Sony pulls Cyberpunk 2077 from PlayStation Store, will begin issuing refunds
The saga of Cyberpunk 2077 continues to move in new and unexpected directions as Sony has announced it is pulling the game from the PlayStation Store and will begin issuing refunds to people who purchased a copy directly from Sony. The announcement comes days after developer CD Projekt Red said it would offer refunds on PS4 and Xbox One without any clear direction on how unsatisfied buyers were supposed to go about getting their money back.
Sony originally told people looking for a refund to wait for a future patch but has now reversed course and is offering refunds to those who purchased the game through the PlayStation Store. Anyone interested in getting their money back can visit the Cyberpunk 2077 Refunds page and fill out the request form. While the game is no longer available on the PlayStation Store, anyone who bought it and wants to keep will still be able to access their purchase.
[Update: Since this post went live, the link to the refund request form has been removed from the Cyberpunk 2077 Refunds page. If you are interested in a refund, I suggest you contact the @AskPlayStation Twitter account as it seems to be assisting people.]
I don't think I can name a quicker fall from grace than what CD Projekt has done this week, but I hope this will serve as a wake-up call to the industry and to consumers that this type of behavior shouldn't be tolerated, excused, or brushed off anymore.
Cyberpunk 2077 Refunds [PlayStation]
In today's contest you can win Spirit of the North: Enhanced Edition - Signature Edition from Signature Edition Games!
Have you heard of Spirit of the North? I hadn't until the kind folks over at Signature Edition Games gave me a copy to give away! Win yourself a PS5 copy in our first ever next-gen contest!
Subnautica: Below Zero will cost $10 more starting January 5, 2021
Not to get your hopes up, but Subnautica: Below Zero is still in early access. It's close to the finish line – close enough that Unknown Worlds is about to raise the price by $10 – but it's not quite there.
That said, if you loved Subnautica and you're down for more alien ocean expeditions, Below Zero is a pretty safe bet at this point, even if you have no intention of playing it until the 1.0 update goes out.
The deadline to remember? January 5, 2021 – that's when Subnautica: Below Zero will jump from $19.99 to $29.99. On the same day, the original Subnautica will go from $24.99 to $29.99.
Should you play it now? "As of the Relics of the Past update, Below Zero is now playable from start to (almost) finish. While we will continue to polish the game up until its 1.0 launch, all creatures, biomes, vehicles, and items that are currently in-game represent what will be there in the final version."
As a reminder, Below Zero is not an expansion – it's a new, separate game – and if you buy or already own the early-access version of Below Zero on Steam or the Epic Games Store, you'll "receive the 1.0 release, as well as all future patches," when the time comes. Consider this our official heads-up.
Subnautica: Below Zero Price Increasing on PC Storefronts [Unknown Worlds]
Sephiroth is officially out on December 22, but you can unlock him early in Smash Ultimate
In a fun twist that feels straight out of Sakurai's "anything goes" playbook, if you settle your score with Sephiroth in a one-on-one showdown in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, you'll unlock him early – as early as today, even. The Final Fantasy VII fighter isn't officially releasing until December 22, 2020.
To play the Sephiroth Challenge (and unlock him, the Northern Cave stage, and nine sweet tracks ahead of schedule), you'll need to have paid up. If you got the $30 Fighters Pass Vol. 2 or you have the piecemeal Challenger Pack 8, you're squared away. You can put him in his place. Watch out for Meteor.
We've also got several iconic Mii Fighters lined up for next week, including dear old Geno.
Geno, from Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, will be joining as a Mii Fighter costume as well. The Warrior from Star Road’s costume will be for the Gunner Mii Fighter. pic.twitter.com/i3LbyPXXGw
— Nintendo Versus (@NintendoVS) December 17, 2020
If Nintendo goes ahead and puts Super Mario RPG on Switch Online, I'll call it even.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure now has online co-op and a PS4-to-PS5 save transfer
Will I make it to the end of the year without buying Sackboy: A Big Adventure? I'm not sure I can wait for a sale as originally planned. It seems like too jolly of a time for me to miss this during the holiday break.
Helping resolve my on-the-fence-ness, with today's update, Sackboy has online multiplayer support and save-file transferring between the PS4 and PS5 versions (look for an option in the Extras menu).
That's important! Ten of the levels are specifically co-op only, and while there's already local multiplayer in this game (for all types of levels), that's obviously not going to work for everyone in all situations. If you ever hop online with friends or strangers, "your progress will be carried over to your local game."
Another cool thing I always appreciate: online multiplayer is cross-gen, and that should help fill the ranks. I imagine plenty of people got Sackboy on PS5 despite having only one DualSense controller.
Astro's Playroom seriously put me in a platformer mood, so it's just a matter of time.
Sackboy: A Big Adventure update adds online multiplayer today [PlayStation Blog]
Pumpkin Jack gets a Christmas update because there are no rules anymore
Halloween isn't just a day, it's a way of life. It's 365 and one more on Leap Years. That means when Christmas rolls around, it's also Halloween.
Pumpkin Jack is all about that life. Eight days from Christmas, this jack-o-lantern-headed mascot platformer gets a winter update. There's a new Christmas outfit that brings snow whenever it's worn. There's also a new batch of collectibles, as each level has five gifts hidden away; finding all five in any given stage unlocks something special.
With a little seasonal shakeup, Pumpkin Jack has a little more life. Stay tuned for the Presidents' Day update where Jack's gourd is replaced with the stone Mount Rushmore heads.
Among Us can check 'Come to Xbox via Game Pass' off its list of tasks
A couple days ago, news that Among Us is coming to Switch led Chris to wonder aloud "Why not put it on everything at this point?" That timing's pretty sus, bud.
On cue, Among Us is getting ported to other consoles. Microsoft has revealed that it's coming to Xbox and will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch:
Grindstone is still a fantastic puzzle game on Nintendo Switch
If you've played Critter Crunch or Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes, you don't need to be convinced that Capybara is capable of making great puzzle games that'll creep into – and slowly take over – your headspace. With that in mind, I'm here to remind you that 1) Grindstone exists and 2) it's fantastic.
More importantly, it's no longer locked down to Apple Arcade. You can get Grindstone on Nintendo Switch as of this week, and if you're an early buyer, you'll save five bucks. $14.99 is the sweet spot.
