In today's contest, you can win this one-of-a-kind prize pack, including Bite the Bullet and a prize pack featuring a real game-worn jersey!
Guys, this one of massive. The last time we gave away some Mega Cat swag, it was a literal piece of wood. Today, we're riding the theme of their newest joint, Bite the Bullet, and giving away this exclusive prize pack, featuring trinkets from the game and our coup de grace: A game-worn jersey from world champion professional eater Crazy Legs Conti.
Yes, this man ate a bunch of hot dogs in this shirt, and now it can be yours. I fucking love my job sometimes.
Microsoft almost resorted to an episodic release model for Halo Infinite
Earlier this week, Halo Infinite was delayed into 2021. It'll no longer release alongside the Xbox Series X, which is a serious blow to the new Xbox's launch lineup. However, Microsoft gave some consideration to salvaging some of Halo Infinite for this November before deciding better of it.
Xbox head Phil Spencer appeared on Gary Whitta's "Animal Talking" podcast to discuss Halo and the Xbox Series X. Spencer immediately apologized to players, saying "Let me start just by recognizing the fans and the fact that this is a bummer." He continued "It is disappointing to people, it's disappointing to us. We were looking forward to the alignment of Halo Infinite and the Xbox Series X."
Then, Spencer confessed that Microsoft was tossing around a very extreme idea for a series that has only dealt in gigantic high-profile retail releases. Rather than fully delaying Halo Infinite, Microsoft considered releasing it in chunks. Ultimately, it only took about 24 hours for the decision-makers to swat down this episodic model. Spencer justified the decision by saying "It just didn't feel, to all of us, like the Halo release that we would want."
So, Halo Infinite will show up sometime next year as one complete product. Launching a new console without a flagship system-seller nearly led to quite the nontraditional approach though.
Phil Spencer talks Halo Infinite's delay into 2021 [Stevivor]
Hitman 3 VR looks like a ridiculously good time
It's starting to dawn on me just how cool Hitman could and should be in VR – to the point where I think it will be tough to go back to the flat format once we're used to the freedom of Hitman 3's VR mode.
This developer insights video from IO Interactive does a better job of illustrating that point than the eyebrow-raising trailer shown at a recent State of Play presentation. Blind-firing around corners, crawling in dense grass, peeking through a closet, tapping a dude on the shoulder with a crowbar – I'm so in. Even if Agent 47's stealthy playgrounds are the same, they're bound to feel fresh up close.
"Every little thing wants to take center stage [in virtual reality]," said senior game designer Eskil Mohl. "Whereas before, in the third-person game, maybe you got a little distracted from something else. But now you can't escape them anymore. They are right in your face. I found myself traversing the level slower, just taking everything in because it's so dense with detail." Reminder: there are 20+ locations.
The PlayStation VR support alone is making me want to get Hitman 3 at launch in January 2021. I hope this stuff also comes to PC VR sooner than later. It's going to be huge if it's half as good as it sounds.
I'm still bummed that Resident Evil 7's VR mode remains a PlayStation exclusive. What a thrill ride.
Don't miss out on picking up Remnant: From the Ashes for free
Epic giving away two solid games as part of its ongoing weekly promotion of freebies is somehow only the third most important Epic news of the day. Tim Sweeney and crew are going to war with Apple over the way it handles payment processing. Less heavy, Creative Assembly's A Total War Saga: Troy is free today (and today only) as part of a bonkers launch day offering.
Don't let all that completely distract you from this week's free Epic titles, though. Remnant: From the Ashes is free until next Thursday, and that should help scratch the Souls-like itch for a little while. It's more than just a spin on the From formula. Remnant: From the Ashes is also a looter shooter from the modern-day Darksiders developer Gunfire Games. It's a weird game but Chris says it's one that's worth checking out.
Accompanying Remnant is The Alto Collection -- made up of Alto's Adventure and Alto's Odyssey -- which is a beautiful and chill-looking side-scrolling snowboarding game. It's a duo that was originally developed for mobile, but has been repackaged together on PC and consoles. It seems like the type of thing that'll help take the edge off.
Next week, however, is all edges again. Epic is serving up two hectic roguelikes, Enter the Gungeon and God's Trigger. Prepare for frustration over and over again.
Remnant: From the Ashes, The Alto Collection [Epic Games Store]
PS4 players can upgrade Kena: Bridge of Spirits to the PS5 version for free
Given its announcement during Sony's PS5 reveal event, you might not have caught that Kena: Bridge of Spirits is also coming to PlayStation 4 this year. It is – but we know next to nothing about that version.
What we do know, thanks to a shoot-your-shot-and-hope-for-a-response tweet, is that Kena players on PS4 who end up getting a PlayStation 5 after the fact won't be left in the lurch. According to developer Ember Lab, the PS4-to-PS5 upgrade for Kena: Bridge of Spirits "is slated to be free."
That said, the team doesn't have "time limit details yet." Hopefully they aren't too restrictive.
As a lighthearted action-adventure with impressive visuals backing it up, Kena stood out to me as one of the most promising games in the PS5 showcase. Holiday 2020 is an ideal window of opportunity.
