You don't need a slingshot to pop balloons in Animal Crossing: New Horizons
My favorite video game clips are the ones where players show off a mechanic, feature, or trick that's either obscure, entertainingly unnecessary, or just plain easily overlooked by most people. If the idea is hiding in plain sight, even better! I want to feel silly for not even considering doing it before.
One recent-to-me example: you can use a bug net to pop balloons in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.
When you don’t have a slingshot... from r/AnimalCrossing
You could be a normal player and just use a slingshot, of course. Or, if you want to live a little after spending countless hours with this game, you can load up the Island Designer app on your phone, plop down a cliff, climb up it with your ladder, and knock down the floating present with your humble net.
As impractical as this is, more than anything, I appreciate Reddit user ItzStarr86 demonstrating an alternate use for the terraforming tools. They're great in theory but they're too finicky for me.
Realistically, I'm never going to use this trick, but I love that I can – a cute a-ha moment.
That's mighty fine art for Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part Two
Bethesda shared the key art for Doom Eternal: The Ancient Gods - Part Two, and yep, it's awesome.
Let's not forget that the art for The Ancient Gods - Part One was also on-point.
What about the DLC itself? When can we play it?
Based on the difficulty of the first part, I hope your aim, your traversal skills, and your ocular-patdown instincts are ready to go. Bethesda plans to release a teaser trailer for The Ancient Gods - Part Two on March 15, so the wait shouldn't be too much longer now. Doom Eternal turns one on March 20.
It's worth reminding everyone – myself included! – that Doom Eternal will have a free PS5 and Xbox Series X/S upgrade. I'm expecting to feel like Milhouse when he entered his name in Bonestorm.
In the meantime, if you're okay with spoiling yourself, the Part Two achievements leaked.
I hope you like monotony, because The Tick on SNES and Genesis is crammed full of it
Licensed games are sort of a low-hanging fruit in terms of kusoge, and I have no shame in picking them. They have always, always been hit or miss. You either get a developer that loves the property and tries to do it justice, or you get someone that's just cranking games out of contractual obligation. That's why, on one hand, we have Batman on the NES, which is awesome, while on the other hand, we have Predator on the NES, which is the video game equivalent of drinking a warm glass of garbage water.
Then there are these games that are in between. They're not horrible, someone on the team obviously had some affection for the license, but somewhere along the line, something was lacking. Maybe it was talent, maybe it was vision, or maybe it was corporate meddling. The Tick on SNES and Genesis is one such game. It's not completely bad at first glean, but dig too far beneath the frosting on top, and you wind up eating sand.
Nintendo Switch has deals on Mario games (and Luigi's Mansion 3) for MAR10 Day
With Nintendo still pledging to stop selling "Mario 35th anniversary celebration" games like Super Mario 3D All-Stars at the end of March, our attention is elsewhere in the Mushroom Kingdom this month, but it wouldn't be MAR10 Day – March 10 – without several discounts on "Mario games" for Switch.
If you're in the mood for a Mario romp – or want to show your support for Luigi instead – the following Nintendo Switch titles are discounted until March 13 at 11:59 pm Pacific on the Nintendo eShop:
- Super Mario Party ($38.99)
- Super Mario Maker 2 ($38.99)
- Mario Tennis Aces ($38.99)
- Luigi's Mansion 3 ($38.99)
35 percent off during a 35th anniversary? You lucked out on this one, Nintendo.
Strangely, Super Mario Odyssey – arguably the best Mario adventure in a good long time – isn't a part of Nintendo's MAR10 Day eShop sale. That said, Amazon and Walmart have it for $38.88 right now.
You can make a case for any of these games, especially Luigi's Mansion 3 and Mario Maker 2, but I'll add that Super Mario Party is a real I-guess-I'll-get-it-at-that-price sort of jam. Go in expecting that the game is what it is – there won't be content updates – and cook some meat cubes. The mini-games are fun, just don't forget that you need a Joy-Con for every player since Pro Controllers are prohibited.
Me? I'm too busy ignoring Super Mario 3D World in favor of Bowser's Fury.
Mario leads Nintendo's continued success in the UK sales charts
Nintendo Switch titles remain the most popular physical purchases in the UK's gaming market, a trend that has seen the Japanese industry giant dominate the UK Charts for the first quarter of 2021. Leading the charge is the indelible Super Mario Bros. series, which has seen steady and persistent sales across its range of re-released Switch titles.
This past week saw Super Mario 3D World + Bowser's Fury retain the number one spot for a fourth week running, making it a month on top for the Wii-U remaster. Social sim Animal Crossing: New Horizons sits at number three, having held a Top Ten position for almost an entire year. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Super Mario 3D All-Stars sit at number four and six respectively, while the Switch edition of Minecraft and exercise 'em up Ring Fit Adventure fill out the back end of the Top Ten.
