Final Fantasy XIV just dropped three WoW-like live action comedy trailers
Final Fantasy XIV: A Realm Reborn has been killing it for nearly eight years straight. The "Realm Reborn" bit of the moniker was a battle cry, as Square Enix truly allowed this game to be rebuilt from the ground up and live on for many years. It's become a case study and a strategy for many games after it. If your game fails, you can potentially invest in the "Realm Reborn treatment."
But XIV is at the point where it can really stretch its legs and enjoy that success. Which is why they've tried so many different things over the years, including interesting anime ad campaigns. But this new series is definitely aimed at a more western audience, as it hearkens back to those old World of Warcraft commercials that transposed the game into real-life situations.
This trio deals with three jobs: Dark Knight, Black Mage, and Dragoon. The gist is simple, as it tries to sell folks on Final Fantasy XIV using everyday situations like going to the gym, watching TV at home, or picking up a subscription box.
The writing is kind of stale, but they're totally worth the minute or so just to see the elaborate real-life renditions of the in-game jobs. Or you can just admire them in the thumbnails below. The costumes are great!
Kaze and the Wild Masks brings badass bunny action March 26
Indie outfit PixelHive has released a new trailer for its '90s-syle platformer Kaze and the Wild Masks, which will come bounding onto PS4, PC, Xbox One, Stadia, and Nintendo Switch on March 26.
The animated preview tells a wordless tale of Kaze's quest, as the brave bunny battles her way through The Crystal Islands of a journey to rescue the soul of her friend Hogo from a malicious curse that is smothering the landscape. In order to combat an army of killer vegetables and traverse numerous perils and hazards, Kaze will call upon the power of several mythic masks, which will imbue her with the powers of animals such as tigers, hawks, reptiles, and sharks. Altered Beast would be very proud indeed.
Bethesda needs a little more time before it lets everyone test the big new Fallout 76 update
Just recently the Fallout 76 playerbase was collectively amped up to try out some upcoming new changes in the public test server (PTS), but Bethesda put a little damper on that with an update this week.
Here's the full rundown: "We know that some in the community have been eagerly waiting to get hands-on playtesting time with our next Fallout 76 update in the Public Test Server, and we can't wait for you to dive in, either. We still need some more time to make sure everything is fully implemented, but we're getting much closer."
Bethesda says that the goal is to open up the PTS again in "mid-March," at which point we'll be able to try out long-awaited features like Daily Ops upgrades, more CAMP slots, and extra SPECIAL loadouts. In short, it's a ton of quality of life features that should make adventuring that much easier.
The reason for this delay is multifaceted, due to the nature of the world this last year, but the "icy curveball" in regards to the weather in Austin, Texas in February was brought up by name. Given that waiting for crucial updates for Fallout 76 is a community staple at this point, I think a little more time is something everyone can deal with.
Inside the Vault [Bethesda.net]
Outriders demo gets rebalanced after gear-farmers go HAM
A lot of people have been enjoying the demo for People Can Fly's team-shooter Outriders, with an amazing two million players logging in to battle over the wastelands of the planet Enoch over, and over, and over again.
In fact, people have replayed the demo so many times, that they're starting to build up a worryingly powerful arsenal of weaponry - so much so that the developer is stepping in to alter the ease with which mercs can bag this devastating firepower. The concern is that this intense method of "farming" top level gear and weaponry will leave players absolutely loaded-for-bear once the main game finally hits, and will see them endlessly cream the opposition throughout the main campaign.
Speaking in an official Reddit post, People Can Fly noted that it is well in the player's right to play the demo as often as they want, bagging whatever goodies they can along the way, but that this might serve to hamper their enjoyment of the main game, which will allow players to carry over their inventory and levels from the demo edition.
The new update - which goes live in the Outriders demo today - will remove all chance of finding Legendary gear in chests, shops, and vendors, though they will remain as rewards for completing side-quests, or as exceptionally lucky drops from defeated enemies. People Can Fly hopes that this will reduce the chance of the entire community rocking up to Outriders akin to Schwarzenegger tooling up on the beach in Commando.
Outriders launches April 1 on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and Stadia. Stay tuned, as our own Chris Carter's thoughts on the demo should be hitting Destructoid today.
People are farming Outriders demo so hard developers are stepping in [Eurogamer]
For me, it's hard to believe Monolith Soft is even still around, but I'm glad it is.
Kicking off in 2002 with Xenosaga, the studio felt like a fever dream almost, but they expanded into several other franchises since then, and most notably, made a big name for themselves with Xenoblade Chronicles.
That game, which almost didn't see life outside of Japan, blossomed into a full franchise; almost like Xenosaga 2.0. I don't think they even knew how big it would get, hosting a sequel, an expansion, a remaster with new story content, and now, a Smash Ultimate appearance.
They're celebrating that last milestone this week, as the studio dropped a new "thank you" video showcasing Pyra and Mythra, of Xenoblade Chronicles 2 fame. It's a short little clip that has the duo accepting Smash invitations, with Pyra stating "I'm joining Super Smash Bros. today, I hope you support me," and Mythra exclaiming "I'm definitely not gonna lose."
She hopes we support her? Well, as an anime style character and a sword user, she's going to need that hope!
SmashBrosJP [Twitter]
Prinny Presents NIS Classics Vol. 1 includes Phantom Brave and Soul Nomad
Nippon Ichi Software (NIS) has announced the launching of a new retro range. Prinny Presents NIS Classics will tag-up titles from the NIS archives for release on modern platforms. The first volume launches on PC and Nintendo Switch this summer and will feature Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle Remastered and Soul Nomad & The World Eaters. As for what Prinny themselves brings to the party... I'm not too sure.
Originally released on Sony PSP in 2010, Phantom Brave: The Hermuda Triangle is itself a remastered edition of the 2004 PS2 release Phantom Brave. The story follows the adventures of a young orphan girl and her ghostly guardian as they strive to protect their beautiful world from the wrath of a returning demon. The Prinny Presents edition of Phantom Brave is expected to be the same release that arrived on Steam back in 2016.
When I got the chance to sit in with a few of the producers of Diablo II Resurrected, one of the first things that was asked was how the team was going to avoid the sins of Warcraft III Reforged. Much like the original Warcraft III, Diablo II has a huge legacy to uphold, so it was an important thing to get out of the way first.
