Xbox gave Todd Howard 1,000 Achievement points for being Todd Howard
Most of us have to play our games to get our Gamerscore. It's tough work but it's an honest living. Todd Howard, however, just has to exist to earn Gamerscore.
Alongside this morning's bombshell news that Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media, renowned game developer Todd Howard shared a letter that details his partnerships with Xbox have meant to him over the last 20 years of his career. It's a lot of talk about shared visions and perspective changing.
However, it ends on a cute story about GDC 2016 where Howard was given a lifetime achievement award. It's worth hearing straight from the horse's mouth, so here's the anecdote in full:
Sega's 60th anniversary eShop sale includes Atlus 3DS favorites
As part of Sega's ongoing 60th anniversary celebration, the company is hosting a sale right now on the Nintendo Switch eShop and the 3DS eShop. It's sticking around until October 5 at 8:59 a.m. Pacific.
You'll immediately see a trend when you glance down at the two game lists. These deals are mostly centered around classic re-releases under the Sega Ages banner, a handful of Sonic titles, the Atlus 3DS catalog – including Shin Megami Tensei, Etrian Odyssey, and Persona Q – and a few assorted oddities.
Nintendo Switch
- Catherine: Full Body ($34.99)
- Citizens of Space ($4.49)
- Hatsune Miku: Project Diva Mega Mix ($27.57)
- Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games 2020 ($39.99)
- Puyo Puyo Champions ($3.99)
- Puyo Puyo Tetris ($14.99)
- Rock of Ages 2: Bigger & Boulder ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Alex the Kidd in Miracle World ($3.99)
- Sega Ages Fantasy Zone ($3.99)
- Sega Ages G-Loc Air Battle ($3.99)
- Sega Ages Gain Ground ($3.99)
- Sega Ages Ichidant-R ($3.99)
- Sega Ages Lightening Force: Quest for the Darkstar ($3.99)
- Sega Ages Out Run ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Phantasy Star ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Puyo Puyo ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Puyo Puyo 2 ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Shinobi ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Space Harrier ($3.99)
- Sega Ages Thunder Force AC ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Virtua Racing ($5.99)
- Sega Ages Wonder Boy: Monster Land ($3.99)
- Sega Genesis Classics ($14.99)
- Shining Resonance Refrain ($11.99)
- SolSeraph ($4.99)
- Sonic Forces ($9.99)
- Sonic Mania ($9.99)
- Super Monkey Ball: Banana Blitz HD ($23.99)
- Team Sonic Racing ($19.99)
- Two Point Hospital ($23.99)
- Valkyria Chronicles ($17.99)
Nintendo 3DS
- 3D After Burner II ($2.99)
- 3D Altered Beast ($2.99)
- 3D Ecco the Dolphin ($2.99)
- 3D Fantasy Zone ($2.99)
- 3D Fantasy Zone II ($2.99)
- 3D Galaxy Force ($2.99)
- 3D Gunstar Heroes ($2.99)
- 3D Out Run ($2.99)
- 3D Shinobi III: Return of the Ninja Master ($2.99)
- 3D Sonic the Hedgehog ($2.99)
- 3D Sonic the Hedgehog 2 ($2.99)
- 3D Space Harrier ($2.99)
- 3D Streets of Rage ($2.99)
- 3D Streets of Rage 2 ($2.99)
- 3D Super Hang-On ($2.99)
- 3D Thunder Blade ($2.99)
- 7th Dragon III Code: VFD ($14.99)
- Conception II: Children of the Seven Stars ($9.99)
- Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold: The Fafnir Knight ($9.99)
- Etrian Odyssey IV: Legends of the Titan ($9.99)
- Etrian Odyssey Nexus ($19.99)
- Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl ($9.99)
- Etrian Odyssey V: Beyond the Myth ($14.99)
- Hatsune Miku: Project Mirai DX ($9.99)
- Persona Q2: New Cinema Labyrinth ($19.99)
- Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth ($9.99)
- Radiant Historia: Perfect Chronology ($19.99)
- Rhythm Thief & the Emperor's Treasure ($9.99)
- Sega 3D Classics Collection ($9.99)
- Shin Megami Tensei IV ($9.99)
- Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse ($14.99)
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers ($9.99)
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor 2: Record Breaker ($9.99)
- Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Survivor Overclocked ($9.99)
- Shin Megami Tensei: Strange Journey Redux ($19.99)
- Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal ($9.99)
- Sonic Boom: Fire & Ice ($9.99)
- Sonic Generations ($9.99)
- Sonic Lost World ($9.99)
- Stella Glow ($9.99)
- The Alliance Alive ($15.99)
- The Legend of Legacy ($9.99)
Basically, if you were super into 3DS RPGs and you still have some gaps in your Atlus library, you probably have some considering to do. Otherwise, we've seen a lot of these games and prices before.
