EA plans to be on the ball with FIFA 14 physics

Thanks to the annual release of EA Sports’ FIFA series, there normally aren’t that many visible visual enhancements within each new iteration (this year might be different thanks to the next-generation console versions). The most obvious differences between the games come in the way of gameplay changes, and with its latest trailer for FIFA 14, EA sheds some light on two of these alterations - namely pure shot and real ball physics. 

The former allows gamers to adjust their stride and approach angle to find the best position from which to net a goal, with some of the new shot types made possible by this feature being pure strikes, off-balance- as well as rushed shots on goal. 

Real ball physics now determines the trajectories of balls, enabling players to adopt a number of approaches including kicking the ball with force from distance, drilling low rising shots with more accuracy, or blasting dipping or turbulent shots at the keeper. See both of these new gameplay enhancement features in action in the trailer posted below. 

FIFA 14 runs onto the availability field in South Africa on 27 September for Windows PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, along with many mobile- and portable gaming formats. The game will also dribble its way onto the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, following these next-generation consoles’ respective launches.

Hail to your own custom chief 

In just over two weeks the over-the-top open-world action adventure Saints Row IV rudely blasts its way onto the PlayStation 3, Windows PC and Xbox 360. Within the game, the leader of the Saints somehow lands the post of leader of the free world, which is kind of ironic since earth’s populace is not all that free in the aftermath of a catastrophic Duke Nukem 3D-style alien invasion. 

Before all the f-bomb-dropping and wielding of Matrix-esque superhero powers commence though, gamers can create their own customised president via the game’s Inauguration Station feature. This character can then be imported into the game, when it releases on 23 August, and by using this tool, players will also be able to download their Saints Row: The Third (review) character for use in the new title. 

Saints Row IV: Inauguration Station is available on Xbox Live for the Xbox 360, from Steam as a digital download for Windows PC, and from the PlayStation Network for the PlayStation 3. 

Sonic Lost World racing onto 3DS, Wii U in October

The blue blur, Sonic, is taking another stab at a 3D. According to Nintendo’s latest Nintendo Direct broadcast, Sonic Lost World will arrive in players’ hands on the 22nd of October, on both the Wii U and the 3DS consoles. The game will see Sonic have to face off against the ‘Deadly Six’, and in a twist, unite with his nemesis Eggman to defeat them. 

So what’s new? Amongst others a number of new moves, such as the ability to vault over obstacles, free run up and along walls, and sky dive between islands at lightning speed, as well as new Colour Powers, which will enable him to fly through the air, tear-up levels and explode into enemies. Nintendo has promised a good variety of levels, including mind-bending courses, vast underground tunnels and colossal structures in the sky. 

Judging by the trailer shown, from the Nintendo Direct announcement, it certainly looks like a potential blast, more than a little reminiscent in style of Mario Galaxy, which is  not a bad thing at all. 

Put boredom on the Blacklist via the forthcoming Splinter Cell

Ubisoft has declassified more info surrounding the upcoming Splinter Cell: Blacklist this week, with the company showcasing its new Blacklist threat trailer (posted below). 

Within Blacklist, a faceless, unpredictable enemy faction calling themselves the Engineers have the resources and power to strike anywhere the US has interests. Faced with such a monumental threat, the US government only has one number on their speed dial since the A-team were out of town, Rambo retired, and John McClane was at a Police convention in Eastern Europe (yippee ki-yay Mother Russia). 

Sam Fisher and his Fourth Echelon team have to move quickly to give all of the geeky engineers wedgies, beat them up and take their lunch money or stuff them in the school locker. 

Splinter Cell: Blacklist applies a rear naked choke to your gaming budget this August, at which time it will sneak out of the development shadows onto the PS3, Xbox 360, Windows PC, and Nintendo Wii U.