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Category: Video Gaming

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  • Critics’ Choice promotion comes to PlayStation Store 

    Critics’ Choice promotion comes to PlayStation Store 

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    Critically acclaimed games take the stage for PlayStation Store’s newest promotion. From Wednesday February 1 for a limited time* you can enjoy deep discounts on the likes of NBA 2K23, Need for Speed Unbound and Dying Light 2 Stay Human. 





    *Critics’ Choice promotion runs on PlayStation Store from 00.00am local time on Wednesday February 1 to 11.59pm local time on Wednesday February 15. Check PlayStation Store for regional discounts. 

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    Peter Boda

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  • The Sims 4 Update Adds Trans-Inclusive Top Surgery Body Scar Options

    The Sims 4 Update Adds Trans-Inclusive Top Surgery Body Scar Options

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    A substantial update for The Sims 4 dropped on PC and consoles today, and with it comes a new suite of control schemes and customization options. This involves things like hearing aids and shapewear, but one addition is expressly targeted at trans Simmers in an effort to make them feel included and visible.

    Developer Maxis took to the game’s official website to break down The Sims 4‘s latest update, which includes chest binders and top surgery scars.

    “Under the Body category, all players can find a Body Scars category with an option for Teen and older male Sims (masculine or feminine frame) to add a top surgery scar to their Sims,” the update reads.

    “I finally get to see myself in game,” one person tweeted in all caps.

    “Top surgery scars and binders?! That’s so cool,” exclaimed another tweeter. “So happy more representation is being added to the game.”

    Binders and shapewear can compress someone’s chest or give more curvature to their body. In other words, these articles of clothing act as extra ways for trans folks to feel more comfortable in themselves, especially if they can’t afford or aren’t ready for body-altering surgeries.

    “Binders and top surgery scars in base game,” a tweeter asked in all caps. “[Let’s fucking go, this is a] huge dub of the transmascs.”

    “Oh my god I’m literally crying,” said another tweeter with crying emojis. “Finally, binders and top surgery! My little trans heart is so happy.”

    There are also medical wearables, such as glucose monitors and hearing aids, which makes The Sims 4 all more inclusive for the disability community as well. It’s good shit.

    “Binders, top surgery scars, hearing aids, and glucose monitors?” asked one tweeter about this new Sims 4 patch. “This is the best update since we could have feminine clothing on masculine frames and vice versa.”

    Kotaku reached out to EA for comment.

    The team also added new ways to actually control and interact with the game on console specifically, making navigation easier and bringing it closer to the PC version. All beneficial quality-of-life improvements.

    Read More: The Sims 4‘s Big Baby Update Is Looking Promising

    Again, this is all extremely good shit. Though, there appear to be some kinks that still need to be ironed out a little bit, like confusion around where things are located and top surgery scars seemingly not populating for some folks. However, that Maxis and, by extension, EA is aware of and acknowledge its trans community in such a representative way makes me feel good. Maybe other studios will follow suit, making trans-inclusive representation something worth investing in and implementing in games.

     

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    Levi Winslow

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  • Destiny 2: Lightfall gets 4 new Exotics in latest trailer — here’s what they do

    Destiny 2: Lightfall gets 4 new Exotics in latest trailer — here’s what they do

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    Destiny 2’s latest expansion, Lightfall, is just under a month away, and that means it’s time for Bungie to show off some of the loot that players can look forward to. In the game’s latest trailer, players get their first look at some of the new weapons and armor in the expansion, as well as a few Exotics and their effects.

    The trailer is mainly focused on The Strand and Exotics related to this new and mysterious power. There are both armor and weapons attached to Strand powers as well as something called tangles, which let players use “Strand to weave objects and creatures, or for other purposes tied to weapons.”

    Along with these new Strand Exotics, the trailer also features the Quicksilver Storm catalyst upgrade, which allows the Exotic Auto Rifle’s grenade kills to created Strand tangles than can be thrown at enemies. Quicksilver is available for all layers that preorder Lightfall, which is set for release on Feb. 28.

    Here’s a list of all the new weapons and armor that were shown off in Lightfall’s latest trailer:

    • Final Warning – This Strand Sidearm shoots tracking rounds that seek out nearby enemies.
    • Deterministic Chaos – A Void Machine Gun that rhythmically weakens enemies as it fires.
    • Winterbite – A Stasis Exotic Glaive that freezes enemies on impact with frost orbs, leaving them vulnerable to follow-up attack.
    • Cyrtarachne’s Façade – This Exotic helmet gives extra protection as Hunters gain armor and flinch resistance when they grapple.
    • Abeyant Leap – When Titans use their Barricade with this Exotic leg armor, it spawns seeking projectiles that suspend enemies and gives armor to its wielder.
    • Swarmers – This new Exotic leg armor allows Warlocks to create a Threadling to infest and attack enemies after destroying a tangle.

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    Austen Goslin

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  • The Sims 4 is “finally freeing the baby” in March with infants update

    The Sims 4 is “finally freeing the baby” in March with infants update

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    The Sims 4 didn’t have toddlers until they were added in 2017, and sims’ early years will continue to telescope when March comes around. That’s when infants will finally be added to the game, turning babies into full sims.

    The latest update also offered news on Project Rene, the eventual successor to The Sims 4. The key takeaways: it’s not an MMO but it will have multiplayer as well as singleplayer, and it’s years away from release.

    (more…)

  • Reviews Featuring ‘Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade

    Reviews Featuring ‘Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection’, Plus the Latest Releases and Sales – TouchArcade

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    Hello gentle readers, and welcome to the SwitchArcade Round for January 31st, 2023. In today’s article, we’ve got a few more reviews for you to enjoy looking through. Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection, Trek to Yomi, and Risen all get evaluated and scored in our usual manner. After that, we have one new release to check out. It’s a good one, though. Finally, it’s the usual lists of new sales and expiring discounts. Let’s get to the business!

    Reviews & Mini-Views

    Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection ($49.99)

    What a pickle this release is. Several months ago, I reviewed Wonder Boy Collection. It included four different Wonder Boy/Monster World games, with one version of each. In that review I mentioned the various other ways you may have already bought some of the included games, but recommended it based on whatever your particular circumstances were. At the time I noted that there was a more extensive physical collection on offer from Strictly Limited Games, but there was no digital version confirmed at the time. Well, the physical version more or less just arrived in the hands of people who ordered it, and here’s the digital version to go with it.

    This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of approach from this publisher. Space Invaders and Turrican took similar paths, and since I am a glass half-full fellow, I was able to see at least some cases where a person might want the earlier cut-back collections. I can’t say that here. There is absolutely no reason to own Wonder Boy Collection with Wonder Boy Anniversary Collection available, unless you absolutely need some Wonder Boy games right now and only have thirty bucks on you. It isn’t just about the games, you see. There are also features and improvements over the previous release that make playing the games a better experience, things that ideally ought to have been patched into that first collection. I’m not going to knock this collection for this whole rude mess, but do be aware that the previous collection should be avoided now.

    Moving along, what does this collection offer over the previous one? Well, for starters, you get all six of the Wonder Boy/Monster World games instead of just four. Wonder Boy, Wonder Boy in Monster Land, Wonder Boy III: Monster Lair, Wonder Boy III: The Dragon’s Trap, Wonder Boy in Monster World, and Monster World IV are all here. You don’t just get one version of each, either. You get just about every non-Hudson version of each game, which unfortunately does mean that none of the lovely TurboGrafx 16 variants are here. Still, having the arcade originals where applicable along with ports as esoteric as SG-1000 and Game Gear makes for a really interesting picture of Wonder Boy‘s history. All up, you’ve got twenty-one different games across all the different included versions. You probably won’t be playing some of them all that often, but it’s good to have them.

    You also get some extras, such as an extensive art gallery, manual scans, and maps for each game. The games themselves are emulated through Ratalaika’s usual methods, and apart from the SG-1000 audio being a little off, I can find no obvious flaws in their work. One thing to note is that some games have some gameplay enhancements that are on by default, and some of them may not be welcome depending on your tastes. You can switch them off if you like, which is something you couldn’t do in the previous collection. One neat feature allows you to give the Master System version of Monster World a richer color palette, which really underlines just how nice that game looked to begin with.

    Maybe you’re not interested in ports and variants, though. Six fully distinct retro games for fifty dollars might seem like a hard sell. When you break it down to a little over eight bucks per game, however, it’s not that unreasonable. Basically Arcade Archives pricing, and four of the included games are in fact arcade titles. And they are quite good games in most cases. The original Wonder Boy is still a challenging, fun action game. Monster Land is tough but intriguing in how it tries to marry RPG mechanics to a stage-based platforming framework. Monster Lair is half shooter, half platformer. It’s okay. The Dragon’s Trap is a stone-cold classic example of an early Metroidvania. Monster World was the first console-first release in the series, and it’s another solid action-adventure game. Monster World IV is a game whose praises I’ve sung many times before. Even if you only play one version of each, this is a great set on its own.

    As before, I should mention that you may already own some of these games via other means. The aforementioned Wonder Boy Collection, of course. That gets you the arcade versions of Wonder Boy and Monster Land, plus the Genesis versions of Monster World and Monster World IV. You may also already own the arcade version of Monster Land via the SEGA AGES line. There’s the notable remake of The Dragon’s Trap from Dotemu and Lizardcube, and the less notable remake of Monster World IV which includes the original version of the game as a bonus. And Wonder Boy Returns Remix, dubious though it may be, is a partial remake of the original Wonder Boy. But I think if you’re a big enough Wonder Boy fan to own all of that, you’re probably in on this set just for all the various ports here.

