Windbound isn't the sailing-focused spin on Zelda: Breath of the Wild that some trailers suggested, but it's not entirely removed from those comparisons, either. Its best asset is its sense of adventure.
As Kara, a shipwrecked warrior, you'll hunt for resources, craft tools like a bow and a glider, and try your best to work with – not against – the wind to explore procedurally-generated archipelago world maps.
I adore that premise, and if you're into the sound of a boat game that's about sailing instead of combat, you'll like it too. I just wish some of the edges weren't so rough and the structure felt more engaging.
Super Dodge Ball is this week's Arcade Archives Switch release
It's time to combine brawlin' and... ballin'... erm... with this week's Arcade Archives release, as retro publisher Hamster brings Kunio-kun sporting spin-off Super Dodge Ball to Nintendo Switch.
Released by Technos Japan in 1987, Super Dodge Ball was the first sequel to street brawler Nekketsu KÅha Kunio-kun (Renegade), and sees the hot-blooded high-school kid buddy up with some friends, literally half his size, for an inter-school dodge ball tournament - a natural career progression from fighting local biker gangs down by the docks.
Players must eliminate the opposing team members by blasting them with the ball, while avoiding any return throws. Of note, any players who are struck by the ball turn into angels, somewhat suggesting that the impact has KILLED THEM. This is why sports are dangerous and you shouldn't play them.
Review: Tom Clancy's Elite Squad
When it was announced Ubisoft would be bringing its Tom Clancy series to mobile for the first time, I immediately thought back to the oft-forgotten Nintendo 3DS launch title Ghost Recon: Shadow Wars. As a turn-based tactical shooter, a title like that reworked for smartphones would be a wonderful way to introduce the Tom Clancy universe to mobile audiences.
Instead, we get this.
If there's one thing that anime has proven most adept at, it's gathering together a gaggle of doe-eyed, sexually-charged women and tossing them into a mixer with a random sport, occupation, or hobby, usually creating a successful multi-media franchise in the process. Kandagawa Jet Girls is no exception.
Launching as a TNK-produced anime series in the fall of 2019, Kandagawa Jet Girls is a brand still very much in its infancy, having not yet quite developed the full range of movies, toys, OVAs, manga, and body pillows that often spawn from such franchises. It does have its first video game, however, which launched in Japan in January, courtesy of Senran Kagura publisher Marvelous.
Still, the appeal of anime is not strictly limited to the borders of Japan, and so Xseed Games has taken upon itself to localise this all-women's jet-ski extravaganza for cheesecake fans over on the western shores. So slap on some sunscreen, put on your best swimsuit, and let's dive into the action.
Oh, and a warning to the first four rows: You Will Get Wet.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster Land reveals gameplay in new gamescom trailer
As part of this weekend's ongoing gamescom festivities, publisher ININ Games has released the first gameplay video of its upcoming retro remake Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World, a ground-up recreation of Sega Genesis classic Monster World IV.
The video features slight footage of hero Asha as she fights her way through a bright fantasy world, filled with monster-chopping, platform-hopping action. Alongside a full recreation of the original adventure, Asha in Monster World will include new voice-acting and a selection of all-new side-modes. Developer Artdink Games are working alongside original members of the Monster World IV development team, including director Ryuichi Nishizawa and character designer Maki Ozora
You can check out the gameplay in the video below, courtesy of IGN.
Cblogs of 8/22 to 8/28/2020: Dead Space 3, Alundra, and the 2020 hellscape
Cblogs Recap: Week 22
-Spinnerweb discusses games that undercut their own playability with a focus on Dead Space 3.
-Lord Spencer reviews Alundra as part of his PlayStation 1 REVIEWS blogging series.
-Sam ven der Meer is not impressed by DOOM 3.
-Osc continues journaling his progress in his hobby game.
-ChronoLynxx continues the weekly tradition of an open discussion forum, check it out.
Review: Fast & Furious Crossroads
In a post-Arkham Asylum world, it's easy to forget how Batman was the victim of decades of poor-quality video games. While Gotham City, a rogues' gallery of great villains, cool gadgets, and the Batmobile seemed custom-designed for gaming, fans suffered through years of abominable titles starring The Dark Knight before Rocksteady finally captured the essence of the DC Comics universe, ultimately delivering one of the greatest games of all-time.
The Fast & Furious franchise has a similar curse. The billion-dollar film series seems like a "can't miss" prospect for interactive entertainment. With wild, ridiculous action, caricatured stud-muffin dudes in open shirts, hot women having Krav Maga throwdowns, crashing jet-planes, submarines, and all the excesses of a bombastic franchise that's thrown reality to the curb, it seems almost impossible not to sculpt this action series into a massively entertaining adventure.
And yet, like Batman before it, the adventures of Dominic Toretto and his "family" just haven't been able to make the transition into a quality video game title. Unfortunately, with the release of Bandai Namco's Fast & Furious Crossroads, it seems this series' "Arkham Asylum moment" is still a long, long way away.