[Thanks, Inquisitive Ravenclaw]
Have you ever forgot how to play a video game?
A few years ago, I was visiting my brother's family when my oldest nephew invited me to play a game of Madden. "Oh," I thought, "your father and I used to play this all the time." So I joined him for a game of football only to have him shut his PS4 off less than two quarters in as he had trounced me well enough to invoke the mercy rule. It turns out, when I don't play sports games, I completely forget how they work.
That's just one of the topics on this episode of Podtoid. CJ, Occams, Dan, and Charlotte talk forgetting games, WWE Battlegrounds, Final Fantasy X, 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim, Pathfinder: Kingmaker, and the PlayStation 5 date and price reveal. All that, plus even the trees are out to get you in Australia, on Podtoid Episode 459.
Microsoft isn't jacking up the price for Xbox Series X controllers
As we barrel toward the next generation of Sony and Microsoft's consoles, we're faced with the looming threat of raised prices around all corners. There has been persistent talk that games will increase from $60 to $70 soon enough. Last week, we learned that PS5 controllers will cost $10 more than PS4 controllers.
At least we know that Xbox controller prices will stay level for now. As part of an extremely busy news day for Microsoft, it was revealed that Xbox Series S/X controllers will be $60. That's what they cost on Xbox One too.
Of course, as part of Microsoft's grand cross-platform strategy, these new controllers will be compatible with Xbox One. Also, it's not really surprising that the new gen doesn't come with a bump in accessory prices because there isn't any significant new tech. Series S/X controllers have a dedicated Share button, a revamped D-pad, and a USB-C port but that's about it.
Microsoft took this opportunity to show off its third color of Xbox Series S/X controller. We've already seen black and white, the two most basic options there are. Now there's a Shock Blue gamepad which Microsoft calls "a vibrant new hue, not yet seen on any of our previous controllers."
BlizzCon returns in February 2021 with BlizzConline
After scrapping its plans for an in-person event this year due to COVID-19-related "health and safety considerations," Blizzard hopes to "channel the spirit of BlizzCon into the form of an online show." As we now know, the replacement event is called BlizzConline, and it's running from February 19–20, 2021.
Currently, details are light outside of the event's Community Showcase, which is pitched as "an opportunity for cosplay crafters, artists, and other community creators to participate in the show and put their talent on display through a mix of world-class competition and exciting exhibitions." If that aspect of BlizzCon is in your wheelhouse, you'll be able to read the rules today and get cracking.
As for upcoming game announcements and development updates, Blizzard hasn't had much to say. "We still have a lot of planning to do, and it'll be some time before we're ready to share more details."
Today's post is just a date confirmation and "a heads-up on how you can be a part of the online fun."
Save the Date for BlizzConline February 19–20 [BlizzCon]
You can now order those Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary pins from Nintendo
I can't convince my brain that I don't need those limited-edition Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary pins, and so here I am, fighting to get my order accepted now that I've gone through the My Nintendo steps needed to claim these things. Are there enough to go around? We'll find out soon enough.
To get yours – or see what the rest of us are up to out of sheer morbid curiosity – you can head to this My Nintendo page, click "claim reward" (if you're eligible), copy your user-specific promo code, bounce over to this store page, add the pins to your cart, and enter your code to continue the checkout.
There's a limit of one pin set per account, they're available while supplies last (a phrase that has taken on new meaning in 2020), and shipping is $5. If you're still in, the pins will ship in "late October."
I like how the pin for SMB2 is so full of rage. Are you enjoying 3D All-Stars? Was it worth it?
Xbox revamped its sharing feature so that it's much easier to, you know, share content
Xbox has a bottleneck when it comes to sharing gameplay clips. It's easy enough to capture content, but it's a pain posting those captures to social media. Case in point, here's my order of operations for sharing a clip to Twitter: Hit the guide button and press Y to capture video, wait for the clip to upload to Xbox live, use the Xbox app on my PC to download the clip from Xbox Live, open the local captures folder to finally post it.