After reviewing the original iOS version in 2019 and truly loving it – only to let my Apple Arcade subscription lapse a while later and miss out on a few big content updates like Daily Grind modes – I'm happy to be reunited with this gnarly monster-mashing, color-coded-path-tracing puzzler.
Cities: Skylines is the first of Epic's 15 free games
Fortunately, digital files don't take up any room in the stocking. Otherwise, that thing would be stuffed half a month from now. They only take up space on the hard drive.
You're going to build an entire goddang city today. Epic is giving away one free game per day until the end of 2020. The first is Cities: Skylines. You're certainly not getting shorted on content with the first game.
This is also the start of Epic's holiday sale which is noteworthy in itself -- these things always have decent discounts -- but it ushers in another round of the ridiculous self-replenishing $10-off coupons. You'll get a $10 discount on anything that's priced $14.99 or above (pre-orders excluded). Then, once you use it, you'll get another $10-off coupon in its stead. They're limitless.
Anyway, claim Cities: Skylines, check out the holiday sale, take advantage of those coupons. The sale ends on January 7, so you have plenty of time to get after it. We'll be back tomorrow with another post about the second freebie and a partridge in a pear tree.
Cities: Skylines [Epic Games Store]
Latest Mario Kart Tour event focuses on Best Gal Rosalina
Nintendo's mobile racer Mario Kart Tour is winding up the year with a celebration of one of the Super Mario franchise's most-popular princesses. The Rosalina Tour offers players a new opportunity to bag previously released skins for the starry-eyed regal. Remember how hard it was to get her amiibo back in the day? Craziness.
The tour's first week sees the festive Fire Rosalina return to the gacha pipe, followed by the witchy Halloween Rosalina, the summery Swimwear Rosalina, and finally the exquisite Aurora Rosalina in week two. In addition, the Apple Kart, Poison Apple Cart, Comet Tail, and Blue Sodakarts are making a comeback, as are the Butterfly, Wicked Wings, and Luma Parafoil Gliders. Naturally, Rosalina's Ice World is the themed track for this event.
You can check out all of the above content in the trailer below. The Rosalina Tour is underway right now and will end on December 29.
Harvest Moon: One World may not be the return to form you're hoping for
Since it split from the BokujÅ Monogatari franchise back in 2014, Natsume's Harvest Moon series has had a tough go keeping itself relevant in the surprisingly competitive video game farming genre. Story of Seasons, the current western moniker for the BokujÅ games, has been doing quite well, and it seems like every month we're getting a new farming title in at least one of the storefronts.
Harvest Moon's next shot at reclaiming its former glory will come early next year with Harvest Moon: One World. The key feature of this title is the ability to completely move your farm to new areas of the world. Crops have disappeared from the world, and it's up to you to find the Harvest Wisps who hold the key to the different crops you'll grow on your farm. There are five areas to explore, as well as five bachelors and bachelorettes to marry.
All of that sounds fine, but I'm not really sure this new trailer is doing the game any favors. Something about it just looks so...empty.
Tales of Arise is nearing the end of its development cycle
It has been a mighty long wait for fans of the Tales series, eager to get their anime-adventure loving mitts on the next entry in the long-running franchise, Tales of Arise. According to comments to series producer Yusuke Tomizawa, development has markedly picked up pace on the PC and console title, which is now expected to ship sometime in 2021.
Tales of Arise was first announced at E3 2019 with a dramatic trailer, telling the tale of two close planets - Dahna and Rena - and the complex issues that develop between their respective civilizations. While the RPG was initially scheduled to launch this year, a desire to create a truly ambitious series entry - along with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic - put several hurdles in place, pushing the release date beyond 2020.
In recent comments to Famitsu, Tomizawa noted that development has picked up in recent months, with the team recovering from the work delay caused by the pandemic. The producer notes that more specific information will be coming soon, stating that Tales of Arise is going to be a title that fans around the entire world will be extremely proud of.
Tales of Arise development in the final stages [Gematsu / Ryokutya2089]
Monster Hunter Rise brings the hammer down with latest weapons trailers
Capcom is keeping the beat(down) rolling with two more weapon trailers for its upcoming Nintendo Switch release Monster Hunter Rise. Having given us a look at the finesse of the Dual Blades, the poking power of the Lance, and the long-range firepower of the Bowgun, it's time to get down and dirty with the head-pounding Hammer, and the battle-tested Sword and Shield.
More so than any other weapon in Monster Hunter Rise, Hammer-wielders are all about blunt force power, dropping devastating and highly damaging blows on their prey's bonces with reckless abandon. Almost entirely lacking in artistry and agility, the Hammer is a relentless, no-questions-asked full-frontal assault on the opposition. Please hunter, don't hurt 'em.
Overwatch 2 will allegedly show at BlizzCon Online, hopefully we'll get actual info on it
Amid a recap of a "crazy 2020," as Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan calls it, is a kernel of info on Overwatch 2. Or rather, a later date in which we'll actually hear more about it.
In addition to Diablo IV, Overwatch 2 will also be making an appearance at BlizzCon Online in February. "We will be talking about [Overwatch 2] more in February with BlizzCon Online coming up," he notes in the below video at roughly the 30-second mark.
We still don't know much about this game beyond the initial cinematic reveal in November of 2019. Oddly, it seems like it's a pseudo-expansion of the original Overwatch with new PVP maps and a bonafide PVE component, but a lot of players are confused about what the phrase "redefining what a sequel means" actually entails. We could speculate all day, but near the end of the video (5:30) Kaplan manages expectations again, noting "we still have a ways to go."
Overwatch is still seemingly doing well, and overarching development is spilling over into both games it seems. Kaplan says that in their efforts to ramp up production, they hired a "really amazing level designer named Morton," who created a new map called Kanezaka. The team decided to bring it into full production right away, with Easter eggs and "lore payoff" (heavily focusing around Genji and Hanzo). It even has a cat cafe!
Kanezaka will be out this month on the PTR (public test realm), and fully out in January 2021.
I can't stop thinking about Gnosia
Unlike with most of the past Nintendo presentations, this week's Indie World showcase really didn't have a lot for me. I'm moderately interested in Among Us and I guess I should probably get around to playing Spelunky, but really, only one game from that show spoke to me and I can't get it out of my head: Gnosia.
