Cblogs of 9/12 to 9/18/2020: NieR, Prince of Persia, and gaming retailers
Cblogs Recap: Week 38
-ModSquadLeader shares his thoughts on the indie darling, Spiritfarer.
-Shoggoth2588 reviews the 2018 years as part of his decade in review blogging series.
-Kerrik52 reviews Patapon 3 on the PSP as part of his Traveller in Playtime reviews series.
-Lord Spencer reviews Alundra 2 as part of his PS1 REVIEWS blogging series.
-Gaming Sheepy discusses the good and the bad in the Destiny 2 content vault.
-TheBlondeBass continues focusing on games with heart in this blog discussing NieR: Automata.
-Rabid Walrus shares his thoughts on the stylish action of the Kirby franchise.
-Boxman214 shares his (really good) ideas on how to save the local video game retail stores.
-Uncle Arena Fighter shares his thoughts on the extensive Mobile Suit Gundam anime series.
-ChronoLynxx opens yet another TGIF open forum for the community to discuss and unwind.
Review: Super Mario 3D All-Stars
We all have our favorite Mario game.
Maybe it's a classic entry you played during your childhood. Maybe it's a newer one that blew you away. Me? It's kind of a mix of both, as Super Mario World still rules the 2D roost as far as I'm concerned, but Mario Galaxy 2 and 3D World definitely fit into that latter category.
I'm sure everyone is going to have opinions on which Mario is "best" to include in a Super Mario 3D All-Stars compilation, but the ones Nintendo actually gave us are a decent selection.
Sony apologizes for PS5 pre-order snafu, promises more pre-orders opening up in a few days
That went about as poorly as it possibly could've. PlayStation 5 pre-orders went live late Wednesday in the least coordinated effort imaginable. Every retailer opened their pre-orders up at a random and weird time, and then sold through their inventory in mere minutes.
Even people who ended up securing a PS5 pre-order can't sleep comfortably in the knowledge that they'll have Sony's newest on November 12. Yesterday, Amazon sent out emails warning that any PS5 pre-orders were subject to being canceled due to accidental overselling. If Amazon screwed this up, everyone's left assuming that Walmart, Target, and Best Buy very possibly screwed this up too.
Spelunky 2 guide: Tips I wish I would've known sooner
30 hours into Spelunky 2, I've beaten the game exactly once – and come close countless other times.
While much of that time was admittedly spent exploring potential branching routes and figuring out what's up with certain elusive NPCs, straight up, I didn't see the credits until my 400th or so run.
Coming in, I knew I'd be rusty at spelunking, and I expected a long period of acclimation before I could quickly, reliably, efficiently carve through the sequel's procedurally-generated deathtraps, but goddang! This game is brutal. Not just for novices, who are in for a world of hurt, but also those of us who put dozens of hours into Spelunky, toppled Olmec, and survived the trip to hell. The struggle is real – again!
We'll be uncovering secrets in Spelunky 2 for years to come, but for now, here are my tips. I've ordered them based on the stages I've seen – in the order they appear – but I'm missing several in my journal.
The further you scroll down, the more spoilery it'll be – including a pic of the boss at the bottom.
It's been eight years since the non-freeware release of Spelunky, but those layouts are still fresh in my mind.
This was the early days of the modern roguelike. The kinks were still being worked out by myriad developers, but Derek Yu had a cohesive vision that married the cacophony of chaos and challenge in a way that just...sung.
Spelunky 2 thankfully continues that legacy.
Hunter x Hunter's Meruem will make beautiful ant music in Jump Force
Bandai Namco has released a very, very generously titled "gameplay trailer" for the next superstar headed to its anime crossover fighting game, Jump Force. The previously revealed Hunter x Hunter ant-agonist Meruem will be available to purchase in-game this fall on PS4, PC, and Xbox One, and will arrive on Nintendo Switch in early 2021.
While Bandai Namco are notorious for their, shall we say, fleeting fighting game trailers, Meruem's preview kind of takes the tradition to a whole new level. In the scant 36-second video, we get about 12 seconds of actual gameplay, consisting of rapidly-edited shots of the Gungi lover in action. You can check out Meruem for yourself below, just don't blink.
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 is the exact trip down memory lane we needed in 2020
I would be lying if I said I haven't spent a good part of 2020 reminiscing about the better days of the past. Every week of this goddamn year has been too much, so why shouldn't I get lost thinking about the past and all the fun games of my youth. Tony Hawk's Pro Skater was one of the defining titles of teen years and with the recently released 1 + 2, it's taken me straight back to those weekends of Hot Pockets and Sunny-D.
That's just one of the topics we're covering on this episode of Podtoid. CJ, Chris, Occams, and Charlotte are on hand to talk about skateboarding memories, Oxenfree, Super Punch Patrol, the Xbox Series S, and Microsoft's lack of significant launch titles. All that, plus just because you play a doctor in movies doesn't mean you are one, on Podtoid Episode 458.
Whatcha been playing this week, Destructoid?
Hey folks, welcome to the weekend. As we press forward into mid-September and the fall season, it can't be denied that it feels like 2020 has been, well, a bit of a bust. I get that. I think to a degree we're all getting that. But just keep pushing. I know we aren't out of the woods yet, and the pre-pandemic world feels a million years in the past, but stay strong, love those around you, and keep being the best you can be. We'll get through this and, until then, you're doing great. I believe in you.
This week, I started playing Remedy's mind-warping action-adventure Control, as picked by you, our dear readers, in this here article just last week. While my initial plan was to complete it before today, work and distractions have unfortunately been placing hurdles in my path. As such, it'll probably take me another week for me to see the awesome Jesse Faden through to her conclusion. But for now, let's just say I'm having a really radical time.