Elsewhere in the Top Ten, Square Enix' RPG Bravely Default II plummeted from number 11 to number 33, which is de rigueur for most non-Final Fantasy JRPGs, at least in regards to the UK's physical sales. Sega's Yakuza: Like a Dragon poked its head back into the chart scene at number 35, thanks to the release of the new PS5 port, while Atlus' Persona 5 Strikers has already left the Top 40 entirely.
Disintegration didn't catch on and now V1 Interactive is closing
V1 Interactive, the studio behind last year's squad-commanding strategy shooter Disintegration, is shutting down this month. The FPS-meets-RTS game about robots with transplanted human brains didn't review all that well, and five months after it was released, the multiplayer modes went offline.
"We want to thank all the talented people at V1, both past and present, who helped make the last five years wonderful," V1 tweeted. "And a heartfelt thanks to the amazing community that supported us."
In another tweet, V1 Interactive president Marcus Lehto said that "our priority has been to the wellbeing of our employees. We've been transparent with them about the state of things for months and are making this decision now so they still have ample time to search for new jobs while being supported by our studio." Other than V1, Lehto is best-known for his hand in creating the Halo series.
As grim as the post-launch outlook seemed for Disintegration, I had hoped the studio's publishing deal with Private Division (a label under Take-Two Interactive) would've insulated V1 to a greater extent.
It's always a shame to see a smaller- or mid-sized studio working on a new IP go out so soon.
Microsoft's $7.5 billion ZeniMax/Bethesda deal approved by SEC and EU Commission
Microsoft is now one step closer to completing its acquisition of ZeniMax Media, having sought and received approval from both the European Commission and the U.S. Securities & Exchanges Commission (SEC) both of whom offered no opposition to the multi-billion dollar deal from taking place.
By law, Microsoft was obliged to seek approval from the statutory bodies on the basis of Antitrust - essentially global laws that are in place in order to supervise and prevent the formation of monopolies within a given industry. This is a common legal procedure in transactions of this nature, and was also sought by Tencent during the conglomerate's acquisition of mobile giant King in 2016.
Having received approval from both the EU Commission and the SEC, Microsoft is now expected to press forward with the $7.5 billion transaction, which is expected to see completion in late-2021. The deal gives Microsoft ownership of ZeniMax Media and its subsidiary studios and licenses, including those of video game publisher Bethesda Softworks.
Bethesda and Microsoft have previously assured video game fans that the new deal does not automatically designate all future Bethesda releases as Xbox/PC exclusives, suggesting that title exclusivity will be designated on a "case-by-case" basis. Bethesda's next release, Deathloop, will retain its initial PlayStation exclusivity despite the Microsoft purchase.
Nintendo and Universal are planning on opening Super Nintendo World on March 18
It's crazy to think that Super Nintendo World "isn't open yet," because there are hundreds upon hundreds of videos of people crowding into the park and doing vlogs of every single facet of it; but alas, it's not "officially open." That allegedly changes on March 18.
If you recall, the latest delay snatched away the prior launch date of February 4, due to a state of emergency that was declared in the Osaka prefecture. That delay was in mid-January, but here we are, mere days away from the new March 18 target, and Nintendo is giving the all-clear.
Things could change, but as of now, even the official Nintendo account is banking on March 18, beyond the purview of the Universal of Japan PR machine. Universal mind, elaborates on the opening, stating that there will be "strengthened" health measures to account for the decision.
If you can't go just check out this full park map and look up anything you're interested on YouTube. Again, there are hundreds of videos combing over every single part of the park in full HD, even full ride walkthroughs. We also have a hands-on look at the new Power-Up Bands!
Nintendo [Twitter]
Zynga pledges $100,000 to support Girls Who Code initiative
Mobile game giant Zynga has pledged $100,000 from its Social Impact Fund in a new partnership with Girls Who Code (GWC), a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and tutoring girls and young women in computer sciences, with an aim to close the gender gap in technological industries.
"Zynga is honored to team up with Girls Who Code to help forge a more inclusive industry in tech and games by expanding opportunities for girls and women across the globe," said Zynga's Chief Legal Officer Phuong Phillips. "Through their virtual workshops, school clubs, mentorship programs, networking and more, we are hoping to build the next generation of women in STEAM to help them to prepare and thrive in the tech workforce."
The support from Zynga will go towards the operation of computing clubs across the United States, Canada, the UK, and India. These free-to-attend events offer training and education for girls and young women interested in coding, design, and other computing-based roles. The clubs offer tutelage and information from a professional body of mentors, helping to train and inspire students while providing access to technology and resources unavailable to those from low-income communities.
