Baldur's Gate 3 Will Release for Early Access in September

Coming from the minds behind the acclaimed Divinity: Original Sin series, it's no surprise that developer Larian Studios seemed more than up to the task of making a new entry in the all-time classic Baldur's Gate series. Last year it was confirmed that the studio would be working on Baldur's Gate 3, and players will finally have the chance to see what Larian has been working on later this year.

During its most recent video broadcast, developer Larian Studios shared more details on the upcoming Baldur's Gate 3. Specifically, after a previous delay, the studio revealed that its long-awaited title will officially make its Early Access debut on September 30, allowing players to get their first-hand experience with the massive RPG.

Alongside the reveal of its Early Access debut, Larian also debuted a brand new cinematic trailer that gives players a better idea of the journey that is in store in Baldur's Gate 3, and will also serve as the game's intro cutscene. The TL;DR version: expect lots of big scary monsters from another dimension, sorcery, and high fantasy spectacle.

Larian's take on the long-time fantasy RPG franchise was first announced last year for PC, and was also confirmed to be coming to Google Stadia. Like it did previously with Divinity: Original Sin 2, Larian is aiming to bring BG3 to Early Access first to let players try out the game for themselves and to provide feedback. Given how Original Sin 2 turned out as an exceptional RPG experience on PC (and later to consoles), hopefully the same strategy will help Baldur's Gate 3 turn out to be just as great when it lands later this year.

Baldur's Gate 3 will officially head to Early Access for PC and Stadia on September 30, with its full release to follow at a later date.

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The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe Has Been Delayed (Again) to 2021

The Stanley Parable

Since its release in 2013, The Stanley Parable has been highlighted as one of the most interesting and mind-bending indie releases of the past generation. With its witty British narrator and a plot that unfolds based on the decisions that you make in-game, few games have captured the type of meta-narrative that the game gave players, which we're set to see again (in a different form) with The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe. However, while the upcoming enhanced version was planned to debut this summer, its development team is pushing its release back to next year.

Developer Crows Crows Crows announced that The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe has been delayed to sometime in 2021, pushing the game from its intended release window of summer 2020. In true Stanley Parable fashion, the studio injected some humor into the delay announcement with some interesting Twitter images that you might recognize:

For those unfamiliar with the title, Ultra Deluxe is an enhanced new edition of the original 2013 indie game with additional content, such as new endings and more. Additionally, Ultra Deluxe will serve as a remaster that will bring the game to consoles for the first time, though no specific platforms have been announced by Crows Crows Crows at this time.

The past few weeks have been eventful for game delays, with Crows Crows Crows' upcoming title far from the first delay announcement. Last week saw the news that Halo Infinite was delayed from its planned launch with the Xbox Series X this holiday season, while Deathloop was also delayed sometime into Q2 2021.

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe will release for consoles and PC sometime in 2021.

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Hypnospace Outlaw is Hacking its Way to Nintendo Switch

Hypnospace Outlaw

Today's Nintendo Indie Showcase may not have had Metroid Prime 4 (again, unbelievable), but it did show off some of the exciting indie titles heading to the mobile console soon, including Hypnospace Outlaw.

Initially released in March of 2019, Hypnospace Outlaw was developed by Tendershoot and published by No More Robots, the publisher behind titles like Descenders and Yes, Your Grace.

Hypnospace Outlaw may be a strange title to see on the Switch, just because of its subject matter. As a love letter to the early days of the internet, players take the role of a moderator for the creator of Hypnospace, an alternate-history version of the web. The role is simple – dole out internet justice one bit a time. Players will have to police illegal content, copyrighted materials and viruses all while making sure they don't end up with a bug in their own system. Of course, they have to look out for trolls and cyberbullies too. Yes, even before 2000 the internet had trolls. Alternate reality or not, they're a kind of constant.

But moderating the content other folks are throwing into the Hynospace is only half the fun – the other is actually navigating around. User interfaces in the early days of the internet weren't that friendly, and that carries over to Hypnospace Outlaw. Players will have to solve puzzles just to get to the next webpage, then do some good old fashioned detective work to find out who's been breaking the rules.

Hypnospace Outlaw has been well received since its launch, with all its reviews on Steam leaning overwhelmingly positive.

Hypnospace Outlaw launches August 27 on Switch, but you can pre-purchase the game or download a demo from the Nintendo E-Shop later today.

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Nintendo Celebrates Mario's 35th Anniversary with New Switch Controllers

mario 35th anniverary

2020 marks the 35th anniversary of Mario, so to celebrate Nintendo has announced two new Mario themed controllers to be released on September 4. Both controllers feature Mario themed designs and are up for preorder.

