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]
Nintendo dominate UK Charts as Animal Crossing: New Horizons returns to No.1
Nintendo's super-successful life sim Animal Crossing: New Horizons has returned to the top spot of the UK Charts, over Sony Interactive Entertainment's samurai epic Ghost of Tsushima, which was just one week away from spending its debut month in the premier position.
The spike in Animal Crossing: New Horizons sales was part of a very successful sales week for Nintendo, which saw half of the Top Ten taken up by Switch releases. Following Isabelle and pals in the upper echelon are Mario Kart 8 Deluxe at number three, Minecraft at number five, Paper Mario: The Origami King at number seven, with Ring Fit Adventure and 51 Worldwide Games rounding out the Top Ten and nine and ten respectively.
Elsewhere in the charts, the only new entry this week was Codemasters' Fast & Furious: Crossroads, which failed to make an impact, debuting at number 17. Of note, Sony Interactive's The Last of Us Part II left the Top Ten for the first time since launch, now sitting just outside at number 11.
Got five minutes? Watch us put together the LEGO NES set
When Nintendo and LEGO announced they were collaborating on a new product line featuring the Super Mario franchise, I wasn't exactly stoked for what they were going for. It's certainly innovative and reeks of Nintendo's desire to differentiate itself from the pack, but as a collector in my mid-30s, it didn't mesh with how LEGO sets fit into my life as something I build over the course of the day and then admire from time to time afterward.
The LEGO Nintendo Entertainment System is much more up my alley. Designed for collectors like me, this set is a behemoth with lots of tiny pieces and plenty of moving parts. It's a lot of work building it one sitting, and to give you an idea of how labor-intensive it can be, I recorded the entire process and condensed it down into a five-minute video for your viewing pleasure.
This is how Cyberpunk 2077's three Lifepath roles work
The Cyberpunk 2077 experience changes drastically based on a decision made at the very start of the game. You'll be asked to choose a Lifepath which is essentially an origin story. During this morning's Night City Wire stream, CD Projekt Red explained how Lifepaths work.
The three different Lifepath roles are Nomad, Street Kid, and Corporate. Cyberpunk 2077 will start differently and have unique early missions depending on your choice. For instance, a Corporate Lifepath starts in a futuristic Wall Street-like environment as you work for the Arasaka Corporation. Or, picking the Nomad Lifepath has you in the Mad Max-like wastelands surrounding Night City called The Badlands.
The effect of Lifepaths stretch far beyond those initial hours, though. They'll open up different gameplay options throughout the entirety of Cyberpunk 2077. The most obvious example is in expanded dialogue options based on your character's expertise. A Corporate background has business savvy that gives you negotiating leverage in certain circumstances. Street Kids, who have been raised on the streets of Night City, can earn the respect of people who also have street smarts.
Nomads are a close-knit group who value family above anything else. CD Projekt Red pointed out that The Badlands is a giant area that can be visited by anyone at any time. However, it's very dangerous as years of lawlessness has turned it into an extremely hostile place. However, as Nomads set up shop in The Badlands, maybe it won't be quite as dangerous for Nomads who know they have some friendly faces outside Night City.
Cyberpunk 2077 doesn't release for three more months, so there's plenty of time to think about Lifepaths and future-defining decisions. I'm thinking about going Corporate, but StreetKid has a dark horse allure to it.
Ghibli meets Zelda: Breath of the Wild once again in this stunning poster
We're no strangers to hunting down Zelda x Ghibli art here at Destructoid. This homage to My Neighbor Totoro from artist Wahoo is fantastic, as is this Lupin-esque take on Princess Zelda and Link from Salvamakoto.
But seeing as there's no shortage of Studio Ghibli and Zelda fans, there's plenty of more where that came from. Recently, artist "BigSkyCastle" Jo shared a poster for a potential Zelda movie in the style of Ghibli. The scene is set at Link and Zelda meet on Hyrule Field, with the shadow of Hyrule Castle (and presumably Ganon's spirit) looming behind them.
After the art blew up, Jo mused: "if I knew people were gonna give it this much attention I would've worked on it a little longer; [people] keep bullying me for making Link [too] lanky." Nah, it's great! If you're interested, you can find a print of it here.
BigSkyCastle [Twitter]
Persona 4 Golden's success encourages Sega to pursue further PC re-releases
Sega has stated that it is "proactively pursuing" plans to port more "previously released" titles to the PC platform, following the success of Persona 4 Golden, which launched on Steam in June and racked up over half a million sales in scant weeks.
