Live-action Crash Bandicoot returns in unnerving Japanese commercial
Long-time Crash Bandicoot fans will be pleased to see that publisher Activision has produced a brand new, live-action commercial to promote the release of the upcoming Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time, which launches in October on PS4 and Xbox One.
In the new Japanese ad, Our boy Crash imposes himself on a family, essentially forcing them to perform a dance to the ear-worm that is the "Crash Bandicoot" song, which featured in similar commercials back in the 1990s. Crash and the family perform the dance at home, in the woods, by a stream, and in the high street, with the family's father seemingly losing all sense of sanity as the advert progresses.
And who can blame him, that moment at 1:20 is the stuff of nightmares.
Oculus Quest 2 will have controller free hand tracking for some games, Facebook leak confirms
The Oculus Quest is a rad piece of tech. Facebook was very smart to anchor their entire future to it, as the tetherless system that does not require any other hardware is one of the most accessible ways to enter the VR space to date. A follow-up to the Quest has been expected for some time, and now it's been fully revealed: a little sooner than expected.
Thanks to a leak from Facebook's own site, we have all of the details ahead of the Wednesday unveiling. You can get an extensive look at the headset via the videos below, but the upgrades themselves are fairly substantial in nature. In addition to full hand tracking (for select games), the headset will also sport 4K video (2K in each eye), with a Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 processor.
Facebook also boasts that the Oculus Touch remotes (which are already a feat of engineering) are upgraded, in addition to 3D audio for the standalone headset (which does not require headphones, like the original Quest). The link cable will still be an option for folks who want to hook up their Quest to their PC for extra power.
Facebook is expected to give us full details on Wednesday, but given that their own site spilled the beans, it may come earlier. Right now the rumors point to a $300 entry point, with a $400 possible price for the 256GB model that was unveiled via the leaks.
Given how impressive the original Quest was out of the box, this one should be even more enticing. I can't wait to try it out: particularly the new cotnrollers.
Meet Quest 2 [Facebook via VG247]
Spelunky 2 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.
Cblogs of 9/5 to 9/11/2020: Hyrule Warriors, Xbox Series S, and game delays
Cblogs Recap: Week 37
-Kerrik52 reviews Ape Escape as part of his Traveler in Playtime blogging series.
-ModSquadLeader talks about three great pixel-based indie games.
-Black Red Gaming reviews Borderlands 3 on the PC.
-LaTerry is running wild with speculation about the new Hyrule Warriors game.
-Dinoracha shares his initial thoughts regarding Paper Mario: The Origami King.
-ModSquadLeader reviews the movie #Alive as his first movie review.
-Gaming Sheepy joins the Dtoid blogging community with this introduction blog.
-ChronoLynxx is back with another open TGIF community thread.
Review: The Outer Worlds: Peril on Gorgon
The Outer Worlds is a kooky sci-fi world I want to explore more of, and while I think (and hope) an eventual sequel could be a home-run, for now, Obsidian Entertainment is expanding Halcyon with DLC.
The first of the two story expansions is Peril on Gorgon, an intriguing corporate mystery set on a semi-abandoned asteroid that begins with an unexpected delivery. Because this is The Outer Worlds, you don't just get a simple invite to Gorgon – you're sent a detective's severed arm with a recording.
I didn't expect to have this easy of a time slipping back into this feel-bad universe.
The indisputable and scientifically correct Fall Guys round rankings
[I almost never care even the slightest bit about whatever flavor-of-the-week video game has taken the world by storm, but Fall Guys is different. It speaks to me on a primal level, and you can bet your ass that I have strong opinions about which rounds reign supreme. There's not enough space here to fully get into it, but let's just say that I absolutely, 100%, do not agree with all of Dango's choices here in this blog ranking each round. Still, he makes some really great points, and I'd love to hear what y'all have to say on the subject! - Kevin]
Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout has been a godsend for those of us who grew up playing platformers, because it finally gave us a chance to use our experience in an online competition. While games like Rayman Legends give us ghost modes and weekly challenges to master, Fall Guys throws us straight into the arena to fight toe-to-toe with several other players. There has been grabbing. There has been tripping. There has been blood.
Take to the skies with Arcade Archives classic Gemini Wing
This week, retro publisher Hamster added yet another old-school shmup to its expansive Arcade Archives range, as Tecmo's Gemini Wing is now available to download on PS4 and Nintendo Switch.
Released in arcades in 1987, before seeing huge success with a series of home computer ports, Gemini Wing is a vertically scrolling shmup which pits one or two players against armies of strange fantasy enemies, including scaly cycloptic serpents, weird tentacled skulls and giant Venus flytraps.
Check out the action below, courtesy of YouTuber World of Longplays.
Review: Borderlands 3: Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck
So far in 2020, there are two contenders for "most outrageous title."
Borderlands 3: Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck, and Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn).
This roller coaster of a year isn't over yet, folks!
What the heck was Killer7 even about? Japan being on the brink of war with the United States? Political parties being infiltrated by terrorists? Brutal assassinations being carried out against key political figures? It sounds like a Tom Clancy novel, and I don't mean that as a compliment. So why is it that I now have an urge to play it again?