And while I get back to The Old House, why don't you drop into the comments below and tell the community what games are taking up your free time right now? It doesn't matter whether what you're playing is old or new, obscure or played-out, beloved or despised - be a part of this weekly get-together and tell the world what it should (or shouldn't) be playing. Oh, and while you're about, maybe check out our awesome forums.
Have a safe and restful weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.
Gears Tactics is getting a major update, including Jack the robot as a playable character
The fight is about to get a lot feistier. Gears Tactics is coming to consoles on November 10, that much we already knew. That's when Splash Damages' surprisingly good Gears strategy game gets its first major content update.
There are a few different talking points regarding the November 10 update, but the eye-catcher is the introduction of Jack the robot as a playable character. Jack isn't some repurposed unit jammed into another class either. He's his own class and he's equipped with more than 20 new skills. Jack's most notable ability is hijacking and controlling Locust units.
Jack has been a Gears mainstay but this is only the second time he'll be playable. In Gears 5, Jack was a third co-op option that offered a lighter and lower-stakes alternative to the usual COG characters. Gears Tactics looks as though it uses Jack's model from Gears 5, but Tactics took place more than a decade before the original Gears of War. Jack was iterated upon several times over the course of the series. If you want to get knee-deep in the lore, you can try to figure out which one is Tactics Jack.
The endgame also gets a significant shakeup as Splash Damage has added a higher tier of loot beyond Legendary. Now there's a "Supreme" tier of equipment which should add a lot more incentive to grind through the post-campaign Vanguard missions. The current system grew stale relatively quickly because it didn't long to build up a stable of Legendary items.
Of course, you don't just get better loot without a bigger threat. There's a new Deviant enemy modifier that gives the Locust "special abilities that will defy the players' strategies." It's unclear if Deviant types will show up during the campaign, only in the endgame, or only within special game modes like Ironman.
All of this comes to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on November 10 alongside the console launch. The update will be free on all platforms.
Gears Tactics Launches This November on Xbox Consoles [Gears Tactics]
Origins is the start of 'something new' for No Man's Sky
Hello Games has announced Origins, its next content update for No Man's Sky.
Before everyone looks at the teaser art below and extrapolates endless possibilities (in true No Man's Sky tradition), the team has preemptively called this update "another small step in a longer journey." We don't know what it's about, but we know roughly when it's coming: "next week." Do you want a cape?
"We called it Origins because it is the beginning of something new, as No Man's Sky continues to grow and evolve," Hello Games' Sean Murray said today in a state-of-the-game blog post.
"We know there is a huge appetite in the community for No Man's Sky content, and the team has worked our socks off this year to deliver in difficult circumstances," he said, adding that they're "always listening and focusing on improving the game that our team loves and feels so passionately about."
I wonder what we'll be saying about this game when it turns ten.
No Man's Sky Origins, Coming Next Week [No Man's Sky]
Sega is planning a big stream to reveal Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis details
Sega's giving us more news next week about Phantasy Star Online 2's glow-up. What better place than Tokyo Game Show?
Next Friday, there's a big Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis stream where Sega will show the first gameplay of this remade PSO2. It kicks off on September 25 at 5am Pacific.
If you missed the announcement back in July, New Genesis is a complete overhaul of PSO2. New engine, improved visuals, new mechanics, a more detailed character creation system, the characters' fingers move now -- it's a major undertaking. If I had more emphasis-giving formatting options, I'd have used them.
However, New Genesis isn't replacing PSO2. The two of them will exist in parallel, meaning that players can jump back and forth between the new and old versions. They're both playable, accounts have full functionality between PSO2 and New Genesis, and you'll always have the option of picking whichever one you want to hop into.
New Genesis is coming to PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X sometime in 2021. It'll be on PC, PS5, and Switch in Japan. Just like with the base PSO2, New Genesis will be free-to-play.
Retro-styled adventure Cathedral is coming to Switch in 2020
Elden Pixels' retro-styled adventure Cathedral is headed to the Nintendo Switch later this year, following on from its previous release on PC in the fall of 2019.
Described as "a homage to the games of the past," Cathedral uses classic 8-and-16-bit palettes and sound chips to create a charming medieval adventure wrapped up in a nostalgic '80s gaming aesthetic. Players take charge of a nameless knight who finds themselves lost in a strange new world where threat and danger haunt every nook and cranny of over 600 rooms.
Set in a city controlled by the Evil Crime Syndicate -- a criminal organization that employs everyone from swimmers to clowns to fancy ladies dressed in beautiful gowns -- Super Punch Patrol puts players in control of three cops that have had enough of the city's corruption and decide to take matters into their own hands.
It's a set-up worthy of the inspiration for the title, with Bertil Hörberg reaching back to the earliest days of the side-scrolling beat 'em up genre in creating his latest title. Whereas this year's Streets of Rage 4 sought to update the often dusty conventions for a modern audience, Super Punch Patrol gives players the near-exact feel of those classics, warts and all.
Jett: The Far Shore is hitting PS5, PS4, and PC in 2021
As intriguing as Superbrothers' latest game looks, Jett: The Far Shore has admittedly started to slip through the cracks while higher-profile launch-window PlayStation 5 games hog all of the spotlight. We haven't heard much about the far-out sci-fi adventure since its showing at Sony's PS5 event in June.
Today, the team announced that it needs more time – Jett is now aiming for a 2021 release on PlayStation 5, PS4, and PC (on the Epic Games Store). "Hectic times, so we've revised our trajectory."
Now that the PS5 launch lineup has come into focus, I'm not sure I even have the time or money set aside for this one in 2020 anyway. Superbrothers needs to unravel more of this mysterious game, though I suspect we'll still have to go out on a limb and experience it for ourselves to truly "get it."
