Contest: Win a Gioteck PS5 or Xbox Series X TX-50 Headset and cable bundle
In today's contest you can win a Gioteck TX-50 Headset and cable bundle for your PS5 of Xbox Series X!
Were you lucky enough to get your hands on a next-gen console? I wasn't! I didn't try or anything -- I'll probably wait a few years before picking one up. I'm in no rush at the moment.
If you're enjoying the next generation of gaming, however, we've got a treat for ya! Gioteck is giving us a TX-50 Gaming Headset to go with your PS5 or Xbox Series X/S, and a Viper VP-1 cable bundle featuring both a fast-charging USB C cable AND a 2.1 8k HDMI cable. Whew!
Fall Guys is changing things up with a new level and tons of variations in Season 3.5
We're inching closer toward the mid-season update for Fall Guys, and there's a bit more going on than I was expecting. On the tentative list for Season 3.5: one "brand new" level (which will probably be icy like the rest), 40-plus level tweaks to freshen up the current stages, a so-called "Fall Feed" to keep tabs on winners and losers while you compete, and the return of Sonic, Godzilla, and Goose Game outfits.
Mediatonic stopped short of saying what the new level or variations would entail, but every little morsel of newness in this game can have a ripple effect on the chaos. I want it to be semi-unpredictable.
According to the team, new shows and costumes will "go live over the coming weeks."
I missed the Godzilla garb the first time around, but I'm ready to drop my saved-up crowns the moment it's back in the shop. (Question for a "friend": is it on- or off-brand for Godzilla to drop an innocent baby penguin into the great abyss? And could that crime be the impetus for a feud with King Kong?)
Amazon Luna is a stunning example of why data caps suck
A few years ago, Amazon seemed like it was taking the correct steps to establish itself as a player in the video game industry. In 2014, it purchased Double Helix Studios, which was then riding high on the successful rebirth of the Killer Instinct franchise. In 2016, it announced a trio of ambitious multiplayer titles: Breakaway, Crucible, and New World. It was Amazon getting its foot in the door in a big way.
But things just haven't panned out. Breakaway never made it out of alpha, and Crucible crashed and burned in less than six months. New World is still on its way and is slated to launch later this year. But if that goes the way the dodo as the other Amazon Game Studios titles have, the world's biggest retailer may already have its back-up plan ready to go: Amazon Luna.
The streaming service launched in Early Access last October by invitation only. Last week, I received my invitation and spent several days seeing what the service is all about during my week-long free trial.
Over 19 million people got Star Wars Battlefront II for free from the Epic Games Store
I knew that Star Wars Battlefront II would get a significant boost from its free giveaway on the Epic Games Store, but now that the dust has settled on the deal, the final tally is truly ridiculous.
In a tweet today, Electronic Arts confirmed that "more than 19 million players" took part in the promo. That doesn't mean they all played it (or ever will), but that figure bodes well for the inevitable Star Wars Battlefront III, to say nothing of the Epic Games Store's foothold in the PC game marketplace in general.
(As a point of comparison, A Total War Saga: Troy was claimed by over 7.5 million people.)
"Thank you so much for the continued support, even after our final content drop," EA added.
Were you one of the new players? How brutal of a bloodbath was it out there with Battlefront vets?
Debuting during the golden age of home computing, Turrican shook up the action gaming genre with a string of explosively popular releases that, whilst somewhat different in and of themselves, are all typified by their dynamic combat, ruthless difficulty, awesome soundtracks, and eye for exploration.
Initially developed for the Commodore 64 in the late 1980s by German coder Manfred Trenz, Turrican would make a name for itself thanks to Factor 5's stunning Amiga port, bagging a bevy of media plaudits and awards while simultaneously blowing players away with its huge host of technical achievements. 1991 sequel Turrican II: The Final Fight would only serve to further establish the brand as one of the premier shooters, thanks in no small part to composer Chris Huelsbeck's legitimately industry-changing score.
And now, some 30 years since release, ININ Games has compiled Turrican and Turrican II - as well two of its console-based pseudo-sequels - to create Turrican Flashback. This new compendium will offer fans and newcomers the opportunity to experience this iconic franchise, with every weapon, every power-up, every boss, every secret, and every joystick-snapping death exploding onto modern platforms.
To paraphrase a classic: Welcome Back to Turrican.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World launches this spring
Start packing your cutest sword and most colorful outfits, as ININ Games has announced that Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World will launch this spring. The dinky adventure title will arrive in Japan on PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch April 11, before headed west later in Q2.
Wonder Boy: Asha in Monster World is a remake of lost Sega Genesis release Wonder Boy IV, and sees the titular hero swashbuckling her way through a mystical kingdom. Developed from the ground up by Studio Artdink - guided by members of the original development team - Asha in Monster World features redesigned 2.5D visuals, a remastered score by composer Shinichi Sakamoto, and new, fully-voiced cutscenes. As a neat bonus, the original Wonder Boy IV release will come bundled with the new game.
ININ also released a new trailer. I can't help but notice that the frame-rate issues - first noted in the Gamescom 2020 trailer - have improved, but are still apparent in busy scenes. Hopefully this anomaly is a product of a development build, or the video itself, and will not be present in the finished game.
It feels like just yesterday that Yacht Club Games was formed: now it's publishing stuff. Our little shovel studio is growing up!
The first publishing duty on the docket? Cyber Shadow.
Hitman 3 hits its mark, debuts at No.1 in the UK Charts
They say you can't keep a good man down - turns out that goes for relatively amoral men too. Agent 47 has stealthily crept his way into the top spot of the UK Charts, thanks to the release of IO Interactive's excellent sequel, Hitman 3, physically published by Square Enix.
As reported by GamesIndustry.biz, the eighth (just go with it) mainline entry in the long-running murderthon, Hitman 3 was the biggest-selling physical release in the UK last week, with the PS5 platform accounting for almost half of all sales. Speaking of PS5, Sony Interactive Entertainment's pseudo-sequel Spider-Man: Miles Morales also made a return to the Top Ten, web-slinging in at number four, while Demon's Souls made its return to the Top 40 at number 27.
Aside from these two releases, it was mostly business as usual. Nintendo's Animal Crossing: New Horizons and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe occupy slots two and three respectively, while additional Switch releases, Ring Fit Adventure, Just Dance 2021, and Minecraft, nestle at the back half of the Top 10. The bro-tastic FIFA 21, Grand Theft Auto V, and Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War all continue to see steady week-on-week sales.
GameStop's stock reaches its highest price ever thanks to Reddit having a laugh
To say GameStop has been struggling as of late would be an understatement. The company wasn't doing great before last year's economic downturn caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, then things got so bad that the company declared itself essential by selling hand sanitizer. With more than a thousand store closings planned in the next few months, you would think this would mean the publicly traded company's stock price would be in the gutter.
GameStop briefly posted its highest stock price ever this morning thanks to a Wallstreet trading subreddit having a giggle and we're now gallivanting in Phillip K. Dick's nightmare world.
