We browse through this week’s Games Under €20 promotion in search of yesteryear’s classics
Happy Friday, people! We hope the week’s been treating you well.
Those who’ve passed this way the last few days may have spotted the Games Under €20 promotion that launched on PlayStation Store this Wednesday. A formidable line-up of over a hundred excellent PS4 titles priced at a heck of a lot less than you’d normally expect, it contains among it some of the best re-masters of the generation.
So much so in fact, that it made us a little nostalgic. So here it is: a rundown of 12 fully-upgraded classics you can pick up this weekend for a totally-downgraded price.
1. Resident Evil: Deluxe Origins Bundle
In the twenty years since Resident Evil first appeared on PlayStation what we expect from a video game has changed a lot. Despite that, this 2002 remake of the debut title still holds up remarkably well. Now running at full HD with upgraded character models and effects, this is, without a doubt, the best way to experience the mega-franchise’s humble beginnings.
Not only that, Resident Evil: Deluxe Origins Bundle comes packaged with the lesser-known and somewhat experimental spin-off, Resident Evil 0. A lower budget outing that still sports some of the series’ very best level design and pre-rendered artwork.
2. Dead Rising: Triple Bundle Pack
Back in 2006, Dead Rising delivered what, for many, had long been envisioned as the dream zombie game: a wide-open sandbox environment where absolutely anything could serve as a weapon.
Set in an overrun shopping centre, the seemingly endless ways of dispatching the undead, from hockey sticks and bowling balls to frying pans, custard pies and even a ride-on lawnmower, made the game an instant classic of pure gameplay hilarity.
The 2016 remaster comes with a range of visual upgrades including full-HD resolution and increased performance. Containing Dead Rising 1, 2 and the ‘Off The Record’ expansion, the Triple Pack Bundle is your hot ticket to the series’ most memorable zombie-killing moments.
3. Sleeping Dogs: Definitive Edition
After decades of Mafia and Yakuza-themed games, 2012’s Sleeping Dogs finally gave a starring role to the China’s long-neglected criminal underworld. Playing as under-cover cop Wei Shin, you explore an open-world recreation of Hong Kong as you work to infiltrate the infamous Sun On Yee Triad.
It’s a lavish mix of brutal combat, illegal street racing and death-defying parkour. Fully-remastered for PS4, not only does it run and play better than ever, it also comes with a whopping 24 additional DLC expansions.
4. Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin
The second outing in the infamous Dark Souls series was probably the most contentious among fans. Making departures with its precursor’s uncompromising design philosophy, Dark Souls II carved out a path that, taken on its own merits, still delivers a bold and unique RPG experience.
PS4’s Scholar of the First Edition acknowledged some criticisms the game received at launch as well as delivering improved visuals and performance right across the board. Packaged with all three critically-acclaimed expansions packs, if you skipped Dark Souls II the first time around, you’d be mad to miss this.
5. Bioshock: The Collection
The brainchild of industry legend Ken Levine, Irrational Games’s Bioshock trilogy set a new high-watermark for aesthetics, design and environmental storytelling over the course of the last console generation.
Combining early twentieth century art deco imagery with dark, high-concept science fiction themes, the team delivered one of the generation’s most iconic game worlds. If you were unlucky enough to miss out on the originals, this remastered trilogy is a great way to finally experience this unique series.
6. Borderlands: The Handsome Collection
One of the early pioneers of the ‘shoot n’ loot’ genre, Borderlands, 2K’s stylised, neo-western take on the classic co-op shooter, was a hit with both fans and critics alike during its 2009 debut.
The 2012 follow up, Borderlands 2 and subsequent spin-off Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel added to that proven formula with even more outrageous characters, vast interconnected worlds and an ever-expanding supply of procedurally-generated weapons.
Both made the leap to PS4 in 2015 as part of The Handsome Collection, boasting performance enhancements, increased resolution and a vault-load of DLC to sink your teeth into.
7. Darksiders: Fury’s Collection – War and Death
Earlier this year, THQ Nordic announced that the third instalment in their Darksider’s franchise was in development for PlayStation 4 – a continuation of their ongoing apocalyptic saga inspired by Christian mythology’s Four Horseman.
Not up to date with said saga? Fear not, to mark the announcement, the publishers released Darksiders: Fury’s Collection, which brings together both previous games, originally released for PS3, fully upgraded for the latest generation with a range of visual goodies.
8. Metro Redux
Based on the novel of the same name, Metro 2033 was a breakout hit on PlayStation 3 when it launched back in 2010, spawning an equally tense and skin-crawling sequel Metro: Last Light which launched in the years following.
Noted for its incredible visuals, unique settings and utterly suffocating sense of tension, the series quickly established itself as a cult and critical darling. With increased visuals and a hefty performance boost the series is now available on PS4, looking better than ever.
9. Valkyria Chronicles Remastered
A true gem of the last generation, Valkyria Chronicles combined stylized, painterly visuals with a highly unique combat system and a surprisingly deep and character-rich story.
The outcome was a complete left-field hit that garnered high levels of critical praise and a string of gaming awards and nominations. 2016’s remaster recreates all that original magic with higher frames rates, increased visual effects and a boost in resolution.
10. Batman: Return to Arkham
If you were lucky enough to play Batman: Arkham Knight back in 2015, but somehow missed its critically-acclaimed forerunners Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, then I’ve some good news for you.
Both games arrived on PlayStation 4 last year, not just remastered, but fully rebuilt, from the ground-up, for the latest console generation. Sporting a huge visual overhaul that ramps up almost every aspect of presentation, you can marvel at all those velvety visuals while you bring yourself up to speed on two games worth of back story.
11. Dishonored: Definitive Edition
If you’ve been eyeing last year’s Dishonored 2 with a tempted gaze, but were a bit worried about jumping in midway through the story, then might I draw your attention to Dishonored: Definitive Edition.
A dark and sometimes unexpectedly comic tale of betrayal, redemption and rodent infestation, the series debut was met with huge critical applause, taking home countless game of the year awards in 2012 for its intricate level design, endless player choice and mature story telling.
If this is one you did happen to miss the first time round and you’ve a particular soft-spot of supernatural stealth-action games, then this one is a no-brainer.
12. Back to the Future: The Game – 30th Anniversary Edition
July 5th, 2015 marked exactly 30 years since the box office release of Back to the Future – a budding sci-fi comedy that would go on to become a cultural icon. To celebrate the milestone, Telltale Games released an upgraded, re-polished edition of their spin off episodic game series for the PS3, Back to the Future: The Game.
Written in collaboration with original writer Bob Gale and featuring the voice talent of original cast members Michael J Fox and Christopher Lloyd, if you’re a fan of the films and would to see the old characters in a new adventure, you’ll struggle to find anything more authentic.
Buy Back to the Future: The Game now, discounted on PlayStation Store.
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