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]
Halo Infinite delayed into next year, Xbox Series X launch not affected
The Xbox Series X was going to be the first Xbox console in four generations to launch alongside a new Halo game. That's substantial because Halo is Xbox's flagship franchise. Hand-in-hand, they can do a lot to help each other.
That's no longer the case. Developer 343 Industries has made the decision to delay Halo Infinite into 2021. No new release window was given apart from it coming next year.
In its message, 343 attributed the delay to COVID-19 workflow issues as the whole studio is working remotely. 343 head Chris Lee goes so far as to say the developer is actively avoiding crunch, stating "It is not sustainable for the well-being of our team or the overall success of the game to ship [Halo Infinite] this holiday."
New Apex Legends 'Stories from the Outlands' video builds Rampart's back story
We are just one week away from the launch of Apex Legends Season 6, and just the other day we got our first look at the new playable character, Rampart. While that was a look at the near future with her fighting in the Apex Games, a new video released today displays her recent past, showing the events leading up to her entry into the battle royale.
It looks like she has been friendly with Bangalore and Gibraltar for a while, but only after a visit from some cyberpunk assailants does she get the invitation from Blisk. (I'm told he's important in this universe. I don't know. I never played Titanfall. Forgive me.) During the fight, Rampart shows off some of the same abilities as in the last trailer, including a deployable barrier that can be fired through in one direction, and a mounted machine gun. We can probably expect those to be her unique abilities in game.
This is not the first "Stories from the Outlands" trailer for Apex Legends. These vignettes provide a little more context to the carnage, as when Revenant was surprise-introduced before Season 4. If we can go by past season launches, we can expect two more videos to show up before Season 6 begins: The next will likely be a gameplay trailer showing off the new weapon and Battle Pass, and then the last will be a character trailer to really detail Rampart's abilities. I think I've nailed down what her tactical and ultimate will be (the barrier and the machine gun, respectively), but I'm still pretty clueless about her passive. We'll probably find out just before Season 6 launches on August 18.
Remothered: Broken Porcelain introduces the residents of Ashmann Inn
We all like a good night's sleep, especially when away from home, but I'm not sure any of the guests at Ashmann Inn - the setting of Stormind Games' Remothered: Broken Porcelain - will be getting their full eight hours. In fact, it looks like this particular B&B will set you up for the longest night of your life.
Publisher Modus Games dropped a new trailer for the stealth-horror sequel, looking at plight of our young protagonist, Jen, as she picks her way through the creepy and decrepit corridors of Ashmann Inn. There, she will learn its miserable legacy and encounter the vengeful souls that rest within its walls. Though Jen is not alone in this house of horrors, who among her fellow guests can she truly trust?
Ninjala's giant 2.0 update enhances matchmaking, gameplay polish and aesthetics
This week's massive new Ninjala patch addresses pretty much every facet of the game, and it needed it.
Although I've dabbled in Ninjala on Switch every so often, the launch was pretty rough at times, so any updates are like a siren's call; beckoning me back. "Version 2.0" has come nearly two months after the game debuted on Switch, and according to Gungho, there are three tenets it addresses: "Offer an ideal matching environment - Improving player experience through UI/UX - Further polish game balance."
The former is thankfully a "go big or go home" approach, as the studio has opened up worldwide matchmaking "due to player feedback." So queue times should go down significantly and you can play with friends in other regions. Gungho warns us of potential lag, however.
In terms of raw mechanics, several weapons have been adjusted (mostly buffed so items feel more impactful). The UI has also been improved, which extends to an on-screen parry guide for more transparency when fighting. On a macro level, main menus have been smoothed over and now offer more information at a glance. That's enough for me to try it again! You can find the highlights below.
Version 2.0 [Ninjala]
Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time to receive a neat collector's edition
That purveyor of physical media, Limited Run Games, has announced a slick Collector's Edition for Adult Swim Games' upcoming adventure Samurai Jack: Battle Through Time, which launches on PC and consoles later this month.
The Collector's Edition will include a boxed copy of the game on either PS4 or Nintendo Switch, a soundtrack CD, a selection of art cards, a double-sided poster, and a letter opener styled after Jack's trusty katana. The centrepiece of the set is a seven-inch staute of the man himself, leaping out of a time portal and ready to do battle. The Collector's Edition will be available to pre-order from the Limited Run Games website from August 14, priced at around $130 USD.