The game originally released for the PlayStation Vita in Japan and earned a certain level of notability when it scored a 10/10 from IGN Japan. It plays out like an intergalactic game of Werewolf. Gnosia aboard a drifting spaceship are replicating humans, and you have to deduce which of your fellow passengers isn't who they say they are. Each round is relatively short, and once you've won or lost, the story resets with a revolving set of characters and shuffled roles. As you repeatedly loop through the story, more of its mysteries will be revealed.
Nintendo Download: Super Meat Boy Forever
There's a few third-party releases left in the eShop!
Super Meat Boy Forever just got a release date recently, and thankfully, the Switch will join the PC with a December 23 launch. Beyond that, it's a very low key week for the Nintendo eShop, with mostly indies, and a Switch port of Grindstone, which earned the respect of many Apple Arcade users in late 2019.
Also buried in this sea of mid-December releases is Turrican Flashback, which had a big re-announcement party recently. Also available on PS4, this collection reassembles Turrican, Turrican II, Mega Turrican, and Super Turrican under one roof. Given that so many people have forgotten about this series, it warms my heart to see it make headlines again.
And don't forget Calico, the cute indie release announced during yesterday's stream, as well as the Switch port of Among Us, which was confirmed later to support cross-play.
Multiple mobile games pulled in $1 billion in revenue this year
2020 was some year for mobile gaming. While the pocket-sized platform has always been a lucrative prospect for developers and publishers, this year has seen a staggering amount of money spent on mobile games and their respective microtransactions.
As noted by the statisticians over at Sensor Tower, five particular titles raked over one billion dollars each in total revenue. Tencent's PUBG Mobile and Honor of Kings amassed a bewildering $2.6 billion and $2.5 billion respectively, while Niantic's Pokemon GO continued its steady success, raking in $1.2 billion in revenue over the course of the year. Bringing up the rear are kids' favourite Roblox and the super-popular Coin Master, both of which scored around the $1.1 billion mark.
While all of the above titles have proven to be popular and highly successful releases in their own right, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has significantly bolstered each titles' bank balance, as global lockdown legislation kept people across the world indoors and on their mobile platforms. In all, the mobile market increased profitability by 19.5%, and while experts suggest 2021 will see a slight decline in mobile spending - assuming with all hope that the world starts to return to more precedented times - publishers are very unlikely to turn away from the mobile market anytime soon, ever again in fact.
PUBG mobile tops list of billion-dollar mobile games [Sensor Tower / GamesIndustry.biz]
Developers can no longer scum eShop charts with free games
This story requires a bit of background, so let's get into it.
A few months back, a number of indie developers called out the state of the Nintendo Switch eShop for myriad reasons. Stating that it was falling into a collective state of mobile-like chaos, these studios shed some light on some of the storefront's shortcomings, as well as the art of chart-scumming.
In short, studios who place their games at 80-100% off had a chance to reach the "top-seller" charts, as the store ranks games by raw units sold. In other words, you could completely dominate the charts with abandonware by cycling games in and out for free. Why am I bringing all this up again? Well, you can't do that anymore!
According to game developer-centric newsletter GameDiscoverCo (which Destructoid has since gained access to), that practice is now dead: at least for "100% off" promotions. As the letter points out, other discounts still work, so you can still game the charts with other percentages. Like all things Nintendo, it's a start. It's baby steps toward a much bigger problem. GameDiscoverCo argues that a longer-term solution would be to change the charts to rank revenue in real-time, just like Steam.
As the newsletter notes, nothing was made public: that's how Nintendo rolls sometimes.
Newsletter [GameDiscoverCo via MCV]
The Final Demo for Bravely Default II gives you just five hours to see as much as you can
Earlier this year, Nintendo and Square Enix dropped the first demo for their highly anticipated RPG Bravely Default II, the follow-up to two beloved games from the 3DS. It was our first chance to see how development was progressing since the game was first announced a little over a year ago. The demo was challenging, with the difficulty kicked up a notch and more-or-less forcing players to grind it out.
Following the demo, Square Enix opened up a survey allowing players to offer feedback that could directly affect the final product. Earlier this year, we found out just how many changes that feedback would bring, and with the new Final Demo released late last night, we can now see those changes in action.
The Final Demo takes place in the same region as the demo from this past summer. The desert kingdom of Savalon is slowly drowning as waters continue to rise, with no answers as to how. All of this takes place in the first chapter of Bravely Default II, which the demo will allow you to explore for as much as five hours. You'll receive hourly reminders that the clock is ticking down, and once you hit the five-hour mark, that playthrough will end. You can start a new file if you want to try and get further than you did on your first try.
All I want for Christmas is Fire Emblem Heroes' Santa Bernadetta
Nintendo has released the latest update for its mobile battler, Fire Emblem Heroes. In keeping with the spirit of these festive times, the newest in an endless line of in-game events sees a quartet of warriors don their Holiday finery to celebrate Chrimbo is style. 'Tis the season, after all.
Joining the Orb-greedy pull pipe from today are Path of Radiance's Sephiran, Three Houses' Hilda, and a new Harmonized Hero in the form of Radiant Dawn's Altina and her daughter, Path of Radiance's Sanaki - all of whom are rocking their best Santa Claus duds. Best of all is Three Houses' Bernadetta, who has single-handedly made me believe in the spirit of Christmas with her baffling new "log cabin winter storm" attack. Bless her heart.
Spotify is now on the Epic Games Store, and we can 'expect more non-game applications' in the future
We've seen gaming platforms expand beyond the scope of gaming in the past.
Microsoft banked the entire last generation on entertainment perks. The Wii had Netflix, and you needed a disc for it (I still have it!). Steam added full-on films and a ton of other non-gaming apps to its service a while back. Now, the Epic Games Store is joining the fray.
Announced this morning, the popular music/podcast streaming service Spotify is now available on the Epic Games Store: so you can listen to/complain about Joe Rogan in real time. Naturally it's free, so all you need to do is add it to your account and it'll be listed as an app. I just tried it! It's called "Spotify Music," and it'll show up with all of your other apps (there doesn't seem to be a filter for it yet).
