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.
The Last of Us Part II has trophies for Grounded and Permadeath
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 should 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 update 1.03.
At this point, I'm more interested in multiplayer (even though it'll also be stressful af).
@PowerPyx [Twitter]
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.
Review: Frog Fractions: Game of the Decade Edition: Hop's Iconic Hat
Frog Fractions has finally made its way to Steam after all these years, by way of its Game of the Decade Edition, and it's wonderful that it'll now live on past the imminent retirement of Flash support across web browsers. One thing that might have slipped by some of you, however, is that there's a new DLC for the game called Hop's Iconic Hat.
If you're already a fan of the original, I'd recommend going in completely blind for this new bit of DLC. I'll even go so far as to say I had a good time with it, in case you aren't sure about taking the plunge and just want a brief opinion. Everything I write after this paragraph will contain some mild spoilers. It's pretty much unavoidable when attempting to write about it, so consider yourself warned.
Review: Crysis Remastered (Switch)
What can be said about Crysis that hasn't been repeated ad nauseam since 2007?
A decent amount, actually, if the game is running on a portable.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus adding Belial next month, Cagliostro in October
It was a bit odd last December when Arc System Works and Cygames pulled back the curtain on the second season of DLC characters for Granblue Fantasy: Versus before the first season had even been revealed. But with such a large Granblue cast to choose from, it was pretty predictable the DLC train would keep rolling full-steam ahead. After wrapping up its first season with the addition of Zooey, Versus is ready to start its sophomore year with the previously revealed Belial and cute-as-a-button Cagliostro.
Review: Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
Launch-day disconnects aside, Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout turned out so much better than I expected.
The premise – a cartoonish 60-player competition made up of semi-randomly selected obstacle courses, bumbling team games, and stressful survival challenges – is fantastic. The whole vibe is silly and charming, especially once you learn to accept that luck can play a significant role and that's okay.
Fall Guys is a video game rendition of Takeshi's Castle (Most Extreme Elimination Challenge) and it rules.
I thought I'd burn out, but after a hundred-plus rounds in the live game (to say nothing of several hours spent with the beta), I'm still in it to win it. It's hard to break out of the perpetual cycle of re-queuing.
PC puzzler The Pedestrian coming to PS4 in January 2021
Skookum Arts' The Pedestrian is coming to PS4 in the new year. As revealed during yesterday's State of Play presentation, the quirky and inventive puzzle-platformer will arrive on Sony's black box in January 2021, almost a year after its original release on PC.
Grounded needs an asymmetrical mode where you can play as a spider
There's no getting around it: Grounded is a hit. More than a million people have downloaded the game that is definitely-not-but-totally-is Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and according to Podtoid's Dan Roemer, it's one damn-fine survival game.
That's just one of the topics covered on this episode of Podtoid. Charlotte, Occams, CJ, Dan, and Chris break down why we need more playable spiders in games, dangerous toys for kids, Atelier Ryza, The Thing, Thing, and the Rambo film saga. All that, plus we answer listener questions, on Podtoid Episode 453.
Whatcha been playing this week, Destructoid?
A light-gun shooter without the light-gun; a cover shooter without cover; a first-person QTE simulator; an awful life experience - Rambo: The Video Game is all of these things and more. Teyon's infamously bad 2014 release attempts to authentically recreate the first three films in Sylvester Stallone's so-so action series, but instead I was left feeling like I'd spent the day covered in leeches while dangling chest-high in a shitty bog.
A bizarre mish-mash of incomplete gameplay styles, Rambo: The Video Game is a rail-shooter first and foremost, but bravely attempts to add depth through awkward, cumbersome, and mostly superfluous mechanics. These include a shoddy cover system, a largely irrelevant weapon selection, an incongruous skill tree, and copious amounts of insta-death quick-time events... I've pushed more cops over more office desks lately.
Here's Co Bao on a riverboat... Look how they massacred my girl...
Contest: Win Othercide for PS4, Xbox One, or Steam
In today's contest you can win horror-based tactical RPG Othercide for PS4, Xbox One, or Steam!
