Marvel's Avengers 2021 Content Roadmap Detailed
Both Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics have spoken about supporting Marvel's Avengers with ample post-launch content so far, and while that hasn't exactly been the case up until now, it does seem like the developers have plans for things to come in the next few months. A 2021 content roadmap has been revealed and briefly detailed for Marvel's Avengers, and it encapsulates quite a bit.
The update that launched for the game today has brought with it the Hawkeye DLC, next-gen versions, customizable H.A.R.M. Rooms, a campaign replay option, and rebalanced progression. Spring will see the arrival of the Tachyon Anomaly event, scaled for characters of Power Levels between 1-100. This will also add the ability for multiple players in a group to play as the same character, which is something players have been asking for since even before the game launched. It will be followed by the Red Room Takeover drop, which will include new outfits and new H.A.R.M. Room content.
Meanwhile, in the Summer, there will be new War Zone missions, Villain Sectors, and Assignments. The biggest content drop coming later this year is the recently announced Black Panther expansion, which, in addition to the her himself, will also add new outfits, increase the Power Level cap, add new villains (including Klaw), new enemies, a new biome (in Wakanda, of course), and more.
Crystal Dynamics are also working on further progression tweaks and improvements to gear, progression, collectibles, and matchmaking. Multiplayer Megahives and Omega-level threat missions are also inbound, as are the recently teased Marvel Cinematic Universe-inspired outfits for playable characters.
Interestingly enough, there's no mention of the previously announced Spider-Man DLC.
Marvel's Avengers is available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia.
Marvel's Avengers Hawkeye DLC is Out Now, New Gameplay Shown off
Marvel's Avengers hasn't enjoyed the kind of cadence for post-launch content that many would have been hoping for, but it has now received its first major update in a while. Operation: Hawkeye – Future Imperfect is out now, and as its name suggests, it adds Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye to the game's roster of playable heroes. There's also a new location, new villain sectors, new story content, and more for players to go through.
In addition to that, the brawler's newest update also adds customizable H.A.R.M. Rooms, a campaign replay option, rebalanced progression, and more. The game has now also released for the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. During their recent Direct-style showcase, Square Enix also debuted the game's next-gen launch trailer, as well as a chunky gameplay trailer for the Hawkeye DLC, both of which you can view below (the latter courtesy of GameSpot).
Marvel's Avengers is available for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia, and Operation: Hawkeye – Future Imperfect is live for all those consoles. A Black Panther expansion has also been announced for the superhero brawler. Check out the reveal trailer through here.
Project Hitman Sniper Assassins Announced for iOS and Android
It's no secret that Square Enix is making a big push for mobile in the coming year. To further lean into that, it's announced Project Hitman Sniper Assassins (working title). Developed by the makers of Hitman Sniper, it features new assassins and a "wholly original Hitman story."
Developed by Square Enix Montreal, it will also brand-new gameplay features. Though no gameplay was revealed in the teaser trailer, sniping at least appears to be making a comeback. There will also likely be co-op missions, perhaps with more than two players. Expect more details in the coming months.
Project Hitman Sniper Assassins is out in 2021 for iOS and Android. Other Square Enix mobile titles that are worth keeping an eye on include Final Fantasy 7: The First Soldier, a battle royale title with guns, melee combat and Summons that releases this year. There's also Final Fantasy 7: Ever Crisis, a remake of the entire compilation of Final Fantasy 7. It's out in 2022 and will see additional story chapters added for free.
Life is Strange: True Colors is Not Episodic, Deluxe and Ultimate Editions Detailed
Square Enix recently announced Life is Strange: True Colors, a new title in the series from Deck Nine Games. It's set in a new location called Haven and focuses on Alex, who has a short-lived reunion with her brother before his demise. She thus sets out to discover the truth using her unique power to sense people's emotions.
The biggest change from previous games is that Life is Strange: True Colors isn't episodic – the full game can be played from start to finish at launch. Alex will have two romantic interests throughout, one being Steph from the first Life is Strange. Interestingly, Steph also gets her own unique story in "Wavelengths." It takes place one year before Alex's arrival in Haven and sees her as the DJ and radio host of KRCT.
Along with choosing songs and ad-libbing through commercials, Steph will also provide advice to callers, act as a tabletop RPG GM and even "reconnect with an old friend." The story progresses through four seasons and sees Steph's room change, showcasing more of her personality and past in the process. "Wavelengths" is included in Life is Strange: True Colors Deluxe and Ultimate Editions, with the former also including the base game and a Hero Outfit Pack with four costumes for Alex.
The Ultimate Edition includes the same content along with Life is Strange Remastered Collection, which offers remasters for Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm. Life is Strange: True Colors is out on September 10th for Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Google Stadia.
Project Athia is Officially Called Forspoken, 2022 Launch Window Confirmed
Square Enix announced at the PS5 reveal event last year that they'd be launching a console exclusive open world action title developed by Luminous Productions. Tentatively given the name Project Athia at the time, the game closed out the company's recent DIrect-style showcase, and was given a proper, official name.