It certainly captured my imagination when I was younger. Cool characters, bizarre graphics, and cryptic dialogue, all presented in a heap reeking of weirdness. It was the ultimate style-over-substance game. Forget whether or not the gameplay was good, there was nothing like it at the time, and arguably, there still isn't.
Weirdness may not get you sales, but it definitely helps you stand out if you apply it to the correct areas. Paradise Killer is coated in the salve of abnormality, but will it cure the rash of the mundane, or is it just taking care of the itch? If I've lost you with these analogies, trust me, it's about to get more confusing.
I like crabs. Do you like crabs? I keep a small group of hermit crabs as pets, one has been with me for over a decade now. So, my first question when going into Fight Crab was, "can I play as a hermit crab?"
The answer is no, sadly, but you do have the option of piloting a coconut crab, which is essentially a giant hermit crab. They grow up like hermit crabs -- hiding their soft, delicious butts in gastropod shells -- but eventually become too big and tough to use them anymore, so they just go naked. They're the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world and are known for being mischievous.
That's probably the most intellectual thing I'll say in this whole review, because Fight Crab is an immensely stupid game, and I mean that as lovingly as possible.
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 will bring back adventure mode, is coming to basically every system
In case you missed it, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, a sequel to the incredibly fun puzzle mashup game from 2017 (in the US, at least) was quietly announced as part of a packed surprise Nintendo Direct Mini stream a few weeks ago. Due out in December, this thing is hitting basically every platform known to man: PC (this is the only version not coming this year), PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch.
Before then, Sega is content giving us another quick glimpse into the world of the second game, confirming today that Ringo and Tee are returning for another go in adventure mode. The sequel will feature a new map and the Dimensional Parasite antagonist, who merges both the Puyo and Tetris worlds together. Mystery and intrigue are promised on top of the normal puzzle-solving gameplay.
This time around there's a bigger variety of missions, including skill battles (EXP can level up your stats): with the addition of more RPG elements as a whole like extra optional stages via the world map and more items. Sega re-iterates that the game will support the Smart Delivery initiative on Xbox One -> Series X, with a vague "PS4 to PS5 upgrade path "at no extra cost when the game launches," if you buy it "from the PlayStation Store or a physical version from a retailer."
Sony's lack of an easy solution for cross-buy must be pissing off a lot of studios!
For a series predicated on mayhem and wackiness, Gearbox and 2K are taking quite the reasonable and straight-forward approach to moving onto next-gen consoles. There are no Control-like shenanigans to be found here.
As part of its digital-only PAX West panel, Gearbox has announced how it's shifting Borderlands 3 onto PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. It's quite simple. It's expected that there will be a new SKU for next-gen, possibly one that will include all DLC to date.
However, anyone who already owns Borderlands 3 on current-gen consoles won't have to worry about that. Owning a current-gen version of the game will grant you a free upgrade to the next-gen version (within the same console family, of course). So, someone with Borderlands 3 on PS4 will get entitlements for the PS5 upgrades when they play on PS5. It's the exact same for Xbox One and Xbox Series X.
Early adopters into next-gen won't be dinged in terms of the time they've already put into Borderlands 3. Gearbox says "You'll be able to bring everything over to the new console generation." That means it's completely cross-save compatible. You won't lose any progress. Also, all purchased content (including DLC) also moves over seamlessly.
What exactly do these upgrades entail? Gearbox is aiming to get Borderlands 3 running at 4K and 60fps on PS5 and Xbox Series X. There are also two new local co-op features. Gearbox is implementing four-player split-screen on next-gen machines. It's also including a vertical screen option in two-player co-op. (Actually, the vertical screen will also be added to PS4 and Xbox One versions.) Gearbox didn't mention performance targets for these beefier co-op features.
This all sets the table as a way for Gearbox to usher Borderlands 3 into the future. As we've noted before, Borderlands 3 is becoming more and more like a platform than just a one-off game. We've liberally predicted that Gearbox isn't ready to move onto something new anytime soon.
We were more or less right. Gearbox also announced plans for new content that's coming to Borderlands 3. Don't expect something akin to the four story add-ons that made up the season pass (which just wrapped up with Psycho Krieg and the Fantastic Fustercluck). Whatever's releasing in the short-term will be some sort of new game mode and a new additional skill tree for each Vault Hunter. That's slated for "later this year." Maybe 2021 will bring more narrative-focused expansions.
Gearbox had one more tease for the future, though. It seems as though crossplay will be implemented in Borderlands 3 sometime next year. Hopefully that's cross-platform and cross-generation. It'd be nice to keep the friends around who won't immediately leap to buy a new console.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits delayed to early 2021
Developer Ember Lab has announced that it has delayed the launch of its gorgeous looking spiritual adventure Kena: Bridge of Spirits. Previously scheduled for launch this holiday season, Kena is now expected to arrive in early 2021 on PS4, PS5 and PC.