The subreddit, r/wallstreetbets, is "a community for making money and being amused while doing it." In-between the memes of losses, there are discussions of good bets across all the different trading platforms. Somewhere along the way, these Redditors got into a pissing match with establishment Wall Street investors and committed to a war of economic futures against the old guard. To explain how this all went down would take an exceedingly long time to type out and I'd probably get the finer details wrong, but I'll try to summarize it.
Over the past two years, despite an increasing belief that GameStop was more than likely on its last legs of life, staunch believers in r/wallstreetbets pushed their case that the stock was undervalued and to invest then would have great returns if you're patient enough. It started with the idea that the company was undervalued, then it evolved into making a case for an upcoming short squeeze.
A short squeeze is a rapid gain in price for something that is either on the brink of some world-changing discovery or was previously a left-for-dead company that has one last gasp of life. The phenomenon is compounded by the fact that buyers who had previously written the stock off for dead will try to jump on in the short-term to cut their potential losses, therefore driving the price up even higher. For a short squeeze to happen, there needs to be a big event or news development to drive interest in the stock.
In the case of GameStop, the catalyst for today's meteoric rise came in August of last year when Chewy co-founder Ryan Cohen announced a 5.8 million share interest in GameStop, signaling that it had at least some future. The ball was now at the top of the hill and all it needed to do was gain momentum.
Momentum came in the form of the usual fall AAA game lineup releases along with the once-every-seven-years console launch. While gains weren't monstrous, they were steady from September onward starting at $7.65 a share then and rising to $19.26 by the end of the year. This was used by investors on r/wallstreetbets to exemplify that there was still money to be made.
All through this period, Andrew Left, an establishment financial analyst, warned about the dangers of investing in the stock. Left reported that despite the short-term gains, the physical-based company had no future in the impending digital age. He's not wrong, but to the denizens of r/wallstreetbets, the stock had become a hill to defend, and they weren't going to go down without a fight.
Another bump in GameStop's share price came when Cohen was named to the board of directors in early January of this year, doubling the stock price in a week from around $19 a share up to $39 a share. At this point to those watching the stock closely, the writing was on the wall for a potential short squeeze in the near future – all it needed was a spark.
The spark came late last week after Left announced that he would no longer criticize the stock publicly. The gates were now open for those who were hesitant to jump on, and jump on they did. At one point, the stock trading had to be halted because the stock rose so much over such a short period of time. When a stock rises or falls too much over a short period, a timed lock is placed on trading the stock to prevent rapid buying or selling. This was recently invoked in March of 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic started a massive panic sell-off as the world economy took a nosedive. The stock ultimately closed at around $65 at the end of last week.
With no trading allowed on the weekend, interest grew on the internet and r/wallstreetbets. This morning, when the markets opened, a massive amount of people started buying into the share, thereby increasing its value. At 10:47 AM Eastern, the price reached $158.69 a share; the short squeeze was here. As of the writing of this article, that is the peak and since then, prices have begun to return to Earth. Long-term investors in the stock are already posting their wins with one user turning $53,566 into $11 million.
For those who want the fully gritty details, Bloomberg wrote up an excellent retrospective on the players and the battles of this economic war. While I still can't see any future for GameStop even as it continues to pivot its strategy, it did make for an interesting and somewhat terrifying look into how the dark cyberpunk future imagined is here already and it's much worse than anything we could have thought of.
How WallStreetBets Pushed GameStop Shares to the Moon [Bloomberg]
You can dress like Chris from Resident Evil Village with this expensive as hell collector's edition
I love rubbernecking video game collector's edition sets that are as outlandish as they are expensive. Resident Evil Village's Japan-only Collector's Edition Version Z is one such extravagant example.
This is the ultimate edition of Village in that it comes with everything – the game, a map, a SteelBook case, a Chris Redfield statue, an art book, 1/6 scale miniature weapons and trinkets (that I want to buy separately), a fancy package to contain it all, and the real wallet-buster: a buttonless chester coat.
It might not seem that bad – how much could a coat possibly cost? – but the price tag would beg to differ. All told, this limited-edition bundle from e-Capcom costs 192,500 yen (or about $1,850).
If that sounds like something someone would drop cash on purely for an irresistibly dumb YouTube thumbnail, I agree. There's also a version without Chris' high-end coat for 42,669 yen (or around $400).
I'll stick to dressing like Ethan Winters, thank you very much.
Resident Evil Village Collector's Edition Version Z [e-Capcom via Technclub]
The original Super Smash Bros. is now 22 years old
Super Smash Bros. came out on January 21, 1999 in Japan. That's roughly three months before the US debut in April, and a while 10 months before the European launch. Imagine that wait!
Having been there, I can attest to the explosive nature of the Nintendo 64 original. The N64 had been a staple in multiple households at my school at the time, but the promise of allowing all of your fictional childhood friends to battle each other was too much to handle. People started recruiting brand new fighting game players into their ranks, and the rest was history.
Smash just completely changed the entire landscape of fighting games. While Street Fighter and its various Versus iterations were in their arguable heydays, and Arc System Works was gaining traction with Guilty Gear just a year earlier, Nintendo made an undeniable grab for the genre and it paid off big time. As of this past week, the Smash series as a whole is 22 years old and still going strong.
Tencent purchases majority stake in Klei Entertainment
Klei Entertainment, the studio behind homegrown hits such as Don't Starve and Oxygen Not Included, has announced that it has sold a majority stake to Chinese conglomerate Tencent. The news was revealed on Klei's official forums by studio founder James Cheng.
The sale is something of an inevitability, given that Klei and Tencent have worked together closely of distributing the studio's releases throughout Chinese territories. In the forum announcement, Cheng spoke of his confidence in the new partnership, stating that Klei will retain full autonomy of its future projects, with no change to the studio's current infrastructure.
"We looked at a lot of different companies, and over the years, we've worked with a large number of publishers and distributors," said Cheng. "Tencent is the only company that we felt would let us retain the level of control that we demand."
"We've been working with Tencent for years and even at points where we disagreed, they were always willing to work with us to find the best solution for everybody involved and defer to us when we felt strongly [...] This partnership helps us navigate a changing industry, and helps us focus on what we do best: making unique experiences that no one else can."
Tencent adds Klei Entertainment to a portfolio of partner studios that includes League of Legends developer Riot Games, mobile giant Supercell, Warframe's Digital Extremes, UK outfit Splash Damage, and Path of Exile's Grinding Gear Games.
Look, Hitman speedrunning pretty much always ruled.
There's something so liberating about playing through a Htiman game as fast as you can, with no restrictions, including those that are self-imposed outside of the game: otherwise known as an "any percentage" run. The game is...pretty much built for that on the ground up! But that doesn't make these new Hitman 3 speedruns any less impressive.
The race has been on this past week, as folks have been clearing the first Hitman 3 mission (Dubai - On Top of the World) in less than 10 seconds. In fact, for several days, the world record was nine seconds. Today, someone in Sweden claims to have cleared it in eight. It's just a one-second margin: but the race is heating up!