I know Halloween is still two months away, but that doesn't mean we can't start the spooks early! This horrific turn-based tactical RPG is a great way to get the creepy atmosphere started, so win your copy of Othercide now!
Fall Guys has a sweet Hotline Miami outfit and I shouldn't have wasted my crowns
A few days after launch, I've learned a valuable lesson in Fall Guys: don't let crowns burn a hole in your pocket. Resist. If you waste your hard-earned currency on filler items, you might miss a cool outfit.
Look who just appeared in the in-game store!
— Fall Guys ðŸ'' (@FallGuysGame) August 7, 2020
You can trade in your hard-earned dubs for JACKET!
ðŸ''ðŸ''ðŸ''ðŸ''ðŸ''
In collab with @HotlineMiami ðŸ'Œ pic.twitter.com/FkDzXiqgdC
There's no way I'll be able to score ten wins – five for the rooster-headed top, five for the bottom – in time to afford this sweet Hotline Miami Jacket outfit. I've gotten five wins total across all of my Fall Guys exploits, and lately, I've been on a real losing streak. Y'all are getting better. My days are numbered.
That, and the servers are struggling this afternoon. I'm expecting a rocky first weekend.
If you haven't peeked at the Season 1 rewards yet, heads up: you can earn three crowns without ever winning a game. And if you feel like you're never going to outplay your competition, hang in there – you never know when every single player in front of you is gonna botch the final jump in Fall Mountain.
I'm sure the Jacket costume will return to the shop eventually, to say nothing of countless crossover items that are likely in Fall Guys' future, but dang. I should get the Guy Fieri-esque Hotrod Flames pattern to make myself feel better. Crowns can be elusive, but kudos come pretty fast, win or lose.
While we're talking Devolver team-ups, I'd like to formally request an Enter the Gungeon costume.
Remedy's next game will take place in the same universe as Alan Wake and Control
Remedy has linked the events in Alan Wake to the events in Control. That was a nice little easter egg to discover a year ago, an adoring wink at all the longtime Remedy fans. And, as we've known for a while now, that was the origin of a dedicated Alan Wake-themed DLC in Control, which is due out at the end of this month.
That's not the end. It's just the start. This is deeper than a lake, it's an ocean.
Remedy creative director Sam Lake has given an update about the direction of the studio's future games, introducing a concept called the Remedy Connected Universe. Basically, Remedy has been connecting the dots all these years, finding ways to write its stories into one another. "Each game is a standalone experience, but each game is also a doorway into a larger universe with exciting opportunities for crossover events," Lake says.
The upcoming AWE expansion is the first official crossover. After that, it seems as though Lake wants all of the developer's singleplayer narratives to coexist. Remedy is already working on the next game (which is reported to be a smaller project) that will fit into the Remedy Connected Universe framework.
So, we're going to see more Control and more Alan Wake and maybe even more Quantum Break popping up in future Remedy games. Max Payne is probably a no-go since Rockstar owns it. But it's fantastic to hear that we'll get more lore from the stories we love while Remedy is also free to craft new characters and narratives.
AWE: The first Remedy Connected Universe crossover event [Remedy Games]
Apple is doing what it can to keep Xbox's Project xCloud off iOS devices
Next month, Project xCloud is bringing more than 100 games to Android-using Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscribers. However, iPhone users shouldn't expect Xbox's game streaming service to hit their devices anytime soon.
In a statement to Business Insider, Apple confirms that its notoriously draconian App Store policies are inflexible in a way that prevents Project xCloud (or, Google Stadia for that matter) from reasonably existing on iOS devices. Apple requires that every single title available on Project xCloud be submitted and reviewed individually. The Project xCloud app, which serves as a gateway to launch more than 100 games, is in violation of that.
An Apple spokesperson says "Before they go on our store, all apps are reviewed against the same set of guidelines that are intended to protect customers and provide a fair and level playing field to developers." This exact ecosystem is a standard that only gaming is really held to. Services like Netflix don't run into the same problems, which Apple pins on "[different] consumer expectations baked into the App Store related to gaming."
However, Apple doesn't have a lot of incentive to bend the rules for a direct competitor. Last fall, Apple launched Apple Arcade, a subscription service for playing games on iOS devices. It's more or less exactly what Project xCloud is doing.