The first of the two controllers, the Horipad Mini, is designed with the small hands of "young gamers" in mind. It's much smaller than the regular Switch pro-controllers but still includes all the proper buttons to play. The only potential downside is that while most modern controllers are wireless, the Horipad Mini is tied to a 9.8-foot wire. While not a short cable by any means, it could still potentially be a hindrance to players. The controller is selling for $24.99 and can be preordered here on Amazon.

The other controller is by PowerA and features a red and gold design in a shape much more reminiscent of the Switch pro-controller. The controller has a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones as well as mappable buttons. Similar to the Horipad Mini, the PowerA is a wired controller connected to a 10-foot detachable cable. Perhaps Nintendo wants players to reminisce about their days playing Mario as a kid with a wired controller, but to make both controllers connected to a cable is a bit strange. The PowerA is up for preorder on Amazon for $24.99.

While two themed controllers are good, Nintendo knows what fans are really after this year: the rumored Super Mario 35th Anniversary Collection. Who knows, this might be all we get to commemorate a big year in the Italian plumber's life, but it seems unlikely for Nintendo to brush over an occasion to celebrate one of their major mascots.

We've covered the latest rumors surrounding the possible Super Mario 35th Anniversary Collection. Be sure to check out our coverage of the latest Indie World Showcase on Nintendo Switch as well.

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Untitled Goose Game Adds a Second Horrible Goose In Free Multiplayer Update

Untitled Goose Game Multiplayer Update

Untitled Goose Game was an unexpected mega-hit when it waddled its way onto the Nintendo Switch last year. The game sold over one million copies in just three months and was subject to tonnes of memes, mashups and fan art for a period after launch. The game was a timed exclusive on the Nintendo Switch and launched on both the PS4 and Xbox One (including Xbox Game Pass) later that year.

Now, during today's Nintendo Indie World Showcase as the "One more thing", developers House House shared the news that Untitled Goose Game would be getting a free two-player update. The update is due for launch in just over a month, releasing on September 23.

The video showed off the carnage that players have come to expect from Untitled Goose Game, only this time, with an extra horrible goose. It showcases an extra layer of depth that a second goose will add to the gameplay, as one goose serves as a distraction while the other creeps around to complete the objective. The terrible duo can be seen in the trailer stealing keys and dumping a picnic into a river.

Today's Nintendo Indie World Showcase was considered extremely positive, and despite not sharing any information on Hollow Knight: Silksong (I'm not bitter) revealed plenty of great games coming to Switch. Some of the highlights include Supergiant Games' Hades, complete with PC cross-save functionality and A Short Hike and Spiritfarer, which both launch on the Switch today.

Untitled Goose Game, which is getting an eco-friendly physical release on both PS4 and Nintendo Switch later this year, reviewed very highly when it launched in September last year.  The game won an array of game of the year awards. You can read our review of the game right now where we said: "House House's Untitled Goose Game is undoubtedly a hilarious experience, but it lacks a varied toolset to maximize said hilarity."

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Spiritfarer Review — The Ties That Bind Us Together

Whether it be a parent, parental figure, or even a best friend, losing someone that you've known throughout your life makes you look at and take on life in a completely new way. A little over a month ago, my Dad passed away unexpectedly. I had a difficult relationship with him for most of my life, with us hardly ever seeing eye to eye. Some of my first thoughts after he passed were,  "Was he proud of me?" or, "Did I do right by him?" So many questions I wish I had the answer to.

It wasn't until I played Spiritfarer that I was given the perspective to stop and think how he could possibly be feeling, even if there is no purgatory or afterlife when everything is said and done. What were his regrets? What did he wish he could have said to the people he loved before it was too late? Spiritfarer gave me the ability to mourn and obtain a viewpoint on the thoughts of those who've passed in a grounded, humanistic way, despite taking place in a phantasmal world.

Spiritfarer puts you in the shoes of a young woman named Stella who is the latest person to uphold the titular mantle. As you explore through the presumed world of purgatory, you help those who are struggling with their death and getting them to learn to cope with it. As passengers on your vessel, your job is to take care of them which ranges from providing food to building them a personal house.

Alongside Stella is her cat Daffodil, who is a playable character in local co-op. But with so few reasons to use Daffodil, it is often better to play on your own more times than not. While on your vessel you can do several activities including farming, fishing, and cooking. Using the resources you find around the world, you can then create new items that are used to build new structures, make improvements, as well as upgrade your ship.

With Spiritfarer being a management sim, there are a lot of features and options when it comes to what you can do throughout every passing day, but I never felt like I was drowning when trying to learn and keep up with its systems or overwhelmed by the number of things I needed to do at the same time. Spiritfarer, like most in its genre, has a day-night cycle where you begin every day waking up and checking on your current projects. At night, the ship will not travel, but that doesn't stop you from being able to continue working the next day if you so choose.