@emberlab [Twitter via Reddit]
Ninjala celebrates four million total downloads
GungHo Online Entertainment has announced that arena battler Ninjala has passed a milestone of four million total downloads since its initial launch on Switch back in June.
The free-to-play multiplayer title sees players battle it out in colourful landscapes, fighting to be the last-person-standing with an array of cute makeshift weapons and bubblegum-themed special attacks. Earlier this week, GungHo revealed its upcoming "Version 2.0" update, addressing multiple issues that have been bothering players. These fixes include improved region connectivity, a much improved UI and lobby system, and a slew of balance changes.
Fall Guys is giving out a legendary costume and Kudos as an apology gift
Fall Guys had a rough time keeping up with its tremendously popular first week, and even into the weekend, players were dealing with all-too-frequent disconnects. Things are smoother now – I couldn't tell you the last time I dropped out of a match – and we're getting an apology gift for the server issues.
Coinciding with an update to fix a tragic Fall Mountain crown-climbing glitch and add a new finale called Jump Showdown, Mediatonic has given players 5,000 Kudos to spend in the shop and a complete legendary Prickles costume. If you've "ever opened the game before midnight tonight," you're good to go – the currency and outfit will be in your inventory after updating without any extra steps.
You might not want to dress up like a cactus in a sea of cacti, but the costume is nice to have if you're trying to knock out most (the keyword being most) of the trophies in Fall Guys. A few, like "Catwalk Model," involve wearing legendary customization items, and those often cost Crowns, not Kudos.
I like some of the outfits, especially the purple ninja attire, but my jelly-bean man must run free.
@FallGuysGame [Twitter]
(Update) Epic just goaded Apple into removing Fortnite from the App Store
[Update: Epic immediately sued Apple. Shortly after Fortnite was pulled from the App Store, Epic filed a 62-page lawsuit for injunctive relief. The Complaint alleges violations of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, the California Cartwright Act, and the California Unfair Competition Law. The lawsuit was clearly drafted well in advance, as Epic obviously anticipated Apple removing Fortnite.
This saga is going to get very sticky before anything's resolved. That's a fight Epic is willing to take up.]
Fortnite's V-Bucks just got a little cheaper across the board. Epic has permanently discounted the Fortnite currency by 20 percent. Previously, $1 used to get you 100 V-Bucks; now you get the same amount for 80 cents.
The impetus behind this price reduction seems like it's driven entirely by Epic's need to throw a giant "Fuck You" at Apple and Google. Apple's App Store and Google's Play Store's policies have long been in Epic founder Tim Sweeney's crosshairs, as he takes issue with the revenue splits they take. They'll demand up to 30 percent of revenue just for processing payments and being included inside those mobile ecosystems.
Today, Epic launched its own direct payment system on mobile versions of Fortnite and it's awfully compelling to any prospective V-Bucks buyer. Here's what it looks like:
Mad Rat Dead puts the 'beat' in beatdown, escapes October 30
NIS America has released a new trailer for its new adventure Mad Rat Dead, which is headed to PS4 and Nintendo Switch in October. The video shows off Mad Rat Dead's quirky hybrid gameplay, which combines the rhythm-action and platforming genres.
As a refresher, Mad Rat Dead tells the story of a lab rat who has reached the end of his pretty miserable existence. At death's door, he is visited by the flamboyant Rat God, who offers our hero a few extra hours of life to leave his cage crack the skulls of those responsible for his piss-poor life. Guided by the Rat God and - weirder still - his sentient talking heart, our hero sets out for one final mission of mayhem.
Insomniac says Spider-Man: Miles Morales is a coming-of-age story with a 'full arc'
While we wait for an inevitable (and much-needed) deep dive into Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Insomniac has shared a clean-as-hell new screenshot of the spin-off game and let out a few more details.
Miles Morales is "a full arc for Miles Morales that started in Spider-Man," creative director Brian Horton told EW. "We really are completing this hero's coming of age in our game. It is a complete story."
He added that once the developers got rolling, "we realized that, with a little bit more of a compact storytelling style, we could tell a very emotionally impactful story that would fit really well as an experience that would take Spider-Man and [Miles Morales] and do justice to this character."
As we gleaned from the short reveal trailer, it's set in winter – a year after Spider-Man's story – and "Miles' Harlem home is on the verge of being torn apart by a war between an energy corporation and a criminal organization armed to the teeth with advanced tech," according to the publication.
There's talk of invisibility and bioshock capabilities, training sessions with Peter, and Insomniac's characterization overall – one of the high points of the last game. "What I think is really compelling about Miles as a character is he has friends that he could actually let into his world – his human world and his Spider world," said Horton. "He's a little different in the way he approaches it."
As for where Spider-Man fits in with the wider Marvel video game landscape, "Each game is in the Marvel universe, but they're in their own reality, if you will," according to Marvel Games VP & head of creative Bill Rosemann. "Currently, our plan is to keep each game set in its own Marvel universe."
Thank goodness for that.
How Spider-Man and the Avengers sparked Marvel's next phase of blockbuster games [EW]
That Magic: The Gathering Diablo style dungeon crawler is getting a Necromancer class
Although many fantasy universes have Necromancers, Magic: The Gathering seems perfectly suited for it.
