Psychonauts 2 Gets Over 3 Hours Of Gameplay Footage
It has been a long time coming, but next month we'll finally get the sequel to Psychonauts. The game has been in development for a good while, having started as a crowdfunding project, and eventually getting wrapped up in the acquisition of the developer by Microsoft. We've recently got a story trailer as well as some new gameplay footage. Now, however, we're getting a big chunk of the early game.
Microsoft released just over 3 hours of the game to the folks at GamersPrey. It is presented largely without commentary, and comes from the beginning of the game. It will give you a good idea of what to expect from both a storytelling and gameplay perspective. If you were a fan of the first game, you probably already know what to expect, but you'll be happy I imagine. Check it out in full below.
Psychonauts 2 will release on August 25th for PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. You can check out the expected resolution and framerates for all the various versions of the game through here.
Microsoft Flight Simulator Has Helicopters Planned For 2022
Last year heralded the grand return of Microsoft Flight Simulator. The game saw you take to the skies in incredible detail in a variety of different airplanes. It was originally released to much fanfare on PC, with a version now set to be coming to the Xbox Series consoles this month. Flight Simulator has also seen a constant amount of updates, as well, to refine the experience as much as possible. Now, we know more is coming, including a new type of travel.
As detailed in the latest development update blog, it seems the much requested helicopter is planned to come to the game at some point next year. As you can see below, the team put up the most requested features, and helicopter was number 1 by a large margin, and it is listed as planned for 2022. That's unfortunately all the information we have at the moment, so what this will look like is anyone's guess, but it seems like they are at least working on getting you up in the air in a different way.
Microsoft Flight Simulator is available now for PC with a Xbox Series X/S version coming on July 27th. You can read more about that edition of the game, specifically how much space you'll need, through here.
Tom Clancy's XDefiant Supports Crossplay at Launch, Multiplayer Modes Revealed
Ubisoft finally ripped the band-aid off and revealed its rumored free to play FPS at last with Tom Clancy's XDefiant. Developed by Ubisoft San Francisco, the premise sees four factions known as Defiants fighting for supremacy in competitive PvP matches. Though a release date wasn't provided, the first closed test is slated for August 5th.
The official website has a few more details than the reveal trailer. Along with selecting and customizing one's primary weapon, players also have access to secondary weapons and devices. Matches will be 6v6 with Domination, Arena, Team Deathmatch and Escort confirmed as modes. In a separate news post, Ubisoft also confirmed cross-platform play.
The number of maps is unknown but the developer promises a "large pool of uniquely designed maps in rotation and no two matches will feel the same." Interestingly, along with mentioning that more Defiants would be added over time, the title looks to draw on a "range of characters and abilities from the Clancy universe and beyond." Does that means characters from Assassin's Creed, Watch Dogs or even the Rabbids at some point in the future? Well, never say never.
Tom Clancy's XDefiant is in development for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Google Stadia and PC. Though the first closed test is set for next month (and limited to the US and Canada), Ubisoft has confirmed that more tests will be "coming soon." Registered players who are invited to the test can also select up to five friends for the same.
Tom Clancy's XDefiant Announced, Closed Test Set for August 5th
Originally leaked as BattleCat, Ubisoft has officially announced Tom Clancy's XDefiant, a free to play team-based competitive first person shooter. It features combat between four factions (known as Defiants) from across the Tom Clancy series of games – the Outcasts and Cleaners from The Division series; the Wolves from Ghost Recon Breakpoint; and Echelon, based on Third Echelon from Splinter Cell. Check out the reveal below.
Characters fall into one of these four factions, and have their own unique abilities and Supers (known as "Ultras" here). Cleaners can use flamethrowers, Echelon has night vision goggles and so on. Additional characters will be added to the title over time. A multitude of weapons with different attachments are also available and each faction can equip every weapon. You can even change your loadout at respawn.
Tom Clancy's XDefiant is in development for Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PS4, PS5, Google Stadia and PC. Early roll-out phases are planned with the first closed test taking place on August 5th (sign up for the same here). Stay tuned for more details in the meantime.
If you're diving deep into the endgame of Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin, then it's important to have Vital Essence and Ancient Potions. These are items that can restore hearts, effectively giving you additional lives in battles. It's a great way to keep yourself from losing any tougher battles but becomes absolutely necessary in the endgame.
How do you go about crafting the same? You first need to reach Lulucion and then venture to the southern part. Speak to the Purrsevering Felyne near the Layered Armor vendor and obtain the quest "A Test of Purr-severence." Once completed, you'll receive two Vital Essence and the recipe for crafting more. Vital Essence can restore one heart in battles but requires five Raw Meat, three Toadstools and three Girthy Garlic to craft.
Raw Meat and Toadstools are fairly easy to find but Girthy Garlic is more rare, having a chance to drop from buried piles out in the open. If you're not able to find enough, use the Prayer Pot's Gathering Prayer to increase your chances.
To unlock the Ancient Potion's crafting recipe, speak to the Sloppy Artisan near the Layered Armor vendor in Lulucion. Complete the "Secret Dealings" quest and you'll receive the recipe along with one Ancient Potion for free. Ancient Potions also restore one heart in battles but will also provide ample healing, letting you mount a more powerful comeback.
It requires one Kelbi Horn and one Immunizer to craft. The former is easy enough to find – simply locate some Kelbi and once they flee, pick up their horns. The latter requires crafting or purchasing separately. For more details on the quests – along with one other quest to obtain two more Vital Essence – check out Arekkz Gaming's video below. There's a spoiler for the last town from 3:50 onwards so be warned.