    It’s a shame there is a bit of a cloud over this release due to the previous collection’s existence, because this really is an amazing package for Wonder Boy fans. It’s hard to ask for more without involving Konami, and I wouldn’t have expected that to happen. Having so many ports included is fantastic, the emulation is where it should be, and you get a fair amount of extra to help round out the package. It’s unfortunate that those who bought the prior collection are left with an inferior product, but otherwise this is an anniversary-worthy release.

    SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

    Trek to Yomi ($19.99)

    If I only gave points for style, Trek to Yomi would be getting top scores. Inspired by the films of Akira Kurosawa, its monochrome visuals and use of various camera angles create an incredibly cinematic feel. It looks great and it sounds great. At first, it seems like it’s going to play well too. And it doesn’t play badly by any means. You basically move through the story, doing some light exploration for extra goodies between fights. It’s the fights where the bulk of the gameplay is found, however. Enemies will close in and you’ll have to use your katana-wielding prowess to cut them down before they do the same to you. They don’t always play fair either, so you’ll have to keep pivoting to deal with attacks from both sides.

    So yes, at first it’s all very cool. You play through a prologue set during the main character’s childhood, fight off some bandits, and see some bad stuff go down. The visuals have clearly taken a hit in the process of moving to the Switch, and the sometimes muddy nature of the graphics can make it a little difficult to read the scene. It somewhat breaks the illusion of being an old samurai movie because of these technical issues, but that’s how it goes. We’re Switch owners, we are prepared for sacrifices.

    A little time skip happens and you find yourself playing the adult version of your character, surprisingly fighting mostly the same few kinds of bandits you did as a kid. Then another thing happens and you find yourself fighting through the underworld, even more surprisingly meeting those same few kinds of troublemakers. The lack of enemy variety is a major issue, and you end up really only looking forward to boss battles to spice things up. The boss battles are pretty good, though. You have some difficulty options, but they only tend to increase the tedium rather than address it.

    Trek to Yomi is something I would hesitantly recommend to fans of Kurosawa flicks or those looking for a stylish action game. It plays most of its gameplay cards too early and ends up being rather tedious for such a brief affair, but it’s worth the squeeze, if only barely, to see its various sights. That said, if you have any other options besides the Switch to play it on, I’d suggest doing so there. This is a game that is all about its visual presentation and the compromises the Switch version makes detracts from that.

    SwitchArcade Score: 3/5

    Risen ($29.99)

    There is a particular flavor to the games of German developer Piranha Bytes Software, and up until now it has been a flavor absent from the Nintendo Switch. The developer makes action-RPGs with a thick layer of jank and opacity to them, with more rough edges than a box of Cap’n Crunch. The games are clunky, unwieldy, and often buggy. It is very easy to paint yourself in a corner due to bad planning, so you’ll have to do some careful thinking and/or research if you mean to get into the games earnestly. But there’s a certain charm to what this developer does, a certain sincerity, ambition, and confidence that makes its games very enjoyable if you’re the right type of player.

    Risen on the Switch is more or less the same as the Risen we saw on the PC and Xbox 360 back in 2009. It has been ported as directly as possible without any thought to making enhancements or alterations. Do not come into this thinking it will be approachable or friendly in any way. It was esoteric then and if anything it is more so in today’s context. You’re given very little to go on with regards to how it controls, and those controls are fairly cumbersome. It teaches you practically nothing about how its rather deep skill systems work, so you’ll have to sort that out on your own. There is relatively little direction or guidance, so you’ll have to figure out what to do and how to get where you need to go on your own.

    This all may sound unpleasant to some, and if that is you, then Risen is probably not going to be your thing. For a certain type, though, the sound of that kind of chaotic freedom is probably making you salivate a little already. And Risen offers that in spades. After overcoming the initial area, you’ll soon find yourself aligning with one of the factions that vies for control of the island you’ve washed up on. The one you choose will set you on a broad course, but you have a lot of rein in how you handle even the smallest of quests. On top of that, there are all kinds of non-essential secrets and goodies to find along the way, some of which seem to be there just to stoke your imagination and help make the world feel more alive. If you can put up with its quirks, Risen is an excellent RPG.

    As for the port, it’s about what we’ve come to expect from THQ Nordic fare. The framerate is wildly unstable, and you’ll get anywhere from twenty-five to sixty frames per second depending on what’s going on. As mentioned, no efforts have been made to pretty things up. It really comes down to how sensitive you are to variable framerates. If that doesn’t bother you, then it’s hard to find much to complain about with this version of the game. If it does, then you’re going to have a bad time.

    Risen is certainly of its time and place, but depending on your inclinations there isn’t anything wrong with that. I do wish the framerate in this port had been locked down rather than allowed to run wild, but otherwise this is Risen on your Switch in all of its late aughts glory. It’s not a game that will make things easy on you, especially in the beginning, but if you stick with it you’ll find it gives back a lot more than what you put in.

    SwitchArcade Score: 4/5

    New Releases

    SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake ($39.99)

    The multiverse is so hot right now. So here’s a new SpongeBob 3D platformer, very much in the vein of Battle for Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob gets his hands on a magical item that causes a bunch of wishes to be granted in some very twisted ways. Now he has to venture into seven different Wishworlds to rescue his friends and save reality as we know it. I’ll have a review of this soon, but if you like SpongeBob or just appreciate a good 3D platformer, you’ll probably enjoy this quite a bit.

    Sales

    (North American eShop, US Prices)

    NIS America is having a sale, presumably to commemorate its anniversary, and you can get a variety of good games at fair prices. Disgaea 6 in particular is at a new low price, so you may want to bite on it now if you haven’t before. There are a few other goodies in there, so do have a look. The outbox has a fair bit in it, with sales from Bandai Namco and others coming to a close soon. Check it while you’re at it as well.

    Select New Games on Sale

    Gibbous: A Cthulhu Adventure ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/6)
    Disgaea 1 Complete ($17.49 from $49.99 until 2/13)
    Disgaea 4 Complete+ ($17.49 from $49.99 until 2/13)
    Disgaea 5 Complete ($19.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    Disgaea 6 DoD ($29.99 from $59.99 until 2/13)
    Pix the Cat ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/13)
    Yomawari: Lost in the Dark ($29.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    Yomawari: Long Night Collection ($14.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    Dungeon of the Endless ($3.99 from $19.99 until 2/13)
    The Princess Guide ($4.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    NIS Classics Vol.1 ($29.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    NIS Classics Vol.2 ($29.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    NIS Classics Vol.3 ($29.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    Void Terrarium ($9.99 from $24.99 until 2/13)


    Labyrinth of Refrain: CoD ($17.49 from $49.99 until 2/13)
    Prinny CIRBtH ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/13)
    Prinny 2 DoOPD ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/13)
    Liar Princess & Blind Prince ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/13)
    Cruel King & the Great Hero ($16.49 from $29.99 until 2/13)
    Poison Control ($4.99 from $39.99 until 2/13)
    New Terra ($2.49 from $4.99 until 2/19)
    Steve Jackson’s Sorcery! ($14.99 from $24.99 until 2/20)
    Primal Light ($8.99 from $14.99 until 2/20)
    Warpips ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)
    Destropolis ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/20)
    The Dark Eye: Chains of Satinav ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)
    The Dark Eye: Memoria ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)
    AER Memories of Old ($1.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)
    Unrailed! ($4.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)
    Tanuki Justice ($5.99 from $14.99 until 2/20)
    Golden Force ($7.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)
    Flippin Kaktus ($5.99 from $11.99 until 2/20)
    Cyjin: The Cyborg Ninja ($5.99 from $9.99 until 2/20)
    Nova-111 ($3.99 from $9.99 until 2/20)
    Okinawa Rush ($7.99 from $19.99 until 2/20)

    Sales Ending Tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1st

    Adventures of Pip ($4.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    B.ARK ($5.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    Captain Tsubasa RoNC ($14.99 from $59.99 until 2/1)
    Cricket 22 ($24.99 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Crossroad Crash ($1.99 from $4.98 until 2/1)
    Crowdy Farm Rush ($1.99 from $5.99 until 2/1)
    Crysis Remastered ($11.99 from $29.99 until 2/1)
    Crysis Remastered Trilogy ($27.49 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Disney Tsum Tsum Festival ($19.99 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Dobo’s Heroes ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    Doraemon Story of Seasons FotGK ($37.49 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Doraemon Story of Seasons FotGK SE ($44.99 from $59.99 until 2/1)
    Dragon Ball FighterZ ($8.99 from $59.99 until 2/1)
    Huntdown ($3.99 from $19.99 until 2/1)
    Hunting Simulator ($3.99 from $39.99 until 2/1)