Black/swamp-based decks have been using graveyard manipulation to their advantage for several decades, and now it's coming to Magic: Legends. As detailed in their official blog, famed Planeswalker Liliana Vess was the inspiration for the fantasy of the design: you've probably seen her before in advertisements for Magic even if you don't play.
All of the goodies that you'd expect from a Necromancer are in: reanimation, debuffs, life leech, the whole shebang. The developers confirmed that your main attack is going to be Grim Siphon, a "mid-range lashing attack" that also applies a DoT (damage-over-time) effect by default. In other words, the Necromancer seems like a more strategically based character that will need to spread out how it applies its damage so it can get as much life-leech as possible.
The mechanic of constantly sacrificing creatures to gain health back (or some other benefit) is also extremely Magic: The Gathering, so it's nice to see them play with the fantasy of the card game. Magic: Legends will be released on PC, PS4 and Xbox One...at some point.
Unveiling the Necromancer [Arc]
Second episode of Danganronpa's 'Dangan TV' looks at Goodbye Despair and the series' growing legacy
It's been a bit of a wait for all you murder maniacs, but Spike Chunsoft has finally added English subtitles to the second episode of its web series "Dangan TV" which looks at the legacy of the cult visual novel series, Danganronpa. Following on from episode one's breakdown of Trigger Happy Havoc, this episode looks at 2012 sequel Goodbye Despair.
Once again, host and Danganronpa voice actor Megumi Ogata is joined by series creator Kazutaka Kodaka and producer Yoshinori Terasawa to discuss the aftermath of Trigger Happy Havoc's release, and how the team approached the design of its terrifying tropical follow-up. Also joining the trio for this episode is Danganronpa "planner" Shun Sasaki.
Phantom: Covert Ops is getting a free challenge mode with today's update
Phantom: Covert Ops came out a few months ago, and I still can't believe someone was able to successfully pitch "Call of Duty in a kayak" and get away with it. But studio nDreams actually followed up on it and gave us a decent little action romp that doesn't take itself too seriously.
Today, the studio announced that "Challenge Pack 1" is out today, which is available on both currently supported platforms (Rift/Quest). It brings five challenge maps into the fray, which feature gunplay amid cartoony targets, as well as "crazy cheats" like an infinite ammo grenade launcher and a "reverse kayak controls" level that sounds devilish.
Phantom already heavily leaned in on the campy side, so this is exactly what the game needed. Extra bug fixes and quality of life changes are the cherry on top. nDreams is calling this "the first free post-launch content update," implying more is to come.
This week's Grounded patch will make resources respawn again
Since we checked in with Grounded, Obsidian has been busy. Before we wage a war on bees and try not to cower at the sight of a gargantuan koi fish darting around the pond, the studio has another patch this week – version 0.1.2 – to address a pesky issue with certain resources not appearing like they should.
Specifically, "Mushroom Gardens, Dew Collectors, Acorns, and other resources" weren't "respawning after their initial spawns" in some instances. Considering they're used to help top up your teen's hunger and thirst meters – and those meters can quickly dwindle if you're not vigilant – that's a big deal.
Building off a prior Grounded update that stopped infinite larva swarms from coming to destroy players' bases, this week's patch will actively remove "excess larva from games that still had large numbers of larva" roaming the land. Other than that, expect fixes for crashes and other frustrating loose ends.
As for content updates, Obsidian plans to have a monthly update schedule starting August 27. I've been looking for excuses to drop other games and get back to my miniaturized backyard adventures.
Nintendo Download: Shaolin vs Wutang
It's an interesting week for the Nintendo Switch eShop, as a bunch of indies and fighting games are plopping down all at once.
The more high-profile indies include Faeria, as well as Linn: Path of Orchards, which have already arrived on PC and mobile respectively to a positive reception. You'll also find a host of fighters like King of Fighters R-2, Samurai Shodown 2 and Shaolin vs. Wutang.
That latter one really stands out, doesn't it! It actually launched in mid-2018 on PC and has a following attached to it. The developer, J. Bowman, even released a sequel this year! And to be clear, it is not Wu-Tang: Shaolin Style: the arena fighter that came out in 1999 and had playable Wu-Tang Clan members. That game ruled though!
Fall Guys is getting yet another Valve crossover outfit
Like several million other people, I've also been playing Fall Guys a bit this past week, and even managed to get a few others involved with its shenanigans.
One thing I haven't gotten wrapped up in is the costume system, which is just as well, since Devolver Digital's extensive rolodex seems to be conjuring up all sorts of crossovers. We already got a Hotline Miami outfit on top of the memorable headcrab Half-Life homage, and now Valve is getting in on the fun yet again with The Scout from Team Fortress.
The Scout is currently on the shop as a legendary costume for five crowns, and it'll net you the upper torso, hat, communicator and bandage wraps around your hands. The Scout pants are also five crowns, but they look like the other pairs of black pants elsewhere in the game; so maybe save your cash!