Speaking in a quarterly financial investors' call, Sega Sammy CEO Haruki Satomi and CFO Kouichi Fukazawa stated that the publisher was not only looking into re-releasing other titles to the Steam platform, but that it was also investigating the possibility of launching future releases on PC alongside their console brethren. As translated by DualShockers, the phrasing of the statement suggests that Sega may be referring to multiple game franchises, not just Persona.
Sega seem to be the only people surprised by the success of Persona 4 Golden's PC port. Fans have been crying out for titles such as Persona 4 Golden, Persona 3 FES, and Persona 5 Royal to receive PC ports for years. Now that Sega has seen a favourable bottom line, it's hopefully only a matter of time before these long-requested classics find themselves ported to Steam, to be enjoyed by new communities of players.
The PC port of Persona 4 Golden features high-definition visuals, English and Japanese voicetracks and support for achievements and Steam Trading Cards. It is available to purchase on Steam right now. You can read Chris Carter's thoughts on the port right here.
Persona 4 Golden's PC success leads to planned port releases [DualShockers]
Amazon rebrands Twitch Prime as 'Prime Gaming,' will not require a Twitch account to access
Amazon has confirmed to Destructoid that the company is completely re-branding "Twitch Prime," to the point where it is no longer Twitch: only Prime.
Yes, the "free loot and games (plus a subscription per month)" service is being re-tooled for the first time since its 2016 debut, and not a whole lot has changed. Prime Gaming, the new moniker, is live today and will still provide "free and exclusive content" for games: it's accessible from the same Prime subscription. It is now part of the "Prime" family: a list that includes Prime Video, Amazon Music and Prime Reading.
An Amazon rep states that the service is "still going to let you keep your games forever," and it will still allow you to subscribe to one Twitch channel per month for free. Going forward, Prime Gaming plans on doubling down on loot for Apex Legends, League of Legends, GTA Online, Doom Eternal, FIFA 20, Destiny 2 and TeamFight Tactics. HyperScape and Roblox are also teased as future partners.
Amazon reminded us that since Twitch Prime launched in 2016, it has become "one of Amazon's fastest growing Prime benefits," and "over $6,000 in-game content and free games" have been given away in 2020 alone. While lots of the loot and cosmetics have been redeemable on consoles, Amazon re-confirmed that the program is "still focused on PC," in terms of free games.
Digging deeper into this I wanted to fully understand what the change actually entails, and Amazon gave me a straightforward answer: "Not a lot will be changing for old members. For new members it will be easier to access everything. The main thing going forward that will change is the amount of content that we offer through the program."
You can find the new service at gaming.amazon.com later today: you will not need to be tethered to a Twitch account going forward. Amazon says you "may need to re-link your accounts," but "if you claimed content for a game before, you will not need to do anything else." Your stuff will be preserved.
EA Access is coming to Steam very soon after years of Origin launcher exclusivity on PC
In case you forgot, EA has been going hard on bringing their products to Steam as of late, and it looks like EA Access is coming very soon.
Although the EA Access program was announced late last year, it seems like there were some kinks to work out, as the full rollout of the service was delayed. Today, EA has a new landing page directly on Steam, noting that EA Access will be "coming soon to Steam," bringing its typical member-only deals, early access periods and instant game access (from the vault).
The vault is pretty extensive at this point, and includes a number of high profile games like Sims 4, Star Wars Battlefront II, Titanfall 2 and A Way Out: as well as DLC for select titles. Previously, EA Access was offered on Xbox One in 2014, as well as Origin in 2016 (titled "Origin Access") and eventually PS4 in 2019. The current prices for the latter are $4.99 a month for the "basic" service (basic vault, less content, 10-hour trial for early access games) and $14.99 a month for premiere (extra DLC, a bigger vault, unlimited early access). It is not known which tiers will be available on Steam just yet.
Will this sway the masses to join EA's subscription service on top of the billion other subscription services you already own? Probably not. But for folks who are interested and only game on Steam, it's an option now. Note that for some games you do need Origin still. Look for this warning on the Steam listing: "Incorporates 3rd-party DRM: EA on-line activation and Origin client software installation and background use required."
EA Access [Steam]
Exclusive: Here's a look at some new Amonkhet Remastered cards coming to Magic: Arena
Standard rotation is nearly here for Magic: The Gathering Arena, but before that happens, it's spoiler season for Amonkhet Remastered!