Jett to Deploy in 2021 [Superbrothers HQ]
PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan throws shade at Xbox Series S
Microsoft and Sony took divergent paths in their approach to next-gen technology. Microsoft developed two starkly different consoles for two different kinds of consumers; the Xbox Series X is the top-of-the-line future-proof machine, while the Xbox Series S is lower-power and more of an entry point. The PlayStation 5, however, has the same tech capabilities across the board; the only difference between the two models is that one doesn't have a disc drive.
Sony Interactive Entertainment president and CEO Jim Ryan has nothing good to say about the Series S strategy. Speaking with Japanese site AV Watch (and translated by Video Games Chronicle), Ryan said "One thing that can be said is that if you look at the history of the game business, creating a special low priced, reduced spec console is something that has not had great results in the past. We've considered that option and seen other executives who have attempted this discover how problematic it is."
Ryan continued "Based on our research, it's clear that people who buy a game console want to continue using it for four, five, six or even seven years. They want to believe they have bought something that is future-proofed and not going to be outdated in two-to-three years."
It's a bold decision to throw that kind of shade at Xbox Series S, even if he didn't explicitly name the $300 console. The problem is that this seems like sound logic in theory but doesn't really have history backing it up. As GamesBeat's Jeff Grubb points out, there aren't really any great examples for the angle that Ryan's trying to sell:
Bandai Namco has acquired Unknown 9 developer Reflector Entertainment
Bandai Namco announced that it has acquired Canadian studio Reflector Entertainment. The acquisition is part of the publisher's ongoing efforts to produce more gaming content that is developed outside of its home territory of Japan.
Founded in 2016 by Alexandre Amancio and Lune Rouge, Reflector Entertainment is a studio heavily-invested in building deep, narrative worlds, an idea the studio realises through various media including podcasts, visual novels, and films - as well as video games. At Gamescom 2019, Reflector debuted its upcoming release Unknown 9: Awakening, which itself is based on the "Universe 9" series of books, comics, and podcasts.
Someone remade Call of Duty's 'Shipment' map in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is out, and hey: Vicarious Visions did a pretty good job with it!
When it was released earlier this month folks were reliving their memories left and right, while also wishing upon a star for a Tony Hawk 3 + 4 (but mostly 3) remaster. It also didn't ship half-heartedly, like the Robomodo re-release (Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD) did in 2012. In other words, it has split-screen play as well as all of the typical create-a suites you've come to love. That includes the create-a-park feature, which folks have been going hog wild with these past few weeks.
Over on Reddit, user TomHanks12345 (what a name) shared a fairly nonchalant course that earned the respect of the game's official Twitter account: Shipment from Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. They had to work within the confines of the game's creation tools, but the layout looks just right!
If you're playing on PC, you can search for it under the name "Shipment." Sadly, the create-a-park feature is not cross-platform at the moment (a request that's since been made after numerous creations have been shared these past few weeks).
Michel Ancel is stepping away from video games to work with wildlife
Fans have gotten into the habit of combing through Michel Ancel's Instagram posts for tidbits about the state of Beyond Good and Evil 2 and Wild, but today, instead of a new piece of artwork or a screenshot, they found a bittersweet surprise. After more than 30 years in the video game industry, he's leaving it.
Alongside a clip of a very cute (and very sneaky) fox, Ancel said he "decided to stop working on video games and fully focus on my second passion: Wild Life! My new project takes place in the real world and consists in a wildlife open sanctuary dedicated to education, nature lovers, and ... wild animals."
The creator of Rayman has stepped out amid multiple high-profile, company-wide scandals at Ubisoft.
Ancel didn't comment on the state of the company, but he did put a positive spin on the future of Beyond Good and Evil 2 and Wild: "the teams are autonomous and the projects are going super well."
For its part, Ubisoft wrote in a blog post today that Ancel "hasn't been directly involved in BG&E2 for some time now, as the team have been hard at work building on top of the solid creative foundation he helped shape." The company is "ramping up" with Ubisoft Paris and "aiming to share more and show you the game in action sometime next year, once we pass our next internal production milestones."
Wild Sheep Studio, the creator of Wild, hasn't commented on Ancel's departure yet.
To be frank, it's easy to be skeptical of both of these games – for different reasons – but I hope they turn out well. They've both been such a long time coming. As for Ancel, he's about to live his best life.
michelancel [Instagram]
An Update on Beyond Good & Evil 2 [Ubisoft]
Cyberpunk 2077's PC requirements are pleasantly accommodating
We are two months out from Cyberpunk 2077's release on November 19, and after years of silence and a delay, I think we are finally nearing the actual launch. It's always a good sign that development is starting to wrap up when the team can nail down the requirements needed for the PC release, and today we have the final word from CDPR. The requirements and recommended specs are as follows:
Required
- OS: Windows 7/10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-3570K or AMD FX-8310
- Memory: 8 GB
- Graphics Card: NVidia 780 3 GB or AMD Radeon RX 470
Recommended
- OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i7-4790 or AMD Ryzen 3 3200G
- Memory: 12 GB
- Graphics Card: NVidia GTX 1060 6 GB or AMD Radeon R9 Fury
Direct X 12 is both the required and recommended API. 70 GB of storage is required as well, with an SSD recommended but not required.
After the revelation of Serious Sam 4's shockingly high requirements over the weekend, it's nice to see that Cyberpunk 2077 has a reasonable baseline for its PC release. It's also comforting as Cyberpunk 2077 was used in the marketing reel for the upcoming GeForce 3000 line of video cards, which put some people in fear of being under-prepared for optimal performance.
Rest easy everyone, these requirements are signs of a great port, if you can even call it that as CD Projekt RED was, until recently, known mainly for its PC games.
This hardware news was released as part of Night City Wire Episode 3, as well as two videos on some of the more ambient things you might find in Night City. I have been avoiding as much of the story segments of the marketing campaign as possible, so these world and lore expanding bits are always welcome for me.