Tekken producer is up for Pokken Tournament 2, but the decision is out of his hands
Eyebrows were raised when, back in 2014, it was announced back that Nintendo and Bandai Namco were tagging up to create a fighter styled on the Pokémon franchise. But with Tekken producer Katsuhiro Harada at the helm, it seemed likely to be a hit. As expected, Pokkén Tournament delivered upon release - offering fun, goofy, and exciting throwdowns between an entire army of colorful critters.
In the following years, however, the Pokkén Tournament brand has all but vanished, with 2016 Nintendo Switch port Pokkén Tournament DX being the last we heard from the franchise. With Pokémon still riding high and pulling in profits decades after launch, a sequel to the 3D fighter would seem a no-brainer. But according to Harada himself, it's all up to the folks at Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.
"We have a good relationship with Nintendo and Pokémon Co., Ltd., and POKKÉN has had a great response, so I would like to make it again," said the shades-wearing maestro on Twitter, responding to a fan. "But it's not what we decide, it's what they decide."
Obviously, Pokémon as a brand serves many masters, and so putting together a new Pokkén Tournament isn't quite the same from a technical stance as Harada just rocking up to Bandai Namco with a new Tekken under his belt. Ultimately, Pokkén Tournament was an experiment, one which fared well on home formats but bombed in Japanese arcades. With the fate of any sequel in the hands of Nintendo, it's something of a dice roll as to whether Pikachu and pals will ever see a rematch.
One developer contends that a Switch Pro might not be that big of a deal
We are we in 2021? Have we had 10 rumors about the Switch Pro yet? Can we even really call this a "year" without them? They're a pastime at this point!
This week, we don't actually have a Switch Pro murmuring, thankfully. It's an opinion! From a pretty respected developer, in fact. Nintendo Everything spoke to Engine Software co-founder Ruud van de Moosdijk (the studio that worked on No More Heroes 1+2 on Switch, among other games like the recent Scott Pilgrim re-release), and in the words of Shania Twain, the Pro don't impress them much.
After making light of the ever-present Switch Pro rumors, Ruud van de Moosdijk explains that although their opinion, as a studio, might be "counter-intuitive for a lot of people" (read: jarring), they "are not large subscribers of the 'Pro' model."
They go on to explain why in detail, stating: "Sure, it would be nice to have more RAM or faster GPU/CPU compared to before, but if it is still considered the same platform you must make sure your game runs on every model. So, for compatibility reasons your performance gets benchmarked on the lowest specifications. We have seen with prior 'upgraded systems' that the additional power never really got utilized well for this reason."
As far as Nintendo is concerned, they're generally right, but it really depends on the circumstance the hardware is currently in. It's assumed that they're speaking in part of the "New 3DS," which only had a scant few exclusives and generally didn't make a massive impact on the 3DS market as a whole. But a potential 4K Switch, with a much larger upgrade and even slightly better framerate capabilities, could be poised to make a huge splash and extend the lifecycle of this generation for Nintendo.
Plus, as we typically know, Nintendo kind of plays by their own rules, and could skirt these requirements as they see fit. Either way, we're still currently Switch Pro-less, and Engine Software brings up an interesting point.
Engine Software talks Switch ports: No More Heroes 1 and 2, Falcom games, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World [Nintendo Everything]
Vicarious Visions might be working on Blizzard's Diablo II remake
Before the weekend, the industry heard the surprising news that Vicarious Visions, the developer behind the recent Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 and Crash Bandicoot remakes, had become an official support studio for World of Warcraft titan Blizzard Entertainment.
The plot thickens thanks to a report from Bloomberg's Jason Schreier, which claims that Vicarious Visions has actually been working in close proximity with Blizzard for some time, and may in fact already be hard at work on an upcoming remake of 2000 RPG Diablo II.
According to Bloomberg's sources, Diablo II has been in development at Blizzard Team I, but the project fell into disarray in mid-2020 following the lukewarm reception to another classic remake: Warcraft III: Reforged. Supposedly, Team I has been pulled from the project, (possibly dismantled entirely) and Diablo II placed under the watch of Vicarious Visions and the Diablo IV team. All of this is unconfirmed, of course, and should be treated as informed speculation.
The common link here is the theme of remakes. Given that Vicarious Visions absolutely knocked it out of the park with both Crash Bandicoot: N.Sane Trilogy and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2, it would make sense that Blizzard would want the same expert recreation skills applied to a title that, for many in the community, remains Blizzard's finest work.
Vicarious Visions has been working on a Diablo II remake [Jason Schreier]
This long lost Game Boy Advance brings me back to the banana yellow days of hardware
I'll never stop singing the praises of the Game Boy Advance.
Whether it's the original model or the SP (which might be the best handheld ever made): the power to play years of classics built in, on top of all of the new GBA games that would become modern classics, is priceless. Okay, you can put a price on it, but still, you get my point.
To that end, "Developer Jeff," a video game conservationist and hardware enthusiast, gave us this lovely relic the other day: the "Lemon Yellow" GBA! Jeff contends that this was prototype hardware that never actually went to market. They promise "more photos and a teardown coming soon."
It makes perfect sense that this color was toyed with by Nintendo! They're huge fans of yellow variations, with the special Pokemon "Pikachu Yellow" edition, Donkey Kong "Banana Yellow," and more accessible "Dandelion" style Game Boy Color serving as a few of the most iconic old school handhelds.
Developer Jeff [Twitter]
(Update) Zelda: Age of Calamity is now the best-selling Warriors game, according to Koei Tecmo
[Update: Koei Tecmo has reported in their most recent January 2021 earnings document (as translated by ResetEra) that Age of Calamity continues to be a success. As of January 25 of this year, the publisher reports that they've pushed 3.5 million copies of the game, which is still the crown jewel of the entire "Warriors/Musou" franchise.]
Someone, somewhere, whether it's at Nintendo or Omega Force, is smiling ear to ear right now.
Whoever's idea it was to tie Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity directly into Breath of the Wild is a genius. The whole "prequel" and alternate history angle fit very well with the general audacious feel of the Warriors series, and it looks like that gambit paid off financially as well.
According to Koei Tecmo, Age of Calamity shipped three million worldwide units, which to them, makes it the best-selling Warriors game of all time. This period technically started around the year 2000, when the first proper Dynasty Warriors (Dynasty Warriors 2, a sequel to a fighter) was released. The publisher also notes that they will continue to distribute the demo for the game, in case you've been meaning to check it out, but are worried that they might pull it.
Remember the distinction between shipped and sold here. For Koei Tecmo, it's their most successful Warriors game. But it remains to be seen how many of those units will be sold-through. As a general rule, modern mainline Dynasty Warriors titles sell roughly one million units worldwide throughout the lifetime of each game. Spinoffs can fare better: the original Hyrule Warriors also previously smashed Warriors records back in 2015.
I think it's safe to say that there will be another Hyrule Warriors at some point, as well as DLC for Age of Calamity and potentially a "Complete" edition on a future Nintendo console.
Koei Tecmo [Twitter via Gematsu]
Cyberpunk 2077 had the biggest digital launch ever
Despite being mired among a string of controversies, CD Projekt RED's futuristic RPG Cyberpunk 2077 achieved the biggest digital launch sales in gaming history. That's according to a new report by SuperData.
