IT’S September and unlike previous months, there is a major change in the e-sports scene.
There are a number of games that will be launched, some guaranteed to replace specific games as core components in competitive gaming.
Top games to look out for are:
1. Destiny 2
THE sequel to Bungie’s popular online multiplayer shooter game, Destiny 2 is a first-person shooter that incorporates role-playing game elements along with massively multiplayer online (MMO) elements to provide a unique and enthralling gameplay experience.
Players can select from three classes with a number of sub-classes and enjoy either the PvP mode or PvE mode with players.
One year after the events of Destiny: Rise Of Iron, the Red Legion faction of the Cabal attacked The Last City with overwhelming forces.
Led by Emperor Ghaul, he succeeds in stripping the Guardians of their powers and forcing them to flee the Tower.
Scattered and powerless, the Guardians must acquire new powers to face Ghaul and the Red Legion, and venture to new worlds in the Destiny universe.
Fun fact: Destiny 2 is developed by the same people who made the Microsoft-exclusive game series, Halo.
Microsoft was the parent company of the developers until it formed its own private limited company.
Working together with Activision Blizzard, one of its biggest games to hit the market was the original Destiny game.
Destiny 2 will be coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC on Wednesday.
2. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018
WHAT is considered by many as the return of Pro Evolution Soccer’s glory days since the PlayStation 2 era, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is a football game by Konami and PES Productions.
There are plenty of subtle changes from the previous game, the most notable one being the on-the-ball gameplay.
It is said to provide a more responsive and precise movement with the analogue stick while in possession of the ball.
Compared to FIFA games, Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 is said to be more fast-paced and able to provide a more strategic take on football.
Just like its competitor, it too has shifted its focus to the eSports world, since it has already begun promoting e-sports tournaments across the globe with Pro Evolution Soccer at the forefront.
Fun fact: Konami has signed football legend David Beckham to a long-term exclusive agreement.
This deal will result in multiple iterations of Beckham at different phases of his football career appearing as a Legend player in the myClub mode for the game. This also means that he will not be appearing as a player on FIFA 18.
Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 will be coming to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Windows PC on Sept 12.
3. Marvel VS Capcom: Infinite
THE sixth entry in the Marvel VS Capcom crossover series, Marvel VS Capcom: Infinite is a fighting game featuring characters from Marvel Comics and the Capcom universe.
Unlike previous entries, there is a big narrative focus for this game, where characters from both universes must unite to take down a common enemy, Ultron Sigma.
It begins when Marvel’s Ultron and Megaman X’s Sigma forge an alliance to purge all biological life.
With the power of the Reality and Space Infinity Stones, they merge to form Ultron Sigma. The heroes of both worlds, with the help of Thanos, must now recover the remaining four stones in order to stop Ultron Sigma as well as a deadly group of villains led by Jedah Dohma.
At this point in time, there are 32 characters available from the start, including pre-order DLC characters.
However, the roster is expected to expand over time in the form of DLC characters which must be purchased separately. Upcoming characters are expected to be revealed over time.
Marvel VS Capcom: Infinite will be coming to the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC on Sept 19.
4. Pokken Tournament DX
THE first official Pokemon game for the new Nintendo Switch console, Pokken Tournament DX is a fighting game featuring the popular Pokemons.
It is an enhanced port of Pokken Tournament from the Nintendo Wii U, which is said to have better in-game aesthetics.
Unlike traditional Pokemon games, Pokken Tournament DX is a one-on-one fighting game with gameplay shifting between “Field Phase”, which is when the Pokemon can move freely around the arena, and “Duel Phase”, where it moves relative to each other just like the Tekken fighting game series.
Instead of a simple port with better visuals and gameplay experience, new characters have been added to increase interest in the game.
One such addition is the popular legendary psychic Pokemon, Mewtwo. More characters are expected to be added in the form of downloadable content.
Pokken Tournament DX will be coming exclusively to the Nintendo Switch on Sept 22.
5. FIFA 18
PRO Evolution Soccer’s biggest rival to-date, FIFA 18 is the 25th instalment in the FIFA series of football games by Electronic Arts.
The game will have some updates, especially on the latest player lineups for major football leagues in multiple countries but is not expected to have any major changes from its predecessor.
It will have a continuation of The Journey from FIFA 17, the single player campaign featuring Alex Hunter’s journey in the English Premier League.
It’s known as The Journey: Hunter Returns and will narrate Alex’s life in any of the chosen English Premier League clubs.
Brazilian legend Ronaldo is said to be play a major role in Alex Hunter’s comeback story.
FIFA 18 is the second game to utilise the EA-exclusive Frostbite 3 game engine, which was developed by EA DICE and designed for cross-platform use on Windows PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
What makes Frostbite 3 good is the fact that it’s cross-platform compatible, resource-efficient and is able to provide realistic gameplay experience without eating up too much machine resource.
FIFA 18 will be coming to the PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and Windows PC on Sept 29.
From the above games, it seems that this month’s list is more towards multiplayer games but what better way to enjoy a game than to play it with friends?
Just because a game is more e-sports-oriented doesn’t mean you can’t play it for fun. If you’re not sure of the games to buy, I’m sure this list will serve you well in making the right decisions.