are feeling the financial brunt of the recent festivities, FTSOC didn’t really get the recognition it deserved. Its delivery is a bit cheesy and the gameplay a touch too arcade-like for simulator fans, but I very much enjoyed playing through a theatre of WW2 that’s never really been explored in gaming. Hopping into a Buffalo fighter to “sally” incoming bombers is oodles of fun, and, as I mentioned in our quickie, reminiscent of classics like Blazing Angels and Rogue Squadron. There’s even a cool Dogfight mode that lets you pit all manner of iconic fighters against one another in fantasy showdowns. Flying games are a bit of a rarity these days, and I say kudos to Ace Maddox for playing their part in keeping the genre going with this engaging effort.  Rob | Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn Folks, I’ve been a very bad boy this year. I’ve failed to sample so many intriguing and colossal games (Celeste, Dead Cells, Moonlighter, Spider-Man, RDR2) that I feel like a right fanny-pack. We’ve all been there: work, relationships, children, house moving, life, etc. getting in the way of what’s really important - vidya gamez! Now, with this in mind, my underappreciated title of 2018 goes to the gaming equivalent of an oft-mocked reality reboot, or a nasty 80s soap being resurrected for one last foxtrot. What am I waffling on about? Well, Shaq-Fu: A Legend Reborn, of course. The 90s original regularly features on worst-of lists, but the sheer dumb, button-bashing fun and moronic sense of humour present in this revival really helped to take my mind of some “real” stuff during the month of September. It’s colourful, the soundtrack is great, the combat is simple and satisfying in that 90s side-scrolling brawler kinda way, and the story (Shaq is a Chinese orphan saving the world from demonic celebrities that have scary resemblances to Paris Hilton, Justin Bieber, et al) is little boy’s humour of the most glorious order. Did I mention there’s an add-on where you play as Barack Obama in The Adventures of Dirty Barry? Escapism here thy come!  Which games didn't get a fair shake this year in your opinion? Let us know in the comments below.
 Geoff Keighley’s fifth annual awards show is streaming live tomorrow night, or technically Friday morning at 1:30 AM GMT, and promises to be a celebration of what’s been a fantastic year in gaming. With the ceremony right around the corner, Team PTC share their very serious and totally informed predictions on which games should win some of the biggest categories.
As ever, loads of awards will be handed out on the night, so we’ve whittled them down a bit to cover the following five categories:
Sam Best Narrative | God of War Kratos’ character development and evolving relationship with his son, Atreus, is one of the most touchingly human narratives I’ve ever seen unfold in a game. Impressive, considering neither character is human. Best Art Direction | Octopath Traveler Most of the nominees are more intricately detailed, though realism only gets you so far. Octopath Traveler has the lowest display resolution, but more than makes up for that by being completely distinct for all the right reasons. Best Audio Design | God of War God of War has a powerful, guttural sound that makes combat feel absolutely brutal. The other nominees undoubtedly do a great job at anchoring players in their respective simulations, but Sony Santa Monica take things a step further and truly bolster their gameplay in the process. Also, the voice of the World Serpent! With the right audio setup, it punches you right in the soul! Best Independent Game | Celeste A bit of a tactical vote since it’s the only indie nominated for top honours, but from what I’ve seen of Celeste (unfortunately I haven’t played it) the range of accessibility options offer up catered platforming that anyone can enjoy. That’s a winner in my book. Game of the Year | Red Dead Redemption II Rockstar’s latest is on another level when compared to basically any other game. That’s what you can expect when all arms of a world-class developer are devoted to a project for several years, and also why you shouldn’t expect experiences of its calibur on the regular.  God of War Chris Disclaimer: Having played only a little more than none of the nominated games, I've made my picks blindly, based on gut feeling and what I can find out from a series of (very) brief image searches. Best Narrative | Detroit: Become Human No doubt there's some stiff competition in this category, especially with Sony's other big exclusives thrown into the mix, but if your main focus is an engaging narrative, then it should be the best. In theory. Maybe. Best Art Direction | Assassin's Creed Odyssey If AC Origins II: Greece is anything like its predecessor, it’ll be jam-packed with stunning visuals wherever you look. The Acropolis of Athens and Olympia are just two of the three historical Greek sites that I've heard of and would expect to be included. It might also be worth noting that, visually, fellow nominee Obra Dinn fails to impress when viewed briefly on a smartphone. Best Audio Design | Forza Horizon 4 Forza Horizon 4 is the only title on the list I've played and I can confidently say that the cars' engines sound just like I imagined they would. Maybe they’re based on their real counterparts, I dunno, I found not a shred of evidence for it in my image search. Best Independent Game | Celeste I've heard good things about Celeste, which trumps the no things I've heard about the other games in the category. Game of the Year | Red Dead Redemption II A fleeting search makes it look like an incredibly detailed horse riding simulator, but I can't ignore what I already know: Rockstar's open world behemoths always live up to the hype.
Liam Best Narrative | Detroit: Become Human I haven’t actually played any of the nominees, so I’m going for the one that sounds coolest. Sentient robot servant police? Yes please! Best Art Direction | Octopath Traveler Octopath Traveler is an easy pick for the top spot, seamlessly blending old-timey sprites with beautiful, diorama-like backdrops for a truly unique art style. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s take on Ancient Greece was also rather splendid, but par for the course by today’s high standards. Best Audio Design | Forza Horizon 4 I’m not into cars, but I do enjoy the way they sound flying off mountains or crashing into road signs, fences, the occasional rock wall, small trees, other cars, big trees, festivals… Best Independent Game | Dead Cells I enjoyed Dead Cells’ combat, but the novelty of starting from nothing every time you died soon wore off. Still, having played none of the other nominees on the list, it wins by default. Game of the Year | Red Dead Redemption II In a shameless act of bandwagoning, I’m declaring Rockstar’s epic Western winner of the biggest award, despite not yet owning it. I’ll get it at some point but, come on, even at a glance you can tell it’s as good as it’s made out to be.  Assassin's Creed Odyssey Rob I should state for the jury: not only do I loathe awards shows (back-patting garbage where you have to put up with insufferable celebrity hosts all evening), but I’ve actually missed out on a fair few of the nominated titles - whoops. Best Narrative | Detroit: Become Human There’s no denying the fact that people play David Cage games for the story, so I’m going for Detroit: Become Human. I haven’t played a Cage game in years (does anyone remember the David Bowie-featuring Nomad Soul?), but this one looks intriguing. Best Art Direction | God of War Rockstar’s latest is pretty good looking, and I do love the 16-bit aesthetic of Octopath, but I’m going to plump for God of War here. Lighting, colours, varying weather effects - it all looks bloody marvellous and brings that Norse world to life. Best Audio Design | Forza Horizon 4 I could easily go for God of War again, but the environment-polluting-arcade-athon, Forza Horizon 4, packs some serious audio punch that’ll give those speakers a ruddy good shakedown. Best Independent Game | Celeste I’ve missed all of these this year, and feel awful about it as someone who champions indies, but Celeste has been at the top of my wishlist for a while, as I do love a good platformer. Game of the Year | God of War I either haven’t played or haven’t been particularly impressed by most of these, so I suppose it’ll have to be God of War, in spite of finding it a bit bloated around the midpoint.
What are your predicted winners? Let us know in the comments below.
Last week, Team PTC discussed their opinions on the Xbox brand and its future potential. |
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