As noted by the industry number-crunchers, CDPR's future-noir adventure sold an estimate of around total 10.2 million digital copies on PS4, PC, and Xbox One during its launch month of December 2020, simultaneously causing a huge 40% spike in PC game sales. Amazingly, this number does account for refunds - an important disclaimer given the poor state of Cyberpunk 2077's console release and its ensuing money-back campaign.
"An extremely high share of [Cyberpunk 2077's] digital sales (80%) were on PC, likely due to the delisting on PlayStation and overall state of the console versions," said SuperData of its findings. "Regardless of the short-term financial success, the critical backlash means the developer will now have to invest significant resources fixing the game in order to rehabilitate its image before the launch of its next title."
Rehabilitate indeed. CDPR, who has a string of excellent titles to its credit, has been feeling the sting of Cyberpunk 2077's fallout since its fateful launch, with the developer rescheduling its year around fixing the console ports while trying to get the title ship-shape for its upcoming PS5 and Xbox Series X release. None of this is to speak of two class action lawsuits the company has faced, as well as the loud chagrin of disappointed players.
Cyberpunk 2077 is the biggest digital game launch of all time [Eurogamer / SuperData]
Platinum's fifth 'Platinum 4' tease to be revealed this year
Popular developer PlatinumGames has updated its teasing "Platinum 4" website, now confirming that its bonus fifth reveal, added to the initial quartet back in April 2020, will be ready to show its hand at some point in 2021.
The site itself still features zero clues to the project's identity, simply noting that the proverbial beans will be spilled on "xx.xx.21". The teaser in question still results in a strange and glitchy "Bonus Stage" message. For now we'll just have to wait and see. I mean, we're all on the same page here, right? But don't say it. I don't want to jinx it.
Revealed in early-2020, which took place 14 years ago, The Platinum 4 announcements were The Wonderful 101 Remastered, Hideki Kamiya's still-in-development kaiju fighter Project G.G., the opening of a new Platinum studio in Tokyo, and April Fool's gag Sol Cresta. The fifth teaser was added soon after, perhaps to placate fans disappointed at the final reveal being a goofy joke... Though Sol Cresta did actually look pretty ace.
Nioh 2: The Complete Edition seems fine enough on PC
After pouring easily hundreds of hours into Nioh 2 and its three DLC packs on PS4, it's admittedly been pretty jarring to start a fresh save on PC – even if I'm only here for preview purposes right now.
I had forgotten just how lethal and unforgiving the early hours of Nioh 2 can be when you aren't leveled up enough to feel all that versatile. Before you bolster your custom-created avatar with enough stamina to stand a chance in the Dark Realm, crack open a few key abilities in the Onmyo and Ninjutsu skill trees, and make your weapon class of choice really work for you, this game can be particularly brutal. That said, without trying, I've somehow already played for 10 hours. I couldn't help myself!
Around half of that time went into an all-new character in the first two world-map regions, and the rest of my preview energy was spent bouncing around later missions with a Dream of the Strong-ready save file provided by Koei Tecmo. How is the PC port? So far, it's been mostly fine – with a few nitpicks.
Man I'm glad that IO Interactive was able to bail from a potential destruction of their studio with a buyout. It was really touch and go there for a bit, but they did it, and Hitman (among a few other IPs) came along for the ride.
It would have been a damn shame if Hitman 3 never came to fruition, because it feels like the culmination of everything the recent trilogy has achieved so far.
Report: Capcom steering Resident Evil 4 remake in a new direction
A new report suggests that the as-yet-unannounced remake of Capcom's Resident Evil 4 is currently undergoing something of a restructure. While it was previously reported that Japanese studio M-Two was heading up the project, new whispers from development are claiming that Capcom is taking the wheel after alleged disagreements over the project's direction.
The report, obtained by VGC, suggests that M-Two had expressed a desire to keep its remake of the 2005 horror classic relatively faithful, concerned over the backlash toward changes in 2020's Resident Evil 3. Capcom supposedly see otherwise, wishing to take chances, pointing the well-renowned adventure of Leon and Ashley in a new direction.
As a result, it is being rumored that M-Two's role in the development of Resident Evil 4 is now "significantly reduced", which Capcom allegedly bringing in its Division 1 team, (of Devil May Cry V fame) to perform the majority of the remake's design and development. This team restructure is expected to cause a significant delay to Resident Evil 4, with sources suggesting it will not see the light of day before 2023.
Of course, there's an amusing side-note in the fact that the Resident Evil 4 remake doesn't technically exist - given that Capcom are yet to officially announce the title. But given the commercial success of Resident Evil 2 and Resident Evil 3, as well as the specifically legendary status of the fourth mainline entry in the survival horror franchise, such a remake is as about as inevitable as a belly-to-belly suplex on a Los Ganados farmer.
Capcom has overhauled its plans for a Resident Evil 4 remake [VGC]
Cblogs of 1/16 to 1/22/2021: Wolfenstein, Cyberpunk 2077, and 2020 gaming
Cblogs Recap: Week 3
-Lord Spencer shares his list of the Top 10 Games he played in the cursed year of 2020.
-Black Red Gaming ranks the games in the Wolfenstein series starting with the first two games.
-BRAV0 F1VE reviews Cyberpunk 2077.
-Sapato64 goes on-depth on community created Mega Man levels.
-MajinRotty shares an easy modding guide for Final Fantasy VII.
-EatDrinkBeHairy writes a 100% non-technical review of Cyberpunk 2077.
-Snukastyle continues his Dynasty Warriors retrospective with this second part in the series.
-Exber honors the runners-up in recent game awards ceremonies.
-Cheetaman shares his thoughts on most of the stuff he played in 2020.
-Roager describes the best tabletop RPG that he never played.
-Spazzzh20 shares a story he wrote that is inspired by one of Martin Luther King's quotes.
-PhilsPhindings discusses the similarities between the OST of Super Mario Bros. and Polka music.
-ChronoLynxx opens up the weekly TGIF open community forum thread.
Review: Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game - Complete Edition
Beat 'em ups were never my jam, but when Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game came out in 2010 it completely changed my perspective. A bangin' chiptune soundtrack with wicked pixel art and characters from one of the raddest original concepts made it one of the best games the genre ever produced.
10 years usually shows some wear on a game, but this isn't the case here. In fact, it still feels so fresh and different that if I hadn't already played it when it came out, I'd believe that it's a brand new game. So here's to your 10th anniversary, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World: The Game.
Konami's unique Quarth joins the Arcade Archives as Block Hole
Quarth is a title that I haven't thought about in eons, but the unique space shooter is making a grand return on PS4 and Nintendo Switch, as this week's entry in Hamster's Arcade Archives range. Oh, but it's releasing under its original title of Block Hole...
...BLOCK HOLE.
Far from having anything to do with the cricket green, (look it up, Yank), Block Hole is a 1989 release from Konami that smartly attempts to combine the gameplay of Space Invaders and Tetris. Players guide a small ship that is tasked with blasting away at an endless cascade of falling blocks, with the aim of creating squares and rectangles at the foot of the screen. Much like Tetris before it, should the player fail to keep the ever-growing brick stack under control, the wall will topple, crushing - or "Quarthing" - the plucky ship. Game Over.