An Epic rep has informed Destructoid that we can "expect more non-game applications" to hit the storefront in the future. At this point, anything is possible. Epic wants people sticking exclusively to their launcher, perusing around after a game or two of Fortnite and the like. Expect it to get even bigger than it already has in 2021.
Spotify [Epic Games Store]
Ask tough questions, get tough executive answers!
This week, Polygon interviewed Nintendo of America president and Reggie-replacement Doug Bowser: who has remained relatively quiet during his tenure at the publisher. Just recently though he broke that silence by speaking to a number of Nintendo topics, like the destruction of some Mario games on March 31, 2021.
When asked why Nintendo was going with the vaulting strategy, Bowser replied: "Yeah, I think I use a simple word: celebration. It just — this is a celebration of Mario's 35th anniversary. And we wanted to celebrate in unique and different ways, and we've done that through games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars, or we will be doing that through future releases, such as Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury."
Bowser also says that there are "various" other ways in which they're celebrating too, with releases like Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit. But that "with some of these titles, we felt it was an opportunity to release them for a limited period of time. They've done very, very well. Super Mario 3D All-Stars has sold over 2.6 million units in the US alone." He later clarifies that it's "not a strategy [they're] going to be using widely."
Of course, there's something else to take away from this. Bowser never mentioned whether or not the eventual removal of Fire Emblem NES from the Switch eShop was a "celebration" too. Also, "they've done very, very well" and "not using widely" is telling. They've already expanded the strategy outside of the confines of Mario, and if it's doing "well," they can probably push the controversy boundaries a bit and do it once or twice per year.
We'll see!
Doug Bowser on Nintendo's obsession with March 31, plus Joy-Con drift and the Switch Pro rumors [Polygon]
Oh, of course Among Us is coming to Switch...today!
[Update: The developer has confirmed that cross-play is included with the Switch port of Among Us.]
Among Us may have launched back in 2018 on mobile and PC, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming a viral hit during 2020's quarantine.
Given that developer Innersloth canceled the sequel and decided to double down on the monster hit they eventually had, it makes sense that it's going to be proliferated on a ton of platforms. After two years, the day has finally come: Among Us is hitting the Switch today.
That's it! You can yell about your suspect memes on another platform now. There doesn't seem to be any special bells and whistles here, it's just the social elimination game it always was.
Like mobile, I can see playing it in person all together being pretty fun, so the Switch is a good choice for Among Us' first launch console.
Resident Evil's Shinji Mikami believes he has at least one more major project in him
In a recent interview with Variety, Resident Evil creator Shinji Mikami mused up his future in the video game industry, noting that while he has no shortage of ideas, he does not feel the same way about time and drive, and suggesting that he may have one last major project in him.
"I am getting old, and so it would be more of a matter of how much energy I have," said Mikami in candid comments. "My thinking is that if I had a chance to make a game from the beginning to end that's completely my vision, then definitely, that would be my big last project as a director. It would probably be more fitting as that 'last game I direct' kind of thing."
Mikami - currently hard at work on cyberpunk adventure Ghostwire: Tokyo - has left a storied legacy within the gaming industry. Beginning his career in Capcom way back in 1990, Mikami had a hand in many releases before creating the most enduring title of his career, Resident Evil, in 1996. Mikami went on to oversee the production of titles such as God Hand and Vanquish, before breaking out into his own studio, Tango Gameworks, in 2010, returning to the horror genre with 2014's The Evil Within and its 2017 sequel.
Despite Mikami's indelible legacy, it seems that success hasn't changed the modest nature of the 55-year-old, exemplified when asked about his post-gaming career. "I'll take a part-time job working at a convenience store," joked Mikami. "The idea of making a rice-porridge restaurant has been scrapped, since there'd be too much competition."
Ghostwire: Tokyo will launch on PS5 and PC in 2021.
Shinji Mikami reflects on 30 years in the industry [Variety / VGC]
Cyberpunk 2077 comes to Death Stranding with free PC crossover content
505 Games have released a new update for the PC edition of Death Stranding that sees Hideo Kojima's strange adventure title cross over with CDPR's equally dystopian release, Cyberpunk 2077.
Bravely Default II Final Demo is now available for download
Bravely Default II was one of the games I was most excited to play this year, but sadly, like so many other titles, it got pushed back to 2021. While there are still a few months before we'll get our hands on the full game, Nintendo is offering players another sampling of the final product with the Final Demo.
The demo will give players access to all four main characters from the game, with jobs and abilities readily available. Download before February 26, 2021, and you'll get 100 My Nintendo Platinum Points. Hey, that's another quick and easy way to score points!
Contest: Win Cyberpunk 2077 and a Johnny Silverhand statue, courtesy of fun.com
[It's the last night to enter, so get on it, chuckleheads!]
In today's contest you can win a copy of Cyberpunk 2077 and this neat Johnny Silverhand statue from fun.com!
I saw something the other day that it's been over 3,000 days since Cyberpunk 2077 was announced. The wait is finally over! Fans of the cybernetic dystopian genre are finally getting their hands on the series, and now you can, too!
We're giving away a copy of the game (your choice for platform) and this awesome Johnny Silverhand statue, courtesy of our friends at fun.com!
Ubisoft can't help itself, adds an XP-boosting microtransaction to Assassin's Creed Valhalla
Ubisoft caught a lot of flak for a time-saving microtransaction in Assassin's Creed Odyssey that permanently increased your XP rate by 50 percent. The problem is that a lot of people felt as though Odyssey's grind was specifically tailored to encourage the purchase of the XP-booster. When Assassin's Creed Valhalla launched, it did so without that same $10 microtransaction. It seemed as though Ubisoft was quick to avoid catching that heat all over again.
For 36 days. That's how long Ubisoft could resist. With yesterday's 1.1.0 patch, Valhalla got those same time-saving microtransactions that Odyssey launched with. As Game Informer reports, Ubisoft says "As more and more post-launch content becomes available, we want to give the option to players to advance their progression. Utilities allow players who lack the time to fully explore the world of Assassin's Creed Valhalla to be able to acquire the game's best gear, as well as other items, by accelerating their progress. For instance, these players can purchase maps that uncover some interesting locations in the world, but would still have to visit and play them to get their rewards."