Although they ducked the direct Reforged comparisons, they explained that this was not only going to be the same Diablo II, fundamentally, underneath the skin; but it was also not going to replace the original in any way. That's a huge deal, in the sense that the original game isn't getting overwritten or erased.
Going even further, the new re-release will evidently allow players to import their old save files. Yes, those old ones, the save files you likely abandoned years ago. Speaking to IGN Middle East, producer Matthew Cederquist confirms that they will work, and to "keep" your old saves.
Explaining the process, Cederquist says it was basically a fluke: "back when we were working on [Resurrected], we wondered if the old save files would work and we kind of shoved it in and it worked! And we were like, 'okay, that's the best feature ever."
It...kind of is? So far so good, at least. This seems like the polar opposite of how Reforged was handled, and hopefully it'll launch when it's ready. With a multiplayer stress test alpha on the way sometime this year, things are looking up in terms of them getting a handle on login issues early.
What It Takes to Remaster a Cult Classic Like Diablo II [IGN Middle East]
The ESA launches $1 million joint initiative with Black Girls Code
The Entertainment Software Association (ESA) has committed $1 million to a partnership with the Black Girls CODE initiative, a mentoring program which offers education, support, and tuition for Black girls and young women with an interest in computer sciences and technology.
Via its scholarship arm, The ESA Foundation, this new collaboration will see The ESA support Black Girls CODE on its mission to teach coding and other skills to over a million students by the year 2040. The capital will be used for the funding of workshops, investment in volunteer work, and to purchases resources used for training and educational purposes.
"We are excited to work with the ESA Foundation and video game industry on increasing access and opportunities for girls and young women interested in exploring technology as educational and career options," said BGC of the partnership. "By cultivating the next generation of developers, we hope to grow the number of women of color in the technology sector who will ultimately become the future leaders in this space."
Initially based out of the tech hub of San Francisco, the Black Girls CODE initiative hopes to utilize its ESA collaboration to expand into other major cities such as New York, Washington D.C., Houston, and Los Angeles. BGC's ultimate goal is to shrink "the digital divide": the gap between those who have regular and convenient access to modern technology, tech education, and resources, and those who do not. The BGC offers Black girls and young women the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills, and support needed in order to find roles and career paths within the computing industry.
For more information on the Black Girls CODE venture - along with its goals, programs, events, and fundraisers - check out the group's official website.
Tired of sword users in Smash Ultimate? Sakurai says don't blame him
If you count both variants (a la Sheik and Zelda), Smash Ultimate just got two more sword users with the addition of Pyra and Mythra.
This is following several other sword users across both Fighters Passes, including the most recent addition of Sephiroth. So what gives? Well, series father Masahiro Sakurai says that you can't blame him!
Speaking to Washa Live (via Nintendo Everything) this week, Sakurai had a few brief things to say on Smash Ultimate's DLC choices, but also had their hands tied a bit by how much they could elaborate on. When asked why there are so many sword fighters (a question he gets often), Sakurai explains, amid laughter: "Like it or not, it's not up to me whether another sword fighter goes in the game."
When pressed again, saying that the playerbase often groans when another sword user is announced, Sakurai follows up, noting: "Well even if it is another sword fighter, it will be fine as long as we balance them properly." He also states that sword fighters are "easy to implement," especially compared to insanely intricate characters like Steve.
But outside of that quick rundown, Sakurai says he can't really expand outside of that, and that if he "goes a little further, [he] will get something from Nintendo." An earful, it sounds like! Sakurai is very careful in what he says in situations like this, but he's made it clear on several occasions that he isn't in charge of who is picked.
Washa Live [YouTube via Nintendo Everything]
You'll have to play Marvel's Avengers a little longer in order to level up
Developer Crystal Dynamics and publisher Square Enix have announced a new update for their comic-book epic Marvel's Avengers. Dropping on March 18, the new patch will decelerate the amount of XP delivered to the player, slowing down the progression of each individual character and making it a tad longer to assemble Avengers.
In a statement on its official blog, Crystal Dynamics stated that the reason behind this move was to prevent players from being overrun with skill points and attributes early into a character's build. By slowing down the leveling process, players will be given the opportunity to explore a hero's skills and abilities at a more relaxed pace, rather than bum-rushing them with, hypothetically, a choice of six new moves after a single boss fight.
"In most RPGs, the amount of XP you need to level up increases as you gain levels in a curve, but our system is a straight line. This has led to pacing issues, such as skill points currently being rewarded too fast, which may be confusing and overwhelming to newer players. We want each decision to invest in a skill or Heroic to be more meaningful".
Pokemon Go's original Professor Willow is finally crossing over into the mainstream franchise
For several years, Pokemon Go existed in this sort of phantom zone; where it didn't really connect with any mainline games at all.
The Pokemon Company was clearly trying to gauge whether or not it was a hit and worth the effort to bring into the family proper, and when it really took off, they did just that. Pokemon Go started to get crossovers with recognizable stuff like Team Rocket, and it eventually could be connected to proper Pokemon titles for transferring.
But it was generally a one way street, as Pokemon Go didn't directly impact the series as a whole. That changes with this newly announced collaboration, which sees the original Go character of Professor Willow making his way into the trading card game. They'll debut in the "summer" of this year, in part due to the 25th anniversary of the series, as well as the fifth anniversary of Go.
It might not sound like a big deal if you fell off Go, but it's a huge moment for developer Niantic, as they've made their mark on the series at large.
A collaboration has been finalized between Pokemon GO and the Pokemon Trading Card Game [Pokemon Go]
Blaster Master Zero III announced for PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch
One of the most pleasing announcements from yesterday's New Game Plus Expo (NGPX) presentation was the surprise news that retro-infused sci-fi actioner Blaster Master Zero is getting ready to blast off for one final chapter. Blaster Master Zero III is in development for PS4, PC, and Nintendo Switch, and is scheduled to launch on July 29.
The third and final entry in the resurrected retro franchise will see protagonist Jason return to where it all began, the planet Sophia, in a last-ditch effort to save the life of Eve in the dramatic climax to the interstellar story. Once again piloting the sturdy and heavily armed G-SOPHIASV battle tank, Jason will face off against hordes of new enemies and boss characters in an adventure that will see our heroes not only cross the stars, but dimensions.