"We know that passionate, diverse, ambitious young women are the key to transforming our workplace and our world," said Dr. Tarika Barrett, Girls Who Code's incoming CEO. "We're excited to partner with Zynga this International Women's Day to send a loud signal to young women everywhere that they belong in technology and that they have support in their journey from school into the workforce. Zynga and Girls Who Code share a vision of a more fair and equitable workforce, where women of all backgrounds rise to the top."
To date, GWC has reached over 300,000 women worldwide, with 80,000 college-aged alumni now majoring in Computer Science or other related fields. GWC hopes to have closed the gender gap for entry-level jobs in the computing industry by the year 2030, utilizing and expanding its club program - as well as its global network of mentors and industry professionals - in order to offer more young women the opportunity to achieve their goals.
For more information about Girls Who Code, please visit the organization's official website.
Rust: Console Edition looks pretty good all things considered
2020 was a quiet year for the still-happening PlayStation 4 and Xbox One versions of Rust, but big plans are in motion this year. Double Eleven put out a new trailer for Rust: Console Edition today, thanked fans for their ongoing support, and sent out the first batch of closed beta keys. No release date, though.
[Update: Double Eleven is now aiming for a Spring 2021 release for Rust: Console Edition, and the studio shared a handful of new screenshots. The closed beta will stick around for "the next few weeks."]
If you put your name in the hat for the Rust console beta and haven't heard back, it's not a lost cause. The initial invitees will help "test out server stability," but the developer "can't invite everyone just yet."
I appreciate that Facepunch Studios and Double Eleven didn't try to rush out the console ports (or drop them for PS5 and Xbox Series X). I mean, Rust is doing tremendously well for itself on PC with a bright future still ahead of it, and there's no real hurry so long as the wait is worth it. As short as this footage is, it looks in line with what I was expecting for "Rust running on a PS4 and Xbox One" – decent enough.
Let's just say console versions of PC-first survival games aren't always up to the task.
The Dynasty Warriors movie looks just as over-the-top as the games
Wait, there's a Dynasty Warriors movie? And it has crazy fantasy action just like the Koei Tecmo game series? Yes! But you may have even vaguely heard about it already.
For a while now the Dynasty Warriors film, crafted in China, has seen multiple delays, but it looks like it's going to finally come out very soon. As analyst Daniel Ahmad reports, it's due out on April 30 of this year in China, with an additional release in Hong Kong. There is no confirmation of a western release at this time.
The new trailer, which debuted this morning, showcases a few fan favorite characters, as well as plenty of action and a little drama. The costumes are completely on point, as is the "1 versus 100" action sequence later in the clip.
Whether all of that will come together for a good, or even enjoyable viewing experience is yet to be seen. But the trailer did pique my interest!
Dynasty Warriors [YouTube via Daniel Ahmad]
Content Warning: This game, and thus the review, contains depictions and descriptions of depression, anxiety, and suicide.
Having been Kickstarted in 2014, Omori seems to have gone under many people's radar, myself included. While at a glance, it may be easy to write this off as something chasing the popularity of Undertale. But that does this game an incredible disservice. Sure, plenty of similarities exist, and I do think that fans of Undertale will enjoy Omori, but man is Omori in its own category here, for better or worse.
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot will deliver its final Trunks DLC later this year
Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot launched at the beginning of 2020, and it's been steadily getting a few major updates here and there. It even got a new card game mode! But now things are winding down a bit with what is seemingly the last DLC, which will once again feature Trunks; just like the Xenoverse 2 add-on due out this month.
It's called "Trunks: The Warrior of Hope," and will feature a time-bending storyline that involves the Androids winning the confrontation from the anime arc. To wit, Gohan and Trunks will defend the honor of the Earth against the Androids.
You can get a quick rundown of the setup, which involves the Androids killing several key members of the Dragon Ball cast, with Trunks and Gohan chilling on a mountainside, ready to strike and have their vengeance.
"What if..." Marvel-esque stories are perfect for this show, as there are so many directions Bandai Namco could take it. And it seems like they have carte blanche to draw upon whatever timelines they want, so why not experiment more?
Warrior of Hope is due out in the "summer of 2021" still, and will put a cap on the DLC for Kakarot, unless we hear otherwise.
Literal lone wolf Eustace is coming to Granblue Fantasy: Versus
CyGames' visually stunning fighter Granblue Fantasy: Versus is still kickin' ass, and in fact has just announced that next DLC character joining its roster as part of the anime punch-up's second season pass. Locked 'n' loaded, the sharpshooting marksman Eustace will be arriving in-game late next month.
This quite literal "lone wolf" wanders the world as a vigilante, bringing justice to Skydom and visiting harm upon those who seek to inflict pain and punishment on the innocent. A master marksman, Eustace packs heat in the form of his beautifully ornate rifle, "Flamek Thunder," which will no doubt come into play as a part of his Granblue Fantasy: Versus fighting style.