Here's the thing: This is especially unnecessary in Valhalla. The game doles out skill points with regular frequency, and none of the skills are particularly effective. They all just kinda add up until eventually you're more powerful because the number next to your name is bigger. I genuinely can't imagine buying this XP boost would help you beat Valhalla faster.
But it's flagrant that Ubisoft held off on the boosters until it was clear of microtransactions dominating the launch window conversation. Now that Cyberpunk is the villain, Ubisoft has gone full speed ahead on the time-savers in hopes that they'll fly under the radar. They probably will to be honest. Everyone has a very short attention span. Rest assured that Assassin's Creed Valhalla is a long-ass game (too long-ass in my humble opinion) and none of these time-savers will actually make it any shorter.
Assassin's Creed Valhalla Sells XP Boosts Now [Game Informer]
This is kinda awkward, but GOG's winter sale has started
Ummmm, yeahhhhhhh...
If you haven't sworn off using GOG, there's some shekels to be saved in its winter sale. Something tells me CD Projekt will see lower conversion and revenue than usual with this sales event.
I have a feeling that listing what's discounted is probably just a waste of my time in this particular instance. If you're actually interested, GOG's front page has all the deals. Also, Prison Architect is free for three days.
I wonder if anyone at CD Projekt has smashed the "Break in Case of Emergency" glass yet.
Hades just got cross-save support and that means I've gotta double-dip
And just like that, double-dipping with Hades on Nintendo Switch is a matter of when, not if. In an update released this afternoon, Supergiant Games added cross-save support for PC and Switch players.
Here's the overview for the Nintendo Switch version, as outlined by the developer:
- Click 'Cross-Saves' in the main menu, then connect your Steam or Epic Games Account.
- Pause and quit to upload save data.
- More specifics about the cross-save process are in the Help & Info section.
Supergiant also offered a quick word of warning before anyone rushes in haphazardly: "Please be sure that your progress is in different save slots between PC and Switch! Instructions on how to move your PC saves to a different slot are in the Help & Info section on Switch (you just rename the save file)."
Also important to note for completionists: "if you transfer progress from the Switch to PC, you'll get any relevant achievements once you start the game! For example, if you reached the true ending already on Switch, you'll get the achievement for having done that."
This is a fantastic option to have, and if I didn't know cross-saves were on the way (they were delayed), I probably would've already owned two copies of Hades. The combat is fun enough that I would've been willing to start fresh without all of my weapons, perks, and character-wooing progression carrying over.
Today's Switch update also has "minor fixes and improvements" from a post-launch PC patch, and you can go through the particulars – including weapon and boon balance changes – over in this post.
@SupergiantGames [Twitter]
Cozy Grove is Animal Crossing but with ghosts
Ghosts are people too. Or, more accurately, ghosts were people too. They need a helpful hand every now and then just like the rest of us.
Give ghosts all the help they need in the new slice-of-life game Cozy Grove from developer Spry Fox (who made Alphabear). Cozy Grove is about exploring a haunted island and performing tasks for the local ghosts, eventually restoring color and joy. There's a prominent crafting angle, probably by collecting a lot of resources to eventually make items the ghosts need.
It sounds like the perfect thing to kill a little time with each day, much like Animal Crossing or Stardew Valley. Spry Fox says Cozy Grove has a campaign that reaches beyond 40 hours, and is "designed to span months of playtime."
Cozy Grove comes to PC (Steam and Epic), PS4, Switch, and Xbox One sometime in the first half of next year. Until then, the ghosts will have to live in misery just like the rest of us. There is no escape.
Nominees for Destructoid's Best Remaster/Remake of 2020
For the past three years, I've posted the nominees for Destructoid's annual Best Remaster/Remake award of the given year. While it's fair to suggest that the category is hardly considered a "leading" topic in the annual GOTY discourse, it's not without its charm, having seen some solid winners in its past.
2020 is a little different. 2020 was a year where the general run of up-scaled and re-tweaked classics was replaced by a selection of varied, creative, and both conceptually and critically adored re-imaginings of some of the industry's most fondly-remembered titles. The year saw the return of several PlayStation paragons, a selection of tightly-held PC favorites, and one of the greatest PS3 titles of all-time. All of these titles paid respect to the past, while using today's technology and contemporary design culture to offer modern experiences to both new audiences and those of us with older souls.
As such, this year's Remaster/Remake category not only features a selection of truly excellent titles, but it is actually one of the premier – and most hotly contested – awards of this 2020's Game of the Year discourse. I guess you can teach an old dog new tricks.
These are the nominees for Destructoid's Best Remaster/Remake of 2020:
I didn't expect Terminator: Resistance to get a PS5 enhanced edition
We're seeing PS5 upgrades pop up in unlikely places, and that's exactly how I'd categorize Terminator: Resistance. Teyon's "for the fans"-at-best Terminator shooter is getting an enhanced edition in 2021.
More than just a visually-boosted 4K60 re-release with added DualSense support and faster load times, Terminator: Resistance Enhanced will also have a new Infiltrator mode ("players can get under the skin of a T-800 series Infiltrator unit and strike out against Resistance forces") and balance changes.
The PS5 edition is launching on March 26 as a free upgrade for PS4 owners of Terminator: Resistance.
What's more, the PS4 and Xbox One versions of the game are getting a balance/difficulty update in Q1 2021 – and the PS5 and PC versions are planning to add a paid story expansion in summer 2021.
No word on any Xbox Series X/S enhancements, but yeah, I'm surprised. Prime bargain-bin fodder.
@Reef_Games [Twitter]
Neptunia Virtual Stars will come blastin' onto PC in 2021
Idea Factory International has announced that Neptunia Virtual Stars will be arriving on PC via Steam, alongside its PS4 edition, when the action-adventure RPG wings its way westward sometime in 2021 on PC and PS4.
Originally released in Japan this past summer, Neptunia Virtual Stars (or VVVtunia) sees our favorite CPUs enter a brand new virtual realm, where they encounter, and then team up with V-idols MEWTRAL in a last-ditch effort to fend of the imposing might of the Antis invaders, who are bringing chaos to the planet Emote. Video games.
Neptune Virtual Stars features a cast of series regulars such as Nep-Nep, Vert, Blanc, and Noire, but also crosses over with legendary "real-life" V-idols who you may know from streaming brands such as Hololive, ReVdol!, Horror Academian, and upd8. Is "Korone" one of those?.. I'm so old, I'm so, so old.
