A funny thing happened on the official Atlus YouTube channel tonight. A trailer confirming the western release for Persona 5 Strikers, the highly anticipated Musou spin-off of the best-selling JRPG, was put up with the title "ANNOUNCE." Less than ten minutes later, it was gone but not before the most important details leaked out. Persona 5 Strikers will launch on February 23, 2021, on Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Steam.
Supergiant recorded a 10th anniversary orchestral album that takes us all the way back to Bastion
Supergiant Games revisited 10 of its songs from Hades, Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre for a special 10th anniversary orchestral album recorded at Abbey Road Studios with a guiding hand from Austin Wintory.
In a behind-the-scenes video, Wintory said the collaboration with Supergiant was "such a privilege."
"These songs are like opera. They're so dramatic, and tell such incredible stories. I love that. They don't just lay down a bunch of random words, but they actually really tell you something meaningful."
You can buy a digital copy of The Songs of Supergiant Games: 10th Anniversary Orchestral Collection directly from the studio for $10, and there are pre-orders for $35 and $50 vinyl sets shipping in Q1 2021 if that's more your style. Graciously, the entire album was also officially uploaded to YouTube.
Here's the track list and timestamps:
- We All Become (00:00)
- Never to Return (03:54)
- In Circles (07:41)
- Lament of Orpheus (11:07)
- The Spine (14:56)
- Vagrant Song (18:28)
- She Shines (21:55)
- In the Flame (26:30)
- Paper Boats (29:46)
- Remember the Bastion (34:04)
"The orchestral arrangements themselves sort of revealed stuff to me about some of the drama of those pieces, which is heightened by those arrangements," said long-time Supergiant Games composer and audio director Darren Korb. "When I recorded these tunes originally, I recorded them in my closet or a little tiny vocal booth at our office in San Francisco, and it is pretty nuts that now we are recording them again in Abbey Road Studio Two where the Beatles did their thing."
It's been a tremendous year for Supergiant, and this is a great way to end it.
Two of Obsidian's quality RPGs are free on Epic next week
There are three very good Epic freebies on the horizon. One you can grab this week, the other two you can grab next week.
Let's start with the here and now. This week's free game on the Epic Games Store is Cave Story+. It's quite possibly the most influential and quintessential indie game ever. You owe it to yourself to play Cave Story, as it's a piece of gaming history.
Next week's freebies are going to eat up a lot of your time. Epic has lined up two of Obsidian's recent CRPGs to give away at the same time. Kickstarter mega-success Pillars of Eternity and 2016's Tyranny are free starting on December 10.
If free games are your thing -- and they probably are by virtue of the fact that you're even reading this article -- you might want to keep your eye on December 10. That's when The Game Awards airs, and it's always ripe for promos and free stuff. But even if it isn't, Obsidian's got about 100 hours worth of RPG lined up for you.
Cave Story+ [Epic Games Store]
Borderlands 2 is working again on Nintendo Switch with the new update
If your Nintendo Switch copy of Borderlands 2 has been broken for weeks, it's finally time for an update.
When players claimed the Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary DLC for free and installed it, many of them were unable to access the content and some couldn't even play the game in general due to persistent crashing. It got to the point where people had to use a workaround to delete the DLC and manually prevent it from re-materializing when they installed Borderlands 2 again on their Switch.
As of this week, the recurring crash should no longer be an issue. An update went out.
A patch for Borderlands 2 on Nintendo Switch has been pushed live to address reported stability issues some players experienced. Thank you for your patience as we worked on the fix.
— Borderlands 3 (@Borderlands) December 2, 2020
According to users on the BorderlandsSwitch subreddit, Borderlands 2 is all-clear.
The most fascinating part of this story is that players recently stumbled on (now-disabled) developer commands for Borderlands 2 that let them max out their Badass Rank, kill all nearby enemies, instantly level-up, earn a stockpile of Eridium, and use other mad-with-power cheat codes. What a saga.
Madden and FIFA's next-gen upgrades arrive one day early
Kickoff came a day early. The PS5 and Xbox Series X versions of Madden NFL 21 and FIFA 21 are scheduled to launch tomorrow, December 4. However, anyone who owns last-gen versions of those games can upgrade today.
EA Sports pulled the trigger on pushing upgrades out the door, which is a nice little surprise for anyone who's playing Madden or FIFA and making use of backward compatibility. Of course, PS4 versions can only be upgraded to PS5, and Xbox One versions can only be upgraded to Xbox Series S/X.
There are a few different scenarios at play here with EA's Dual Entitlement program. Anyone with a digital copy of either game can simply go to the PlayStation Store or Microsoft Store and grab the next-gen version for free. Those who have discs will be able to pop it into their new console and download a digital upgraded version. However, anyone with a disc but a disc-less console has to hit up EA support to validate the purchase.
Those who waited to buy Madden or FIFA can't take advantage of this early next-gen arrival. They have to wait until December 4 which is when it was supposed to go live in the first place.
In a surprising turn of events today at BioWare, two long-time staffers – Casey Hudson, the studio's general manager, and Mark Darrah, the executive producer of Dragon Age – announced they're retiring.
"Arriving at this point has been an opportunity for me to reflect on my own future, and 2020 has been a year that forced all of us to re-imagine how we think about work and life," said Casey. "For me, it's been the realization that I still have tremendous energy to create, but also that I need to try something different." With his retirement, he's opening the door "for the next generation of studio leaders."
"BioWare has always been about telling emotional stories through characters," said Darrah. "We have wandered away from this central guiding pillar at times, but I am confident that the next Dragon Age will show that we remain committed to this kind of game. We will have a lot to show you."
"Mass Effect too has an exciting future," he added. "I won't say too much but I am impressed by the growth of Mike Gamble and I am looking forward to all that franchise will do under his leadership."
EA's chief studios officer Laura Miele shared her own high-level update in a public statement.
"Samantha Ryan, who came to Electronic Arts after leading Warner Brothers Games, is one of the strongest leaders in the industry. She will continue to oversee the studio. I'm also excited to announce Christian Dailey, who joined BioWare from Blizzard, will be leading our Dragon Age project currently in development. Christian is a fantastic creative leader and I look forward to you all getting to know him in the coming days. We recently announced Mass Effect: The Legendary Edition and Mike Gamble is leading a team hard at work on that franchise's future." BioWare is still lining up a new general manager.
These are two series that fans are hoping against hope will turn out well. Count me among them.
A Message From Laura Miele, Chief Studios Officer, Electronic Arts [BioWare]
New MMORPG Crimson Desert will premiere at The Game Awards 2020
This month's Game Awards are expected to feature a slew of announcements, trailer, and reveals, with many developers taking the opportunity to direct the audience's eyes towards their latest wares. One such developer is Pearl Abyss, who will be debuting gameplay footage from its upcoming fantasy MMO, Crimson Desert.