As a weapons master, Eustace is expected to play as a ranged fighter, but we'll know more come April 15, when our wild boy will receive an official gameplay trailer. Additionally, CyGames has also announced a third Battle Pass will be added to Granblue Fantasy: Versus in April, which will offer up numerous exclusive cosmetic items including color variants, weapon skins, avatars, and lobby cards.
Nintendo of Europe backs up removing Mario games at the end of March
So you're saying there's a chance Nintendo won't pull a handful of Mario games at the end of the month? Well, there's always a chance! But it doesn't look good.
As a reminder, Nintendo of Japan cleared that notion up very quickly at the start of the month, explaining that yes, they were intending to go through with dropping Mario 3D All-Stars, Mario 35, and the Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. handheld. Now, Nintendo of Europe is joining in.
They even have a whole landing page, not just a tweet! The page explains: "The Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary will come to an end on March 31st, 2021. After this date, the following limited-time products and services released in special recognition of the 35th anniversary of Super Mario Bros. will end or be removed from sale."
It notes that you can of course redownload All-Stars if you have it linked to your account, even if it'll be removed from sale; but, as expected, Super Mario Bros. 35 is being completely nuked, even if you have it downloaded, as it's an online-only game. As for the handheld, "The Game & Watch: Super Mario Bros. system will continue to be shipped to retailers through approximately March 31st, 2021, and will be available for purchase while supplies last."
So there's a chance there! "Apparel and other products" are also part of the nuclear option. And the page doesn't mention Super Mario Maker for Wii U being taken offline, because Nintendo doesn't like acknowledging the Wii U in any shape or form anymore unless you include employees that are no longer with the company.
Funnily enough, Nintendo of Europe does note that Bowser's Fury, Mario All-Stars for Switch Online, and Mario Kart Live will "continue to be available." Thanks!
Important information regarding the end of Super Mario Bros. 35th Anniversary [Nintendo]
Gogeta (SS4) joins the Dragon Ball FighterZ roster this week
The excellent Dragon Ball FighterZ is still going strong, having recently seen its third anniversary with no signs of slowing down just yet. In fact, DBFZ's third season of content continues this week, with the arrival of DLC character Gogeta (SS4). The fearsome fighter will launch on PS4, PC, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch March 12. (Though season pass owners can get in on the action two days early on March 10).
Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta is the fusion of Super Saiyan Goku and Super Saiyan Vegeta. This immensely powerful warrior made an appearance in the Dragon Ball GT anime, when the two friendly rivals fused in order to take down the ridiculously spiky Omega Shenron. The combined might of the Super Saiyan 4 Gogeta fusion was so great that it only lasted mere minutes before the heroes were forced to defuse.
As you can see in the brief trailer below, Gogeta (SS4) is an immensely confident - even arrogant - fighter, which is pretty brazen given that goofy-ass tail. Gogeta (SS4) joins DBFZ's near 40-strong roster, which features a wide variety of Goku and Vegeta variants, alongside a selection of more individual characters such as Frieza, Videl, Cooler, and Android 21.
Check out The World Ends with You anime new trailer and ending theme
Square Enix, in collaboration with Domerica and Shin-Ei Animation, has released a third trailer for the upcoming anime adaptation of JRPG The World Ends with You. The new video features the debut of the anime's ending theme "Carpe Diem," as performed by Japanese musician ASCA.
The new anime is a straight re-telling of the narrative from the kinetic 2007 Nintendo DS release. The World Ends with You the animation will follow the story of unruly teen Neku Sakuraba, who wakes within a ghostly side-reality known as The Underground (UG). Palling up with several equally confused teens also lost within this split-dimension, Neku and his new companions must learn of their respective fates and face the challenges that await them within the strange, otherworldly contest known as "Reapers' Game".
The World Ends with You the animation will premiere in Japan on April 9. For those who can't wait, March 14 will see Square Enix host a special pay-per-view "UG Shibuya FES" live stream, which will include an advance screen of the first episode, (complete with English subtitles), interviews with cast and crew members, and the opportunity to win exclusive prizes. For full details on this event, check out the Subarashki Anime website.
So Capcom just unleashed a ton of Monster Hunter news this morning. You ready?
First up is Rise. It's still due out on March 26, but now we know that a second demo is coming on March 12. This one is very similar to the first one, with the four quests from that one to boot; but it'll contain a new "seasoned hunter" challenge against Magnamalo. A new clip also showcased Zinogre and Nargacuga, as well as "Silkbind Attack" mechanics (allowing you to craft/customize new weapon combos). A camera mode was also confirmed.