A next-gen focus for Microsoft is streamlining that process. The new Xbox Series S/X controllers have an additional button right in the middle that's dedicated to capturing gameplay. Pressing it once will take a screenshot; holding it will capture a video clip.
Here's where it gets much better. Those clips upload to Xbox Live and then you can either share them from your Xbox or your phone. They'll push to the Xbox app, where you're able to edit the clips and then send them out to social media. Phones are where everyone posts to social anyway. Sharing through mobile is going to be the best version because the platform is already optimized for it.
This is going to be a big quality of life feature for next-gen but it actually arrives today. This update pushes to Xbox One today. In the video below, Major Nelson talks to an Xbox program manager about all the finer details and logic that went into revamping content sharing on Xbox.
If you're in the mood for Freedom Fighters, it's now on Steam and GOG
IO Interactive's resistance-building 2003 shooter Freedom Fighters has gotten a modern PC port.
The new digital release of the game costs $9.89 during its launch-week discount period, it includes Jesper Kyd's original soundtrack (along with two bonus tracks), and there's a delightfully of-its-time PDF of the PC manual (featuring "tips for closing background applications on Windows 98") for you to skim.
If you're in the mood for a squad-commanding, base-capturing, Soviet Union-toppling shooter from 2003, it's time to put yourself in the shoes of "hard-working plumber" Chris Stone once again. The game is available now on Steam and GOG. An Epic Games Store version is aiming for "this week."
I can't say I have any particular love for Freedom Fighters – there's some cult-classic legacy appeal – but having it around on PC without jumping through a bunch of hoops? That's cause for celebration.
IO has Hitman, Kane & Lynch, Mini Ninjas, and this. It's an important title in that context.
Freedom Fighters [IO Interactive]
The Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity TGS stream will be nearly an hour long
It's a weird time. We can go from "no new Mario games on the horizon" to "multiple Mario games on the horizon" within minutes. Or, Age of Calamity can be announced on a whim and give us a prequel to Zelda: Breath of the Wild one random morning.
Speaking of Age of Calamity, it's out in a few months we know basically nothing about it other than the fact that it's set 100 years before Breath of the Wild. The box art seems to give us a hint at a few playable characters, but actual cold hard details are scarce. That changes this weekend.
Shared on Twitter, Age of Calamity will be given a full 50 minutes of stream treatment at TGS. The exact time is 9AM ET on Saturday, September 26, at which point we'll see the "first public release" of gameplay. You can either head here to watch it directly, or catch the stream below in just a few days.
Zelda Musou [Twitter]
Observer: System Redux will arrive at launch for next-gen platforms
Cyberpunk fans will be able to start the next generation gaming with a dose of mind-melting horror, as Bloober Games has revealed that Observer: System Redux is set to launch day-and-date with the PS5 and Xbox Series X respectively, priced at around $30.
"Making Observer: System Redux available for next-gen console players has been a huge focus for the team," said Bloober CEO Piotr Babieno. "Now that both the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 release dates are out there, we can finally share our release date news. We know next-gen pricing is a major concern for our fans and we feel that releasing all the new content and upgrades in Observer: System Redux at the same cost as the original Observer is a great way to stay close with our community".
Devil May Cry 3: Special Edition is on Steam. Devil May Cry 4: Special Edition is on Steam. Devil May Cry 5: Special Edition...is skipping PC entirely, at least for now.
Unveiled during Sony's PS5 event last week, we found out that DMC5 was making the Special Edition leap like several iterations before it, complete with the classic playable Vergil add-on. Shortly after Capcom announced that the re-release would also hit the Xbox Series X, but what about PC? It's not looking good for the near future.
Speaking to Eurogamer, Capcom explained: "Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition is specifically being developed and optimised to benefit the system architecture and leap in processing power offered by PS5 and Xbox Series X, so we're focusing on these platforms. At present, there are no plans to release DMC5SE on PC."
It's a strange situation as there doesn't seem to be any exclusivity deal involved, and Devil May Cry 5 looks to have sold well enough to warrant the Special Edition treatment on all three platforms. But given that Capcom's teams are probably spread thin at the moment, a future PC version could be directly linked to the sales of the console releases.
Capcom says Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition won't come to PC [Eurogamer]
Urouge knocks enemies from pillar to post in One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4
Bandai Namco has released a new gameplay trailer for its anime brawler One Piece: Pirate Warriors 4, giving fans their first look at upcoming DLC character Urouge in action.