Fall Guys [Twitter]
Civilization VI is finally coming to Android
Mobile gaming may not be suited for every genre out there, but if there is one type of game that's perfectly suited for mobile platforms, it's the strategy game. And not those damn free-to-play strategy games like Clash of Clans and its ilk. I'm talking real strategy games, like Civilization VI. Back in 2018, Aspyr Media ported the best-selling game to iOS, giving Apple Cult members like myself a chance to take over the world on the go and also see just how quickly the battery on our iPads can drain.
Of course, when a game launches for an Apple product, the first question anyone asks is, "Android?" Well, after nearly two years, Android users have their shot at world domination as Civilization VI is available on the mobile platform today.
The new Tony Hawk game documentary is a breezy trip down memory lane
Tony Hawk is back. Not the man, the game. Well, he's kinda back too, making the rounds promoting the new game. He's also part of a rad new documentary called Pretending I'm a Superman, which is finally hitting general release after a debut at the Mammoth Film Festival earlier this year.
If you're even remotely interested in the series or skating in general, it's worth a watch.
Virgin Media customers can try out Marvel's Avengers this weekend
UK network provider Virgin Media is allowing its customers access to a beta of Marvel's Avengers this weekend, regardless of whether they have pre-ordered the upcoming Square Enix title.
The beta will be open to all Marvel's Avengers pre-order customers on PS4 and is invite-only to Xbox One and PC players. But if you are a Virgin Media customer, then all you need do is register your account details on the official Virgin Media site and you too will be partaking in superhero action on your platform of choice. The beta will run between August 14-16, with pre-load available from today.
Ladies and Gentlemen, Paul Heyman introduces you to WWE 2K Battlegrounds
2K Games has released a new trailer for its goofy-looking WWE brawler, WWE 2K Battlegrounds, which launches on PC and consoles in September. In the new video, silver-tongued devil Paul Heyman shows off some of the crazy game's playable modes, while coaxing viewers to plonk down their pre-order. Always the salesman, this dude.
WWE 2K Battlegrounds is an over-the-top brawler, which sees 70 WWE Superstars - of today and yesteryear - fight it out in simple, super-stylised arcade action. Not unlike THQ's great 2011 release WWE All-Stars. Very unlike All-Stars however, is that WWE 2K Battlegrounds appears to be leaning on in-game currency and microtransactions. These appear, for the most part, to be only tied to cosmetic customisation items. We shall see.
PSA: Today is the only day to get A Total War Saga: Troy for free
The latest entry in the Total War franchise launches today and it won't cost you a dime. Well, as long as you don't dillydally too long.
A Total War Saga: Troy is free to claim on the Epic Games Store for the first 24 hours it's available. That's right -- Epic threw enough money at Sega and Creative Assembly that a brand new relatively-major game is just being given away on launch day.
This is just the latest and grandest from Epic, who's seemingly convinced that throwing enough free stuff at people will eventually garner their support. It's a no-brainer for Creative Assembly, though. It's afforded the opportunity to experiment with Total War a bit, while Epic ensures the game is profitable (covering development costs is a standard part of the Epic exclusivity agreement) and gets Troy in front of a very large audience.
If you're wondering whether Troy is worth your time and hard drive space, it is. Creative Assembly has retooled combat to take an all-infantry approach, adding diverse classes that nicely change the flow of fighting. It'll inevitably make its way into the next mainline Total War game. If your interest is piqued, just go queue it up. While you're waiting for it to download, check out our review-in-progress.
A Total War Saga: Troy [Epic Games Store]
Contest: Win Dodo Peak for Switch
In today's contest you can win Dodo Peak for Switch!
About 90% of my gaming time is devoted to puzzle games these days. I've got a bunch on my Switch, and even more on my phone -- I use them to convince myself I'm keeping mentally sharp and not letting my brain go to mush.
Be a smarty-pants like me, and win a copy of cute puzzle game Dodo Peak for your Switch!
Your PC won't need to be Hulked out to run Marvel's Avengers
No superhero effort is required from your PC to experience the newest from Marvel's Dream Team. A perfectly reasonable and pedestrian performance will do just fine.
Ahead of this weekend's Marvel's Avengers beta, Square Enix has released the PC specs to run the game at both minimum and recommended settings. Neither is too tasking, but your hard drive might feel as though someone took the Hammer of Thor to it. (Although, to be fair, even those requirements aren't particularly noteworthy by modern standards.)
Here's what's needed to run Marvel's Avengers at the lowest settings:
Steam Game Festival: Autumn Edition starts October 7 with more upcoming game demos
If there were any doubts, let them fade away. Steam Game Festival isn't just some experiment.
As relayed by Geoff Keighley, another demo showcase event is planned for 2020. Steam Game Festival: Autumn Edition will offer a bunch of demos for upcoming games from October 7 to October 13.
I'm pulling for Sakuna: Of Rice and Ruin. That's my maybe-actually-feasible wish.
Valve is planning another Steam Game Festival: Autumn Edition this Fall, running October 7 - 13. Another chance to play free previews of upcoming games.
— Geoff Keighley (@geoffkeighley) August 11, 2020
I feel like I'm better prepared for Steam Game Festival's format after the last showcase. At the same time, there's only so much you can do when there are hundreds of demos to sift through, whittle down, install, and make time to try before the event wraps up and they're no longer playable.