GOG decided against releasing Devotion and it's such a bad look
In a wildly unnecessary turn of events today, the PC horror game Devotion won't be sold on GOG after all – despite the fact that developer Red Candle Games only just announced the release this morning.
Earlier today, it was announced that the game Devotion is coming to GOG. After receiving many messages from gamers, we have decided not to list the game in our store.
— GOG.COM (@GOGcom) December 16, 2020
In a statement posted to Twitter, GOG cited "many messages from gamers" as the reason it "decided not to list the game in our store." It's another bad look for GOG's owner, CD Projekt. (It's been a week.)
There's no denying that Devotion has had a bumpy road – it was pulled from Steam soon after its original launch in February 2019 due to backlash over an unfavorable reference to Chinese president Xi Jinping – but GOG's justification for supporting Devotion only to reverse its decision is something else.
It's one thing to choose to avoid carrying a game on your digital storefront, but to say you're going to help revive it only to immediately flip-flop on the same day? Talk about being your own worst enemy.
GOG hasn't released a more in-depth explanation yet. I'm curious to see if one will ever come.
As for Red Candle Games, the studio is "busy working" on its next video game.
[Update: The developers of Devotion posted a follow-up statement on Twitter today that called GOG's reversal "regretful," but said they "are willing to understand and respect GOG's decision."
"For the players looking forward to Devotion's re-release, please accept our most sincere apology. This is a difficult predicament to overcome, but we won't stop striving."]
Nominees for Destructoid's Best Mobile Game of 2020
It honestly didn't make a lot of sense to engage in mobile gaming this year. After all, the appeal of gaming on your iPhone or Android device ties into the fact you can play wherever you are. At the office, on the train, in the waiting room, anywhere you didn't have direct access to a console or PC.
But for most of 2020, people stayed in one place. The lockdowns and self-quarantines kept a lot of people away from work, off mass transit, and out of all the public places we normally enjoy. There was really no reason to settle for mobile games when you were never far from your preferred gaming device. Of course, not everyone considers playing mobile games as "settling," and this year, many titles proved to be worth your time and money.
This was the year that Apple Arcade blossomed into a worthwhile service with a phenomenal batch of apps that proved themselves worthy of the $5 subscription price. It was also the year the bar was raised for free-to-play gacha games. We may not have covered as many mobile titles this year as we have in the past, but that doesn't mean we weren't playing them.
Prime Gaming is giving out Fall Guys goodies and both Yooka-Laylee games
Even as someone with Prime Gaming, I routinely forget that 1) it exists and 2) I have it. But every so often, the Amazon Prime perk pays off and I get something I've been meaning to play for no extra cost.
Beyond that unwieldy list of Prime Gaming freebies Chris posted the other week, there are a few other noteworthy inclusions for December: a Winter Warmer bundle for Fall Guys, the alright 3D platformer Yooka-Laylee, and the much-improved side-scrolling sequel, Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair.
The Fall Guys care package includes the cozy Winter Warmer costume and three coveted Crowns – don't spend 'em all in one place, pal! Redeeming the bundle is self-explanatory, but getting the goods into your PC or PS4 copy of Fall Guys after you redeem them is slightly more complicated. In the game, you'll need to head into the Settings menu, pick "Profile," and use the "Link Amazon Account" option.
You probably aren't stoked to play Yooka-Laylee via a separate app on PC, but the price is right. One other holiday bonus – Overcooked, if you somehow still need it – will be claimable on December 24.
You can watch HBO Max on PS5 as of today
After missing the console's launch, HBO Max is now on PlayStation 5 in the United States.
This really shouldn't be a big deal – it's one of many streaming apps – but given how elusive HBO Max can be on certain platforms and devices (like Roku), it's a sigh-of-relief news story for a lot of us hoping to go hard on movies in 2021. (Speaking of: here's a list of supported apps on PS5, if you need it.)
If you're unable to install HBO Max on your PS5, try restarting it – that should do the trick.
@PlayStation [Twitter]
Hearthstone just got a huge patch that impacts just about every mode and the stingy reward system
In case you haven't been following along with Hearthstone, the last few weeks or so have been a doozy.
Blizzard completely overhauled the game's reward system, much to the chagrin of most of the playerbase. After some Reddit sleuths discovered that the game was actually being more stingy, the development team vowed to fix things with a future patch. That patch just dropped this week.
The short of it? You need 37,000 less XP to finish the entire seasonal rewards track, which is a significant drop considering that weekly quests reward you with anywhere from 2000-3000 XP, with XP boosters from the premium track. Arena quests have also been eliminated (good), and many XP-providing quests have been nerfed so that they're easier to finish. Also, there's 50 more gold per level from levels 27 to 30 (to help shore up the gold economy that was lacking). I'm sure the community will have further notes and this isn't the last we've seen of the rewards track saga.
As for actual content, the new Book of Heroes Garrosh quest is on the way on December 16, followed by Uther on January 5. Right now Jaina and Rexxar are available, and there's room for six more heroes (for now) after the Garrosh and Uther enter the fray. Several cards and one hero power have been reworked for standard and duels play as well, which you can find more info on here.
The update I'm most excited about however is the huge splash that Battlegrounds is making in this patch. A new "Darkmoon Prizes" mechanic is now a thing, where every four turns you'll get a new item that can mix things up (at first it's stat boosts, then it's huge bonuses like the reduction of all minion costs by one coin). C'Thun, N'Zoth, Y'Sharrj are now Battlegrounds heroes, with Galakrand (who was newly buffed and was dominating) rotating out. New Old God themed minions have also been cycled into Battlegrounds.
It's a lot of stuff to keep track of! For me the Battlegrounds changes have been the biggest shakeup, followed by the increase in cost of Voracious Reader from two to three. Given that I see it nearly every game, the latter is a no-brainer!
19.2 Patch Notes [Battle.net]
Monster Hunter Rise has long-range cowards covered with these bowguns
Capcom has released another duo of trailers looking at the deadly weaponry of its upcoming Nintendo Switch release Monster Hunter Rise. While previous videos have focused on more up-close-and-personal beast slayers such as the Dual Blade and the Lance, today's videos are for those who prefer to attack their prey from behind the sofa - namely Bowgun users. We see you.