That doesn't mean Project xCloud on iOS is dead in the water. Apple insists that "gaming services can absolutely launch on the App Store as long as they follow the same set of guidelines applicable to all developers, including submitting games individually for review, and appearing in charts and search." It's a lot of hoops to jump through and Apple knows that.
Project xCloud is already on iOS devices in a very limited capacity. It was opened to 10,000 beta testers who only had access to Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Microsoft hasn't built upon that at all. It'll likely stay that way for the foreseeable future. Project xCloud merges with Xbox Game Pass on Android devices on September 15; iOS users are left out, probably until Apple changes its App Store policies.
When Microsoft's ambitious 'Netflix of gaming' service launches in September, it won't arrive on Apple devices – here's why [Business Insider]
This is the first look at Doom Eternal's multi-part story DLC
Everyone has to die in Doom, those are the rules. In Doom Eternal's story expansion, you'll have some divine direction for all that bloodshed.
Titled The Ancient Gods, the Doom Slayer has a mandate from, umm, The Ancient Gods to restore order to their world. It's angels and demons, but not in the way Dan Brown envisioned it.
For the first day of the at-home QuakeCon, Bethesda shared this Ancient Gods teaser trailer. Notably, it's designated as "Part One," meaning that this is a multi-part DLC. Think of it like The Divine Comedy which similarly started out in Hell before getting Purgatory and Paradise DLC.
Honestly, all this middleman action between Heaven and Hell reminds me of Darksiders. The proper reveal is coming at gamescom's One Night Live stream at the end of August.
Killer, the Massacre Soldier, is stalking One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
Not content with already having a huge roster of scurvy dawgs, Bandai Namco has announced another new DLC character, who is headed to its brawler RPG One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4.
Spoilers for the One Piece manga follow
As revealed in the latest issue of Weekly Jump, masked muscleman Killer will be one of a trinity of characters arriving in-game as part of Pirate Warriors 4's second character pass. In the One Piece universe, Killer is a pirate of the South Blue, as well as one of the 12 feared members that make up "The Worst Generation."
Don't forget to pet the pooch in Ghostwire: Tokyo
Shinji Mikami shared a short update on Ghostwire: Tokyo during today's QuakeCon at Home stream.
The city might be missing most of its residents, but dogs are still roaming the streets – and you can totally pet them. Even if the bit is kind of played out, it comes from a genuine place. I must embrace it.
On a more existential note, Mikami commented on the "challenging times" we're in. He's wondered "why it's been feeling so tough lately, then I realized that I've been in this industry for 30 years. I'd rather not become a fossil in the game industry so I'll do my best to be a living, breathing fossil."
For better or worse, Tango Gameworks' supernatural action-adventure game is such a wildcard for me. The premise, setting, and unexpected first-person framing stand out and have great potential, but I'm struggling to grasp Ghostwire: Tokyo as a whole. I wonder if it'll completely click pre-release – there's plenty of time before the PS5 and PC launch in 2021 – or if we'll need to have it in our hands.
Mikami says they're striving to make it "more cool and unique."
Bethesda is giving away free in-game Fallout 76 stuff for QuakeCon
In case you missed it, things are pretty hectic right now and it's very hard to keep track of every "at home" convention. Comic-Con at Home learned this the hard way.
That's why I was surprised to hear that QuakeCon isn't just "coming soon," it starts today! And to celebrate, Bethesda is giving away free stuff for Fallout 76. Don't get too excited: it's in-game stuff, and there's plenty of that (either free or premium) to go around in Fallout 76, which is very much defined by cosmetics these days thanks to the new season pass system.
In short, all you need to do is claim the Beelzebilly Outfit and the Mr. Demonic Backpack (in the gallery below) on the shop from now through August 10. QuakeCon at Home will host a weekend of streams, "including a cooking show, a cosplay interview, a Fallout-themed variety show, and even a run-through of the new 'A Colossal Problem' event with folks from the dev team."
So if you're still a Fallout fan, you might be in for a decent weekend of stuff to watch. For everyone else: carry on.