I was far from the only one who felt overwhelmed by the massive, unwieldy, occasionally unreliable list of demos last time, so I'm sure that feedback got where it needed to go and we'll see refinements.
The October timing is also a little more conducive to my schedule than mid-June. Bring 'em on.
Have we reached peak battle royale?
Well, the house that H1Z1, PUBG and Fortnite built have welcomed in many imitators, from the indie scene to the big leagues.
Hyper Scape is Ubisoft's attempt to step up to the plate, but like a lot of other Ubisoft projects, it needs some work until it's ready for prime time.
Here's one more look at the brawling in Battletoads
Time is running out to get a feel for Battletoads. It releases in eight days, and the pre-launch opinions seems to be evenly and passionately split. The release date trailer didn't do much to change that.
Maybe this slightly-in-depth commentary on the brawling will help you make a decision. Rare developers talk about the mindset behind this beat-em-up, all the attention paid to free-flowing combat and the use of space. There's also some detail given to what makes (two of the three) Battletoads unique; Pimple is a big slow gorilla-like lug, and Zitz is quick and has tech-focused attacks.
Battletoads launches on August 20 as part of Xbox Game Pass. Subscribers won't need to trust their gut and make a decision about it. That's the beauty of Xbox Game Pass in cases like this.
You can move your bed in Stardew Valley's 1.5 update
For all the time I've spent in Stardew Valley, I've never thought about moving my bed – which is good, because in the current version of the game, it won't budge. That's changing in update 1.5, though!
In Update 1.5, you can move your bed
— ConcernedApe (@ConcernedApe) August 12, 2020
People are stoked about the bed-moving ability and their happiness makes me happy.
Big picture, we're still putting the pieces together in terms of what update 1.5 entails, whether it's banana trees or "significant" new end-game content. I'm sure we'll be playing it by the end of the year.
Creator Eric Barone also shared a note about Stardew Valley's absence from the PlayStation Store in Europe – "it's going to be a little while." Due to a hiccup with the game's rating, Stardew needs a "complete re-submission" to update its rating from PEGI 7 to PEGI 12 in light of "simulated gambling."
Barone says he's starting on the solution today, but bureaucracy can't be rushed.
Capcom is undecided about whether it'll charge $70 for next-gen games
Capcom is noncommittal about whether it'll join publishers like Take-Two Interactive in instituting a $10 price hike for triple-A next-gen games.
During a recent investor Q&A session, Capcom was asked about its intended approach to pricing future games. "We do not have a set policy at this time," Capcom said. "We will consider our approach having analyzed both our strengths and weaknesses while closely monitoring industry trends."
Capcom's response is aligned with the timidity most major publishers are showing on this topic. Nearly everyone falls into the "monitoring industry trends" camp publicly, unwilling to follow Take-Two's lead and become the second face of rising consumer costs. Ubisoft, however, has committed to a $60 price tag -- at least for this holiday season.
But once the first domino falls, it'll be much easier for the second and third and fourth dominoes to fall. Eventually, any holdouts will feel foolish for leaving money on the table. Within two years, new entries in gaming's biggest properties will cost $70. Anyone who's "monitoring industry trends" is just waiting for the competition to take the PR bullet for them.
Capcom has joined the list of publishers 'monitoring' next-gen price increases [Video Games Chronicle]
Review in Progress: A Total War Saga: Troy
If I've learned anything from my brief time with a pre-release build of A Total War Saga: Troy, it's this: Don't piss off Achilles. He will walk over to you, no matter how many guys you have in your army, and stick you in the ass with a sharp spear.
Good thing that I'm Achilles, then.
G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout looks better than expected
It won't win awards, but for an out-of-nowhere G.I. Joe video game, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout – a third-person shooter with 12 playable heroes and villains – looks like silly "fresh out of the bargain bin" fun.
There's a campy story campaign with ridiculous voice-overs, multiplayer modes like King of the Hill and Capture the Flag, and an emphasis on character abilities (hence the numerous close-ups in this trailer). The main draw? Being able to play as Snake Eyes, Destro, and Cobra Commander, among others.
As reported by IGN, G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout is launching on October 13 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC. GameMill Entertainment has a less-than-inspiring track record, but the footage looks just good enough that I'm not going to immediately write off the game.
Split-screen co-op is a nice inclusion, though. I love to see it.
G.I. Joe: Operation Blackout Announced, Coming in October [IGN]
The Simpsons intro remade in Animal Crossing is just what I needed right now
Times are tough, but Animal Crossing: New Horizons has made everything a little easier.
Whether you played it in rapid succession and got burned out or continue to play to this day, it remains the bright-eyed gift that keeps on giving. The content creation community has made sure of that: even if your copy has since been uninstalled.
That growing list of classic clips includes this video from Great-Bit Arcade, which recreates the intro from The Simpsons in Animal Crossing form. They even have their own version of the couch gag at the end: priceless.