The first video acts as a quasi-sizzle reel for what you can expect when you visit Night City. It feels like a tourism video – if that tourism bureau didn't want you to come to Night City at all. It's reminiscent of the Fear City protest pamphlet handed out by striking NYC police and firefighters in the 1970s that pointed out how rampant crime was in the city in an attempt to curry public favor for their demands. The difference here is that this is the cyberpunk genre, where crime and corporate greed are what players and readers are looking for.
The second video expounds upon the crime of Night City by showing off the city's different gangs. There's something here for every type of personality from the God-fearing Valentinos to the muscle-bound Animals. Each gang has its own quirk as if they were straight out of The Warriors and it all just adds so much vibrancy to the world of Night City.
Which gang are you most excited to pal up to when Cyberpunk 2077 releases on November 19?
After a crashy launch, the Zendikar set hit Magic Arena
Yesterday, Wizards of the Coast was all set to roll out the Zendikar Rising set for Magic: Arena, but the client had other plans.
It was a massive update. Not only was a new set arriving, but Wizards also had to introduce a brand new rotation (in which a ton of cards are cycling out of standard play entirely), but the studio also had to ensure that various bonuses were implemented correctly. That's where things got a little touch and go.
As soon as the update was live, players noticed that they had been rewarded with old, already out of date cards for their "renewal" system: a mechanic designed to reward players for partaking in old sets before the new rotation hits. Thanks to some intrepid dataminers, it seems as if Wizards possibly coded in the old rotation system (from 2019's Throne of Eldraine renewal): oops.
Following that debacle, the system was put back on maintenance mode, which struggled for the rest of the day. Even in the US evening, Arena was chugging with a "black screen" error, as well as difficulties redeeming wildcards or enabling matchmaking procedures.
Today, the game seems stable, as I haven't had one crash or error yet: so if you were waiting to log in, it's safe now. When you do, make sure you enter the code "PlayZendikar" in the storefront to net three free packs. You can also still input "PlayM21," "PlayIkoria," "PlayTheros" and "PlayEldraine" to net free standard packs (three for each).
As a reminder, Wizards of the Coast recently had a blowout of announcements for their late 2020 and beyond plans, which includes vikings, vampires and a (still coming) mobile version of Magic: Arena.
Hades' 1.0 patch unlocks the true ending
After a very lengthy Early Access period that spanned the Epic Games Store and Steam, Hades is finally out and it's making quite the splash.
And with a full release comes a full 1.0 patch, which finally enables folks to witness the true ending of the game: instead of a tease after defeating the final boss. You can find the meat of the patch notes below, but the full rundown is worth reading if you've been playing it in early access vigorously: it really helps to know what builds were changed. If this is your first time into the fray, just skip them entirely.
Some big highlights beyond the true ending addition include new keepsakes, more in-game cosmetics (all unlocked through in-game currency, to be clear), "thousands of new voice lines," new artwork, five extra music tracks and more "extreme measures."
In case you're not aware, Hades features a "heat" mechanic that allows you to make each run tougher using a variety of different parameters (which you can mix and match). It unlocks after your first clear and is a large driving force for repeat runs: which, in turn, allow the story (both on a macro and micro level) to further unfold.
1.0 Patch Notes [Reddit]
Fire Emblem Heroes brings despair & hope in Path of Radiance event
Nintendo has released a new trailer featuring the newest update for mobile battler Fire Emblem Heroes. The "Despair & Hope" summoning event adds a quartet of characters from 2005 GameCube release Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance.
Being added to the orb-guzzling summoning stone are the wistful and perpetually hungry mage, Ilyana, the moody and sharp-tongued archer, Shinon, the steadfast but easily-wooed knight, Gatrie, and finally the valiant Wyvern master Jill. You can check out the four new heroes and their mad skills below.
Fallout 76 has an updated roadmap that will push some content into 2021
Fallout 76 giveth (a new update) and it taketh away planned 2020 content. In this current climate, it makes a whole lot of sense: even if Fallout 76 generally takes more than it gives.
The One Wasteland update is now live, which allows for dynamic level scaling among parties as well as Daily Ops (new repeatable missions); and the ushering in of season 2. But more importantly, Bethesda is tempering out expectations for Fallout 76 in 2020 more than they already have.
Bethesda notes: "while we want to fill 2020 with as much fun as possible, we also want to make sure we have the time necessary to fully develop some of the other features and content we're planning to release." As a result, expeditions, extra daily ops and perk loadouts are "moving to 2021." Steel Dawn, the next major story update that adds more Brotherhood of Steel shenanigans into the game, is slated for "winter" (with a window of "November or December").
However, it is now a combined update that will result in one giant expansion. In short, Steel Dawn (the preamble/lead-in that was slated for fall of this year) and Fractured Steel are going to drop at the same time. That includes a massive dump of story quests, with more micro-events planned for September through October.
It's a smart move to ensure that folks are playing through the seasonal system and potentially spending money: instead of getting bored with a half-update and moving on.
Inside the Vault [Bethesda.net]
Stardew Valley just hit 'one million downloads' on both iOS and Android
Stardew Valley's lifetime sales were not a sprint: it's a marathon.
That's the kind of raw power that developer Eric "ConcernedApe" Barone tapped into when they created this timeless masterpiece, as the evergreen sales of this monster of a game never seem to stop. It's been steadily trucking since 2016, with folks double, triple or even quadruple-dipping for various platforms: mobile included.
Although every platform has probably had its fair share of success, publisher Chucklefish is reporting this morning that the mobile versions of Stardew Valley (iOS and Android) have hit one million downloads. The outfit states that it hit this milestone on both platforms.
As you may recall, Barone got involved with Chucklefish in 2016, but pivoted to self-publishing the game in 2018; while Chucklefish stayed on to be a steward for the Switch and mobile editions.