In a statement on Twitter, Ember Lab cites the difficulties of working within the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered Kena's production, and led to a slower development schedule than was originally planned. The team also thanks fans for their ongoing support for the intriguing adventure, which first turned heads during the Playstation Future of Gaming event in June.
Kena: Bridge of Spirits launches in 2021 on PS4, PS5, and PC via Epic Games Store.
Serious Sam 4 system requirements announced ahead of its impending release
We're little less than two weeks away from the release of Croteam's Serious Sam 4 and the developer has announced the specs that you will need if you want to run the game when it releases September 24. The base and recommended specifications are as follows:
Minimum:
CPU: 4 cores Intel or AMD @ 2.5 GHz
RAM: 8 GB
GPU: NVidia GeForce 780/970/1050 or AMD Radeon 7950/280/470
VRAM: 3 GB
OS: Windows 10 64-bit (1809/1903)
DirectX 11
Recommended:
CPU: 8 cores Intel or AMD @ 3.3 GHz
RAM: 16 GB
GPU: NVidia GeForce 1080/2060 or AMD Radeon Vega64/5700
VRAM: 8 GB
OS: Windows 10 64-bit (1909)
DirectX 12 or Vulkan
The specifications were announced in the official Croteam Discord, along with a message about the types of performance you can expect with your rig. The team reiterated that the minimum specifications were based on 720p at 30 frames-per-second, with the recommended performance based around 1080p resolution. Those wanting "4K resolution and/or high framerates" will need better than the recommended. The developers also made it clear that they will be framing the game so that any piece of hardware above minimum should help performance.
Serious Sam 4 will release on September 24 for PC and Google Stadia, with a PlayStation 4 and Xbox One release planned for sometime in the new year.
Serious Sam 4 system requirements [Croteam Official Discord]
September has arrived, and in any other year, this would be the kick-off to a monster release schedule rolling into the holiday season. But in the year of COVID, so much is still up in the air. We don't know the release dates or prices for the next-gen systems, we don't know if Nintendo has a trick up its sleeve for November, we don't even know if the games we're looking forward to over the next 12 weeks will be hit with a last-minute delay.
But we do know there is still so much to talk about with the industry, and on this episode of Podtoid, CJ, Chris, Dan, and Charlotte get to chatting about Marvel's Avengers, Moon, Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and speaking German. All that, plus we answer your questions, on Podtoid Episode 457.
PlayStation 5 Showcase confirmed for September 16
Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that it will be holding a special PlayStation 5 Showcase live stream next week on Wednesday, September 16.
While no specific details pertaining to the 40-minute show's contents have been offered. It seems an inevitability that Sony will finally reveal both the release date and the all-important price-point for its next-gen hardware, following similar announcements made by Xbox earlier this week.
The PlayStation 5 Showcase will broadcast live over on PlayStation's official YouTube and Twitch channels. The action kicks off September 16 at 13:00 pt / 16:00 ET / 21:00 BST.
(Update) Whatcha been playing this week, Destructoid?
[Update: The winning title is Control, with about 40% of the votes, Uncharted: The Lost Legacy came in a strong second. Thanks to everyone who voted! We'll do this again soon, and don't worry, the runners-up will get their day!]
Friends, I'm not sure if I played anything this week. That's pretty wild, but I did have a lot to be getting on with, both on-site and in the weird technicolour mess that is my real life. I dropped into a few regulars - Street Fighter V, Streets of Rage 4, Rainbow Six Siege, etc - but I think I need to start something completely new, something that I can bash through in a week that will stand far and away from my usual haunts.
And that's where you come in. For the first time in this article's short history, I wanna ask all of you which of these "currently installed but never touched" PS4 games you think I should play next week. At the end of today, I'll see which title got the most votes, and will jump straight into said game within the next day or two. Yes - this weekend - YOU can control my life... or at least one really minor aspect of it. Be gentle with me.
Oh, and once you've voted, be sure to visit the comments below and let us know what you've been hitting this past week. Maybe you're grinding Marvel's Avengers, or maybe you're literally grinding Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 & 2. Are you out on the links in PGA 2K21, or out on the gridiron in Madden 21? Whatever it is that you're playing, old or new, fill us in on the action!
Have a wonderful weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.
You can't bring your Hades save file over to Switch until sometime after 1.0 launches
With Hades about to hit its coveted 1.0 milestone on PC – and the Nintendo Switch version right around the corner with a "fall 2020" window – Supergiant has announced a change to cross-save support.
Save data transfers are still a part of the plan, but Hades won't offer cross-saves until after 1.0. As explained in a tweet today, the studio "encountered some setbacks in the final testing of this feature."
— Supergiant Games (@SupergiantGames) September 11, 2020
Rather than push back the 1.0 release, Supergiant Games is delaying the cherry-on-top feature until later this year, "after Hades V1.0 launches this fall." It's unquestionably the right call. If long-time Early Access players struggled with buggy save transfers on day one, that could botch the whole launch.
Hades is a fantastic roguelike action game from a talented studio firing on all cylinders. Be excited.