The natural evolution of 2014's Black Desert Online, Crimson Desert promises to be another dramatic and lore-heavy adventure set within a dangerous mythical universe. Players will explore a huge kingdom, engaging with "worldviews, religions, and characters" unique to Crimson Desert's universe. Threat and danger will come in the form of a menagerie of terrifying monsters and beasties, so come loaded for bear, and best bring comrades.
Currently in development for PC and consoles, Pearl Abyss is yet to offer a launch window for Crimson Desert, but perhaps more information will be revealed during this upcoming gameplay premiere. The MMORPG market is hardly starved of titles, so let's hope Crimson Desert can turn enough heads to carve out a sizeable following for itself.
The Game Awards 2020 takes place Thursday, December 10.
Deemo Reborn will also arrive on Nintendo Switch December 17
Last week, indie outfit Rayark announced that its ethereal rhythm-action remake Deemo Reborn would be coming to mobile platforms on December 17. Well, it seems that Nintendo Switch fans will also have the chance to get in on the melodious mystery, as a Switch has just been confirmed for the same date.
As a quick refresher, Deemo Reborn is a re-imagined edition of the 2013 PS Vita and mobile title Deemo. It tells a serene tale of a young girl who is thrust into a sublime-but-haunting universe, and must find her way back to her own reality, guided by the soft lilt of piano music and the strange sprite, Deemo. Players guide the protagonist through the environment, solving riddles and puzzles while mastering a score of over 60 classical tunes.
Deemo Reborn launches December 17 on Nintendo Switch, alongside iOS and Android platforms. It is available right now on PS4 and PC.
Here's a new Last of Us Part II trailer that you shouldn't watch unless you've played the game
Naughty Dog has a new The Last of Us Part II trailer that documents Abby's side of things throughout the game. Here's the catch though: You really shouldn't watch it unless you've already played it. It's nothing but spoilers and plot points, the likes of which you should probably see firsthand rather than in a 149-second recap trailer.
This is where I, as a blogger, am at an impasse. I have not yet played The Last of Us Part II. My PS4 went kerplunk the literal week before Part II released, and I wasn't about to buy a new obsolete console months before the PS5 launched. Also, because of the pandemic, Sony wasn't accepting any out-of-warranty service work because it was prioritizing the in-warranty repairs. It's still sitting under my TV doing absolutely nothing.
So, I don't know -- I won't watch the trailer because I have not played the game because I'm unable to play the game until I can get my hands on a PS5. The best blogs are authored by folks who have a deep understanding of the subject material, and can offer insight and new perspectives that enrich the reader. This is, like, the literal opposite of that.
Watch the video if you want. Sorry all my words were useless!
Batman: Arkham Knight gets a couple new skins for free five years after launch
Anyone who's still playing Arkham Knight can now dress Bruce Wayne up in a few new outfits. Rocksteady updated the game with two new skins as a holiday gift for players.
Here's what they look like:
Silent Hill director Keiichiro Toyama formed a new studio and he brought some friends along
Keiichiro Toyama, the driving force behind Silent Hill, Siren, and Gravity Rush, has left Sony to form an independent studio – Bokeh Game Studio – with Kazunobu Sato (the producer of The Last Guardian and a character designer for Siren) and Junya Okura (the lead game designer on the Gravity Rush series).
At their newly-established Bokeh Game Studio, Toyama hopes to "fulfill our fans' expectations" while enjoying "how fun it is to make games" again with more freedom. "Honestly, I can't forget the atmosphere we used to work in back in the day," he said. "Making things on a whim. Just improvising."
"Many people we've worked with in the past are joining us too," according to Sato.
In the introduction video, there are a few good glimpses of concept art for a decidedly body-horror-looking project. It feels like the end of an era in many respects, but I am so down to be scared again.
Arrowhead Game Studios working on a AAA co-op shooter for next-gen platforms
Arrowhead Game Studios, the fine folk behind Magicka and cartoony shmup Helldivers, has announced that it is beginning work on a brand new, AAA, third-person shooter. The Stockholm-based studio is currently staffing up for the untitled next-gen release.
"We are incredibly excited to create a new, next-gen, co-op experience for our fans and community," said Arrowhead Game Studios CEO Johan Pilestedt in a press release. "We are looking for talented developers to join us on this journey and are looking forward to sharing more details about the project at a later date."
The new title will boast next-gen graphics (well, obviously), innovative co-op gameplay, and "agency for the community to alter the course of the game." Arrowhead is also quick to note that the new title will feature the satirical and irreverent humor that is the studio's trademark. We will, of course, keep you informed when more information is forthcoming.
Nintendo Download: Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade of Light
Although there are a few big games releasing this week, the original Fire Emblem Switch port is probably the most notable: remember, it's going away on March 31, 2021!
The other heavy-hitters arriving on the Switch eShop are Fitness Boxing 2: Rhythm and Exercise, Immortals Fenyx Rising, and John Wick Hex. Phogs is also coming out today, which features a co-op twist involving a creature that's basically a snake with a dog head on each end.
Variety! You can get in shape, check open world objectives off a checklist, and become a puzzle assassin. Games are great.
Black Ops' Rebirth Island might be making a return in Call of Duty: Warzone
The dedicated Call of Duty datamining community has uncovered clues pointing to a brand new map headed to sister-title Warzone. As noted by Twitter account @BlackOpsLeaks, Rebirth Island, last seen in 2010's Call of Duty: Black Ops, will be joining the battle royale experience in the near future.
Rebirth Island - also known by its Russian name of "Vozrozhdeniya Island" - is a real-life location in the Aral Sea, which was used by the Soviet Union in the late-1950s for the development of chemical weapons. Entirely abandoned in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, today Vozrozhdeniya Island exists as an eerie and dangerously contaminated symbol of the Cold War era.
The dataminers have uncovered an aerial image of the location, with any ounce of doubt stamped out with the giant Call of Duty: Warzone logo stamped on top of it. In addition to Rebirth Island, the datamine uncovered new multiplayer maps for Black Ops Cold War, including an abandoned shopping mall, and a rework of Black Ops II's memorable map Raid, depicting a swanky, mountain-top household.
The first season of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War will begin on December 10.
I'm stoked to close out 2020 with some PixelJunk Eden 2 co-op
I've quietly been stoked to play PixelJunk Eden 2, the sequel to Q-Games' underappreciated atmospheric platformer about zipping through abstract gardenscapes while chill Baiyon tunes work their magic.