It's called Forspoken, and it has been officially given a 2022 launch window. While there's still so much we don't know about its world and its narrative premise, we did get to see the protagonist, Frey, in action. Several locations from the game were shown off, including a desert, a forest, and what looked like a pretty contemporary city environment. In addition to that, bits and pieces of gameplay were also shown, showcasing flight, traversal, magically-infused combat, and more. Take a look below.
Whenever Forspoken launches in 2022, it'll be available for PS5 and PC. The game's PlayStation console exclusivity will last for two whole years.
Life is Strange Remastered Collection Coming in Fall 2021
Along with announcing a brand new entry in the Life is Strange series, Square Enix has the Life of Strange Remastered Collection coming this year. It includes remasters for Life is Strange and Life is Strange: Before the Storm with improved visuals and animations. Check out the trailers below.
The improved visuals include full facial mocap performance along with engine and lighting updates. Characters and environments have also been updated. Interestingly, the gameplay and puzzles have also been "updated" and refined. The remastered collection will also include previously released Deluxe Content like Chloe's bonus outfits and the "Farewell" Bonus Episode (which focuses on Max and Chloe when they part ways as kids).
Releasing in Fall 2021, Life is Strange Remastered Collection will be coming to Xbox Series X/S, PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One and Google Stadia. It will be available both standalone and as part of Life is Strange: True Colors Ultimate Edition. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
Marvel's Avengers Black Panther DLC Announced
Crystal Dynamics have promised that they plan on supporting Marvel's Avengers with new content for years to come, and given the massive repository of stories and characters from Marvel's history that they have access to, they are, at the very least, spoilt for choice. Hawkeye and Kate Bishop have joined the game's roster of playable heroes, while Spider-Man will also be arriving eventually exclusively for PlayStation players. At the Square Enix Presents showcase, another DLC character was also revealed.
None other than T'Challa, a.k.a. Black Panther, has been confirmed as a DLC character for Marvel's Avengers. He will arrive as part of the War for Wakanda expansion, which will, of course, take players to the titular kingdom. From the looks of it, based on the brief reveal trailer, the expansion will involve Vibranium and shady plans in the works by Monica Rappaccini. Take a look at the reveal trailer below.
An exact release date for the expansion hasn't been announced, but hopefully, details will arrive sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Marvel's Avengers is out for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia.
Life is Strange: True Colors Announced, Releases on September 10th
The next Life is Strange has been announced and it's releasing on September 10th. Life is Strange: True Colors is a new adventure with a new protagonist named Alex. She travels to Haven to be with her brother Gabe but a sudden tragedy turns her world upside down. Check out the debut trailer below.
It quickly becomes obvious that things aren't what they seem in Haven. Alex begins investigating the town and attempting to unearth the truth behind her brother's demise. While she'll receive assistance from other characters – including Stephanie from the first Life is Strange – Alex can "read" the emotions of others based on the colors emanating from them.
This allows her to tell if someone is happy, sad, angry, fearful and so on (though those emotions can "infect" Alex if they're too big). Along with a new setting, characters and abilities, Life is Strange: True Colors boasts improved production values and animation. It's coming to Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, PS5, PC and Google Stadia later this year. Stay tuned for more details in the coming months.
Outriders Trailer Offers an Extensive Overview of Classes, Story, Gear, and Much More
Square Enix kicked off their Square Enix Presents showcase with People Can Fly's upcoming RPG shooter Outriders, and clearly, there's so shortage of things to show and talk about with this game. After showing off a brief cinematic trailer, they went on to debut a meaty new overview trailer of the game, detailing several aspects.
Beginning with a setup of the game's setting, world, and story, the trailer goes on to talk about the four playable classes, talks about quests and side quests, the varied biomes and locations you'll be exploring in Enoch, the loot and gear systems, the cosmetics, the endgame content, and much more. There's a lot that's covered here, so if you've been wondering what exactly Outriders is all about, make sure you check the trailer out. You can watch it and the new cinematic trailer below.
Outriders launches on April 1 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, PS4, Xbox One, PC, and Stadia. On Xbox consoles, it will also be available on Game Pass on day 1.
Xbox Indie Showcase Announced for March 26
There had been rumblings of late that Microsoft would be holding an event in late March focused on smaller and indie titles, and that has now been officially confirmed. In an update posted on Xbox Wire, Microsoft has announced its debut Xbox indie showcase for March 26, at 9 AM Pacific Time.
The event will feature new trailers and gameplay for over 25 upcoming indie games releasing for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox One. These will include the likes of Second Extinction, Exo One, The Ascent, and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 (which, yes, is technically an indie-developed game). Here's hoping The Gunk is featured in the showcase as well.
In addition to that, the event will also feature announcements about new indie games coming to Xbox consoles and to the ever-increasing catalog of Xbox Game Pass.
We will, of course, be covering the event live, so stick with GamingBolt for all the latest news and updates.