You can check out the puzzle-blastin' action for yourself in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber nick666101.
Resident Evil Village's Maiden demo is a short, scenic stroll that left me longing for VR
As someone who ranks Resident Evil 7 as one of their favorites in and out of the long-running series, I am full-blown excited to see Resident Evil Village continue down that path with some on-the-surface supernatural elements and more than a few nods to Resident Evil 4's whole vibe. Village has my attention, and I was pumped to play Maiden, Capcom's surprise-released PS5-only standalone demo.
If you have a PlayStation 5, get it – it's a small 4GB-ish download and it'll only take you 20 minutes or so your first time through. Maiden uses locations and characters from Village, but it's not a "slice" of the main game. Think of it like the best-in-class Beginning Hour teaser for RE7, albeit without combat.
What else should you know? Don't be like me and fixate on hard-to-find items that aren't actually hiding in plain sight – this isn't another P.T. or anything, though it is fun to inspect every little detail. That said, look around, and keep moving to find the way forward. The dungeon scenery can be... dynamic.
Capcom has said that Village will get another demo on "all platforms" before the full game is out in May, so if you're unwilling or unable to play Maiden, here's a playthrough from our very own Dan:
[Spoilers for the Maiden demo below.]
Impressions? Maiden is what I needed it to be – a standalone piece meant to familiarize players with Castle Dimitrescu, much like the iconic Resident Evil 7 demo let us test-drive the Baker estate.
I've heard some complaints about the demo's performance, particularly in the main room with the extravagant chandelier, but I can't say I was affected. I think Village looks nice; not mind-blowing.
I will say, Maiden would've had more impact if there was even a hint of combat (it's strictly a puzzle-item-collecting stroll, and that quickly becomes clear from the lack of any weapons), but I appreciated the chance to get up close with Alcina Dimitrescu and one of her bug-ridden vampire daughters.
It was also nice to have several lore-filled notes to sift through; "the winemaking techniques of Castle Dimitrescu can be traced as far back as the 15th Century, long before the current occupants of the castle." And man, there's something so snug about solving impractical-as-hell "Resident Evil" puzzles.
That said, I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd be way more invested in this demo if I was crawling through secret passages and walking down the grand staircase with a VR headset on. To those of us who went through RE7 with PlayStation VR, it's genuinely hard to go back to the "flat" format. Playing that unhinged roller-coaster of a campaign in VR was one of the gaming highlights of my entire life.
I'm holding out hope that maybe, just maybe, Capcom and Sony can make Village VR happen with an as-yet-unannounced PlayStation VR successor. If it's ever going to happen, it'll probably be there.
To anyone feeling left out right now because they don't have a PS5, try not to – Maiden is cool from a visual setpeice point of view, but you honestly aren't missing much substance. It didn't change my mind about Village for better or worse. It's still one of my most anticipated games of 2021, but I'm way more curious about that "separate new demo" coming to other platforms this spring. Let me pick up a sword!
Anre joins the fight in Granblue Fantasy: Versus January 26
Cygames, in association with developer Arc System Works, has announced that Anre, the next DLC character headed to Granblue Fantasy: Versus, will be joining the roster of the gorgeous fighting title next week - January 26 to be exact.
An introspective and impossibly wise being, Anre (or "Uno") actually dislikes war, combat and the unhappiness and pain that it brings. To this end, Anre has entered the fray in the hopes of attaining such power that he will become a deterrent to those who wish harm on mankind. In battle Anre retains his stoic and peaceful demeanor, while fending off assault with expert use of his "Spear of the Eternals", a legendary artifact of devastating faculty.
Granblue Fantasy: Versus is available now on PS4 and PC.
(Update) Microsoft backtracks on new Xbox Live Gold pricing
[Update: In a welcomed reversal, Microsoft has announced it is not going to change the price of Xbox Live Gold. Not only that, but it is changing its policy on free-to-play games. In the coming months, players will no longer need a paid subscription to play free-to-play games on Xbox consoles.]
Microsoft has announced that it is to increase the cost of its paid online subscription service Xbox Live Gold. The new price program will see a one-month sub increase by $1 ($10.99), a three-month sub increase by $5 ($29.99), and a six-month sub increase by a substantial $20 ($59.99) with prices naturally adjusting for each territories' local currency.
"Periodically, we assess the value and pricing of our services to reflect changes in regional marketplaces and to continue to invest in the Xbox community," Microsoft said on its official blog. "In many markets, the price of Xbox Live Gold has not changed for years and in some markets, it hasn't changed for over 10 years."
Microsoft is currently contacting its Xbox Live Gold subscribers, and notes that the new pricing will take effect 45 days after this notice is sent. Microsoft has also clarified that any subscribers who choose to upgrade their Xbox Live Gold accounts to Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will carry over any and all remaining time on their current Live Gold account. Thus, if you have 10 months of Xbox Live Gold remaining and choose to upgrade, that will then become 10 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
Whatcha been playing this week, Destructoid?
It's Saturday morning, all y'all! And you know what that means. That's right, it's time for us to gather here once again to put the planet to rights and chat about the video games that have (hopefully) kept us all happy and safe and sane in these continuing difficult times. Video games shouldn't always be used purely as an escape from the troubles of the world at large, but the distraction sure is a blessing, giving us a chance to step away from our individual and collective dramas and take an outta sight trip into endless worlds of awesomeness.
This week, your boy Chris Moyse went back through time and space - in a fashion - as I revisited classic '90s platformer/shooter series Turrican, courtesy of ININ Games' upcoming retro release Turrican Flashback, which compiles several titles from the legendary series for the pleasure of fans old and new. I'm afraid I can't offer you a word on how the package holds up just yet - them's the rules - but be sure to keep an eye out for my full review at the start of the coming week.
And that'll be all from me for this week. All that remains is for all of you, our dear community, to jump into the comments and let us know what fun times you've been having this week/weekend. Despite having written this feature every Saturday - bar none - for two years, it still remains one of the most popular and most commented articles of each and every week. Thank you for that. I never, ever take any of you for granted.
Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.
Here's a good long look at Nioh 2 Remastered running on PS5
A rapidly-moving action-RPG like Nioh 2 needs to be as crisp, fluid, and legible as possible, and I'd say Team Ninja is in a good place with next month's Nioh 2 Remastered for PlayStation 5. The studio shared 14 minutes of uninterrupted footage – the entirety of the first main-story mission, The Village of Cursed Blossoms – and I'll never turn down a chance to see someone pummel Gozuki. Especially a dev!
The Nioh series isn't known for its visuals, but I'm enjoying this 4K60 footage all the same. There's also the matter of faster load times, particularly for respawns after death. Those seconds will add up. After recently trying a preview build of Nioh 2 PC, I felt the ripple effect on the pacing – and my overall mood.
With free upgrades being expected but not always delivered, it's worth noting that Nioh 2 Remastered is a free upgrade for Nioh 2 PS4 players, and that goes for any of the DLC packs you might own, too.
If I'm ever going to finish Dream of the Nioh difficulty, it'll be on PS5, for sure.