When creating materials on your ship, there are fun little mini-games that can reward you with extra items, such as weaving fibre into thread. Even with doing at least one of these jobs a day, I didn't get bored or find the mini-game involved repetitive. They never felt like a chore, which has turned me away from so many popular titles in the genre before Spiritfarer.

Spiritfarer

Passengers take the form of a specific animal that normally fits their personality, like an ongoing cheater who is a charismatic lion. Interacting with a passenger allows you to talk, feed, and most importantly, hug them to brighten their mood. There is also a chart that explains their likes and dislikes which will help you when it comes to what food they prefer eating. Depending on their experience on the ship, a passenger's mood can either rise or decline based on certain factors, such as not being fed or a different person on the ship frustrating them.

There is no real detriment if a passenger isn't happy, but if they're in a good mood, they will collect resources for you and willingly work different jobs on the ship. One of the many surprises that Spiritfarer brings is taking care of passengers in ways that I would have never expected. This made Stella's connection to them much more emotional and personal.

At some point while being on the ship, each passenger will give you a coin that you can redeem at different shrines throughout the world which will give Stella new abilities like double jumping, gliding, and ziplining. This makes platforming both easier and quicker. While technically a platformer, Spiritfarer's gameplay doesn't really revolve around that. Once you earn those new abilities, you will be able to access new areas, but outside of that, the platforming is pretty straight forward.

Spiritfarer

When traveling across the map, there are certain locations that will give you the ability to obtain a material that is unique to Spiritfarer in special events. These events are some of the major high points in Spiritfarer due to the surprising spectacle that each boasts. Some of these include catching lightning in a bottle or collecting rocks from a comet shower. These are just a few examples of the incredible moments that will stick with you throughout playing Spiritfarer.

From the red water at the Everdoor to the delicate eclipses that occur, Spiritfarer is one of the most beautiful games I have ever played. I became mesmerized time and time again due to its fantastic use of color in conjunction with some of the most detailed animations I've seen. It got to the point where I forgot at times that I was playing a game with the heavy themes that it conveys because it always feels so joyous.

Spiritfarer

Aside from main objectives, there are areas where you can obtain side missions that can reward you with a potential upgrade for your ship. Most improvements that are made to buildings on your ship require a blueprint which can sometimes be earned by completing quests. As you explore, there are also bus stops that will allow you to go to areas you've visited before much quicker thanks to the help of a friendly magical walrus. There is a lot of back and forth traveling in Spiritfarer so for those who usually are not a fan of backtracking like me, this brought down my frustration to a minimum. Despite my lack of frustration, however, I did run into a few minor bugs during my playthrough even though what I was playing was not the final build of the game.

Once completing all the tasks for a passenger, they as you to take them to the Everdoor, the bridge that leads them to the afterlife. Spiritfarer at ground level is a fun and charming management simulator for those looking for it, but it is during these times where Spiritfarer ascends to another level granting us these vulnerable, authentic moments where I found myself on the verge of tears each time I had to send someone away. Their final words whether they were content, reminiscent, or scared, in combination with the incredible score, will make those goodbyes will stick with me for a long time despite only knowing the characters for such a short period.

When I first began Spiritfarer, I was upset to learn that Stella was a silent protagonist. She never responds to anyone, with her feelings instead being conveyed through animation. As I progressed further, I realized that this was the best choice because what was more important was listening to the people who are trying to handle their current situation. Some characters I loved from the start, and while others I disliked, they always felt real. It made me want to know what my Dad would say or think during his last moments in life. Something I will be questioning for the rest of my own.

Life is fragile and people are flawed. We don't get to choose our position in life from beginning to end, but we have the choice to get ourselves to where we want to be. We will make mistakes and I'm sure at the end of our lives we will have things we will cherish, regret, and resent, but that is all the part of being human. Spiritfarer tells that message in a way that I found to be a cathartic experience that I will forever hold dear to me.

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Crysis Remastered Could Reportedly be Releasing Later this Week

Crysis Key Art

Earlier this summer, Crytek was set to release Crysis Remastered, the touched-up re-release of one of the most popular shooters of the last generation. However, not long before launch, Crytek ended up delaying the game indefinitely after fans began criticizing the game for hardly looking like the remaster that they hoped it would be. Now, it seems as though Crysis Remastered could finally have a launch date and it might be coming far sooner than you'd expect.

YouTube channel PlayStation Access recently uploaded a new video that claims Crysis Remastered will be launching on PS4 later this week on Friday, August 21. By proxy, it would make sense for the game to also be landing on Xbox One and PC on this same date, too. However, the problem is that the release date in question hasn't been verified by Crytek as of this moment, making it a bit confusing as to where this information is coming from.