Monster Hunter Stories 2 also got some love, as co-op multiplayer was teased, as well as the existence of three amiibo: a development we already knew about thanks to a PlayAsia listing leak. The three figures are Ena, Razewing Ratha, and Tsukino, and they are confirmed to be coming west. Sadly, they are GameStop exclusives.
Stories 2 is out on July 9, and you can check out the deluxe edition below; as well as both new trailers.
Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 refuses to stop getting DLC
Pop quiz, hotshot! When did Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 come out?
If you answered...2016, you are correct! Bandai Namco is showing once again that Dragon Ball games can be a decent investment, time-wise, as they're peddling even more DLC very soon. In addition to a free update, "Legendary Pack 1" will launch as paid DLC on March 18. It'll feature Toppo and Pikkon, as well as a Janemba mascot.
The trailer below will give you a quick overview of what's up, with a decent chunk of footage and story bits. The publisher notes that this pack will include a "new story," and will feature Trunks battling against Fu. There's even a little teaser at the end!
Every so often this one beckons me back like a Siren's song. The free update, which hits on March 16, will help.
Genshin Impact welcomes the Windblume Festival starting March 17
As they continue to rake in money hand over fist, the developers behind international sensation Genshin Impact are showing no signs of slowing down. Over the weekend, Mihoyo broadcast an informational video detailing some of the changes players will see with the upcoming ver. 1.4 update. Not only are there quality of life improvements to look forward to, such as the ability to lower the World Level if needed, but there is also a festival to experience provided you've advanced far enough in the game.
Players who've reached an Adventure Level of 20 or more and have completed the Song of the Dragon and Freedom Archon Quest will be able to partake in the Windblume Festival. An ancient tradition in Mondstadt, the festival will feature three mini-games for adventurers that test their gliding, archery, and ballad skills. Succeed in these games and you'll net yourself rewards and Festival Tour Tickets that can be exchanged for exclusive items and level-up materials. Players can also test their might in the Peculiar Wonderland during the festival. This is a series of trials designed to challenge the full gamut of players' abilities.
Of course, it wouldn't be a real update if there wasn't a new character to obsessively try to add to your roster. Rosario "Thorny Benevolence" will be available with the update as a 4-star playable character.
Final Fantasy XIV has banned over 5000 players for real money trading
Square Enix has announced that it has taken steps to ban the accounts of over 5000 Final Fantasy XIV players, after the publisher discovered evidence that the owners of said accounts were engaged in real-money trading (RMT) and other "illicit activities" within its online RPG.
The account purge - which took place during the final week of February 2021 - was noted on the official Square Enix website in a very officious statement, also asking the FF XIV community for its help in the identifying and reporting of traders and in-game cheaters.
"Real money trading (RMT) and other illicit activities upset the balance of the game and, as such, are prohibited under the Terms of Service," said the publisher. "Players who discover any confirmed cheats should, under no circumstances, exploit or disseminate such information. Instead, we ask that players file a report by using the in-game command [System Menu] > [Support Desk] > [Contact Us] > [Report Cheating]."
"In addition, any witnessed RMT advertisement can be reported by right clicking the character name in the chat log and selecting the menu [Report] > [Report RMT Activity].
The report will be processed automatically, and if determined to fall under RMT advertising, the reported character's comments will be restricted. We will continue to take stringent disciplinary action against any accounts with confirmed involvement in RMT/illicit activity; players should take care to steer clear of any activity that violates the Terms of Service."
Final Fantasy XIV launched on PC back in the fall of 2010 and is still going strong over a decade later, with an approximate 20 million players having logged in to the continent of Eorzea since the title's launch. A brand new expansion, Endwalker, is currently in development at Square Enix, and is scheduled to launch in-game this fall.
Final Fantasy XIV bans over 5,000 players for using real money in-game [PCGamesN]
Neptunia x Senran Kagura crossover RPG announced
In a collaboration set to rock the foundations of the very galaxy itself, Compile Heart has announced that goofy adventure series Hyperdimension Neptunia is getting set to crossover with cheeky cheesecake franchise Senran Kagura for a brand new, sword-and-sorcery, action RPG.
As revealed by Famitsu, the succinctly titled Senran Nin Nin Ninja Taisen Neptune: Shoujo-tachi no Kyouen is currently in development for PS4, and is tentatively scheduled to launch in Japan later in 2021. An expectedly silly premise sees two ninja schools - one trained in the art of "Command" attack and the other in the art of "Action" attack, combine forces when the land is invaded by a mysterious third school of unknown origin, kicking off the world-shaking "Super Ninja Wars."
Save the princess from a catfish pirate in Jaleco's Ninja Jajamaru-Kun
While the Famicom saw release in the middle of 1983, most of North America wouldn't see the NES until sometime in 1986. There's actually a good few games that came out before the NES landed that never really got localized, such as Challenger, Chack'n Pop, and Antarctic Adventure. Being on the wrong side of The Legend of Zelda's and Metroid's releases, most are cyclical arcade jaunts, but some are still worthwhile places to visit.