Cyberpunk 2077 patch 1.1 is mostly about fixing crashes and quest roadblocks
It's going to feel bizarre to dig into Cyberpunk 2077 at the end of the year, if not later. For those of you who already bought the game – or are on the fence about getting the PC version – there's a notable patch out today. CD Projekt Red recently shared a roadmap, and this patch, 1.1, was next on the docket.
The highlights include crash fixes, "memory usage improvements," steps toward addressing bloated save files, the ability to unlock achievements in Steam's offline mode, and lots of specific questing fixes.
Patch 1.1
Stability
Various stability improvements including:
- Memory usage improvements in various systems within the game: characters, interactions, navigation, in-game videos (news, tv, etc.), foliage, laser effects, minimap, devices, AI, street traffic, environmental damage system, GPU-related, and more.
- Various crash fixes (related to, among others, loading saves, game opening/closing and Point of No Return).
Quests/Open World
- Fixed an issue where calls from Delamain would end immediately and seem like they cannot be picked up in Epistrophy.
- Fixed an issue where players would not receive calls from Delamain when approaching relevant vehicles in Epistrophy.
- Fixed an issue where the objective could get stuck on "Answer the call from Mr. Hands" in M'ap Tann Pèlen.
- Fixed an issue where Judy could teleport underground in Pyramid Song.
- Fixed an issue where it would be impossible to talk to Zen Master in Poem of The Atoms.
- Fixed an issue where Takemura wouldn't call in Down on the Street.
- Fixed an issue where Jackie could disappear in The Pickup.
- Fixed an issue where it could be impossible to get out of the car in The Beast in Me: The Big Race.
- Fixed an issue where players could stop receiving calls and messages after moving too far away from A Day In The Life area.
- Fixed an issue where opening the package wouldn't update Space Oddity.
- Retro-fixed the saves affected by a rare issue where speaking to Judy in Automatic Love would be impossible due to an invisible wall. The underlying issue is under investigation.
- Fixed an issue that prevented players from collecting the reward in Gig: Freedom of the Press. The quest will auto-complete for those who could not collect the reward previously, and the reward will be provided automatically.
- Fixed an issue where Delamain would remain silent throughout Epistrophy if the player initially refused to help him.
UI
- Fixed an issue where prompt for exiting braindance could be missing.
- Removed an invalid item from loot.
Visual
- Fixed an issue where a grenade's trajectory could be displayed in photo mode.
- Fixed particles' hue appearing pink when viewed close up.
- Fixed cars spawning incorrectly in Reported Crime: Welcome to Night City.
Achievements
- Fixed an issue where completing one of theassaults in progress in Santo Domingo would sometimes not contribute towards progression for The Jungle achievement, preventing its completion.
Miscellaneous
- Addressed the issue responsible for saves getting oversized (related to the modifier indicating if the item is crafted), and trimmed the excess size from already existing saves (note: this won't fix PC save files corrupted before 1.06 update).
- Fixed an issue where input could stop registering upon opening the weapon wheel and performing an action.
- Fixed an issue where the "Continue" button in the Main Menu could load an end game save.
PlayStation-specific
- Performance optimization of crowds on PlayStation 4 Pro and PlayStation 5.
- Various crash fixes on PlayStation 4.
Xbox-specific
- Improved memory usage for character creation, mirrors, scanning, camera remote control, menus (inventory, map) on Xbox One, Xbox One X and Xbox One S.
PC-specific
- It will now be possible to obtain achievements while in Steam offline mode. Note: Offline mode needs to be enabled before starting the game. This change does not work retroactively.
- Addressed the game startup crashes related to loading cache on NVIDIA graphics cards.
Stadia-specific
- Concert audio should no longer be inaudible in Never Fade Away.
- Fixed corrupted textures on several melee weapons.
- Tweaked default deadzone settings to be more responsive. Note: the change will not affect settings unless they're set to default.
According to CD Projekt, patch 1.1 also "lays the groundwork for the upcoming patches."
I know tensions are high with Cyberpunk 2077 on multiple fronts, and it can be difficult to talk about this game in good faith with strangers on the internet, but genuinely, how is it treating you so far?
Patch 1.1 [Cyberpunk 2077]
This elaborate Metroid LEGO set could become a reality
Another Nintendo fan-created LEGO set cometh! And it's not guaranteed to stick. But in the meantime, we can look at it.
Community creator L-DI-EGO crafted this fantastic looking Metroid set, capped off by the centerpiece of Samus' ship. They've cleverly baked in a sort of "stretch goal" scheme to their project as well. Since it debuted, Ridley was revealed as part of the set, with more products to be unveiled at different supporter milestones. Those have swiftly been met!
For those of you who don't know the drill, this set is being previewed by way of a "LEGO Ideas" thinktank, where creators post their own designs for a chance to become official products. They need to garner fan support first and foremost, then the IP holders (as well as LEGO) need to give the final say-so.
With actual Nintendo LEGO kits hitting stores this past year, there's a far bigger chance for projects to actually succeed going forward than before. But Nintendo still has the final say: at the very least, we can admire this in image form. You can find a Q&A breakdown from the creator below that illuminates a few of these aforementioned hurdles.
Metroid: Samus Arans' Gunship [LEGO Ideas]
It's been a year, so Journey to the Savage Planet is coming to Steam
You know, I recently got to thinking about games that were overlooked in 2020, and whether it was the early-in-the-year release date or the fact that we covered the game quite a bit on Destructoid, I totally forgot about Journey to the Savage Planet. It's a Metroid Prime-lite type of experience – a great one!
After going there and back again with console ports (including Nintendo Switch), Journey to the Savage Planet is coming to Steam on January 28, 2021. It's been a full year since its Epic Games Store debut.
This game is best played in (online-only) co-op, but if you're looking for a solo trip, you won't be disappointed. The platforming, swinging, and jet-boosting traversal is a lot of fun, and I particularly like the sense of progression as you power up your suit. It has plenty of tricky optional collectibles, too.
Savage Planet doesn't outshine Metroid Prime, but it conjures up many of those fond memories, and with Metroid Prime 4 continuing to take its sweet time, there's a real need for this sort of game.
Don't just take it from me – our readers like it too. I still need to play the Hot Garbage DLC sometime.
Xbox Games with Gold has five titles lined up for February including Gears 5 and Resident Evil
I always appreciate the advanced heads-up Microsoft gives for the Games with Gold lineups. Whether you're in the habit of grabbing games on sale or you like to plan out your schedule, it's just nice to know.
Here's the (pretty good!) list for February 2021:
- Gears 5 (February 1–28)
- Resident Evil (February 1–28)
- Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb (February 1–15)
- Lost Planet 2 (February 16–28)
- Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition (February 16 – March 15)
So we've got an Xbox Game Studios heavy-hitter (that is worth checking out again if you have an Xbox Series X), a classic remake, a very "360 era" Capcom title, a heartfelt Brazilian metroidvania, and a backward-compatible original Xbox game that was recently put back in the spotlight.