After missing its initial summer 2020 window, it seems that PixelJunk Eden 2 is on track for a December 10 launch on the Nintendo Switch eShop. The new release date showed up on a Nintendo UK store page, and while the equivalent listing for North America still says fall 2020, I'm choosing to believe.
[Update: Q-Games confirmed the December 10 launch date for PixelJunk Eden 2. If you buy the game by December 16, you'll get a decent discount – $9.89 instead of the normal $14.99 price tag.]
Gameplay-wise, I'd expect a similar experience – you'll explore "gardens of psychedelic sights and sounds" to collect pollen, expand the flora to reach new heights, and generally melt into your chair.
As the studio puts it, you'll be able to "swing and spin from silk threads, in both single and cooperative play as you and a partner pirouette around one another in brush-strokes of light and color in the world on your journey to collect the all-important 'Spectra,' the source of all life in the world." It's a trip.
"More PixelJunk Eden" would've been fine by me, but co-op? That's the secret word.
[Via Gematsu]
Phantasy Star Online 2 is about to get a whole lot bigger next week
The time has come for the western edition of Phantasy Star Online 2 to meet the original Japanese release.
As announced on Sega's official blog, PSO 2 is getting its major Episode 6 update on December 9. The main sticking points: more main story quests, an enhanced level cap of 95, more classes (Etoile/Phantom), more quests in general, and another difficulty setting for hardcore users (Ultra-Hard, or "UH"). It's...a lot!
The new classes should keep people busy for a while on their own. The Phantom is another mixed melee/ranged playstyle, and focuses on shifting their attacks rapidly to dish out more damage. The Etoile is a sturdier, mobile class, with the option to parry and release energy they've stored up: kind of like the Royal Guard style in Devil May Cry.
To recap, PSO 2 launched in the west under the Episode 3 patch, which actually hit in Japan nearly six years ago. To compensate, Sega eased players into subsequent chapters at a rather rapid pace. Now, the western version is poised to basically be in line with the original 2013 release. For some people it might be overwhelming, but for hardcore players, it's a near-unprecedented rollout for a live service action-RPG like this.
It's a pretty good time for the game to get a continuous amount of updates, as Phantasy Star Online 2: New Genesis is on the horizon next year. Sega is smart to keep people interested in PSO 2 and not feel like they're too far behind.
What's new in Episode 6 [Sega]
Balan Wonderworld shows off its mesmerizing sights and sounds
Square Enix's upcoming fantasy adventure Balan Wonderworld certainly looks to be one of the most colorful and fantastical titles heading gaming's way in 2021. Following on from the pomp and circumstance of its delightful intro cinematic, Square Enix has now released a lengthy video giving us a look at the PC and console title in action.
Balan Wonderworld follows the adventures of two young kids - Leo and Emma - as they pick their way through a wacky and phantasmagorical (oh yes) dimension presided over by the enthusiastic (and slightly creepy) ringmaster, Balan. Our heroes will utilise a wardrobe of 80 costumes - each with their own specific skills and abilities - to explore the environment, dodge hazards, solve puzzles, and engage with a wild cast of characters.
But it's not all just fun and games and familiar NiGHTS imagery. Each world will offer Leo and Emma the chance to do a spot of soul-searching, on a dream-like journey that will teach the hip kidz a few lessons about life, themselves, and each other. Though quite mad, Balan Wonderworld looks to be a fascinating trip for fans of Yuji Naka's weird worlds.
Balan Wonderworld is scheduled to launch March 21 on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch.
Mario Kart Arcade is getting an infinite shell mode and I crave that chaos for a Switch update
So in Japan, arcades might be hurting, but they're still kicking. And remember: there are a lot of weird publisher agreements that involve all sorts of weird IP swaps.
I constantly forget that Bandai Namco actually runs the Mario Kart Arcade line until I see their logo emblazoned on actual hardware in the wild, and it was just announced that they're bringing another big update to Mario Kart Arcade Grand Prix DX this week. Scheduled to arrive on December 10, it's adding a new mode called "all you can throw green shells," which is exactly how it sounds.
Players can throw green shells from the start to the end of the race, and the courses are themed to include tons of walls, so shells will be bouncing around constantly. It's...amazing! I want to see this as an optional mode in a future Mario Kart game. Hell, I want some sort of update for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. With the sales it has, why hasn't this happened by now!? Nintendo could easily add in a Pikmin or Metroid update similar to how they handled the Zelda DLC.
Oh, and Wario is coming as a playable character in the arcade edition. To celebrate, the arcade units will get a new look. But forget Wario for a second: infinite green shells! Make it happen, Nintendo. Bandai Namco does what Ninten-don't.
Mario Kart Arcade Grand Prix DX new mod [Gamer.ne.jp]
Next year, the beloved BokujÅ Monogatari/Story of Seasons franchise is celebrating its 25th anniversary, and it's doing so in a big way. Not only are we finally getting Rune Factory 5 sometime in 2021, but Switch owners will also be able to enjoy the next entry in the mainline series with Story of Seasons: Pioneers of Olive Town.
Originally announced during the last Nintendo Direct Mini Partner Showcase back in October, Pioneers of Olive Town will see players building their farms from the ground up in a land overrun with trees. We'll be able to design our farms as we please with new customization options to go along with the tried-and-true farming gameplay that has kept the series going for a quarter-century. The developers are promising more than 200 unique events, a fresh crop of bachelors and bachelorettes, and some features we haven't seen in the series before, such as a tourism system that allows you to send your farmer to another player's town on a sightseeing trip.
Demon's Souls developers used cute rubber ducks to test the game
Bluepoint Games is a pretty special studio. They've managed to knock a few remakes out of the park so far, and are no doubt in demand by publishers everywhere. Demon's Souls on PS5 was their latest hit; which preserved the spirit of the original while adding a new coat of next-gen paint.
The developer is also known to get a little cheeky from time to time, as evidenced by this video shared this week. Technical artist Collin Harris (who was previously at Bluepoint, and is now at Gearbox) tweeted out this gem, which reveals that in testing, Demon's Souls developers had access to a suite of cute rubber ducks.
Basically, Harris says, they used them to "test various tech/effects" with, and "things quickly got out of hand." Don't go looking for this in some hidden room somewhere though, or even a hacked build. Harris confirms that "all of the stuff you see in the video (including the room and the duck) was [temporary] and didn't make it anywhere near the finished game."
You love to see it! It's great when developers share little jokes like these for otherwise intensely serious games.
Collin Harris [Twitter]
Tetris 99 teams up with Super Mario All-Stars for new Grand Prix event
Two classics of the Nintendo scene will collide this week, as Super Mario Bros. invades the world of Tetris 99 for the latter's latest limited-time Grand Prix - the 18th of such events since Tetris 99 first launched back in February 2019.