In short, Wizards of the Coast is literally remastering 2017's Amonkhet and Hour of Devastation sets for Magic: Arena, with 340 cards that are centered around limited (draft/sealed), historic and (eventually) pioneer. But before the actual set arrives on August 13, Wizards confirmed a few cards that will be reprinted along with the new remastered set.
Here's a look at two of them, with new Destructoid-exclusive art.
Fall Guys has already sold over two million copies on PC
Devolver Digital has released a small list of fun figures pertaining to its madcap battle royale extravaganza Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout, which launched last week on PS4 and PC.
In just seven days, over two million copies of the online multiplayer title have been sold on the Steam platform, (the game is free-to-play on PS4 for PlayStation Plus subscribers). Over the week, a staggering 60 million Fall Guys have fallen while on their never-say-die quest to grab one of the 1.5 million crowns captured thus far. Also a smash hit on social media, Fall Guys has clocked up over 23 million collective hours of viewing time on streaming services. You're all sadists.
"It has been overwhelming and humbling to watch the launch and reception of Fall Guys. We're incredibly grateful to all of our players for their support and have big plans for the game in the future," said Mediatonic Co-Founder Paul Croft in a press release. "We're thrilled by the response and can't quite believe how beloved our little jelly beans have already become."
The website for Crash 4 may have leaked a Switch port
Look, we kinda all knew that Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time would hit the Switch and PC platforms eventually after its debut on PS4 and Xbox One. But this find from Twitter user SunwerPrower pretty much confirms it.
Digging around in the source code on the game's website, SunwerPrower found a mention of "Switch" near the game's pre-order section. Right now there are only drop-down menu options for PS4 and Xbox One, but Switch could be added once the announcement is made. Activision has had similar leakage with other websites for other mascot-based games.
As a reminder, the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy was locked up as a timed PS4 exclusive, then launched on PC, Switch and Xbox One a year later. While Sony doesn't seem to have the same exclusivity deal this time, we can expect to see Crash 4 hit other platforms at some point.
SunwerPrower [Twitter]
Rumor: Xbox Series S leaked via Xbox Series X controller packaging
While the gaming community is still waiting to hear both a release date and a price for Microsoft's next-gen platform, Xbox Series X, it seems that the rumoured "alternate edition" of the new console is definitely in the works - at least according to images that circulated online this past weekend.
On Sunday, The Verge printed images of a new Xbox controller, reportedly purchased by Twitter user Zak S from C2C marketplace OfferUp. The packaging for the "Robot White" wireless controller states that the pad is compatible with Xbox One, Windows 10, iOS, Android and, most tellingly "Xbox Series X/S." This latter statement represents the first official acknowledgement of an alternate Xbox next-gen console.
The wildest part of this story is the idea that someone has already purchased an Xbox Series X/S controller - and from a reseller no less - when the Xbox Series X itself still remains a fairly unknown quantity in terms of its price, release date, or available accessories. The Verge reports, however, that it has confirmed the product's authenticity.
The Xbox Series S is rumoured to be a cheaper edition of the Xbox Series X. Codenamed "Lockheart," the Xbox Series S is expected to feature 7.5GB of usable RAM, around four teraflops of GPU performance, and will be powered by the Xbox Series X CPU. Rumours also suggest that the Xbox Series S will not feature an optical drive in order to further reduce its asking price.
The Xbox Series X is scheduled for launch later in 2020.
Microsoft's new Xbox Series S controller confirmed in leaked packaging [The Verge]
You can grab a free Pokemon Sword and Shield shiny Amoonguss for a few more hours
This past weekend over in South Korea The Pokemon Company held a Trainer's Cup event. Player Baik Jongyoon prevailed and made it into the top four: allowing him to preserve one of his Pokemon (and its moves) in the game.
That creature is Amoonguss, which Game Freak has made shiny to immortalize in Pokemon Sword and Shield. To grab it, you just head to the code entry page under the Mystery Gift menu, and enter: "TRA1NERSCUP." It's level 50 and comes with the moves rage powder, protect, spore and clear smog.
Although this promo is Korean, anyone can redeem it. Just now that you have until 10:59AM ET this morning to do so. Yep, it's a 24 hour givaway essentially, so get on it!
Pokemon Korea [Facebook via Pocket Monsters]
I'm something of a cheerleader for rail shooters. I feel the sub-genre has still gone largely untapped, and that it's a formula the indie market could really make work. Lost Wing is something like that. However, I'm also a huge snob, so it's going to take more than a bossy cameraman to impress me.