Spellbreak launches on PC and consoles September 3
During Thursday's gamescom Opening Night Live presentation, developer Proletariat offered up an impressive trailer for its free-to-play magic melee title Spellbreak, which launches September 3 on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
The hybrid cinematic/gameplay trailer featured a cast of mysterious magic-weavers, battling it out with an array of mystic attacks, substituting the typical gun-and-grenade play of such battle arena titles with an altogether more ethereal arsenal of spells, hexes, and curses.
I feel obligated to approach this review from two angles. First and foremost, it's a review of a Control expansion. That's the obvious angle. You're here to find out how this DLC serves as a supplemental story to Control.
But, let's be real, you want to know about the Alan Wake stuff. You want to know how Remedy brought Bright Falls to The Oldest House, and you want to know if this is the triumphant return of everyone's favorite tortured writer after he had gone AFK for the better part of a decade. You've been building it up in your head for so long, and you just want to know if AWE makes good on the mental buildup.
AWE doesn't fully deliver on either front. It's a bit of a mishmash of ideas -- albeit an understandable one -- that prevents this expansion from being what everyone wants it to be. It's still pretty incredible, though.
I can't wait to play as Batgirl in Gotham Knights
DC FanDome was quite the fun showcase of all things DC Comics despite being just a glorified Zoom call. There were a lot of great trailers for upcoming movies, some exciting comic book news, and the reveals of what will hopefully be two awesome games. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League may have the pedigree behind it with its developer but Gotham Knights is giving something I've wanted for a very long time: a massive action-adventure game where I can play as my main squeeze Batgirl.
That's just one of the topics on this episode of Podtoid. Charlotte, Chris, Dan, CJ, and Occams are here to talk superhero games, The Batman, delicious snowfall, Bury Me, My Love, 13 Sentinels, and Fast & Furious: Crossroads. All that, plus CJ fails basic high school Spanish, in Podtoid Episode 456.
Ride the all-new 'Popemobile' to glory in Serious Sam 4
Devolver Digital has dropped another absolutely wild trailer for its upcoming shooter sequel Serious Sam 4. The new preview sees our chunkhead hero visit, of all places, Vatican City in Italy, where he takes possession of a rather... erm... abstract interpretation of the "Papamobile", or "Popemobile".
Whatcha been playing this week, Destructoid?
So yeah, last week's "Whatcha Been Playin'?" was a little deep and I really appreciate the kind comments I received in return. The simple fact of the matter is that it's important to me that y'all know you're important. I don't dally about and I certainly don't bullshit anybody. Sometimes you just gotta let people know they matter. Life's too short - and currently far too unpredictable - so be sure to pass it on and let those that you care about know that they matter.
I've been really busy this week, which has put paid to a lot of my gaming opportunities. I've spent most evenings squeezing in sessions on Easy Trigger Games' Huntdown, which remains a solid contender for my favourite game of 2020. I'm currently trying to 100% the game on Hard, which is understandably a pretty wild ride. But with that soundtrack, those visuals, and a cameo appearance from Snake Plisskin, it's easy to keep walking the mean streets. If you haven't checked it out yet, don't sleep on it.
You know the score by now, we're just as interested in hearing what you've been playing lately. So whether you're rocking recent releases such as Ghost of Tsushima, PGA Tour 2K21, or Battletoads, or whether you're just jamming away at your backlog or replaying an old favourite, jump into the comments and share your gaming escapades with us.
Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.
Contest: Win an MSI GTX 1660 graphics card, courtesy of Milky Way Prince - The Vampire Star
In today's contest you can win an MSI GTX 1660 graphics card and a Steam copy of Milky Way Prince - The Vampire Star!
Is your computer in need of a graphical overhaul? Dtoid has ya covered: Milky Way Prince - The Vampire Star hit Steam a few weeks ago, and we're giving away the game and an MSI GTX 1660 graphics card! Think of all the graphics you'll be able to look at. Just imagine.
Grounded's roadmap has me excited about the next few months
The future looks bright and bug-filled for Grounded. When the game was first announced, I liked the idea of a shrunken survival game well enough, but it wasn't until I played it that I appreciated just how much potential there is. Obsidian could flesh out Grounded for years to come and I'd be stoked about it.
After update 0.2.0 with the bird, there's plenty to look forward to in monthly content updates, but what about bigger-picture stuff? The developers have started outlining their plans with a roadmap.
"As a caveat, we are still in active development, and this board is subject to change based on your feedback, the state of development, what's best for the game, the unknown, and our future plans. Nothing is set in stone and features could be moved up, pushed back, or unfortunately removed."
