As December kicks off in earnest with its video game releases and 2017 looms ahead, both Sony and Microsoft are closing 2016 out with a bang with their final major exclusives of the year.
On the PS4 you have The Last Guardian, a game that was in development for nearly 10 years and was originally slated to release on the PS3 back in 2011. On the Xbox One you have Dead Rising 4, an open world zombie-fest where exploration and creativity are key. Both offer decidedly different experiences, so choosing which to purchase with what little cash you have left after all of the holiday shopping can be a daunting task. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
We’ll break down each of these December releases to help you choose the game that’s perfect for you.
Story
A game’s story is often an integral factor when deciding what game you want. Maybe you like something more thought-provoking, or perhaps something a bit more nonsensical that just lets you tear through endless hoards of enemies. The Last Guardian definitely falls under the first category, placing you into the shoes of a young boy who has been torn from his home and placed in a mysterious castle with a large beast. If Fumito Ueda’s previous games, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus, are anything to go by, you can expect a tale that explores two very different characters as they learn to rely on one another to complete their quest.
Dead Rising 4 is definitely of the more nonsensical variety, although that doesn’t mean its story is a throwaway. You once again take on the role of Frank West – photographer, survivor, badass. It’s time to return to Willamette Colorado during the holidays, and revisit that mall that started it all. You’ll have to work to uncover what started this latest zombie outbreak, thankfully with no timer this time around.
Gameplay
Just as both The Last Guardian and Dead Rising 4’s stories are completely different, so too are their mechanics. While both encourage exploration, they do so in their own specific way.
The Last Guardian is more of a large puzzle. You’re trapped inside of this mysterious castle with no idea why or how you got there. You were kidnapped, and there’s this enormous beast (called Trico) there with you. Figuring out how to utilize Trico’s size and abilities in order to navigate this strange world is at the core of the gameplay. It all revolves around you two as your bond grows ever stronger and the threats all around you close in. It’s not incredibly action-packed, but that doesn’t mean you’ll find nothing to do.
Dead Rising 4 is almost exactly like the previous entries in the series, offering hundreds of zombies on screen for you to slay, the freedom to combine items you find in the world to create powerful weapons, and some seriously weird boss encounters to ramp up the challenge. You do have much more exploration this time around, as the areas surrounding the mall are also available to search through and the timer from previous entries has been completely removed. But there are very few moments of relaxation in this game. Dead Rising 4 is definitely your option if you’re looking for something that never stops giving you something to shoot or swing at.
Multiplayer
If multiplayer is a must-have when you’re purchasing a video game, then you only have one option when it comes to these two exclusives. Dead Rising 4 doesn’t have campaign co-op like its predecessors, but it does have a horde survival mode that you can play with friends. You’ll pick a survivor that isn’t Frank, and be placed inside of the mall where you must scavenge for items as you build weapons to help yourself and your buddies survive the onslaught from the living dead. And while you’re doing all that, you’ll be tasked with completing a variety of different missions, too. It’s honestly pretty fun, even if you are locked into one location.
The Last Guardian, like its predecessors, is all about the single-player experience. Leaving you to grow attached to Trico and the mysterious little boy as you fight your way out of that weird location.
Which Should You Buy?
With both being very unique titles when compared to one another, we’d honestly recommend purchasing both if that’s an option. You’ll have your open-world, zombie-slaying adventure, and your more thoughtful, puzzle-filled journey. However, if you only have one of the consoles, your choice is already made for you as both of these games are exclusives.
If you have both a PS4 and a Xbox One, though, and really must choose only one game, you’re left deciding based on your preference. Dead Rising 4 is a bigger game, offering an open world and tons of enemies to kill as you make crazy weapons. The Last Guardian is a more contained, linear story that will hit all the feels as you explore its beautiful world. If you like crazy, go with the Xbox exclusive. Want something different? Then your PS4 is about to get some love.
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