It attempts to bring a sense of speed and unpredictability to the mix while also focusing on its neon visuals and a synthetic soundtrack. It's like if you married Star Fox and Tron and they had a child named Audiosurf, but then they had another child and that's what Lost Wing is metaphorically; it's Audiosurf's little brother. It's similar but they probably wouldn't agree on anything.
Review: Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost On
Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost On had a reputation to live up to outside of Japan's arcades and the import community who played its predecessors.
The first major waves it made outside of that community was around the release of Gundam Versus, where a vocal crowd criticized Namco for releasing that instead of the arcade title. With the announcement of the home console port earlier this year, the question on many minds outside of that crowd, including my own, was simple: is it worth the hype? Could an old title really be that good?
Turns out, it absolutely does live up to that hype.
I've been a merchant of a lot of things. The Elite series allowed me to be a space trader, Euro Truck Simulator let me try my hand at terrestrial trade, and Wall Street Kid had me trading stocks directly. Now it's time for Merchant of the Skies to marry the concept with another of my favorite fantasy passions: airships.
Roll up for this week's Arcade Archives release, Circus Charlie
Something a little different from Hamster's big bag of retro games this week, as Konami's old-school arcade Circus Charlie returns, now available to download on Nintendo Switch.
Released in 1984 in arcades and on the MSX platform, Circus Charlie is a quirky game which sees the titular, (and apparently multi-talented), clown partake in a series of traditional circus acts. Players must help Charlie put on an awe-inspiring, death-defying show for the patrons, via tightrope, trapeze, trampoline, and... erm... lion-riding.
You can check out the Big Top below, courtesy of YouTuber Old Classic Retro Gaming.
We all know that a "'90s FPS 30 years later" isn't exactly a novel concept. And that's fine!
We have Ion Fury, Dusk, Immortal Redneck, Strafe, Prodeus, and countless others to keep us busy if we want to toil away our days reliving the glory days. Hellbound is another one to add to that pile, that does what it sets out to do and gets out, without leaving too fond of a lasting memory.
Street Fighter producer Yoshinori Ono leaving Capcom after near 30-year tenure
Yoshinori Ono has announced his departure from Capcom after an amazing career with the developer spanning three decades. Ono will resign from his roles as Street Fighter executive producer and general Capcom brand manager sometime this summer.
Speaking on Twitter, Ono thanked fans and the FGC for supporting him throughout his tenure with Capcom, referencing the "good times, bad times, and non-existent times" he has experienced while producing the Street Fighter franchise. "My heart is filled with appreciation to those players who've been giving warm and kind support on the brand," said Ono, ending his statement with his trademark "Shoryuken!" battle cry.
Originally joining Capcom as a sound producer in the early '90s, Ono worked with franchises such as Mega Man, Muscle Bomber, Breath of Fire, and Devil May Cry, before transitioning to more managerial roles on titles Onimusha: Dawn of Dreams, Dead Rising, Shadow of Rome, and Capcom Fighting Jam.
Ono is considered the driving force behind Street Fighter's spectacular 2008 comeback. Essentially considered a "dead franchise" by Capcom, Ono lobbied hard for Street Fighter IV and its "back to basics" theoretic, with the sequel launching to incredible success. Ono has since been the spearhead for the flagship fighting franchise, overseeing the production of mainline sequels, spin-offs such as Street Fighter x Tekken, the Street Fighter: Resurrection web series, and the Capcom Pro-Tour esports league.
New Momodora game announced, Minoria headed to consoles next month
Brazilian developer Bombservice has teased a brand new title in its peculiar adventure series, Momodora. The as-yet-unnamed new game was revealed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the original Momodora, which launched on PC August 8, 2010.
A short teaser trailer opens with some nice art of protagonist Isadora, before transitioning to a sinister total eclipse, which is followed by a pair of frightening eyes, perhaps belonging to the sinister Lubella Dim, or some other creepy antagonist. The trailer ends with two figures casually announcing the sequel. Bombservice has since confirmed that the new game will feature a pixel art visual style.
Cblogs of 8/1 to 8/7/2020: Ikaruga, GreedFall and gaming sequels
Cblogs Recap: Week 32
-Lord Spencer reports on games A80 to A71 in his PlayStation 1 REVIEWS blogging list.
-Shoggoth2588 shares with his gaming journal of July 2020.
-Exber reviews Zelda II: The Adventure of Link in this Retro Review.
-Spinnerweb shares his thoughts on the now dormant Dead Space franchise.
-Skazfest discusses how marketing for games can sometimes become a huge phenomenon in and of itself.