Here's the rundown as of August 2020:
Coming Soon (approximately a few months off)
- New Building: Zipline
- Koi Pond Environment
- Equipped Items Don't Use Backpack Space
- Hedge Environment
- Password Protected Games
- Friend Invites
- New Hostile Creature: Mosquito
- Localization: French, German, Italian, Spanish
- New Neutral Creature: Bee
- New Items: Water Themed Equipment
- Additional Quality of Life Improvements
- Signs / Stickers Base Decorations
- Inventory Management Improvements
- Additional Crafting Stations
- Additional BURG.L Quest Types
- Storage Management Improvements
Planned
- New Creature: Firefly
- New Creature: Roly Poly
- Story: Act 1
- Graphics Option Improvements
- Full Completable Story
- Insect Pets Phase 1: Aphids
- Ant Pheromone Control
- New Creature: Ant Queen
- Sandbox Environment
- Haze Environment
- Localization: Additional Languages
- Higher Tier Armor / Tools / Weapons
- Additional Ant Hills
- Insect Pet Enhancements
- Bird Improvements / Additional Interactions
For the future
- Additional Backyard Environments
- Additional Creatures and Insects
- Weather
- Backyard Changing Events
- Additional Crafting Materials
- Base Blueprints: Powered Buildings
- More Control over World Options / Settings
- Base Blueprints: Defenses
- Base Blueprints: Framework for player generated gameplay
- Base Blueprints: Higher Tier Structures
- Base Blueprints: Decorations
Future considerations (we are looking into it)
- Dedicated Server
Ever since I heard that someone found a koi fish in the files, I've been dreaming about the possibilities for future updates. Best-case scenario, Obsidian will keep plugging away and end up with a meaningful story, but even if the campaign never truly comes together, I'll still cherish this memorable game world.
I hope "weather" means what I think it means.
Grounded Feature Board [Obsidian]
Left 4 Dead 2 is getting one last update
Left 4 Dead 2 has survived longer than anyone thought it would. The 2009 cooperative zombie shooter is still kickin' around, proving that it has the mettle to not die quite yet. It's even getting an update sometime soon.
The Left 4 Dead community is hard at work on a fan-made L4D2 update called "The Last Stand." This isn't your usual effort from a handful of modders, though. The Last Stand has gotten the blessing from Valve, as the official Left 4 Dead site uses its blog section to link to the teaser trailer.
The name refers to the "Last Stand" map that was available in the original Left 4 Dead in Survival Mode. It's also the only map from Left 4 Dead that wasn't eventually included in the sequel. This update will seemingly rectify that.
Here's the official description of The Last Stand: "It has been many years since the infection first hit. Radio silence, no sign of life, nothing but lingering hopes... CEDA is not going to save us. But there is hope! A few brave souls have continued the fight against all odds, and soon we can all benefit from their resilience."
This isn't the first time Valve has lent a hand in the Left 4 Dead community's efforts. Back in 2012, Valve helped the modder-made campaign Cold Stream launch on PC and the Xbox 360 marketplace. After The Last Stand is finished, Valve can help us yet again by getting around to making Left 4 Dead 3.
Coming Soon: The Last Stand [Left 4 Dead]
This Pikmin 3 Deluxe video will get you up to speed with cute illustrations
Nintendo of Japan released a new gameplay overview video for Pikmin 3 Deluxe this week, and while it's not the most substantial update for folks who have played the original version on Wii U (another exclusive bites the dust), if for no other reason, you should watch it to see some super cute illustrations.
I wasn't so sure I'd want to pay sixty bucks for Pikmin 3 again with the Deluxe version on Nintendo Switch, but the closer we get to its October 30 launch, the more this double-dip feels inevitable.
Even if the price stings, the inclusion of two-player co-op in the main story mode and not having to unpack my Wii U to revisit this game means I'll probably get it on Switch – and knowing how much I love Pikmin and how much Nintendo hates putting its games on sale, I'll probably show up day one.
I can't be helped. I'm that much of a sucker for split-screen co-op games.
Here's a look at the new Ni no Kuni game
There's a brand new Ni no Kuni game in the works, and it puts an interesting spin on the acclaimed anime RPG series. Titled Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds, this is an MMORPG. And it's releasing on mobile devices. And it's only in Japan.
Hey, where are you going?!
Despite all those caveats -- caveats that ensure the vast majority of you will never play this -- Cross Worlds has an intriguing approach. According to this translation from Gematsu, this Ni no Kuni puts you in the role of a beta tester on a VR game. You discover that the real world and Ni no Kuni's world are connected, and you have to travel between the two to rebuild the kingdom. If you're successful, you'll save both realms from ruin.
None of that really speaks to how Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds is an MMO though. It also doesn't really offer any explanation as to how the game works. It sure looks nice, though.
Ni no Kuni's mobile efforts actually outpace the PC/console games now. This will be the third Ni no Kuni title for smartphones in Japan. However, it's the first to try something as ambitious as an MMORPG bent.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds is being developed by Netmarble and published by Level-5. It'll launch on iOS and Android devices in Japan sometime in 2020. If that goes successfully enough, maybe it'll find its way west at some point.
Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds official website opened [Gematsu]
For the last couple of months, dating sims have been my jam. It was only a matter of time before I stepped up to the plate for Destructoid and gave one a proper scrutinizing. Best Friend Forever is the game being pitched in my direction, and it's one with an interesting twist. It bills itself as part dating sim and part virtual pet. Not only are you attempting to woo the single of your choice, but you also get a dog to take care of and train.