In addition to this second sequel, Inti Creates also announced that it is producing a compilation title, Blaster Master Zero Trilogy: MetaFight Chronicle. This release will feature all three titles in the Blaster Master Zero franchise, along with all previously released DLC. As a trilogy-exclusive feature, new voiceover work will be added to the first two titles in the series. It has not been made clear whether the trilogy release will be made available in the west, but is scheduled to launch in Japan alongside Blaster Master Zero III.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night's Miriam is coming to kick ass in Mighty Fight Federation
Miriam has sure been getting around lately. Fresh off of her recent jaunt to Blasphemous' grim world of Cvstodia, the Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night hero is preparing to bring her hack 'n' slash ways to the arenas of Forthright Entertainment's recently released brawler, Mighty Fight Federation.
As revealed during yesterday's New Game Expo Plus (NGPX) presentation, Miriam will arrive in-game this spring, joining a list of VIPs who have made guest appearances in the fighting title, including retro hip-hop heroes Toe Jam & Earl and platforming buddies Yooka-Laylee. According to developer Komi Games, Miriam will have one of the largest movesets in MFF to date, combining her mastery of multiple weapons with her cursed Shardbinder abilities. Bloodstained designer Koji Igarashi was on hand to ensure the authenticity of Miriam's inclusion.
While no in-game action has been made available, a short video shows off our gal's new character model and animations. She's lookin' cool, that's for sure. Hopefully, more developers will come to realize how you can immediately improve your game and optics by adding a solid dose of Miriam, and I won't rest until the Shardbinder is available in Super Smash Bros., Tekken, Puyo Puyo Tetris 2, and Madden.
Contest: Win Creaks on Switch, courtesy of Super Rare Games
In today's contest you can win a physical Switch copy of Creaks, brand new from Super Rare Games!
If you're a fan of titles such as Machinarium and Samorost, you're in luck! Super Rare Games just partnered with developer Amanita Design to release their latest charming indie puzzler Creaks in physical format! There's nothing quite like moving a game from a digital shelf to a physical one, so get your hands on this one before it's completely gone.
The Eternal Cylinder is one of 2021's most original games
The Eternal Cylinder is a bottom-of-the-food-chain alien survival adventure from Ace Team, the creator of Zeno Clash and Rock of Ages, and my god does every square inch of this game look next-level weird.
Your fleshy Trebhum protagonists can mutate to have webbed toes, a third eye, a balloon body, and grasshopper legs, to name a few of the "50-plus" possibilities. Eat, mutate, survive – that's the drill.
The premise, including the "gargantuan rolling structure of ancient origin which crushes everything in its path" and is looming too close for comfort, reminds me of something I'd hear about twenty years later in a list of obscure, experimental, overlooked games we all missed – except it's here in 2021. It's not that often I see a game that's so wholly out-there with this sort of production quality. It's a nice sight!
There's a savanna, tundra, desert, and ah yes, this biome.
Since we last checked in with the game, ACE Team has begun running a "free" beta, which you can sign up for on the Eternal Cylinder site (just hand over your email) and play on the Epic Games Store.
I just haven't had the time to dig into the squish-or-be-squished ecosystem, so this "first ten minutes" preview is much appreciated. I have a feeling The Eternal Cylinder will scratch my Ancestors itch.
The beta runs until March 25, and the final release is coming later this year on PC and consoles.
Combat is a central feature to many games. We're not very good at depicting conflict resolution in an interactive way unless it involves swinging a sword or firing a gun. A debate is difficult to simulate, but ballistics are not.
Recently, there's been some effort spent at coming up with other ways to have the player solve their problems without resorting to violence. Many games are eschewing combat entirely or giving you more options about just what kind of monster you want to be. It's refreshing, since we've kind of been stuck on this one note for action games since the '80s.
I'm going to say right off the bat that Everhood is perhaps my favourite depiction of not-quite-fighting that I've encountered in a long time. It contains all the excitement of a good dust-up but without any real blows being exchanged. It's just too bad it also finds new and innovative ways to frustrate me.
Artifact splits into 'final' Classic and Foundry versions as Valve calls it quits on future updates
First Anthem, now Artifact – who else has a hard-to-justify game revival that needs to be scrapped?
In an ominously-titled "The Future of Artifact" post, Valve shared the news that Artifact, a collectible card game based on Dota 2 that didn't draw in enough players, won't get more "gameplay updates."
The team wrote that "while we're reasonably satisfied we accomplished most of our game-side goals, we haven't managed to get the active player numbers to a level that justifies further development at this time. As such, we've made the tough decision to stop development on the Artifact 2.0 Beta."
Where does that leave the game and its players? And what about the promised overhaul?
The original edition, Artifact Classic, will be capital-f Free, not just "free-to-play." As Valve puts it, "all players get every card," you can't buy card packs or paid event tickets, and "paid players' existing cards" will be "converted into special Collector's Edition versions, which will remain marketable."
The work-in-progress Artifact 2.0 Beta, which now goes by Artifact Foundry, is also free – you earn cards through gameplay. It's not finished, but "most of what's missing is polish and art," not features.
"Artifact Foundry gameplay gives more direct agency – almost all random elements aside from a shuffled deck have been removed – and the gameplay is more focused on heroes, which have been given a significantly more powerful role," according to Valve. "In addition to heroes, almost every card in the game has been reworked at least somewhat to be somewhat more impactful, fun, and easier to focus on. Over 100 new cards and 20 new heroes have been introduced in Artifact Foundry."
As someone who hasn't played Artifact and likely never will, the "final release" changes aren't a call to action. That said, I'm glad the 2.0 work wasn't outright abandoned. Something is better than nothing.
This feels like a rip-off-the-bandage moment for Valve.
The plot thickens in Danganronpa-like Tantei Bokumetsu
Nippon Ichi Software has released a new trailer for its interesting looking murder mystery title Tantei Bokumetsu, which is currently in development for PS4 and Nintendo Switch. The developer/publisher also released new details regarding the quirky-looking title's gameplay.
As a quick refresher, Tantei Bokumetsu sees the greatest detectives in the world forced together to ascertain the identity of a psychopathic killer known as "Yatzuzakikou," who has racked up a killstreak of over 100 brutal murders. These master sleuths - collectively known as "The Detective Alliance" hope to combine their respective skills to unmask the killer... but little do they know that THE KILLER IS IN THE BUILDING WITH THEM AND THE CALLS ARE COMING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE AND IT'S HIM DRESSED AS HIS MUM.
