Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time Gamescom Presentation Shows off New Challenging Levels

If you had a problem with some of the levels in Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, better buckle up for Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. During its presentation at Gamescom, Lou Studdert, one of the developers working on the game, focused on a new group of levels designed to push players to their limit.

These new flashback tape levels are a first for the Crash franchise. In a way, they're similar to other challenge stages you'd find inside any level in the original Crash titles, although there is one caveat. To access these levels, players will have to search levels for VHS tapes, but, if you die on the level, they won't appear at all. There's already a bit of a skill barrier to break through in just getting to these levels, but playing them is another story altogether.

Flashback tape levels throw players back to the origin story of Crash and Coco. In these devious levels, the Bandicoot siblings are under the ownership of Neo Cortex, who, if you don't remember, originally created the two to lead his mutated animal army. These levels are Cortex testing the pair, and they are downright nefarious.

Flashback levels will be long stretches of difficult platforming. From what's been shown at Gamescom, players can pretty much forget about floors, since there don't seem to be many. Instead, they'll have to rely on their ability to hop from one crate to the next, all while avoiding nitro and TNT boxes. Some new crates are being added as well, making for an experience wholly unique to It's About Time.

Crash Bandicoot: It's About Time is set to release October 2 on the PS4, and Xbox One. Release dates for next-gen versions of the title have not yet been announced.

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Fall Guys Team Has Many Plans in Motion for New Features in The Game

Fall Guys, Mediatonic, Devolver Digital

Yesterday we got a sneak peek as to what we can expect from Season 2 of Fall Guys, but that isn't the only thing that the team at Mediatonic is currently working on. Lead Designer Joe Walsh was the latest guest on Talk Guys a new talk show from Gary Whitta and Kate Stark. Gary Whitta created the hit show Animal Talking, a talk show which all takes place in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

During the episode, Joe explained the plans that they are working on fixing and adding to Fall Guys that Stark later posted on her personal Twitter account. The top priority for the team right now is to incorporate an anti-cheat system with that being a major ongoing issue. For those unaware, those who cheat are able to float their way to victory. Other plans are to add new accessibility options including a colorblind mode and cross-platform capability. Another heavily fan-requested addition that is planned is custom servers so people can host tournaments without having to worry about strangers and, maybe even more important, players can maybe get that five-win streak trophy much easier.

Walsh was also asked during the interview whether or not we can expect Fall Guys to make its way to Xbox One and Nintendo Switch with his response being simply "Maybe one day."

Despite its lack of features and technical issues, Fall Guys continues to be a major success and has the potential to become even bigger with possibly being a Game of the Year contender once that conversation begins later in the year. We will continue to update you on what's to come as more news comes out.

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Monster Hunter World is Adding Fatalis in Final Free Update on October 1

Monster Hunter World

Monster Hunter World continues to be one of the best live service titles, but things are finally coming to an end later this year with its final free update. Today Capcom streamed the final developer diary where the Monster Hunter team detailed everything that players can expect from the new update including the newest monster known as Fatalis.

The Fatalis is seemingly a dragon-like creature that hunters will be able to take on starting October 1 when the update drops. Alongside the new monster will be different events taking place throughout the rest of this year. Sometime during fall will be an event quest centered on the arch-tempered Velkhana along with the Autumn Harvest and Fun Fright Fests taking place from October 16 to November 5. Master Rank layered armor will also make its way to the game, but players will not be able to obtain it until certain events take place.

While it is always sad to see such a beloved live service game begin its sunset it is possible that the team will be starting work on the next main entry in the Monster Hunter franchise with next-generation consoles just on the horizon.

For all the in-depth details regarding the final Monster Hunter World update, you can check it out on the game's official site as well as watch the full developer diary video below.

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Raji: An Ancient Epic Coming to Xbox One, PS4, and PC in October

Raji: An Ancient Epic

Raji: An Ancient Epic is one of the more recent indie successes that is releasing soon for more platforms. The title was shown off during the latest Nintendo Indie World presentation that took place last week. The game dropped following the showcase where many people downloaded and have since given positive thoughts. With that in mind with Raji only available on Switch right now it will be hitting other major platformers in October. Raji is an action-adventure title that takes place in India where a young girl that the game is named off of, is granted power by the gods to stop a demonic invasion taking place in the real world.

The title was originally a part of the Square Enix Collective that helped support indie projects become a reality, but that partnership may have set sail sometime since then as Super.com is now the publisher. Raji: An Ancient Epic is currently on sale $22.49 on the Nintendo eShop and is releasing on Xbox One, PS4, and PC via Steam on October 15 for $24.99.