I've somehow never played Emperor's Tomb despite my best intentions, but knowing that MachineGames is taking a crack at Indiana Jones makes me want to check it out. I have plenty of time.
Shame about the Xbox Live Gold price hike, though.
Vicarious Visions has had quite the trajectory as a studio, but things just took a turn for the worse for fans of the acclaimed Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 remakes.
As reported today by GamesIndustry.biz, Vicarious Visions has been reassigned "from the Activision side of the business to the Blizzard side," as the outlet puts it. The roughly 200-person team will be "fully dedicated to existing Blizzard games and initiatives" and "provide long-term support."
Studio head Jen Oneal is moving up as a Blizzard executive VP of development, and her vacancy will be filled by Vicarious Visions COO Simon Ebejer, according to GamesIndustry.biz.
Many of us had hoped to see this team take the lead on even more remakes – frankly, THPS 1 + 2 was so good, I would've played an all-new Pro Skater from these devs, to say nothing of a hypothetical THPS 3 + 4 remake – but from a wide view, yeah, Vicarious Visions has a long history of supporting other studios. Still, shifting all of them over to Blizzard after back-to-back success stories sure does sting.
Vicarious Visions merged into Blizzard [GamesIndustry.biz]
Nine uncanny facts about the long development history of The Medium
We are less than a week away from the launch of Bloober Team's psychological horror title The Medium, which launches January 28 on PC and Xbox Series X. The studio has released an interesting behind-the-scenes video, offering some insight on the making of the creepy adventure game.
Titled "9 Uncanny Facts," the five-minute video has Bloober Team's community rep Michal Napora guide through a selection of fascinating tidbits behind The Medium's creation. The titular facts pertain to the title's early conception as a Nintendo Wii U release, to the process involved in creating its unique twin-worlds, and the actors and artists that will bring life to The Medium's weird world and cast of characters.
Note: Those wanting to go into The Medium free of all context might give this video a miss.
The Division 2 is getting a Resident Evil 25th anniversary crossover
Yesterday's Resident Evil Showcase certainly had a lot of exciting news, including a multiplayer tease, a new trailer, a PS5 demo, and even a release date, but it seems that many are overlooking the biggest reveal of the night. Yes, your prayers have finally been answered and Resident Evil is finally crossing over with Tom Clancy's The Division 2.
The crossover event is part of Resident Evil's 25th anniversary celebrations, and as such will feature a selection of classic weapons and skins taken from earlier entries into Capcom's survival horror franchise. A brief trailer shows a gang of homegrown soldiers from Ubisoft's shooter rocking the recognizable outfits of Resi stars Chris Redfield and Jill Valentine, with the clip closing out with a glimpse of Umbrella's own "HUNK".
The full catalogue of 21 available items remains yet to be revealed, as do any potential themed missions, but the Resident Evil x Division 2 crossover is set to begin on February 2 and will run until February 15. Players who log in during this time frame will bag themselves an in-game Raccoon Police Department uniform, for all your Leon Kennedy cosplaying needs.
Nintendo is dealing with yet another Joy-Con class action lawsuit
It took nearly three years, but my two original Joy-Con sets have started to drift: it's time to put them out to pasture. Having the controllers take that long to malfunction is the outlier, it seems, as Nintendo has been hit with multiple class action lawsuits in the past several years; a few of which started in earnest shortly after launch.
Now we can add another one to that pile. Filed on January 15 of this year, Canadian law firm Lambert Avocat Inc. is currently applying to bring this class action to a Quebec superior court.
Genshin Impact shows off new character Xiao and further 1.3 content
miHoYo has released the latest evocative trailer for its popular anime adventure Genshin Impact. The new clip introduces the free-to-play title's Version 1.3 update, spotlighting some new content and heralding the arrival of the next playable character, Xiao.
The clip sees Paimon and the Traveler visit the beautiful Lantern Rite festival in Liyue Harbor, previously seen in the trailer for recent roster addition, Ganyu. The new trailer also sees the incoming Xiao locked in combat, donning a mythic and demonic mask before taking it to the opposition with his enchanted polearm.
Kingdoms of Amalur on Switch will fit the whole game on the cart
When Kingdoms of Amalur: Re-Reckoning comes to Switch, it'll be available fully on the cart in physical form.
Imagine that! You buy a physical product, and you don't need to download 5-10 GB of additional data to get it to work properly. While the jury is out on how stable this Switch port is going to be (amid some issues in the prior versions), one would hope that the extra months of delay between the initial release and the Switch version would garner some extra polish. Either way, the publisher states that the physical edition will have "the full game on the cartridge, no downloads are required."
Note, however, that the upcoming Fatesworn expansion (which is still wrapped up tight in terms of details) will require a download, because it's literally DLC. Still, having the complete original version on one cart will pay dividends years down the line. It's going to be very easy to get a Switch in the future given how many of them are in production, and 15-20 years on, even if the Switch eShop is dead and buried, you'll be able to pop the cart in and play.
Kingdoms of Amalur [Twitter]
Night Trap and Ground Zero: Texas for Sega CD and 32X now available from Limited Run Games
Yeah, I get it. Just like me, you've worn out your long-cherished copy of Night Trap for the Sega CD. It was always going to happen. After all, that disc is now pushing 30 years old, and the glue they used to stick those layers together back then only holds for so long - you should see the state of some of my laserdiscs.
But never fear, Limited Run Games is here. Today, the boutique retailer has opened pre-orders on a new pressing of both Night Trap and another Digital Pictures release, Ground Zero: Texas, specifically for use with original Sega CD hardware. Not only that, but rich kids who have splashed out on a Sega 32X will be pleased to hear that both titles are also being made available for the tower of power that is the Sega CD 32X.
Bungie promises Destiny 2 will be better in 2021, and where have I heard this before
What time is it? Summertime! Hey, It's our vacation!
Wait no! It's the dead of winter and Bungie is making more promises about how much better Destiny is going to be. This time it's from assistant game director Joe Blackburn, who is looking forward to a full 2021, which is going to be "a little different."
Here's the full quote from Blackburn: "Last year, I said Destiny's Best Days are ahead. Seeing what's coming, I believe this more than ever. But we have work to do to get there. 2021 is going to be a little different for Destiny. Taking some time to validate our plans, but expect a state of Destiny 2021 next season."
Look, I get the sentiment, and appreciate the enthusiasm. But having been a part of Destiny's journey since the original alpha, I've seen this same promise over, and over, and over. And the game, in many respects, keeps regressing. We're at the point where even dedicated Destiny social accounts and full-time Destiny content creators are getting weary of the same routine.
It's the next stage of "we're listening." First Bungie "listens," and then it's "time for a new era of Destiny," one that usually involves cutting a ton of content or quality of life upgrades in exchange for something some producer/director thinks people will like, but no one asked for.
Full stop, Bungie needs a macro-vision hire to keep the game inline, possibly someone who's worked on MMOs and other live service games. Maybe bring in some fresh new talent to help advise the current team. Whatever they're still doing, it's not working.
Joe Blackburn [Twitter]
Uncharted movie pushed back to February 2022
The endless road to Sony's cinematic adaptation of Uncharted has just gotten even longer. Having been in development for over 10 years, and having clambered over multiple obstacles on its way to fruition, The Tom Holland-starring action epic has now been officially pushed back to February 11, 2022.