Barone isn't done with Stardew Valley yet, either. Update 1.5 still needs to arrive, at which point they will take stock and decide what to do next. Either way, "more projects" are planned from ConcernedApe.
Chucklefish [Twitter]
Petadachi is a cute animal-raising sim from the creator of Mutant Mudds
Since the release of Totes the Goat in 2015, developer Atooi and its founder, Jools Watsham, have really made the most out of the game's simple, but lovely, voxel graphics. The same art style has found its way into subsequent Atooi titles like Soccer Slammers and Knight Fright, both of which provided some arcade-friendly action to Switch and mobile gamers. Next year, the developer is looking to give players something a bit more substantial with Petadachi.
The premise is pretty simple: you get a pet, and you raise it. Find out its likes and dislikes, take it exploring with you, and be sure to give it plenty of love. From the trailer below, it looks to be another relaxing addition to the Switch catalog.
Marvel's Avengers is still teasing 'the biggest patch yet'
As Square Enix races towards a big Marvel's Avengers patch that will allegedly "fix hundreds of issues," we're not entering the honeymoon phase of the game.
Folks have already picked their main and have decided whether or not the grindy endgame is something they want to pursue. According to our internal reader poll, Thor is by far the most popular hero, followed by Captain America, then Iron Man. Hulk leads the bottom three, then Ms. Marvel and Black Widow follow.
While we wait for that big savior patch, priority missions have shifted a bit. The desert vault is the low level priority while the tundra vault is the higher level priority. HARM challenges (the weekly) will also grant you an in-game 2010 Black Widow #5 item.
There's also a weird PlayStation exclusive community challenge (wow this exclusivity deal runs deep) that will grant PS4 players a Ms. Marvel nameplate if they defeat 750,000,000 enemies with melee attacks. These are the sort of things that are designed to succeed, as a developer never wants to say "yeah this game wasn't popular enough for the challenge to go through." You can also find the marketplace offerings below.
Avengers War Table Week 3 [Square Enix]
Super Mario 3D All-Stars has a day one update that smooths a few things over
In this era of day one patches, one would expect some bigger Nintendo games to get huge, multi-GB updates to basically patch in the entire game twice over: but that's thankfully not the case for Super Mario 3D All-Stars, or a lot of first-party Nintendo games, for that matter.
Today version 1.0.1 was released, which only adjusts a few minor things. As usual the wording is very vague (thanks Nintendo!), but several UI issues were altered for Super Mario Galaxy's co-star (co-op) mode, as well as "some issues...to let you play the game more comfortably."
During my time with all three games I didn't notice any major issues, so if there are edge cases that folks might have stumbled upon, this patch should hopefully shore those up. Ideally, a compilation like this shouldn't need massive fixes.
Super Mario 3D All-Stars update out now [Nintendo Everything]
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War alpha is now available to download on PS4
This weekend, PS4 players will get the exclusive opportunity to check out the next title in Activision's gazillion-dollar franchise, Call of Duty. A multiplayer alpha for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War is now available to download from the PSN store for all PS4 users, regardless of whether you have a PlayStation Plus account or not.
The alpha will go live today at 10:00 PT / 13:00 ET / 18:00 BST and will remain operational until the same time on Sunday. Weighing in at around 28GB, the alpha includes three six-on-six modes in the form of Team Deathmatch, Domination and, my personal favourite, Kill Confirmed. These modes will be playable on two all-new Black Ops Cold War maps: Miami and Satellite.
Scythe: Digital Edition arrives on mobile devices alongside of a big Asmodee digital sale
Asmodee, like Ravensburger, has access to a whole lot of IP. That long list for the former includes Scythe, one of the hottest board games of the last few years. It almost begged to be replicated in digital form, and developer The Knights of Unity answered the call, with Asmodee publishing.
Now, it's available on mobile devices (iOS, Android). But the bigger news is probably an accompanying sale on Asmodee digital games. Scythe is 55% off on Steam (down to $8.99), with Gloomhaven running you $16.99 (down from $24.99), A Game of Thrones: The Board Game ($15.99 pre-order, down from $19.99), and Blood Rage: Digital Edition down to $15.99 (from $19.99). Terraforming Mars, Ticket to Ride and The Lord of the Rings: Adventure Card Game are also on sale.
As for that latter one, it's basically being rebooted. Asmodee shut down the original in-house studio (Fantasy Flight Interactive) and hired a new one to be the game's shepherd. It even has a new road map with plans to expand into 2021.
Asmodee Digital [Steam]
Contest: Win Freedom Finger on Switch from Super Rare Games
[Update: It's now sold out! Ya gotta win it now, y'all!}
In today's contest you can win a Switch copy of Freedom Finger from Super Rare Games!
I fingered this game long ago in my now-dormant (but possibly ready to blow) weird games showcase, Getting Weird with Wes. And guess what, snitches?! It's back!
Super Rare Games did what no other company had the balls fingers to do and put Freedom Finger on a physical Switch cartridge. So we're giving it away, because no one fingers like Destructoid!
Cyan's reimagined Myst has VR support and 'optional puzzle randomization'
The incomparable Myst is coming back in style. (Did it ever truly leave?) Original creator Cyan has "reimagined" Myst for VR – but even if you don't have a headset, you'll still be able to play along.
The remake, simply titled Myst, is coming first to Oculus Quest for $29.99, followed by a wider PC launch (including other VR platforms and "flatscreen PC"), then "additional platforms" will follow.
This new Myst is a "from the ground up" Unreal Engine title. Cleverly, "many of the puzzles have been reimagined and engineered to include optional puzzle randomization and enhanced accessibility," Cyan says. In other words, it's not strictly about better visuals. Expect to find new "interactions," too.
When a revamp of a beloved classic can stay true to its roots and also tap into a new audience, you know it's onto something. No word on a release date yet, but Myst is on Steam, GOG, and Oculus.