    Hunting Simulator 2: BH Edition ($14.99 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Invert ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    JoJo’s Bizarre Adv. All-Star BR Deluxe ($48.99 from $69.99 until 2/1)
    Mr Maker 3D Level Editor ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    My Hero One’s Justice Deluxe ($19.99 from $79.99 until 2/1)
    My Little Riding Champion ($8.99 from $29.99 until 2/1)
    Namco Museum Archives Vol 1 ($4.99 from $19.99 until 2/1)
    Naruto Ultimate Ninja Storm ($4.99 from $19.99 until 2/1)
    One Piece Pirate Warriors 4 Deluxe ($17.99 from $89.99 until 2/1)
    Pac-Man 99 Mode Unlock ($9.74 from $14.99 until 2/1)
    Pac-Man Championship Edition 2 Plus ($5.99 from $19.99 until 2/1)
    QuickSpot ($9.99 from $19.99 until 2/1)
    RazerWire: Nanowars ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    Roguebook ($12.49 from $24.99 until 2/1)
    SCATch: The Painter Cat ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)


    SD Gundam Battle Alliance Deluxe ($59.49 from $84.99 until 2/1)
    Shmup Mania ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    Striker Modes ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    Super Dragon Ball Heroes WM ($8.99 from $59.99 until 2/1)
    Super Snake Block ($1.99 from $9.99 until 2/1)
    Sword Art Online Alicization Lycoris ($34.99 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Sword Art Online Hollow Realization DE ($7.49 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    Taiko no Tatsujin Rhythm Festival Deluxe ($40.14 from $54.99 until 2/1)
    Tennis World Tour ($2.99 from $29.99 until 2/1)
    The Jackbox Party Pack 2 ($9.99 from $24.99 until 2/1)
    V-Rally 4 ($14.99 from $49.99 until 2/1)
    WRC 9 Official Game ($3.99 from $39.99 until 2/1)

    That’s all for today and this month, friends. We’ll be back tomorrow with more new releases, more sales, and perhaps some news. There are some rumblings that a Direct is upon us, and yes, it does seem like the right time of the year for one. I suppose we’ll see as the week goes on. I hope you all have a terrific Tuesday, and as always, thanks for reading!

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    Shaun Musgrave

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  • Rumbleverse Is Shutting Down In February

    Rumbleverse Is Shutting Down In February

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    Iron Galaxy’s Rumbleverse, its pro-wrestling-flavored battle royale, is shutting down next month, only seven months after its full launch last August. 

    Though Iron Galaxy doesn’t plainly state the reason for Rumbleverse’s demise, a blog post somewhat hints that a lack of substantial players may have played a role, stating in part:

    “When you work on a video game, you imagine the community that will show up to play it someday. For years, we dreamed about a lively city filled with people fighting to become a champion. We strived to create a vibrant place that celebrated the competitive spirit. Our goal was to bring joy back to online multiplayer gaming. The people who gave Rumbleverse a chance and took it on as a new hobby have validated every day that we put into bringing our ideas to life.”

    Rumbleverse’s online servers shut down on February 28 at 10 a.m. CST. Players who spent any money on or within the game will receive refunds. That includes the Rumbleverse Battle Pass or Brawlla Bills on any platform. The current battle pass will also be given to all players free of charge with double XP gain. Certain emotes and accessories have been made free to acquire as well. Today, Iron Galaxy will close the in-game store and will release the final update. 

    Rumbleverse was first announced during the 2021 Game Awards and offered a unique spin to the battle royale with its emphasis on melee combat. After holding various beta tests throughout the first half of 2022, the game fully opened its doors in August to a generally warm reception from players and critics. You can watch us take it for a spin in this episode of New Gameplay Today Live

    In similar news, today Konami announced it’s turning off the lights to its 2022 social deduction game, Crimesight

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    Marcus Stewart

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  • The Most Anticipated Games of 2023 (According to the Xbox Wire Team) – Xbox Wire

    The Most Anticipated Games of 2023 (According to the Xbox Wire Team) – Xbox Wire

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    2023 promises to be a big year for Xbox and Windows PC games, with major new titles from Xbox Game Studios and our partners set to jostle for space on your hard drives and cloud devices. From ultra-anticipated RPGs like Starfield, to long-awaited blockbusters such as Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, to indie hits-in-waiting, there’s something for everyone coming this year — and a huge portion of this list will be available from day one as part of your Xbox Game Pass or PC Game Pass membership. 

    With that in mind, the Xbox Wire team has come together to offer up our personal picks (in no particular order) for the year ahead. Below is just a snapshot of the big picture for 2023 — it’s clear it’s going to be a good year. 


    Starfield 2023 Xbox Series X│S, PC (Game Pass) 

    I’m far from alone in my anticipation for Starfield, and for good reason. Bethesda’s upcoming RPG introduces an entirely new frontier to explore — space. As a member of space exploring outfit Constellation, you’re tasked with adventuring across the Settled Systems in your own custom ship, seeking rare artifacts throughout the galaxy. Starfield is set to include over 1,000 planets to discover, and if my Skyrim playtime is anything to go by, you know I’m going to poke every single one. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor  

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    Resident Evil 4 March 24, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S 

    I own no fewer than five versions of Resident Evil 4 across my personal game collection, yet I’ve never actually finished the game. It’s one of my biggest “black marks” as a gamer, and one that I’m excited to finally rectify this year with its upcoming remake – it’s a big reason why I have this down as one of my Most Anticipated Games of 2023. Following on the heels of two great remakes (Resident Evil 2 (2019) and Resident Evil 3 (2020), RE4 remake has a high bar to hit. But from everything I’ve seen so far, this is shaping up to be a modern classic that I’m excited to add to my ever-growing game collection. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Minecraft Legends – April 18, 2023 – Game Pass, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Windows and Steam), Cloud, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4|5

    Minecraft has always been about allowing for creativity from its players — Minecraft Legends shows a similar level of unbridled creativity from its developers. This action-strategy game is being built to appeal simultaneously to both Minecraft fans and brand-new players — and does so through the ingenious take of familiar Minecraft ideas in new forms. Harnessing a procedurally-generated world, familiar items, focus on resources, and the frequently terrifying mobs that fans know and turning them into something wholly new (and wholly approachable for those who haven’t played the original) is a fascinating moment for this series — and one I cannot wait experience myself. – Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief  

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    I was unfairly cynical about Cal Kestis’ debut at first – of all those cool alien races available, you’ve given us a human? However, Fallen Order quickly became one of my all-time favourite Star Wars adventures – in game or film. The first game (which is available as part of an EA Play or Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership if you need to catch up) set us up against the rising threat of the Empire and took us to some incredible worlds, and I’m confident that Jedi: Survivor will expand on those gorgeous destinations and deliver an epic new story – one that Cal deserves to be the epicentre of. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Redfall screenshot

    Redfall – May 2, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, PC (Game Pass) 

    Arkane is that rare thing, a studio that commands attention for its name as much as for its game concepts. If I see ‘Arkane Austin’ pop up before a trailer plays, I already want to play that game, and Redfall does not mark an exception. The studio’s rich history with immersive sims has led to some of the most fascinating worlds, mechanical tricks and level designs of recent years – Redfall’s setting across the length and breadth of a whole fictional town and its wildly unusual character classes (with the promise of more to come after launch) only point to more classic moments yet to come. But it’s the differences that really hold my attention, this close to release. A focus on co-op play (only increasing the opportunities for that now-expected Arkane mechanical magic), a strengthened interest in gunplay, and its open world setting have me snarling to end a vampire incursion with my friends. Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    Dead Space – Out Now Xbox Series X|S 

    Yes, this just came out – but I haven’t had a chance to play it just yet, so I’m technically still anticipating it. I’m normally not a fan of the horror genre, but I love science fiction, which is a bit ironic since space is in and of itself a terrifying place. The original version of Dead Space wonderfully captures that fear and couples it with an unassuming but likable protagonist struggling to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of his beloved partner and the crew of the USG Ishimura. Whether it’s my unfulfilled dreams of being an astronaut or the thought of facing unimaginable odds for the ones I love, Dead Space isn’t just one of my favorite games of all time, it’s arguably one of the greatest sci-fi horror games in the universe. It’s no surprise, then, that I’m ready to revisit this modern classic rebuilt from the ground up for next-gen hardware when it launches later this month – and the additions Motive Studios has made to weapons, loot, and exploration, I might even feel more ready to tackle the horrors of deep space head-on. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Forza Motorsport screenshot

    Forza Motorsport – 2023 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Game Pass) 

    I love video games as much as I love cars. Or maybe it’s cars as much as video games. Whichever, I’m a huge fan of Forza and tend to favor the simulation of Forza Motorsport over the open-world freedom of Forza Horizon, so I’m particularly excited for the upcoming next instalment of the classic racing series. Previous versions have treated us to photorealistic looking cars, beautifully rendered tracks, and breath-taking effects, yet the developers at Turn 10 Studios are already calling the next Forza Motorsport the most technically advanced and authentic racing game they’ve ever made. I have no idea how they can make the game any better but can’t wait to find out. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    Like a Dragon: Ishin! February 21, 2023 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One 

    Since dropping onto Xbox Game Pass and into my life in 2020, the Yakuza series (now re-titled Like a Dragon for all future installments) has taken me on a sweeping tour of Japan, from snowy Sapporo to tropical Okinawa. Like a Dragon: Ishin!, RGG Studio’s remake of a 2014 only-in-Japan spinoff, isn’t merely content to shift locations; it transports players back in time to 1860s Kyoto, where things couldn’t be more different. Or are they? While Ishin’s story follows real life samurai Sakamoto Ryoma, your adventure is populated by familiar faces and voices from across the Yakuza universe. Ryoma may not realize he’s a dead ringer for Kazuma Kiryu, but recurring feelings of déjà vu ensure players will feel at home, even if they’ve never been further from it. And fear not, even if you don’t have experience with this game, or even the series as a whole, Like a Dragon: Ishin! has been designed to be self-contained – even if you don’t get the references, you’re still getting a brand-new samurai tale to play through. Check out our first preview here on Xbox Wire to learn more about the upcoming Like a Dragon: Ishin! – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast 

    Age of Empires 4 art

    At the end of the workday, I rarely want to sit at my PC for more hours, no matter how good a game is. Me and my back pain don’t have to worry about that, now that Age of Empires IV is heading to consoles this year! Age of Empires IV feels like a truly modernised, slick rediscovery of the classic RTS, whether you’re storming through the single campaign or jousting with friends online. Following in the footsteps of Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition, which has seamlessly made its transition to Xbox consoles, I can’t wait to conquer from the comfort of my couch, and with the support of Xbox Play Anywhere, I can switch back over to the PC (or even my mobile through Xbox Cloud Gaming) if things get too serious… which they often do. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass. 