Although The Simpsons are pretty much always relevant, it's good timing too, as I'm making good headway through my full rewatch of the show. My wife and I just wrapped up season 11's "tappa tappa tappa" as we waded through the rough waters of "Alone Again, Natura-Diddily" and "Kill the Alligator and Run." It's getting choppy here, folks!
The Simpsons Intro - Made with Animal Crossing [YouTube via Nintendo Life]
Mario Kart Tour's Pirate Tour sees the return of King Bob-omb
Nintendo has launched the next leg of its mobile racer, Mario Kart Tour. In keeping with the game's complete abandonment of its initial "World Tour" concept, this latest event sees Mario, Peach, Toad and pals get back behind the wheel for the... erm... "Pirate Tour."
The Pirate Tour brings with it two new playable characters: Super Mario 64's King Bob-omb, and a pirate variant of Bowser Jr. - the latter of whom confirms his nautical credentials on account of his eyepatch. Also jamming up the gacha tubes over the next few weeks are a cool "Pirate Sushi Racer" kart and the Lightning Olipaper glider. Tour Gifts for this event include packs of rubies and the skeletal Dry Bones.
Inscryption is a new card-based game from the creator of Pony Island
Daniel Mullins Games is best known for creating Pony Island and The Hex, and if you've played either of those titles, you'll know they've got a real knack for making some interesting experiences. Their newest game, Inscryption, just released a trailer today, and it looks like they're finally going to stop playing coy with the satanic undertones for this latest outing.
According to the press release, Inscryption is "a narrative-focused, card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror ... " Personally, I've never actually played any standalone card games outside of Solitaire before, so I'm not one-hundred percent sure what to make of this one from a technical perspective. However, I'm absolutely on board for it based solely on the fact that it's a Daniel Mullins Games joint. Their work is all about experimental design and attempting to tell unique stories in interesting ways.
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! getting a Switch port in October
Oddworld Inhabitants continues in its ongoing efforts to port the Oddworld anthology to the Switch platform. Following on from re-releases such as Stranger's Wrath and Munch's Oddysee, the next release, published by Microids, will be Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty.
Originally released on PS4 in 2014, before being ported to numerous other platforms, New 'n' Tasty is, in essence, an enhanced remake of the original 1997 release Abe's Oddysee. The game stars everyone's favourite Mudokan, Abe, as he battles to free his brethren from the miserable capitalist prison that is Rupture Farms.
Dirt 5 release pushed back one week to October 16
Looks like Dirt fans will be left revving their engines a tad longer, as Codemasters has announced that its impressive looking off-road sequel, Dirt 5, has had its release pushed back by a week, and will now launch October 16 on PS4, PC, and Xbox One.
The sandbox rally racer will be bringing new courses, vehicles, modes, and events to the mix, with Codemasters dropping trailers left, right, and centre to spotlight some of these new features. A full career mode features the voice talent of Nolan North and Troy Baker, while online support will allow for multiplayer races and prized community events. Full customisation and a deep photo mode will allow drivers to show off their garage of road-rippers.
Finally, we can show you footage of a full Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 run
Warehouse. Two minutes.
Show me what you've got.
Someone recreated Mario Kart's Luigi Circuit in Zelda: Breath of the Wild
I have just about every Mario Kart track burned in my brain at this point, alongside of most of the map of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Naturally, it was only matter of time until someone combined the two.
Over on YouTube, a Breath of the Wild modder named Waikuteru managed to recreate Luigi Circuit (based on the Wii version of Mario Kart) as a full-on minigame. This isn't some half-hearted "well, here's the track" mod either, as you'll use the Master Cycle Zero to navigate it.
The track also has its own extensive intro cutscene complete with an NPC, as well as hazards to avoid like a classic Zelda minigame. The track itself is also highly detailed, with background objects as well as crowds filling the stands. It's also a multi-lap course that changes between go-arounds.
Waikuteru has released the map for their Patreon supporters already, with a plan for a full public release on August 18.
[Thanks John!]
Persona is invading Phantasy Star Online 2
As someone who got into the Persona series with the original game, it's wild to see the landscape completely dominated by Persona 3-5 and nothing else.
I mean, it makes sense! The re-releases of those titles were very popular and are available on more modern systems. But there is a world where Maki Sonomura and Eikichi Mishina are just as popular as say, Chie Satonaka. But that day hasn't come yet.
For now, you will bask in the glory of Persona 3-5 and you will like it. Sega thinks you'll like it too, as they've tapped their own Atlus-based property to headline a new event in Phantasy Star Online 2 called "Persona Paradox." In short, like a lot of the other events before it, it's cosmetic in nature. You'll earn outfits, music and "more extras" (like emotes or dances) across the three games through AC Scratch Tickets: which you can view in the video below.
It's pretty comprehensive with a ton of characters joining the fray, as well as Jack Frost himself and Morgana. The event is live today and will run through September 9 at 2AM ET. You can find the full list of cosmetics here.
Persona Paradox [Phantasy Star Online 2]
Control Ultimate Edition coming to PC August 27, consoles September 10
Publisher 505 Games has announced Control Ultimate Edition, a GOTY-style all-in-one package for Remedy's 2019 reality-bending action-adventure. The "Ultimate Edition" will launch on PC via Steam August 27, and on PS4, Xbox One, and PC via Epic Games Store on September 10.