How to Unlock Expeditions and Expedition Slots
Much like the Tailraider Safaris in Monster Hunter World, Monster Hunter Stories 2: Wings of Ruin allows for sending out parties to gather resources while you quest normally. Known as Expeditions, the main difference is that you're sending out your own Monsties who can receive XP and items along with different resources, providing a nice way to level them without having to grind. Expeditions become available from Kuan Village onwards and allow for up to six Monsties to be sent out in a single party.
You can also choose from different kinds of Expedition settings which alters the rewards received. Balanced is the default setting while EXP Enthusiast, Item Gatherer and Materialist prioritize experience points, items and materials respectively. There are also settings like Thorough, Hasty and Treasure Hunter. Expeditions take about 40 minutes to an hour to complete.
Though you start with only one slot at the Stables to send out a single Expedition Party, this can be upgraded to six in total. To do this, go to a Melnyx Inc. Felyne Vendor and exchange Bottlecaps for an Expedition Ticket. The default ticket will unlock the second slot for 22 Bottlecaps while the Silver Expedition Ticket unlocks the third. For 40 Bottlecaps, you gain the Gold Expedition Ticket to unlock the fourth, fifth and sixth slots. Bottlecaps can be found in the Everdens so make sure to explore thoroughly whenever you get the chance.
Total War: Warhammer 3 – Grand Cathay and Siege Battles Reveal Coming in September
Following last week's release of Total War: Warhammer 2's The Silence and The Fury DLC, The Creative Assembly will be taking a break from any news on Total War: Warhammer 3. In a new blog post, the developer noted that there would be new major trailers, reveals, screenshots or concept art for August. However, it is aiming to showcase the Grand Cathay in September along with details on Siege Battles.
There will also be an update on system changes that will affect Siege Battles as well. Once the developer returns to the spotlight, details on the bonus for early adopters along with "major surprises we very much doubt you're going to see coming" can be expected. Also, much like its predecessors, long-term support for Total War: Warhammer 3 in the form of DLC and "Free-LC" will be provided.
Players can also expect information on system reworks, UI changes, improvements to the tutorial, upgrades to diplomacy and much more. Interestingly, The Creative Assembly has something else in the works alongside Total War: Warhammer 3. Stay tuned for more details on that in the meantime.
Total War: Warhammer 3 is currently slated to release in 2021 for PC.
Apex Legends – Season 10: Emergence Starts August 3rd, New Legend Seer Announced
Respawn Entertainment dropped a new lore trailer for Apex Legends, introducing Seer, the next upcoming Legend. It also confirmed that Season 10: Emergence would start on August 3rd with the launch trailer coming at EA Play Live. Check out Seer's backstory below.
Seer is described as spotting opportunities "that other Legends might miss" and seizing them "in the most beautiful way he can." His kit consists of microdrones and an "artist's eye" but we'll see more of it in action later this week. Along with a new Legend, Season 10 will update the World's Edge map with some "major changes." A new LMG, the Rampage designed by Rampart, is also being introduced.
Ranked Arenas are also inbound, allowing players to climb up the ranks to Apex Predator in the recently added 3v3 mode. A new battle pass and the Emergence Pack with an exclusive skin for Seer will also be added with the season's launch. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.
EA Play Live takes place on July 22nd at 10 AM PT and features titles like Lost in Random and Battlefield 2042. The rumored Dead Space remake by Motive Studios is also reportedly being revealed.
The Last Batch Of PS Vita Games Is Arriving On July 20th
While Sony has now confirmed that the PS Vita digital storefront will be online for the future, it has also come to light that the Tokyo-based giant will no longer consider any more submissions for the platform – and the last batch of new releases will be dropping tomorrow i.e. July 20th.
As Push Square has noted, a couple of indie developers have reached out to them to confirm that their games would be releasing tomorrow. Russian Subway Dogs is an arcade experience from Spooky Squid Games, and Ultra Mission is an endless top-down shooter from developer Gumbo Machine.
The ceasing of submissions for the PS Vita storefront signifies that Sony is making half-hearted efforts to address the issue. In addition to this debacle, Sony has had a rough few months – with controversies related to its handling of indie developers, its cross-play restrictions, its egregious pricing model for the Director's Cut for Ghost of Tsushima and Death Stranding, and many more.
Eldest Souls Trailer Showcases A Daunting Boss Fight With Hilarious Animations
Developer Fallen Flag Studio has just released a new trailer for its upcoming Eldest Souls, which showcases an animated sequence of a boss fight. The trailer – titled "At the Door of Death" – can be found below, and interested fans might want to check it out.
The trailer showcases a fight with a monstrous boss in a hilarious fashion, with the protagonist barely managing to survive the encounter. The trailer also showcases a number of other boss characters that fans will be facing on their perilous quest to slay the Old Gods. All in all, it does a fine job at establishing the core of the experience and the tone of the game.
Eldest Souls looks to be shaping up great, and fans of the Soulslike genre should definitely keep an eye out for the game. Eldest Souls releases on July 29th for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and PC.
Take-Two Issues DMCA Takedowns Against Popular GTA Mods
A number of incredibly popular mods for Grand Theft Auto have seemingly been removed from existence, following DMCA takedown orders from publisher Take-Two Interactive. The most notable of these mods are – Vice City Overhaul, GTA: Liberty City, and Vice Cry among many others.
As PCGamer has reported, the reason behind these takedowns stem from Take-Two altering its terms and conditions for using the OpenIV modding tool. The publisher reportedly changed its clauses silently in 2019, which now gives it full authority to order takedowns.
This comes shortly after Take Two removed fan-remasters of GTA: Vice City and GTA 3, which have sparked equal amounts of anger and intrigue within the community. Many seem to take these removals as an indication of an official remaster for these titles, while others believe it to be pertaining to GTA 6's setting. However, no solid evidence is present at the time of writing to back any such claim.