Destiny 2's Solstice of Heroes event starts today
Destiny 2 is turning three years old next month, but before that happens, developer Bungie is kicking off the Solstice of Heroes event. It runs from today through September 8, and features the typical array of event cosmetics you've come to expect since this franchise was first born.
This year you'll take to the European Aerial Zone and take down bosses for loot: which is mainly armor-based. Just like in the past you'll get a free rare armor set to start with, and you'll "plus it up" over time, eventually ranking it up to the level of Magnificent (above legendary status). Once you do all that, you'll need to do some classic busywork to give it the finishing touches:
- Complete a Nightfall Ordeal on the Master difficulty.
- Complete a Nightmare Hunt.
- Complete Pit of Heresy.
- Win seven Trials of Osiris matches. (Not on a single Passage)
- Complete a Tier 5 Altar of Sorrow three times.
After all that, your armor will get a white glow and you'll be able to show off your dedication in-game. It also "allows you" to buy cosmetic light tints (which match your subclass color) for silver (real money) or bright dust (in-game currency). You can check out the general gist of the event below, which features a chill little synth tune. It's the kind of vibe I wish we got more of in the Destiny franchise, which often takes itself far too seriously.
(Update) Ask us anything on the Destructoid forums
[Update: The sixth of our popular Destructoid AMA sessions is now live! So be sure to stop by our official forums and you can Ask Your Anything to Destructoid's Managing Editor, Rocket League player, and Xbox achievement hoarder Brett Makedonski. Have Fun!]
Yup! You heard that right. Starting this month, we'll be hosting a series of AMA ("Ask Me Anything") sessions with members of Destructoid and our sister sites on the new and improved Destructoid forums.
If you've never been to one of these, the way it typically works is that the host commits to an hour to thoughtfully answer questions as they are submitted in semi-real time. You can come on the event day to participate, or enjoy the responses any time after. It's a great way to connect with the people that run this joint.
Here's the full schedule so far:
Because every company needs an event in 2020, 3D Realms is hosting 'Realms Deep' next month
The summer of constant announcements has just about ended, but the "every day is E3 now" fall has yet to begin.
For the most part the big dogs are finished, with the "E3 streams" at a close. But others are stepping in to fill the space around Gamescom, like 3D Realms: which just announced their new "Realms Deep 2020" digital events.
Guests include John Romero, Jon St. John and Cliffy B, as well as a Child's Play charity drive, "world premieres" for games from 3D Realms and 1C Entertainment and appearances from studios like New Blood, NightDive and Running with Scissors. "40 games" will be a part of the event in some capacity.
The event will begin on Saturday, September 5 at 11AM PT on the 3D Realms Twitch channel. As an old school shooter fan at heart, some of these modern reduxes miss the mark: relying too much on nostalgia. But there's some good studios mixed in with this event, so something good will probably come of it.
MGM Studios shoots down GoldenEye 007 fan remake
In something of an inevitability, James Bond licence holders Danjaq and MGM Studios have put the brakes on a fan remake of Nintendo 64 classic GoldenEye 007, several years into the project's development.
GoldenEye 25, which was conceived by artist and coder Ben Colclough, was intended to be a full recreation of the iconic 1997 shooter's single-player campaign, re-imagined entirely within Unreal Engine 4. Over the past two years, the developer has posted numerous screenshots and videos to social media, showcasing famous maps such as Facility and Silo, and beloved weapons such as the Klobb sub-machine gun and those pesky remote mines.
The initial plan was to have the remake ready to distribute, free-of-charge, in time for GoldenEye 007's 25th anniversary in 2022. But after MGM "kindly asked" the developer to cease-and-desist, it seems that Pierce Brosnan's James Bond comeback has been shelved indefinitely.
According to recent online reports, Square Enix's upcoming comic book adventure Marvel's Avengers will feature timed exclusive content tied to customers of specific internet media providers such as Verizon, Virgin Media, and Intel.
The content was first spotted by Redditor Smoove4254, before finding its way to Twitter via Avengers news-hound @PlayAvenger. The leaks suggest that Marvel's Avengers will be offering exclusive skins, gear, emotes, nameplates and other cosmetic items to users of the aforementioned network providers. Further reports reveal that chewing gum company 5Gum will also be offering its customers in-game items - for example an emote for Ms. Marvel that sees her... chewing gum, obviously.