From tomorrow, December 4, Tetris 99 players will be able to use their hard-earned in-game currency to purchase a colorful theme based on the 1993 SNES compendium Super Mario All-Stars, complete with the classic Super Mario Bros. theme tune when things are going great, as well as Bowser's theme for when the playfield gets a little too hot to handle. Be quick, as this theme will only be made available until Tuesday, December 8.
The Super Mario Bros. x Tetris 99 crossover is one of a number of events celebrating 35 years of Nintendo's iconic and genre-defining platforming franchise. Other releases Switch compendium Super Mario 3D All-Stars, and Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. Away from the digital realm, Nintendo has worked with other companies to produce products such as LEGO Super Mario, as well as apparel from clothing brands Uniqlo, Levi and Puma.
(Update) PSA: You only have a few more days to get Borderlands 2 DLC for free on Switch
[Update: As a reminder, you still have a few more hours to get the DLC for free from the eShop!
Wait, Borderlands 3 is on Switch? No! We're talking about Borderlands 2 today! I know, re-releases in this modern era have made everything pretty confusing. Often times we're talking about the old more than the new these days.
Anyway, here's a bit of a PSA. If you own Borderlands 2 on Switch, you can get the Commander Lilith & the Fight for Sanctuary DLC for free. Is it particularly good? Nah. But it's free! And it serves as lead-in for Borderlands 3, which...isn't on Switch. Still, it's free! You just need the Legendary or Handsome collections to play it.
In fact, you can download it regardless of your ownership of Borderlands right now. Just head to the eShop landing page for Borderlands 2, and scroll to the bottom. Find "individual DLC" and click the Fight for Sanctuary link. Get it even if you have no intention of buying Borderlands 2 on Switch: just in case you get it for free one day.
To access the DLC, you'll need to be level 30, but you can also take advantage of an in-game option to create a level 30 character from the main menu, which will automatically warp you into the new stuff. You have until December 3, 2020 at 8:59 AM PT to get it!
Commander Lilith DLC [Gearbox]
Podtoid wants your questions one last time before we say goodbye to 2020
Back in January, December 2020 felt like a lifetime away. Today, January seems like it was eons ago. Twenty-twenty was the year where time truly became a big ball of wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff. Hours felt like days, days felt like weeks, and something that happened just a few weeks prior felt like a lifetime ago. I mean, the election was less than a month ago. Doesn't it feel like that took place back in August?
What a weird year this has been, and while we can't blame it all on COVID, it certainly played its part in making these 366 days we'll never forget. It upended the lives of people around the world, forced businesses to offer work-from-home solutions, and pointed out who you should unfriend on Facebook. I know we have some frontline workers who frequent Destructoid, so to them, I just want to say thank you and sorry for having to deal with the troglodytes of our society.
I honestly don't know how I'll explain the year that is 2020 to my kids. Where do you start? All the canceled movies? All the delayed games? All the people arguing that crunch "is not that bad because they're getting paid?" Remember the awfulness that was the never-ending Summer of E3? Or how about watching Microsoft and Sony see who'd blink first in showing off their next-gen consoles? Or Ubisoft and all the shit that went down there this year?
I can't wait to say good riddance to bad rubbish, though I know the clock striking midnight on December 31 won't magically make everything better. Twenty twenty-one is going to be just as much a hassle of a year as this one but without the unfortunate sight of Rudy Giuliani's hair melting onto his face. I'm happy to mostly be through this year, and happy to have one more shot at answering your questions for the Podtoid team. Chris, Charlotte, Dan, Occams, and I are all on this week, so please leave your questions below. And remember, the more creative the question, the more likely it is we'll ask it on air.
Sea of Thieves is going seasonal with 100 levels of progression
In an end-of-year video, Rare shared some impressive figures about Sea of Thieves' ongoing growth – over 11 million people played the game in 2020 – and spoke about its shift to a battle pass model.
In 2021, Sea of Thieves is moving away from meaningful updates to the competitive Arena mode, though it will still be supported and playable going forward. In another understandable move, Rare is switching over to a seasonal content schedule for the main Adventure experience. That means there will be a major update every three months or so headlined by "a new experience or way of play." After each season kick-off, the game will get "regular and featured live events" and quality-of-life patches.
Of course, a seasonal format wouldn't be complete without a battle pass – "the biggest change to our progression system since launch," according to Rare. In this case, there's a free tier with 100 levels of Pirate Renown progression and a premium Plunder Pass with "unique rewards" and exclusive items from the Pirate Emporium. Rare wants players to achieve "tangible" progress in "shorter sessions."
It's hard not to associate passes with FOMO – there are a lot of games trying to get us to do a lot of things in specific time frames – but a progression path beyond the Trading Company grind sounds fine.
Once Season 1 begins in January, Sea of Thieves players will be able to undertake a clue-gathering "detective" voyage with the Merchant Alliance. Creative director Mike Chapman also says that "big things" are planned for 2021 and they're "inspired" to freshen up the open-sea sandbox experience.
As for the game's continual success, Rare pointed to the Steam launch (which brought in a million players "within that first month") and a diverse audience fueled in large part by China and Korea.
Cyberpunk 2077 is going to look stupidly good with photo mode
Filters. Everyone uses 'em, and that's why everyone has a dog nose or big anime eyes. A photo doesn't make its way online anymore without some touchups and enhancements. That's life in the Insta-age.
Most everyone expects Cyberpunk 2077 to look great, but the photo mode is going to take it to a whole new level. CD Projekt Red released a trailer that showcases all the photo mode's features, and there are a lot of ways to gussy up your screenshots.
Here are the various effects and customization options across all of photo mode's categories:
Let's take a moment to appreciate this sick Castlevania art piece
Artist Dave Rapoza's take on Castlevania is one of my favorite outside interpretations I've seen.
Simon Belmont - Castlevania -
— Dave Rapoza (@DaveRapoza) December 1, 2020
(link to limited print from Cook and Becker below!) pic.twitter.com/12rmOlA7F5
In his new art piece – available as a print from Cook and Becker – Rapoza surrounds Simon Belmont with the ghoulish bosses and foes from the original Castlevania. I absolutely love the ornate detailing.
"I didn't look at the original video game for my research – for me today, a two-tone purple monster will feel silly, right? Like how's that scary at all? Yet when you dive into your nostalgic memory, the magic is still there, your interpretation of this world that was merely implied to you by the game makers," he said. "The pixels only imply certain shapes, and you fill in the blanks with your imagination."
You know a tribute piece is good when it makes you want to fire up an entire series of games. I wish Konami would do a lot of things, but at the top of the list, I wish it would do right by Castlevania.
