DASH’S DAZZLING DEALS
Watching the pennies? We’ll help you play more without breaking the bank
Elex II £15.09 approx. (PS5, hit.co.uk)
No-nonsense RPG action
An ambitious open-world RPG set in a striking blighted futuristic world, Elex II doesn’t mess around. With no live-service grinding or procedural generation to speak of, this is a good old-fashioned adventure hand-crafted by Piranha Bytes – the studio behind the Gothic and Risen series. Although its mechanical idiosyncrasies might prove a turn off for some, solid writing makes for an enjoyable 40 hours of main story that sees protagonist Jax grapple with an imminent alien invasion. The extra activities are no slouches either, with plenty of well-written side-quests.
Chorus – Day One Edition £11.98 approx. (PS5, amazon.co.uk)
Hitting the right notes
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a solid single-player space shooter. Following Nara, a skilled starship pilot, Chorus has you hunting down an evil cult in the vast expanse of space. Joined by a sentient ship known as Forsaken, this brooding journey shines in its moments of chaotic dogfighting combat. The story is always the focus but the sizeable open world also offers an avid pilot plenty of opportunities for solving puzzles and extra fighting. A native PS4 version is available for a similar price, and both ‘Day One’ editions include a few snazzy bonus skins.
Spiritfarer £9.98 approx. (PS4, amazon.co.uk)
Also budget for tissues
A remarkable achievement in emotional storytelling, Spiritfarer is a cosy management sim about death. As Stella, the ferry master travelling between the land of the living and the underworld, it’s your job to transport spirits to the afterlife. Entrusted with a ship, activity revolves around both nautical exploration and crafting amenities to help your passengers feel more comfortable. Expect to learn about Stella’s past, and to shed a few tears, on the way. This physical edition includes collectable postcards, stickers, and digital codes for the soundtrack and art book.