The Zelda-like Oceanhorn 2 is coming to Switch
We've reached the point where studios taking inspiration from Zelda: Breath of the Wild has become commonplace.
While the original Oceanhorn elicited some gasps from the audience for its adherence to Wind Waker's aesthetics, the sequel took more direction from recent Zelda games. The odd thing was: the latter title was not available on a Nintendo platform, given the Apple Arcade exclusivity deal. It looks like things have changed.
We're nearly a year away from the September 9, 2019 Apple Arcade launch, and it seems like Apple's exclusivity is up. Announced by way of studio's official YouTube account, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm is coming to Switch, and you can catch some direct gameplay below.
According to developer Cornfox & Bros, Oceanhorn 2: Knights of the Lost Realm will arrive on Switch in "fall 2020."
Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines 2 delayed to 2021
The Creatures of the Night are going to be able to enjoy a little more slumber, it seems, as Paradox Interactive has announced that it will be delaying the release of its epic RPG sequel Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 until sometime in 2021.
"Our goal has always been to deliver the best game possible, to immerse you into a Seattle re-imagined in the World of Darkness, and deliver a worthy successor to the original Bloodlines game," said Paradox in a statement on Twitter. "Due to the quality bar and ambitions we have set for ourselves, we have made the difficult decision that we need more time. This means that our goal to release in 2020 is no longer possible. Moving launch is one of the changes we are making to ensure the best player experience possible".
I'm hopeful Cyberpunk 2077 won't just be a good game, but a damn good role-playing experience
Nomad, Street Kid, or Corpo? What's your Lifepath in Cyberpunk 2077?
Night City was more or less built for the corporations, so having both a strong connection and background with them should be extremely helpful during my time in Cyberpunk 2077. However, the idea of being new to Night City as a Nomad (mirroring the user experience in a way) also sounds cool.
Starting in the Badlands (and possibly even having friendly connections out there) might just push me over the edge into picking that as my Lifepath. Ultimately, though, stepping into a role (and the mechanics that go along with that) is what I'm most excited for in Cyberpunk 2077.
But will it actually deliver as a role-playing experience? We'll just have to wait and see, but if the latest episode of the Night City Wire is anything to go by – and I think it is – there's reasons to be excited.
So, sit back and enjoy the sights and sounds of Justin and myself recapping the latest stream.
Xbox streaming via Game Pass is actually available tomorrow
Xbox Game Pass and Project xCloud are formally merging on September 15. That's when Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers get access to Xbox's game streaming platform, available on Android devices.
"Formally" is the operative word because, as it turns out, it's actually happening tomorrow. In a statement to The Verge, Microsoft reveals that it's launching a new Xbox Game Pass beta app on August 11. It's more or less an open beta too. Anyone who subscribes to Game Pass Ultimate and downloads the app from the Google Play Store will be able to access it. There's no need to mess around with registration.
The only real caveat is that the beta won't have the full Xbox Game Pass streaming library. That's expected to top 100 titles, but the beta is limited to 30ish games. However, Project xCloud is around until September 11, and it'll seemingly keep its current lineup of games. For now, Xbox's streaming library is split between the two apps -- a little awkward but understandable -- but it'll eventually all merge together on September 15. It also appears as though Microsoft intends to drop the xCloud designation for game streaming.
Anyway, no need to wait for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate streaming as it'll be here (albeit in limited capacity) come the morning. It's only on Android though. If you're an iOS user, you probably shouldn't hold your breath waiting for Xbox streaming to come to your iPhone.
Microsoft opens xCloud game streaming beta early tomorrow [The Verge]
A Suicide Squad game may sound iffy but Podtoid has faith in Rocksteady Studios
Years of rumors about what Rocksteady was working on came to an end last week with the reveal it was working on a Suicide Squad title. With the David Ayer film tainting the property for many people who'd never heard of it before, can Rocksteady be the studio to repair their image? If the Arkham series is any indication, yes they are.
That's just one of the topics covered on this episode of Podtoid. Occams, Charlotte, Dan, Chris, and CJ are on hand to talk Rocksteady, Fall Guys, how it's too damn hot, Lego NES, Street Fighter V, and more. All that, plus you need to stop feeding your friends to bears, on Podtoid Episode 454.