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Adorable Co-op Title KeyWe Now Has a Demo on Steam

KeyWe

Looking for a new Co-op title? Something a little less violent than Wolfenstein: Young Blood or less nightmare-inducing than Struggling? KeyWe, one of the many titles being put out by publisher Sold Out Software, could fill the cutesy cooperative hole in your gaming life.

KeyWe had a small presence during today's Gamescom showcase, revealing a new gameplay trailer detailing the important work done by Jeff and Debra, two hard-working kiwi birds. In KeyWe, two players take control of the lil' buggers and have to make use of a needlessly large and complicated typewriter to send out important messages. Whoever put together this keyboard certainly never heard of ergonomics.

Using a combination of butt-slams and hops, Jeff and Debra cobble together mail regarding tornados and downed power lines, pretty important subjects. Every level is timed, but with enough practice, cooperation and a bit of luck, you and a partner can get all the mail out before your shift is done.

In its gameplay demo from Gamescom, KeyWe's developers also hinted at some of what we haven't seen of the game yet. Set in the rugged territory of Bungalow Basin, Jeff and Debra will have to deal with more than just an unruly keyboard. Eventually, the tiny duo will have to contend with monsoons, carnivorous plants and even paranormal activity.

From my first-hand experience with KeyWe this past PAX East, I can certainly say it's shaping up to be a fantastic way to kill time with friends. But you won't just have to take my word for it anymore. KeyWe now has a demo available on Steam, although you'll have to act fast to see these birds in action, as it will only be available while Gamescom is running.

KeyWe is currently set to come out sometime in 2021 on PC via Steam.

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Report: PS5 May Launch After Xbox Series X in Mid November

ps5 xbox series x

In the increasingly annoying game of chicken between Microsoft and Sony, consumers are eager to know two things above all else about the competing next-gen consoles arriving this fall: when will the Xbox Series X and PS5 launch, and how much will they cost? According to a new report, hopefully it won't be too much longer until we know for sure.

Published today, a new report from Andy Robinson at Video Games Chronicle claims that the Xbox will launch before the PS5. Robinson writes that sources with VGC claim that "Xbox will launch first" sometime in early November. The report details that "Microsoft has told developers to plan towards a launch in the very first week of November," giving the company "wiggle room to potentially slip into the second week and still launch ahead of Sony." He continues, saying that internal Xbox sources also expect Sony to launch the PS5 on November 13, 2020.

PS5 Xbox Series X PlayStation Controller August Price Reveal

Neither of these windows is surprising. Multiple rumors suggest that Microsoft has been looking to undercut Sony with both price and release date, and the first week of November falls in line with the same leaks that seemingly confirmed the existence of the Xbox Series S. On top of that, Sony releasing their console in mid-November falls in line with their previous track record set by the PS4 and PS3, which also launched in a similar timeframe.

While this report not only falls in line with other seemingly reliable rumors and reports, nothing is set in stone or confirmed until either Sony or Microsoft says something. Microsoft and Sony aren't the only console manufacturers with fans breathing down their necks right now, however.

nintendo switch lite coral

Earlier this week, a report from the Taipei-based Economic Daily News suggested that Nintendo was planning to release a new model of the Nintendo Switch that will allegedly be designed entirely to keep up and maybe even compete with the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Details so far have speculated that this model will pack in more power, a better screen and overall try to target the hardcore gaming audience. Following the report, other sources made similar claims, giving further credence to the rumor. All that said, remember to take every rumor you come across with a grain of salt, especially when it comes to the PS5 and Xbox Series X's launch dates.

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Just Die Already Parodies Cyberpunk 2077 With Latest Trailer

Just Die Already, DoubleMoose

Just Die Already is an upcoming "old people mayhem sandbox" from the designers behind Goat Simulator. As part of the ongoing Gamescom celebration, the team at DoubleMoose dropped a new trailer that parodies CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077. It's all obviously very tongue-in-cheek, but it's also one of my favorite trailers from the event so far. If you haven't given it a look already, check it out below.

Just Die Already is definitely going for it in terms of being absolutely ridiculous. This is, of course, no surprise to anyone who spent any amount of time with Goat Simulator. Not only will you be treated (?) to old people's genitals, but you'll also get to dress them up in a frog mascot costume, control gravity with a gun, and use a lightsaber that's incredibly phallic in nature.

The DoubleMoose team knows how to make super popular streaming games. Just Die Already seems like a bigger and better attempt at doing just that. I'm not sure how much mileage they'll be able to get out of the joke, but, then again, Goat Simulator got three DLC updates. Who knows what wild new things they can dream up for these old people?