    Street Fighter 6June 2, 2023 Xbox Series X|S 

    It’s been a minute since a new, mainline Street Fighter entry debuted on Xbox, when the seminal Street Fighter IV launched back in 2009. If you’ve lost track of the series, Street Fighter 6 is likely to blow you away when it arrives in June. SF6 has already confirmed its technical chops in a closed beta featuring older and wiser versions of Ryu, Chun Li, and Guile, and inspired new characters like Luke and soon-to-be fan-favorite Kimberly. The presentation is a stunning visual treat, including the veritable monster factory that is the game’s avatar creator. But it’s my anticipation of the single-player story mode World Tour that already has me prepping combos in excitement. – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast 

    Wo Long art

    Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty – March 3, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Game Pass

    Bloodborne and Ninja Gaiden are some of my favorite games, even though I’m not that great at playing them. Their haunting visuals and slick combat are what I fondly remember, not all the times I was brutally and repeatedly defeated. So, when I heard that the creative talent behind those games were working on Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty, I was immediately intrigued and was fortunate enough to chat with Team Ninja’s Fumihiko Yasuda and Masaaki Yamagiwa to learn more. Will I be crushed into a pulp when I start playing? Likely. But this blend of dark fantasy, Chinese martial arts swordplay, and creative gaming talent has me incredibly excited to see how it all unfolds starting on March 3. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League – May 26, 2023 – Xbox Series X|S 

    Task Force X (aka the Suicide Squad) contains many of the most layered and iconic anti-heroes in DC Comics, and Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League lets you play as four of the most notorious of them – Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, and King Shark. The Squad must take on an impossible mission to save Earth and kill the world’s greatest DC Super Heroes – the Justice League. Combined with the gaming pedigree of Rocksteady, the studio behind the amazing Batman: Arkham games, and this has all the ingredients to be something truly special — even though we don’t know that much about it (yet). For now, we’re left largely to our imaginations and a few awesome trailers, which is why it’s one of my Most Anticipated Games of 2023 because… well… I want to know more about it! Hopefully all will be revealed soon and we can dive into another one of Rocksteady’s masterpieces later this year. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Diablo 4 art

    Diablo IV – June 6, 2023 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One 

    Sometimes, looking back is just as important as looking forward – a lesson Diablo IV is demonstrating months before release. Blizzard’s latest action-RPG returns to some of the series’ most fundamental ideas – a laser focus on full-bore, high-gore action-RPG combat, perilously deep customization, and a grimdark fantasy tale. But in embracing those old ideas, what I particularly love about Diablo 4 so far (not least when I played hours of the game ahead of launch), is in how it’s allowing itself to try new, complementary ideas. A truly open world allows for more loot, more combat, and more fulfilling co-op. A more cinematic approach to storytelling lets that pitch-black story at its core sing. A sharpened, high-gloss look allows for better legibility of spells, even in the thick of battle. Diablo IV is simultaneously old and new, and I’m delighted by both of those aspects. Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief 

    Dead Island 2 – April 28, 2023 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One 

    When I think about all the zombie games I’ve played over the years, the ones that stand out have a few elements in common: great characters, exciting locations, and entertaining gameplay. The original Dead Island followed this formula over a decade ago, and the long-awaited sequel is demonstrating it will too. Dead Island 2 has a cast of unlikely heroes and takes place in a zombie-infested Los Angeles, (dubbed HELL-A). Add in some dark humor and over the top zombie-slaying, who could ask for more? Looks like I’m moving to Beverly Hills. Swimming Pools. Movie stars. Survival against all odds. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Hollow Knight Silksong screenshot

    Hollow Knight: Silksong – 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, PC (Game Pass) 

    To me, a sequel to Hollow Knight almost feels like an unnecessary pleasure – in 2017, developer Team Cherry managed to come out of the gates with a debut that felt unnaturally complete, from its art, to its moment-to-moment interactions, to its cloaked depths of story. And yet, Silksong already feels vital. By switching focus to bit-part character Hornet, we’re promised an entire new skillset and perspective, but built on the near-peerless foundations of the first game. My excitement is that we’re getting is less of a sequel and more of a companion piece. I cannot wait to find out what that feels like. Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    Lies of P – 2023 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC (Game Pass) 

    If I told you that Lies of P, a Souls-like action RPG starring fairy tale Pinocchio wasn’t the biggest surprise of Gamescom 2022, my nose might start growing. It’s not just the shock factor; Just typing “Pinocchio” and “Soulslike” in the same sentence is enough to furrow the brow of anyone hearing about Lies of P for the first time, it’s how well Korean developer Neowiz is turning this concept into an awesome looking game. As you might expect, choosing whether or not Pinocchio tells the truth will have an impact in the story. However, the Pinocchio I’m familiar with wasn’t equipped with a ‘Legion Arm’, allowing players to journey through Lies of P in the way of their choosing as they seek out Geppetto. Definitely an improvement. – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast  

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass. 

    Assassin's Creed Mirage art

    I’ve been on an Assassin’s Creed cooldown for about five years now, and I’m just about ready for my next historical roof-hopping adventure. Mirage promises to take us back to basics, with a more focused scope and more straightforward story beat. It’s also set in ancient Baghdad, a culture and world I’m looking forward to exploring, and a lovely throwback to the environments I grew to love in the very first game in the series. I’m super excited about this reprisal of a more manageable Assassin’s Creed game, and am looking forward to a gorgeous new world that feels like an old favourite. – Danielle Partis, Xbox Wire Editor 

    The original Space Marine, for me, was a gateway into the massive Warhammer universe. At the time, it had been a while since something supplied such an amazing premise to such a rich and detailed world. It also helped that the game kicked ass, coupled with some truly amazing voice acting performances. Since then, I’ve explored a myriad of other Warhammer games, from Vermintide to Dawn of War to Total War: Warhammer. So, when the reveal trailer for Space Marine 2 dropped at the Game Awards 2021, my jaw hit the floor. It has been over a decade since the original game and from everything we’ve seen so far, it’s shaping up to be well worth the wait. I’m ready to heed the call of battle once again! – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Replaced art

    Replaced – 2023 Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (Game Pass) 

    Full transparency, Replaced wasn’t a game on my radar until fairly recently. But after watching the trailers and doing a little reading, it’s definitely a title I’m now hugely looking forward to playing this year, especially since it’s launching into Game Pass as an Xbox console exclusive. This action-platformer has a Shadow Complex and Deadlight vibe (both games I thoroughly enjoyed) but is set in an alternative 1980s dystopian world. The art style is beautifully crafted with a blend of pixel art and realistic looking backdrops, and the atmosphere conveys the dark and foreboding setting you’d expect from a world on the verge of collapse. Plus, there’s a dog, and it looks like you may be able to pet it. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. 

    It’s difficult to look forward to S.T.A.L.K.E.R. 2 without recognizing the challenges its Ukrainian developers have endured the past year, but they have continued working on the game, and fans like me are excited to get our hands on it, and to celebrate something made against such a backdrop. In purely gaming terms, the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone is a fascinating location to set your game, and with a gritty tale, immersive sim elements, and beautiful technical execution, you have me hooked. – Rich Dickinson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Available day one with Xbox Game Pass. 

    Company of Heroes art

    If you were looking for a series to thank for keeping the RTS genre alive, Company of Heroes 1 & 2 would be near the top of that list in my opinion, right up there with StarCraft II. These games have done a tremendous job of mixing a compelling and dramatic World War II narrative with stellar real-time strategy gameplay. Plus, the amazing destruction engine brought it all together to make these battles feel truly lived in. Now with this series returning for the first time in 10 years, on both PC and console, I’m incredibly excited to see how Company of Heroes 3 translates to the power of Xbox Series X|S. Be sure to check out this recent preview on Xbox Wire to get a sense of the hard work being put into this version of the game. – Mike Nelson, Xbox Wire Editor 

    Alan Wake 2 – 2023 Xbox Series X|S 

    After spending a full decade atop my pile of shame, I finally took advantage of Xbox backward compatibility to enjoy the original Alan Wake in summer of 2020. I was immediately drawn into Remedy’s intentionally disorienting storytelling – something they’ve since taken even further with the truly excellent Control. Despite being nearly two generations behind technologically, Alan Wake’s light-wary enemies freaked me out enough that I exclusively played during daylight hours. For the long-awaited Alan Wake 2, Remedy says they’re crafting a survival horror game – the original AW was merely a “psychological thriller” (which you can catch up on too, with the even more accomplished Alan Wake Remastered) I can’t wait… to sleep with the lights on. – Jeff Rubenstein – Xbox Podcast 

    Armored Core VI Fires of Rubicon – 2023 – Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One 

    It took until Elden Ring for me to fully get to grips with FromSoftware’s action-RPG Souls masterworks, but I’ve been an Armored Core player since day one. This grand old mech-battling series has had its gunmetal claws in the pleasure centers of my brain since I was a child, its measured tactical action and gloriously in-depth machine tinkering combining to make for something functionally unique. That Armored Core VI is seemingly a return to that formula, rather than the futuristic Soulslike many expected, is all I could have asked for. There’s no doubt we’ll see more Souls games come along, so this is a more-than welcome diversion. I’ll be knee-deep in leg units and shoulder-mounted missile launchers come launch day. Joe Skrebels, Xbox Wire Editor-in-Chief 

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  • Respawn Entertainment Has Slightly Delayed Star Wars: Jedi Survivor for Extra Polish

    Respawn Entertainment Has Slightly Delayed Star Wars: Jedi Survivor for Extra Polish

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    News

    The Force needs more time to develop.