Control Ultimate Edition will contain the base game, along with its first DLC expansion The Foundation, (which launched back in March), and upcoming second expansion AWE, also launching on all platforms August 27. Control Ultimate Edition will receive a physical release on PS4 and Xbox One, as well as a digital release on PS5 and Xbox Series X, later in 2020.
Players who purchase Control Ultimate Edition on current-gen consoles will also be eligible for a free upgrade to the respective next-gen platform. It appears, at this time, that the upgrade will not be extended to owners of the original release of Control, even if they have purchased the season pass.
MVSX Home Arcade coming this fall, packed with 50 SNK classics
UNICO, in association with SNK, has revealed the MVSX Home Arcade, a tabletop arcade unit that recalls SNK's glory days in the 1990s coin-op scene. Stylised like a classic MVS cabinet, the MVSX Home Arcade comes pre-loaded with 50 classic SNK/Neo-Geo titles.
The MVSX Home Arcade stands 25 inches high and 15.4 inches wide and features two-player controls, stereo speakers, and a 17-inch LCD screen - running in classic 4:3 format and at a resolution of 1280 x 1024. Pre-loaded with the staples of the SNK catalogue, the MVSX includes multiple titles from the King of Fighters, Fatal Fury, Art of Fighting, Samurai Shodown, Last Blade, Sengoku, World Heroes, and Metal Slug franchises, along with several sporting classics. All of the included games can be played in MVS or AES mode, and screen filters can be applied for that traditional arcade scanlines effect.
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster will feature Dante from the Devil May Cry series
The crossover that spawned one of gaming's most enduring memes is back. In a trailer released late Tuesday night, Atlus confirmed Dante from Devil May Cry is coming to Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster as downloadable content.
Dante was originally added to the second version of Nocturne, which ended up being the version released overseas. A third edition of Nocturne was released in Japan that swapped Dante out for Raidou from the latter two Devil Summoner titles. When Atlus announced the remaster last month, only Raidou appeared in the trailer, leaving Dante's inclusion up in the air. Nice to see we have a definitive answer on whether or not Capcom's cocky demon killer would be back.
Contest: Win Maneater on PC to celebrate the terrifying event that is Shark Week
In today's contest you can win a PC copy of Maneater!
It's Shark Week! I actually kind of hate Shark Week, because it's terrifying. Sharks are terrifying. The ocean is, in fact, fucking terrifying. I had a nightmare the other night where I was in a plane that flew directly into the ocean, and I could see all the aquatic life out the window. Huge whales, fish, squids, sharks -- it was all there, and it was all just too much.
Despite all of that, I actually played Maneater last week, and I love it! You're gonna love it, too. I'm so confident that I'll personally guarantee that you're wrong if you don't! Talk about confidence. Win a PC copy so you can be right, like me.
Atomic Heart is shaping up nicely for PS5 and Xbox Series X
Atomic Heart looks like more of a tangible game than ever in this "next-gen gameplay" trailer.
The seven-minute slice of footage shows the protagonist exploring and smashing his way through a futuristic complex that's seen better days. Weird creatures, weird androids, and a weird mini-boss named Plyush – yep, this is Atomic Heart. It hasn't lost that sense of intrigue from the early teasers.
At a certain point in the video – definitely by the time the boss materializes – you'll wonder why the music sounds so good. It's none other than Mick Gordon (Wolfenstein, Doom, countless others).
Beyond the PC, PS4, and Xbox One versions, Mundfish is also committing to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. For a long time, Atomic Heart relied on its visuals and theme, which were strong enough to captivate players and get their imaginations going but not necessarily enough to anchor a full game.
Interested as is? Need more convincing? Either way, there's no release date yet.
Forza Horizon 3 is racing toward a delisting
Forza Horizon 3 is not long for this world. We're quickly approaching the four-year anniversary since it launched, and that's probably when it'll run out of gas -- at least for new buyers.
Microsoft is delisting Forza Horizon 3 sometime in the near future, probably around or on September 27. It's formally called "End of Life," indicating that no one will be able to buy Forza Horizon 3 or any of its DLC. However, multiplayer and online services will still be accessible, meaning that Microsoft isn't pulling the plug on the servers.
Dead Cells has a new level with mimics in the Barrels o' Fun update
Can you believe we're on the 20th update for Dead Cells? The pace isn't slowing down!
The Barrels o' Fun update has a new late-game zone, The Derelict Distillery, which you'll be able to encounter the next time you want to skip the High Peak Castle. It's full of explosive barrels – some thrown your way, some shot out of a bazooka, and some with... legs? Better watch out for mimics.
For better or worse, the distillery seems like a trap-filled platforming-focused playground.
Other additions include a Tesla Coil turret (my dream come true), an alternate original soundtrack with "demake/8-bit/chiptune" renditions (that you can swap to in the Sound menu), and more rats.
Barrels o' Fun is live today on Steam and it's coming this summer to PS4, Xbox One, and Switch.