Limited Run Games is going all out for No More Heroes 1 and 2 on Nintendo Switch
Limited Run Games has another test for us – a test to see who can stay on-budget this month.
If you skipped the digital Nintendo Switch versions of No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2 back in October 2020, or it's been long enough that you'd be okay with spending more on this series, Limited Run would like a word this month. Pre-orders are opening on March 12 at 10:00 am Eastern for physical Switch copies of both games, and there are fancy collector's editions, too. Pre-orders close on April 11.
The basic no-frills physical Switch copies of No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2: Desperate Struggle are $35 each – you'll have to buy them separately – and they come with a booklet inside.
The real reason we're here, though, is the collector's editions. These are $70 each (or $140 together with a Santa Destroy flag), which is a lot, but they look fantastic. And they line up just so on a shelf.
I kinda just want those big boxes for that spine art, if I'm being honest.
The CE pack-ins for No More Heroes and No More Heroes 2 include an 18x24 poster, Steelbook, behind-the-scenes interview art book, the standard physical copy of the game, and the soundtrack.
Reminder for those who need it: the digital editions on the eShop are $20 a pop at full price.
It's crazy to think that it's been nearly five years since The Climb!
That's about how long mainstream VR tech has been out, and thankfully, a handful of plucky studios are still plugging away at VR games. I mean, it's a niche at this point, but I'm thankful.
The Climb was a really fun effort from Crytek to help cement why VR gaming has a place in the industry. It offered a unique perspective on a harrowing activity, and used the VR medium to juice up the atmosphere on an already-firm climbing game foundation.
The Climb 2 builds further on that, and adds my most-requested feature into the mix: city maps.
Over five million players have visited the viking world of Valheim
One of gaming's most recent success stories is that of open-world crafting adventure Valheim. Despite existing within an undeniably overcrowded market, Iron Gate Studios' viking themed sandbox title has won over a huge conglomerate of fans, all of whom have journeyed to Valheim to carve out a home and habitat for themselves, borne against the backdrop of Nordic lore.
The Swedish developer has announced that over five million players have logged into the title since it released on Steam Early Access a mere month ago. This community, enough to fill many a longboat, have reportedly been active in Valheim for a combined 15,000 years, have watched over 35 million hours of in-game footage on Twitch, and have solidified the title as the 39th "Best Reviewed" game in Steam history.
Stardew Valley fixed those blue floors on Ginger Island
After a few weeks of playing Stardew Valley 1.5 on Nintendo Switch, I'm at the point – 60-some hours into the game, and a bit into Year 3 – where I'm prioritizing Ginger Island now that I'm cool with most of the villagers and the Community Center and Movie Theater quests are wrapped up. Ginger Island is a huge time-sink with lots to do everywhere I look. There's just one problem: the ground is blue!
One of the known issues with Stardew version 1.5 on Switch is that in certain areas – namely, the northern part of Ginger Island near the Volcano Dungeon – there's a "blue floor bug." It doesn't affect the whole map, of course, but it's pretty distracting. There's also an issue with the zoom-out options, though I haven't seen it yet as someone who now exclusively plays in split-screen co-op.
Both of these bugs were fixed today in an update, according to Stardew creator ConcernedApe. I booted up the game this morning to take a look and had to resist playing "just one more day."
Here's what the blue floor bug looked like before, near the Volcano Dungeon entrance:
And here's what that it looks like after updating Stardew Valley to Ver. 1.5.4.1:
It's a jarring comparison!
The only other gripe I've had with Stardew on Switch is that there's stuttering in split-screen. The stutters are short – and only really cause problems if you're fighting enemies or fishing, if at all – but they can be prevalent day-to-day. We've gotten used to them, but not everyone will be able to adjust.
Now, if I could just scrounge up more Golden Walnuts...
Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 adds new content and cross-gen support in final update
Today sees Sega release its third and final free content update for its colorful and extremely compelling puzzler Puyo Puyo Tetris 2. Available now on PlayStation and Xbox platforms, as well as Nintendo Switch, the crossover block-buster will also drop in on PC March 23.
The new update adds four more playable characters to the Puyo Puyo Tetris 2 roster. These include warbling angel Harpy, young warrior Ragnus the Brave, dramatic knight Legamunt, and finally the charming sorceress Rozatte. Alongside these new characters, four more tracks have been added to the game's score, including a remix of "Escape from the City" from Sonic Generations, in keeping with the blue blur's recent roster addition.
There's a set of three new Pokemon physical My Nintendo rewards, and they could go fast
In what is becoming a biweekly event, there are now new physical My Nintendo rewards available.
Following the recent Bravely Default II reversible poster, Nintendo just dumped three new physical Pokemon rewards into the mix: a set of four ball point pens (with the three Pokemon Sword and Shield starters, as well as Pikachu), a Pokemon Sword and Shield memo pad, and a Pokemon Sword and Shield sticker set. You can grab them for 500, 400, and 500 Platinum Points each respectively.
The pens come in a 6"x3" package for reference, and the note pad is 6"x4"x1/8". The sticker set includes "two sheets featuring Grookey, Scorbunny, and Sobble," and clocks in at 11"x7". Stationary is becoming quite the go-to for My Nintendo, as there's also an 800 point Mario & Luigi notebook available, as well as a Hyrule Warriors memo pad (which is a little bigger and 200 more platinum to compensate).
While stationary generally stays in stock for a while, by and large it does disappear over time. My guess is the extreme popularity of Pokemon could result in at least the pens selling out relatively soon.
If you need some quick points, remember to check out our guide!
Rewards [My Nintendo]
NieR Reincarnation hits an amazing 10 million downloads in release fortnight
Square Enix has announced that its recently released NieR Re[in]carnation has already been downloaded 10 million times. This already extraordinary figure made all the more incredible by the fact the mobile spin-off has been on the market for just two weeks.
Launching in Japan on iOS and Android February 18, NieR Re[in]carnation is a standalone tale of an amnesiac child, "White Girl," who must pick her way through a serene-but-stark environment known as "The Cage." Guided by the adorable ghostly presence "Mama," White Girl must explore the lonely environment to seek the truth of her existence, her steps dogged by a sinister and shadowy being.