    After a long period of silence, Star Wars Jedi: Survivor saw a full reveal in December, showcasing the next adventure Cal Kestis and BD-1 will embark on. The reveal trailer came jam-packed with enough Star Wars content to raise fan excitement about jumping back into the Force, with Respawn Entertainment originally targeting a March 2023 release window.

    However, a recent announcement by the development team has unfortunately confirmed the delay of Jedi: Survivor. The delay comes courtesy of an official tweet from EA and Respawn Entertainment, as the studio is focused on bug fixes to enhance performance, stability, polish, and player experience.

    Delays are commonplace in the industry, and while it seems to be more common than ever, a delay typically leads to a better final product. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order took the industry by storm when it was released back in 2019, and much fan response has been encouraging as gamers are supportive of the decision to delay the final product for a better experience.

    On a positive spin, the delay frees up March a bit, as Resident Evil 4’s Remake is launching a week after Jedi: Survivor’s original launch date.

    Star Wars Jedi: Survivor releases on April 28, 2023, for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S. Keep your eyes peeled for more information as we arrive closer to the launch date, and check out our related section below for more Star Wars news, features, and guides!

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    John Esposito

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  • Resident Evil 4 Remake is Removing Quick-Time Events and Adding Sidequests – IGN

    Resident Evil 4 Remake is Removing Quick-Time Events and Adding Sidequests – IGN

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    Capcom has shared new details on the upcoming remake of Resident Evil 4. This includes confirmation that it will remove quick-time events, add sidequests, and introduce breakable knives.

    Capcom provided a better idea of what fans can expect from the highly anticipated remake in a new cover story for Game Informer. The most significant change from the remake is that there will be no quick-time events.

    Game Informer’s story mentions that sidequests are also being added to the remake, stating that blue flyers located in-game are used to collect sidequests for you to complete, with examples including solving a puzzle, tracking down and eliminating a specific enemy. The blue medallion collectible that was featured in the original will also be returning in the remake..

    One of the more interesting gameplay changes is that knives will have limited durability and will break after a certain amount of use. However, you can store multiple knives in your inventory. Additionally, you will have the option to trade jewels with the merchant in exchange for items such as yellow herbs, treasure maps, and weapon attachments.

    Resident Evil 4 Remake also changes Ashley Graham, who no longer has a health bar, but if she takes too much damage, she will be in a “downed state” and need to be revived. If she is hit when in a “downed state,” she will die. A Capcom representative said that the developers want to make Ashley “feel more like a natural companion and less like a second health bar to babysit,” confirming that she can perform things such as sending her through a crawlspace to open a door that’s locked on the other side.

    First announced in 2022, Resident Evil 4 is the latest in Capcom’s series of remakes. We played it back in October, noting that Capcom seems to be making smart choices with in what it iterates on for the remake, and that we’re excited to see more.

    Resident Evil 4 Remake launches on March 24 on PS4, PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X|S.

    Taylor is the Associate Tech Editor at IGN. You can follow her on Twitter @TayNixster.

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    Taylor Lyles

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  • Dying Light 2 Stay Human Anniversary Update: New Content, Features, and Fixes – Xbox Wire

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human Anniversary Update: New Content, Features, and Fixes – Xbox Wire

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    Dying Light 2 Stay Human is commencing its 1st Anniversary on January 31, 2023. The celebration event will commemorate the launch of the ultimate post-apocalyptic survival horror game. Our developer team has created a chock-full slate of exciting new features and content.

    The 1st Anniversary will have a stacked celebration schedule, starting with in-game events, which have always played a substantial role in the post-launch support of Dying Light 2 Stay Human. Bloody Anniversary (January 31 – February 8) will allow players to experience the game with a greater chance of dismembering foes. Dropkick Weekend (February 09 – 13) is going to base an entire event around the signature Dying Light move with amped-up ragdolls and damage. Both will provide additional community objectives with extra Anniversary-themed rewards via techlandgg.com.

    Dying Light veterans can look forward to collecting all three skins of characters from the original game. For the first time, it will be possible to play in the shoes of Rais or Brecken and make a comeback as the legendary hero, Kyle Crane. Their likeness will come into play with their very own weapons and paraglider skins. To receive the Rais Bundle at no cost, players must earn it via the Bloody Anniversary. The Brecken Bundle requires similar participation in the Dropkick Weekend. Finally, the Crane Bundle is going to be an exclusive reward on TechlandGG for all proud owners of our two games: Dying Light and Dying Light 2 Stay Human.

    The Community Update 2.0 will once again prove to place the fans of the series at the forefront by making some of their most requested features a reality. This includes multiple quality of life updates, improvements, fixes, and notable additions to the co-op mode, such as the long-awaited cross-gen! At last, it is time to grab your friends, regardless of the console generation of your choice, to save The City together.

    Dying Light 2 - Anniversary

    There is going to be a new and exciting end-game progression system in Dying Light 2 Stay Human called Legend Levels. Players will be able to earn Legend Points by completing quests, activities, and challenges to level up. With each level, they can receive Upgrade Points to boost skills, new weapons and more rewards. The new feature can be accessed after unlocking the whole skill tree in the base game.

    We plan to make more announcements and teases for the entire year of 2023. This will include the reveal of a new roadmap, content updates, community activities, information about the 2nd story DLC and so much more. For more information on the 1st Anniversary and all things Dying Light 2 Stay Human, visit techlandgg.com or follow us on Instagram and Twitter.

    Dying Light 2 - Anniversary

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human is a first-person survival horror game. The virus won and civilization entered what many are now calling the Modern Dark Ages. As a wandering Pilgrim bound by no ethics or rules, travel to one of the remaining bastions of humanity, enter its strongholds, restore hope to its people and unwind the past that may now come back to haunt you.

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human is available now for purchase on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One.

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human: Bloody Ties

    Techland


    88

    $9.99

    Deluxe and Ultimate Edition owners of Dying Light 2 Stay Human automatically receive Bloody Ties DLC. Separate purchase is not required.

    Bloody Ties is the first official story DLC for Dying Light 2 Stay Human – a thrilling first-person action survival game set in a post-apocalyptic open world.
    Who doesn’t want hundreds of fans chanting their name in perfect unison? Or feel like they are loved and admired while obtaining unimaginable riches at the same time? But what if to have it all, one must first pay the highest of prices?
    As Aiden, you are encouraged by a promise of wealth, fame, and access to the best gear to enter a tournament where people sacrifice everything just for status. Hone your skills to defeat your enemies and make allies to obtain glory.
    You will quickly realize that the quest for fame is just the beginning and you will find yourself involved in a plot for power and revenge.

    Features:
    NEW STORY
    Embark on a new adventure. Secure yourself a spot in the Pantheon of the best fighters, help your new friend Ciro in his quest to avenge his brother’s death and discover the true nature of the tournament.

    NEW LOCATION
    Enter Carnage Hall – a place filled with wealth and splendor, where every fight is a narrative spectacle and the strongest seek fortune and fame.

    NEW WEAPON: SHIELD GLOVE
    Discover a new way to play with the Shield Glove, and make creative combat even more creative.

    NEW GEAR
    Obtain new gear in the tournament where strength matters the most and weapons are a symbol of status.

    SPECTACLES & SHOWS
    Play the role of your life in Spectacles – multi-objective arena shows with unique stories narrated by Astrid herself, each resembling traditional tales and fables with a wicked twist.
    Test your skill in arena challenges – special trials where you’ll that fight new mutated enemies, face murderous hordes and get to perform daredevil action.

    Xbox Live

    Dying Light 2 Stay Human

    Techland


    923


    $59.99

    $29.99

    Upgrade your experience with Smart Delivery. Buy the game once to both play it on Xbox One and get its optimized version for Xbox Series X | S

    Over twenty years ago in Harran, we fought the virus—and lost. Now, we’re losing again. The City, one of the last large human settlements, is torn by conflict. Civilization has fallen back into the Dark Ages. And yet, we still have hope.

    You are a wanderer with the power to change the fate of The City. But your exceptional abilities come at a price. Haunted by memories you cannot decipher, you set out to learn the truth… and find yourself in a combat zone. Hone your skills, as to defeat your enemies and make allies, you’ll need both fists and wits. Unravel the dark secrets behind the wielders of power, choose sides and decide your destiny. But wherever your actions take you, there’s one thing you can never forget—stay human.