The first video features the Heavy Bowgun which, as the name suggests, is a powerful tool capable of deliberate and steady shots, inflicting heavy-duty damage at a relatively modest weight. The Heavy Bowgun can be kitted out with Wyvernheart and Wyvernsnipe ammo, allowing for damage to be dealt at both mid and long ranges.
Fallout 76's last update the year is a semi-big one
It's time for the third season of Fallout 76 to begin, and we have patch notes to mark the occasion.
This week on the official Fallout 76 blog, Bethesda laid down their plans for the "final update of the year," preceding the upcoming quality of life patch in early 2021, as well as the subsequent Brotherhood of Steel storyline content. While season three is the big thing in version 1.5.1.3, new "Core Vault" objects can help spruce up your C.A.M.P. through the completion of a very easy Home Expansion quest, and a bunch more bugs have been fixed. You can find the full patch notes below.
Having scanned over each and every patch, it's kind of crazy just how many bugs are still in the game, or are being added with subsequent updates. The biggest hit this week was regarding combat challenge fixes; as six enemy types were previously not counting toward challenge completion progress. I can't imagine how maddening it must be to not understand why any given aspect of the game doesn't work after all this time.
These are the sort of things a lot of people can brush off in a single-player game, but the "games as a service" approach has really put this one in a corner. Direct rewards are tied to mechanics like this, which can drive people to the Atomic Shop (in-game and real-money transactions). While Fallout 76 has markedly improved before my own eyes, I hope Bethesda learns from this experience and doesn't try to force this sort of model into a game that can't handle it again.
Update Notes [Bethesda.net]
Review: Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond
We are now in an era where impressive-looking VR games are somewhat commonplace; it's no longer a selling point all on its own. So when I heard that Respawn Entertainment was working on a new Medal of Honor for VR, my interest was piqued, but I kept my expectations in check.
Always trust your instincts.
Oh yeah, Diablo IV!
I don't know what I occasionally forget this one exists, though it's probably because I'm so used to there not being a Diablo game in active development. There was a 12-year gap between Diablo II and III, and now, it looks like it might be at least a decade after Diablo III until Diablo IV is out. Who knows at this point? It's kind of in the Overwatch 2 column of "when it's finished."
To that end, Blizzard is working on eventually finishing it, and here's some proof, compliments of a new "quarterly update." The gist of it includes more info on itemization, and how Blizzard wants to "strengthen class identity," "support deeper customization," and is aiming for a depth level "between Diablo II and III." The team wants "years of things to discover and countless ways to build a class." More like Diablo II? Sure, that's going to get some people to perk up.
Blizzard is also working on shoring up skill trees, by "increasing the clustering of related skill nodes, so players don't have to go across the tree to find skill upgrades for their builds." The whole respec issue (the set-in-stone style of Diablo II versus the zero-penalty III) is still a tough thing to figure out, but Blizzard is going to put a cost on it this time. So while you can do it an unlimited amount of times, "it won't be free." Diving further into it: "as your character grows, the effort and cost required to respec will grow too. In the end-game, changing your build will require a significant investment, to appropriately match the time and effort you've put into defining your character." This sounds like something that's going to ruffle feathers at launch and will probably be tweaked.
But the best part of all? The confirmation that Diablo IV will be at BlizzCon Online in February, and that there will almost certainly be a new class reveal. Here's the full quote: "Speaking of which, our next update will take place during BlizzConline, rather than in blog form. We've read speculation about what it could be and want to ensure you that it is something chunky indeed. Without spoiling the surprise, let's just say it involves a new version of the campfire scene we showed you last BlizzCon."
As a reminder, the "campfire" has been the character select screen since Diablo II, so we're at least getting a new class for BlizzCon.
Diablo IV Quarterly Update [Battle.net]
The awesome Dicey Dungeons is now available on Nintendo Switch
In a lovely bit of news that seemed to glide under the radar yesterday, developer Distractionware announced that its excellent adventure title Dicey Dungeons is now available to download on Nintendo Switch via the eShop, priced at around $15.
Dicey Dungeons is a deck-building roguelike title, designed by Terry Cavanagh of VVVVVV and Super Hexagon fame. Players step into the cuboid body of one of six adventurers, who have been transformed into a six-sided die by the mischievous Lady Luck. From there, the heroes venture deep into labyrinthine dungeons, battling monsters, bagging loot, and upgrading skills and abilities.
While many titles on the market promise such thrills, Dicey Dungeons stands apart with its stylish and colorful visuals, wry sense of humor, excellent soundtrack, and unique "game show" aesthetic. Released to positive praise across the board, Dicey Dungeons is considered a notable entry in the pantheon of roguelikes, as well as a great jumping-off point for those new to the genre.
Dicey Dungeons is available now on PC, Nintendo Switch, and iOS and Android devices.
Ubisoft announces UK scholarship initiative for Black students in game development
This weekend saw Ubisoft UK hold its first UK Black Game Pros Mixer event, in which an extensive panel of some of the UK gaming industry's most successful Black professionals held a video forum to discuss opportunities and share advice for those looking to get started in the gaming industry, be it as a coder, designer, artist, or even an esports specialist.
As part of the event, Ubisoft announced a new initiative: the Ubisoft Scholarship for Black Game Students. This program will offer two Black students currently studying for roles within the gaming industry financial and educational support in their schooling. The chosen candidates will each receive £11,250 toward tuition fees, as well as living expenses at Newcastle University's School of Computing.
"A lack of diverse workforces in the science and technology sectors is a challenge," said School of Computing head Prof. John Fitzgerald. "This Ubisoft scholarship is another step forward in attracting the best students from underrepresented backgrounds to Newcastle and we commend our partners at Ubisoft for taking action. In the School of Computing we are all committed to making this initiative a huge success, and ensuring it has a wide-ranging impact on the lives of the students who will benefit from it."
While studying, the chosen candidates will receive external help and advice from Ubisoft developers and, upon completion of the course, will receive a three-month paid internship at UK studio Ubisoft Reflections, also based in Newcastle. Interested parties can find full details - alongside eligibility requirements - over on the Newcastle University School of Computing website.