We're seeing a resurgence of farming sims, as indie developers chase the success of Stardew Valley and extend the life of the genre beyond Story of Seasons.
Littlewood recently came out on Switch, and now, we have confirmation of another farming-centric adventure coming to the same system: Coral Island. The team recently smashed all of their Kickstarter goals and snagged a cool $1.6 million in funding, and are aiming for a late 2022 release, with a 2021 Early Access build target.
The gist, according to developer Stairway Games, is to "reimagine" the farming sim genre, but also take notes from the classics. You'll be able to "grow crops, nurture animals, and befriend the islanders" while staving off a greedy company (like Stardew). The inaugural trailer also gives us hints of how farming will work, including the Stardew-esque sprinkler system layout.
There will be 16 romanceable characters (a child mechanic is teased), as well as 16 townsfolk, and the ability to build your own farm, tending to seasonal crops. The "adventure" conceit comes in via diving, which you'll do to save the town and clean up the ocean, and there's a twist with support for skill trees as well.
You can find the full tentative schedule below!
Coral Island [Kickstarter]
Suda51's The Silver Case 2425 heads west on Switch this summer
A few years ago, The Silver Case and its sequel, The 25th Ward: The Silver Case, were given the HD remaster treatment on PC and PS4. For Western fans of Suda51, it gave us a look at some of his earlier work, the games he made before he had really established himself outside of Japan with titles like killer7 and No More Heroes. With the Switch as popular as it is, it was only a matter of time before both titles jumped over to Nintendo hardware.
Last month, both games hit the Switch in Japan as a compilation called The Silver Case 2425. If you've been wondering when those of us out west will be able to get our hands on it, it turns out the wait won't be too long. NIS America confirmed during today's New Game+ Expo stream that it is localizing the game this summer.
Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 launches June 4, is headed to PS5 and Xbox Series X
CI Games has announced an official launch date for its long-distance shooter Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts 2. Arriving on PS4, PC, and Xbox One June 4, the developer/publisher has also newly-announced next-gen editions will also launch day-and-date on PS5 and Xbox Series X.
Donning the laser-sighted eyeballs of master assassin "Raven," players will journey across a large, Middle-Eastern sandbox map, completing various objectives and giving a selection of hapless marks an extra hole in the dome. Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 prides itself on its authentic weaponry and long-distance engagements, ranging well over 1000 meters. Pin-point accuracy rewards those who take every element of the environment into account before squeezing the trigger.
You can check out a brand new gameplay trailer below. Pre-orders for Sniper: Ghost Warrior Contracts 2 are now live at selected retailers and include a bonus DLC bundle containing the Marcus Tactical light sniper rifle, the FFF-45 ACP Luring Pistol (for distraction purposes), and two exclusive weapon skins - because snipers are nothing if not renown for standing out against their hiding spots.
Nintendo Download: Apex Legends
Following a few good first-party weeks for the Nintendo eShop, it's time for third-party studios to shine.
Apex Legends is a huge get for Nintendo, and is out on March 9 alongside of double XP from that same date through March 23, and 30 free Season 8 Battle Pass levels for Switch players. It's quite the incentive for people to jump in immediately. But Apex isn't the only game in town, as Sea of Solitude is also hopping in via the Director's Cut version, as well as Gnosia, which we'll have a review of very soon.
As a note, yes, that does say "Super Metboy" below. Remember the Mets from Mega Man? They're back, in off-brand non-Capcom form.
Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny coming west on Nintendo Switch June 29
NIS America has announced that the localization of RPG sequel Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny will launch in North America and Europe on Nintendo Switch June 29. The announcement was made during today's edition of the New Game Plus Expo (NGPX)
NIS America also released an announcement video, (which you can check out below), spotlighting bonus characters Adell, Asagi, Rozalin, and a female variant of the mischievous demon, Laharl. These characters will be made available exclusively to players who pick up Disgaea 6 at launch. Although the anime adventure is already available for purchase on PS4 and Switch in Japan, a localization for the PS4 edition has not yet been confirmed.
Pocky & Rocky Reshrined launches on PS4 and Nintendo Switch this fall
Taito and Natsume announced this morning that the revitalized sequel to SNES classic KiKi KaiKai: Nazo no Kuro Mantle - known in the west as Pocky & Rocky - will launch on PS4 and Nintendo Switch this fall. The new adventure has been officially titled Pocky & Rocky Reshrined.
Developed by The Tengo Project, the team responsible for cool retro remasters Wild Guns: Reloaded and Ninja Saviors: Return of the Warriors, Pocky and Rocky Reshrined sees the shrine maiden and her tanuki pal return for a brand new adventure, utilizing a brand new engine and modern gaming technology while retaining the top-down, multi-directional shooter action and 16-bit audio/visual aesthetic of the original games.
Check out the previously released trailer below. What a delight! I can't wait!
Nintendo draws ire after it commemorates several Mario games that are getting nuked this month
Strangely, weirdly, annoyingly; several Mario games are going away at the end of the month.
Including one that's a free bonus for Switch Online subscribers! Of course, that doesn't include the Fire Emblem NES release on the eShop or the shutdown of online components for Mario Maker on Wii U, which are frequently left out of the conversation (I didn't forget you, guys).
But while folks are dealing with that impending doom in different ways, Nintendo is blindly ignoring the critics. In fact, they recently tweeted out a little infographic of just how many Mario games there were on the Switch, a marketing exercise that was supposed to make the system look good, but with one exception; they put two of the "going away to the vault" games on it!
Right there is Super Mario Bros. 35 as well as Super Mario 3D All-Stars, both of which are heading out, even at retail, for the latter. Fans have taken to "Thanos snapping" the games from existence ahead of time, with mockups like this tweet here.
Of course, Nintendo could have a change of heart after it squeezes every last sale from folks due to FOMO. And then they'd have their cake and eat it too, as they can frame it as "we listened to the fans." But in any case, it's a very strange, and very 2020-2021 move to even threaten to nuke them in the first place.
Super Mario 35th [Twitter]
Nacon calls The Sinking City allegations 'unjust,' accuses Frogwares of 'sabotaging our investments'
There appears to be no end in sight for the debacle surrounding Lovecraft-inspired title The Sinking City. Following the mystery-horror's removal from Steam - triggered by a DMCA request by developer Frogwares - publisher Nacon has responded to accusations that it pirated a copy of the product from another store in order to re-sell on Valve's platform.