@SupergiantGames [Twitter]
You'll have to break the Xbox Series X's stand if you want to take it off
Jordan wrote about a PlayStation 5 box art .jpg earlier today and included the sentiment "File this story under 'Mildly interesting next-gen fluff for a Friday afternoon.'" At this rate, I might as well make that an official tag.
The Xbox Series X comes with a circular stand for vertical orientation. That, apparently, is permanently affixed. Microsoft has sent the console shell to a few outlets, and IGN's Ryan McCaffrey has confirmed that the stand can't be removed:
Terraria got a Switch update for two-player split-screen co-op
In our continuing "Does it have split-screen co-op?" adventures, here's an update on Terraria.
The Nintendo Switch version – which is pricey and not ideal but good enough for plenty of families – now has two-player split-screen support. That said, the feature only works when your Switch is docked.
Here's how to access it (after downloading the patch):
- Player 1 first needs to start their game normally and enter their world.
- Player 2 can turn on their controller and sign into a (free) system-wide Switch account.
- Player 2 can then select their existing Terraria character or create a new one.
- That's it! Both players can zoom in and out by hitting pause and using ZL or ZR.
Two-player co-op is better than no-player co-op, that's for sure.
Today's update includes "a solid handful of bug fixes," so solo adventurers are also in luck.
Splitscreen Terraria Launches on Nintendo Switch [Terraria Community Forums]
CD Projekt Red introduces us to the gangs of Cyberpunk 2077 next week
Night City is full of tough hombres who have no problem murdering anyone who gets in their way. Next week, we'll go around the classroom, and all of them will introduce themselves and say something that makes them unique and interesting.
CD Projekt Red has carved out a time for the third episode of Night City Wire, the video series that introduces us to various aspects of Cyberpunk 2077. Last month, we learned more about the three different Lifepath roles. This time, it's the city itself and the gangs that call Night City home.
You can use a flight stick for Star Wars: Squadrons on PS4 and Xbox One
From the outside looking in at least, Star Wars: Squadrons continues to be a pleasant surprise.
It's a flight sim through and through, and that full immersive vibe is even extending to consoles. After noting that Squadrons is going to support HOTAS controls on PC, Motive Studios confirmed today that the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions will also have throttle-and-stick control support. It's locked in.
In a tweet, creative director Ian S. Frazier said the HOTAS patch for PS4 and Xbox One "will be available the moment the game goes live" on October 2, 2020 – not your average day-one update.
The team needed "a bunch of extra hours and problem-solving to make this happen in time for launch."
I don't know how many of you have a Thrustmaster or Hori setup, but I bet the effort is appreciated.
@tibermoon [Twitter]
Going forward, PS4 games can have a 'PS5 Upgrade Available' badge on their box
How do you know if a PlayStation 4 game has a PS5 upgrade? Look for the badge on the box (maybe).
Looking over the box art for Immortals Fenyx Rising, Ubisoft's take on Breath of the Wild-style open-world adventuring, the game has a "PS5 Upgrade Available" badge – the first I've seen of its kind.
Publishers are pretty much all doing their own thing with respect to cross-gen graphical and performance upgrades – whether or not they're free, or paid, and for how long – and this badge is one way of delivering a heads-up that there is an upgrade, and that you'll need to hit up Google for details.
In this specific case, Immortals will use Smart Delivery on Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S as a free perk, and the PS4 version of the game will grant access to the digital PS5 version at no extra cost.
File this story under "Mildly interesting next-gen fluff for a Friday afternoon." Cool?
Here at Destructoid, we're debating whether we should refuse to call Immortals Fenyx Rising by its new (and weirdly colon-less) name in favor of using the original, far less divisive title Gods & Monsters.
PS4 box offers first look at 'PS5 upgrade' branding [VGC]
NieR Replicant is all set for a big Tokyo Game Show special presentation
It seems as though the Taiwanese rating board leaks were, in fact, a precursor to some imminent NieR Replicant news. Square Enix is using the remake/remaster/"upgrade" to make a splash at the biggest video game trade show in its home country.
NieR will get its own livestream program during Tokyo Game Show in a couple weeks. Sticking with the odd-but-excellent naming conventions, this presentation is called "The 'We Have a Decent Amount of New Info' Special." I'm no medium or soothsayer, but I predict there will be a decent amount of new information pertaining to NieR.
This isn't just NieR Replicant either. NieR Reincarnation, the mobile game coming to iOS and Android, is also expected to be there. And, the YouTube thumbnail shows 2B, so maybe we'll get something pertaining to NieR: Automata? You probably shouldn't hold out hope for that last one, though.
It all goes down on September 24 at 6am Pacific. The special has English subtitles, so we won't be left waiting for translated secondhand details. All we know is that we can expect a lot of NieR and we can expect a decent amount of new information. If nothing else, we'll probably find out if we're left waiting until next year for NieR Replicant or if Square Enix is able to actually make the original target of releasing in 2020.
Remember Roller Champions? It's finally coming next year
Roller Champions has had a fairly interesting development cycle.