However, for the purpose of dating sims, I find the single score system of Destructoid's reviews to be inadequate. Instead, I'm putting into place a more robust system specifically to critique this most sacred of sub-genres. The game will be rated under five categories important to a successful dating sim, summarized -- but not aggregated -- by the overall score. They are Prospects, Enjoyability, Novelty, Intensity, and Sexiness. I christen this ingenious new method: the P.E.N.I.S. rating system.
So, let's see how Best Friend Forever measures up.
Pharaoh: A New Era is a 2021 remake of the old city-builder
Have any room in your life for a city-builder? What about a modern take on an old classic? Dotemu and Triskell Interactive are bringing back Impressions Games' 1999 Egypt builder Pharaoh in 2021.
The announcement trailer is light on gameplay – stick around until the final seconds for a glimpse – but we've got a pair of screenshots for Pharaoh: A New Era in the gallery below that you can pick apart.
This "Ultra HD remake" was created with "all-new code" and it's also promising a revamped UI and "improved mechanics." Content-wise, Pharaoh: A New Era covers the base game and the Cleopatra: Queen of the Nile expansion, so it's going to be a huge time-sink with 50-plus missions.
Some of these late-'90s PC remakes have a way of feeling slightly "off," for lack of a better word. There isn't much to go on yet for Pharaoh, and I'm hopeful it won't fall into that same trap – I dig the 2D art.
Do any of you have a soft spot for the original? I always meant to try Zeus.
Pharaoh: A New Era [Steam]
This Fall Guys video is the wholesome Friday content with the feel-good vibes to start your weekend
There are good people out there. This isn't the most selfless act imaginable and it's not a grand sacrifice. But, it's a good reminder that some people will go out of their way to help a stranger in need.
We have a bean who doesn't yet know how to climb. That will change. Just watch.
Modern Warfare has a Summer Games event that includes a Mirrors Edge-like parkour course
You're going for the gold in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare this weekend. That's a deviation from the norm, because usually you're just out for blood. It'll be nice to add some conventional trophies to your collection to go along with the creepy necklace you made from fingers of people you killed.
Modern Warfare's Games of Summer event kicks off today, and it's an Olympics-style challenge with a Call of Duty twist. Every day brings a new challenge where players try to earn gold medals. Here's the rundown of events:
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart has a performance mode that's causing a rift in next-gen expectations
As the capstone finale to yesterday's gamescom: Opening Night Live, Insomniac Games shared an extended gameplay trailer of the PS5's Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart. It was a delightful little look at all the nuts and bolts of this interdimensional mechanical shooter. Later, Insomniac confirmed that Rift Apart is squared away as a "PS5 launch window" title, assuring everyone it'll be one of the first(ish) games you can play on new hardware.
Today, through an interview with Japanese publication Famitsu, Insomniac revealed a new tech target for Ratchet & Clank. It'll have a dedicated performance mode that ups the framerate from 30fps to 60fps:
Rogue Company needs a heaping scoop of personality if it wants to stand out
Rogue Company is a difficult game to write about. When I sit down at my computer to type, its bland and basic world begins to fade from my mind, and I struggle to think of anything meaningful to say about it. Despite its diverse cast of characters, fast-paced shooting action, and sufficiently smooth gameplay on my Switch, it just doesn't leave a lasting impact. The experience scuttles from my mind, and the only thought I can muster about it amounts to no more than an admission that I did indeed just play an online shooter.
Maybe that's because nothing about Rogue Company is original. This is a checklist of a game, cribbing features and modes from other popular titles and stitching them together in this third-person, squad-based shooter. There are dancing emotes, the ping system from Apex Legends, sprays, characters with their own unique abilities, a between-match weapons upgrade system, and modes recycled from games that came before it. You've seen this all before, and chances are, you've seen it done better than it is here.
Here is the schedule for World of Warcraft: Shadowlands' first raid, Castle Nathria
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands is out on October 27, and in true MMO fashion, Blizzard is already prepping folks for the next big thing: the first raid.
As is customary with WoW, its inaugural raid will debut a bit after the launch of the game so folks have time to get ready for it and prep their world-first Twitch runs. On November 10, Castle Nathria will debut, which is a 10-boss raid located in Revendreth: the vampiric realm of the Venthyr covenant, which I am totally joining as quickly as possible.
On November 17, the Mythic version opens (the real challenge), as well as the first wing of the Raid Finder (LFR, or "looking for raid") system. On December 1 the second wing will open on LFR, followed by the third on December 15 and the final wing on January 4. As a note, the first season of the game will also kick off on November 10.
For those of you who don't play WoW, LFR is a wonderful tool that can basically be classified as "easy mode raids." It allows everyone to use matchmaking to enter endgame raid content and at least see it and experience the story. For the hardcore players, they can still tackle the Mythic version and reap the rewards/glory.
It's a win-win and I wish more games implemented it (cough Destiny).
Shadowlands: Castle Nathria and Season 1 Goes Live November 10 [World of Warcraft]
Sky: Children of the Light Switch port slips back to 2021
Journey developer thatgamecompany has announced that the Switch port of its ethereal mobile title Sky: Children of the Light has slipped from its 2020 release date. It will now arrive on the Nintendo platform at some point in 2021.
