42 ...... Sunday, November 4, 2018 1SM 1SM Sunday, November 4, 2018 ...... 43

lGAMERS had a bit of ooh la la Automata — will join the SoulCali- lCROSS Fortnite with Nerf and behind the couch— and a motorised in France with Paris Games bur 6 roster. you get a Nerf Fortnite AR-L shooting action powered by four AA Week, as Bandai Namco A short trailer showcased her Blaster. It is the first foam shooter batteries. Out on June 1, 2019, in the announced a new crossover with abilities — expect teleporting and a from the partnership. It has a US, with a global release soon MUSIC GAMES The Square Enix. 2B — from Nier: pod support system. Tres bon. 10-dart clip — destined to be lost afterwards. Expect a £40 price tag. ‘We wanted a world that risked it all’ ASSASSIN’S Creed always comes with a filled with tension and opposition between challenge was the size of the world — and Syndicate, also developed by Ubisoft slice of history but Ancient Greece was the man and the gods, reason and myth, the developers had BIG ideas. Québec, we already gave the opportunity lBATTLEFIELD V is on the perfect playground for the developers. tyranny and democracy, Athens and Jonathan added: “The map is roughly to play with Evie Frye in specific missions. horizon but EA’s hype Creative director Jonathan Dumont said Sparta…it is the ideal setting to embark twice as big as Origins, with 50 per cent “Offering the choice between a male and train has not left the station. the Ubisoft team were blown away by the players on a true odyssey where all their water. We filled it with as many Points of a female hero for the entirety of the game In fact there have been potential for the new game . . . and choices will matter.” Interest and activities as possible. was the next step.” some strange goings on at delighted with the results. But he added: “We also picked it “We also use our systems, such as the He added: “We don’t want to restrict EA Towers. First, we heard Jonathan, below, told STUART because of the amazing beauty and Pelopponesian War or the players to a specific playstyle or have them that Battle Royale mode — CULLEN: “We wanted a setting and period diversity of Ancient Greece. mercenaries/bounties, to miss some parts of the experience Firestorm — won’t be in the Transference that are connected to the story we want to “There is an incredible make sure players always because they chose to play with a female initial game, but arrive next Xbox One, PS4 and PC £13.99 tell — that idea of a place and time torn variety of biomes and EXCLUSIVEhave something they can or a male hero.” spring. That’s the most between order and free will, between landscapes, from the engage with while they’re But that had consequences. Jonathan eagerly-anticipated bit. HALLOWEEN may be over, but you can still INTERVIEW Developers DICE have also have a scream with Transference. the Old World and the New World. snowy peak of Mount exploring Ancient Greece.” admitted: “Having two main characters “We wanted a setting where Taygetos to the But the eyebrow-raiser was the decision that have access to the revealed that free updates will The psychological thriller is the first game start just two weeks after EXCLUSIVE from SpectreVision — the studio founded by mankind is at the eve of some of its crystalline waters of the Aegean Sea. to allow players to same content means more astonishing progress and Ancient Greece has it all. go male or female. every time we had a launch, with the Panzerstorm by DAVID COYLE Lord Of The Rings star Elijah Wood. map and single-player You can go down the VR or non-VR route. The discoveries but, at the same time, “It’s also one of the richest Jonathan said: scene that included risks losing it all to war and settings when it comes to man-made “Everyone in the audio recording mission The Last Tiger. latter is like a walking sim with a Gone Home If that wasn’t enough, and What Remains Of Edith Finch vibe. You violence. monuments and objects, a time of dev team was very and/or mocap BEING called up to the “The Peloponnesian War in massive temples and statues that excited to offer that with the hero, the last game — Battlefield army isn’t the usual way interact with items and solve puzzles to open up One — will be free this month the story. We won’t ruin the plot, but the tale Ancient Greece was a perfect really stimulated and challenged choice. On we had to do it to find a Hell-raising fit. It’s a place and time our artists.” Their next Assassin’s Creed twice.” for Xbox Gold members as focuses on the Hayes family where dad Ray- well as the season pass being musical soul brother — mond — who has a difficult relationship with his free just now. It all feels like an but then, Norwegian wife and son — is a scientist who wants to take Oops moment in the launch a human conscience out of the body and store planning. gypsy death mariachi it in a digital space. surf music isn’t your As you explore their memories, it is clear that everyday mash-up. BROTHERS-IN- each character views things differently — and The Urban Voodoo ARMS . . . Paul- you need to fix corrupted data within the Machine are back in Ronney Angel, simulated apartment. Scotland this week and left, and Eivind It is not a long game — three hours max — 1 Red Dead Redemption 2 Norwegian frontman Paul- Staxrud, right but the collectables add a bit of replay value. It 2 Call Of Duty: has a dark, moody look and the soundtrack Black Ops 4 Ronney Angel has drafted backs that up. There is much to interest you on 3 FIFA 19 in countryman and Los a gaming front, but it is a bit short for the price. 