In the video, the mad monk decimates armies of hapless enemies thanks to his bizarre weapon of choice, a gigantic solid stone pillar. As if he wasn't already huge enough, the perpetually grinning loon then succeeds in almost doubling his muscle-mass, before crushing the few remaining fools with his mighty fists. They don't call 'em the "Worst Generation" for nothing.
This massive new Marvel's Avengers patch fixes tons of quality of life issues
Marvel's Avengers was released back on September 1 for early access folks: so it's been nearly three weeks since 1.0 launched, and people have had plenty of time to dig into its myriad issues.
Things from small bugs to game-breaking glitches, or poor quality of life features, stuff like that. But the long-teased 1.3.0 update seeks to bring an end to a lot of those problems, and you can download it now. If you experienced bugs like infinite loads or even a few things that stopped your progress entirely, there's a good chance this huge update will fix it.
House Call, A Global Offensive, Along Came a Spider, Dogs of War, Interrogation Anxiety and Task at Hand are the main fixes, as well as potentially fixed bad save data from a retroactive standpoint. You can now also engage in matchmaking quicker when someone leaves (it'll queue up in four seconds instead of 30!) and players will also get additional time to matchmake when the mission countdown is happening.
Another large facet of 1.3.0 is the visual department, as all sorts of weird visual bugs for specific costumes or even all across the board clipping issues are rectified. That visual overhaul also extends to the UI. You can find a truncated list of the major facets of the patch below and check out the full notes here.
Marvel's Avengers: V1.3.0 Patch Notes [Square Enix]
Danganronpa figures let you invite Monokuma and Monomi into your home
If your living room, kitchen, or even your bathroom is looking a little forlorn without the addition of a pair of murderous animals, then the fine folk at Good Smile Co. have got your back. The merchandising giant has revealed two new toys based on Danganronpa's Monokuma and Monomi, now available to pre-order over at the official Good Smile store.
The soft vinyl figurines detail the deadly Danganronpa hosts in all of their homicidal glory. Each figure stands (sits?) around five inches in height and sport articulated arms, so you can perch them on your mantlepiece where they will no doubt inspire you to kill your loved ones. Do Not Kill Your Loved Ones.
The next Smash Ultimate DLC fighter could be revealed as early as the start of October
Oh yeah! Smash Ultimate still has five DLC characters to welcome at some point!
In the fervor of the next generation it was easy to forget about this particular development, but Min Min has been marinating for a bit in Ultimate, and now it's time for the next big thing. When will that day actually arrive? Well, according to a new Japanese advertisement, possibly a few weeks from now.
Posted on Twitter by user Onua, it looks like a new advertisement is possibly teasing an October 4 announcement. The ad is scheduled to be removed on that date, potentially to make way for a new ad with the actual character on the invitation. If that's the case, we might get a Smash Ultimate Direct on that date, with the character launching shortly after. Generally, it only takes a week (and change) for them to enter the fray after said Direct.
It could be anyone, folks! But given Sakurai's recent comments about needing to meet developers overseas, we might be getting some western-based characters in the future.
Onua [Twitter]
The racing game scene was once a far more colorful place. At any time you could be driving a Volkswagen Beetle through Jurassic Park or going up impossible climbs in your futuristic turbo bike. The early 3D era was, after all, a time of experimentation, but as the market progressed, and all the acids and bases were boiled down, we were left with a pretty monotone genre. No, I don't know anything about chemistry.
Today's racing market is dominated by racing simulators; your Gran Turismos, Project Cars, Need for Speeds. Arcade-style racing games still exist, but even high-profile franchises have waned out of existence, such as Burnout and Motorstorm. It's a bleak time to be an arcade racer, stuck somewhere between the success of Mario Kart and Forza. It's times like these we turn to the indie market to deliver us back to an era where we struggled to pass those checkpoints. It's time for games like Hotshot Racing.
Spider-Man: Miles Morales Ultimate Edition takes up 105GB of your PS5's 825GB by itself
As someone who has used SSDs (solid state drives) in just about every piece of hardware I own that's capable of it: in theory, the PS5's SSD should make for a more convenient gaming experience.
But I take umbrage with the 825GB size. It's going to be a problem, very fast. This past week, Sony has been slowly unveiling new little details about the next generation, like the price of games (some are $70). Now we know a few file sizes for select titles.