"As a small indie studio, it's been challenging to pull off so many releases back to back," said the developer on Twitter. "Due to the remote slowdown during COVID & our utmost priority to protect our team's health, we're pushing Sky on Nintendo Switch back by a few months into 2021. Through the pandemic, we've done our best to release Sky on Android, manage a live game, and launch two new adventure seasons. We've been excited to finally bring this game to console as much as you have, and thank #thatskygame fans for their patience while we work on its release."
Bethesda gives us a taste of upcoming multiplayer Fallout 76 quality of life updates
Bethesda teased the "One Wasteland" update for Fallout 76 recently, but this week they're going all-out on telling us what it exactly entails.
In short? The aim is to improve open world gameplay through various tweaks. Aim is the operative word here, as we all know that Fallout 76 patches are not known for their consistency. Digging into it, One Wasteland is going to bring level-scaling to Fallout 76 so the game feels more approachable on multiple levels.
In groups, enemies will dynamically scale with players of different levels. The example Bethesda gives is a level 300 character playing with another who is level 30. The former will see stronger enemies while the latter will see a weaker one: but they'll still be the same enemy character model for visual parity.
There's a lot that can go wrong here, but I'm hopeful that partying will be much more enticing overall, as picking up the game dirt cheap and playing with a friend can at least provide solace for a rainy-day weekend. The philosophy of allowing new players to pick up the game and do higher-end content is extremely promising, as you don't need to "grind to get to the good stuff." In theory.
You can test the system out in the PTS now, and I suggest some of you do so if you're still into this game: the kinks should all be caught before this goes live! As a reminder, you can access the PTS at any time so long as you have the game via the Bethesda launcher.
Inside the Vault [Bethesda.net]
Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time spotlights its tricky 'Flashback' stages
During last night's gamescom Opening Night Live presentation, Activision offered new details pertaining to its upcoming platforming sequel Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time. Unfortunately Crash himself was unable to make the presentation, having not gotten the memo and showing up to gamescom's regular haunt, the Koelnmesse in Cologne, Germany.
Despite this faux-pas, Activision released a new video featuring Crash Bandicoot 4's new "Flashback" stages. These are essentially double-tough "puzzle-rooms" based on classic locales from the original Crash Bandicoot releases. The Flashback stages will not be easy to access however, as they require the player to collect several "Flashback Tapes" throughout the main game's stages, but without losing a single life. Should this task be completed, then the player will be whisked off to take on the challenging side-levels.
You can check out the full Crash Bandicoot 4 gamescom presentation in the video below, courtesy of Gamespot. Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time launches October 2 on PS4 and Xbox One.
This new World of Warcraft animated short is one of the more lore-heavy clips in years
Yesterday Blizzard finally revealed the World of Warcraft: Shadowlands release date: October 27. But it wasn't all they gave us.
A new short is also primed and ready to watch, and it centers on some extremely crucial lore figures as well as some new expansion material. Uther and Arthas are united with the modern World of Warcraft era: or more specifically, the Kyrian Covenant and the angelic realm of Bastion.
I don't want to spoil it directly, but the short is extremely emotional and deals with decades of built-up lore, even if it doesn't satisfy every single fan. While Blizzard can sometimes go a little red-pen-crazy when it comes to rewriting the Warcraft narrative to suit the MMO world, it frequently gives us gems like this.
Visiting Uther's tomb in Sorrow Hill is a fun little pastime of mine, and this gives it new meaning.
Fatalis is Monster Hunter World: Iceborne's final prey
Capcom has revealed the final behemoth heading to the killing fields of Monster Hunter World: Iceborne. As predicted by many in the Monster Hunter community, it is none-other than the fearsome elder dragon Fatalis, who will be gracing us with its presence on October 1.
Originally making its debut in the very first Monster Hunter release, Fatalis is something of a legend within the MH universe. The gargantuan black dragon follows the more traditional tropes of the fantasy species, both in visual appearance and its range of fire-breathing, tail-lashing attacks. Fatalis is also capable of flight through the use of its huge, powerful wings.
Defeating Fatalis will reward your party with Fatalis-themed armour, weaponry, and clothing. Given the fact that this terrifying creature can wipe out most parties with relative ease, here's hoping that you're prepared. This battle could be the very moment you've been training for, Hunters.
(Update) I won't say no to another Sam & Max revival
[Update: With the dust of Gamescom Opening Night Live settled, we now have a bit more info on this one. HappyGiant has revealed the full title (Sam & Max: This Time It's Virtual!), as well as a release window of 2021.
Steve Purcell, the original creator, is involved, and the game will play as a "new recruit" alongside of the titular Sam & Max. You'll have to prove yourself to the duo while uncovering a mystery at an abandoned theme park. Sure!]
Sam & Max are coming back! Yes that Sam & Max.
After living it up in the '90s in game form and getting a revival in the late 2000s, the duo are coming back thanks to HappyGiant Games. According to Geoff Keighley, it will be VR-based.
"Stay tuned for more info" is how the trailer concluded after it debuted during today's Gamescom Opening Night Live festivities. Welp! I will indeed stay tuned.