    VAST OPEN WORLD
    Participate in the life of a city engulfed in a new dark era. Discover different paths and hidden passages, as you explore its multiple levels and locations.

    CREATIVE & BRUTAL COMBAT
    Take advantage of your parkour skills to tip the scales of even the most brutal encounter. Clever thinking, traps and creative weapons will be your best friends.

    DAY AND NIGHT CYCLE
    Wait for night to venture into dark hideouts of the Infected. Sunlight keeps them at bay, but once it’s gone, monsters begin the hunt, leaving their lairs free to explore.

    CHOICES & CONSEQUENCES
    Shape the future of The City with your actions and watch how it changes. Determine the balance of power by making choices in a growing conflict and forge your own experience.

    2-4 PLAYER CO-OP GAMEPLAY
    Play in up to four-player co-op. Host your own games or join others and see how their choices have played out differently than yours.

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    Olaf Leśniak, Writer, Techland

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  • Pokemon Go players have Go Tour: Hoenn Global and Rayquaza to look forward to in February

    Pokemon Go players have Go Tour: Hoenn Global and Rayquaza to look forward to in February

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    Legendary Pokemon Rayquaza returns to Pokemon Go in late February. Finally.

    The super-ancient Pokemon will appear in five-star raids from February 22 to March 1, and will know the Charged Attack Breaking Swipe.

    Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon are coming to Pokémon Go

    The folks at Niantic must have heard my repeated pleas for the Pokemon’s return. I’m super excited and will accept any raid invitation I receive featuring the Dragon/Flying-type. I better start saving my PokeCoins because I will need to purchase more than a few remote raid passes, I imagine. Keep your fingers crossed that I catch a shiny.

    Rayquaza’s not all you have to look forward to next month. Latias and Latios will be appearing in Mega Raids during this time.

    And, there’s even more in store. Pokemon Go Tour: Hoenn – Global will run the weekend of February 25-26, so there’s that to look forward to as well.

    You can take part in Special Research featuring Rhi from the Go Ultra Recon Squad. Rhi is researching Hoenn folklore about the Red and Blue Orbs, which are said to have some connection to Primal Kyogre and Primal Groudon.

    A Ruby vs Sapphire Challenge will be available and you will need to pick a side. The team you pick will shape certain in-person Pokemon encounters, so choose your side well. Each hour, you can complete special Field Research on behalf of your team. Depending on which team completes more Field Research, all players will see increased Primal Raids for either Primal Kyogre (Sapphire) or Primal Groudon (Ruby) — plus an increased chance of encountering additional wild Pokemon.

    As teams compete in the Ruby vs Sapphire Challenge, certain additional Pokemon will appear in the wild based on hourly results. Complete Field Research on behalf of your team to increase your chance of encountering these Pokemon such as Illumise, Wailmer and others for Sapphire, and Volbeat, Trapinch, and others for Ruby.

    Five star raids during this time will feature Attack, Defense, Normal, and Speed forms of Deoxys who may even be shiny.

    Pikachu wearing Brendan’s hat and May’s bow will also be appearing in the wild.

    Various Pokemon will appear in the wild, depending upon the habitat. And eggs will feature a new batch of creatures, with 10km eggs featuring either Torkoal, Tropius, or Relicanth – which I need.

    There will be a new Masterwork Research quest called Wish Granted, providing you with the opportunity to encounter Shiny Jirachi. Tickets will be available in the in-game shop for $4.99 from February 20 to March 20.

    Pokemon Storage and Item Bag Capacity increases will also be available through the in-game store. The maximum capacity of storage and items will increase by 250.

    You can look forward to new pieces of featured music inspired by Ruby and Sapphire created by Junichi Masuda, Pokemon video game series composer and chief creative fellow of The Pokemon Company.

    If you plan to participate in Go Tour: Hoenn live in Las Vegas, there will be an increased chance to encounter shinies. Attending the in-person event February 18-19 will allow you to participate in a Special Research story where you will team up with Team Go Rocket and earn some exclusive Timed Research.

    Finally, the in-person event will also allow you to skip steps leading to the encounter with Shiny Jirachi.

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    Stephany Nunneley-Jackson

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  • Co-op Puzzle Design for We Were Here Forever – Xbox Wire

    Co-op Puzzle Design for We Were Here Forever – Xbox Wire

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    We Were Here Forever is the newest game in our We Were Here series of co-op puzzle adventures, releasing today on Xbox. You and a partner play the role of Antarctic explorers who find themselves trapped in a sinister castle and must work together to escape! With the introduction of cross-play, we’re opening up a world of new players to team up with. Whether you’d like to play with a friend or dive into the game and connect with a stranger, it will all be possible. Communication is everything, and you’ll have to trust your partner, as streamers Copacaxi and Icharr_ demonstrate beautifully in our latest trailer!

    Our Design Philosophy

    What goes into making a good puzzle? We Were Here Forever is the fourth game in the We Were Here Series, so this isn’t our first rodeo. We start with some basic principles of what an ideal puzzle looks like for our game: every puzzle should be related in some way to communication and the different challenges and kinds of fun you can have with that. Describing symbols, guiding someone to navigate a maze, mimicking sounds, pronouncing silly words, and more.

    Simply put: if it doesn’t get you talking, whispering, laughing or yelling then it shouldn’t be in our games.

    Puzzling on Puzzles

    Inspiration for puzzles can come from many places! From a movie scene, an idea for a cool mechanic, some part of the game’s story, or even a completely abstract theme. The process of creating a puzzle is also very personal; every designer works in their own way and might use different tools. Options include building a prototype out of cardboard and boardgame components, sketching storyboards, detailed diagrams, making little movies or in-engine prototypes, and we’re sure there are many more. There have even been origami models made for certain puzzle environments!

    Generally speaking, we always search for the fastest and most efficient way to ‘prove’ the core idea of a puzzle – what makes that puzzle cool and unique, and does it work? Once we have confidence in that core idea we make increasingly more detailed prototypes involving custom art, tweaks and updates to the puzzle design, placing it somewhere in the world/story, and so forth. There can be months between that first version and something that looks like the final result!

    Screenshot

    Challenges in Design (Spoilers Ahead!)

    Getting the difficulty right for puzzles is one of the toughest parts of puzzle design. We have very different kinds of players enjoying the series, often for different reasons and with different levels of experience. Any puzzle should be just as interesting to a series veteran as to a brand new player. There’s also a very fine line between a challenging puzzle and a frustrating one, and getting that balance just right takes a lot of testing, tweaking and sometimes redesign.

    Simply put: if players get stuck it should be because they’re not cooperating or communicating well, not because the puzzle isn’t clear or is too difficult.

    Puzzles rarely make it all the way from initial idea to implementation without any changes. An example (with mild spoilers) is a puzzle where the players have to communicate with a creature using sounds – the players are separated while one has the ‘dictionary’ and the other has to do the actual communication. This means trying to mimic the sounds the creature uses to communicate, with one player translating them.

    This puzzle started out with the idea of mimicking sounds, but almost everything else changed. There was originally a kind of beatboxing challenge where players had to match the rhythms of two different machines. Players had to use record players and even something resembling a drum computer or sequencer! It soon became obvious that this was really hard, and that more organic sounds were more fun to try to mimic, so a creature was introduced. The last ingredient that makes it all work was the translation element: you were actually talking to the creature. That ties it all together and gives it a purpose. But even when that was figured out, getting the details right  – the questions/answers, dictionary, controls, and level of challenge – took a whole bunch of attempts before we reached the fun final version of the puzzle.

    screenshot

    Try the Puzzles out Yourself Today!

    But that’s enough about how we made the game – We Were Here Forever is out now on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, ready for you to dive in and explore! Grab a friend and team up to solve the mysteries of Castle Rock together! We Were Here Forever is the biggest adventure yet, following three thrilling standalone games in the We Were Here Series, each one a unique puzzle adventure you can experience with a friend. We’re happy to say that even after three games, we still have plenty of great ideas for puzzles – and long-time fans of the series agree, saying We Were Here Forever is the best game yet!

    Find out if you and a partner have what it takes to escape, or if you’ll be trapped in Castle Rock… Forever!

    Xbox Live

    We Were Here Forever

    Total Mayhem Games


    12

    $17.99

    You and your friend are trapped in the realm of Castle Rock with no way out – were you betrayed, or simply not that clever? Work together to escape, explore and solve puzzles in this mysterious Antarctic adventure. Be aware, nothing is what it seems – there are dark secrets hidden in the shadows. Will you be able to escape?
    Beginning in the dungeons deep in the bowels of Castle Rock, you and a fellow prisoner must seek a way out and return to stand again beneath the icy Antarctic skies – but escaping this nightmare is not so easy as just leaving the castle itself. If you can free yourself from the cells, you’ll need to make choices about where to explore next. Outside the Keep, you will discover the story of Rockbury, its inhabitants, and plans of a resistance formed against the King to escape this icy place. Hope will lead you on to an eerie Graveyard and have you descend down into the dark waters of the Foundry.
    Someone, or something, has brought you here, and you are a central part of a plan centuries in the making. Only an unshakeable bond with your partner will give you any hope of survival in the face of such dreadful desire…

    NOTE: This game is co-op only. It requires both players to have a working compatible microphone and an internet connection.