AT&T seemingly decides against selling off Warner Bros Interactive
Microsoft can't buy what's not for sale. Last month, rumors circulated that Microsoft was interested in buying Warner Bros' gaming division for a possible price tag of $4 billion. WarnerMedia's parent company AT&T had racked up a ton of debt and was looking to liquidate some assets. Besides Microsoft, other suitors like EA, Activision, and Take-Two Interactive were all said to be interested in acquiring Warner Bros Interactive.
It seems like WBIE is staying put for now. In an email to staff (that was made available to media and anyone with an internet connection), WarnerMedia CEO Jason Kilar announced an organizational restructuring and layoffs. Among the dense message that touches all corners of Warner's business, Kilar said "Warner Bros Interactive remains part of the Studios and Networks group."
Video games are going to remain one of Warner's focuses for the near future, and subsidiaries like Rocksteady (who will unveil its Suicide Squad game in less than two weeks), Traveller's Tales, Avalanche Software, NetherRealm, Monolith, and WB Montreal will stay under the same umbrella. However, if AT&T can't pay down some of that debt, it could very well revisit selling off its gaming division either in chunks or as one big collection of established studios.
WarnerMedia Organization Update [WarnerMedia Group]
Bring your anti-freeze for Dirt 5's Ice Breaker events
Codemasters has released a new video spotlighting a brand new event coming to upcoming racer Dirt 5. Following on from previous the videos for the Path Finder mode and the bumpy Stampede course, it's time to cool things off a little with the "Ice Breaker" challenge.
Ice Breaker will dredge Dirt 5 drivers out of the mud and deposit them on a series of slippy-slidey new courses located arounds the globe. Described by Codemasters as "minimum grip, maximum fun," Ice Breaker will task players with a series of tricky tracks, where every high-speed turn could send you careering off-course and into crowds of innocent spectators... Well, perhaps not, but you'll at least lose your place.
Hunter x Hunter's Meruem is coming to ant-agonise Jump Force
Bandai Namco continues to add a variety of anime all-stars to its crossover fighting title Jump Force. The publisher has released screenshots (as seen on Gematsu) featuring another roster addition, Hunter x Hunter's Meruem, who will be joining the roster sometime this fall.
Meruem, son of the Chimera Ant Queen, was the main villain of Hunter x Hunter's "Chimera Ant" story arc. Initially callous beyond comprehension, Meruem dominated his fellow ant hive by destroying, even devouring, anyone who challenged his authority, strength, or ego. Meruem ultimately goes through a moment of clarity when he realises the spirit of humans, demonstrated by the will and integrity of a Gungi player named Komugi.
The Call of Duty crates just housed another teaser
I woke up this morning thinking "Add a Call of Duty reveal to the docket today," just one more thing to cover among an already-busy schedule. Last week, Activision sent mystery crates to Call of Duty media, surely leading to a creative and synchronized worldwide reveal.
Not quite. Now that the crates are open, we know their contents: An old-ass projector and 10 slides.
Bite the Bullet gets post-launch synthwave mode and full scale arcade cabinet
I've worked with Mega Cat Studios a bunch in the past, because they do really awesome stuff. I also try to go out of my way to write about anything featuring neon-soaked visuals and synthwave sounds. So, I'm kind of obligated to mention that Mega Cat's upcoming Bite the Bullet is getting a synthwave mode, and I'm all giddy about it.
Sony is 'bringing back' some alternate DualShock 4 colors
This month, a selection of alternate DualShock 4 colors will "return" at participating retailers. Sony is also "bringing back some of the more recent stylish designs" on its direct-to-consumer store.
The list includes Steel Black, Rose Gold, Red Camouflage, and the eye-popping Berry Blue
In light of the recent confirmation that DualShock 4 controllers will work with PS4 games on PS5 but not PS5 games – to say nothing of the $65 price – this will be a tough sell for many of us. But I can imagine a situation where someone might need a controller in a pinch for one reason or another.
The DualShock 4 colors in the gallery are available right now directly from PlayStation, but if you're leaning toward another retailer, the restock will be more gradual. Amazon has different dates for pretty much every style. For example, Berry Blue is in, but Steel Black isn't returning until August 18.
I have a soft spot for the Magma Red design. It reminds me of the late '90s.
Select DualShock 4 colors return this month [PlayStation Blog]