Based on our hands-on, Little Nightmares II seems like it's on the right devilish track
Little Nightmares was a fun little game. I feel like I can't say that much more than that without spoiling anything: but it was a fun little afternoon romp and a great rainy day activity to have in your back pocket.
Based on our brief time with the sequel, I think it's going to be a little more memorable this time around.
Sega to unveil Project B.L.A.C.K. next week, very likely Sakura Wars related
Sega has announced that it will reveal a new title next week, currently in development under the placeholder name of "Project B.L.A.C.K." The long-time developer/publisher has opened both a Twitter account and a new teaser website for the mystery title.
For all intents and purposes, it seems that "Project B.L.A.C.K." is more than likely connected to the long-running Sakura Wars franchise. Early images feature a trio of anime women in military uniform, who also appear to be a pop group. As Sakura Wars' fans will be aware, series heroes often have a career in The Arts when they're not out engaged in mech-based warfare. The biggest giveaway, however, comes from the reminder that Sega trademarked Sakura Wars B.L.A.C.K. back in May.
A music video "Wonderful Future" has also been released, with the track composed by - you guessed it - Sakura Wars' Kouhei Tanaka. You can check out said music video below.
Contest: Win Plebby Quest: The Crusades, a turn-based strategy game, for Steam
In today's contest you can win a Steam copy of turn-based strategy game Plebby Quest: The Crusades.
If you saw our Gamescom coverage today, you might have caught a glimpse of this deceptive little strategy title, Plebby Quest: The Crusades. I don't think I've ever seen turn-based diplomacy set during the Crusades in such a cutesy visual style, but there's a first time for everything.
Win your copy and hop into European religious wars today!
The flawed gem Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is on Steam
The evolutionary action-adventure survival game Ancestors: The Humankind Odyssey is now on Steam following a year-long exclusivity period on the Epic Games Store and ports to PS4 and Xbox One.
The Steam edition is currently $20, and that half-price promo will last until September 10, 2020.
Even if it's super rough in spots as an open-world video game with a modest development budget, I will never stop going to bat for Ancestors. I loved the sense of genuine discovery and intrigue it instilled – it kinda reminded me of blindly fumbling through Dark Souls or Spelunky for the first time.
While I eventually hit a point where I had to look up a fan-made map to stay sane during my clan's final evolutionary jumps, and the passage of time can be way too gamey and grindy, I'll always treasure learning how to play. The ups, the downs, and the ridiculous process of becoming a true omnivore.
Don't forget to claim Hitman and Shadowrun Collection for free if you need 'em
We've had a lot to say about Hitman 3 lately, but in the current landscape of weekly game giveaways and subscription passes, it's never too late to go back to older entries and catch yourself up.
This week on the Epic Games Store, IO Interactive is giving out Hitman (2016). The mischievous stealth playground was originally delivered episodically, but if you're coming in nowadays, you won't have to wait – you can jet around to Paris, Sapienza, Marrakesh, Bangkok, Colorado, and Hokkaido.
Right now, you can also grab the tactical RPG Shadowrun Returns and its follow-ups Dragonfall and Hong Kong in the all-encompassing Shadowrun Collection. Get in the old cyberpunk mood.
I'm jazzed about next week's free game, too. Into the Breach is a fantastic turn-based strategy title about keeping your mechs alive against relentless (but highly telegraphed) alien invaders.
Hitman and Shadowrun are free until September 3, at which point Intro the Breach will tap in.
Netflix's live-action Resident Evil show is sending the 'Wesker kids' to New Raccoon City
Let me give you a second to process – and try to picture – that ridiculous headline.
On Twitter, Netflix shared a head-turning summary of its upcoming live-action, eight-episode Resident Evil series from writer Andrew Dabb (Supernatural), and, well, here goes: "When the Wesker kids move to New Raccoon City, the secrets they uncover might just be the end of everything."
With all of the lore and characters to draw from, this is an interesting choice, to say the least.
The Hollywood Reporter has more details about the series, including a few quotes from Dabb, who calls Resident Evil his "favorite game of all time" and says the season will "be complete with a lot of old friends, and some things (bloodthirsty, insane things) people have never seen before."
Resident Evil is said to span two time periods – one with Jade and Billie Wesker's family drama in New Raccoon City, and another, set 16 years later, with Jade now struggling in a mostly-infected world.
I'm along for this wild ride. I won't be able to look away.
@NXOnNetflix [Twitter]
'Resident Evil' TV Series Officially a Go at Netflix [Hollywood Reporter]
The original Division is the best Xbox has for September's Games with Gold
When news broke two weeks ago that Forza Horizon 3 would be delisted toward the end of September, I wondered whether it'd go out with one last hurrah as a closing time freebie in next month's Games with Gold. It wasn't meant to be, as Microsoft's instead giving out a different old game that has similarly been made redundant by newer entries in its series.
The Division is the biggest name in September's Games with Gold lineup, as Ubisoft's 2016 open-world RPG team shooter takes the spotlight. It's a fine enough game, but the sequel vastly improves upon the original in most areas. Also, Ubisoft sold The Division 2 for $3 earlier this year, so plenty of people have tried their hand at the newer of the games.