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    Thijs Schipper, Senior Game Designer, Game-Drive

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  • Restore the Very Fabric of the Universe in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, Available Now for Xbox – Xbox Wire

    Restore the Very Fabric of the Universe in SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake, Available Now for Xbox – Xbox Wire

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    When wishes go wrong, only SpongeBob and Patrick can make it right. Even though it was kinda their fault…


    Get ready to save Bikini Bottom in the all-new platforming adventure, SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake! When SpongeBob and Patrick receive a vial of Mermaid’s Tears from mysterious fortune teller Kasandra nothing can go wrong. Sorry, everything goes wrong.

    The lovable pals wish their wishes just a little bit too enthusiastically. So, they end up fracturing their reality, and releasing Cosmic Jelly — the glue that holds the universe together — into Bikini Bottom, with their friends being sucked into crazy Wishworlds! Oh, and Patrick gets turned into a balloon. But he’ll still be floating beside you all the way, because that’s what friends are for. Especially balloon friends.

    It’s down to you to hop, spin, bubble trap, kick, and Krusty-Krab-pizza-box-glide through seven Wishworlds to rescue your friends and deal with the unintended but devastating consequences of SponegeBob and Patrick’s actions. Each Wishworld is based on a classic SpongeBob location given a unique twist, where you’ll run into all of SpongeBob’s pals on your quest for sweet, sweet, sweet victory.

    For instance, to bring back Sandy you’ll need to adventure into a Wishworld that turns Bikini Bottom into the set of a Karate movie. Learn how to pull off powerful Karate moves!

    SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Screenshot

    Travel to a prehistoric Wishworld and find Squidward, lost in a land-before-time version of Kelp Forest where you’ll have to negotiate tricky rolling rocks while taking the form of grunting caveman SpongeGar. And become a spongey, princely hero in a fantasy medieval level set around a huge castle. Make it to the end to serve cake to guests at what is supposed to be the best party ever, while a wicked witch attacks you because this is a SpongeBob SquarePants game.

    After you’ve bounced, dodged, battled, and bantered through each of the different Wishworlds, dispatching cowboys, knights and all kinds of sneaky enemies along the way, you’ll have to use all your skills to outwit a range of madcap bosses. But that’s nothing everyone’s favorite sponge can’t handle.

    SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake Screenshot

    This new platforming adventure features all of your favorite SpongeBob SquarePants characters voiced by the original cast, a brand-new soundtrack from the composers of Battle for Bikini Bottom, and the classic comedic charm and chaos from the show. As you save Bikini Bottom and unravel Kassandra’s secret plan, you will get to don more than 30 Spongetastic costumes – after all, as you traverse the seven Wishworlds, you’ll need to fit in. SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake is out now and ready to delight fans of all ages. Everybody do the Cosmic Shake!

    Xbox Live

    SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake

    THQ Nordic


    86

    Wish-granting Mermaid’s Tears in the hands of SpongeBob and Patrick… What could possibly go wrong? Sure, the very fabric holding the very universe very together could come very undone, opening up portals into Wishworlds full of knights, cowboys, pirates, and prehistoric snails. But that’s nothing everyone’s favorite sponge can’t handle – with the right cosmic costume! Everybody do the Cosmic Shake!

    Preorder SpongeBob SquarePants: The Cosmic Shake NOW and receive the Official Costume Pack, including 7 additional SpongeBob costumes for FREE!

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    Tom Moore, THQ Nordic

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  • Threadlings? Tangles? Lashes? New Destiny 2: Lightfall trailer focuses on exotic gear and Strand effects

    Threadlings? Tangles? Lashes? New Destiny 2: Lightfall trailer focuses on exotic gear and Strand effects

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    There’s less than a month to go until the launch of Lightfall, and my girlfriend is already furious that we’re having to plan our apartment move around its release date. (I also moved a surgical appointment last year to avoid clashing with Shadowkeep.) Maybe this new trailer, which showcases some of the exotic gear coming in Destiny 2’s next big expansion, will help lift her mood*.

    Here’s a list of what’s showcased, with insight based on the accompanying spiel from Bungie.

    Exotic Weapons  

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    timothydclark@gmail.com (Tim Clark)

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  • Clean Croft Manor: PowerWash Simulator Gets Free Tomb Raider DLC – Xbox Wire

    Clean Croft Manor: PowerWash Simulator Gets Free Tomb Raider DLC – Xbox Wire

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    Starting today, Xbox and Windows PC players will be able to blast away decades of dirt in the new Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator, available with Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass!

    Walk in Lara’s footsteps as you traverse the illustrious halls of Croft Manor and its sprawling grounds. Tarnished treasures, muddy motors… even dirty dinosaurs – you’ll find them all here.

    The Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator contains five all-new maps to wash and explore.

    Deciding which locations to feature from Tomb Raider was no easy feat, but after whittling down a list of environments that were both iconic and rife with cleaning potential, Croft Manor’s undeniable appeal won our designers’ hearts. Not only is it a nostalgic place for fans of the franchise, but its owner is often too busy elsewhere to take care of the cleaning…

    Speaking of which, you are summoned to Croft Manor for this very reason. While Lara is away, it’s time to spray! The revered residence has been somewhat neglected recently, and while Winston has tried his hand at buffing the odd brick, the sheer extent of the mess requires more power.

    From the announcement trailer, eagle-eyed Tomb Raider fans will have recognized Croft Manor, the Obstacle Course, the Treasure Room, and vehicles such as Lara’s trusty jeep, motorboat, and quad bike. We decided to keep one level under wraps, Croft Manor’s Maze; we did send a cameraman in there, but he hasn’t found his way out yet. We hope you enjoy navigating the maze and its secrets with fresh eyes.

    Clean Croft Manor

    The Obstacle Course is a great opportunity to test your parkour skills (we’re sure Lara won’t mind) while the various vehicles will have Lady Croft regaling you with tales of close scrapes and narrow escapes.

    Collecting treasures is Lara’s prize but cleaning them is yours! The Treasure room was a great opportunity to feature lots of the artifacts Lara encountered and collected in Tomb Raider’s early years – channel your inner architect as you uncover precious artifacts lost to layers of dust and grime. Well, maybe you’re not quite as delicate as an architect should be, but you’ll get the job done!

    So, pack up your power washing provisions, fire up the blue van, and head on over to Croft Manor in the Tomb Raider Special Pack for PowerWash Simulator. We can’t wait to see what you do with the place!

    Tomb Raider Special Pack

    Square Enix Ltd.

    Whilst some seek the thrill of adventure, others prefer good clean fun – that’s where you come in! Grapple with grime in the ultimate quest to defeat all dirt covering Croft Manor and its grounds, along with Lara’s trusty vehicles.
    Lara’s childhood home is impressive but in need of some serious TLC to restore it to its full potential – rumour has it, the owner much prefers a life of danger to domesticity. You’ve been commissioned to undertake the ultimate cleaning caper.
    Your client may be used to less-than-ideal conditions out on the trail, but only the very best will do when it comes to the Croft residence. Unwind and blast away every speck of dirt you can track down, whilst Lara regales you with tales of past adventures.
    Wash and explore five new levels, including:
    – The illustrious Croft Manor
    – The iconic Obstacle Course
    – The mysterious Croft Manor Maze
    – Lara’s trusty Jeep and Motorboat
    – Lara’s majestic Treasure Room

    Xbox Live
    Xbox Play Anywhere

    PowerWash Simulator

    Square Enix Ltd.


    192


    $24.99

    $19.99

    PC Game Pass

    Xbox Game Pass

    Release the Pressure with PowerWash Simulator! Wash away your worries with the soothing sounds of high-pressure water. Fire up your power washer and blast away every speck of dirt and grime you can find. Build your own power-washing business and unlock new tools, upgrades and more – all with the simple satisfaction of power-washing to a sparkling finish.
    TIME TO CLEAN UP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD
    Build up your business in Career Mode and complete a variety of dirty jobs across the dusty town of Muckingham. There’s no right or wrong; no time pressure or final score, just you and the tools you need to soak away your stress. Want a clean start? Chill out and replay your favourite jobs in Free Play.
    POWERWASH AND CHILL
    Relax, unwind, and play with friends in Online Co-Op! Lend a helping hand to your closest pal in Career Mode, or up to 6 friends can splash around in Free Play, tackling any job the host has already completed.
    KEEP IT CLEAN
    For those looking for a little more pressure, beat your best scores in Challenge Mode! Fight grime in different scenarios; wash against the clock in Time Challenge or test your accuracy by using as little water as possible in Water Challenge.
    GOOD CLEAN FUN
    Graffiti, grime, moss, and mould, no dirt is too tough for your range of washers, nozzles, cleaners, and extensions. Different dirt types have different levels of toughness, so make sure you’re getting tactical with your equipment. Feeling fancy? Then customise your look with washer skins and gloves!
    RELAXATION, SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
    From casual, clean freaks to players looking to get into the nitty-gritty, everyone can pick up and play to feel immersed. Absorb the relaxing atmosphere and stress-free pace as you strip dirt from patios, pavements, vehicles, and public parks. Stress gets to us all, so sit back, relax, and wash your worries down the drain.
    THE WORLD IS YOUR CANVAS
    Create art by cleaning the way you want. Your nozzles are your brushes; the neighbourhood is your canvas. Unleash your creative talents and transform ordinary dirt into exceptional artwork. Share your techniques and showcase your power-washing prowess and mud-caked masterpieces!