It was revealed last E3, with a demo available immediately following the show. But after that, it kind of dropped off the map. Well, it's back now! Although it wasn't part of the Ubisoft Forward stream yesterday, Ubisoft Montreal has confirmed through a new developer diary video that Roller Champions is slated for release in early 2021. The PC, PS4, Xbox One and Switch platforms are still a go.
As a reminder, this is a 3v3 game based around capturing a ball while racing around a track; with elements of custom character creation. Like many other Ubisoft titles the development team is taking a "community-centric" approach, with voting for activities being teased; more info is coming in October.
Is there really a third unannounced next-gen Xbox model?
Readers, you'll have to let your intuition do the heavy lifting on this one. This is the type of story where I feel equal parts good and bad about it. It's the kind of rumor that's completely plausible yet the evidence is rooted in nothing firm. I present this to you as a grand "What if...?" more than anything else.
Rumors have surfaced that Microsoft has a third Xbox Series model in store. It'll be the exact same as the more-capable Xbox Series X but without the disc drive. Word of this all-digital console popped up via this tweet and was then reported by GamesRadar+:
Hearthstone just got three new battlegrounds heroes, with more events on the way
I've been playing a lot of Hearthstone lately thanks to the release of the battlegrounds game mode. It's such an easy way to jump into the Hearthstone system without having to strictly worry about the meta, or buying into new pricey decks. You just suit up, select a hero, and roll.
So whenever Blizzard has updates planned for battlegrounds, I perk up. That includes the three new heroes that just popped up in the mode, based off of the new Scholomance expansion. Lord Barov is a gambler, who allows you to guess the winner of the next combat for a net gain of two coins. Jandice Barov lets you swap a friendly non-golden minion with a random one in the tavern: which is similarly risky. Forest Warden Omu gives you two gold after upgrading Bob's tavern, which allows for fairly strategic mathematical turns.
Right now, Jandice and Omu are performing very well; within the top five winrates for all heroes on some ranking sites. Maiev is still dominating as she has for some time now, followed by Jandice and then The Lich King, who saw an uptick after his ability cost was changed to "0" in an August patch. As Bob would say: "good luck out there!"
In terms of other Hearthstone news, the Book of Heroes mode is coming on September 15, which gives us an all-new story led by Jaina Proudmoore. It's billed as "free single player content over the course of the next 12 months," with "stories for all 10 core heroes." On September 23, the competitive tavern brawl mode will re-enter the fray.
The free stuff sounds good to me!
Who dares enter the Forbidden Library [Battle.net]
One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4 releases trailer for The Massacre Soldier, Killer
Bandai Namco has released the first gameplay trailer for Killer, one of the upcoming DLC characters for One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, further expanding the madcap brawler's huge roster of scallywags.
Spoilers for the One Piece manga follow
One of the Supernovas from the feared "Worst Generation" faction, Killer does not take his monikers of "The Massacre Soldier" and "The Murder Machine" lightly. An incredibly dangerous martial-arts master, the masked meathead spells doom for almost anybody foolish enough to stand in his way, cutting down all opposition with his trusty hand-scythes.
Bethesda gives us a deep dive on Fallout 76's daily ops rework
Bethesda has been teasing big updates coming to Fallout 76 for some time, and now daily ops are nearly upon us in the upcoming Update 22 patch.
As detailed in a new blog (and a video below), daily ops are described as "instanced, randomized, repeatable encounters." The gist is that each time you play, you can jump into a "different location" and complete a series of objectives. Uplink is the first gametype, which sees groups grabbing intel to track down specific creatures. Alongside of the prime directive, you'll also be facing down various mutations of existing enemies, much like a challenge mode or modifiers in a game like, say, Destiny's Nightfalls.
They are meant for groups of four, and although you can spam them, "certain rewards" will only be doled out once per day. They're also timed, with bigger rewards for players who finish these in under eight minutes and the upper ceiling being 16 minutes: which gives you an idea of how quick these daily ops are. The first group of locations that you'll be diving into involve The Burrows, The Burning Mine, Valley Galleria, or Vault 94, with Super Mutants, Blood Eagles or Robot faction enemies.
This whole shebang comes with a recommended level of 50+, but given the upcoming multiplayer XP scaling changes, it is possible for "lower-level characters to have an impact" on daily ops.
Inside the Vault [Bethesda.net]
Ninjala reveals fun Sonic the Hedgehog crossover gear
GungHo Online Entertainment has raised the curtain on the incoming collaboration between arena battler Ninjala and Sega's legendary franchise Sonic the Hedgehog. Going live in-game September 23, the limited time event will offer up a selection of specially themed Sonic gear for purchase.
Said gear includes costumes for your favourite Ninjala characters, which feature shirts, shoes, and cool headpieces stylised around Sonic favourites Tails, Knuckles, Dr. Robotnik and, of course, the blue blur himself. A selection of themed Ippon decorations, Gum Utsusemis, and stickers will also be available from the in-game store.
The latest Heroes of the Storm event combines Starcraft and Warcraft into one metal mix
No, "Craft Wars" is not the latest hit reality show featuring dueling teams of art majors: it's the newest Heroes of the Storm event.