Personally, I'm too much of a curmudgeon to really get into games like these. That said, I'm glad they exist for the people who like them. Plus, the eventual Games Done Quick speedrun for Just Die Already will undoubtedly be great.

Just Die Already is set to launch sometime this summer on PC. No word yet on other platforms, but it's safe to assume it'll come elsewhere if the game is successful.

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Serious Sam 4 Gets Some Great-Looking "Popemobile" Gameplay

Serious Sam 4: Planet Badass

Serious Sam 4 is all about getting as many enemies on the screen as possible and then murdering them. Today, the team at Croteam and Devolver Digital took to the Future Games Show stage to give us a look at Sam fighting in a mech they're calling the Popemobile. The sheer quantity of enemies continues to impress and, personally, I'm always down for more mechs in games. Give it a look below.

Serious Sam 4 definitely looks to be chasing something different than most modern-day shooters. Instead of meticulously detailed environments, this is all about melting your PC with on-screen characters. So, while that grass might look bad and the buildings aren't that great, it doesn't really matter.

Plus, can you really get mad at a game that lets you replicate the end of a Power Rangers episode? I mean, there's a giant mech facing off against a massive monster. If there's not a Tommy Oliver reference, I'll be a little disappointed.

That said, I do wish they'd given us a deeper look at which weapons Sam will have access to in this go-around. Obviously, the mech is great, but I want to know which world-changing armaments I'll be to waste enemies with. After all, with so many enemies on screen, you're going to need some serious firepower to deal with them. Hopefully, they have some truly ridiculous weapons.

Serious Sam 4 comes to PC and Stadia on September 24. The game will then hit PS4 and Xbox One at some point in 2021. You have to assume they'll follow that up with a PS5 and Xbox Series X release.

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Taiko No Tatsujin is Getting Another Release of Official Drum Controller

Taiko No Tatsujin

Taiko No Tatsujin released for Switch and PlayStation 4 back in 2018 where players could enjoy the popular music rhythm game at home. Since then the official HORI taiko drum has been relatively expensive to obtain unless you have knowledge of smaller retailers who have access to them. Right now, the drum is selling for $97.99 on Amazon which is a little pricey especially because the game is not included. Thanks to developer Bandai Namco though, it will be easier and more importantly cheaper to get purchase them in the near future.

Bandai Namco is currently taking pre-orders for a new wave of drum controllers for the price of $69.99. While this does not include the game per usual this will save you almost $30 purchasing it there instead of a different retailer. If you do plan on ordering one it is worth mentioning that the drum does not release until November 30 according to the listing. It could be a placeholder date, but there is no clarification as of right now.

Now is the perfect time to jump into the series as Taiko No Tatsujin: Rhythmic Adventure 1 + 2 are both releasing later this holiday season. Both games will be released together in a single pack for purchase on the Nintendo eShop. These titles were originally exclusive to Japan on the 3DS so getting a port to the west is a huge joy for fans.

You can pre-order the official HORI drum over on the Bandai Namco store. Taiko No Tatsujin: Drum n' Fun is currently on sale for $14.99 on the Nintendo eShop.

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Little Nightmares 2 Continues to Impress In Latest Gameplay Trailer

Little Nightmares 2, Bandai Namco

Little Nightmares 2 popped up at Gamescom Opening Night Live. The game looked great in its short showing, but today, publisher Bandai Namco dropped a new 15-minute trailer. It gives a great, in-depth look at the dark puzzle-platformer. Though, be warned the trailer does have some mild spoilers for how two characters meet. Give the full video a watch below, if you have the time. Otherwise, jump down for a quick breakdown.

The latest Little Nightmares 2 trailer seems to be a look at an early level. Thus, there isn't a ton here that looks too much different from the original game. If you've yet to play the first Little Nightmares, the game plays similarly to Limbo or Inside. You're met with different environmental puzzles and have to use your brain, along with some platforming skill, to get past them.

What sets Little Nightmares apart is that these are horror games. You should very much expect to be, at times, terrified by some of the things your character encounters. The gameplay demo gives a little taste of the horror when the player character enters that scary house. Not only is the whole thing just completely unsettling, but those character designs are particularly spooky.

Little Nightmares 2 will launch for Nintendo Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One on February 11. The game will later come to PS5 and Xbox Series X. If you've yet to try out the first game, I highly suggest you give it a try. It's a fun take on the puzzle-platforming genre with plenty of scares to go around.

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