Ubisoft unveils scholarship for Black UK students to support games career [GamesIndustry.biz]
Boot up your copies of the Doom retro re-releases for some free Doom Zero DLC
Doom and Doom II will never die.
I can confirm this, as I recently finished the sequel on Switch for the billionth time. It's one of the few games where it's kind of a given that it's going to be re-released over and over, especially if a bunch of old school lost levels from id Software and the community are proliferated throughout time. That's the sort of gaming history you don't want to lose on an errant floppy disc in a cardboard box somewhere.
To that end, Bethesda has granted access to Doom Zero: a free 32-level-strong DLC for folks who own Doom or Doom II. Described as DLC that "isn't low-calorie" (you could have gone a little more hardcore there!), it features "new enemies, bosses, sounds, music, and sprites." Yet, it's still very much
This is all possible because of the Doomworld forums mod that was released in 2019 on PC: a solo effort by modder Christopher Golden. You can find out how that whole saga came about here,
Doom Zero [Slayer's Club]
'Mr. Sakurai presents Sephiroth' Smash Bros. stream coming tomorrow
If you are one of the many Smash Bros. fans who cannot wait to see Final Fantasy VII antagonist Sephiroth in action, then your wait is almost over. Nintendo has announced that the gameplay breakdown for the One-Winged Angel will be released tomorrow (something we already knew); but now we have the additional info that it will run a meaty 35 minutes in length.
Hosted by the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate producer himself, the curiously titled "Mr. Sakurai presents Sephiroth" stream will feature over a half-hour of looooong sword action, showcasing Sephiroth's attacks, abilities, and Final Smash skills. More importantly, it might feature more of Sakurai's amusing dry wit and self-deprecating humor, which is what we actually tune in for. You can check out the stream over Nintendo's official Youtube channel.
Confirmed via a dramatic trailer at last week's Games Awards event, Sephiroth is the third Square Enix character to join Super Smash Bros. Ultimate's massive roster, alongside his FFVII rival Cloud Strife and Dragon Quest's Hero. It will be interesting to see what the reprehensible prick will bring to the SSBU meta, besides washboard abs and wistful angst.
SmashBrosJP [Twitter]
(Update) Kojima Productions celebrates fifth anniversary tomorrow, teases 'exciting updates'
[Update: As expected, the Kojima Productions anniversary updates didn't amount to much. The studio released a wallpaper for its mascot "Ludens," and announced a line of branded clothing. Additionally, head honcho Hideo released a video, (which you can check out below), thanking fans for their loyalty. Kojima Productions is currently in pre-production stages on its next project.]
Believe it or don't, it has been five full years since Hideo Kojima launched his self-founded studio Kojima Productions. Originally established as a subsidiary of Konami, Kojima Studios has since branched out as an independent studio, releasing its first non-Konami venture, Death Stranding, just over one year ago.
As part of the studio's anniversary celebrations, Kojima Productions has teased that it will share several "exciting updates" tomorrow, December 16, at 14:00 JST / 21:00 PT / 00:00 ET. Now, don't lose your drawers just yet, these are "updates," so I wouldn't expect a full-fledged title reveal or anything similar. But it will be interesting to see what Hideo and co. have been up to in this particularly challenging year. We will, of course, keep you notified of any developments.
Overwatch has Winter Wonderland weekly challenge skins for Junkrat, Roadhog, and Ana
Is there a German word to describe a person who has stopped playing a live-service game but still keeps tabs on the outfits for no particular reason? That's where I'm at with Overwatch. I can't let go.
Today's Winter Wonderland 2020 event is adding eight new skins (three of which will be doled out in weekly challenges), and 4v4 Freezethaw Elimination, a mode in which eliminated players become frozen. It's basically a tug-of-war to de-thaw your teammates and fully wipe the opposing team, and if you aren't into it, there's also Yeti Hunt, Snowball Deathmatch, and Mei's Snowball Offensive.
Onto the new-for-2020 skins, starting with the challenge skins that require nine wins a piece:
Elf Junkrat (Weekly Challenge 1 from Dec. 15 to Dec. 22)
Gingerbread Ana (Weekly Challenge 2 from Dec. 22 to Dec. 29)
Frosty Roadhog (Weekly Challenge 3 from Dec. 29 to Jan. 5)
Penguin Mei
Toybot Zenyatta
Ice Empress Moira
Conductor Reinhardt
Lumberjack Torbjörn
I maintain that Zenyatta has a top-tier wardrobe and I'll be bummed if his luck runs out in Overwatch 2 (a game permanently shrouded in fog in my mind's eye). As for Winter Wonderland in general, it'll wrap up on January 5, so no rush. Blizzard has a few new emotes this year too if you're keeping up.
Xbox will make your Space Jam visual novel game and put it on Game Pass
How are you at pitching? When you're a big-brained business type, you don't need to sell things. You just need to sell ideas. And they don't even have to be good ideas! You just have to make them sound good.
Go ahead and pitch Microsoft on the wildest Space Jam game you can think of. If they like your pitch enough, it'll get turned into a real game and added to Xbox Game Pass.
All of this is a promotion for the LeBron James-starring Space Jam: A New Legacy movie that's due out next year. Microsoft's hosting a contest where two pitches for arcade games will go through development and released. All you have to do is pick one of the 16 pre-selected images that best depicts your idea, and then explain it in 500 words or fewer.
Did your mind instantly go to erotic visual novel? Mine neither. But if you can make your Space Jam-themed erotic visual novel sound intriguing enough, Microsoft will probably definitely fund it. Or, maybe pitch a grand strategy 4X game where Bugs Bunny is some kind of emperor. How about a walking simulator where you examine authentic NBA gameplay (traveling joke!). Let's talk, Microsoft. I got ideas for days.
Anyway, two winners get their game made and put on Xbox Game Pass, along with a prize package that consists of: an official credit, LeBron-signed merch, Space Jam and Nike merch, a personalized Xbox Series S (spring for an X, Microsoft!), a private screening of the film, and a virtual Microsoft coding workshop for their local community.
I've settled on my pitch: It's about a 5'9" games blogger who gets drafted into the NBA even though he's in his 30s and doesn't have much of a jump shot. It'll be a rhythm-based shmup.
Want to Help Design the Xbox Space Jam: A New Legacy Arcade-Style Video Game? [Xbox]