It means exactly what it says, in that it combines Starcraft and Warcraft into one game, something Heroes does quite well already. Don't get too excited though, as Craft Wars is basically a cosmetic event. You'll need to buy the skins featured in it with shards (in-game currency) or gems (premium), but there's a few great ones on offer here, as well as some badass art.
Death Knight Mei is a standout, as well as SCV Pilot Gazlowe and King of Blades Arthas (what a crossover). The event comes hand-in-hand with complete reworks for D.va and Gazlowe, which have had opposite reactions from the playerbase thus far; with folks enjoying a (potentially overtuned) D.va while wanting some of Gazlowe's changes to be rolled back.
Another huge change: everyone gets a self-cleansing item at the start of the game with a huge cooldown, and Brawl has been eliminated in favor of making it a full-time ARAM mode. So far this update has been a wild ride, and has injected a fair bit of life into the game following a staggered lower-impact balance patch cadence.
Rainbow Six Siege console players will receive free next-gen upgrade
During yesterday's Ubisoft Forward presentation, it was revealed that twitchy multiplayer shooter Rainbow Six Siege will be offering free next-gen upgrades to its current playerbase.
Anyone currently stalking the corridors of Siege on PS4 or Xbox One will be able to upgrade to PS5 or Xbox Series X gratis. The Rainbow Six team has previously noted that it is currently working on transitioning player accounts from generation to generation, so players can take all of their content and hard-earned Renown with them into the next gen. The next-gen editions of Rainbow Six Siege will feature 4K visuals and will run at a juicy 120FPS.
The Zelda: Breath of the Wild Hyrule Warriors prequel is getting a deluxe edition in Japan
Just recently, we learned that there's going to be a prequel to Zelda: Breath of the Wild. That's good! It's also a hack and slash and part of the Hyrule Warriors franchise. Depending on who you ask, that's either bad or good! And it's getting a deluxe edition that's exclusive to Japan for now. That's mostly bad!
Although Nintendo merely teased the special edition of the game when they revealed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, thanks to a new product site we actually know what it entails, how much it costs and what it looks like. In short, it's going to run you 16,720 yen, which is roughly $150 US.
Dubbed the "treasure box" edition, the main draw is a Paraglider blanket (designed after the Breath of the Wild item), with the actual game (always good for collector's editions to have the game in them, right), an art plate and a metal charm of a Guardian in tow. You can import it if you want, but you probably should only do it if you're a huge Zelda and Hyrule Warriors fan.
You have to wonder how this game is going to turn out, and how much is borrowed from previous Hyrule Warrior iterations. I hope it's a mostly fresh experience.
Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity [GameCity]
Limited Edition Fortnite Switch coming to Europe and Australia
Nintendo is collaborating with Epic Games to release a limited edition of its Nintendo Switch hardware, slickly stylised after the latter's phenomenally selling battle royal title, Fortnite.
The Fortnite-branded Switch - currently confirmed for release in Europe, Australia, and New Zealand - features a themed docking unit, emblazoned with the faces of popular Fortnite characters and Joy-Con daubed in exclusive shades of yellow and blue... as "exclusive" as colour shades can be, I suppose.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake will glide onto PS4 and PC soon
Forever Entertainment has teased that its remake of Sega Saturn classic Panzer Dragoon will be launching on PC and PS4 "soon", following its release earlier this year on Nintendo Switch.
Contest: Win Hotshot Racing for Xbox One, PS4, or PC
In today's contest you can win Hotshot Racing for Xbox One, PS4, or PC!
Racing sims are for the birds -- arcade games are where it's at! If you disagree, find another contest, because this one is all about arcadey racer Hotshot Racing, which just hit PC and consoles. You know the drill, folks!
After all these years, The Unfinished Swan is on PC and iOS
Before the inventive family drama What Remains of Edith Finch, there was The Unfinished Swan – another exploration-driven first-person adventure game from Giant Sparrow. If you never played it and you've become a fan of the studio in recent years, it's a good time to go back with fresh eyes.
Almost eight years after The Unfinished Swan's original Sony-backed release on PS3, the game is now available on PC through Steam and the Epic Games Store (for $14.99) and also on iOS (for $4.99).
On PC, publisher Annapurna Interactive has a slight discount – to $13.49 – until September 24.
Bit by bit, you'll fill in a stark world with splashes of paint, and Giant Sparrow switches up the puzzle-solving formula in later chapters. The Unfinished Swan doesn't reach the same great heights as Edith Finch – what a perfect blend of narrative and mechanics – but it's worth having around for posterity.
As always, it's a pleasure to see older digital-only console exclusives find their way to PC.
Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is an Epic Games Store freebie you need to pick up
Epic has been on an absolute roll for the past month or so. Anyone who's diligent about picking up free games has gotten Into the Breach, Hitman, A Total War Saga: Troy, and Remnant from the Ashes as of late. This week has another can't-miss game.
Americana folklore adventurer Where the Water Tastes Like Wine is free on the Epic Games Store this week. It has been, frankly, underappreciated ever since its 2018 release. It's a special game for people who care about storytelling in video games.