On this Famicom Friday, we'll be taking a look at one of these primordial games that would go on to spawn its own franchise. Perhaps not a series as landmark as Ganbare Goemon, but one that has a place in gaming's history. Japanese gaming history, anyway, we didn't get too many of them over on this side of the pond.
If Outriders is anything like the beefy demo, it'll be in good shape
It took me a bit, but after the urging of many Destructoid readers, I finally checked out the If Outriders demo.
It's better than I thought it would be!
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.
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.
Taxi Chaos is, for all intents and purposes, the spiritual successor to Sega's Crazy Taxi. It features convertible cabs driving around a city, picking up fares, and dropping them off as quickly and stylishly as possible. There's even the arrow at the top of the screen that guides players to their destinations. But like a lot of "spiritual successors," it comes nowhere near measuring up to its predecessor.
(Update) Outriders demo gets rebalanced after gear-farmers go HAM
[Update: People Can Fly has applied a second update to the Outriders demo in response to complaints about the first. As noted by Eurogamer, the Gauss boss chest will have a chance of dropping Legendary items once again. Ledge gear will remain absent from other chests.]
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]
I can no longer ignore my inner child's need for Fortnite
Let me paint a picture for you of a quiet Sunday afternoon. I was in my living room playing with my Ripley figure as she explored a deserted town alongside Wolverine, a Stormtrooper, and Batman. Suddenly, we were attacked by a football player, Joker, a green army soldier, and Cable. It was a dramatic battle as everyone darted in and out of buildings, performed reckless jumps, and found perfect hiding spots to ambush their opponents. When the dust had settled and the fight was over, the Stormtrooper was dead, but so was everyone who'd attacked my group. The only thing those of us who remained could do was mourn the loss of our comrade and press on.
Now, what did I just describe: a game of Fortnite or me as a 10-year-old playing with my big collection of action figures?
Do you miss the terrifying silence of Dead Space?
Cblogs of 2/27 to 3/5/2021
-RedHeadPeak misses Dead Space like many of us.
-LaTerry shares the March Band of Bloggers prompt about what pulls you back into games.
-Gamingnerd looks at the history of Pokemon throughout the ages.
-Virtua Kazama sheds light on the top fighting games and DLC to look forward to in 2021.
-Black Red Gaming shares a list of his most anticipated games to be released in March.
-Captiosus shares his impression on the Final Outriders demo.
-Kerrik52 reviews Oddworld: Stranger's Worth as part of his Traveller in Playtime reviews series.
-Captiosus tries to define what "Games as a Service" means.
-Greglory13 reviews Cloud Garden.
-ThePacksHunt shares his thoughts on Vigor.
-Gamingnerd sheds light on some cool indie games.
-Eggs&BrewsterJr revisits Rayman 2.
-RedHeadPeak loves Link's Awakening so much he may not be yet ready for the Switch remake.
-Shoggoth2588 shares his gaming journal of February, his "birth-month".
-Samuel Dillinger shares his thoughts on his older Dtoid blogs.
-ChronoLynxx opens last week's TGIF open community forum.
Jaleco's forgotten fantasy Legend of Makai is this week's Arcade Archives release
Keeping on its current run of forgotten Jaleco titles, the retro fans over at Hamster have released the latest entry in its record-breaking Arcade Archives range. Available to download now on PS4 and Nintendo Switch is '80s fantasy platform adventure Legend of Makai.
Developed by NMK and released in Japanese arcades in 1988, Legend of Makai is a surprisingly ambitious release that is more in keeping with an early RPG, rather than a typical arcade platformer. The player steps into the role of a young warrior on a non-descript quest to rescue a non-descript princess from a non-descript evil wizard.
Check out the action in the video below, courtesy of YouTuber Dangorou Nishida.
Tales of Arise gets a new trailer and a promise of more information soon
It's been nearly two years since Bandai Namco first announced Tales of Arise, and it looks like we're getting closer than ever to seeing it hit store shelves. Today, the publisher dropped a new trailer for the game that ends with a promise of more information on the title later this spring.
Tales of Arise was first revealed in 2019 with a vague 2020 release date. Then COVID-19 happened, and the game was pushed out of its release window last summer. In December, we got word development on the title was nearing its end. With more news on it coming in the next few weeks, hopefully fans won't have to wait too much longer to get their hands on it.
Ecosystem is a relaxing sim game that lets you create an ocean of horrors
Do you ever go trawling through Steam's Upcoming section looking for anything that stands out?