Cyan Reveals Development of Myst for VR [Cyan]
Disintegration's multiplayer servers are getting shut down just five months after launch
Disintegration might be setting a record, but it's not the kind of record you want to set. In November, publisher Private Division is shutting down Disintegration's multiplayer servers.
That's alarmingly quick. The game just launched on June 16. Three months later, it's so dead that the publisher is already pulling the plug. A quick look at the Steam data estimates that Disintegration had a three-player concurrent peak on PC within the last 24 hours. Three. Over the past month, it got as high as 27 players. The all-time high came in July when 539 people were playing at once -- although, that was probably the product of a free-to-play weekend.
It's an awful precedent to set, as Disintegration is a paid-for $50 game. In his review, Chris noted that the singleplayer campaign was decent enough, but that it was clearly an appetizer for the multiplayer mode. Soon enough, there will be no multiplayer to play. Offline singleplayer will remain available, but that likely won't be enough consolation to people who purchased a $50 game expecting it to work longer than half of a year.
In a statement, the publisher and developer said "While our player base showed interest in the singleplayer campaign, the game unfortunately struggled to build a significant audience necessary for a compelling multiplayer experience. After weighing options, we have collectively made the decision to sunset the multiplayer support."
Disintegration's multiplayer dies on November 17. Private Division has started the removal process by shutting down the in-game store so that players can no longer buy microtransaction-type stuff. The game itself is still being sold, although the price has been dropped to $40 on Steam.
Anyone who picked up Disintegration at launch has been burned for supporting a game with a neat design premise. I'd say they deserve a full refund, but there probably aren't enough of them around to raise a fuss.
An Update on Disintegration Multiplayer [Disintegration]
With co-op coming soon, it's time to call dibs on your preferred Untitled Goose
I'm excited to share the gift of goosey mischief with another person on September 23 when House House adds co-op support to Untitled Goose Game. The question is, do I want to be Player 1 or Player 2?
It's a conundrum as old as gaming itself. This clip – a short demonstration of the new goose's honk and not an ounce more – doesn't make my decision any easier. I'm a fan of that big ol' beak ridge.
Little reminder: one week until two-player is out, along with the Steam and Itch release.https://t.co/mLLf8rWG4b
— House House (@house_house_) September 17, 2020
Also: the new goose has a new honk. pic.twitter.com/bxCqGz3Wq9
If you own Untitled Goose Game on Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, or PC, you're squared away – the co-op update will be free. If you're holding out for the Steam release, that's coming the same day.
Katamari Damacy Reroll is finally coming to PS4 and Xbox One in November
[Update: A couple weeks later, Bandai Namco has confirmed a November 20 release date for Katamari Damacy Reroll on PS4 and Xbox One in the West. That's just a day after Japan.]
Katamari Damacy Reroll might not have set the world on fire, but I loved revisiting the original unhinged rolling action game on Nintendo Switch and PC. Can we get any more Katamari remasters? I sure hope so. In the meantime – but not all that soon – a pair of console ports are on the table for Reroll.
Bandai Namco is bringing the game to PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on November 19, 2020 in Japan.
The listing was spotted on Katamari Damacy Reroll's Japanese site, and it's hard to imagine we won't see a similar announcement in the West soon. Will I dip again for PS4 trophies? Most likely!
On that note, I'll take anything and everything from the main series – bring on the ports.
[Via Gematsu]
It's a 'three free game' kinda week on the Epic Games Store
It feels like head-turning stuff has been happening all over the gaming news cycle lately. Xbox finally revealed the Series S and gave us next-gen pricing and release date info. Sony followed suit yesterday with a dedicated games showcase and PS5 price and launch date. On the PC side, the earth-shattering RTX 3080 cards came out and no one can find them. There's a lot going on!
Which is why it's important that we pump out a meat-and-potatoes kinda post every now and then. You know, a blue jeans and lunch pail kinda post. Maybe it's not sexy and maybe it's not head-turning. It's the kinda post that shows up on-time, puts its nose to the grindstone, and gets the job done.
I am, of course, talking about the weekly Epic freebies post. This week, it's another opportunity to nab Watch Dogs 2 for free. Recently, you had a chance to pick it up through Uplay. Now you have a chance to pick it up through the Epic Games Store.
The other two games are solid in their own right. Stick It to the Man is a quirky platformer that a lot of people adore. Football Manager 2020 is a niche sports simulator that has a dedicated cult following. Everything this week certainly has its audience.
Next week's freebie might throw you through a loop. RollerCoaster Tycoon 3: Complete Edition is the lone announced Epic Games Store freebie. Surely there will be some other attractions to complement it.
Football Manager 2020, Stick It to the Man!, Watch Dogs 2 [Epic Games Store]
The buzz surrounding Hades is spot-on, and it only took one failed escape from hell for me to fall in love with its isometric hack-and-slash combat. It's blisteringly fast but readable even when your screen is full of fiends. It's easy to pick up but full of tough decisions. There are six weapons, all of which feel worthwhile, and countless god-given boons with which to improve and drastically alter them.
If you've been holding out for the 1.0 release of Hades because you try to avoid messing with Early Access on principle or you wanted to wait for a proper conclusion to the story, the time has come.
For all of 2020's misery, I can't believe how many incredible roguelikes this year has brought us.
Developers will have options to save Xbox Series S owners some precious SSD space
There are a lot of component differences between the Xbox Series X and S that warrant the $200 price gap between the two (check out this handy cheat sheet if you're still confused), However, one of the most obvious get-what-you-pay-for gulfs between the two is that the Series X comes with an NVMe SSD that's twice as large as the one in the Series S. Even though it's half the size, Xbox says developers will have options to stretch those 512GB further.