Simon Belmont [Cook and Becker] [Thanks, Sam van der Meer]
Doom Guy comes to Fall Guys as a BFB
You probably know that BFG stands for "Big Fucking Gun." Did you know that the 2005 Doom movie retconned the acronym to mean "Bio Force Gun?" Other than that slight misstep, the movie is perfect.
Anyway, Fall Guys is about to get some Bio Force Beans.
Like Half-Life's Alyx, Portal's Chell, and Sonic's Sonic, Doom's demon-slaughtering protagonist seems set to join the Fall Guys roster of costumes:
What games are you trying to finish by the end of the year?
Now that it's December, I'm taking one last look at my backlog in hopes of wrapping up more games and rolling into the new year with a relatively clean plate (only to immediately fill it up again). It's a futile exercise – there's always going to be more to play – but it's become an end-of-year tradition for me.
The big one will be Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, which I'm happily chipping away at during most evenings. It's just mindless enough that I can half play it while watching TV, make a bit of progress, and feel like I accomplished something in spite of the jam-packed world map. I've heard the postgame isn't as stuffed as the first Hyrule Warriors – and well, that's probably for the best. I adored those absurdly long adventure maps, but I don't need to go through that again after Hyrule Warriors: Definitive Edition.
At the same time, I'll put the finishing touches on Spider-Man: Miles Morales. I'm more than halfway through the story and I find myself cramming in as many side-activities as I can between each main mission. It's a hard habit to break. I'm now at the point where I feel confident in Spider-Man's swinging, stealthing, and acrobatic attacks – it took a while to shake off the rust and perfect the flow. I can also safely call this ahead of time: I'm going to roll straight into New Game+ for those final skill unlocks.
At that point – and this is why I'm glad I got Demon's Souls and Bugsnax out of my literal and figurative system – we're getting dangerously close to Cyberpunk 2077. That's going to complicate my schedule. On the other hand, it's such a (reportedly) big game that I likely won't feel obligated to finish it in 2020.
From there, I'll probably spend a few evenings with Ori and the Will of the Wisps (other things got in the way this year), Overcooked 2: All You Can Eat (we need to finish several of the bonus campaigns), Fall Guys (Season 3 will hopefully be a step up), and Nioh 2: The First Samurai (the final expansion, at last).
As much as I want to stick to this outline, ymfah is making me want to screw around in Dark Souls III.
What does your end-of-year plan – or should I say pre-Cyberpunk 2077 plan – look like? Do you have a list of specific games mapped out, or are you just waiting to see what strikes your fancy?
Switch Port Report: Sam & Max Save the World Remastered
It's a real shame the story of Telltale Games ended the way it did because, at one point in its brief history, it was one of the most exciting developers in the industry. With access to some of the top IPs, including The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Stranger Things, there was no shortage of stories it could tell, just a shortage of money to keep everything going.
It may be gone, but some of its work will live on with other developers who are keen are keeping its legacy alive. And the best way to do that is to remaster those old games as well as Skunkape Games has done here with Sam & Max Save the World.
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond has five multiplayer modes and they're going to be wild in VR
I've been fixated on the story campaign in Respawn's VR-only Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, but the more I see of the multiplayer, the more I think that's going to be the main draw for a lot of players.
Respawn is putting a surprising amount of care into Above and Beyond, and based on this trailer – and prior experience with competitive VR games in general – the multiplayer should be pretty nuts. After decades of better-looking but familiar-feeling gaming, you start to take things for granted. With the extra immersion of virtual reality, even the simplest player interactions can feel fresh and exciting.
There are going to be five multiplayer modes in Medal of Honor, including the familiar Domination, Deathmatch, and Team Deathmatch, a rocket-launcher-toting king-of-the-hill gametype (Blast Radius), and a scenario focused on planting and defusing bombs (Mad Bomber). It's a focused spread.
This footage shows what it looks like, but playing it – feeling surrounded – will be way more thrilling.
Also worth noting: Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond is playable through Steam with support for Valve Index, HTC Vive, and Oculus, so if you want to side-step the Oculus store and the whole mess with Facebook accounts, in this particular instance, you can. That's super important for multiplayer queues.
The Just Cause creator started a new studio and named it after the Wu-Tang Clan
Liquid Swords released in 1995, a solo album side project from Wu-Tang Clan founding member GZA. This was the route most of them went after the success of the group's first album 36 Chambers. No one missed. RZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah -- they all released solo albums in the years following 36 Chambers, and they're all regarded anywhere from great to incredible.
None rub elbows with the praise of "masterpiece" and "all-time classic" and "one of the most influential hip-hop records ever" like Liquid Swords, though. GZA described the flow and feel of the album by saying "I'm trying to make it more visual. Liquid Swords is a concept of being lyrically sharp, flowing like liquid metal -- mercury, y'know? It comes from this flick, Legend of the Liquid Sword, where people would get their head cut off but it would still be on their shoulders. No one else would notice, because the sword was so sharp. Wu-Tang is a sword style, and this here is the sharpest. I'd rather slip on the pavement than slip on my tongue."
A former Avalanche Studios head either named his new studio after an iconic Wu-Tang album or after a mid-90s Hong Kong comedy. As announced on Facebook, Avalanche founder and Just Cause creator Christofer Sundberg has opened Liquid Swords in Stockholm. He's sticking with what he knows, as Sundberg says Liquid Swords will focus on "open-world action and explosions." It's rare that explosions play a key role in a company's mission statement.
While over-the-top spectacle and player freedom are pillars, Sundberg wants everyone to know that "Liquid Swords is a business, not a playground for aimless ideas. Our swords are sharpened, our mission is set and we could not be more excited about what the future holds."
Scratch "Just Cause guy reinvents Just Cause while referencing Wu-Tang" off your 2020 bingo card. I threw my bingo card out the window a long time ago. This shit's too hard to predict. I guess we could've seen Sundberg revisiting what made Just Cause 2 so popular. He's got a method, man.
Liquid Swords [Facebook]
Oh BOY, Kratos is the next Fortnite crossover
Ares killed his family, so now he's going to kill 99 of you guys while flossing.
On the heels of yesterday's Galactus-vanquishing event, Epic has new theatrics lined up for Fortnite. God-killer Kratos has leaked as the next crossover.
It started with this extremely not-subtle teaser from PlayStation:
The Game Awards is asking for your ten favorite games of 2020 for the Player's Voice award
You might not be emotionally invested in which games win which awards at The Game Awards this year, but the Player's Voice category opened today and it's kind of a fun exercise to whittle the 30 nominees down to ten potential winners. To vote, you'll need to sign in with Google, Twitter, or Facebook.