There are trains in Where the Water Tastes Like Wine, and there are trains in the other Epic freebie. That's the throughline, I guess. Transportation management sim Railway Empire is also free for the week. Pick that one up if you want the thrill of playing railroad tycoon (but not literally the thrill of playing Railroad Tycoon).
Next week, the lone announced freebie is Stick it to the Man.
Railway Empire, Where the Water Tastes Like Wine [Epic Games Store]
Re-up your Xbox Game Pass for PC subscription before the price doubles
Xbox Game Pass is the best value in gaming. That's not its official tagline, it's just a fact. We bring it up often because you're not going to find better bang-for-you-buck with any other subscription service.
However, anyone who's making use of Xbox Game Pass for PC exclusively will find their value chopped in half starting next week. On September 17, Game Pass for PC is doubling in price.
It's time to eat Taco Bell again in hopes of winning an Xbox Series X
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Microsoft is rolling out the red carpet for the new generation of Xbox in exactly two months. If you're not so bullish on shelling out $500 for a new console, you can buy a lottery ticket at the same fast food restaurant that has held Xbox contests for four years and running now.
Once again, Taco Bell and Microsoft are teaming up in the fall for an Xbox giveaway promotion. This one's a little more forgiving in a sense. You don't need to order some sort of $5 boxed promo meal for a shot at winning an Xbox Series X. That's usually what this collaboration is hinged upon. Instead, you simply need to buy a medium or large drink.
Starting on September 24, Microsoft is giving away approximately 4,000 Xbox Series X bundles that include a controller and six months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. You can enter up to three times per day, and a winner is selected every 15 minutes. Although the contest begins in September, winners can expect to receive the Xbox Series X sometime around the November 10 launch.
Sip on some Baja Blast, win yourself an Xbox Series X. This is how kings live. (I imagine. I'm certainly no king, so please don't take my perspective on what it's like to be a king.)
Xbox Series X [Taco Bell]
Mario Kart Tour goes retro with Super Mario Kart event
Mobile racer Mario Kart Tour is gearing up for its next in-game event, which this time around is an ironic reminder of far, far superior releases in Nintendo's genre-defining series.
The Super Mario Kart Tour, now live in-game, adds two drivers to the mix in the form of Donkey Kong Jr. and Mario himself, but now stylised in their classic 16-bit forms. Also being added to the loot pipe are a new pixelated kart and glider. In addition, a special Super Mario Kart glider is also available to purchase from the in-game store. You can check out the new content - showcased on Rainbow Road RMX - in the trailer below.
Here's a recap of everything that happened during September's Ubisoft Forward stream
As everyone and their mother's mega-corporation adapts the Nintendo Direct style presentation in this post-E3 world, Ubisoft has rolled in with their second Ubisoft Forward stream today and dropped a few news nuggets on it. Of course, this is after that separate public statement regarding recent events at the company.
The second Ubisoft Forward stream of 2020 was pretty breezy and very straight-forward. The segments were fairly deep-divey, so if you didn't like the games being shown, you aren't going to like watching five to 10 minutes of extended footage on them.
As far as news goes, we learned that Immortals: Fenyx Rising is out in December, with Prince of Persia: Sands of Time remake following suit in January. Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is coming back and is out at some point this holiday season (the highlight of the show) and Aiden Pearce plus his iconic cap are back in Watch Dogs: Legion — please clap.
We did get one new IP out of the show though: Riders Republic. Take a look at everything below! Thank goodness these are relatively short.
Riders Republic is an out-of-control extreme sports multiplayer game from Ubisoft
Today's Ubisoft Forward stream got amped up with a wild new open-world IP, Riders Republic.
It's a "mass multiplayer" extreme sports game from Ubisoft Annecy in which players can go nuts together with bikes, snowboards, skis, and wingsuits in seven regions based on the US National Parks.
While racing, you'll be able to see upwards of 50 other players on next-gen consoles and PC – or around 20-ish on current-gen systems. There's a sponsor-earning career mode, co-op character customization, and a trick system, too. Steep never managed to scratch the SSX itch, but I'll keep hoping for the best.
Riders Republic is coming to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on February 25, 2021. If you happen to end up with a PS4 or Xbox One copy and you want to upgrade, that won't cost anything extra.
[Update: Ubisoft re-confirmed that Watch Dogs Legion is coming on October 29 with a recruitment video, which you can watch below. Stormzy will also get an exclusive mission in the game and Aiden Pearce will appear as a playable character, complete with his "iconic cap." 2020 y'all.]
This morning, Microsoft made it official following myriad leaks: the next generation, as far as they are concerned, is happening on November 10. Boom.
On that day the Xbox Series X and the Series S will release, and the floodgates have been opened for every other publisher to say "hey, our stuff is coming too." Ubisoft is one of the first to fire off that salvo, noting that Assassin's Creed Valhalla is coming on November 10 for the Xbox Series X and the Series S. It'll also launch on PC, PS4 and Stadia on that same date. The publisher boasts that the game will run at 60FPS "in full 4K resolution" on Series X.