In what is probably the flagship first-party game, Spider-Man: Miles Morales' Ultimate Edition will take up "a minimum of 105GB" of space. Note that this is the version with the re-released PS4 port on top of Miles' story (Miles' own game will command 50GB). As an aside, Demon's Souls has also been confirmed to take up 66GB of space. We are awaiting file sizes for Destructoid AllStars and Sackboy: A Big Adventure, which are the other two games listed on Sony's storefront.
If the average Call of Duty is any metric to go by, the PS5's storage space is essentially "eight Call of Dutys." Constantly deleting and re-installing 100GB+ games is going to get real old, real fast.
Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales [PlayStation]
Microsoft has purchased ZeniMax/Bethesda for $7.5bn
[Update: According to Bloomberg's Dina Bass, future Bethesda titles will be released for PC and Xbox, with other consoles included on a "case-by-case basis." The acquisition will not affect PlayStation's previously secured timed-exclusivity deal on Deathloop and Ghostwire: Tokyo.]
Microsoft will purchase ZeniMax Media/Bethesda in what is described as an "industry-shaking" acquisition. The news was initially posted on Twitter by Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, before being made official by Microsoft mere minutes later.
Microsoft purchased ZeniMax Media for $7.5 billion USD, which gives Microsoft immediate ownership of Bethesda, partner studios such as id Software and MachineGames, and lucrative video game brands including Doom, Fallout, Prey, The Elder Scrolls, Wolfenstein, and Dishonored, among others.
"Over the years I've had many deep conversations with the creative leaders at Bethesda on the future of gaming and we've long shared similar visions for the opportunities for creators and their games to reach more players in more ways," said Xbox Head Phil Spencer. "Like us, Bethesda are passionate believers in building a diverse array of creative experiences, in exploring new game franchises, and in telling stories in bold ways. All of their great work will of course continue and grow and we look forward to empowering them with the resources and support of Microsoft to scale their creative visions to more players in new ways for you."
This is, of course, an incredible coup right before the dawn of a new generation of gaming, announced just one day before pre-orders go live on Xbox's new gaming hardware, Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S.
However, speaking on the acquisition, Bethesda Game Studios Director Todd Howard noted: "We share a deep belief in the fundamental power of games, in their ability to connect, empower, and bring joy. And a belief we should bring that to everyone - regardless of who you are, where you live, or what you play on. Regardless of the screen size, the controller, or your ability to even use one."
Is this a suggestion that Bethesda's titles will not be Xbox exclusives going forward, despite the Microsoft ownership? It reads like one, though Howard could simply be referencing the PC and mobile markets. Either way, the truth will out as the two companies move together into the impending new generation. This is game-changing industry news, and may have serious ramifications for the playing field into next year and beyond.
You can read Microsoft's official statement regarding the acquisition right here.
CDPR shortened Cyberpunk 2077 campaign following Witcher 3 length complaints
CD Projekt RED's fervently-awaited RPG Cyberpunk 2077 will feature a "slightly shorter" story campaign than CDPR's previous release The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, following a "tremendous" amount of complaints that the latter title took too long to complete.
Speaking on a Twitch AMA stream, CDPR quest designer Patrick K. Mills cited that the metrics for the award-winning Witcher sequel show many players playing far into the adventure, but failing to actually finish the story. Combined with feedback from a selection of Witcher 3 players, CDPR decided to shorten Cyberpunk 2077's main campaign, as the studio wants to encourage all players who step into Night City to see their journey through to its conclusion.
Mills noted that Cyberpunk 2077 will still be rich in content - packed full of locations to explore, people to meet, and missions to complete - but those wishing to deep-dive into its neon-and-blood stained universe would be taking a more "completionist" view of the RPG, while anyone wishing to just gun ahead to the end credits will be able to do so.
This is ultimately a subjective situation to every individual player. I myself prefer shorter games in general, especially as I get older, (a thought shared by many of my similarly-aged pals). But, by the same turn, games like Cyberpunk 2077 or The Witcher are games I want to envelop me, letting me chip away at it in chunks, or hold mammoth weekend sessions that combine quest completion with rat-a-tat-tat procrastination.
For some, however, games are to be purchased, blitzed through, and then traded in or uninstalled for whatever has hit the streets the following Friday. It's fine. There are no "rules" for this. But for me personally, when it specifically comes to immersive or atmospheric adventures, gimme all you got.
Cyberpunk 2077 launches November 19 on PS4, PC, and Xbox One. PS5 and Xbox Series X editions will follow in 2021.