Even if you don't want to participate, it's interesting to see the tentative results. So far, Ghost of Tsushima is leading the pack with eight percent of the votes, followed closely by Hades, Spider-Man: Miles Morales, and The Last of Us Part II. If I were a betting man, I'd bet big on Hades rising the ranks.
Personally, the surprisingly great Legends mode really helps cement Ghost of Tsushima's status (but I adore Hades). As for Free Fire – yeah, I had to Google it too – it's at zero percent, just below Fortnite.
This is only the first leg of three. In the second round on December 4, the community will vote again, bringing the Player's Voice nominees from ten games down to just five hopeful contenders. Then, on December 6, players will pledge their support for their number-one can't-be-beat game of 2020.
Here's the full list of Player's Voice nominees:
- 13 Sentinels: Aegis Rim
- Among Us
- Animal Crossing: New Horizons
- Apex Legends
- Assassin's Creed Valhalla
- Bugsnax
- Call of Duty Black Ops Cold War
- Crash Bandicoot 4: It's About Time
- Demon's Souls
- Destiny 2
- Doom Eternal
- Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout
- Final Fantasy VII Remake
- Fortnite
- Free Fire
- Genshin Impact
- Ghost of Tsushima
- Hades
- Half-Life: Alyx
- Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity
- League of Legends
- Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
- Minecraft Dungeons
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Persona 5 Royal
- Phasmophobia
- Star Wars: Squadrons
- The Last Of Us Part II
- Valorant
- Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition
I keep saying this, but as shitty as this year has been, it sure gave us some fantastic games.
The worm (re)turns as Worms Rumble explodes onto PS4, PS5, and PC
Worms is a franchise that certainly holds many memories of my formative years. A bunch of friends squeezed around a 486, blasting each other to kingdom come with pixel-perfect long-distance shots, devastating shrapnel grenades, or a Street Fighter-style Dragon Punch when the conflict got up close and personal.
Legendary British developer Team 17 is hoping to capture that same feeling of friendly rivalry with Worms Rumble, the latest release in the long-running strategy franchise, now available to purchase on PS4, PS5, and PC via Steam. While the expansive maps, huge array of weapons, and explosive action are all present and correct, Worms Rumble reinvents the battle entirely by going real-time.
Doom Eternal on Switch has optional gyro aiming support
As we know, Doom Eternal is digital-only on Switch, and it'll take up around 18GB of space at launch. But Bethesda has updated its Switch FAQ with a few more juicy tidbits.
It looks like Eternal won't be left out of the gyro aiming train, as the publisher has confirmed that it will indeed have an optional toggle for the feature. To be clear, these are supported on both the Switch and Switch Lite devices. As far as multiplayer goes, Bethesda is touting the Battlemode 2v1 experience: where one Doom Slayer (Doom Guy, c'mon) goes up against two player-controlled demons in a best-of-five format. That's it, it seems.
As far as known bugs go, everything seems very minor. Two of the three listed bugs literally include using the photo mode under certain circumstances, and one involves boosters: an XP-based multiplayer mechanic that a lot of people won't care about.
If you ordered the game early, you should get an email with a Doom 64 code through the account associated with your Nintendo device. If you don't sometime after launch, check in on that! Bethesda also recommends that you reach out to retailers if you pre-ordered the physical version before release: and get further instructions from them directly.
They also stress that no codes for bonus content will be provided at retail locations, and that you have until December 23 to unlock the Rip and Tear content.
Doom Eternal Nintendo Switch FAQ & Known Issues [Slayer's Club]
Panzer Dragoon: Remake gliding onto Xbox One December 11
MegaPixel Studios has revealed that its modern-day take on 1995 Sega Saturn classic Panzer Dragoon will finally take flight on Xbox One next week, following its earlier release on PS4, PC, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake features all of the high-fantasy rail-shooter action of the original 1995 release, spruced up with dynamic new visuals and an overhauled control system. Players will once again mount the fabled Blue Dragon before embarking on a long and hazardous quest to reach an ancient tower and prevent the world from falling at the hands of the mysterious Prototype Dragon.
Panzer Dragoon: Remake launches on Xbox One December 11 and is available right now on PS4, PC, Nintendo Switch, and Stadia. You can check out Chris Carter's review for the Switch edition right here.
Oh look, it's an Adventure Time BMO Switch charging station
Adventure Time, come on grab your Switch, we'll go to the very...distant Japan, with Reggie the rep and Miyamoto the president, the fun will never end, it's Adventure Time!
Yes, this intrepid artist has managed to marry both Adventure Time and Nintendo's latest console in the cutest way possible. The little portable companion BMO is front and center with this "Nintendo Switch Charging Station Dock Stand," which is now taking pre-orders.
The Etsy store MadeinUrbana crafted this Switch stand, which slots the "original Switch" (likely not the Lite), so you can dock it and play games on BMO's screen. When you're not gaming, the stand doubles as a little action figure of sorts with an insert for the face. Note that this isn't a proper dock per se, as you'll need to do a bit more work to get that up and running: the store recommends an HDMI multihub. The stand also has proper vents in the back for "safety" reasons.
The only issue for some might be the price. It's $199.20 right now, and new orders are aiming to be shipped for free in "4-6 weeks." The store is looking to get pre-orders out "by Christmas." So it might not arrive in time for someone to accept a pricey gift, but it looks fantastic nonetheless!
Adventure Time BMO Nintendo Switch Charging Station Dock Stand [Etsy]
Rainbow Six Siege launches Operation Neon Dawn alongside PS5 and Xbox Series X editions
It's a huge week for Ubisoft's Rainbow Six Siege. Not only is new season Operation Neon Dawn now live in-game, but the intense multiplayer shooter is now available for download on PS5 and Xbox Series X, launching a brand new generation of door-kickin', smoke-poppin', hostage fuzin' action.
Operation Neon Dawn brings with it Team Rainbow's first prosthetic-wearing operator: Thailand's Apha Tawanroong, better known by her call-sign "Aruni." The 2-Speed 2-Armor Defender brings the high-tech Surya Gate to the battlefield, an intelligent laser fence that attaches to doors and windows, destroying enemy projectiles and providing more than a slight burn to any Attackers crossing its threshold. Aruni will be the only operator added to the roster this season, allowing the development team time to focus on tweaking Siege's core mechanics.
You really got to give it to 343 Industries and their support of the Halo: Master Chief Collection.
It's still a marquee title for the Xbox brand in that it basically collects every Halo game ever made in one place: and it's still lively to the point where I can jump in near-weekly and get into a game quickly. Given how convenient the whole launcher system is, it makes it easy to sift around and dive into whatever sort of experience you want at any given time.