For now, we shouldn't take this new release date for Crysis Remastered as the complete truth, but there is a chance that it is an accurate date. For starters, the official Crysis Twitter account just recently teased that new information on the remaster would be coming quite soon and indicated that a release would be soon upon us. In this case specifically, PlayStation Access could have just had the release date information pre-seeded to them ahead of time to prepare for its inevitable announcement.

We'll keep you updated on this story as more information inevitably comes to light. Until then, Crysis Remastered is actually already available right now on the Nintendo Switch.

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A Short Hike Treks Its Way to Nintendo Switch Today

When it comes to cozy indie games, few provide the sort of experience that you'll find in A Short Hike, which first debuted last year on PC. As the title implies, the game simply follows a hiking bird making its way up the peak of a mountain, but along the way, you'll encounter a variety of other villagers and townspeople with stories worth hearing. If a soothing journey through the wilderness sounds like your speed for a game right now, A Short Hike is officially making its way to consoles today with its debut on Nintendo Switch.

During Nintendo's latest Indie World broadcast, the indie hit A Short Hike was confirmed to be coming to the Nintendo Switch, and that it will be launching today as a surprise release. Initially available on PC, Mac, and Linux last year, the Switch version marks the console debut of A Short Hike, which Nintendo noted would be a timed exclusive release, so presumably we'll see it makes its way to other console platforms down the line.

Having played A Short Hike myself last year on PC, it's an easy recommendation if you're looking for a game that will put you into a relaxing, soothing mindset. Like its title, it's a short game that will only take a few hours to complete, but it's the type of experience that you won't forget for a while after you finish it.

A Short Hike is available now on PC, Mac, and Linux, and will be coming to Nintendo Switch later today in the Switch eShop.

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Subnautica And Its Sequel Subnautica: Below Zero Are Coming to Switch Early 2021

Subnautica Switch

Subnautica is definitely one of the best crafting, exploration games in recent history, and now it's coming to Nintendo Switch.

If you never heard of Subnautica, it features a space traveler whose spaceship suddenly explodes and gets stranded on an uninhabited planet. The aquatic planet will be the new home, or the grave of our protagonist, who'll need to sustain to their basic needs to survive and find a way back to space.

Subnautica with its survival mechanics and various difficulty levels can be both a great narrative experience and a thrilling adventure, where you'll constantly make food and clear water reserves. You'll start from a simple survival escape pod and can end up crafting your own, huge subnautical base. Multiple vehicles can be crafted as well, to help out with your exploration, as you go deeper and deeper in the sea. Finding out the planet's secrets.

Subnautica is a pretty nice experience overall and I'm sure its astonishing sale numbers., 5 million copies so far, can vouch for that. It definitely deserves it.

Subnautica Switch Port Reveal Trailer

Subnautica first launched on PC. It's important to note the previous console port of Subnautica, the PS4 one, initially suffered from a lot of bugs. It's definitely harder to play such a inventory management heavy game without a keyboard and mouse too. Hopefully the Nintendo Switch version of Subnautica will be handled with care, and it'll satisfy those who prefer portability over anything else. This is a great occasion if you've never tried out this masterpiece by Unknown Worlds Entertainment.

Lastly, the currently in-development sequel, Subnautica: Below Zero, will also be coming to Nintendo Switch. Both Subnautica games will launch on the Nintendo console in early 2021.

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Spiritfarer Lands Today on Consoles and PC

Spiritfarer

With its focus on indie games over the past several years, the Nintendo Switch has proven itself to be quite the place for indie devs to release their games. Naturally, it's also become custom nowadays for Nintendo to have a surprise launch up their sleeves, and that includes the anticipated next title from Thunder Lotus Games, Spiritfarer.

During Nintendo's latest Indie World broadcast, developer Thunder Lotus Games announced that Spiritfarer is officially launching today across consoles and PC. Alongside the reveal of its release date, the broadcast also included the game's official launch trailer to give a closer look at what is in store for players.

For those that don't know about it, Spiritfarer is a "cozy management game" that has players taking on the role of Stella, a spiritfarer that helps transport various creatures and characters through their journey into the afterlife. While the game addresses some heavy themes and topics, the game itself aims to deliver an immersive and thought-provoking journey with stunning animation and visuals.

Thunder Lotus Games has a solid track record with their past titles such as Jotun and Sundered, and from what we've seen from Spiritfarer so far has made it a title to look out for this year. Thankfully, with the game out today, players everywhere will get to enjoy its emotional story and profound themes for themselves.

Our own staff writer Cameron Hawkins reviewed Spiritfarer and scored it at a 9.5/10. From his time with the game, Cameron came away impressed by its "beautifully crafted, memorable experience" that takes players on a compelling, profound journey.

Spiritfarer is available now on PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia, PC, Mac, and Linux.

The post Spiritfarer Lands Today on Consoles and PC by Ryan Meitzler appeared first on DualShockers.