It can feel like a game in and of itself to find gems buried beneath the mountains of similar genres, art styles, and mechanics. But while I can be pretty picky when it comes to console games, on PC, where demos are much more widespread, I'm a bit more open-minded about what qualifies as "good enough."
Whereas I might want a second, third, or fourth opinion before trying a random game on the Switch eShop, when it comes to Steam, I'll dive right in, no questions asked – my library is already a mess.
Last night, that mindset led me to Ecosystem, an oceanic life simulation game about to hit Early Access on March 16. Admittedly, I'm a sucker for these sorts of casual sit-back-and-watch-the-chaos sims.
Ecosystem lets players drift through the ocean, spending largely passively-earned points to plop down a multitude of plant species and freaky creatures – I hesitate to call them "fish" – that will then spread.
You've got a fair amount of insight into which plants are suited for which type of terrain (which you can "paint" and mold to your liking), and initially, I just got a kick out of seeing new gardens pop up. It was relaxing to chill out and glide through the water after not being able to visit the coast at all last year.
Then I added a bunch of plant and animal life without paying attention. And then I lost control.
According to designer Tom Johnson, "Ecosystem isn't just a video game version of the laws of ecology with pre-made fish models. The simulation actually determines the creatures in the game: their bodies, how they swim, and how they think and behave. [...] To swim, creatures don't just play an animation. They move like real sea-life, applying torque at their joints to push against the water in a way coordinated to propel themselves forward." The results of these rules are, in a word, unsettling.
45 minutes into my simulation, I had created monsters the likes of which you'd typically see in a Twitter thread highlighting the cursed exploits of a deep-sea fisherman whose camera should be confiscated.
Please enjoy the miracle of life in my ecosystem while listening to this rendition of "Dire, Dire Docks."
I should've known the urchins would get out of hand. Greedy bastards.
Realistically, I'm not planning to get the full version, but I'm glad I checked out the demo. Someone will surely get a kick out of Ecosystem for its evolutionary systems, but for me, more than anything, its appeal is as a virtual aquarium – something I can peek at while it's left running on a second screen.
Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 will blaze onto Nintendo Switch next year
One of the most pleasing announcements from this week's New Game Expo Plus (NGPX) presentation was the confirmation that gorgeous pixel action series Azure Striker Gunvolt will be making its return next. Currently in development at Inti Creates, Azure Striker Gunvolt 3 will come exploding onto Nintendo Switch at some point in 2022.
A sequel to Nintendo 3DS releases Azure Striker Gunvolt (2014) and Azure Striker Gunvolt 2 (2016), the new title will bring a new slew of hyper-kinetic characters and missions, with series director Yoshihisa Tsuda teaming up with both LEVEL 5 supervisor Keiji Inafune and Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon director Hiroki Miyazawa to create an action-intensive, dramatic, and pulse-pounding new sequel.
You can check out the announcement video below, along with a few clips of a demo build in action. It's looking pretty darn slick.
Whatcha been playing this week, Destructoid?
Incredibly, we've already hit March, pushing into the second quarter of 2021. It's been a... difficult 12 months, I think we can agree. I so believe that positive change is on the horizon for all of us. We're far from out of the woods, and there is still much to be done. But we will persevere, adapt, and repair. We're strong like that, and we have ourselves, our friends, and each other to rely upon. So be sure to face the new month and whatever it brings with your best because, honestly, you've done just fucking great so far. I'm proud of all y'all.
I haven't had a whole lot of time or drive for gaming this past week due to a combination of busyness and dizziness. I'm hoping to turn that around this weekend, perhaps finally Pressing Start on Square Enix' Final Fantasy VII Remake, (taking advantage of PlayStation Plus' generous March offerings). The original FFVII was, for me and many other video game fans, something of a rite of passage, and as such I'm really excited to encounter the modern iteration of its memorable locations and characters. Mostly, I can't wait to hang with Aerith again.
But that's enough about me, let's hear all about you. I hope you've had a fine week and that you're finding plenty of gaming fun during this quiet release period. Every week it's my pleasure to read your comments, which always contain a wide variety of releases old and new - a testament to the community's eclectic taste. You know how this works by now, so hop into the comments and fill us in on the titles you're enjoying this mad March month.
Have a safe and pleasant weekend, from all of us at Destructoid.
Wargame: Red Dragon is free again, and yep, we're still thinking about Hannibal
It's not the first time, and it likely won't be the last, but Eugen Systems' intimidating strategy game Wargame: Red Dragon is free to keep on PC. Slide into the Epic Games Store by March 11 and it's yours.
If you've got Red Dragon – the other Red Dragon – on your mind, think less "deranged man gobbles up a work of art" and more "deranged man convincingly fakes his death in a big-brained house-fire ploy."