"Nacon hereby wishes to set the record straight regarding these unjustified accusations," said the French publisher. "Nacon is contractually the sole exclusive distributor of The Sinking City game on Steam. Nacon has contributed to the financing of development and the payment of royalties to Frogwares to the tune of 8.9 million euros to date (including the full payment for a version of the game for Steam), making the global investment far above 10 million euros when integrating the marketing costs. Contrary to Frogwares' allegations, Nacon has paid all amounts due".
Nacon goes on to address the issue of royalties, as well as Frogwares' decision to actively discourage sales of the recent Steam edition of The Sinking City.
"Despite this blocking situation created exclusively by Frogwares, Nacon has allowed players to access the game on Steam while still expressly indicating the ownership of Frogwares' rights to the game. Frogwares will also receive the royalties generated by Steam sales. By encouraging the gaming community via Twitter not to buy the game on Steam, Frogwares is once again sabotaging our investments in the game. Nacon obviously regrets this conflict, for which it is not responsible, and for which it did everything possible to avoid".
This latest statement is just another step forward in an increasingly combustible situation regarding numerous disputes as it pertains to the development, ownership, and sale of The Sinking City. As each party projects new statements and takes active steps toward laying claim to the psychological horror title, it seems ever more clear that the situation is once again headed toward legal proceedings - an option that Nacon hints at in its new statement.
"Nacon reserves the right to take legal action against Frogwares for its aggressive and prejudicial comments," closes the publisher. "Frogwares has been careful not to indicate that all court decisions in the dispute between Nacon and Frogwares have thus far been favorable to Nacon."
As of this writing, The Sinking City - as published by Frogwares - remains for sale on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and all non-Steam PC outlets. Meanwhile, the PS4 and Xbox One edition of The Sinking City - as published by Nacon - remains available for purchase on the respective PlayStation and Microsoft stores.
Whoa, the box for the new Mario 35th anniversary pin set is huge
You better believe that I was racking up Mario missions so when the day came that they would come in handy: I would be ready.
That day did come after all, when Nintendo announced the second anniversary pin set. You also better believe that I was refreshing that mess of a rollout constantly, and eventually was able to place an order for one.
Behold, the fruits of my labor!
Smash Ultimate's new DLC costumes include Monster Hunter and Ghosts 'n Goblins crossovers
Continuing with the paid costume DLC tradition, Sakurai unveiled two new collaborations for Smash Ultimate, and surprise, it's Capcom at the helm again.
The costumes include Monster Hunter and Ghosts 'n Goblins crossovers, with Hunter Equipment (Swordfighter), Rathalos Equipment (Swordfighter), Felyne (hat), and Arthur (Swordfighter) DLC. Sakurai says that because of Monster Hunter Rise and the fact that you can fight Rathalos in-game, the costumes make sense for Smash. The same goes for the recent Switch Goblins game.
These costumes will release alongside of the Pyra/Mythra fighter(s) today and will clock in at $0.75 each.
Sakurai gave us a closer look at Smash Ultimate's Pyra and Mythra today
Sakurai is back at home to record this new Smash Ultimate featurette for Pyra/Mythra, and "no one is available to laugh at his jokes!" It's a shame.
Either way, let's dig into the new reveals this morning!
Before Your Eyes is an afterlife adventure game that you control by blinking
In the narrative adventure Before Your Eyes, each and every blink matters. Literally! GoodbyeWorld Games and Skybound Games are pitching it as an "interactive afterlife played with your eyes."
As the instantly-bittersweet-looking story unfolds, the game can detect your blinking in real life, using an actual webcam, and that's how you'll move forward through scattered scenes of a life well-lived.
The concept behind Before Your Eyes has been kicking around for years – "for the better part of a decade," according to game director and composer Oliver Lewin – and it can be traced to Close Your, which won the Independent Games Festival Best Student Game award in 2015. Now it's back as a fleshed-out commercial project with a more distinct art style, and it's ready for a wider audience.
Between the life-reflecting premise and the trailer footage showing kittens and a funeral service, I'm expecting a full-on tearjerker. Consider restocking your tissues before the April 8 release on Steam.
Another report alleges that a 4K bigger-screen Switch Pro is coming this year
So, we meet again, Switch Pro rumors.
This time though, it's not just from a guy on Twitter saying it'll come out every month. This report is from Bloomberg tech, which claims that Samsung Display will begin production of new seven-inch panels for a larger Switch Pro screen in June.
The move, according to Bloomberg (and common sense), is aimed to pivot Nintendo into the current generation and take on the new consoles directly. These screens will be 720p OLED says the report, and will apparently be produced for assembly in July. Even with those tight deadlines in mind, Nintendo is allegedly aiming for a 2021 release date for the Pro, just in time for the holiday season.
It's a bold move, but more so than a lot of other reports, this one actually makes sense, timing-wise. Nintendo has had a year to plan given the events of 2020, and if this report rings true, there's a lot of reasons why we haven't seen stone cold evidence of a Switch Pro yet: because Nintendo hasn't actually manufactured it.
As long as all the ducks are in a row, I can see a summer announcement for the Pro, followed by the 2021 goal. This is fresh off of Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa stating that there wouldn't be an imminent Pro announcement. But "soon" is relative, and this summer could account for a reasonable amount of time to have passed.
Nintendo Plans Switch Model With Bigger Samsung OLED Display [Bloomberg]
Skullgirls confirms Future Club is involved with new content creation
In a delightful bit of news to start the day, it has been confirmed that Future Club - the indie developer born out of the dissolution of Lab Zero - will be directly involved in the creation of new Skullgirls content, alongside current developer Hidden Variable and publisher Autumn Games.
Last month, Autumn Games showcased a bright future for the awesome tag-fighting title, announcing a brand new season of content including multiple new DLC characters and stages. While this was wonderful news, it brought with it a twinge of sadness, with the possibility that the original Skullgirls team - many of whom left Lab Zero due to its toxic environment - would not be involved in the new content's creation.
But in a new tweet, Autumn Games confirmed that Hidden Variable will indeed be working with these developers and their new studio, Future Club, in order to design and create exciting new content for Skullgirls, to be drip-fed to its dedicated community of players over the coming years.