The rest of the list is less remarkable. The other Xbox One title is point-and-click adventure The Book of Unwritten Tales 2. As far as past-generation games go, Xbox 360's De Blob 2 and original Xbox's Armed and Dangerous are up for grabs. As always, those older games are playable on Xbox One through backward compatibility.
Here's the full rundown for Xbox's Games with Gold in September:
Carto is the cool puzzle exploration game your Switch deserves
Carto wasn't on our radar until the PC Gaming Show in June. But, once it showed up there, it was became a staple of the list of games we're keeping an eye on. This chill indie puzzle game is about exploring a world by flipping its pieces upside-down. It looks like the kind of thing you'd want to lose yourself in for an afternoon.
The first opportunity for that escapism comes in exactly two months. Publisher Humble Games has announced that Carto will launch on October 27. It's coming to PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
If you need more convincing, check out the release date trailer that's embedded above. It's got all those cutesy wholesome vibes that your Switch craves. However, Carto also looks like it might have the puzzler chops to give your brain a bit of a workout. Just two more months until we find out if it lives up to those expectations.
Here's a recap of everything that happened at Gamescom Opening Night Live 2020
So Gamescom is here: but instead of sending our writers out to Cologne, Germany, it's being held virtually. As one does in 2020!
Yes, just about every tradeshow has been blown up by the events of this year, but Geoff Keighley put on his PR-face and gave us a livestream anyway in the form of Gamescom Opening Night Live. It had a few new announcements in a sea of ads and trailers for games we already knew about. In other words, it was a very "summer of 2020 stream" and par for the course.
After hyping up the event for weeks on end, Geoff did warn us at the start that it "wasn't going to shock and awe," and he was right! As our own Jordan Devore told me after it was over: "that stream was a lot!" A lotta air time.
You can find a full recap of everything major that happened below: you might find some scraps.
Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart shows off seven minutes of dimension-hopping gameplay
One thing missing from the lead-up to PS5 and Xbox Series X is in-depth gameplay footage, and today, we got a longer look at Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, one of the more tangible next-gen games so far.
It's familiar in the best way. Insomniac calls the story an "extension of Ratchet & Clank: Into the Nexus" with "a lot of returning characters and planets" through the lens of the multi-dimension premise. As for the new playable Lombax character's name, "the world is more interesting with mysteries."
In terms of the release date, no news – but Rift Apart will make the "PS5 launch window."
Here's a better look at some of Destiny 2: Beyond Light's new features
"Stasis" is going to be a huge aspect of Destiny 2: Beyond Light, when it arrives later this year. Billed as a drastic shift in mechanics, you can basically wield the power of stasis to take down enemies, which is heavily entwined in the lore of the expansion.
In short? This is the whole "embrace the darkness" angle: a new dark subclass of sorts. Although Bungie isn't doing a deep dive today, we're getting a quick look at all three ways stasis can be utilized, with looks at the Warlock, Hunter and Titan. Warlock is rocking the Shadebinder archetype, Hunter is the Revenant and the Titan is the Behemoth.
While I'm not thrilled with the sunsetting of content later this year, the actual new powers look like a mechanical shakeup that Destiny 2 needed. I wouldn't have complained if these came ages ago in the first iteration, even!
Turrican Anthology resurrects the legendary Amiga classics
One of the greatest old-school shooters of all time is returning to thrill (and frustrate) brand new generations of players. As revealed during today's gamescom Opening Night Live presentation, Turrican Anthology is now in development at Factor 5.
Physical media outlet Strictly Limited has already opened a pre-order page featuring physical editions of Turrican Anthology Vol.1 and Turrican Anthology Vol.2 for PS4 and Nintendo Switch (though that doesn't necessarily mean it won't appear digitally on other platforms.)
Respawn's Medal of Honor VR game actually looks pretty damn cool
I have run the rollercoaster of emotions in the brief time it took this Medal of Honor trailer to roll. I went from "There's a new Medal of Honor?" to "Huh, they got the original writer to direct" to "Hell yeah, he smashed a dude's head with a stone bust" to "Okay, I'd play this."
I'll admit that I have no real love for Medal of Honor but Respawn has earned our trust by now. It's a studio that has turned out nothing but quality ever since it was founded a decade ago.
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is "a full-blown VR experience." It's launching on Oculus headets sometime this holiday season. Check out the gamescom trailer to get a feeling for what Respawn's stab at Medal of Honor is all about.
Fall Guys has cool medieval levels lined up for Season 2
There are a few takeaways in this Fall Guys Season 2 trailer.
First, I need that dragon costume. N-e-e-d it.
Second, these levels – a platforming gauntlet race with swinging axes, a hill climb with movable boxes to climb up, and other medieval-themed rounds – can't come soon enough. I'm counting the days.
I've maxed out the Season 1 pass and I'm gonna need someone to lock me up. I can't stop playing.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition is out in October
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition has been in the works for a while, but today Microsoft finally announced when it's going to be available: October 15.