Sam Fisher's latest detour is a trip to Rainbow Six Siege
There are seemingly still a lot more games Ubisoft can cram Sam Fisher in before he's allowed to take the lead role in an honest-to-goodness Splinter Cell adventure. The latest diversion? Rainbow Six Siege.
Hey, at least it's a game people genuinely care about and feel invested in this time. That's a step up.
Sam Fisher is joining the Rainbow Six Siege roster as Zero with the Operation Shadow Legacy update, which we'll learn more about during a Twitch stream on Sunday, August 16 at 11:00 a.m. Pacific.
Real talk: I don't have confidence that Ubisoft could pull off a modern Splinter Cell that would meet its financial aspirations and fans' rightfully particular gameplay expectations. I just can't picture it.
Cool gun, though.
Is the new Aliens game an MMO?
There's a good chance that headline is an emotional rollercoaster for a lot of you. Most probably don't remember that there's a new Aliens game in development, and fewer yet will have any idea what kind of game it is.
Those of you with steel-trap memories will recall that Cold Iron Studios announced in early 2018 that it's working on an Aliens title for PC and consoles. It's a shooter, it's Aliens, and that's all we know about it.
Today, Daybreak Games revealed that it has acquired Cold Iron Studios, essentially saving this Aliens project from the brink of death. As GamesBeat outlines Cold Iron has had a tumultuous few years. It was owner by Kabam, and then sold to FoxNext Games in 2018. Disney's acquisition of Fox in 2019 led to FoxNext being sold to Scopely. However, Scopely publishes mobile games and didn't want Cold Iron in its portfolio. So, Daybreak finally bought the studio.
This Aliens game might not have been a good fit for a mobile publisher's portfolio, but is it a perfect fit for Daybreak's? Cold Iron has City of Heroes, Star Trek Online, and Neverwinter to its name, all MMOs. Daybreak has developed and published the likes of PlanetSide 2, DC Universe Online, H1Z1, Lord of the Rings Online, and EverQuest -- all of which are MMOs or strictly-online games.
Those stars all align in a way that really makes it seem like we're getting an Aliens MMO on PC and consoles. It should also be noted that while the original reveal was framed as "a shooter in the cinematic universe of the Alien franchise," Cold Iron has since called it an Aliens game. That extra S fits into the offensive-heavy shooter theme, as Aliens is more action while Alien is more suspense/horror.
There's still a lot to clear up about this one. Hopefully a new publisher means Cold Iron gets the stability it needs, and we aren't left waiting three years before the next update. I just want to torch a nest right in front of the Queen. Is that so much to ask?
Daybreak Games Acquires Cold Iron Studios [Business Wire]
Fall Guys gets a new level where guys fall
Fall Guys is always literal in its name. Sometimes the unrelenting chaos means that most players are gently bumped to the ground. No worries though -- you can't skin your knees if you never had any in the first place.
Other times, the fall is much more severe. The Fall Guys will go plummeting into the abyss never to be seen again. Actually, they make one more appearance. They get unceremoniously booted off the end-of-round gameshow stage. One last fall.
In Fall Guys' upcoming update, an abyss-plummeter gets added to the mix. Jump Showdown, which was available in the beta, is the newest permanent fixture to the Fall Guys lineup. It's a simple obstacle course made up of counter-twirling beams and falling platforms. This tweet provides a good visual aid:
When I first jumped into the Early Access phase of Risk of Rain 2, I enjoyed my time but naturally wanted more. I haven't revisited it since, and have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of content the game has in its 1.0 release.
A roguelike is nothing without content, and I can't wait to see where Hopoo Games takes this game moving forward, because what they've created with the jump from 2D to 3D has been great.
The Last of Us Part II has trophies for Grounded and Permadeath
[Update: Apart from Grounded and Permadeath, The Last of Us Part II is adding gameplay modifiers like infinite crafting, slow-mo, a one-hit-kill "touch of death," and a "mirror world," as well as wild-looking graphics modes. A motion aiming option and a toggle to turn off Listen Mode are also included.
You don't need to beat the game to start a Grounded run, and if you hate the idea of losing an entire playthrough on Permadeath but you like high stakes, you can use per-chapter or per-act checkpoints.
The Grounded update is going live on August 13, 2020. You can check out the patch notes here.]
The Last of Us Part II will feel like a different game on Grounded difficulty. If you're up for the challenge – and you're ready to play through this draining experience again – the option will be here soon.
As spotted by PowerPyx, Naughty Dog just updated the trophies for The Last of Us Part II and there's now a separate category (that won't mess with the platinum trophy) called Grounded Mode.
There are two new trophies:
- Dig Two Graves: Complete the story on Grounded
- You Can't Stop This: Complete the story with any Permadeath setting
There are few games I'd want to permanently die in less than The Last of Us Part II, but Grounded is different. In the original game, the mode cranked up the difficulty in several ways including harsher checkpoints, less health and ammo, no more all-powerful Listen Mode, and super perceptive AI.
Naughty Dog did a stellar job with its meticulous gameplay and accessibility features, so it's nice to see the studio expand them even further for hardcore players. Keep an eye out for patch 1.05.
At this point, I'm more interested in multiplayer (even though it'll also be stressful af).
@PowerPyx [Twitter]