Speaking with IGN, Xbox director of program management Jason Ronald said that install sizes should be significantly smaller on Series S than on Series X. Like, approximately 30 percent smaller. That's because developers won't need to ship 4K texture packs for the Series S because it targets 1440p resolution. "Our expectation is that developers will not ship their highest level mipmaps to Xbox Series S, which will reduce the size of the games," Ronald explained.
This seems like an intra-generation adaption of Smart Delivery. Whereas Smart Delivery detects whether you're playing a game on Xbox One or Xbox Series S/X and automatically serves up an install that's optimized for your console, this functionally does the same thing but within the same family of new consoles. It's just a matter of Xbox knowing which assets to install. "The flexibility is in the developers' hands to make sure the right assets are there," Ronald said. As long as the developers are diligent, Series S installs won't be quite as bloated as their Series X counterparts.
Xbox Series S Game Sizes Will Be Smaller Than on Series X [IGN]
Sony tested thousands of PS4 games on PS5 and '99 percent' are playable
It's not the most in-depth quote, but according to Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan, "99 percent" of the PS4 games tested for backward compatibility on PlayStation 5 will be playable.
That's the latest according to The Washington Post. Previously, it was the "overwhelming majority."
As for wider backward compatibility with PS3, PS2, and PS1 games on PS5, no dice – Ryan confirmed to Famitsu (via Siliconera) that those three legacy systems won't be supported. A shame.
Before it was announced that Demon's Souls will arrive as a day-one PS5 launch game, I toyed with the idea of making Bloodborne – as in, the dearly beloved PS4 title – one of my first experiences with the new console. Honestly, I'm still considering a November replay on PlayStation 5. That feels right to me.
Bloodborne is among the many powerhouse PS4 titles featured in the just-announced PlayStation Plus Collection, so if you happen to have a PlayStation 5 Digital Edition lined up and you're in the mood to relive some of your PS4 favorites (that you potentially own on disc, not digitally), you'll still be covered.
As for the "99 percent" backward compatibility plan, I'm expecting some caveats here and there.
PlayStation CEO Jim Ryan says more PlayStation 5 units will be available than PS4s in 2013 [The Washington Post via The Verge]
1v1 player lobbies are now available in Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost On
It's been a while since we checked in with Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. Maxiboost On. While Bandai Namco's mech-fighter has been quietly receiving quality-of-life patches to fix minor issues, this week has seen the arrival of some fairly major additions, including a new option allowing one-on-one matches. More importantly however, the pre-order DLC is being made available for free for a limited time.
You can catch the time frames for when the DLC will be made available below.
Here is the exact pre-order timing info for Xbox Series X and S
Did you try securing a PlayStation 5 pre-order yesterday? It was -- and this is putting it mildly and really underselling the whole situation -- a clusterfuck. Retailers set their pre-order pages live at varying times after the PS5 showcase wrapped up, and people were left scurrying from digital store to digital store all night in hopes that they'd get there within a three-minute window before stock was inevitably gone. Folks diligently watched Twitter like hawks all night long only to be left with no next-gen hopes on the immediate horizon and with $500 burning a hole in their pockets.
Microsoft is doing its darnedest to not replicate that debacle. It'll still be a clusterfuck, no one doubts that, but maybe it'll be a more organized clusterfuck.
That's why Microsoft has given us exact pre-order timing information for its next-gen systems. Both the Xbox Series X and S will go up for pre-order on Tuesday, September 22 at 11am Eastern / 8am Pacific. That's when (in theory) all retailers will set their pre-order pages live at the exact same time. Some confirmed retailers are: Amazon, Army and Airforce Exchange Service, Best Buy, Costco, GameStop, Newegg, Sam's Club, Target, and Walmart. (We'll try to circle back with some links next week.)
As we already knew, the Series X will run $500 while the Series S is priced at $300. Both launch on November 10. There's not a great chance of getting any next-gen system on launch day without getting a pre-order in. And, this pre-order stock will probably run out similarly fast to the PlayStation 5's. If you're in the market for a new Xbox, set a couple of alarms for next Tuesday morning.
Fortnite prepares for next-gen warfare with glossy PS5 gameplay teaser
Inevitably, Epic Games' phenomenally popular Fortnite will be making the leap into the next-generation of gaming hardware. Of course it will be, given that the battle royale extravaganza still boasts hundreds of millions of players worldwide.
Fortnite will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X on each platform's respective release day, meaning that there will be no wait in boarding the Battle Bus for a whole new generation of wall-building, loot-gathering, head-popping multiplayer mayhem. Players will be able to carry their current-gen accounts over onto the new platform, retaining all in-game purchases and progression.
Publisher Epic Games has released a short teaser trailer, which you can check out below, demonstrating Fortnite in action on PlayStation 5 hardware. Developed in Unreal Engine 4, everything looks suitably shiny and glorious, securing the immediate future of one of the most popular video games of all-time. Where we dropping, fellow kids?
Fortnite is available now on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
Arcade1Up made a big splash earlier this year when it announced its first set of cabinets to feature Marvel Vs. Capcom, but there is one more cabinet it's preparing this year for fans of classic arcade action. Starting today, you can order the Golden Axe Arcade Cabinet, the company's first collaboration with Sega. Like it's Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cabinet from last year, the Golden Axe unit can support up to four players at once on some of its games.
The titles included with this cabinet are:
- Golden Axe
- Golden Axe: The Revenge of the Death Adder
- Shinobi
- Altered Beast
- Wrestle War
Nintendo Download: Super Mario 3D All-Stars
Last week, something weird happened: Nintendo spilled the beans about Hades arriving on Switch today. Shortly after sending out an email stating that it was coming soon, the company sent a retraction, stating that Hades was still slated for a "fall 2020" release. Oops!
It looks like that announcement was supposed to be saved for today's Nintendo Direct Mini, where the stream just went ahead and told us that Hades is out today. It's definitely a huge release after a long early access wait, but Super Mario 3D All-Stars isn't a slouch, either.