Uncharted was one of a number of Sony films freshly delayed, as nervous studio executives freak out over the possibility of not making ALL THE MONEY at the box office. Sony also rescheduled MGM's No Time to Die - the third major pushback to hit the 25th 007 epic - which will now premiere October 8, 2021. Also shifted up the calendar are Ghostbusters: Afterlife (November 11), and Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (June 11).
With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping the global populace indoors and away from theaters, Warner Bros. has bitten the bullet and is choosing to screen its 2021 slate on paid streaming service HBO Max. But many studios remain archaically adamant of seeing their blockbusters exclusively on the big screen, with the potential loss of the highly lucrative China market considered too large a risk to take.
The Pokemon Company is cracking down on Pokemon Sword and Shield cheaters again
The Pokemon Company periodically tackles big Pokemon bans in waves, and another one is coming around the bend. Last year they cracked down on players who abused a "disconnect" glitch to get ahead, and now they're focusing on altered/modded data.
As anyone who has been playing Pokemon for any amount of time knows, save data manipulation has been running rampant in the franchise. Duping legendary Pokemon, beefing up stats, you name it. As Serebii reports, anyone caught "modifying save data" will be banned.
That includes no online play for Sword and Shield, as well as no trading or Pokemon Home app use. Game Freak will likely remind people that this is part of the TOS, or just a completely obvious reality: you use Game Genie online, you're gonna get banned.
In line with past ban waves, no refunds will be granted and they can either range from temporary or permanent lengths of time, depending on the offense. Serebii explains that these check-ins are going to be "more regular" in the future, so avoid it!
Pokemon [Serebii.net]
The Terminator and Sarah Connor are the newest superstars to join Fortnite
Fortnite seems to be going through a bit of a Hollywood moment, as the popular battle royale title has been adding a glut of characters from the silver screen to its fort-buildin', lootin'-shootin' diorama. Hot on the scaly heels of the Predator, Epic Games has announced that The Terminator and human rival Sarah Connor are also gearing up to join the fray.
NGPC classic SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium rated for Nintendo Switch
Some excellent news for fans of SNK's Neo Geo Pocket Color Selection, as one of the coolest handheld fighters of all-time, SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium, has been rated for Nintendo Switch by The Game Rating and Administration Committee of Korea.
Originally released in the winter of 1999, Match of the Millennium was SNK's ambitious effort to shrink down the bumper-sized action of titles such as Capcom vs. SNK for its humble handheld device, the Neo Geo Pocket Color. Amazingly, the experiment was a success, leading to a cute pint-sized fighter that sees legends from both brands square off for a round of fisticuffs.
Street Fighter's Ryu, Ken, Sakura, and Chun-Li; King of Fighters' Iori, Terry Bogard, and Mai; Samurai Shodown's Nakoruru and Haohmaru; even Darkstalkers' Morrigan, Felicia, and B.B. Hood all turn up for the ruck, with Match of the Millennium offering SNK's traditional tag-team options, as well as boss characters, unlockable fighters, and secret stages. If all that wasn't enough, there are also some fun score-attack mini-games, based on titles such as Metal Slug and Ghouls n' Ghosts.
While obviously not quite as deep as your average console fighter, SNK vs. Capcom: Match of the Millennium is, in many ways, one of SNK's greatest releases - a title that truly makes the most out of the least, going above and beyond to squeeze every drop of power available from its home platform. Concerns had been raised that licensing might prevent this title from re-release, and as such it's marvelous news that this long-lost fighter will be given the opportunity to shine once again.
SNK vs. Capcom: The Match of the Millennium rated for Switch in Korea [Gematsu]
Warframe's limited-time all-mech mode comes to consoles
I don't need a reason to return to Warframe as I still think it's the best game to wake up to on the weekends, but if I had been shying away from it, a new event kicking off today would absolutely draw me back in. "Operation: Orphix Venom" is the first all-mech event in Warframe, challenging players to beat back a massive onslaught of Sentient forces using mechs rather than their 'Frames. Last month, PC players got their shot at it, and today, console players will get to see how well they can fight against these foes.
Up to four players can team up to tackle the mission, even if they haven't played far enough into Warframe to earn their mechs. Anyone who joins in the first three weeks will also receive double affinity. Complete the operation, and you'll walk away with the 45th Warframe known as Lavos.
Roguelite action-platformer Skul made it through Early Access
We haven't covered Skul: The Hero Slayer much before, but I've been keeping tabs on the head-swapping action-platformer for a while now. Today's the day to check in: it's out of Steam Early Access.
While I wouldn't directly compare the two games beat-for-beat, Skul is drawing my attention as someone who adores Risk of Rain's cyclical power fantasy. Skul has a side-scrolling ability-cooldown-based premise wrapped around a roguelite shell, albeit with a central character who can swap styles with new heads. I've also been playing Rogue Legacy 2 again lately, so I'm deep in this sorta mood.
Here are the highlights for what's new in the 1.0 version of Skul:
- We've added Chapter 4 (The Ramparts of Fate) and Chapter 5 (The Sacred Grounds).
- Skul's whole backstory is finally revealed
- The new NPC called 'Arachne' will help each skull reach its full potential.
- You can collect bone fragments by destroying skulls you don't want to pick up and use them to power-up the skulls that you do.
- You'll be able to meet many more of your Demon brethren that have been captured by the Carleon Army. And for those that you rescue, they'll pay you back in kind.
- You'll be able to meet several captured Demon Council Officials in Chapters 3 & 4. And if rescued, from then on out they will help you in the Demon Castle before you start each run.
- We're adding a bunch of new maps for each chapter.
- You'll find new NPCs in various places and they'll support you with items, buffs, and the like.
- We took a close look at each skulls' abilities and fun-factor and made the proper adjustments for the 1.0 version.
- We also reviewed every enemy and boss to make them just right for the full release.
- We added several new features to the settings menu for even more customization.
- We fixed the majority of bugs that were discovered during the Early Access period.
"This 1.0 release isn't the ending, but merely a checkpoint in the process," according to developer Southpaw Games. "We plan to add a lot more content to the game before all is said and done."
First 4 Figures' Gravelord Nito statue has a cloak made of a hair and that just seems right
As far as expensive-as-hell gaming statues go, First 4 Figures' take on Gravelord Nito from Dark Souls speaks to me strictly on a window-shopping level. But I love him. I love him and his "faux hair cloak."
Folks, this 27" tall statue costs $700 – and that's the early bird price, without shipping.
If you can swing it, good for you. Discounted pre-orders are open until February 3 with an expected ship date of Q1 2022. Your Dark Souls collection – which I assume you have, because who would start collecting merch with such a high-effort statue – will be all the more imposing with Nito standing tall.
For the rest of us, hey, at least he's fun to look at. It's tough to appreciate the big lug when skeletons are nipping at your heels and you really don't want to make the trek through the Tomb of Giants again.
I'll continue to appreciate First 4 Figures from a distance... with my credit card locked up tight.