This is the (count it!) third definitive re-release (duh!) in the Age of Empires series, as Microsoft is being a good boy and going in order. It'll feature 4K visuals and a completely reworked interface.
Age of Empires III: Definitive Edition will launch on PC (Steam/Windows 10), as well as Xbox Game Pass for PC. The trailer below is looking insanely good: this is one of the most beautiful games of 2020.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga takes the high ground in spring 2021
It's been tough to nail down the release date for LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, and today, it's still pretty elusive. As announced at Gamescom: Opening Night Live, it's now aiming for spring 2021.
I know it's "just LEGO Star Wars," but that delay is a huge bummer for some of us.
After briefly thinking the game was due out on October 20 (before that date was scrubbed from a This Week in Star Wars video), it settled back into a vague "2020" window. Now, 2021. What's the holdup?
Well, with nine films and "nearly 500 characters," it's gonna be a big boy.
The Skywalker Saga is launching on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
Override 2: Super Mech League dukes it out on PS5 and Xbox Series X later this year
Gundam? More like goddamn. That's my best crack at a lede and I will not apologize.
Modus Games has announced Override 2: Super Mech League for anyone who likes a flashy robot brawler. It's headed to PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X in December.
The Override 2 Steam page has a lot of the nitty gritty details about everything that's new. A couple of highlights are a career mode and a 20-bot roster. Also, there's a big crossover cameo that will be revealed in September. That's an Override overload.
Struggling puts two co-op players in one mutated body
Frontier Developments is getting into third-party game publishing, and one of its first titles, Struggling, is quite the departure. It's a gross-out platformer from Chasing Rat Games in which two players can take control of the same monstrous body. You'll need communication and patience for this one.
The fleshy lab-experiment protagonist Troy can also be controlled as a solo player, in which case you'll "simply" use the left stick and LT for one side of his body and the right stick and RT for the other.
Troy's "pilgrimage encompasses dodgy labs, perilous canyons, and even a psychedelic fever dream," and he'll gain abilities like slow-mo, detachable arms, and grafting an appendage "onto the environment."
As they say, long live the new flesh. Struggling is out today on Steam and Nintendo Switch.
Lemnis Gate is a galaxy-brain shooter stuck in a time loop
Planet Coaster creator Frontier Developments is getting into external publishing with a new label, Frontier Foundry, and one of its first pick-ups – Lemnis Gate – should speak to Edge of Tomorrow fans.
It's pitched as a "turn-based strategy shooter with four-dimensional gameplay."
You'll want to see the trailer footage before reading any further, because even after talking with developer Ratloop Games Canada, my mind is still reeling from the possibilities. Essentially though, you can expect 1v1 and 2v2 arena-based shootouts that are played in 25-second turns across five rounds.
Players take turns one by one adding characters to the same time loop, and when you're waiting, you'll spectate the action and try to figure out how to counter what your opponent just did. By the end of the final round, there will be five versions of each player all doing their thing in the same 25 seconds.
"Most first-person shooters, you look at the screen and react to what's happening," said game director James Anderson. Here, "you have to think about what's happening on the screen, what might happen in the future, and what has happened in the past. There's a very multi-dimensional combat."
There are multiple modes (including CTF), gadgets, and distinct character abilities. One might fire toxic sludge to deny access to a room, while another could fire a "protection orb" to absorb bullets.
"We didn't really want to innovate on what you do in a first-person shooter," said Anderson. "The controls are standard, most of the weapons are fairly standard, the game modes are standard, but with this time loop twist, everything feels fresh. The way you use those elements is all brand new."
"When you first start playing, you're gonna play it like a normal shooter, [but further in] you start thinking in four dimensions. You start doing things you would never normally do in a shooter."
I asked why Ratloop chose to have damage pop-ups in Lemnis Gate and the answer hadn't even dawned on me: you don't necessarily have to kill a character in one round. "You can [strategically] distribute your damage over multiple waves," according to Anderson. "You think in layers."
I also wondered about ties in CTF. Whoever gets the most flags after both sides play their five rounds wins, but there's backup scoring to prevent draws (for instance: most kills, most damage, etc.).
That said, there's a lot of potential for clutch plays and last-ditch hijinks. "So even on the last turn, if I've got multiple flags, and you have one more turn left, it's possible you can do something really clever to disrupt all those characters that were gonna get the flags and then they no longer do."
Lemnis Gate is the kind of game I won't fully process until I've played it. Even then, who knows.
Mafia: Definitive Edition is ready to welcome you to the family
During today's gamescom Opening Night Live stream, 2K Games dropped a new trailer for its upcoming action-adventure Mafia: Definitive Edition - a ground-up remake of Illusion Softworks' classic crime sim.
Developed by Hangar Games, Mafia: Definitive Edition features fully revitalised visuals, recreated cinematics, a re-recorded score, and new missions and character arcs for its cast of shady customers. Speaking of, our own Brett Makedonski has played several hours of the remake, and you can check out his thoughts right here.
Mafia: Definitive Edition launches September 25 on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Stadia.