It's a big week for the Switch! Super Mario 3D All-Stars, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Mini Motor Racing X, Unrailed and WWE 2K Battlegrounds are all out soon.
The Invincible is an intergalactic thriller inspired by the Polish sci-fi novel
Starward Industries has announced a new sci-fi adventure title, which is currently in development at the Polish studio for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X. The Invincible is an intergalactic first-person thriller, inspired by the 1964 novel from renowned author Stanislaw Lem.
In The Invincible, players will take up the role of an interstellar scientist, who wakes up on the planet Regis III to find their entire crew missing. Using retro-futuristic technology and keen wits, it is up to the protagonist to search for and discover the fates of their missing crew members, while surviving the increasingly hostile environment of Regis III and its occupants. It will soon become clear that you are most certainly not alone...
Famed FFXIV producer 'Yoshi P' is one of the leads on Final Fantasy XVI
Naoki "Yoshi P" Yoshida is a legend among Final Fantasy XIV players.
Known for his humble demeanor (both in and outside of the game), Yoshi P turned XIV around with A Realm Reborn reboot and never looked back. The pivot was henceforth known as the "Realm Reborn Treatment," and was nothing short of a miracle, forced into being by strong leadership. I even witnessed his kindness first-hand at a Final Fantasy XIV Fan Festival event, as Yoshida was out and about in the crowds, chatting with fans. To many, he is the lifeblood of the series.
In this past year Square Enix noticed all of this, and promoted him to oversee various Final Fantasy projects: thanks to a new blog following the reveal of Final Fantasy XVI, we now know that the next mainline game is on that list. Here's the producer's full statement:
"The exclusive footage, comprised of both battles and cutscenes running in real-time, represents but a fraction of what our team has accomplished since the start of development on this, an all-new Final Fantasy game. In that span, the team's size has grown from a handful of core members to a full-fledged unit that continues to polish and build upon what they have created so far, all to provide players an experience unmatched in terms of story and gameplay."
I'd say that the series is in good hands. While we know next to nothing about the game itself (including a release window) beyond what the initial trailer teased, I'm liking what I'm seeing so far.
Final Fantasy XVI announced for PS5 [PlayStation Blog]
A recap of everything announced at the Nintendo Direct Mini
Leave it to Nintendo to surprise us.
Well, this Nintendo Direct Mini wasn't a full surprise, but tons of gaming news at 10AM ET is kind of...a lot to take in, especially since a ton of people are probably still asleep, or at work in some regions!
The big thing today is Monster Hunter Rise on Switch. The title was chosen because of the focus on verticality, and will feature a new canine companion that you can ride. Monster Hunter Stories 2 is also a thing, as well as Disgaea 6. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is coming to Switch today, too, out of nowhere.
Here's a full recap!
Monster Hunter Rise will ship with three new amiibo
Right at the tail-end of the "Monster Hunter Direct" (with oddly followed up the Nintendo Direct Mini showcase today), Capcom gave the amiibo collectors what they want: the announcement of three new toys.
According to the publisher, Palamute, Magnamalo and a Palico amiibo (themed around the very blue hues of Rise) will debut with Monster Hunter Rise proper on Switch in 2021. Capcom says that the amiibo will provide armor for the players, as well as the chance to enter a "daily lottery" for items. The trailer states that "standalone amiibo" will be "GameStop exclusive" in the US and at EB Games in Canada. Wow, we're back to square one with this again.
As always, here is a full running tally of every amiibo ever made. There are currently seven pending/unreleased amiibo on the way: Joker, Hero, Cat Mario, Cat Peach, Palamute, Magnamalo and Palico. Everything but the Rise trio are up for pre-order as of the time of publication.
Rune Factory 5 looks like a colorful return to fighting for the farm
It has been more than a year since we first got word that Rune Factory 5 was in development for Nintendo Switch, and during today's Partner Mini Direct, we were given our first look at the 2021 title. All the staples of the spin-off series are here. There are still crops to grow, monsters to fight, fish to catch, and partners to woo.
In Rune Factory 5, you play as an amnesiac who's asked to become a peacekeeping ranger and tasked with keeping the local town safe from the various monsters that roam the expansive world. You can tame these monsters, or team up with the townies to take them down. In one of the features new to Rune Factory 5, you'll be able to perform combo attacks with your allies. According to a press release from Xseed, that's just one of the new features in store for players.
Sniper Elite 4 is taking aim on Nintendo Switch this winter
This morning's Nintendo Direct Mini presentation offered a look at Rebellion's Sniper Elite 4, which is bringing its stealth-action and pin-point marksmanship to Nintendo Switch.
As a highly-skilled sniper stationed in Italy at the height of WWII, players must complete a campaign of vitally important missions of assassination, espionage, and sabotage, bringing down the encroaching Nazi regime one bullet at a time. Tactical planning, smart positioning, and stoic patience will be key elements to achieving each goal, ultimately demonstrating how one man can carry the worth of an entire army.
Sniper Elite 4 is available now on PS4, PC, and Xbox One. It will launch on Nintendo Switch in winter 2020.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps (Ori 2) is coming to Switch after all..today
Oh hey Ori, didn't see you there! I was too busy looking at the recent news article about not expecting more Microsoft-led games to come to Switch.
As it turns out, Ori 2 was excluded from that whole thing. After the original Ori arrived on Switch, all eyes were on the sequel, and when it might actually hit the Switch. Well, that day is today! You can find it here for $30.
As their "one last thing" announcement in today's Nintendo Direct Mini, Nintendo unveiled that the sequel is not only hitting Switch eminently, but it's also getting a collector's edition, which you can check out below.
It'll run you $150 and you can find it here. The collector's edition (and the game) is also available for PC and Xbox One.