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    Jess Green, Marketing Coordinator, FuturLab

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  • Scarlet Maiden Free Download (v1.01) – World Of PC Games

    Scarlet Maiden Free Download (v1.01) – World Of PC Games

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    Scarlet Maiden Direct Download:

    Scarlet Maiden is a captivating action role-playing game that takes players on a thrilling adventure through a beautiful, yet dangerous world. The game is set in a fantastical kingdom filled with magic, mythical creatures, and fearsome enemies. Players take on the role of the eponymous Scarlet Maiden, a powerful warrior with a destiny to save the kingdom from impending doom. The story follows the Scarlet Maiden as she embarks on a journey to collect powerful artifacts and defeat powerful bosses that stand in her way. Throughout her journey, she will encounter a variety of enemies, including goblins, trolls, and other mythical creatures.

    One of the first bosses players will encounter is the Fire Drake. This massive dragon is covered in flames and breathes fire, making it a formidable opponent. The Fire Drake is quick and agile, making it difficult to hit. However, players can use their magic spells and weapons to deflect the dragon’s fireballs and get in close for a few quick strikes. Another exciting boss battle is against the Kraken. This massive sea creature is a force to be reckoned with, with its long tentacles and powerful magic. Players will have to use all their agility and quick thinking to avoid the Kraken’s attacks and strike back when the opportunity arises. The Shadow King is another fearsome boss in Scarlet Maiden.

    Scarlet Maiden Direct Play:

    This dark and mysterious figure is known for his powerful magic and cunning tactics. Players will have to use all their skill and strategy to defeat the Shadow King, as he is not one to be underestimated. One of the most challenging boss battles in the game is against the Demon Lord. This massive demon is the final boss of the game and requires players to use all their skills and weapons to defeat it. The Demon Lord is quick and powerful, making it a difficult opponent to overcome. However, players who are able to defeat the Demon Lord will be rewarded with a sense of accomplishment and the satisfaction of completing their journey.

    Features and System Requirements:

    • Challenging boss battles
    • Powerful magic
    • New levels

    1 :: Operating System :: Windows XP/7/8/8./10.
    2 :: Processor: AMD Athlon
    3 :: Ram :: 1 GB RAM
    4 :: DirectX: Version 9.0
    5 :: Graphics:: DirectX 9.0 compatible GPU
    6 :: Space Storage::350 MB space

    Turn Off Your Antivirus Before Installing Any Game

    1 :: Download Game
    2 :: Extract Game
    3 :: Launch The Game
    4 :: Have Fun 🙂

    Download Here

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    Skring

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  • Update: Sony Says It Has Not Cut PSVR2 Production Numbers

    Update: Sony Says It Has Not Cut PSVR2 Production Numbers

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    Update, 12:14 p.m., 1/31/2023

    Following a recent Bloomberg report that stated Sony had told supply partners to prepare for a reduction in display panel orders, alongside word that the company had halved its shipment forecast as a result of disappointing pre-order numbers, Sony has refuted the claim in a new statement to GamesIndustry.biz

    The publication reports that “PlayStation says it has not cut production numbers for its upcoming VR headset,” touching on Bloomberg’s report. Playstation told GamesIndustry.biz that it is “seeing enthusiasm from PlayStation fans for the upcoming launch, which includes more than 30 titles such as Gran Turismo 7, Horizon Call of the Mountain, and Resident Evil Village.” 

    The original story continues below…


    Original story, 9:06 a.m., 1/31/2023

    Sony has slashed its shipment forecasts for the upcoming PlayStation VR2 headset it is launching next month, according to a new report from Bloomberg

    The publication reports that Sony has halved its forecast from 2 million units shipped this quarter to 1 million as a result of disappointing pre-order numbers ahead of the February 22 launch date. Bloomberg reports that Sony has told a supply partner to prepare for a reduction in display panel orders, and PlayStation is expecting to ship roughly 1.5 million units between this April and March 2024. That expectation could change if steam picks up around PSVR2, though. 

    As for the disappointing pre-order numbers, it’s not surprising – would-be PSVR2 adopters have been vocal about the price point of the headset. The standard retail package of PSVR2 will cost players $549.99, which is more expensive than the PlayStation 5 console required to play PSVR2. If you don’t own a PS5 yet but want to jump into the PSVR2 ecosystem, you’re essentially looking at spending over $1000. 

    Plus, some players have been outspoken about their disappointment in the PSVR2 launch lineup as well, which includes many games already available on other VR platforms or games previously playable on PlayStation VR’s first iteration. The launch window lineup includes more than 30 games, including a big first-party release in Horizon: Call of the Mountain, but it also recently saw Supermassive Games’ The Dark Pictures: Switchback VR, one of the more anticipated PSVR2 titles, get delayed out of this window

    PSVR2 launches on February 22. 

    [Source: Bloomberg]


    Are you picking up PSVR2 next month? Let us know why or why not in the comments below!

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    Wesley LeBlanc

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  • 40 developers staged a strike at Ubisoft Paris

    40 developers staged a strike at Ubisoft Paris

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    Last Friday afternoon, 40 developers from Ubisoft Paris gathered to strike in the first labour stoppage of Ubisoft’s history. It’s the capper on what has been a turbulent month for the company. Three weeks ago Ubisoft announced they were cancelling three unannounced games amid “worsening macroeconomic conditions.” In a letter to employees, CEO Yves Guillemot said that “the ball is in your court” in regard to hitting deadlines and overturning Ubisoft’s sticky financial situation. French union Solidaires Informatique said that Guillemot’s “words mean something: overtime, managerial pressure, burnout, etc,” and called on Ubisoft Paris employees to strike for better pay and working hours. It seems some devs heard the call.

    (more…)

  • Fortnite’s next Dragon Ball Super collab introduces Gohan and Piccolo

    Fortnite’s next Dragon Ball Super collab introduces Gohan and Piccolo

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    Epic Games has officially unveiled the second Dragon Ball Super crossover event that begins in Fortnite today, Jan. 31. The event introduces Son Gohan and Piccolo as selectable player skins, as well as reintroducing the Kamehameha attack item, Nimbus Cloud mobility item, and the Dragon Ball Adventure Island map.

    In a detailed blog post published on the official Fortnite website, the development team lays out the new additions to the game’s Battle Royale and Zero Build game modes, such as the aforementioned Kamehameha and Nimbus Cloud items, which will remain in Battle Royale and Zero Build until the launch of the v23.40a patch. Son Gohan and Piccolo, the two Dragon Ball Super characters featured in this year’s update, each have their own unique alternate outfits, emotes, and accessories included in their respective bundles.

    Aside from Battle Royale and Zero Build, players will be able to explore the Dragon Ball Adventure Island map, created by Vysena Studios, which features several iconic locations from the anime including Goku’s House, Kami’s Palace, the Room of Spirit & Time (also known as the “Hyperbolic Time Chamber”), and Beerus’ Planet. In addition, players will be able to compete in Tenkaichi Budokai, the map’s open PvP battle arena named for the anime’s annual in-universe martial arts tournament.

    The event doesn’t appear to be associated with any upcoming Dragon Ball Super-related announcement, but Son Gohan and Piccolo’s character designs resemble those seen in Dragon Ball Super: Super Hero, which premiered in Japan last June before its limited theatrical run in America in August of last year. This year’s crossover follows in the wake of last year’s Dragon Ball Super event, which introduced Goku, Vegeta, Beerus, and more as playable in-game characters.

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    Toussaint Egan

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  • Xbox Series X|S Prices Raised in Japan  – IGN

    Xbox Series X|S Prices Raised in Japan – IGN

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    Microsoft has announced that it will raise the recommended retail price (RRP) of the Xbox Series X|S in Japan, starting on Friday February 17.

    “After carefully evaluating the market condition in Japan, we have decided to change the suggested retail price of Xbox consoles in the country,” said a Microsoft representative in a statement to Famitsu, which was translated by Gematsu.

    “We regularly evaluate the impact of local pricing to maintain reasonable consistency across regions. This price revision affects our customers and was a difficult decision to make, but going forward we will continue to provide the ultimate Xbox experience that our customers expect.”

    The price of the Series X is set to rise from ¥54,978 ($423) to ¥59,978 ($462), while the Series S will similarly rise from ¥32,278 ($248) to ¥37,978 ($292) for a price rise of roughly $40 each.

    Phil Spencer had initially assured consumers that the price of the Xbox Series X|S would remain static in the wake of Sony’s 2022 move to increase the list price for the PS5 by around $50 in markets outside of the U.S. However, the Xbox boss later shifted the company’s position on price increases in an interview with the Wall Street Journal in October last year.

    “I do think at some point we’ll have to raise the prices on certain things, but going into this holiday we thought it was important to maintain the prices,” Spencer said. “We’ve held price on our console, we’ve held price on games, and our subscription. I don’t think we’ll be able to do that forever. I do think at some point we’ll have to raise some prices on certain things.”

    In December 2022 Microsoft announced that the price of games developed exclusively for the Xbox Series X|S would rise from $60 to $70 in order to account for the “content, scale, and technical complexity” of upcoming titles including Starfield and Forza Motorsport.

    Anthony is a freelance contributor covering science and video gaming news for IGN. He has over eight years experience of covering breaking developments in multiple scientific fields and absolutely no time for your shenanigans. Follow him on Twitter @BeardConGamer

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    Anthony Wood

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