That's in part due to the continued development of the game, which has spread to the PC platform as Microsoft sticks to their plan to expand their ecosystem beyond the Xbox family. Halo 4 is on PC now, in fact, with multiplayer cross-play, an enhanced Forge system, and all of the enhancements from the Series X/S. But what about going back and reworking older games? Well, that's tricky.
Answering a player question on their official November update blog about adding four player co-op to Halo 1 and 2, Community Support & Engagement Coordinator "Postums" noted that although the team "loves" the idea, it's "further down the list" in terms of priorities. Postums hints that although it can be done, there are more important tasks to get to, like updating co-op netcode or "bringing lost content to the [older] games," or other "global updates."
Postums says that 343 actually hopes that players mod the game to make this possible on PC, and thinks the modding community will be "where the game lives on" after it sunsets eventually. Another 343 developer explains that the game would have to be "solved and debugged" first, as two player co-op is hard-coded in.
I can see Halo 1 being a little easier to do as you just need to clone Master Chief two more times: but for Halo 2, the two player co-op was a thematic choice to help put the focus on the Arbiter, so it may look a little wonkier. Even still, 343 says that Halo 2 is "more at the ready" for adding four player co-op, but notes that there are still design challenges.
343 has done enough in my mind. Not that I wouldn't mind four player co-op across all the games, but as they've noted, there's more work to be done.
Master Chief Collection Development Update - November 2020 [Halo Waypoint]
Fire Emblem: Shadow Dragon & the Blade Of Light is coming out on Switch on December 4. That's good!
It's also going away forever on March 31, 2020. That's bad!
I know I've been using that Simpsons bit a lot, but hey, I'm rewatching the entire series (I'm on season 18, and keeping current with season 32!). Plus, it's extra applicable to this particular situation.
VA-11 Hall-A sequel N1RV Ann-A delayed from its 2020 release window
Sukeban Games has announced that N1RV Ann-A, the highly anticipated follow-up to cult classic VA-11 Hall-A, will not meet its previously announced 2020 release date, and has been rescheduled to the vague release window of "when it's done."
The popular indie developer announced that it intends to focus on the promotion of some of its other upcoming projects, though Sukeban reassured fans that production on the cyberpunk sequel would not falter as a result of this, merely that the marketing around N1RV Ann-A would be a little more subdued for the foreseeable future.
N1RV Ann-A writer Fernando Damas also explained the events that have led to the delay, candidly revealing problems with project direction and work scheduling, requiring a recent reboot of the team's production methods. A more detailed explanation of these hurdles is available over on the official Sukeban Games website. For the most part, it seems that N1RV Anna-A's production remains steadfast, we're just going to have to wait a little longer before we return to the neon-soaked nights of 207X.
Xenoblade 2 is three years old, so its character artist celebrated with a new piece
Saito Masatsugu, character artist for Xenoblade Chronicles 2, did an amazing job at bringing that cast to life. While the Xenoblade series is typically full of memorable party members, there was something special about Rex and Pyra/Mythra.
Masatsugu thinks so too, as they are celebrating the third anniversary of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 with a new piece of art starring the latter pair. As a reminder, the sequel came out on December 1, 2017: which is still hard to believe. That's mostly because the DLC expansion arrived nearly a year later, so the game is still fresh in my mind.
So fresh, in fact, that I kind of want to play it again! It's a good thing that Monolith Soft aims for a more timeless angle for their games: so beyond the time commitment, it's easy to wrap my head around doing that again. DLC included!
If you're interested in the finer details of Masatsugu's work, Nintendo did a little deep dive with him a few years back.
saitomasatsugu [Twitter]
Bandai Namco to team with Wallace & Gromit's Aardman Animation on new project
British animation studio Aardman Animation - renown for its Wallace & Gromit stop-motion features - has entered into a new agreement with publisher Bandai Namco to collaborate on a brand new IP.
While both companies remain tight-lipped on the project, the new IP will exist in multiple media formats, with Bandai Namco no doubt handling the video game iteration of the brand. Aardman Animation will begin work on the project early in 2021, with more details to be revealed at a later date.
"Interactive Entertainment is a huge growth area within the entertainment world," said Aardman's MD Sean Clarke. "With new emerging technology blurring the lines of watching and playing, we are keen to develop strategic partnerships with partners such as Bandai Namco Entertainment Europe that share our vision of creating new IP that embraces this new world and cement our studio's reputation as a multi-disciplinary creative hub."
"This new partnership with Aardman is a dream come true, as it opens up a world of possibilities," states Bandai Namco SVP Hervé Hoerdt. "The teams at Aardman and BNEE are a perfect cultural and creative fit to build a successful long term partnership. I can't wait to see what we can achieve together."
This partnership will be the first collaboration between Aardman Animation and Bandai Namco since the release of impressionist graphic adventure 11-11: Memories Retold, which launched on PS4, PC, and Xbox One back in November 2018.
Aardman partners with Bandai Namco Entertainmenton new IP [MCVUK]
Genshin Impact sees continued success, raking in almost $400 million in two months
There's no sopping MiHoYo's Genshin Impact. In the two months since the fantasy adventure's release, Genshin Impact has raked in an incredible $393 million USD on mobile platforms - as reported by the statisticians over at Sensor Tower.
For the period September 28-November 28, Genshin Impact's numbers push the mobile edition past several other major titles including Pokemon GO, PUBG Mobile, and Coin Master. Even more shockingly, this figure does not include any revenue made on the Android platform in China, believed to be Genshin Impact's most lucrative market.
Nvidia is launching the $400 RTX 3060 Ti tomorrow, another GPU you won't be able to buy
Nvidia has been relentless in its quest to launch a brand new line of graphics cards over the past few months, and that pursuit sees its most sudden addition tomorrow. With exactly one day between announcement and release, Nvidia has introduced the lowest-end (and cheapest) RTX 30 series card that'll still give the 20 series a run for its money.
On December 2, Nvidia will launch the RTX 3060 Ti at a price of $399. In its announcement post, Nvidia says the 3060 Ti is faster than both the RTX 2080 Super (barely) and the 2060 Super (by 40 percent). Like all the 30 Series cards, the 3060 Ti makes use of the new Ampere architecture. It features: "second generation ray tracing cores, third generation tensor cores for AI, Nvidia DLSS, Nvidia Reflex, and Nvidia Broadcast."
Predictably, the initial reviews for the 3060 Ti are coming up all positive. PC Gamer's benchmarks found that it's a great 1440p monitor, can hit some rather high framerates at 1080p, and is capable of doing 4K at 60fps under the right settings. Ars Technica found it to be a quite competent card, especially at the price point. It obviously can't outperform the 3070 (although it's close), the 3080, or the 3090.