Cyberpunk 2077's main story is shorter than The Witcher 3 [ResetEra / Eurogamer]
(Update) Blizzard wants World of Warcraft players to choose the next mount design
[Update: The mount has been chosen! It's going to be the Wandering Ancient, which is described as a "large and leafy mount." Every active Shadowlands player will get the mount in the first quarter of 2021.]
World of Warcraft mounts used to be a badge of honor. In Vanilla, having a mount meant something: that you had earned the hordes of gold required to ride it. Slowly, over time, Blizzard started giving out mount rewards in-game like candy, while allowing players to buy them directly for real money.
Since then, mounts have moved from a scarcity to a "gotta collect them all" commodity. Blizzard is swift to capitalize on this, providing "mount sales" and special limited-edition mounts tied to physical products. Now, they're allowing players to choose from one of five new mount concepts to appear in Shadowlands: but this one will be free for expansion owners.
Basically, head to the Blizzard forums from now until September 18 at 3:00PM PT, and you can have your say. Once a winner is chosen "every player with Shadowlands activated on their account" will get the mount: right now, the estimated completion time is the first quarter of 2021.
You can find all of the options below, and there's a good spread! At least one is magical, one is cute, another is sickening, the Nerubian Swarmer is probably scary and the Wandering Ancient sounds regal. My vote is for the Swarmer: the Nerubian race was one of my favorite aspects of Warcraft III.
Choose the next Shadowlands mount [Battle.net]
Hades has surpassed an awesome one million sales
Supergiant Games has proudly announced that its stylish roguelike Hades has picked up a very impressive one million total sales, a combination of Early Access purchases and sales from Hades' launch just last week.
Hades had already accumulated some 700,000 sales during its Early Access period, which is quite a number in and of itself. The title then picked up a further 300,000 buys within its first few days of launch, as positive word-of-mouth spread of the critically acclaimed, devilishly good adventure.
On Twitter, Supergiant Games thanked all of Hades' early adopters for believing in the project: "Thank you so much," said the indie developer. "We designed Hades for Early Access, believing you could help us make a better game. That's just what you did."
Hades is available now on PC and Nintendo Switch.
Review: 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
Back in August, I wrote up a preview of Vanillaware's 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim that focused on the prologue to the full adventure. In my post, I said I'd written down several notes to keep track of everyone in the game and the respective years they traveled from to reach Japan circa 1985.
Turns out, most of those notes were useless. They were a waste of paper really, because no matter how close I paid attention in that prologue, how much I studied the review guide I was sent by Atlus, nothing could prepare me for what this game had in store.
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.
It seems the most important shared experience of our lives is the one we know nothing about. None of us know, definitively, what happens after death. Certainly, many of us have our beliefs -- an afterlife, reincarnation, total oblivion, our souls harvested by an eldritch god to fuel their resurrection -- but no one has crossed the threshold of mortality to tell us what goes on after our hearts beat their last.
To some, this is chilling, to others, it's comforting. Some fear it, some revere it, some dwell on it, and others ignore it. Views on death are as individual as we are, and its mysteries may never be solved.
So put that out of your mind and get back to work!
Earth Defense Force (not that one) is this week's Arcade Archives release
It's shmup news a-plenty this week, as the latest Arcade Archives release from the retro fans over at Hamster is none other than Jaleco's early '90s endeavour Earth Defense Force, which is now available to download on Nintendo Switch.
Released in arcades in 1991, before later being re-imagined for the SNES, Earth Defense Force is a horizontally scrolling intergalactic shmup, set in that narrative staple of 20XX. Players pilot a state-of-the-art ship through a number of stages, taking on the invading Azyma Empire and its devastating master vessel, the Orbital Satellite Buster.
Check out the action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber Martinoz.
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.
Here's a new look at The World Ends with You anime
Square Enix has released a short 90-second preview clip from the upcoming anime adaptation of 2007 Nintendo DS title The World Ends with You, currently in production at Domerica and Shin-Ei Animation.
The clip sees TWEWY protagonist Neku Sakuraba awaken within The Underground (UG), an alternate plane of existence that exists alongside the real world. Over the course of the anime, Neku will find others seemingly trapped in this unnerving universe as he forms bonds with these strangers in an effort to uncover the events that led them to this bizarre dimensional shift.
The World Ends with You The Animation will begin airing in 2021. The World Ends with You: Final Remix is available now on Nintendo Switch.
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.
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]