Ubisoft also explains that Watch Dogs: Legion, which is still slated for a current-gen release on October 29, will be a "day one" Xbox Series X/S title on November 10, and will benefit from "hardware accelerated raytracing" on Series X/S. Oh, and the "Smart Delivery" system is still a go for both games. As a reminder, if you buy the game on Xbox One or Series X/S, you can play it cross-generation for free. Cross-save between Xbox One and the X/S is in too.
Rainbow Six Siege's Shadow Legacy season is here and Sam Fisher is a blast to play
[Update: To celebrate the new season, an animated short was produced showing Sam Fisher putting the youngsters through their paces.]
I'm relatively new to the Siege community having only picked up the game earlier this year, but seeing as how this year feels like three, I'd say I've been playing in a hyperbolic time chamber of sorts. Despite me being new, I could tell by gauging the different communities that the upcoming Shadow Legacy season felt like one of the most anticipated in a long while. Not only does it bring back the legendary Sam Fisher as a new operative, but it also is bringing a ton of quality of life changes to the five-year-old game.
Earlier this morning, the new season started rolling out on the various platforms with most of the changes promised in tow. First and most importantly, Sam 'Zero' Fisher is available for season pass players with those who don't pay the extra money having to wait seven days.
I got a chance to play him briefly this morning and he's a stupid amount of fun. Sure it's not the stealth action that the character is known for, but just to be back in his virtual shoes again feels great. Zero's unique gun, the SC3000K has a really good firing rate and a nice tight recoil pattern. I didn't get to use his gadget too much, but from what I've seen, it's going to be a thorn in the side of defenders for a while to come.
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition is coming this holiday season
For years, people have been unable to play Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game after it was tragically removed from digital storefronts. Those who were able to play it described it as one of the best brawlers ever created. This holiday, the rest of us will get to see how true that is when Scott Pilgrim vs. The World: The Game Complete Edition releases.
The game will include the Knives Chau and Wallace Wells DLC, and will be available for $14.99 on PS4, Xbox One, Switch, Stadia, and PC. The game will feature local and online co-op as well.
Hyper Scape gets even faster with a limited-time Turbo Mode
Hyper Scape lives up to its name next week. Hyper hyper hyper, go go go.
As part of this afternoon's Ubisoft Forward stream, we learned that free-to-play battle royale Hyper Scape is getting a limited-time Turbo Mode. It starts on September 15.
The hook to Turbo Mode is making everything happen faster. There's only max level loot. Your health regenerates faster. The zone closes faster. Crown victories go faster. Faster faster faster.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake is out in January
It's nice to have an honest-to-goodness Prince of Persia adventure again, even if it is a retread.
After a couple of leaks, Ubisoft formally announced Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake for PC, PS4, and Xbox One during today's Ubisoft Forward stream. It's launching January 21, 2021 for $39.99. A few bonuses – an "original" outfit and weapons set, and a Classic Filter – are reserved for pre-orders.
Voice actor Yuri Lowenthal is back as the Prince himself, and the studio has enhanced "everything in the game from camera to combat, as well as the visuals," according to director Pierre-Sylvain Gires.
Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time Remake was made "from the ground up" in the Anvil engine.
Sands of Time is a stone-cold classic, so let's do this thing (assuming the final build looks less... rough). The semi-budget price is a good starting point. I'll probably wait to see the tech tests, though.
(Update) Immortals: Fenyx Rising seems to be arriving in December, and it looks a lot less cartoony
[Update: During today's Ubisoft Forward stream, the game was fully re-revealed, with its new art style in tow and a confirmed release date of December 3. "Extra production time" has allowed the team to "add new experiences" to Fenyx Rising, a developer said on-stream. Zeus and Prometheus will narrate the tale of Fenyx, the hero of the game. You can get a closer look at the new style in the trailer below.
There's also going to be an exclusive Stadia trial for Fenyx Rising "later this year in all regions Stadia is accessible."]
Just a few days ago we learned that the fun-sounding Gods & Monsters was torn to shreds and built back up by Ubisoft as "Immortals: Fenyx Rising." Now, thanks to a new Microsoft Store listing, it seems as if the game is getting a new look, too.
Thanks to the classic Microsoft Store leak, we know that the game is tentatively scheduled for release on December 3, and the new screens are decidedly (and sadly) less cartoony in nature. Oh, and it has a pre-order bonus quest (A Tale of Fire and Lightning): of course. We'll clearly learn more about the game and its release date on September 10 at the next Ubisoft Forward stream.
According to the listing, Immortals: Fenyx Rising will be coming to PC, PS4, Xbox One and Stadia on December 3, while an Xbox Series X and PS5 launch are also planned. Ubisoft specifically calls out the Smart Delivery system for providing a cross-Xbox-One-to-Series-X copy, but does not mention the situation between the PS4 and PS5.
This seems to be a trend, and the new "all-in-one-entertainment-system" marketing move.
Immortals: Fenyx Rising [Microsoft Store via Gematsu]