Like the other 30 series cards, the 3060 Ti will make good on two of three important factors. They're all powerful and fast. They're all priced competitively. And it's impossible to buy any of them. The 3060 Ti goes on sale tomorrow morning and no one think it's going to be easy to get one. Considering it's the cheapest of the cards, it's expected to see the highest demand. Best of luck 'cause you're gonna need it.
GeForce RTX 3060 Ti Coming December 2nd. Faster Than RTX 2080 Super, Starting at $399 [Nvidia]
Planet Zoo is getting penguins, otters, and a new 'animal talks' activity on December 8
Whether you're here for the penguins (please read that in Benedict Cumberbatch's voice) or you're just sticking to the ongoing free content updates, December 8 will be a busy day for Planet Zoo players.
The next slice of DLC for Planet Zoo is the Aquatic Pack, and in terms of new species, it's adding the king penguin, giant otter, diamondback terrapin, Cuvier's dwarf caiman, and grey seal (please sing that like Elton John). For $10, you're also getting 170-ish scenery customization pieces (these numbers always sound inflated) and a challenge scenario set in Oregon that revolves around a "drained riverbed."
On the free-content front, Planet Zoo is getting update 1.4 on December 8. Apart from access to the new Water Temperature Regulator and Underwater Feeder (to coincide with the DLC theme), the update will add a summary screen for transport rides, informational "animal talks" that you can organize with newly-hired Educator staff members, and a multi-select option for animal storage in Franchise mode.
The submersible feeding station will only be compatible with the saltwater crocodile at first, but Frontier Developments says it "will be adding [support for] more animals in the future."
Beyond those free-for-everyone quality-of-life features, there's also a free challenge scenario tucked into update 1.4 – it's set in the Philippines, and you'll design your zoo around "disused rice terraces."
The Aquatic Pack might not go far enough for marine-loving players who have been plotting out the aquarium of their dreams, but I'm here for baby otters and penguins any day of the week.
Mega Man X and Battle Network live on in these new official models
Mega Man merch may never die.
The Mega Man series died at one point. Then it came back to life! It may die again. But we will always have merch. Merch...never changes.
Like the George Lucas of the video game world, Capcom has more merch SKUs each year than there are Mega Man games at this point. Many of them are figures and the like, ranging from the most casual blind box packages to the discerning hobbyist models. Manufacturer Kotobukiya has been partaking in that latter line for a while, and this past week, they just unveiled a few more beauties.
Shown off via their new livestream (the model talk for Mega Man X starts about 35 minutes in, timestamped here, with the Battle Network model talk kicking off around an hour and a half), Mega Man X and Battle Network non-painted models are incoming. The Mega Man X version will be more posable, even including an option to make him look like he's jumping through a boss door, or squinting while holding in a charged buster shot.
The Battle Network model has its own flair, with cuter more casual poses, as well as the option to wield his signature sword. You can find more info on the figures on this landing page. At this time, release dates and pricing are "undecided," as per a listing on the site.
Mega Man [Kotobukiya]
PS4's End of Year sale is back for 2020
If you didn't stock up on PS4 games during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, here's another chance. The PlayStation Store is hosting one of its final sales of 2020: the End of Year sale. We've almost made it.
For those of us who have switched over to PS5, it's not always obvious that a promo is running in the storefront unless you specifically go looking for it. But honestly, playing PS4 titles is one of my favorite parts of PS5 now that I've made the rounds with the console's launch lineup. I'm still interested.
Your mileage is really going to vary with this sale given its proximity to the Black Friday selection – and the recurring nature of which games keep popping up in these sales – but I have some suggestions.
- Death Stranding ($19.99) – a wonderful "holiday break" game to throw yourself into.
- Alien: Isolation - The Collection ($7.99) – keep the Halloween vibe going.
- Sleeping Dogs Definitive Edition – a gem of an open-world at a great price.
- Little Nightmares ($4.99) – catch up before next year's sequel.
- Team Sonic Racing ($17.99) – it's no All-Stars Racing Transformed, but still.
- Monster Hunter World: Iceborne ($20.09) – it's the perfect time to upgrade the base game now that Capcom is about to open up the rotating Event Quests.
- The Dark Pictures Anthology: Man of Medan ($9.89) – this is the right price for this one.
- Dragon's Crown Pro ($7.99) – beat them up!
- MediEvil ($14.99) – worth another look for many of us.
- The Surge 2 ($12.49) – the discount might be steep enough to push me off the fence.
- Contra Anniversary Collection ($9.99) – if nostalgia is calling.
- Castlevania Anniversary Collection ($9.99) – samesies.
- Far Cry 3 Classic Edition ($9.89) – a simpler time for open-world Ubisoft games.
- Rise of the Tomb Raider ($5.99) – I don't love this game, but the price is right.
- Prototype ($5.99) – cathartic open-world carnage and traversal that mostly holds up.
- Disney Classic Games: Aladdin and The Lion King ($11.99) – a much better price, but I'm afraid of facing The Lion King again after what it did to me as a kid.
- Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight ($9.89) – I don't know, ask one of the Chrises.
- Doom 64 ($1.49) – it's oddly relaxing to go back to this game after Eternal.
- Jotun: Valhalla Edition ($2.99) – another nice budget pick.
- Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions Evolved ($3.74) – god I love Pacifism mode.
- Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap ($7.99) – one of my favorite retro revivals.
- Dead by Daylight: Special Edition PS4 & PS5 ($11.99) – this game has legs.
- Bloodborne ($12.99) and The Old Hunters ($9.99) – name a more iconic game/DLC duo.
- Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin ($9.99) – if you're in a ravenous Souls mood.
- Dark Souls III - Deluxe Edition ($21.24) – I can't wait to revisit this on PS5 with 60fps.
The End of Year sale will stick around until December 22. I'd expect a Holiday sale around then.
Things have gone from bad to worse, from unfortunate to bizarre, and from Kinda Suspect to Super Murdery. That's Dontnod's MO, and everyone should know it by now. The French developer loves examining personal relationships, amplifying them through the lens of a much larger conflict, and then heaping an avalanche of emotion on top of it all.
Twin Mirror is Dontnod's first attempt at explicitly leaning into the psychological thriller label, something it toyed with in previous games but never outright committed to. In a lot of ways, it feels like Alan Wake by way of Life is Strange. However, Twin Mirror is also Dontnod's first self-published game and that might be the reason it falls short of its promise. Everything isn't quite alright in the end.
The new Nintendo Switch image transfer system is so wild, it's hard to believe it exists
So uh, a new Switch firmware update is out, and it actually adds features! That's good! But it's a Nintendo update: so be careful what you wish for.
In a monkey's paw of firmware, Nintendo has patched in the ability to transfer images "directly to your smartphone." But I question how direct the whole process is. Strap in, it's a bit weird.