Guilty Gear Strive hit with a two-month delay
If you took part in last month's Guilty Gear Strive beta, you probably already know it wasn't the smoothest experience. Not all betas are, but the feedback from players on this one was enough to convince Arc System Works it needs to spend more time polishing up the game.
The developer revealed on Twitter Wednesday night that it is delaying the highly anticipated fighter from April 9 to June 11. As you can see in the message below, Arc System Works will use the extra development time to work on the game's online lobbies and server stability.
I hope I don't miss the Shamrock Soda in Animal Crossing: New Horizons before it goes away
I've slipped into a sort of low-maintenance mode with Animal Crossing: New Horizons. If there's a substantial update with new characters or ways of interacting with my island, sure, I'll show up. But when it comes to recurring events or limited-time celebratory items, I'm far more likely to let them slip by. As much as I enjoy accumulating stuff, I don't need everything. I'm not out here min-maxing!
In the case of Shamrock Day, Animal Crossing's St. Patrick's Day equivalent, I'll play it by ear. The event runs from March 10–17 in New Horizons with outfits and rotating daily items, according to Nintendo.
On the to-grab list: a "Fáilte" Shamrock Doorplate, a Shamrock Rug, and okay yeah, a Shamrock Soda.
Nintendo also previewed the Shamrock Day apparel – sunglasses, a hat, a suit, and shoes – that will be sold by the Able Sisters. Don't let anyone pinch you. And be on the lookout for the Shamrock Wand.
I could take or leave everything except the Shamrock Soda. That's a keeper. As for Nintendo's fickle update strategy in general, I'm forcing myself to "let it happen when it happens." It's easier that way. Long-time Animal Crossing players are surely wondering what the holdup is with meaningful new content in New Horizons, and I don't blame them. At this point, it feels like a marathon, not a sprint.
Contest: Win a brand new Switch console and a copy of trippy musical RPG Everhood
In today's contest you can win a brand new Switch, and a copy of Everhood!
Have you ever heard of Everhood? Well if you haven't, now you have! It's a strange one, for sure, but that's just how I like 'em.
The lovely folks at developer Foreign Gnomes would like to not only give away some Switch copies of their brand new game, but also a brand new Switch to play it on! Isn't that nice of them?
Warning: The trailer below contains flashing imagery.
These 5 games deserve a digital re-release
We live in an age where you can easily download the entire NES library, fire up an emulator, and spend five minutes with one game before getting bored. The internet never forgets, which is fortunate since there should be nothing ephemeral about a video game's availability. If I wanted to go back and play something stupid and obscure like Classic Concentration, then I should be able to and you shouldn't be able to stop me.
While I know there are less-than-legal options that would allow me to do this, I've always preferred to go about things on the up-and-up. I've got walls of cartridges rather than a couple ROM folders, and sure, I'll pay to have Leisure Suit Larry in my library. It's comforting to know that my money will go to continued-ish support for the game. Best case scenario will be someone takes the time to convert it to widescreen and give it native Windows support, but maybe the effort isn't worth it for something no one remembers, like Blake Stone. But, I mean, at least you can still buy Blake Stone! And you should!
The following is a list of games that have not received a re-release. Even GOG, the bastion for old games of yore, doesn't feature these titles. They're not completely unobtainable for someone determined enough, but they really should be available for everyone.
Data East arcade classics, inc. Bad Dudes, Joe & Mac, and Two Crude, now available on PC
Here's one for all you retro fans. Ziggernaut Interactive, in collaboration with 612Games, has secured the rights to 15 classic arcade games from old-school developer Data East. The first eight of these titles are now available to purchase on PC, under the new "Retro Classix" banner.
(Update) The Sinking City pulled from Steam yet again after Frogwares issues DMCA
[Update: Frogwares has issued a new statement regarding its issuing of the DMCA.
"A DMCA notice proved to be our most effective tool to give us time to gain further potential evidence and to also start the required and lengthy additional legal processes to prevent this from happening again," the developer told Vice. "We are aware that a final ruling on whether Frogwares are obligated to deliver a Steam version has yet not been made and could take years. As it stands, we have an appeals court ruling saying, until further notice Frogwares do not need to deliver a Steam version to Nacon. In the meantime, Nacon decided to take justice into their own hands and release a pirated build."
"We are also aware that the DMCA claim on this Steam version may only be a temporary fix and that the game may make a comeback - in this form or another. Providing partners like Valve with finalised rulings and third-party verified evidence so they can make their final decision takes time and resources. If in the meantime they decide they have to continue selling the game, we can only respect that while continuing to speak to them and provide them with more information."
As it stands, The Sinking City - as published by Frogwares - remains for sale on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and non-Steam PC outlets. The PS4 and Xbox One edition of The Sinking City - as published by Nacon - remain available on their respective PlayStation and Microsoft stores.]
Original article:
In the latest update on the ongoing debacle surrounding The Sinking City, Steam has once again pulled Frogwares' horror-mystery from its storefront, following the developer's issuing of a DMCA against publisher Nacon, with whom it is embroiled in an increasingly ugly legal dispute.
As reported by Vice, Frogwares issued the DMCA following on from the Ukrainian studios' recent allegations that Nacon pirated a copy of the 2019 release from a digital storefront, before re-submitting the game for sale on the Steam platform. Earlier this week, Frogwares released an in-depth video explaining these particularly serious accusations.
"The Sinking City has been in dispute in French courts for a while," Valve's VP of marketing Doug Lombardi told Vice. "An interim decision last fall appeared to give Nacon the right to distribute the game on Steam while the litigation proceeded. However, today we received a DMCA take-down notice for the version that Nacon recently shipped, so we have responded to that notice."
This is not the first time The Sinking City has been removed from the Steam store. Back in August 2020, Frogwares removed the title itself, protesting numerous claims against Nacon (then Bigben Interactive) that included copyright dispute and the alleged withholding of royalties. The Sinking City would eventually return to Steam following a Parisian court's ruling that Frogwares had acted unlawfully by removing the game from sale.
In a statement posted earlier this week, Nacon suggested that Frogwares was attempting to "revise the terms of the contract to their sole advantage". "It's easy to play the victim," said the French publisher. "All we seek is that Frogwares respect its commitments both in the contract and as demanded by the courts."
As of this writing, The Sinking City is unavailable to purchase on Steam. This status remains likely for some time, as the ongoing dispute becomes ever-more provocative and combustible.