Inside the Vault [Bethesda.net]
Neo Geo Pocket classics King of Fighters R-2 and Samurai Shodown! 2 now available on Switch
Today will see two more classic Neo Geo Pocket Color titles make a grand comeback on the Nintendo Switch platform. As announced by publisher SNK, both The King of Fighters R-2 and Samurai Shodown! 2 will be made available to download from the eShop, priced at around $8 each.
Originally released back in 1999, The King of Fighters R-2 is an excellent conversion of SNK's iconic team-fighting series, and sees Kyo, Iori, Leona, Mai, Terry and friends shrink down for pint-sized pugilism. This is no Game Boy Street Fighter II - the NGPC fighting games are neat experiences, which feature cute, pleasing visuals, smooth controls, and offer a solid dose of fun on the run.
The newest Paper Mario: Origami King patch fixes multiple progress-related bugs
Paper Mario: The Origami King has been out in the wild for a bit: enough time for folks to spot some progress-hindering bugs.
While a few of them are hard to trigger they do in fact exist; and can gate your progress on the critical path or toward a 100% completion rating, which will unlock a secret ending. As of patch 1.0.1, which was released this week, a few of those have been squashed.
The "main" one that's been making the rounds involves a location where, if certain conditions were met, you wouldn't be able to re-enter the area. As of patch 1.0.1, you can "proceed normally" even if you've already encountered the bug. Another popular callout involved the game's inability to register a special enemy as "defeated" in your log book if a party member (AI) finished it off. That's also been fixed.
Finally, some broken hidden Toad locations have been fixed, amid a few rarer progression-halting bugs. I'm keeping things fairly vague, because the patch notes below outright spoil a few minor secrets and locations.
Version 1.0.1 [Nintendo]
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD videos spotlight a menagerie of demons
Publisher Atlus has released a three-part video series pertaining to its upcoming JRPG revisit Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD Remaster, which was revealed back in July during the most recent Nintendo Direct Mini broadcast.
The "Demonic Compendium" gives would-be familiar collectors a catalogue of weird, curious, and downright dangerous demons that can be gathered in the SMT III: Nocturne universe, giving players a healthy advantage when in battle against the nightmare creatures that wait within the dungeons of the Vortex World.
Showcased in the video series are veteran SMT species such as Fallen, Foul, Dragon God, Genma, Fury, Herald, Yoma, and Fairy, among many others. Pick and choose the best elements to give your party the perfect balance of attack, support, and defence, and you'll be ready to face whatever ghastly abominations are thrown at you. Who's in your squad?
Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne HD launches in Japan on PS4 and Nintendo Switch October 29, before heading west in the spring of 2021.
Nintendo just fixed hacked Animal Crossing: New Horizons trees
Nintendo has been busy patching Animal Crossing: New Horizons these past few months.
The flood gates opened when a large number of community members made use of a get-rich-quick duplicate exploit far ahead of a patch that removed it; and Nintendo continues to battle hackers every few weeks.
Fresh off of a patch that introduced a limited form of save backups to the game, as well as efforts to combat hacked dream worlds, Nintendo is stamping out another hack: special trees. As a recap, folks have been using hacked trees as a way to grow and showcase rare items like Star Fragments: now, they'll be reverted to money trees post-update. This has been a long time coming as tree hacks have been rampant. They were even for sale on eBay!
Patch 1.4.1 squashes that, as well as a bug that eliminates shiny soil after using the dream mechanic and an issue that involved hitting rocks with a shovel in a specific way.
Version 1.4.1 [Nintendo]
Death Come True brings its time-hopping mystery to PS4 in October
Izanagi Games has announced that its realm-defying mystery Death Come True will launch on PS4 October 15, following on from its earlier release on PC, Nintendo Switch, and mobile devices.
Directed by Danganronpa creator Kazutaka Kodaka, Death Come True is an interactive FMV title about a young man who awakens in an opulent hotel suite, wanted for a string of brutal murders and with the police hot on his heels. With no recollection of who he is, how he got here, or why there is an unconscious woman lying in his bathtub, our hero must stay one step ahead of his pursuers if he is to get to the bottom of this weird, time-bending mystery.