4 Forza Horizon 4 Plantronics’ guitarist Eivind And be ready for the scares. We warned you. 5 Assassin’s Creed Staxrud — who he met HHHú Odyssey during their national ser- STUART CULLEN vice days in 1993 in the THE PlayStation Classic town of Hell, near Trond- l console may have been heim — as a special guest We met in Hell –– announced, but we wanted for their latest tour. game news. Where was it? PR said: “Well, we’re both And relax. Sony have come Norwegian of course and I had to the rescue. And what a heard his name mentioned list . . . expect the likes of around town as a s**t-hot Destruction Derby, Final guitar slinger, but it wasn’t Fantasy VII, Grand Theft Auto, until we both got drafted into now we’re raising it Metal Gear Solid, Mr. Driller, the Norwegian army at a place called Hell that we met. Oddworld: Abe’s Oddysee, “No joke, look it up — it’s dancing on occasion, giving kind of twisted, face-painted, looking forward so much to Rayman, Resident Evil near Trondheim! Yup, we met them their unique Bourbon- almost Heaven, but with a the gigs with Urban Voodoo Director’s Cut, Syphon Filter, in the Army in Hell. soaked rock n roll swagger. door leading straight to Hell Machine. Tekken 3, Tom Clancy’s “I lasted only five hours Having toured with The for the pair to get on stage “I’m a very big fan of Rainbow Six and Twisted before they chucked me out, Pogues and New York Dolls, together, and Eivind is looking AC/DC — Bon Scott is one of Metal. The Japanese version Stax lasted a week I think.” the band are a regular forward to visiting the home of my all-time heroes — and also will have a different selection, Both decided that defending booking on European festivals one of his favourite bands — Scottish folk music. including Arc The Lad 1 and 2. Norway wasn’t quite their from their base in London. with perhaps a bit of unlikely “I have been to Glasgow Out December 3 for £90. thing and made names for The band also successfully tourist action thrown in. before and it was beautiful, Ideal Christmas list option. themselves in the Norwegian hosted their infamous club Eivind said: “I have never but I also want to go to rock scene. night Gypsy Hotel at this played Scotland, and I’m Edinburgh — it looks fantastic It’s a scene that often defies year’s Bestival in Dorset. with the castle.” TEAM description with so many But with Eivind making a Can’t help but think that Sonic Racing differing styles — including the name for himself in Easy a tin of shortbread with a has been delayed unlikely sounding mariachi Riders and Raga Rockers — picture of Edinburgh Castle until May 21 next and surf guitar — being pulled yep raga, as in the Indian on it isn’t going to be that year. Sega was origi- in, up and thrown about by classical melody style — it’s high on Eivind’s list of Guns, Gore & Cannoli 2 nally set to bring it out Norse musicians. no surprise that self-styled priorites next weekend . . . Xbox One, PS4 and PC £10.39 Greece is the word this year, but this will gypsy bop and stroller UVM take a suitably l URBAN Voodoo Machine play THE original was a surprise hit and now Belgian side to change the rule in that area. It is a fun give developers Sumo hedonistic approach to gigs, Paul-Ronney’s a fan Inverness Ironworks, Friday Nov SEQUELS can be a risky game — you Assassin’s Creed Odyssey Digital more time to with the band’s flexible He said: “His band Los indie firm Crazy Monkey Studio have teamed up idea, but does not really have the impact you’d 9, Drummonds in Aberdeen, Sat- with Claeysbrothers to bring out the sequel. are in danger of churning out the Xbox One, PS4 and PC £54.99 hope for in the grand scheme of things. give the game a 11-strong line-up putting on a Plantronics are one of my urday, Nov 10, and MacArts The- Ubisoft have done a typically stunning job with polish. show with guitars, two favourite bands ever and The side-scrolling shooter picks up the same same formula with minimal tweaks. atre, Galashiels, Nov 11. For action style, but we are 15 years down the line. Effect style. So you can defuse or cause fights as the graphics. Every inch of the vast world has drummers, accordion, bass, they play shows with us details and tickets see urbanvoo- That can’t be said of Assassin’s Creed. well as getting side missions or even deciding something awesome and the detail on some banjo, brass and even a light quite often in Norway.” Wise-cracking mobster Vinnie is back and Yes, there were some duff ones, but Ubisoft doomachine.com looking for revenge by chasing a ghost called whether characters live or die. character’s faces is incredible. You know how they touch of fire-eating and snake It’s a match made in some [email protected] have moved up through the gears. The game has a real open-ended feel — you can feel just by how they look. It is backed up by a the Dark Don. Cue battles with cops, gangsters, Last year’s offering Origins raised the bar and fight for good, evil or play both off. That is solid Mediterranean soundtrack and the Nazis and zombies. now Odyssey has built on those foundations while an interesting move as, technically, you’re not voice acting is OK even if some of the It’s a decent tale, but it never really takes off still keeping the core Creed characteristics. an assassin. You are more of a mercenary so accents are dodgy and the size of the game as you chase this mysterious figure. Odyssey is easily the biggest game in the series the creed does not really affect you. lends itself to the odd bug from clipping The highlight is the gameplay . You blast so far. There are over 60 hours of gameplay and All the staple gameplay is there — from into objects to textures not popping. SIOBHAN