The Sinking City developer uses DMCA to remove its own game from Steam [Vice]
PlayStation VR is still hanging in there with six games announced for 2021
I haven't revisited PlayStation VR since hooking up my PS5, but I haven't packed the headset up, either – it's crammed in a media-center drawer just in case there's something fresh to play this year.
Actually, there is! The headset is still hanging in there with software support. Sony highlighted six PlayStation VR games for 2021 in a series of PlayStation Blog posts today. Let's run through 'em.
After the Fall is a co-op shooter from the makers of Arizona Sunshine that's set in an "alternate 1980s" Los Angeles. Don't call them zombies – they're snowbreed. It's not every day we see a game with PlayStation VR Aim Controller support, and if you're going solo, you can team up with the AI.
Fracked immediately reminded me of that "Call of Duty in a kayak" game Phantom: Covert Ops, and I was on-point – it's made by the same team, nDreams. This time, you can ski and shoot! I think I'm down?
Song in the Smoke is a surprising "primal wilderness" survival game from 17-Bit, of all places. Don't we already have too many survival games? Probably. But I like the premise of darkness being terrifying.
I Expect You to Die 2 is a sequel that was worth doing, even if it took several years to put it together. More head-scratching super-spy deathtraps await us, and this time, we're going undercover at Zoraxis.
Zenith is an "anime-inspired" fantasy MMO with unexpectedly physical combat. There are throwing, blocking, and dodging mechanics, according to Ramen VR, and you can "slam your staff like a wizard."
Doom 3: VR Edition is not to be confused with the existing Doom VFR. Instead, this is straight-up Doom 3 (and its expansions) "retooled for PS VR technology." I was never all that into the original game at the time, but I think the horror tone, in particular, will click with me more in VR. I could go for a revisit.
That's it – that's the list. Anything stand out to you here, or are you taking a break from VR?
I'm mostly waiting for the so-called "next generation of VR on PlayStation" – a new PlayStation VR headset built with PS5 in mind as opposed to the current PSVR model that works with PS5 via backward compatibility. It's still great from a comfort standpoint as someone who wears glasses, but the tech feels dated at this point (even with "PS5 enhancements" popping up on a game-by-game basis like in the case of Fracked). It's generally hard to get excited about inferior ports from other platforms.
On that note, you can expect most of these games to be playable on PC VR as well.
Fire Emblem Heroes adds a new quartet of Three Houses stars
Following the recent arrival of Legendary Hero Claude von Riegan, Nintendo has announced "Seeds of Fodlan," the newest summoning event for its free-to-play mobile battler Fire Emblem Heroes. The new update will add further classy characters from Switch release Fire Emblem: Three Houses.
The latest quartet of characters consists of four officers taken from the hallowed halls of the Garreg Mach Monastery. Representing the Blue Lions are young polearm wielder Ingrid and the house's noble retainer, Dedue. Flying the flag for the Black Eagles is the notoriously subdued (read: lazy) Lindhart, while the Golden Deer are represented by introverted young mage, Marianne.
Hardsuit Labs hit by layoffs following removal from Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2
In late February, following years of tumultuous development, publisher Paradox Interactive announced further delays to its Gothic RPG Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2. Most notably, Paradox announced that it was dropping the title's long-term developer, Hardsuit Labs, who had been working on the dark adventure since as far back as 2015.
Unfortunately, it appears that the changes in development have had serious repercussions for the studio's workforce, with various Hardsuit employees being laid off since the Paradox announcement was made. Producer Austin Maestre, as well as narrative designers Anna C. Webster, Samantha Wallschlaeger, and Nicole Stanford were among those who took to Twitter to announce that they had lost their respective roles at the Seattle-based studio, with Stanford confirming that Hardsuit's "entire narrative team" had been affected by the decision.
In a statement to several news outlets, Hardsuit Labs expressed its regret at the layoffs.
"While we worked hard to source some great work opportunities for the studio to move forward with, we were unable to provide work for a small number of individuals and thus made the difficult decision to part ways." reads the statement. "This decision was not made lightly and was done so only after we felt we had exhausted the opportunities to avoid such a layoff."
"For the affected team members, with their permission, we are reaching out to partners and fellow studios in hopes that we can assist in placing our former colleagues with new opportunities. We sincerely wish the very best to our former colleagues and thank them for their contributions to the studio and our projects during their time here."
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines 2 continues its development on PS4, PS5, PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X. Paradox Interactive is yet to announce a new developer or a rescheduled release date.
Monster Hunter Rise is getting a massive 117-song, four-disc soundtrack
Monster Hunter Rise is poised to make a splash on Switch this month, but it also has a bright future ahead of it.
With a PC port slated for 2022, Rise will live on for a while, far beyond the initial excitement of the Nintendo console launch. And beyond that, it looks like the massive soundtrack is going to make a lasting impact on fans.
As revealed by Gamer.ne.jp, Capcom is producing a massive 117-song soundtrack that will be distributed across four discs. It'll contain all of the main Rise tracks heard so far, as well as any number of ancillary tunes from each level. It's slated to arrive on May 19, 2021 in Japan, and will retail at 4,500 yen, which is roughly $42 USD.
If you want a taste, the Capcom Sound Team has put out six of the 100+ song soundtrack out on Spotify, which includes core themes like Kamura's Song of Purification. If you played the demo you're probably aware that it sounds great so far!
The original soundtrack of "Monster Hunter Rise" [Gamer.ne.jp]
Apex Legends for Nintendo Switch looking pretty, explosive, and pretty explosive
In just under a week's time, Electronic Arts will release its sci-fi infused battle royale title Apex Legends on Nintendo Switch. Developer Respawn Entertainment has released one last trailer, giving players one final look at the dynamic multiplayer title in action ahead of its official release.
The Nintendo Switch edition of Apex Legends admittedly has a little catching up to do, having arrived on PS4, PC, and Xbox One way back in February 2019. Not only that, but the new port was unfortunately further delayed from its initial 2020 release due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Regardless, the big day is almost here, and soon Switch owners will be able to battle it out with their Legend brethren thanks to the title's cross-play capabilities. Oh, and to help newbie Legends hit the ground running, Apex Legends will be offering all Switch players double XP until March 23. Lock 'n' load, folks. It's time to go a'lootin' and a'shootin' all over again.