Case in point, I searched for a guide to get a better feel for Wargame: Red Dragon, and the first thing that popped up – seemingly the only thing that even needs to pop up – was this "200-page guide" on Steam with a five-star rating from a couple thousand people who had some time to dig in and soak.
It is absolutely nothing like StarCraft or C&C. If you play it like you play other RTS games, you will get your ass kicked. If you are new to Wargame, it is best to approach it like a new experience, and not to rely on the lessons learned in other games. Eugen takes the "Wargame" moniker quite seriously, and this game more closely resembles a fast-paced tabletop wargame than most video game RTSes. The name Red Dragon comes from one faction of the game (collectively referred to as "REDFOR") and Dragon because...dragons are...neat, I guess?
You're doing good work, SandyGunfox. This game is certifiably hobby-grade.
The Epic Store's free game for March 11–18, Surviving Mars, is more my speed. It's another repeat, though I imagine plenty of people missed the 2019 giveaway and would like another chance to build a (probably doomed) colony while many of us are in a stay-home-and-escape-with-city-builders mood.
Let's get cozy with Hoa, a chill platformer adventure coming to Switch and Steam
This narrated gameplay video for Hoa, a chill-out-in-nature platformer adventure, is soothing beyond words. It's the brain-massaging tranquility I needed to cap off the week. It's seven minutes well-spent. You know that feeling you get when you think about HOAs as, like, a concept? Think the exact opposite.
You might recognize Hoa from the Nintendo Indie World presentation late last year, but if not, no worries – art director and Skrollcat Studio co-founder Son Tra is here to calmly bring us up to speed.
Not that much actually happens on-screen in this early portion of the game – it's a lot of bopping around from leaf to leaf – but the lush forest backgrounds, the big-eyed insect companions, and the sweeping soundtrack sure paint a charming picture. Things don't always have to be complex when coziness will more than suffice. I can see this clicking with families and younger players, especially.
In a word, it's cute! Hoa is coming to Steam and Nintendo Switch in April 2021.
Neptunia ReVerse is Neppin' westward in June
Idea Factory International has announced that its remake of a remake Neptunia ReVerse will be launching in the west this summer, with the PS5 JRPG hitting North America on June 8, with Europe following a few days later on June 11. The release date was announced as part of yesterday's New Game Expo Plus (NGPX) presentation.
Already available on the next-gen Sony platform in its native Japan, Neptunia ReVerse is the "definitive edition" of the 2018 PS Vita release Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 1 Plus, which itself is a remake of the original Hyperdimension Neptunia, which launched on PS3 back in 2010. Confused? Well, that's the Nep-Nep way, chum.
What games are PS5 owners playing?
I don't tend to keep up with Sony's monthly most-downloaded-games lists for the PlayStation Store, but a few months after the PlayStation 5 launch seems like a good time to check in. What are people actually playing? As someone who has bought only a few PS5 games so far, I was curious to find out.
February 2021's most-downloaded list has a few surprises, though the top-tier is what you'd expect.
US / Canada
1. FIFA 21
2. Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
3. Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales
4. Madden NFL 21
5. NBA 2K21
6. Assassin's Creed Valhalla
7. Mortal Kombat 11
8. Hitman 3
9. Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
10. Demon's Souls
11. Nioh 2 Remastered – The Complete Edition
12. Immortals Fenyx Rising
13. Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood
14. Borderlands 3
15. Godfall
16. Sackboy: A Big Adventure
17. No Man's Sky
18. Watch Dogs: Legion
19. Dirt 5
20. Dead by Daylight: Special Edition
Worth noting: "upgrades" aren't counted here. And it's interesting to weigh the PS5 list against the PS4 list – the latter is topped by Grand Theft Auto V, which bodes (scarily) well for Rockstar's "expanded and enhanced" PS5 edition, whenever that finally hits. Eight years later, this train doesn't stop.
I am surprised to see Werewolf: The Apocalypse – Earthblood and Godfall show up. Neither of them fared well critically speaking, but it's still early enough, with too few options, that they can stand out.
For those of us with PlayStation Plus subscriptions, on-the-house games like Bugsnax, Worms Rumble, Maneater, Control: Ultimate Edition, Destruction AllStars, and now Maquette are probably taking up most of the spots in our PS5 libraries. I think the last game I outright bought was Borderlands 3? And before that, it was just Demon's Souls and Miles Morales – a new console "starter pack" if I ever saw one.
Admittedly, after that initial rush, most of my time on PS5 has gone toward, well, PS4 games: overlooked bangers I missed the first time around that were bundled up in the PS Plus Collection, deeply-discounted titles, and old favorites that can't help but resurface to make a mess of my backlog. I'm trying to find the right time (and the right discount) for Sackboy and Hitman 3. Otherwise, that's it.
For anyone out there fighting to get a PS5 order placed, that's one snapshot of what you're missing.
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]
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.