MILLER co-writes with Lau’s Kris Drever and Admiral Fallow anything that moves — by yourself or with up to a map that is twice as big as Origins. epic sword fights to high seas battles, but It is safe to say that the Assassin’s Creed WHERE: Glasgow NEW frontman Louis Abbott who also play on the record. four friends — and you can pick from a healthy The action takes place in Ancient Greece and there is a deep RPG system in the go — you series was on the ropes a few years back. FOR FANS OF: Eddi Reader, Capercaillie Louis provides the drums, with the record’s pro- arsenal. The levels are a mix of action sections tells its epic tale while the Peloponnesian will need to find loot and craft. Remember that risk? They took a two-year lTOUGH day at the office JIM SAYS: The award-winning folk singer is back ducer Euan Burton on bass. Guitarist Innes White and light puzzles but there is a handful of boss War between Athens and Sparta rages on Then it becomes a numbers game sabbatical and the soft reboot last year for Scots F1 eSports Pro with a third album that could be the most important MUSIC and John Lowrie on piano complete the main play- fights to keep things fresh. in the background. where the highest wins so you need pumped much-needed life into it. Series racer Graham Carroll. ers on Mercury. Other guests include Rachel Light- For the first time in Assassin’s Creed, the best gear and crew. Assassin fans will love Odyssey without The Red Bull ace, from record of her career so far. By Jim Gellatly We loved the comic book style and the level question. Newcomers will probably love it more. Mercury is a real crossover affair, taking in pop body, Breabach’s Megan Henderson, Hannah you can play as a male or female — as There are three skill trees that you can Musselburgh, East Lothian, Read and Siobhan’s former bandmate in Salt of detail. The 1940s soundtrack has some Alexios or Kassandra. The storyline fol- unlock to make you stronger or faster. That’s a big call, but the game takes what you and alternative influences while retaining her folk career, he has played with many great Scottish catchy jazz numbers in the speakeasies and know about the series and flips it on its head. said: “Not the greatest day. A House, Lauren MacColl. Eddi Reader, who she’ll be lows the same route with both — you Each one has its own focus — stealth, mistake in race one cost me roots. An unprecedented three-time winner of Best singers and musicians over the years. Folk was the more epic tunes in the fights. The acting has just get changes in dialogue. You can range or raw power. Much to do. Much to see. Massive hit. Singer at the Scots Trad Awards (2011, 2013 and touring with again in April, also pops up. Siobhan points and p8 and p10 is just main music that I was exposed to when I was youn- also features on Eddi’s latest album Cavalier. some cheesy one-liners and ropey accents. also use them to shape your game You can also take part in epic HHHHH 2017), she also picked-up Best Traditional Track at ger but there were always lots of different genres It does feel shorter than the first game. Some STUART CULLEN not good enough.” Red Bull is Memories are a recurring theme on the new and the world around you in a Mass conquest battles where you pick a third in the manufacturers’ the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards this year with the 19th being played in the house.” album, but almost by accident. She explained: “It of the levels have more to blast, but we wanted Century composition Banks of Newfoundland. Previously recording two albums as a duo with more. It’s not subtle but it is bags of fun. championship. was a subconscious element in my writing to begin Series leader Mercedes’ It featured on her second album Strata, a selec- Orcadian fiddler Jeana Leslie, she was also a mem- with. I realised it was appearing in different ways in HHHH tion of favourite traditional and ber of prog-folk outfit Salt House. STUART CULLEN Brandon Leigh won in the the songs and this then gave me a direction for France and UK rounds, but contemporary folk songs that she Siobhan’s 2014 solo debut Flight some of the songs not written yet.” grew up listening to. Of Time was produced and part- both victories were marred by As for the sound, she added: “We really wanted contact on the way to the Originally from Penicuik, Mid- written by Love And Money front- something bigger and bolder as it has a lot more lothian, Siobhan was barely in her man James Grant. She said: “I chequered flag. Team-mate contemporary influences.” Daniel Bereznay won the teens when she made her singing recorded a couple of my own Currently on tour across the UK, her next Scot- debut at the Auchtermuchty Festi- songs on that album but it was Belgian round. tish date is Eastgate Arts Centre in Peebles on The final showdown will be val, winning both the children’s mainly about exploring the writing Thursday, with gigs in Inverness, Kirkwall and Wick and women’s competitions. She of others that I admire.” on November 16-17, with four at the end of the month. races ending with a double said: “I’m from a musical family Mercury is her first album of MORE: siobhanmiller.com and from a young age was taken to entirely original material, featuring points battle on the Abu lJim presents a weekly showcase of New Music Dhabi track. festivals and concerts. My dad on Amazing Radio Sundays 2-4pm. plays guitar and sings and Watch a video of Siobhan at: thescottishsun.co.uk amazingradio.com although didn’t make music his jimgellatly.com READ THE GAMING COLUMN PLUS ALL THE LATEST NEWS, REVIEWS AND PREVIEWS OVER AT CODECMOMENTS.COM